African
Safari
Bush,
Beach and Ocean.
The
African Safari with a big
difference
The
most diverse African Safari available
Private
African Safaris
and family trips
Activities on our African safari
include:
Open Vehicle Wildlife Safaris in
Big 5 game reserves
and National Parks
Swimming with wild dolphins
Viewing and photographing wild animals from the comfort of an open
safari truck
Viewing sea turtles
Water safaris
Whale watching
Elephant interaction
Birding/Birdwatching safaris
Walking/Hiking safaris
Visit some of the best safari
destinations
in Africa
including:
South Africa
Swaziland
Mozambique
The Kruger National Park
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
St Lucia Wetlands Park (iSimangaliso)
Mkuze Game Reserve
Tembe Elephant Park
Kosi Bay
Bhanga Nek
Sodwana Bay
Mabibi
Common
animal sightings on our African Safaris include:
Elephants,
Lions, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Buffalo, Leopard, Giraffe, Kudu,
Bushbuck, Reed buck, Gennet, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hyena,
Cheetah,
Wild Dogs, Warthog, Mongoose, Waterbuck, Red Duiker, Common
Duiker, Crocodiles and also marine animals
such as Dolphins, Humpback, Whales, Southern Right Whales, Leatherback
Turtles, Loggerhead turtles, Whale Sharks and Manta Rays.
African
Safari
Variety
and Diversity - Terrestrial and
Coastal African Safari
What makes our individually
tailored African
Safaris
so different is the fact that we visit not only the best Big
5 safari destinations in Africa, but we also
include activities such as:
- Swimming and
snorkeling with dolphins, turtles and
whale sharks,
- Sea Turtle nesting
tours
- Scuba diving
- Whale watching
- Coastal hiking
trails
We are located along the north eastern
KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa, one of the best and
safest wildlife safari locations in Africa with a large
number of National and provincial game parks and wildlife
reserves with a fantastic variety of different
animals, birds and landscapes.
The changing pristine landscapes offer a large
number of different habitats and ecosystems, all
home to different plants, animals and birds,
allowing excellent game and wildlife safaris as
well as unbelievable animal and landscape photographic
opportunities.
Professional, informative guides will ensure
that you get the most out of your time on safari in South Africa. Enjoy
the freedom of being in one of our open
safari vehicles in the parks we visit, and enjoy the comfort
of a closed 4x4 vehicle on the open road between safari
destinations.
Private African Safari
Tours
Tailored to your specific
interests and time availability
Let us know how much time you
have available
and which
activities you are interested in and we will design
an African Safari around your interests and the time and
dates available to you.
South
African Safari Itinerary
Example
Bush and beach African Safari -
South Africa
South African Safari Day 1 -
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Park Safari
We
will meet you at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban, or
further north at the Richards Bay airport. There are direct flights to
Durban, or you can fly to Johannesburg OR Thambo Airport and get an
internal connecting flight to Richards Bay or Durban.
You will
be transferred to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest game reserve
in Africa and one of Africa's best safari destinations for the first
game reserve od your African Safari. From here we
will proceed in an open safari vehicle. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is not only
home to all of the Big 5 animals (leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and
rhino), but also very scenic, with rolling hills in the north and vast
savannas and woodlands in the south. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is also home to
the highest concentration of white rhino anywhere in Africa and your
best chance to see and photograph rhino on safari in Africa.
We spend
the first night in the heart of the African wilderness in the comfort
of a safari camp. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and sit back to enjoy
the night sounds of the South African wilderness.
Lunch and dinner included and provided.
South African Safari Day 2 -
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
& St Lucia
After
a good breakfast we begin the day with a morning safari to search for
the magnificent African Big 5 and the amazing smaller creatures and
birds too. While on safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, we visit the best
parts of the park for game viewing and spend time at view sites and
game viewing hides. Your guide will ensure that you get the most out of
your safari by traveling to the best parts of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
park, using his
knowledge of seasonal movements of the wildlife in order to find
animals large and small.
Our regular sightings on safari include
lions, leopard, African elephants, giraffe, buffalo, black and white
rhino, wildebeest, zebra and a variety of antelope and birds,
all
from the comfort of an open safari vehicle.
In the afternoon we
leave the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and drive 50km to the little village
of St Lucia, gateway to the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, previously
known as the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park.
After a rest at your luxurious lodge, we visit a restaurant in St Lucia
to enjoy the local cuisine.
Breakfast and lunch included and provided.
South African Safari Day
3 - St
Lucia, iSimangaliso and Cape Vidal
 |  |
Today
we visit another park, the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, formerly known
as the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, on of South Africa's
World
Heritage sites and one of the highlights of our South African Safari.
Declared
a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 for its huge biodiversity, the
park is home to animals large and small, including hippopotamus, Nile
crocodiles, herds of African buffalo, leopard and rhino, to name just
a few. Marine animal sightings include Humpback whales which migrate up
the African coast to give birth to their calves in the warmer waters of
the Mozambique Channel.
iSimangaliso is also a RAMSAR site, with
areas specially protected as breeding areas for waterbirds. Wetlands
offer perfect habitat for wading bird species, the forests are home to
larger raptors and the savannas are alive with many species large and
small. 525 bird species have been recorded, including 150 waterbirds.
We
also visit Cape Vidal, where a beautiful beach stretches for as far as
the eye can see and beyond. For those who are avid snorkelers, we take
along snorkeling equipment and explore the underwater wonders of Cape
Vidal Bay and the remains of an old shipwreck, one of so many along the
African coastline.
Lunch consists
of a braai (barbecue) just off the beach where we enjoy some fresh
African Safari
cuisine, including free range steaks, salads and good South African
beer and wine.
Traveling back to St Lucia we do an afternoon safari along some routes
which are off the beaten track to view abundant wildlife and
magnificent South African landscapes. We return to your lodge in the
late
afternoon for a rest before enjoying a meal at one of the local
restaurants.
Breakfast and lunch included and provided.
South African Safari Day 4 - Tembe
Elephant Park
 |  |
Today
we leave the coast and travel northward through Maputaland to the Tembe
Elephant Park, home to the elephants with the largest tusks in Africa.
Maputaland is a sparsely populated expanse of land which lies between
the Hluhluwe river and the north eastern border of South Africa..
The
Tembe Elephant Park consists of 300 square kilometers of pristine
African wilderness and covers several ecological zones including
savanna, sand forest and vast wetlands. With only 20 vehicles per
day allowed into the park, Tembe is one of the quietest and
most
personal African safari destinations with more than 300 elephants,
lions, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, leopard, Zebra, wildebeest and many
other species. Game viewing hides at waterholes offer tranquil rest
stops and fantastic photographic opportunities.
The day in Tembe
is spent traveling along different safari routes, stopping at game
viewing hides and other waterholes and view points, viewing and
learning about the local animal populations.
Accommodation for the night is in a typical African safari camp a short
distance from the Tembe Elephant Park.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included and provided.
South African Safari Day 5 - Kosi
Bay, Bhanga Nek. Snorkeling, Turtle Nesting walk
 |  |
Today
our safari takes us back towards the coast to visit the northern parts
of the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, a section of pristine coastline with
untouched beaches and warm, turquoise water, coral reefs, inland
freshwater and saltwater lakes, and coastal dune forests.
Highlights
in this area include a water safari on the Kosi Bay lake system,
snorkeling in protected bays and a canoe safari along the Siyadla
river, the only river which feeds the Kosi Bay lake system. The
tropical riverine forest and Raffia palm forests are home to the Palm
nut Vulture, a beautiful bird which nests in, and feeds on the fruit of
one of the largest types of palm tree in the world, the Raffia Palm.
During
the sea turtle nesting season which is from November to March every
year, we also do a turtle tour to view Loggerhead and/or Leatherback
turtles leaving the ocean after dark to find a nesting site, excavate a
nesting chamber and lay eggs, before covering the nest and slowly
moving back to the warm ocean.
Our accommodation for the night
is a luxury African safari lodge with fantastic food and individual
rooms set in the forest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included and
provided.
South Africa Safari
Day 6 - Ponta
Do Ouro, Ocean Safari, Swim with dolphins
Today
our safari takes us northwards and across the border into southern
Mozambique to the settlement of Ponta Do Ouro (Point of gold), named so
because of the endless golden beaches.
The main reason we
include Ponta Do Ouro in this itinerary is for the Dolphin safari,
where we take a boat ride out to sea to search for and swim with wild
dolphins in the ocean. Dolphins are the highlight of this trip, but we
often see other animals such as turtles, whales, whale sharks and manta
rays. Dolphin safaris are an unforgettable experience for adults and
children.
After the dolphin safari we spend time on the beach,
snorkeling, and in the village of Ponta Do Ouro, visiting the
local markets and seafood restaurants. Accommodation is in a lodge
close to the beach.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be at restaurants at your own expense.
South Africa Safari Day 7 -
Ocean
Safari, Swim with Dolphins, Mkuze Game Reserve
We
begin the morning with a second dolphin safari. After breakfast we
start to travel back southwards to cross through the border back into
South Africa. Once back in South Africa our safari turns west, our next
destination being lake Jozini on the Pongola river.
Along the
way we stop at the Muzi Pans, a famous birdwatching spot in the area,
before transiting through the Mkuze game reserve. Mkuze is a Big 5
reserve with excellent game viewing opportunities, but is also perfect
habitat for a diverse bird population ranging from the huge vultures
and eagles to the small colorful waxbills and fire finches.
The
Jozini Biosphere reserve lies at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains ans
is home to elephants, buffalo, leopard, giraffe, hippos, crocodiles and
many smaller animals. Lake Jozini is also a very good birding location,
with more than 100 waterbird species visiting the area.
We spend the night in a safari lodge close to the water.
Breakfast and lunch are at your own expense. Dinner included and
provided.
South Africa Safari Day 8 - Lake
Jozini Water Safari
After
a healthy breakfast, we do a water safari on lake Jozini to look for
elephants and other animals and birds coming down to the water to drink.
The
scenery is also beautiful, making the water safari not only a good
opportunity to see animals, but also a great morning for some
photography before we begin to drive back to the airport.
Breakfast included and provided.
This
is just one itinerary example, we are flexible and we can design an
African Safari itinerary around your time availability, interests and
budget.
Things to bring along on your
African Safari
Here is a list of essential
items to pack in before
your safari in
Africa..
Light colored clothing for warm weather. You will be spending time in
the sun often during your African safari.
A windbreaker/Fleas/Jacket for cool or windy days.
Hat
Sun Screen spray or lotion.
Insect repellent for at night
Electrical socket adapter. South African electricity sockets are 'Type
D' and look like this:
Type M adapters are required and look like this..
Camera and battery charger
Binoculars
Sunglasses
Water Bottle
Pen and Paper
Flashlight/Head lamp
Light rain coat
Walking Shoes
African Safari Information
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a Safari Destination?
The first thing to consider before planning an African safari is safety
and security. If you go on safari with a reputable tour operator, your
safety is our main concern.
South Africa is one of the safest safari destinations in Africa. There
has never been civil war and the people are friendly and respectful
towards tourists. Tourists on safari are generally not targets for
criminals in South Africa.
Diversity of indigenous fauna and flora. For your African
safari, choose an area which has several national parks or game
reserves and a diversity in landscapes. This makes every day
different with sightings of a large variety of creatures large and
small.
Consider the climate in the region you plan to go on safari. Africa
gets extremely hot in the summer months, causing both humans and
animals to find shelter from the blazing sun. Cooler weather is better
for a safari because the animals remain active during the daytime.
Do your
safaris cater for vegetarians?
We cater for vegetarians, vegans, pesceterians, gluten intolerant, nut
allergy etc. Please let us know about your individual dietary
requirements when you make your reservation.
Will I be able to charge my camera and mobile phone
batteries?
Yes, there is electricity in the accommodation at all the places we
stay. Electric sockets are "Type D". An adapter may be necessary
depending from which part of the world you are coming.
Do you offer private luxury safaris?
All of our tailor made African safaris are private and designed around
your individual interests.
Do you offer family trips, and can children come on an
African Safari?
We offer family safaris and welcome children of any age. Half
price for Children under 10.
We provide equipment such as surfboards, body boards, snorkeling gear
and fishing tackle to make the most of our beach visits. All equipment
is provided free of charge.
Our safari guides are qualified lifeguards and all dive,
snorkel and surf. We get the best of both world here, beach and bush!
What clothes do we need to pack for our African Safari?
While on safari you will often be outdoors and exposed to the elements.
It is often windy on the safari vehicles so bring a windbreaker with a
hood for comfort. Bring light colored loose fitting clothes for hot
weather. For our ocean activities, bring swimming gear.
We provide beach towels for the duration of the safari. Towels are
available at all your accommodation along the way. Most
restaurants in South Africa have an informal dress code.
If you are planning to play a round of golf while you are here, a
collared shirt is the norm.
Do you use local African guides on Safari?
The owners and all of our guides are born and bred in South Africa. We
are all naturalists, biologists and conservationists with intimate
knowledge of the area, and do what we do because we love the lifestyle.
We are outdoorsmen and women and love to share our knowledge of this
part of the world with visitors.
How to I organize and book an African Safari?
Do your research and decide on a country and a region where you would
like to do a safari. Contact and communicate with tour operators in the
area and find someone who is very flexible, a company who can do a
safari which is individually planned around your interests and
preferred activities.
When you have decided on your travel dates, book a flight and confirm
you safari dates. When you land, we will be at the airport to meet you,
you can sit back and relax and everything is arranged for you.
For all other questions or inquiries, contact
us
at:
Email:
info@extremenaturetours.co.za
Tel: 0027 76 4855 366
0027 76 1971 818
0027 82 2575 612 all hours
We are based in the village of St Lucia South Africa in the north
eastern part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
PO Box 87
St Lucia Estuary
3936
KZN
South Africa
Extreme
Nature Tours and Safaris
Established in 1998 and build on service excellence
and customer
satisfaction.
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