On arrival at King Shaka (Durban: DUR) International Airport, you will be met by your guide and driven to the coastal town of St. Lucia. Once you've checked into your accommodation for your first two nights you will receive your tour briefing and orientation. 

The remainder of the day is free to explore the town. This is a town teeming with wildlife from the vervet monkeys that love to sit in the town's trees and gardens eating the fruit and flowers to the hippos that wonder through town every night searching for their favourite food, grass; there is no need for gardeners in St. Lucia the wildlife does it for free!

It is usual on the first night to go for a group dinner to one of the town's restaurants.  Your guide will then be on hand to explain all the excursions available for you to experience during your tour.

Your full day at St. Lucia is free to simply relax by the pool or wonder through the town and surrounding indigenous forest.  However, should you prefer something more exhilirating we can arrange a safari into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park where you can get your first African safari experience.  The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching from the Mozambique border to the north to Cape St. Lucia in the south, and is home to 4 of the Big 5 (Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino). Lunch is served in the form of a braai (South African BBQ) on the shores of Cape Vidal beach before returning mid afternoon through the park.  

Alternatively, spend your morning in search of humpback whales that migrate along South Africa's coastline each year.  This boat tour starts early in the morning with an exciting 'surf launch' so you'll need to hold on tight! It takes you along the coastline in search of these huge mammals.  The advantage of partaking in a whale watching tour from St. Lucia is the limited boat numbers permitted, close-ups and high sighting rates (seasonal).

In the late afternoon you will take a sunset boat cruise on the waters of St. Lucia Estuary.  Drift along the waters getting close to the huge hippo population along with Nile crocodiles and the occasional Zambezi (bull) shark that live in its shallow waters.

Following breakfast we will depart the town of St. Lucia and travel by road to Phinda Private Game Reserve.  Here you will check in for 3 nights at one of the luxury lodges situated on this private reserve in Zululand.  

The Reserve encompasses an impressive 28,555 hectares (70,560 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five, cheetah and wild dog as well as 436 bird species. 

In the afternoon you will head out on your first African safari in a open game drive vehicle in search of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & rhino).

Phinda is renowned for its superb cheetah, lion and rhino sightings, your experienced guide and tracker will use their skills to negoticate the terrain both on and off road to enable you to get wildlife sightings of a lifetime.

Each morning you will rise early and join your guide and tracker on a safari on the Phinda Reserve.  During your 3 hour safari your guide will stop in the bush for refreshments giving you the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Upon returning from your morning safari you will tuck into a deliciously cooked breakfast accompanied by freshly baked breads and muffins at one of a number of stunning locations at the lodge.  

Following a restful afternoon by the pool or on your veranda you'll join your guide and tracker once again for afternoon tea before setting off on your evening safari, as the sun starts to dip in the sky the predators begin to stir ready for a night of hunting. Your guide will follow them as the light fades while they stalk their prey.  On your way back to the lodge your tracker will reach for his spotlight and show you many of the small nocturnal creatures that are only seen once the darkness has fallen.

Once you reach camp you'll be ready for a gin & tonic before sampling the chefs mouthwatering offerings.

• Zulu Village Tour, you will be invited into a traditional homestead and given the rare opportunity to witness the daily routines and lifestyle of an authentic, rural Zulu family where aeons of tradition intersect with modern life.

• Rhino, Elephant & Pangolin conservation projects, such as rhino de-horning and ear notching, elephant collaring & tagging pangolin.

• Nature and big game walks, experience the thrill of viewing animals on foot, as you engage all your senses to discover a world where each sound, scent and bent blade of grass has a meaning. Each are led by an expertly-trained ranger and tracker team.

• Black Rhino tracking on foot, slip on some comfortable walking shoes, grab your binoculars and camera, and spend the morning on foot with an expert ranger and tracker team in search of the rare and highly endangered black rhinoceros, also known as the hook-lipped rhinoceros.

All available at an additional cost (some require pre-booking)

After our hearty breakfast we will wave goodbye to Phinda and head to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. We will travel by road crossing into the Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland), the only remaining absolute monachy in Africa.  Here you will check in for 2 nights, staying in traditional beehive huts.  The accommodation consists of stunning and unique thatched domes each with en-suite bathrooms set in a semi circle boma.

Here the wildlife comes to your door, it is common for you to walk out of your room straight into a herd of nyala or zebra busy eating the grass around your hut. This freedom to explore Mlilwane is unique due to the absence of the Big 5, and whatever activities you chose to do here, getting amongst zebra, wildebeest, nyala and blesbuck is a daily occurrence. Mlilwane’s wildlife is amazingly tolerant, allowing for unparalleled memories and photographic moments. 

Hiking, mountain biking and horseriding are just some of the optional activities available at Mlilwane.

Following our breakfast we will say goodbye to the wildlife at Mlilwane and once again head by road to the border, crossing back into South Africa and make our way to our second luxury safari experience. Here we will check in for 3 fabulous nights at Kirkman's Kamp, Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Step back in time, into the classical ambiance of this original 1920s homestead. Enjoy spectacular views of the unspoiled landscape that surrounds the Sand River. Delectable tea is served on the rolling lawn, and breakfast and lunch are served on shady verandas. Dinner is a delightful affair, where mouth-watering Pan-African menus can be enjoyed in a boma or candlelit bush setting.

Here you will enbark on twice daily game drives with your guide and tracker in search of the African wildlife.

The Sabi Sand is arguably a safari experience like no other in the world. Sharing an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park. This reserve is particularly well known for its prolific big cat sightings such as leopard and lion, with vehicles limited at sightings ensures exclusivity for that up-close game viewing experience.

Choose from a variety of exciting activities such as twice-daily game drives, interpretive bush and nature walks, photography lessons, birdwatching, star gazing and a game of tennis.

On our final morning we will depart the Greater Kruger and drive back to O.R. Tambo Int'l Airport, Johannesburg where your tour will be conclued by 17:30.

• St. Lucia: accommodation, breakfast, Sunset Hippo Boat Cruise

• Phinda Game Reserve & Greater Kruger: accommodation, all meals, twice daily game drives, local drinks

• eSwatini (Swaziland): accommodation, breakfast

• Guide

• All road transfers

• All entrance fees and levies

Excluded:

• St. Lucia: Whale Watching Tour, iSimangaliso Wetland Park safari

• Mlilwane mountain bike hire, horse riding

• Imported wines, spirits, champagne and cigars

• All activities not stated as included

• All meals not stated included

• Travel visas (single entry for eSwatini & multiple entry for South Africa)

• International & domestic flights

• Medical & travel Insurance