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Looking for Something Different to Do in Durban? Meet an African Elephant and Go on Safari

Two elephant stand near each other while two men stand watching the elephant separated by a wooden fence. The men are game rengers.
The resident elephant at Bayete Zulu arrive for their late morning treats and show.

If you’re coming to Durban, chances are you already have some idea of what you want to do.

There’s the beach, the Golden Mile, uShaka Marine World, markets, restaurants and plenty of opportunities to experience Durban’s unique mix of Zulu, Indian and South African cultures.

But what if you want to get out of the city for a day?

One of my favourite options is to head north and combine something rather special with a proper African safari: an elephant interaction at Bayete Zulu followed by a game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.

It makes for a long day, but it is one that I think is well worth doing.

Meet an African Elephant

I have always had a bit of a soft spot for elephants.

There is something quite incredible about standing next to one and appreciating just how big these animals actually are. Seeing an elephant on a game drive is one thing. Standing a few metres away from one is something completely different.

At Bayete Zulu, the elephant experience gives you the opportunity to spend time with the resident elephants, learn more about them and get some fantastic photographs.

And yes, you can get surprisingly close.

For many of my guests, this is the highlight of the entire day.

I’ve had people who have travelled all the way from the other side of the world simply to see an African elephant in the flesh, and watching their reaction when they finally get close to one is something I never get tired of.

But This Isn’t Just an Elephant Experience

This is the part I particularly like about the day.

Two African elephant stand facing a short wooden fence and reach out with their trunks to visitors who stand nearby with food.
These two wild elephant love nothing more than to get a few handfuls of treats at the Bayete Zulu elephant interaction

After spending time with the elephants, we continue on to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon game drive.

So rather than spending the entire day at one attraction, you get two very different wildlife experiences.

First, you get the opportunity to get close to an elephant and learn more about these remarkable animals.

Then we head into the bush and start looking for wildlife.

Hluhluwe Imfolozi is home to the Big Five, so there is always the possibility of seeing some of Africa’s most famous animals.

Guests wait patiently while two wild elephant decide on whether they are staying or going.
A herd of 6 elephants including a young calf walk towards the photographer on a dirt road that has African bushes and growing along side.
A herd of female elephant make their way along the dirt road towards a waterhole.

Rhino are particularly special here, but we could also encounter elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and plenty of other wildlife.

Of course, this is wildlife and nobody can promise exactly what we will see.

That is also part of the fun.

A Safari Day Trip from Durban

One of the questions I am often asked is whether it is actually possible to go on safari while staying in Durban.

The answer is yes.

You don’t have to travel to Kruger National Park or spend several nights in a luxury safari lodge to experience African wildlife.

KwaZulu-Natal has some excellent wildlife destinations within reach of Durban, and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is one of my favourites.

An male African elephant is eating grass on a typical African bush veld. The skies are deep blue with a few patchy clouds. The elephant has mud drying on his back
A Male elephant is enjoying a midday snack after having been frolicking in a mud hole nearby
A giraffe enjoys the late afternoon sun at the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve

The elephant and safari experience is a full-day excursion. I collect you from your accommodation in Durban in the morning and we make our way north into KwaZulu-Natal.

It is a long day, but everything is taken care of, including the transport and entrance fees.

All you really need to do is sit back, enjoy the scenery and see what we can find.

Staying at Club Med?

This experience is also a great option if you are staying at Club Med South Africa.

The resort is ideally placed for exploring more of KwaZulu-Natal, and you don’t have to spend your entire holiday sitting beside the pool!

I can collect you directly from Club Med and take you north for the elephant experience and safari before returning you to the resort later in the day.

For visitors staying at Club Med who want to see a little more of South Africa beyond the resort, I think this is a particularly good option.

You get wildlife, scenery and a genuine South African experience, all in one day.

Is This Tour Right for You?

I’d recommend this day trip if:

  • You are staying in Durban and want to experience an African safari.
  • You don’t have time for an overnight safari.
  • You would love to get close to an African elephant.
  • You are staying at Club Med and want to explore beyond the resort.
  • You are visiting Durban as part of a wider South African holiday.
  • You want something a little different from the usual Durban attractions.

It is also a good option for families, couples and small groups.

And because I run the tour as a personal, guided experience, I can keep the day flexible where possible rather than simply moving everyone from one attraction to the next.

So, Is It Worth Leaving Durban for the Day?

Absolutely.

I love Durban, but one of the great advantages of visiting this part of South Africa is that you don’t have to travel very far to find something completely different.

An African buffalo stands in the long grass and stares at the camera
A male buffalo poses for guests at the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve
A troop of 8 baboon run along a dirt road towards the camera as a car approaches slowly behind them
A troop of babboon
A female warthog stands facing the camer while 4 small warthog role in the mud at her feet
A warthog mum stands watch over her piglets
A zebra stands sideways and poses for the photographer
A zebra stays vigilant

You can have breakfast in Durban, be standing next to an African elephant later that morning and spend the afternoon looking for rhino, buffalo and other wildlife in one of South Africa’s most famous game reserves.

That’s a pretty good day out.

If you are visiting Durban and would like to experience an elephant interaction and safari without having to arrange all the logistics yourself, I’d be very happy to take you.

Book the Elephant Interaction and Safari Day Tour

Or, if you’re staying at Club Med, get in touch and I can arrange collection and return directly from the resort.

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