Day 1
We depart Durban at around 07h30. You will be collected from your accommodation and head north on the national road that cuts a path through the sugar cane fields for most of the way until we reach BIBS International Backpackers at 14h00 . You can take a walk into the village for lunch & stop at the various pavement curio sellers , the system of Lake St. Lucia is approximate 14 million years old. The average depth of the lake is only 1 1/2 meters and is connected to the ocean.
The lake is populated by about 800 hippos and 2000 crocodiles. Over many years the hippo and crocs, being fresh water inhabitants, have adapted to the salt salinity in the estuary. Other inhabitants in the lake are mudskippers, mangrove crabs, fish eagles, kingfishers and many more.
Day 2
Whale watching Adventure, a tour with renowned skipper and specialized Marine Mammal Guide ,Danie Bennett to see humpback whales from as close as 50m's! Danie is the only permit holder to take you boat -based- whale -watching in St Lucia.
We will definitely encounter many Indian Ocean creatures like dolphins, whale sharks, turtles and maybe hump back whales, ( June to December )
Day 3
Estuary kayak safari , a two to three hour paddle on the Estuary where we escape to the tranquil waters of the wetlands in search of hippos, crocodiles and revel in this fascinating eco system that makes it a World Heritage Site. You are accompanied by a professional guide and drinks and snacks are included.
Day 4
This excursion includes a boat ride on the famous St. Lucia Wetlands estuary, game viewing in the Mfabeni Game Reserve en route to Cape Vidal. After a quick stop at Mission rocks, you will enjoy lunch at Cape Vidal, and have an opportunity to swim and snorkel in the small protected bay. (Snorkeling is dependant on weather & ocean conditions) This tour touches on the highlights of St.Lucia Wetlands Park.
Coffee, tea and muffins for breakfast, lunch and beverages are included.
Later in the afternoon we leave St Lucia and head to Isinkwe Backpackers Bushcamp, Bushlands . Freshen up with a swim & a drink and relax in this very peaceful setting . Dinner is served from the outdoor kitchen next to the swimming pool & afterwards you can enjoy a drink & be mesmerised by the flames of the the camp fire until you decide to head for bed.
Day 5
Early morning rise around 05h00 so we can enter the Hluhluwe / Imfolozi National Park gates at sunrise . We spend the day in the park, which is over 96 000 hectares of stunningly beautiful landscape, a rich compound of misty forests, grass covered hills, dense thickets, expansive and diverse woodlands and enchanting rivers. It has the distinction of being the oldest formally protected area in Africa, and has a long and interesting history.
We travel in an open Land Rover, spotting wildlife with the help of your qualified field guide, known as a "Big Five Reserve" the park boasts Black Rhino, leopard, lion, buffalo and elephant as well as blue wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, warthog, hyena, wild dog, giraffe, zebra and many species of antelope.
Included are coffee, tea and muffins for breakfast plus a hearty lunch and refreshing beverages. We return back to Isinkwe Backpackers Bushcamp in the late afternoon , where we can refresh ourselves in the swimming pool and a cold beer followed by a gin & tonic as the sun sets over the bushveld. Dinner is once again served from the outdoor kitchen and another evening can be enjoyed around the camp fire sharing stories of your wildlife sightings .
Day 6
Here is a day to relax in the bushcamp or around the pool or you could choose to visit Dumazulu Cultural Village
There is a nature walk in the late afternoon by an experienced guide who will point out many of the small creatures that occupy this piece of paradise
Day 7
Today you can have a lazy breakfast before you're collected from your accommodation at 11h00 and transfers you back to Durban to arrive there around 17h30 . |
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