Dreamz Durban Safari

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Durban Safari, SA

highlights

Durban, located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, is a gateway to some incredible safari experiences. Here are some highlights of a Durban safari tour: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Big Five Game Viewing: Spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo) in one of the oldest proclaimed nature reserves in Africa.
Conservation History: Learn about the park's role in rhino conservation; it's home to a significant population of white and black rhinos.
Scenic Landscapes: Enjoy the park's rolling hills, lush valleys, and diverse flora.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized for its exceptional biodiversity.
Safari and Beach: Combine a safari with beach activities. Spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species.
Boat Safaris: Take a boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia to see aquatic wildlife up close.

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Luxury Safari Experience: Stay in upscale lodges and enjoy personalized safari experiences.
Diverse Habitats: Explore different ecosystems, from savannahs to wetlands and forests.
Unique Wildlife: In addition to the Big Five, look for cheetahs, zebras, and a variety of antelope species.

Tembe Elephant Park

Elephant Viewing: Home to some of the largest elephants in Africa.
Cultural Experience: Engage with the local Tembe community and learn about their culture and traditions.
Bird Watching: Ideal for bird enthusiasts, with over 340 species recorded.

Thula Thula Private Game Reserve

Historical Significance: Made famous by Lawrence Anthony’s book "The Elephant Whisperer."
Personalized Safaris: Enjoy intimate safari experiences with knowledgeable guides.
Gourmet Dining: Relish gourmet meals in a luxurious setting.

Mkuze Game Reserve

Birding Paradise: One of the top bird-watching destinations in South Africa.
Diverse Wildlife: Spot leopards, hyenas, and a variety of antelope species.
Cultural Tours: Visit local Zulu villages for a cultural immersion experience.

Getting There and Around

Flights: Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) serves as the main entry point. Many reserves are within a few hours' drive from Durban.
Guided Tours: Consider booking a guided tour for a hassle-free experience, including transportation and expert guides.
Self-Drive: Rent a car and explore the safari parks at your own pace.

Tips for a Successful Safari

Best Time to Visit: The dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for wildlife viewing.
Packing Essentials: Bring comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Health Precautions: Check for malaria precautions and ensure you have necessary vaccinations.

Overview

This safari between Pretoria and Durban departs during the summer months and includes game drives, a battlefield tale with a world-class historian and a look at unusual African ceramics. Experience the Nambiti Conservancy – a Big Five private retreat set on 20 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu-Natal. It has incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees. Situated on an expansive game farm, Spionkop Lodge – which adjoins an 11 000-acre nature reserve – is the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Ardmore Ceramics is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world. Visit this charming centre in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands before travelling the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban.

How to reach from Durban Safari

By Air:
Fly to Durban: Book a flight to King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, South Africa. There are direct flights to Durban from several major cities globally, or you may need to connect through Johannesburg or Cape Town.

From Durban to Safari Destinations:
1. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Distance from Durban: Approximately 270 km (3-4 hours by car).

Getting There:
By Car: Rent a car from Durban and drive north via the N2 highway. The park is well-signposted.
Guided Tour: Book a guided safari tour that includes transport from Durban.

2. iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Distance from Durban: Approximately 250 km (3 hours by car).
Getting There:
By Car: Drive north on the N2 highway, then take the R618 to St. Lucia, the main gateway to the park.
Guided Tour: Many tour operators offer packages including transport from Durban.

3. Phinda Private Game Reserve
Distance from Durban: Approximately 350 km (3.5-4 hours by car).
Getting There:
By Car: Drive north on the N2 highway, then follow the signs to Phinda.
Flight: Charter flights are available directly to Phinda's airstrip from Durban.
Guided Tour: Book a luxury safari package that includes transport from Durban.

4. Tembe Elephant Park
Distance from Durban: Approximately 400 km (4-5 hours by car).

Getting There:
By Car: Drive north on the N2 highway, then follow the signs to Tembe.
Guided Tour: Safari packages often include transport from Durban.

5. Thula Thula Private Game Reserve
Distance from Durban: Approximately 160 km (2 hours by car).

Getting There:
By Car: Drive north on the N2 highway, then follow the signs to Thula Thula.
Guided Tour: Book a tour package with transport from Durban.

6. Mkuze Game Reserve
Distance from Durban: Approximately 300 km (3-4 hours by car).

Getting There:
By Car: Drive north on the N2 highway, then follow the signs to Mkuze.
Guided Tour: Many tours include transport from Durban.

Tips:
Car Rentals: Available at King Shaka International Airport and various locations in Durban. Ensure you have an international driving permit if required.
Guided Tours: Many safari lodges and tour operators offer packages that include transportation from Durban, which can be more convenient.
Road Conditions: Roads to most safari destinations are generally in good condition, but always check current road conditions and travel advisories.

Depart from New Delhi, Pretoria. Travel southeast across the Highveld and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand

towards Heidelberg, site of the first Rand gold strike, and Balfour, a small mining town in Mpumalanga. Guests

may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car.

Lunch is served in the dining cars. The Drakensberg Mountains were first named by the Voortrekkers who

thought the unbroken chain of heavily weathered peaks reminded them of the spines on a dragon’s back,

hence the name ‘Dragon Mountain’ or Drakensberg in Afrikaans.

Tea in the lounge and observation cars. The train climbs to Majuba Hill – site of the decisive battle that ended

the First Anglo Boer War – then passes Newcastle, which has what is reputed to be the largest cella-dome

Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere.

Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Elandslaagte. Dress: Formal

Pass Glencoe, site of the first battle of the Anglo Boer War and now the centre of the province’s coalfields.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.

Enjoy a game drive in the Nambiti Reserve, a private Big Five bush retreat set on 20 000 acres of malariafree bushveld with incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees.

Brunch is served in the dining cars.

Transfer (±30 min) to Spionkop Lodge for the afternoon. A choice of two excursions is available:

1. Hear the historic tale of the Battle of Spionkop OR 2. Enjoy a game drive in the 11 000-acre reserve.

Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Estcourt. Dress: Formal

Shortly after Chieveley, on the right of the track, stands a memorial to Winston Churchill who was captured

here in November 1899 while trying to free an armoured train trapped by a Boer ambush.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train descends the escarpment to Lions River.

Visit the famous Ardmore Ceramics Gallery. Here, artists are encouraged to express their imagination based

on nature and Zulu folklore and tradition.

Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train traverses the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills.

Arrive at journey’s end at Durban Station. A number of museums and cultural sights, the

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Durban Safari