9 Day Kruger & KwaZulu Fly-Drive Explorer

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Kruger to KwaZulu Natal: A Big 5 Safari & Beach Self-drive tour

Overview

Combine two of South Africa’s safari bucket list destinations with a classic beach holiday on this 9-day self-drive safari. Enjoy understated luxury in the heart of the Kruger National Park at a wildlife-rich private concession with night-time safari experiences second to none. Followed by lazy beach days at enchanting Ballito Bay and end off seeing endangered wildlife such as the cheetah, black rhino and the Big 5 at Phinda Private Game Reserve. Experience top class snorkeling, diving, game watching, cultural learning and beautiful accommodation throughout.

Itinerary

Day 1 - 3: Kruger National Park

Today you depart from Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport on a scheduled flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. On arrival, you will collect your vehicle and make your way to the lodge in the renowned Kruger National Park.

Your time at Rhino Post Safari Lodge is spent exploring the incredible fauna and flora of the Kruger National Park. There are a total of 147 mammal species to be seen in the park, particularly the Big 5, and over 500 species of migrant and resident birds.

Enjoy early morning and late afternoon open-vehicle game drives, as well as night drives in a 170km area of park. If you consider yourself to be adventurous, you could also spend a night on the sleep out deck located in the bushveld.

Accommodation: Rhino Post Safari Lodge

Day 4 & 5: Durban

Today you bid farewell to the Kruger as you travel back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your scheduled flight to King Shaka International Airport in sunny Durban. On arrival, you will collect your baggage and make your way to the Car Rental desk where you will collect your vehicle and drive just under 30 minutes to the beautiful residential area of Ballito.

Overlooking the Indian Ocean in a coastal forest is the luxurious Zimbali Lodge, which will be your home for the next two days.

During your stay at Zimbali, you can look forward to several activities of offer at the lodge and around Durban; including tennis, swimming, bird and butterfly watching, forest walks, spa treatments, visits to Gateway shopping mall and Ushaka Marine World, mountain biking, cultural tours, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, golfing and dolphin tours.

Chat to your consultant about the various tour options available to you during your stay.

Accommodation: Zimbali Lodge

Day 6 - 8 Phinda Private Game Reserve

After a sumptuous breakfast, you gather your belongings and travel towards the pristine Phinda Game Reserve where you will check into your luxurious lodge.

Phinda Private Game Reserve spans across 28 555 hectares and is home to an extraordinary number of wildlife species, including the famous Big 5, cheetah, wild dogs and 415 bird species.

During your stay at Phinda, you can look forward to dawn and dusk open-vehicle game drives, bush walks, morning boat cruises on the Mzinene River and rhino tracking on foot. One can also visit an authentic Zulu village and enjoy seasonal turtle drives in the evenings.

Accommodation: Phinda Zuka Lodge

Day 9: Departure

Today you bid farewell to the bushveld as you journey back to King Shaka International Airport. On arrival, you will return the rental vehicle  and connect with your onward travel arrangements.

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Location and getting there

Rates & Pricing

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$ 600 USD
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$ NaN USD
$ 600 USD
Rates are starting prices per person, per night sharing.
With specials, we always use the best promotion available, please contact our experts for more guidance.
100% REFUNDABLE BOOKING
We can arrange travel insurance that will make this booking totally refundable.

Inclusions

3 nights at Rhino Post Safari Lodge with all meals and 2 game activities per day
2 nights at Zimbali Lodge with breakfast
3 nights at Phinda Zuka Lodge with all meals and 2 game activities per day
Flights: Johannesburg -> Nelspruit -> Durban
Car rental arranged for pick up in the Kruger & KwaZulu Natal
Big-5 Game Viewing on safari
Phinda Zuka Lodge: Interpretive Nature Walks and Big Game Viewing Walk
Phinda Zuka Lodge: Maputaland Beach Adventure (additional cost)
Phinda Zuka Lodge: Indian Ocean Scuba Safari (additional cost)
Phinda Zuka Lodge: Turtle Nesting Adventure (additional cost)
Phinda Zuka Lodge: Ocean safari (additional cost)

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Meet your travel advisor

Get in touch with Keith to start planning, our resident expert on this safari. Remember, our price is the same as going direct - see our best price guarantee!
To find out more about our 100% fully refundable bookings, ask Keith or click here.
Keith Kudzai Chideme

What our guests say about Keith

September 17, 2024
Thanks to Keith!
Keith was prompt, thorough and efficient. He was available as and when needed, answering all the questions I had, and guiding us along the way.
Anuscka Du Plessis Ellis
,
ZA
September 8, 2024
Keith went above and beyond…
Keith went above and beyond expectations arranging our holiday safari travels (for one vegan and one mobility-impaired traveller, no less:-). Safari.com is lucky to have Keith on board. He helped us feel confident in our choices, keeping us up to date with options, and finessing holiday scheduling issues with aplomb.
L.M. Archer
,
US
August 17, 2024
Keith from Safari.com has made the…
Keith from Safari.com has made the process of booking a safari incredibly easy. He also has gone beyond and above to cater to my needs
Oli Clark
,
GB

Customer Testimonials

4.9
out of 5 based on
Sep 17, 2024
Thanks to Keith!
Keith was prompt, thorough and efficient. He was available as and when needed, answering all the questions I had, and guiding us along the way.
Anuscka Du Plessis Ellis
,
ZA
Sep 17, 2024
This Travel Firm is Ready for You!
We have completed the preliminary reservations with this amazing travel firm. Thank God they exist! We would never have been able to figure out how to put the pieces of our trip to AFRICA together without them. They are patient, caring, detailed, and responsive to communications…something you expect, but do not always receive when service is involved. Connect with them via email if you are even thinking about going to Africa. Cheers!
Michael J Russ
,
US
Sep 16, 2024
First time to Cape Town
We are a group of ten friends traveling together to Cape Town for the first time. Safari.com was our top choice for travel agents. Leché and Tracy were incredibly helpful and prompt with our questions and bookings. The trip to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve was fantastic, and everything went off without a hitch. We highly recommend Safari.com for your safari plans!
Joleen
,
ZA
Sep 15, 2024
Very responsive
Very responsive, I sent an email and got a response almost immediately (I checked it’s like 11pm their time…on a Sunday)
customer
,
US
Sep 15, 2024
Shann was amazingly helpful
Shann was amazingly helpful! After spending several days online on our own trying to find good accommodation or even available rooms and lodges, we reached out to safari and to shann, who set us up in record time with a beautiful destination, flights and transfers. I absolutely recommend this dite and the incredible service
Anna
,
DE
Sep 15, 2024
Safari booking
Fadiel was very prompt in responding to my emails. Despite a double booking for our Safari - not his fault - everything worked out well in the end.
PeterB
,
GB
Sep 14, 2024
Sara Van Coillie
Sara Van Coillie, representing Safari.com, has gone above and beyond in assisting with a custom booking for an African safari experience I wanted arranged for my colleagues visiting Namibia for the first time. I highly recommend reaching out to her—she’s a true champion! It’s been a pleasure working with her.
Christina Hutchinson
,
GB
Sep 14, 2024
Had such an amazing experience working…
Had such an amazing experience working with Leigh-Ann. She was able to get me everything I wanted at the price I wanted. Could not recommend more.
Ben
,
US
Sep 13, 2024
Sara curated a trip of a lifetime
Sara curated a trip of a lifetime. Met all our requirements and exceeded our expectations all within our budget!
Jodi Wernikoff
,
US
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