THE BEST OF THE BEST
This is a journey with some of our absolute favorites in Zululand, South Africa. We have emphasized amazing nature experiences combined with first-class accommodation. Along the way, you will find varied nature, spectacular safaris, barefoot luxury at the beautiful Thonga Beach Lodge and a stylish ending with a bit of luxury in Durban - in short, the best of the best!
DAY 1: MAKAKATANA
From there continue to Durban where you will be driven to Makakatana Bay Lodge, the next safari lodge in the iSimangaliso Wetland Area, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This is a nature lover's paradise, with fabulous wildlife and birdlife. Animals you can expect to see on safari include hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, rhinos, elephants and antelopes.
DAY 2: ISIMANGALISO
After breakfast, you will join a boat safari in iSimangaliso, one of the world's most unique ecosystems and home to Africa's largest population of hippos, large crocodiles and incredible birdlife.
As Makakatana is the only lodge on the lake, you will have an exclusive experience far from other people. The day will be rounded off with an afternoon game drive before a quiet evening back at the lodge.
DAY 3: SAFARI in ZULULAND
After breakfast and morning activities at Makakatana, the trip continues to a private nature reserve in Zululand with “The Big Five”: lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard.
Zululand is home to some of the oldest game reserves and game reserves in Africa and is particularly famous for its large population of rhinos. The safari takes place in open land rovers with your own safari guide. It is the best way to experience Africa's wildlife. You stay at a fantastic safari lodge in the middle of the reserve, with a good location and all meals included.
DAY 4 AND X: SAFARI
A typical day in the game reserve starts early in the morning. The morning sun creates a beautiful light and atmosphere in the bush, and there are good chances of seeing animals at this time of day. We have found that time and place are forgotten when a herd of elephants blocks the road!
Back at the lodge, a healthy brunch awaits, followed by some relaxation, before heading out on safari again in the afternoon. The day ends with dinner under the African starry sky.
DAY 6: THONGA BEACH LODGE
After your last morning safari, you drive on to the pristine coastline north of Sodwana Bay, right up to the border with Mozambique. Now you are truly “in Africa”. You stay at the exclusive Thonga lodge. This is barefoot luxury at its best! Endless sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, crystal clear water, incredibly good food and exciting activities await.
Between November and March, turtle season is at its peak, when the enormous Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles come up to the beach to lay their eggs – one of the most unique natural experiences you can witness.
DAY 7 – 9: THONGA BEACH LODGE
The days at Thonga Beach Lodge glide by in a perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. After breakfast, you can snorkel in the lagoon right next to the lodge or join the diving instructors out to the coral reef. In the middle of the day, it's time to enjoy the beach or pool, before the afternoon offers new adventures: perhaps a canoe trip on Lake Sibaya among hippos and crocodiles, a guided walk in the mangrove forest or a visit to our Mabibi project in the local village. When the sun sets, the day is rounded off with a sundowner by the lake before a delicious dinner at the lodge.
DAY 10: OYSTER BOX HOTEL
The beach town of Durban is known for more than being a "hotspot" for surfers. Durban was recently named South Africa's coolest city by CNN and lives up to its designation. Here there are good opportunities for shopping, including the city's many exciting markets, surfing and other water activities. Restaurants from all over the world that can tempt even the most discerning palates. We recommend a guided tour of one of Durban's townships and we can promise that it will be a memorable day with many impressions. This is where you can taste real South African barbecue, "shisanyama".
DAY 11: DURBAN
The beach town of Durban is known for more than being a "hotspot" for surfers. Durban was recently named South Africa's coolest city by CNN and lives up to its designation. Here there are good opportunities for shopping, including the city's many exciting markets, surfing and other water activities. Restaurants from all over the world that can tempt even the most discerning palates. We recommend a guided tour of one of Durban's townships and we can promise that it will be a memorable day with many impressions. This is where you can taste real South African barbecue, "shisanyama".
DAY 12: DEPARTURE
You drive back to Durban airport. Along the way you can stop at local markets where they sell lots of beautiful crafts.
Fly home to Norway.
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