Kwa-Zulu Natal - African Vet Safaris 2023

Day 1

Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg - International flights for your own arrangement.

On arrival in Johannesburg, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for the night – The Falstaff in Sandton.

Please do not forget to exchange or draw some money at the Airport since this is the most accessible venue. We will encounter cash machines later in the safari (days 5-7) too so please do not draw excessive cash. It is mostly for gratuities/items of a personal nature since you can pay for any extras at the hotel/lodges by credit card.

Please be aware of pickpockets and expensive/unlicensed porters in the airport terminal.

Your accommodation for the night is on a single room bed & breakfast basis and check in is from 15h00. Early check in subject to availability and may incur an additional fee.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel complex or ask reception about local options and transport – for your own expense.

Day 2 

Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your hotel and returning to OR Tambo International Airport with a transfer from reception. 

Please ensure that you are aware of the shuttle departure time.

Your flight departs from OR Tambo International Airport and arrives at Richards Bay Airport.

On arrival at Richards Bay Airport, you will be met by a representative of Brothers Safaris and transferred to Tembe Elephant Park – approximately a 3 hour drive.

On arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed by your hosts who will give you a brief orientation in camp and settle you into your rooms.

After a light meal/lunch, head out on a late afternoon game drive in an open game-viewing vehicle, with your local guide and African Vet Safaris wildlife vet. This is what you’ve been waiting for – a chance to see Africa’s wildlife in its natural habitat and get those photos of a lifetime!  This is a Big Five (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino & Buffalo) reserve but you can also expect to see many other interesting species during your stay, including multiple antelope species, predators such as Hyena and African Wild Dog  and the reserve is home to over 500 bird species.

Enjoy sundowners in the bush before continuing back to camp, searching for nocturnal animals along the way.

Back at camp you’ll have some time to freshen up before enjoying a delicious dinner and time around the camp fire with your hosts.

Day 3 & Day 4 

As dawn breaks over the African bush, a gentle tap on your door will wake you to the delights of a new day.  After morning tea/ coffee and rusks, it’s time to head out on your morning game drive, looking for the many species of wildlife that abound in the reserve.

Not only can one expect to see different species at different times of the day, but they may also be busy with different activities/behaviour…… so each drive is a chance to discover something new!

Tembe Elephant Park offers intimate encounters with some of the largest elephants in Africa. The 300km2 reserve, is located in the Republic of South Africa between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.

Enjoy a coffee break while out on drive, and head back to the lodge mid-morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Enjoy some leisure time before lunch.

Late afternoon you head out on another game drive, in search of species not yet seen!

You’ll arrive back at your camp early evening and have some time to freshen up, before dinner at around 19h00 and enjoying another good night’s rest.

Your accommodation is in a twin-share air-conditioned en-suite room.  Immerse yourself in the African bush with our luxury tented accommodation, offering a secluded experience in a serene sand forest.

Each tent is equipped with air-conditioning and boasts camping chairs on private decks, and comfortable queen-sized beds dressed with high-quality linen. 

Your stay for the next 3 nights is on a full board plus activities basis (accommodation, activities and daily meals). All drinks and extras are for your own account.
 

Day 5

Wake up for another early morning game drive, or simply lie in and wake to the sounds of the bush…..

After breakfast it is time to pack your bags and say farewell.

You will be met by the transfer company at 10h30 to depart to the town of Hluhluwe  – drive time approximately 2 1/2 hours.

On arrival at Hluhluwe River Lodge you’ll have time to check in before enjoying lunch in your new home.

After lunch, there will be some leisure time before we head out at around 15h00, we head out on a wonderful walking trail of 2 kilometers that meanders through the 80 hectare conservancy and passes through very beautiful sand forest and palid sand veld. There are Nyala, Red Duiker and Impala to be seen at close range on the walking trail and so is there plenty of bird life to enjoy. The shy Suni which is Africa’s second smallest antelope also frequents the forest and a glimpse of this elusive and rare species is a highly sought after sighting. 

Your accommodation is at Hluhluwe River Lodge, where you will be required to share the standard chalets, on a twin-share basis.

Commanding a fantastic view of False Bay (southern reach of Lake St Lucia) the main lodge incorporates a dining room, bar and a lounge area. The reception leads out onto an expansive terrace and grassed courtyard with a 180 degree access to all of the facilities and a superb view of Lake St Lucia and the river floodplain.

There is also the Errol Harrison Museum which is open to guests. This is a local history museum curated by Hluhluwe River Lodge in honour of Errol Harrison, a Zululand pioneer, outdoorsman and naturalist.

The terrace is a great place to take in beautiful surroundings at any time of the day.

The chalets are separate from the main lodge building and tucked away privately in the surrounding forested environment.  

The standard chalets sleep two adults comfortably and are separately located in the surrounding forest garden. Each of the eight standard chalets are built on stilts with thatch roofs and wooden decks. Each room is accessed via a wooden ramp leading onto a covered wooden deck appointed with comfortable chairs and a coffee table.

Double glass doors and a glass-fronted apex above the entrance facilitate a well-illuminated environment with views out into the forest. The chalets are fully air-conditioned with queen-sized beds and an en suite shower, separate toilet and vanity area.

The chalets are spread about the forested garden environment and within the forest canopy affording a cool and relaxing atmosphere at all times.

Day 6

After breakfast, we head to iSimangaliso Wetland Park which is a 45-minute drive from the lodge, once in the park we will head out on a game drive through the Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values.

The 332,000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700-year-old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25,000-year-old coastal dunes – among the highest in the world. The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place.

You might see animals such as Hyena, Leopard, Buffalo, Kudu, Zebra, Hippo and Bush pig to name few....

After our game drive, we have a short drive to  St Lucia, where we enjoy a 2 hr interpretive cruise on the St Lucia Estuary aboard the Santa Lucia, a spacious double-decker boat offering great vantages to view hippo and crocodiles and occasionally other species of mammals, as well as excellent bird life.

After  lunch, we travel to Hluhluwe with a stop at Ilala Weavers, a family-owned business, selling African fibre products, beaded products and other locally produced handicrafts. It is best known for trading hand-woven Zulu baskets made from Ilala Palm fibres, produced traditionally by women in the Zululand and Maputaland regions of Northern KZN.

After a full day exploring St Lucia you’ll arrive back at your lodge early evening. After freshening up, dinner is served at around 19h00.

Day 7

This morning will be a very early start as you depart for the Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park where you will enjoy a full-day excursion, game viewing and learning about Africa’s wildlife!  You will travel into the park in an open-game viewer, accompanied by local guides.

After breakfast at 05h45, you depart the lodge at 06h30 sharp and enter the park via the nearby Memorial at around 07h00.

You will spend the day driving in search of the many species of wildlife to be found in the park with comfort breaks and a stop for a picnic lunch and some leisure time at around midday.

The average travel time in the park is slow, stopping to enjoy animals and birds en route. 

Game viewing along the way we will head for the wildlife bomas/holding facilities in the Imfolozi section of the park.

Arriving at the bomas around 10am, we’ll enjoy a talk on the veterinary role in the park’s conservation and management efforts, before exploring the museum and wildlife holding bomas.

You will be shown around the bomas, explaining the design, use and the reason for any animals you might see in the boma. Pay particular attention to design which needs to be practical and safe for animals and people.

After the boma tour we’ll break for lunch and a look around the local craft market (remember your cash….) before heading out again – time to explore the Imfolozi area and find some of those elusive predators…… the lion in this area often climb trees, making the task easier sometimes….

Formerly known as the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve now the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, the park is claimed to be the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, officially opened in 1895. The Park is 97 000 hectares in extent and consists of two distinct areas namely northern Hluhluwe section and the southern iMfolozi section. (970 square kilometers, roughly the same size as Netherlands Antilles while Hong Kong is 1104 square kilometers in size). 

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the only state run park in Kwazulu Natal province that is home to the African Big 5. The Park is world renowned for its conservation efforts and history. The Umfolozi was previously used as the Zulu King’s (King Shaka) private hunting grounds. The conservation efforts have contributed to this park having the largest population of White Rhino in the world.

Once in the Park which is home to 86 species including the African Big 5, there is ample opportunity to sight a variety of game species and birds.  Species include Black & White Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Nyala antelope, Nile Crocodile, Hippo, Giraffe, African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Kudu, Impala, Bushpig, common Warthog, Hyena, Water Buck, Duiker, Blue Wildebeest, Jackal and much more.

The park is incredible should you be an avid birder with up to 340 species found within the area.

The Hluhluwe section is in the region of 40 000 hectares and is home to the highest concentration of Rhino in Africa while the Imfolozi offers a better chance of seeing Lion, especially on the Sontuli Loop road. Both areas boast breathtaking views from some of the higher areas.

You’ll arrive back at your lodge early evening and have some time to freshen up, before dinner at around 19h00 and enjoying another good night’s rest.

Day 8

After a late breakfast it is time to pack your bags and say farewell.

You will be met by the transfer company at 10h30 to depart to Manoyi Game Reserve  – drive time approximately 45 minutes.

A light lunch will be served on arrival / after the talk.

In the afternoon, you will be invited to come and enjoy afternoon tea on the main deck as you overlook the distant Lebombo Mountain Range. Afterwards you will go with your guide to explore some different areas of the reserve on your afternoon safari and will be treated to a magnificent African sunset to remember. On return to the lodge, you will have the opportunity to freshen up before having dinner in our ‘million star’ boma where you will be treated to an exquisite African inspired meal and can pair it with one of our award-winning wines from our cellar.

As the day comes to an end, you can sit around the bonfire and share the exciting stories of the days’ wildlife encounters with the other guests or retire to your suite to enjoy a sherry on your deck and listen as Africa's night chorus unfolds with distant lion roars, hyenas whooping, or baboons barking at lurking Leopards in the river bed below.

Day 9

After early morning tea and coffee,  we head out for our morning drive to be accompanied by reserve staff who will explain some of the management and research being conducted on the reserve. It is likely that we will assist with monitoring some of the reserve’s study animals, using telemetry tracking (tracking wildlife using collars). The reserve staff will explain their role in the reserve and purpose of monitoring and data collection

Head back to the lodge for brunch mid-morning.

After brunch Dr Brothers will give a talk in preparation for the veterinary work to follow the next day. This gives guests an insight into the procedures to be done, the conservation reasons and how to safely participate.

After the talks, there will be some leisure time before a late afternoon game drive and sundowners in the bush.

Dinner is served at around 19h30 and then it’s time for a good night’s rest if your excitement allows for that!

Day 10

This morning as we set off after an early morning breakfast and attempt to immobilise and (re)place a tracking collar on one of the elephants on the reserve…

Once we have located the elephant that has been earmarked for work today, the animal will be darted from a helicopter, or vehicle, by a wildlife veterinarian (either the reserve’s local vet or your African Vet Safaris vet accompanying you on this safari).

We will probably work with one of the bulls for safety reasons, and also since they are being monitored as part of the reserve’s elephant management program.

When the elephant is immobilised and it is safe, guests will be allowed to leave their vehicle and join the duty veterinarian, hands-on! There will be an opportunity to help monitor and treat the elephant/ assist with procedures. Provided the patient is stable and the work is done, there will be time for those photos of a lifetime too!

Once we are done, we’ll reverse the elephant’s immobilising drugs, and watch him recover. Hopefully, he heads off in a direction away from us!

After the immobilisation and the elephant’s recovery, guests will return to the lodge to catch their breath and no doubt share their experience in more detail as they examine their amazing photographic records of this experience.

After brunch there is leisure time to reminisce on the past days’ activities, or complete any activities we may not yet have done, or address any questions or discussions that there may be. By now your mind is sure to be racing with exciting memories!

After high tea we will head out into the reserve again in the late afternoon for another game drive, during which we will endeavour to find our patient and conduct a visual check up, if possible, or simply enjoy sundowners in the African bush .

Freshen up back at the lodge and enjoy dinner and the tales of the last few days around the camp fire. Enjoy another good night’s rest.

Day 11

Wake up for another early morning game drive, or simply lie in and wake to the sounds of the bush…..

After breakfast, it is time to pack your bags and say farewell.

It’s time to depart to our next venue – Nambiti Game Reserve – approximately a 5 hour drive.

After a brief introduction to camp and the reserve, enjoy some down time (time dependent) before lunch.

After lunch, there will be some leisure time before we head out at around 15h00, for a drive

Nambiti Private Game Reserve is set in KwaZulu-Natal on 23 000 magnificent acres near the town of Ladysmith.  Nambiti is also close to the renowned KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, a major attraction of this region. One of its major drawcards is that Nambiti is situated in a malaria-free area, meaning that guests don’t have to take medication before visiting.

This reserve boasts the attractions of the Big 5, the only one in the area to do so, and Nambiti’s biodiversity (it encompasses grasslands, riverine bush, savannah and thornveld) ensures a thrilling and unprecedented diversity of game (there are 40 other game species besides the big 5) and is a birders paradise.

Located in the centre of the Nambiti Reserve, Ndaka Safari Lodge is an African farmstead which has been converted and renovated into a homely, family-friendly lodge. This family-run game lodge has a guest-centred approach where Team Ndaka prides itself on providing outstanding personal service and attention to detail to create a memorable safari experience for young and old.

At Ndaka Safari Lodge you will feel at home with nature. It is the perfect place to catch your breath and feel alive again. Children of all ages are welcome at Ndaka and are especially catered for. The professional and experienced field guides at Ndaka have a wealth of knowledge on the local fauna & flora, geology, history and geography, offering a fun and informative African bush experience.

Day 12

 As dawn breaks over the African bush, a gentle tap on your door will wake you to the delights of a new day. After morning tea/ coffee and rusks, it’s time to head out on your morning game drive, looking for the many species of wildlife that abound in the reserve.

Not only can one expect to see different species at different times of the day, but they may also be busy with different activities/behaviour…… so each drive is a chance to discover something new!

Enjoy a coffee break while out on drive, and head back to the lodge mid-morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

After brunch Dr Brothers will give a talk in preparation for the veterinary work to follow the next day. This gives guests an insight into the procedures to be done, the conservation reasons and how to safely participate.

After the talks, there will be some leisure time before a late afternoon game drive and sundowners in the bush.

Enjoy dinner at 19h00 and a good night’s rest.

Day 13

It’s another early start today!  Enjoy breakfast before heading to the rendezvous point on the reserve we’ll be working in, for final preparations and safety briefings. When the chopper arrives, it’s all go!

Today the plan is to work with two rhinos which need various management procedures performed. Work needs to start early to avoid the heat of the day, but it takes time to find the right animals in a reserve this size and in the thick bush….!

The work you participate in forms part of ongoing reserve management and is thus dictated by their needs. Your participation in this safari covers the costs of these procedures, and hence contributes directly to rhino conservation – thank you.

The moment of truth arrives when the vet darts the rhino from a helicopter…... Once the rhino is safely immobilised, you will have the experience of your life while assisting with the various procedures – ear notching for positive identification and management reasons, blood sampling for DNA to help combat poaching, collaring, etc. - all the while monitoring the status of the patient.

All being well, there will be plenty of photo opportunities as you get hands-on with one of Africa’s most endangered species….

Once the procedures are done, you’ll retreat to the safety of the nearby vehicle while the rhino recovers and walks off into the bush, sometimes a little disgruntled!

Once all the procedures are done for the day, return to the lodge to savour the day’s experiences and have a delicious lunch, or enjoy a packed lunch in the bush, depending on how many veterinary procedures are done today (Kindly note that some meals may in the form of a packed meal in the field, to facilitate the veterinary procedures).

After lunch, there will be a discussion on the mornings work,

Time permitting there will be an evening game drive, again using telemetry tracking to try determine our patient’s location. 

Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and a good night’s rest after a busy and exciting day!

Day 14

Like the previous mornings, it’s another early start today before heading out on a short game drive. Enjoy the game viewing for the last time before you depart….. Or simply lie in and wake to the gentle sounds of the bush….

After breakfast it's time to check out and say farewell. It’s time to head to the OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg where your safari ends.  This is also when your African Vet Safari vet says farewell and heads in the opposite direction, leaving you in the capable hands of your driver.