Durban Safari Tour Options - Durban Safaris and Tours

I get lots of queries from guests on an almost daily basis about Durban Safari Tour Options, so many queries that I thought it would make for a great blog post to help those still planning their safari trips from Durban.

If you have plans to come out to Durban for business or an event, or as part of your bucket list trip to South Africa, it may surprise you to know that Durban is the best placed city to explore the amazing wildlife of South Africa from.

The city of Durban is only 2,5 hours away from some of the best known wildlife parks in South Africa, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and iSimangaliso – not to speak of the many private reserves like Thula Thula, Nambiti, Manyoni and so many more.

It can be quite confusing though, as too the options that are available to visitors, so hopefully this guide will help to clarify the Durban safari tour options, and if it doesn’t, then simply email me.

Safari Day Tour Options

There are a few options here, I’ll list them out and then you can click on the individual links and view the itineraries or book right away.

1. Safari Day Tour to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Reserve

The grand-daddy of them all, the Hluhlwue Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa and home tot he famed Big-5. At just 2,5 hours north of Durban, the reserve is easy to get to and offers an amazing variety of game to view. Options extras include an open safari vehicle game drive and traditional braai (barbecue) lunch. View the tour page for more info.

2. St Lucia / iSimangaliso Day Tour from Durban

iSimangaliso is one of two World Heritage sites in KwaZulu Natal and for good reason, the places is full of wildlife! On this day trip from Durban you’ll get to enjoy a 2 hour estuary cruise spotting hippo, crocs and other wildlife, as well as visit a crocodile park and have the option to walk the boardwalk onto the untouched beaches. Find out more on the St Lucia tour page.

3. Elephant Experience at Bayete Zulu and Game Drive

This safari day tour from Durban is so popular! Imagine interacting with giant African elephants and heading into Africa’s oldest proclaimed reserve, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. The two elephant of Bayete Zulu are 100% wild, they are not drugged or trained in any way – they just know that if they make their way to the boma at the same time everyday, they’ll get treated to snacks! Find out more on the tour page.

4. Thula Thula Game Reserve

Just 2,5 hours north of Durban is the famed Thula Thula Game Reserve made famous by the book “The Elephant Whisperer.” On this amazing day out you’ll get to enjoy a 3 hour game drive at this heavenly location and you’ll be treated to a delicious lunch on the reserve.

Multi-Day Safari Options from Durban

There are quite a few multi-day safari options, here are the tours in order of popularity. It’s worth remembering though, that I can put together bespoke tours for you if need be (not everyone’s budget or travel needs are the same).

3 Day Safari from Durban to Hluhluwe Imfolozi

The most popular multi-day safari tour by a long way. On this tour you get to experience a 2 hour cruise on the St Lucia estuary spotting hippo and crocs, you get to enjoy multiple game drives in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, and you get to either visit a cheetah sanctuary or a elephant expereince! One this tour you’ll even get to enjoy a traditional South African braai (barbecue)! Find more info from the tour page here.

Curious hippo approach a crocodile in St Lucia

Two lion stand in the middle of a road — Curious hippo approach a crocodile in St Lucia

2 Day Safari Tour from Durban

This 2 day tour is a great option for those that don’t necessarily have the time for longer tours; I do a lot of the 2 day tours for visiting corporate workers as well as tourism volunteers. On this 2 day safari tour from Durban you will get to enjoy the 2 hour estuary cruise as well as evening and early morning game drives in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve. Best part, it’s still affordably priced and I do all the work, you just relax and enjoy your safari! Read up about he 2 day safari tour here.

An African elephant stands before a wooden picket fence. His trunk reaches out to a game ranger who is looking up at the elephant and holding the tip of his trunk. — Rambo the elephant arrives looking for his mid-morning snack from the game guide.

Rambo the elephant arrives looking for his mid-morning snack from the game guide.

4 Day Safari Tour from Durban

Although this 4 day safari tour from Durban it not quite as popular as the others, it’s still an amazing experience with fantastic reviews. On this tour you’ll experience the estuary cruise at St Lucia, visit the cheetah sanctuary and elephant experience and enjoy a hike at False Bay. There are also plenty game drives to look forward to and a traditional barbecue experience to enjoy under the African skies. Find out more here.

Safari Tours with a Bit of Culture

KwaZulu-Natal has always been considered the freindiest province in South Africa thanks to it’s people and with my safari tours, you can experience that warmth on a cultural tour learning more about the Zulu and Indian people that call Durban home. Here are some of the options you can enjoy.

Combine a safari tour with a Zulu cultural day tour in Durban – visit the rural village of iSithumba and then start your safari.
Spend a day on a Durban city tour and walk the Zulu and Indian markets with a guide, then head off onto your safari tour.
Travel into Lesotho on a day trip with learn more about this unique enclave in South Africa – from here head to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and then St Lucia.
If time is not on your side, then join a shorter tour to PheZulu where you can spend a morning of an afternoon learning more about the Zulu people and get treated to a traditional Zulu dance!

Safari Tours with some History

South Africa is a country that has seen major conflicts that have altered not only the course of South African history, but that of other countries as well.

The tranches that serve as graves at Spionkop

A steep hill called isandlwana is surrounded by dark clouds in the afternoon sky. In the foreground lay piles of stones painted white to mark the remains of fallen british troops. — The tranches that serve as graves at Spionkop

Visit Rorkes Drift and iSandlwana and then embark on a safari tour from Durban. You can spend just a day in the battlefields or longer, and then head into the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve.
Hike the Drakensberg Mountains and discover more about the original people of Southern Africa, the Bushman people. View their paintings left for us on the walls of caves dotted about through the area.

Safaris from Durban that Include an Ocean Option

There are many benefits to living in Durban (or KwaZulu-Natal for that matter) but one of the biggest is that we live right on the Indian Ocean. Home to a bewildering array of ocean life, the coastline along KwaZulu-Natal is considered to be some of the best diving spots in the world. The names of Aliwal Shoal, Kosi Bay and Sodwana are know throughout the diving fraternity!

Due to the seasonal changes, it’s best to rather just get in touch with me for packages and up-to-date rates.

Either before or after your safari, head down the coast from Durban to dive the Aliwal Shoal. Not qualified for scuba? No problem, snorkeling with sharks is an amazing experience and yes, it’s safe!
Kosi Bay and Sodwana are considered to be some of the best diving experiences in South Africa, and both are just 90min away from the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve – so you know what you have to do right?

Durban Safari Tour Options – Get In Touch

There are a lot of options when it comes to planning for safari tour from Durban, but I am here to help. feel free to contact me via WhatsApp or email and I’ll help get you started on planning your safari tour from Durban!

Call Shelldon on +27 (0) 74 995 6669
Email: info@durbansafarisandtours.com