We are travelling to the bush AND beach.
If you’re planning a holiday to South Africa and cannot decide between a safari or beach experience, then you can easily combine both in KwaZulu Natal. Here you have amazing Big 5 Game reserves to choose from where you can spend five days in either one or two reserves on safari and end with a relaxing four or five day beach holiday.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Manyoni and Phinda – If all three have the Big Five, why visit all three?
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game Reserve is located in the hilly terrain of Natal with the most stunning scenery. However, game drives can only take place on the main roads. No off-roading allowed.
If you’re looking for more close encounters, then Manyoni and Phinda are your game reserves of choice. They both have a extensive networks of roads and, if there is a special sighting, vehicles may off-road. The guides also have a great way of communicating; at any given time only 3 game vehicles are allowed at a sighting and guides wait their turn. At no time will animals feel stressed. The game viewing particularly at Manyoni and Phinda are phenomenal, with guides having undergone extensive training at the lodges.
Does the vegetation really change my Safari Experience?
Each reserve has such a variety of vegetation. From open savannah regions to pristine riverine and forest areas. These diverse habitats in each reserve ensures that your game viewing experience is one of the best I have come across, catering for all animal species.
Some lodges are located inside the pristine forests, which are protected from elephant by surrounding them with an electrified wire while small animals are free to come and go.
Where can I get involved in Rhino conservation?
Manyoni and Phinda are actively involved with rhino conservation. To protect these endangered animals, they need to be dehorned on a regular basis, as the horns keep growing back. As guests, you can book and prepay for a Horn “trim” experience. They are pricey, but you have the opportunity to be a part of this experience. The funds are used towards the helicopter, vet etc, but, most importantly, you are saving a rhino.
Both lodges also protect the endangered pangolin. During the winter months, guests can book the pangolin experience and get close to these animals. This experience is an optional extra and needs to be prebooked to secure a spot.
Should I do Beach before or After my Safari?
When planing a bush and safari trip, I highly recommend you first start with the safari. Every morning you rise at 05:30 and head out on a drive or walk. Then have a bit of a rest and head out again in the afternoon. After a five or 6 day adrenalin packed safari, you then head off to the ocean to enjoy four or five days relaxing on the beach (or do some diving and snorkeling).
What was Karina’s favourite moment?
Cheetah are my farourite animal. Anzel, our guide at Leopard Mountain Lodge, found us a cheetah on a morning game drive. The cheetah was hunting and came up to our vehicle, only to charge into the bush next to us. A Nyala bolted onto the road in front of us, with the cheetah close enough to bring it down. Then, out of nowhere, this huge baboon charged the cheetah, who took off at full speed in the opposite direction, with the baboon in hot pursuit. The chase lasted about 40 metres. Wow! I have never seen this before. The Nyala owed the baboon! And best of all, by colleague Tash, filmed it all.
Is Thonga actually a beach holiday?
When people hear beach lodge, I think there is a tendency to imagine a beautiful stretch of sand, a sun lounger, a swimming pool and not much else to do. You can certainly spend your days at Thonga Beach Lodge doing exactly that, but it is so much more than a traditional beach holiday. Set within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, it combines powdery sand beaches with coastal forest, freshwater lakes and the warm Indian Ocean.
How many nights should I stay at a Beach Lodge?
I’d recommend a minimum of three nights, but if your itinerary allows a 5-night stay would allow you to have genuine downtime. After several days of safari, those extra day makes the beach portion feel less rushed.
What can I do there besides lie on the beach?
Depending on conditions and season, you can go birding (the park more than 520 recorded bird species) you can snorkel, dive, kayak, explore the coastal forest on guided walks, visit Lake Sibaya for Sundowners (we even heard Hippos in the distance), enjoy cultural experiences or join a fascinating night walk looking for scorpions. You can also experience turtle nesting or hatching, but this is seasonal so ask us more if you’re interested.
How do I get involved in Ocean conservation?
On our first beach walk Karina and I noticed the amount of rubbish washed up on the beach. Toothbrushes, flip flops, plastic bottles and tubs. Some of which had writing in another language; coming from a place across the ocean. The lodge runs the initiative that if you fill one of their rubbish bags and bring it to the bar; you can order a free drink. What a special way to actually play apart in the conservation of this beautiful area.
So, who is this type of holiday actually for?
We met families with young kids, as well as teens, joined a honeymoon couple for sundowners and sat next to a retired couple at dinner. When they say, “There’s something for everyone.” they mean it.
What was Tash’s favourite moment?
The arrival at the lodge. Not only were we greeted by smiling staff, but you immediately feel like you aren’t simply adding a few days of lying beside the ocean to your safari. You’re adding another completely different ecosystem and another set of experiences.
