Excursion Hluhluwe safari game & st lucia lake boat cruise tour at Richards Bay

Experience the spectacular natural beauty and wildlife of South Africa during this picturesque, full-day nature cruise and safari excursion.

Richards Bay, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, Lake St. Lucia, Nature Cruise, Birdlife, Crocs, Hippos

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.25-hour drive north to the beautiful iSimangaliso Wetlands Park (formerly St. Lucia Wetlands Park). Upon arrival and after a brief comfort stop, embark your awaiting boat for a leisurely, approximately two-hour nature cruise on Lake St. Lucia. The lake is dotted with marshy, sandbank islands that are home to thousands of birds, with over 526 different bird species extant in the St. Lucia Wetlands Reserve. Along the way, view the mangrove swamps, prolific birdlife, world’s second-highest vegetated dunes, and the basking and nesting sites of the Nile crocodile and hundreds of hippos. In fact, this area comprises the greatest occurrence of crocodiles and hippos in South Africa.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Memorial Gate, Picnic Lunch

Following your cruise on Lake St. Lucia, disembark your boat, re-board your vehicle, and transfer to Memorial Gate, the entrance to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. Upon arrival, enjoy a scrumptious picnic lunch. After lunch, meet your ranger/guide, receive your safety and tour instructions, then board your open-air 4WD safari vehicle and begin your exhilarating game drive in the Hluhluwe Reserve.

Hluhluwe Reserve Game Drive, Big Five, Prolific Birdlife

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is the oldest game reserve in all of Africa. Set in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, the park offers its visitors an array of activities and opportunities, from open vehicle game drives and self-guided walks, to trails and picnic spots with magnificent views. Waterholes are dotted all over the camp, enabling wildlife-spotting at close range. The park spans approximately 237,221 acres (about 96,000 hectares), has an immense variety of flora and fauna, and is hugely popular for its Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes) and vast birdlife, which number more than 300 species existing within the reserve.

Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffaloes, Zebras, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Wildebeests

Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, where today the Big Five of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 1960s, the park became world-renowned for its white rhino conservation. It is also home to a spectacular array of beautiful and diverse bird and animal species, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, blue wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, reedbucks, kudus, and warthogs. During your open-air, 4WD safari vehicle game drive, you may encounter them from up-close. Afterward, return to the Memorial Gate, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Richards Bay, Lake St. Lucia Cruise, Crocs, Hippos, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Rhinos, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Zebras, Giraffes, Cheetahs

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of off-road driving and a moderate amount of walking for approximately 219 yards (about 200 metres), at times over uneven, bumpy, gravel, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and open-air, 4WD safari vehicles and embark/disembark the boat, and at the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The ride may be rough at times, and guests will experience bumpy, jerking motions. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, cotton safari wear (long-and-short-sleeved shirts and pants) with flat, sturdy, and closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, a light, weatherproof jacket, bottled water, and local currency or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least six years old to participate on this tour; minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests are not permitted to speak loudly, or stand up on the game drive vehicles, as this disturbs the animals. Smoking is not permitted during the game drives. No food may be taken into the reserve on the open-air, 4WD safari vehicles. Guests are advised not to wear jewellery on this excursion. The open-air, 4WD safari vehicles utilised on this tour are not covered, and guests are therefore exposed to the elements. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, wildlife and bird sightings are not guaranteed. Due to the prevailing weather conditions and movement of dangerous wildlife on the game drives, the tour sequence, timings, and itinerary are subject to change by the lodge management without prior notice. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. The driving time between the pier and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is approximately 1.25-1.5 hours in each direction. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Guests are required to fill out an indemnity form to participate in this activity, indicating passport or National ID number.