Hluhluwe Safari and Hippo Cruise

Prices From: R2 420.00 pp

Hluhluwe Safari

and Hippo Cruise

Prices From: R2 420.00 pp
Based on 7 people.

What is Hluhluwe Safari and Hippo Cruise

Enjoy the two most popular excursions in one day at Hluhluwe Safari and Hippo Cruise! With this option you get a chance to visit Africa’s oldest game reserve and South Africa’s first World Heritage Site.

In Hluhluwe Game Reserve we can get to see the Big 5, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, various antelope, cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeest, wild dogs, many other animals and an abundance of birdlife. We don’t only get to see the birds and animals but we also experience the different terrain and vast open savannas.

Isimangaliso Wetland Park was proclaimed a world heritage sight in 1999. Over 800 hippos can be found in Lake St Lucia. This is South Africa’s largest population of hippo. A beautiful sunset boat trip up the estuary would be the perfect way to see what Lake St. Lucia has to offer. As you float along we will see pods of hippos, crocodiles up to 3 metres long basking in the sun and you can hear the call of a fish eagle. Isimangaliso Wetland Park offers the avid birder an abundance of bird life.

These memories are bound to bring you back to Africa.

Hluhluwe Safari and Hippo Cruise Tour Details

Safari Times:

05:00 Depart Richards Bay

06:00 Arrive at Nyalazi Gate

08:00 Breakfast

12:00 Depart to St. Lucia

13:00 Lunch in St. Lucia for own account

14:45 Boat Cruise (departure times vary in winter and summer)

17:00 Depart back to Richards Bay

Hluhluwe Safari And Hippo Cruise Safari Times

Itinerary

Pick up in Richards Bay at 05:00, you will be transferred to the Nyalazi gate at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. We arrive at the gate at 05:55.

At 08:00 we have breakfast at one of the tranquil picnic spots. We then set out to explore the southern area of the park which is well known for its vast open plains where large herds of zebra and various antelope roam. Where there’s an abundance of food there ought to be a predator. After scanning the beautiful Hluhluwe Imfolozi terrain we start making our way back to the gate and onto St. Lucia.

We arrive in St. Lucia at 13:00 in time for a well deserved lunch. If time permits we can visit the craft market. At 14:45 we make our way to the Sunset Jetty for our Lake St. Lucia boat cruise. The 2 hour hippo croc cruise is on the largest estuary in South Africa. Disembark at 17h00 and return to Richards Bay.

Included on Half Day Safari

  • Transport.
  • Conservation Levy.
  • Breakfast – fresh fruit in season, yogurt, cheese, croissants, muffins and typical African rusks.
  • Refreshments – coffee, teas, juices and cold water.
  • Lunch is St. Lucia for own account.
  • Hippo/Croc Boat Cruise.
  • An experienced guide to give you the best safari experience.

What to take along

  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses

  • Light jacket

  • Binoculars

  • Camera with spare batteries
  • Memory cards

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What others think about us?

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  • Positive Min  Teshni was amazing from pre-booking to post-booking!! I couldn't have asked for a better guide!! At this point, I consider Teshni more like a friend than a guide, as I chatted with her more than anyone. She was always looking out for our best interests and raised some potential challenges (e.g. cruise ship issues) so we knew to expect them. Likewise, she was also hesitant to take payment (as she doesn't offer refunds) to make sure that our ship did dock and we weren't out any extra money. When choosing to book with Teshni, I decided to go with her company because she seemed to try to make the most of the day and wanted to ensure I was happy rather than just create a day that she wanted to guide for (like some other guides). We were a bit late (90 minutes) for this experience because we were disembarking from a cruise ship. While I was not looking forward to choosing between the game reserve and the St. Lucia croc/hippo boat sunset boat tour, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! When we booked, Teshni said we would have a light snack included and I though the cute picnic bags we received with biltong, nuts, and fruit was the light snack. But, she also had so much pasta, local candy bars, and samosas! It was a large meal! I felt so lucky that Teshni drove us through the park, as we managed to see the most amazing animals in their natural habitats!! It was just awe-inspiring. She always angled her car to make sure everyone in the group was able to take good pictures and we stayed in the park until the very last moment (happening upon giraffes at the last minute!). It was a very magical experience!! thank you Teshni!! My silly husband accidentally left his Prada sunglasses in the car and Teshni reached out and managed to mail them to us in Cape Town!! I would highly recommend Teshni (my friend) :) to be your guide.

    1673282235 8540142612727033 Kirsten L Cowan
    January 9, 2023

    Positive Min  We had a super amazing safari experience. Teshni is a fantastic tour/nature guide with an abundance of information to share. The safari vehicle of choice was perfect, it offered very comfortable seats and a well air-conditioned interior. Best safari that we've been on to date.

    1668368723 5374551682673695 Leaves N Buds
    November 13, 2022

    Positive Min  Initially i was not keen on going to South Africa. Because of the safety issues and its reputation of being violent. Teshni told us before hand to come with an open mind and heart to receice everything South Africa had to offer. So i did. And did it have to offer something! Thanks to Teshni's guidance and good mood every day again, we were able to experience the best South Africa had to offer. Nice people, magnificent nature, beautiful adventures.... Teshni made sure we as 'customer' were queens. That we had the time of our life. That our heart wishes became true. That nobody would mess with us. That we made everything in time as the universe wanted it to be. ? We did not only got to know South Africa but also made a friend for life. ❤

    1648750837 4863457097106624 An De Ceulaer
    March 31, 2022
  • Positive Min  How to travel with your handicapped mum when her wish is to make a great journey abroad? There are so many things to take into account. During previous travels, I’ve met Teshni from Under African Skies and I asked her if she could help. We started planning this journey, which needed to be doable for my mum, but also gave her the amazingness of South-Africa. After several Zoom talks, with the COVID regulations in mind she came up with an amazing 11 day journey! Highlight after highlight, not only for my mum but also for my sisters and I. She forsaw a pillow for mum to sleep in the car, a support for during kayak, she arranged a limited horse walk so she could do part of our tour, she knew the nicest guides who helped enjoy all activities, she forsaw vegan/vegetarian lunches,… Twinkels in the eyes of my mum, my sisters and I with each activity! We can easily say: You made a dream come true! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

    1648212180 4475931579176037 Kris De Ceulaer
    March 25, 2022

    Positive Min  Excellent and friendly service ? Tesh,thank you for arranging a most amazing and adventurous weekend for Linda and I at Kosi Bay.Linda finally got to see some turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean.... she has been waiting 10 years to do this. From the accommodation to the turtle tour to the kayaking and snorkeling, the weekend was just simply funtastic ? Looking forward to the next adventure with #underafricanskies.

    1645019978 5537360182945339 Jay Naicker
    February 16, 2022

    Positive Min  Tesh, from the moment we stepped into your "office" to the minute we stepped out was nothing but fun, laughter, awe and adventurous! Your passion for beloved South Africa is such an inspiration and wanting to show the world of what beauty surrounds us is heartfelt. You are an amazing person to share this beauty with us and made our trip meet over our expectations ? I couldn't recommend anyone else but Under African Skies. You are simply the best!

    1638375840 5163100380393026 Melanie Lotter
    December 1, 2021
  • Positive Min  There aren't enough words to describe our weekend away with you. Thank you for a spectacular, unforgettable experience. You are simply the best.

    1638288319 4577588262278671 Candice Govender
    November 30, 2021

    Positive Min  Teshni is a gem! Not only is she ready for the adventure, she is full of fun, smiles and humour. She shares her wealth of knowledge and is very professional. we had an amazing trip to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Park with UAS!

    1636436388 4530731017019352 Loressa Kritzinger
    November 9, 2021

    Positive Min  Absolutely awesome and friendly service?Thank you Tesh?

    1632758248 4534480509965682 Leonie Moodley
    September 27, 2021

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