Richards Bay

Your destination on this tour is the beautiful Lake St Lucia, which forms the centre-piece of the St Lucia Nature Reserve. Located approximately 1½ hours north of Richards Bay, a leisurely cruise on the Lake will reveal a rich variety of birdlife, crocodiles and hippopotami.

The Lake provides a real treat for avid bird watchers and naturalists as its islands attract over 526 different bird species. Sit back and relax as you cruise along looking out for feeding flamingos, pelicans, waders and other waterfowl. The echo of the Fish Eagle’s haunting cry can be heard as you view the basking and nesting sites of the Nile Crocodile and the hundreds of hippos that have made the estuary their home.

Refreshments of fruit juice, local beer or wine will be served on the boat.

The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is one of the jewels in the crown of South African nature conservation.

After a scenic journey to Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park, you will transfer into open vehicles to begin an unforgettable adventure. The Reserve has become well known for its small population of rare, White Rhinoceros. There is also a spectacular variety of bird and animal life including elephant, lion, leopard buffalo, zebra, giraffe, kudu, wildebeest and warthog. During the game drive, if you are lucky, you may encounter many of these beautiful animals at close range.

A buffet lunch will be served at the scenic Hilltops Restaurant, overlooking the rolling green hills of the National Park.

After lunch, you’ll reboard your open vehicle, looking out for game en route to Memorial Gate, where you will join the coach for your return drive to Richards Bay.

Dumazulu Village is home to over 50 Zulu residents, forming part of a ‘living museum’. Dumazulu, meaning thundering Zulu, is the largest village of its kind in the southern hemisphere and the only tourist Zulu village to be opened by King Goodwill Zwelithini – giving it the royal Zulu stamp of approval.

Prior to your guided tour of the village, refreshments of tea or coffee and scones will be served. You will then be invited into the chief’s kraal, where you can watch and learn about the various Zulu traditions including basket weaving, spear and shield making, beadwork and pot making. A highlight of your tour will be a spectacular performance of Zulu dancing and a demonstration of bone throwing by the Sangoma, the village’s traditional healer.

Heading in a northerly direction from Richards Bay, you’ll travel to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park and, upon arrival at Memorial Gate, join an open vehicle for a game drive into one of the most fascinating parts of Africa.

The Hluhluwe Reserve is steeped in rich cultural history and was once the private hunting ground of King Shaka, king of the Zulus. As well as being known for its small population of rare, White rhinoceros, Hluhluwe is home to a wonderful variety of game including elephant, lion, Blue Wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, Mountain Redbuck and kudu to name but a few. During a 2-hour-long game drive, you may be fortunate enough to encounter some of these animals at close range.

Refreshments will be served at Memorial Gate before your return coach drive to the ship.

Shakaland offers the opportunity to take a closer look at the traditional way of life of the Zulus at an authentically recreated Zulu homestead where the film, ‘Shaka Zulu’ was made.

Upon arrival, a Zulu guide will greet you and offer a welcome refreshment. You will then be invited to relive the excitement and romance of the days of King Shaka, king of the Zulus. As you stroll through the village, you’ll see a variety of displays, including Zulu women creating beadwork, weaving mats, sculpting pottery, baking bread and brewing Zulu beer. Share the fascinating secrets of the traditional healers, Sangomas, and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and how Zulu ‘beehive’ grass huts are built.

A short audio-visual presentation is included and you will have time at leisure to explore the curio shop.

Enjoy a traditional Zulu buffet lunch at Kwabonamanzi Restaurant, overlooking the Umhlatuze Lake.