Catch your first glimpse of the Elephant Coast as your plane descends over KwaZulu-Natal to land at King Shaka International Airport. Collect your hire car and head into the city, to the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani for a two night stay.

You have the rest of the day and the next to explore Durban; to wander along the Golden Mile, browse African and Indian handicrafts at Victoria Street Market, explore the Botanical Gardens or even ride the rollercoasters at uShaka Marine World!

Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani

Breakfast

Collect your hire car this morning and head north to Richards Bay, then through rolling KwaZulu-Natal scenery to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa.

Staying at the elegant Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, perched on a rocky hillside with expansive views of the park, over the next three days you’ll go in search of South Africa’s famous wildlife on game drives and bushwalks, swapping safari sightings around the campfire in the evenings.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has the greatest density of rhino in South Africa, and is also home to the other ‘Big 5’, namely lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. Your guide will also seek out cheetah, spotted hyena, zebra, giraffe and more.

Durban > Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park | 255 kms

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After a final early morning game drive, depart Rhino Ridge and continue your journey north to the secluded beaches of the Elephant Coast, where nestled among the sand dunes you’ll find Thonga Beach Lodge, a collection of just 12 thatched rooms, each set on a wooden deck for ocean or forest views.

All meals are included in your stay, as well as a host of activities including snorkelling, kayaking, guided nature walks, sundowner excursions to Lake Sibaya and, from November to February, a chance to see turtles waddle ashore to lay their eggs. Scuba diving lessons and spa treatments are also available.

It’s a natural paradise, as about as far away from the nine to five as you can be.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park > Elephant Coast | 200 kms

Thonga Beach Lodge

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, head south today towards Durban. The small town of St. Lucia is a good stopping point for a late lunch, and if you have time, a boat tour on the St. Lucia Estuary, home to over 800 hippo, 1,200 Nile crocodile and a wonderful variety of birdlife.

Tonight’s accommodation is the sensational Oyster Box, in the welcoming town of Umhlanga, around 25 km north of the city centre. Blending understated luxury with gracious hospitality, this iconic 5 star hotel has individually decorated rooms and suites that overlook the Indian Ocean or its beautifully kept tropical gardens.

The Oyster Box has a choice of restaurants and bars in which to enjoy the evening, though make sure to leave room for its legendary buffet breakfast, complete with fresh oysters, from its own beds. A fitting finale to your holiday.

Elephant Coast > Umdloti | 350 kms

The Oyster Box

Breakfast

Make the short journey this morning to King Shaka International Airport to drop off your hire car and board your flight home.

Umdloti > Durban | 10 kms