Itinerary Highlights
- Introduction to Environmental Awareness
- Learn about conservation and ecology
- Big five drives in Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Boat trip in St Lucia
- Visit a traditional Zulu Village
- Snorkel and swim in Kosi Bay
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
11 nights from £3,295 per person
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
If you have a budding botanist or wildlife enthusiast in your family, then this action packed holiday is a perfect fit. The itinerary is designed to involve and absorb kids and young people in environmental awareness without making it a formal learning experience.
Children and adults can take part in an action packed programme such as tracking, orientation, bush survival skills, anti-poaching methods and spear-fishing. Big-5 game drives, rural village excursions and interaction with elephants and crocodiles are also high on the agenda. You stay at two locations - Amangwane Camp near the Indian Ocean and Umkhumbi Lodge in the Hluhluwe area.
At Amangwane you sleep in comfortable reed huts, and at Umkhumbi Lodge enjoy a two-bedroom family chalet. This is a fabulous holiday for kids of all ages, who love the out doors and revel in learning new skills and knowledge.
Itinerary
Day 1 Depart from London on overnight fli...
Depart from London on overnight flight to Durban via Dubai.
Day 2 Hluhluwe
On arrival late afternoon, you will be transferred to to Umkhumbi Lodge for a 6-night stay in a two bedroom family chalet, all meals included.
Umkhumbi Lodge is a family owned lodge in the game rich Hluhluwe area, surrounded by wildlife reserves, endless sandy beaches and the richly varied ecosystems of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO world heritage site.
This afternoon you will have time to settle in, be briefed on the planned activities for the next few days and even get a chance for a quick dip in the pool. The tropical climate of KwaZulu-Natal often means day time temperatures reach 18-23 *C in May – October. Gather late afternoon to enjoy the sunset around the campfire before dinner.
Day 3 Hluhluwe - Intro to Environmental Awareness Progra
In line with the FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa) Level 1 syllabus, a professional facilitator introduces you to basic conservation and ecology principles. This is a hands on experience with a 3-4 hour interpretive walk through the property and the neighbouring Khuleni Game Park. A guide will point out tracks and other signs of the wild, which will bring the marvelous delicate balance of eco-system to life. On the walk you are likely to encounter wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, nyala, red duiker, grey duiker and the rare, shy Suni. An afternoon walk focus on noctural creatures such as bush-babies, chameleons, scorpions, owls or mongoose.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 4 St Lucia day trip - iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The coastal town of St Lucia is a short drive away and the departure point for a 2 hour boat trip through the St Lucia Estuary, looking out for hippo and crocodile in the estuarine system. UNESCO world heritage site status was granted because of the unique interlinking lake systems and diverse ecology of the iSimangaliso.
After the boat trip have lunch before continuing on a guided walk then returning to the lodge for dinner.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 5 Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve
Spend a full day in the reserve and combine a game drive with short walks whilst you put your recently acquired ‘bush’ knowledge to practice.
Spot many of Africa’s iconic species (species in the park include Elephant, Rhino, Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Lion, Wild dogs – and many more)
This park is a conservation success story, world renowned for its rhino conservation and pioneering game-capture techniques.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 6 Visit a traditional Zulu Village
Visit a rural, modern Zulu village in the morning, stops include a local school, a beer hall, homestead and if time and interest permits, a traditional healer.
Lunch at Ilala Weavers with the opportunity to purchase local crafts.
Kids love creepy crawlies and today they should be in their element hearing about snakes, scorpions, spiders and other venomous species of South Africa. Not just seeing the species but understanding they rarely attack without provocation and what to do in an emergency.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 7 Elephant Conservation
The elephant is a facsinating animal and this morning you will have an up close experience with three, getting to grips with conservation strategies that help protect these gentle giants and their eco-systems.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 8 Kosi Bay
Road transfer north to Kosi Bay for a 3-night stay at Kozi Bay Lodge which is a joint community venture with only ten rustic, en suite reed chalets with canvas roofs.
Day 9 Kosi Bay
See the traditional and sustainable Thonga fish traps in action and spend the afternoon snorkeling and kayaking on the lakes of Kosi Bay.
From November to February, turtles nesting can be seen on the coastline.
Should you require another safari fix, trips to Tembe Elephant Park can be booked locally, as well as day trips into Mozambique for ocean excursions.
Day 11 Return to Durban airport by road fo...
Return to Durban airport by road for the late afternoon flight to London via Dubai.
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
11 nights from £3,295 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
10th Jan 2023 -
15th Dec 2023
15th Dec 2023
£3,295
Helen Kennedy
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
• International flights from London
• Airport taxes
• 6 nights accommodation Umkhumbi
• 3 nights at Amangwane
• All meals
• Return transfers
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
• Drinks
• Personal items
• Lunches where not included in your itinerary
• Transport to from the airport and between the camps.
Pricing Notes
• Based on 2 adults and 2 children or two teenagers travelling together
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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