Kwa Zulu Safaris

The Kwa Zulu Safari region (Zululand) abounds with wildlife in famous, extensive reserves within easy reach of Durban. The warm, humid climate and the lush vegetation provide an ideal habitat for a great variety of animals and birds. Excellent safari lodges offer well designed luxury accommodation with extra special care taken to ensure the living structures blend into the environment.

The Phinda Resource Reserve is certainly one of the most upmarket in the country. Home to cheetah and four of the ‘big five’, Phinda has really well sited lodges – on mountain, among rocks and in the heart of the forest. There are over 400 species of bird, among them Pel’s fishing owl and the southern banded snake eagle. A special treat is a night drive within the reserve where skilled rangers point out the never to be forgotten sights of nocturnal animals living their secret lives. You can also go for game walks in the reserve accompanied by armed rangers and have the opportunity of coming to within a few paces of rhinos, giraffe, buffalo, elephant and a range of other African animals.

The largest of the reserves in the area is the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve. It’s a magnificent area of woodland savanna and flood plain is a haven for the ‘big five’, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, spotted hyena and wild dog.  Famed for the rhino conservation programme, Operation Rhino, the area sustains between 1500 and 2000 white rhinos. The northern reaches of the reserve is shrouded in misty forests, grass-covered hills, dense thickets and enchanting rivers. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve sustains 84 mammal species and an impressive 425bird species.

The Kwa Zulu Safari region (Zululand) abounds with wildlife in famous, extensive reserves within easy reach of Durban. The warm, humid climate and the lush vegetation provide an ideal habitat for a great variety of animals and birds. Excellent safari lodges offer well designed luxury accommodation with extra special care taken to ensure the living structures blend into the environment.

The Phinda Resource Reserve is certainly one of the most upmarket in the country. Home to cheetah and four of the ‘big five’, Phinda has really well sited lodges – on mountain, among rocks and in the heart of the forest. There are over 400 species of bird, among them Pel’s fishing owl and the southern banded snake eagle. A special treat is a night drive within the reserve where skilled rangers point out the never to be forgotten sights of nocturnal animals living their secret lives. You can also go for game walks in the reserve accompanied by armed rangers and have the opportunity of coming to within a few paces of rhinos, giraffe, buffalo, elephant and a range of other African animals.

The largest of the reserves in the area is the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve. It’s a magnificent area of woodland savanna and flood plain is a haven for the ‘big five’, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, spotted hyena and wild dog.  Famed for the rhino conservation programme, Operation Rhino, the area sustains between 1500 and 2000 white rhinos. The northern reaches of the reserve is shrouded in misty forests, grass-covered hills, dense thickets and enchanting rivers. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve sustains 84 mammal species and an impressive 425bird species.

Mkhuzi is a 34,000ha sanctuary which is made up of savanna, woodland, and forest. The reserve is renowned for its pans, in particular spacious Nsumu Pan, which is the home of thousands of waterbirds. Bird hides have been established which make this a favourite destination for all you twitchers out there. The reserve is also home to hippo, giraffe, antelope and the elusive leopard.

The entire Kwa Zulu Safari area is rich in historical and cultural significance. It was here that Shaka forged his Zulu Kingdom, and Zulu kraals or villages in the region display the traditional Zulu way of life to visitors. There are several traditional Zulu villages open to the public, Shakaland and Duma Zulu amongst them. Shakaland is built on the site of Shaka’s original kraal and the village introduces the visitor to Zulu history, culture, even medicine and beer, and traditional dancing.

With the wealth of options available in this area it is advisable to do as much reserch as you can. Contact one of our Travel Experts to find out about combining the Kwa Zulu Safari area with the North Coast wetland and coastal sanctuaries.