The best of Zululand

ADVENTURE ITINERARY DAY 1

We meet at 2 pm in the campsite at Ithala Game Reserve, giving us enough time to settle in and do a short 4x4 sundowner route. Ithala is an easy half day’s drive from Gauteng. The reserve is unique – it feels like the Drakensberg in its high-lying areas and the Zululand bushveld in the valleys.

DAY 2

After a big breakfast we drive another 4x4 route in Ithala Game Reserve. There will be plenty of time to explore the park. Be on the lookout for black and white rhino, but also many other wildlife species. We return to camp in the late afternoon.

DAYS 3 & 4

Today we head towards the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve which was once the private hunting ground of King Shaka. Due to our involvement with a conservation pilot project, we get to sleep in a private campsite on the banks of the river, in the heart of the reserve. We are also allowed access to a 4x4 route not available to the general public. This is a Big Five reserve and the game viewing is excellent. You will feel like a game ranger as we trek into the heart of black and white rhino conservation. The proceeds of this unique off-road and camping experience go directly to rhino protection in the reserve.

DAY 5

Today it’s time to visit the Zululand coastline. We enter the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) and drive a sandy 4x4 track around Lake Sibaya, South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Look out for hippos and crocs. Our route takes us along the edge of the highest vegetated dunes in Africa and into narrow tunnels of coastal dune forest. Our campsite for the next two nights is on the beach at Mabibi.

DAY 6

Today is a well-deserved rest day. Enjoy the Zululand coastline – Mabibi has a pristine beach where you can swim, snorkel, fish, or just relax. Weather permitting, there is an opportunity to go on a rubber dinghy ride out to sea. (This activity is not included in the tour cost.) Later we’ll have sundowners on the shores of Lake Sibaya.

DAY 7

We head north up the coast to the Kosi Bay Mouth on the border of Mozambique, where you can see the traditional fish traps. Our campsite for the next two nights is in Ndumo Game Reserve with its natural pans and prolific birdlife.

DAY 8

Today we visit Tembe Elephant Park. We’ll follow sandy 4x4 tracks through the reserve to look for Africa’s biggest tuskers. This is our last afternoon together, driving along riverine forest and the pans of the reserve.

DAY 9

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye. We return to the tar road that crosses over the Jozini Dam wall and meet up with the N2 near the town of Mkuze.