May 2025 - Conservation Safari South Africa

Day 1 – Friday 16 May 2025

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 Quatermain Hotel in Sandton.

On arrival at OR Tambo Airport LOOK FOR A SIGN WITH “African Vet Safaris - Conservation Safari”.

Your accommodation for the night is on a single room or double room bed & breakfast basis and check in is from 15h00. If you’ve requested an early check-in, it has been arranged and is included in the cost of your safari.

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

Day 2 – Saturday 17 May 2025

Enjoy breakfast (07h00)  before checking out of your hotel and returning to OR Tambo International Airport with a transfer from reception at 08h00.

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

On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, check in at Domestic Departures (Terminal B) for your flight to Richards Bay Airport - Airlink 4Z 883 JNB (10h35) to RCB (11h45) to Richards Bay Airport.

On arrival at Richards Bay Airport LOOK FOR A SIGN WITH “African Vet Safaris - Conservation Safari”

Your flight departs from OR Tambo International Airport and arrives at Richards Bay airport in northern KwaZulu Natal province, where the rest of your safari is based. 

On arrival you will be met by a representative of Brothers Safaris (Solo Travel & Transfers)  and transferred to Ndiza Lodge in the small town of St Lucia   – approximately 1,5 hours drive.     

After check in and a late lunch you will head to one of the largest estuaries in Africa for a boat cruise. 

Embark on a 2 hour cruise at 15h00, in search of Nile crocodiles and hippos. It is estimated that 800 hippos and 1200 Nile crocodiles reside in the area. The estuarine system, 85km from top to bottom and 25km wide at its widest, is regarded as the largest estuarine system in Africa. With an incredible abundance of Birdlife year-round you are assured of some magnificent sightings and photographic opportunities.

After the cruise you return to your lodge for a traditional dinner and an early night.

Your stay for the next 3 nights is on a single room basis, full board plus activities basis (accommodation, meals except where indicated for own expense & activities). All drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 3 – Sunday 18 May 2025

After an early breakfast (07h00) you set off for a day in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (depart lodge at 08h00). You will be accompanied by a local guide and your African Vet Safaris wildlife vet as you spend the day exploring the terrestrial animals in the park, and also visit the stunning Cape Vidal beach.

From St Lucia to Cape Vidal several loop roads lead to excellent natural features for bird-watching, game viewing and scenic lookout points. The Eastern Shores section hosts elephant, rhino, buffalo, crocodile, hippo, hyaena, leopard – and many species of smaller game.

Enjoy a swim (tide dependent) or a walk on the beach during our stop at Cape Vidal. Pending the weather, drive sightings and mood of the group, this may also serve as our lunch stop.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before being dropped back off at your accommodation at around 15h00.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the ideal beach and safari destination! The 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.
Cape Vidal “resort” is situated in a marine reserve yet only a short drive away from game areas. Marine life includes humpback whales, dolphins, rare turtles, whale sharks, marlin and sailfish.

After an early dinner at the lodge you head back into the park on a night drive in search of those elusive nocturnal species…..departing at 19h00.

After roughly 3 hours, return to your lodge for a good night’s sleep after the day’s excitement.

Day 4 – Monday 19 May 2025

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

Head for the wildlife bomas/holding facilities in the Imfolozi section of the park, arriving at the bomas around 14h15. Here you’ll enjoy a talk on the veterinary role in the park’s conservation and management efforts and be shown around the bomas, explaining the design, use and the reason for any animals you might see in the boma.

After the boma tour, you’ll have a chance to look around the local craft market (remember your cash/cards….) before making your way back to the lodge.

After another busy day you’ll arrive back at your lodge late afternoon/early evening.

After freshening up, dinner is in town tonight, at one of the quaint restaurants – for your own expense.

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 a birder’s paradise with approximately 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.

Day 5 – Tuesday 20 May 2025

After breakfast (09h00) you check out and head off to Tembe Elephant Park (10h)00) – drive time approximately 3-3.5 hours.

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 lunch, it’s time to start exploring your new “home”.

Head out on a late afternoon game drive in an open game-viewing vehicle, with your local guide and African Vet Safaris wildlife vet. Another 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 – some rare mini antelope reside here - and the reserve is home to over 300 bird species. Game viewing can be tough and you need to be patient and keep your eyes peeled here!

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.

Tembe Elephant Park - Where Giants Roam...
Tembe Elephant Park offers intimate encounters with some of the largest elephants in Africa. The 300km2 reserve, located in the Republic of South Africa between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique, is the ancestral home of the Tembe tribe who own and co-manage both the Park and the Tembe Elephant Lodge.

Tembe is the only co-community-owned, full-service game lodge located in a proclaimed game reserve.

A beautiful sand forest ecosystem in the middle of unspoiled bush.  Spot many of Tembe’s 340 bird species from your own verandah, enjoy a hot open-air shower under the stars, and sleep safely surrounded by the sounds of the African bush. 

Small animals wander through the camp grounds day and night, and the animals hardly know it is there. Sometimes it’s just an experience to stay in camp and let wild Africa come to you.

Your accommodation here is on a single basis in a luxury air-conditioned en-suite tent.  Immerse yourself in the African bush with this unique 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 single full board plus activities basis (accommodation, activities and daily meals). All drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 6 & 7 – Wednesday & Thursday 21 & 22 May 2025

Wake to the delights of a new day as dawn breaks over the African bush.  After morning tea/ coffee, 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 cooked breakfast.

Enjoy some leisure time before lunch, or go visit the nearby hide to observe animals coming to drink, and get some great photos! Depending on time of year and weather, elephants love frequenting this water hole late morning to midday. This waterhole has a live camera feed 24 hours a day and you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/VUJbDTIYlM4

Mid to 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. 

Day 8 – Friday 23 May 2025

Wake up for another early morning game drive, shorter today due to your departure, 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 around 08h30 to depart to Nambiti Game Reserve – drive time approximately 6 hours (including stops).

After a brief introduction to camp and the reserve on arrival, check in and enjoy lunch.

Head out at around 15h30 for a game drive to explore this new eco-system and search for new species.

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.

This reserve boasts the attractions of the Big 5 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) and is a birders paradise.

Nestled in the heart of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve just outside Ladysmith, Lions Valley Lodge is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s best-kept secrets. With over 23 000 acres of beautiful South African bush to explore, our guests are sure to experience the adventure of a lifetime.

Your  safari lodge is  the epitome of a luxury adventure! Guests are accommodated in lavish free-standing suites, offering maximum privacy. The décor of each of the ten suites is designed around a specific theme. Each suite has a luxurious bedroom with a walk-in cupboard and spacious lounge area. The open-plan bathrooms have two feature baths that invite long indulgent soaks. There are ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ showers in both the bathroom as well as outdoors for an added touch of magic under the African sky.

Your stay for the next 5 nights is on a single room, full board plus activities basis (accommodation, meals & activities). All drinks and extras are for your own account.

Day 9  - Saturday 24 May 2025

It’s another early start to the day and after morning tea/coffee, it’s time to head out on your morning game drive.

On this drive you will be accompanied by reserve staff who will explain some of the management procedures being conducted on the reserve. It is likely that you’ll assist with monitoring some of the reserve’s study animals, using telemetry tracking (tracking wildlife using collars) along the way. The staff may join you on the afternoon drive instead, pending their schedules.

Enjoy a coffee break, before heading back to the lodge mid-morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

After breakfast one of the reserve ecologists will explain their role in the reserve and the purpose of monitoring and data collection, as well as discussing the veterinary procedures you will participate in and are funding through your participation.

Afterwards, your African Vet Safaris vet will present a talk in preparation for the veterinary work to follow the next day – lion immobilisation! 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 lunch, followed by a mid to late afternoon game drive and sundowners in the bush.

Enjoy dinner back in camp at around 19h00, and a good night’s rest, if you can contain your excitement for tomorrow’s adventure…..

Day 10 – Sunday 25 May 2025

Depending on the planned predator procedure, today’s program will be flexible.

If the plan is unchanged and the aim is still to work with lion, this will probably take place during the morning since these particular lion are fairly habituated to game drive vehicles and provided they are in an accessible area, one hopes to have success!! Despite this behaviour you may need to set up a “bait station” with your African Vet Safaris vet and use some animal calls to lure them in….

These massive beasts are truly impressive and their size and obvious strength will make the hair on your neck stand up, especially when you get hands-on!

Once all the procedures are done, and photos taken, the antidote is administerefd and we monitor the recovery of the lion, before leaving it to fend for itself. Sometimes the recovery can be a long slow process….

Your participation in this safari covers the costs of these procedures, and hence contributes directly to lion conservation – thank you!

Once you ar done, you 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 timing  (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 morning's work, and another talk in preparation for the next adventure - rhino immobilisation!

Time permitting there will be an evening game drive. Enjoy sundowners in the bush at the end of an exciting day in Africa!

Return to the lodge after dark for dinner and some sleep, after a busy day!

Day 11 – Monday 26 May 2025

This morning you set off after an early morning breakfast and head to the rendezvous point for final preparations and safety briefings.

Today the plan is to work with two or more 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, but it is likely that we will be part of the ongoing rhino dehorning program in order to combat poaching. Your participation in this safari covers the costs of these procedures, contributing directly to rhino conservation – thank you.

The moment of truth arrives when your African Vet Safari vet darts the rhino from the 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, potentially de-horning, etc. - all the while monitoring the health 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, often a little disgruntled!

Once all the procedures are done for the day, you 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 timing  (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 morning's work, and another talk in preparation for the next adventure - a buffalo immobilisation!

Time permitting there will be an evening game drive. Enjoy sundowners in the bush at the end of another exciting day in Africa.

Return to the lodge after dark for dinner and some sleep, after a busy day!

Day 12 – Tuesday 27 May 2025

This morning you set off early again and attempt to immobilise one or more buffalo on the reserve… head to the rendezvous point on the reserve for final preparations and safety briefings. 

The buffalo will be fitted with tracking devices as part of ongoing management on the reserve and darting will be done from a vehicle, with a drone to assist, or potentially a chopper again.

Once the buffalo that has been earmarked for this necessary management procedure has been located, the animal will be darted by your African Vet Safaris vet accompanying you on this safari.

When the buffalo 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 buffalo / assist with procedures. Provided the patient is stable and the work is done, there will be time for those photos of a lifetime too! Buffalo are formidable beasts and this is a unique opportunity not to be missed!

Once all is done, the vet will reverse the immobilising drugs, and you’ll watch the buffalo recover from a safe distance. Hopefully he heads off in a direction away from us!

After the immobilisation guests will return to the lodge to catch their breath and share their experience in more detail as they examine their photographic records of this experience. Enjoy leisure time back at the lodge to let the activities of the last few days sink in, or discuss any outstanding topics of interest with your African Vet Safaris vet.

After lunch you head out again late afternoon to enjoy the African sunset and sundowners for the final time on this safari. Always a special moment to savour….

Arriving back after dark, freshen up back at the lodge before dinner. Enjoy the fireside chat after dinner as your safari draws to a close.

Day 13 – Wednesday 28 May 2025

Like the previous mornings, it’s another early start today before heading out on a shortened 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.

At 10h00 it’s time to meet your transfer and head back to Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport) 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.

Please note you will only arrive in Johannesburg early to mid afternoon (drive time with stops roughly 5 hours), so please do not book departing flights before 18h00.