Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy game drives in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, searching for the incredible ‘Big Five’
- Head out on a boat trip in St Lucia, searching for hippo and crocodile in the estuary
- Visit a rural Zulu village to see their way of life and meet a traditional healer
- Snorkel and kayak on the lakes of Kosi Bay, known for its four natural lake systems
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
11 nights from £3,295 per person
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
Have a budding botanist or wildlife enthusiast in your family? Then this action-packed holiday across KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is the perfect fit! Every element is designed to absorb your children in the wonders of environmental awareness without ever making it a formal learning experience.
Both children and adults can take part in this action-packed programme, involving such incredible experiences as tracking, orientation, bush survival skills, anti-poaching and spearfishing. Not only that, but there are plenty of ‘Big Five’ game drives, rural village excursions and interaction with elephants and crocodiles all throughout the adventure, ensuring everyone has a wonderful time.
During the 11-day experience, you stay at two locations – Umkhumbi Lodge in Hluhluwe and Kosi Bay Lodge in Maputaland. From start to finish, this is a thrilling wildlife trip for kids of all ages who love the outdoors, helping them revel in learning brand-new skills and knowledge along the way.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly UK to Durban
Depart from London on your overnight flight to Durban via Dubai.
Day 2 | Hluhluwe
On arrival in the late afternoon, you’ll transfer to Umkhumbi Lodge for a six-night stay in a two-bedroom family chalet, with 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. Settle in, be briefed on the planned activities for the next few days and enjoy the pool.
Day 3 | Hluhluwe
In line with the FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa) Level One syllabus, a professional facilitator introduces you to basic conservation and ecology principles. Walk through the property and the neighbouring Khuleni Game Park, where you’re likely to encounter wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, nyala and duikers. Whereas with an afternoon walk, your search turns to nocturnal creatures such as bushbabies, chameleons, scorpions, owls or mongoose.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 4 | St Lucia
St Lucia
The beautiful coastal town of St Lucia is a short drive away and the departure point for a two-hour boat trip through the St Lucia Estuary, where you’ll look out for hippo and crocodile in the waters. UNESCO World Heritage Site status was granted because of the unique interlinking lake systems and diverse ecology of the iSimangaliso. After the boat trip, enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing on a guided walk and then returning to the lodge for dinner.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 5 | Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve
Spend a full day at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and combine a game drive with short walks while you put your recently acquired ‘bush’ knowledge to practice. Where possible, see if you can spot some of Africa’s iconic species – everything from elephants to rhinos, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, lion, wild dogs and many more. This park is a hugely inspiring conservation success story, world-renowned for its rhino conservation and pioneering game-capture techniques.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 6 | Traditional Zulu Village
Visit a rural, modern Zulu village in the morning, stops including a local school, beer hall, homestead and traditional healer. After, enjoy lunch at Ilala Weavers with the opportunity to purchase local crafts. Your kids should then be in their element hearing about snakes, scorpions, spiders and other venomous species of South Africa. Not only will you see different species, but you’ll also understand that they rarely attack without provocation and what to do in an emergency.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 7 | Elephant Conservation Excursion
The elephant is a fascinating animal, standing up to three metres tall and weighing up to 6,000 kilograms on average – the largest land animal in the world! This morning, you’ll have an up-close experience with three of these gorgeous gentle giants, getting to grips with conservation strategies that help protect them and their natural eco-systems. Around 90% of African elephants have been wiped out in the past century – so this work is integral to their survival.
Staying at
Umkhumbi
Day 8 | Kosi Bay
Embark on a road transfer north to Kosi Bay for a three-night stay at Kosi Bay Lodge. This joint community venture is home to only ten rustic, en suite reed chalets with canvas roofs. Kosi Bay Lodge also has plenty of hiking trails for you to discover, immersing you in the striking landscapes like lush wetlands and pristine beaches. Or, why not glide through winding channels on a boat cruise? The rhythm of nature takes centre stage as the residing animals come to life.
Day 9 - 10 | Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay
Today, see the traditional and sustainable Thonga fish traps in action before spending the afternoon snorkelling and kayaking on the picturesque lakes of Kosi Bay. From November to February, leatherback and loggerhead turtle species can be seen nesting along the coastline. Should you require another safari fix to end your family adventure, trips to Tembe Elephant Park can be arranged locally, as well as day trips into Mozambique for ocean excursions.
Day 11 | Flight Home
Return to Durban airport by road for your late afternoon flight to London via Dubai.
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
11 nights from £3,295 per person
Shelley Phillips
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
• Six nights' accommodation at Umkhumbi
• Three nights' accommodation at Kosi Bay Lodge
• 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 and from the airport, and between the camps
Pricing Notes
• Based on two adults and two children/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
