Planning a KZN safari trip?
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province sits in South Africa’s south-eastern corner, stretching along the Indian Ocean, it borders Mozambique to the north, as well as the inland nations of Eswatini and Lesotho.
KZN was once the centre of the Zulu Kingdom. Established in the early 19th century, by it’s most famous leader, King Shaka, KZN remains the heart of Zulu culture. The Zulu people are South Africa’s largest ethnic group, with Zulu being the most spoken language in the country.
The diverse landscapes of KZN support a wide variety of animal and plant species, making it a great place for a safari.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is Africa’s oldest game reserve, dating back to 1895. It is the centre of rhino conservation and has one of the largest populations of southern white rhino in the world.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the second situated in KZN. The park spans 332,000 hectares and features lakes, wetlands, coastal forests and coral reefs. The southern sections of the park make a great day trip from the unique town of St Lucia, where hippos can be found roaming the streets at night.
A safari in KZN makes for a great trip. In this guide, I’ll share my recommended 5-day KZN safari itinerary, along with tips on how to get there and how to fit it into a wider trip to South Africa.
About this KZN Safari Itinerary
The aim of this 5-day itinerary is to experience the best of safari in KZN with a limited amount of time.
There are so many incredible places to visit in the province that it deserves a trip of its own. However, this itinerary is designed as a taster, with the goal of slotting into a wider trip to South Africa.
The itinerary will include St Lucia, a day trip to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and an overnight stay at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.
Getting to KZN
Flying to Durban
The easiest way to get to St Lucia is flying to King Shaka International Airport in Durban and hiring a car.
Drive from Durban to St Lucia: – 2.5 hours.
Flights to Durban: daily flights from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
Flying to Richard’s Bay
The less popular option is flying into Richard’s Bay.
- Drive to St Lucia: – 1 hour 15 minutes
- Flights to Richard’s Bay: infrequent flights from Johannesburg.
Day 1: St Lucia
St Lucia is famous for its hippos, known as the town where hippos wander the streets at night, it is a truly unique destination. It’s not uncommon to see hippos grazing on the grass in front of otherwise normal suburban homes. Situated at the southern end of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, it makes a great base for safaris in KZN.
Spend your first day exploring the town. Have a look around the shops, you’ll find everything from souvenirs to safari essentials, then have dinner at one of the many restaurants. If you have time, walk along the estuary boardwalk where you will hopefully spot some wildlife.
If you see hippos in the town, keep your distance, these animals are incredibly fast and dangerous.
Unfortunately, during my visit I didn’t spot any hippos in the town. However, I did see a hippo outside of my hotel in Zimbabwe. Ironically, I had travelled all the way to KZN to see hippos, and instead saw one by accident during my trip to Victoria Falls.
You can read my guide “How to Visit Victoria Falls from South Africa on a Budget?” here.
Where to Stay in St Lucia
There are guesthouses and lodges available in St Lucia and across the estuary in Khula Village. The main drag is located along McKenzie Street where you will find plenty of shops and restaurants. I’d recommend staying in St Lucia itself, not too far back from McKenzie Street.
Where to Eat in St Lucia
John Dory’s is a popular seafood restaurant with a sushi bar. Each Wednesday you’ll find half price sushi. Don’t worry there are plenty of other options for non-seafood eaters. Kauai is a great place to grab breakfast and coffee on the go.
Alternatively, there are a few mid-sized supermarkets where you can buy groceries to cook for yourself, or prepare meals to take with you on excursions.
Day 2: St Lucia (Hippo & Croc Boat Tour)
A visit to St Lucia wouldn’t be complete without a hippo and crocodile boat safari on the St Lucia estuary.
Tour operators include Fanna’s and Advantage Tours which depart from the Sunset Jetty. As well as Shoreline, which leaves from the Siyabonga Jetty just before the entrance to town. Boat trips can be booked online, or in the tour offices located in St Lucia.
Tours usually last 2 hours and take you up the estuary into iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Hippos are nocturnal animals, during the day they are most likely to be found submerged in water and asleep.
If I’m being honest, I was slightly underwhelmed during my boat trip. I expected to see hippos up close, standing on the banks of the estuary. In reality, I only saw the top of some hippo heads, and they would retreat under the water when the boat got close.
Even though I didn’t get to see a full hippo, I would still do this boat tour again and recommend it to others. It’s a completely unique experience. I think I was just unlucky, and fortunately I had better sightings during my day trip to iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
If I was to go again, I would try one of the late afternoon tours with the hope that the hippos are more active.
You should be able to spot some Nile crocodiles along the banks of the estuary also. They may appear smaller than expected, this is because they feed mainly off fish which limits how large they can grow.
Day 3: St Lucia (iSimangaliso Wetland Park)
On your last day in St Lucia, take a day trip to iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The park is huge, extending to the border with Mozambique. However, the southern sections are easily accessible as a day trip from St Lucia. You can explore either the Eastern Shores, or the Western Shores, which are separated by the St Lucia estuary.
You can visit both by doing a self-drive safari, or taking a guided tour.
Self-driving is straightforward, the main roads are mostly paved, well signposted, and the distances aren’t too long. You can easily see a good amount of the park in half a day if you’re short on time.
Alternatively, you can visit with a guided tour. Many of the tour operators based in St Lucia offer guided safaris in open top game viewing vehicles.
Eastern Shores
The Eastern Shores can be accessed by the Bhangazi gate, located less than a 10-minute drive from St Lucia.
This is the most popular section of iSimangaliso, combining a classic African safari and tropical beach day.
You can expect a mix of wetlands, coastal dunes, forest, and grasslands.
Wildlife you might see includes rhino, hippo, zebra, buffalo and various antelope species. In addition to a wide variety of bird species.
A must-do is the drive up to Cape Vidal, a stunning and expansive beach overlooking the Indian Ocean. It’s an ideal spot for a break, swimming is also possible provided the conditions are safe.
I personally chose the Eastern Shores as I liked how it combined a safari with a beach day . I was also very lucky to spot some hippos out of the water here, which redeemed my underwhelming hippo boat tour experience.
Western Shores
The Western Shores can be accessed via the Dukuduku Gate, also around a 10 minutes from St Lucia.
This side of the park is quieter and less visited, making it great for a peaceful slow-paced safari. The landscape is more open savannahs and plains.
Wildlife you might see includes rhino, buffalo, various antelope, and if you’re lucky leopard. Birdlife is also excellent on this side of the park.
There are several viewpoints and boardwalk lookouts where you can stop to appreciate the scenery.
Day 4: St Lucia to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa dating back to 1895. Originally two separate parks, Hluhluwe and iMfolozi merged into one park in 1989.
It is home to the Big 5, and has one of the largest populations of southern white rhinos in the world.
Entry to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is included in the SANParks Wild Card. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time at national parks in South Africa, then a Wild Card can save you money.
You can read my post “Is the SANParks Wild Card Worth It?” here.
Rhino Conservation in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is famous for its white rhinos andis home to the largest population of southern white rhinos in the world.
The reserve is considered to be the birthplace of rhino conservation. By the early 1900s, the southern white rhino was almost extinct as a result of poaching. Rhinos are primarily poached for their horns which are highly valued in certain cultures as a status symbol, or in traditional medicine in parts of Asia.
Thanks to the conservation efforts at Hluhluwe Game Reserve, the population has recovered to almost 2000 today.
Sadly, poaching still remains a threat to rhinos. Many of the rhinos you will spot in the reserve have had their horns partially removed to protect them from poachers.
Getting to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve can be accessed by two main entrance gates.
- Nyalazi Gate: – entrance to the iMfolozi section of the park, 1-hour drive from St Lucia.
- Memorial Gate: – entrance to the Hluhluwe section of the park, 1-hour 15 minute drive from St Lucia.
I recommend entering the reserve through the Nyalazi Gate and leaving via the Memorial Gate.
Where to Stay at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve has two main camps, each offering a different experience.
Mpila Camp – iMfolozi Section
- 30-minute drive from the Nyalazi Gate.
- Basic, self-catering accommodation.
- Facilities: small shop, fuel pump, picnic area, reception.
- Surrounded by an electric fence however wildlife can wander underneath into camp.
Hilltop Camp – Hluhluwe Section
- 1-hour 15 minute drive from Mpila Camp.
- 30-minute drive from Memorial Gate.
- Wide range of accommodation.
- Facilities: shop, bar & lounge, restaurant, fuel station, reception area.
Day 5: Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve
On Day 5 spend the day exploring the Hluhluwe section of the reserve. Guided game drives are available and can be booked at reception in Hilltop.
When its time to leave, exit the park via the memorial gate.
I would recommend spending the night in Hluhluwe town, a 20-minute drive from the park. If you’re looking for a place to eat then try Ngweni Railroad Brewery, the food is really good and you’ll find a wide selection of beers to try. It was so good we went back the next morning for breakfast.
Recommended 2-Day Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Itinerary
- Enter the reserve via the Nyalazi Gate.
- Explore the iMfolozi section of the park.
- Spend the night at Hilltop in Hluhluwe.
- The next day, explore the Hluhluwe section of the park.
- Exit through the Memorial Gate.
Tip: Join the park’s WhatsApp group, visitors will send their sightings with locations to the group. You can ask at the park’s entrance how to join. Rhino sightings are not allowed as it can inform poachers of their location.
Fitting a KZN Safari into a South Africa Trip
Suggested Itineraries
Option 1: Port Elizabeth > Durban > St Lucia > Kruger
- Fly from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Durban.
- Hire a car and drive to St Lucia/KZN
- Drive from St Lucia/KZN to Kruger National Park.
Option 2: Kruger > St Lucia > Durban > Port Elizabeth
- Reverse the route.
If you travel through Port Elizabeth, make sure to do a self-drive safari at Addo Elephant National Park. It was my favourite experience from my entire trip to South Africa.
You can read my Ultimate Guide to Addo Elephant National Park (2025) here.
Drive Time
You can drive from KZN to Kruger’s southern gates by going through Eswatini or going around.
Eswatini has some great safari options at Hlane Royal National Park and its several game reserves.
- Driving through Eswatini: – 6 to 6.5 hours
- Driving around Eswatini: – 7.5 to 8.5 hours
Tip: if travelling through Eswatini, you may need a permit to take your rental car across the border. Check with the rental company beforehand, this will most likely incur an additional charge.
My Personal Route
Here’s how I did my 6-week South Africa trip in July 2025
- Flew into Johannesburg OR Tambo
- Flew to Cape Town and hired a car
- Drove the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
- Flew from Port Elizabeth to Durban
- Hired a second car and drove to St Lucia (stayed one night in Ballito)
- Visited Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
- Drove from Hluhluwe to Kruger’s Crocodile Bridge Gate via an overnight stay in Piet Retief
- Drove from Kruger to Johannesburg via the Panorama Route.
You can read my Ultimate 3-Week South Africa Itinerary to help plan your trip here.
Final Thoughts on 5-Day KZN Safari Itinerary
This 5-day KZN safari is an ideal introduction to the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal Province. It slots easily into a wider trip to South Africa, allowing you to see the best of KZN safari in a limited amount of time.
From hippos in St Lucia, to the Big 5 in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and the diverse landscapes of iSimangaliso, this itinerary is sure to leave you wanting for more.
After this trip you will want to return and spend weeks in KZN alone, exploring the beaches, battlefields and mountains that it is famous for.
I hope you found this useful and enjoy your trip!