Beach and Bush Family package 9 nights – SELF DRIVE
DAY 0
Depart UK on your flight to Durban. Flights are not included in the package, but we can help to arrange them for you if required.
Many airlines fly to South Africa, though only British Airways has direct flights to Durban. Emirates have good rates from London, Birmingham or Manchester to Durban via Dubai. Alternatively, there are many airlines that fly into Johannesburg where you can change for Durban.
DAY 1
Arrive Durban airport. Pick up your hire car and drive to a local hotel where you can spend the night (B&B basis).
Accommodation: Durban Hotel (B)
DAY 2
Durban – Aquarium – Hluhluwe
Durban is home to a world class aquarium which also has a wet ‘n wild. Head there any time after breakfast and allow about 4 hours to view the aquarium and let the kids play in the water park. Take lunch at one of the eating establishments at Ushaka Marine World.
After lunch head up by car to Hluhluwe. It is about a 3.5 hour drive on easy roads. Hopefully the kids will sleep after their busy morning.
Arrive at your accommodation in the bush near Hluhluwe late afternoon. Settle in and enjoy an evening at the lodge with dinner.
Overnight Umkhumbi Lodge (D,B)
DAY 3
Hluhluwe walk
Spend a morning exploring in the bushveldt. We take you for a guided walk through a picturesque nature reserve where you may see various animals such as zebra, giraffe, impala and wildebeest. We can show the kids the basics of tracking animals by identifying different spoor and animal droppings.
After lunch you go for a local cultural experience. You will visit a rural, modern Zulu village close to Hluhluwe to see for yourself how life is today for these rural Africans. Stops include a local school (during school hours), a beer hall, a family homestead and if time and interest permits, a traditional healer.
Overnight Umkhumbi Lodge (D,L,B)
DAY 4
Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve
Go on Safari – An early wakeup call today to spend a full day in an open 4×4 game viewing vehicle in the reserve on a game drive – spot many of Africa’s iconic species (species in the park include Elephant, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, lion, wild dogs – and many more) and put your recently acquired ‘bush’ knowledge to practice following tracks and signs. Your guide will visit a picturesque restaurant where you can stop for lunch.
This park is a conservation success story, world renowned for its rhino conservation and pioneering game-capture techniques.
Return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight Umkhumbi Lodge (D,L,B)
DAY 5
Sodwana Bay
Have a more relaxed day today with a beach day. Take a leisurely breakfast before you head to the beach at Sodwana Bay (approx. 1 hour drive). This beautiful beach is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is in a marine protected area. You can snorkel by the rocky point, swim in the shallows and play or chill on the beach. Head to a café for lunch when you have had enough sun, and then return to the lodge.
Overnight Umkhumbi Lodge (D,B)
DAY 6
Hluhluwe elephant and creepy crawlies
An exciting visit for both children and adults today when you have an up close encounter with an Elephant! One of the nearby private reserves has a hand-raised elephant that will happily let you near to touch and smell him. It’s a rare opportunity to see and learn about these magnificent animals in detail.
Stop for lunch at nearby café which adjoins a craft shop where you may wish to buy some gifts or souvenirs.
Kids love creepy crawlies and this afternoon they should be in their element hearing about snakes, scorpions, spiders and other venomous species of South Africa. Not just seeing the species but understanding they rarely attack without provocation and what to do in an emergency.
Overnight Umkhumbi Lodge (D,B)
DAY 7
St Lucia boat cruise
Today you leave Hluhluwe for 3 nights in the coastal town of St Lucia. This village is situated on a ‘U’ bend between the sea and an estuary system. The area is rich in wildlife.
First you will experience a 2-hour boat trip through the St Lucia Estuary, looking out for hippos and crocodiles in the estuarine system. UNESCO world heritage site status was granted because of the unique interlinking lake systems and diverse ecology.
After the boat trip there will be time for lunch before checking into your B&B. The rest of the afternoon you can spend at leisure.
Your B&B is within walking distance of the village centre and you can choose between several good restaurants for dinner this evening.
Overnight St Lucia (B)
DAY 8
St Lucia Wetland Park
After breakfast you will be picked up for a day tour of the eastern shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This nature reserve is in the strip of land between the beaches of the Indian Ocean and Lake St Lucia. You can see many species of wildlife from a game drive through the wetlands. You will also spend some time at the beach today, so pack your swimming things and sun cream. If the conditions allow (wind and tides determine the waves) you may be able to snorkel. A picnic lunch is included.
Overnight St Lucia (B)
DAY 9
St Lucia rest day
We always find that with so much GO GO GO on holiday, you forget to relax, and can arrive home tired! We have built in a rest day for you where you can relax by the pool, explore the village, shop in the craft markets, or take a walk on the beach. If you prefer however, you may choose to fill your time with an optional activity.
Overnight St Lucia (B)
DAY 10
Drive to Durban for your departure flight.
You can head home or perhaps add-on a few days in Cape Town or Victoria Falls…
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Included:
Car hire for the duration.
Accommodation 1 night Durban Hotel, 5 nights Hluhluwe, 3 nights St Lucia.
Meals as stated. (D = Dinner, L = Lunch, B = Breakfast)
Activities as per itinerary.
[ NB – some activities are weather dependent. In the event of anything being cancelled we will endeavour to replace the named activity with a different activity of similar value].
Excluded:
Flights, fuel, toll fees, excess on your car hire, personal purchases, drinks, activities not stated, gratuities.
THIS TRIP IS FOR CONFIDENT DRIVERS – Ideal if you drive regularly and are happy to do your thing.
If you don’t usually drive, we would recommend that you have a look at our fully guided package:
Please see “Beach and Bush Family package FULLY GUIDED 2024”
RECOMMENDED FOR COUPLES or for FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED FROM 5 upwards
RATES are calculated for your individual family depending on how many adults, how many children under 12 and the room types preferred and available. Please ask for a specific quote for your family.
Please contact us for current rates