A spectacular and accessible safari

If South Africa can be described as a ‘World in One Country’, then KwaZulu-Natal can also claim to be a ‘World in One Province’, with its scenic beauty, range of activities, historical areas and beautiful beaches complemented by some of the most game-rich National Parks and Private Game Reserves anywhere in South Africa.

The most famous wildlife area is the beautiful Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, made famous in the 1950s and 1960s when it was home to Operation Rhino, a nationwide programme driven by park warden Dr Ian Player to save the rhino, a conservation effort that remains relevant today. At 96,000 hectares it is a large park, home to an astonishing array of wildlife and is a great spot to spend a few days on safari. Accommodation can be found around the park, with limited options within the park itself, although over recent years a number of camps have opened in the private concessions at the northern tip of the park. It’s a great place for an affordable self-drive safari holiday.

Whilst Hluhluwe retains an enduring popularity, it is the private game reserves which are the shining stars in the area, with the Phinda Private Game Reserve sitting at the top of this particular list for luxury KwaZulu-Natal holidays. With just four lodges and two private houses in a 17,000 hectare reserve there is an incredibly private feel to safaris here, and the game-viewing is virtually unrivalled across South Africa. A huge draw of Phinda is the incredible biodiversity that it boasts, with seven different biomes found across the reserve, including a large tract of sand forest making it the only reserve in the country to have access to such a unique area. With the Big Five, as well as cheetah, wild dog and a huge variety of herbivores, this is an amazing spot to spend a few days. No-less beautiful are parks such as the Thanda Private Game Reserve and Manyoni Private Game Reserve, where a series of beautiful lodges can be found nestled away in the dense bush which characterises the area.

A few days on safari here can easily be worked into any tour through KwaZulu-Natal, including down on the coast, but it also works well for visitors looking to enjoy a contrasting safari experience to the private reserves around the Kruger National Park.