X A taste of the Elephant Coast

Summary

Over ten days, this fantastic tour takes you on a journey through the most picturesque and diverse areas of the region, where you will experience a taste of the Elephant Coast, both on land and underwater. This tour perfectly blends exciting activities with relaxing moments, and is guaranteed to leave you with memories lasting for a lifetime!

TOUR TYPE	Self-drive or guided
PRICE	From ZAR 13050 per person
FOCUS	Safari and beach
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS	5
MALARIA RISK	Low risk (medication not required)

Key HIghLIGhTs

See crocodiles, hippos and birds during a boat tour at St. Lucia Estuary
Enjoy an amazing day trip to the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a combination of game drives, snorkelling and a great lunch
Spot the biggest elephants in the world at Tembe Elephant Park
Explore the lakes of Kosi Bay and enjoy the view of the traditional fish traps
Snorkel in the Kosi Bay Lagoon surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish
Finish off with 2 amazing days on safari looking for the big-5 in the famous Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park or the incredible Manyoni Private Game Reserve

Itinerary

Here at Tailor Made Safaris, we will happily adjust the itinerary below should you wish to see any changes. Of course it is possible to add some days or take some out, and don't forget to take a look at our add-ons! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this tour.

LIGHTBOX EXAMPLE

Want to know the differences between the Standard and Luxury tour? Click here

We offer two versions of this tour; A ‘standard’ and a ‘more luxurious’ version. The standard version you can book as a self-drive tour, or as a fully guided tour. The luxury version is only available as a self-drive tour. The luxury tour is of course more expensive. To help you decide which to choose we have included both options below in the text, and have explained the essential differences in a summary at the bottom of this document. So what's the difference: Most days are basically the same. However, in version A (the default), you will stay in in standard park accommodation on some locations. This accommodation is comfortable, but also not really ‘special’. However, if you prefer the comforts of a higher quality accommodation version B (the more luxurious version) would be the one for you to choose. You will also have more guided game drives in open safari vehicles included in version B. With the standard version (A) you will do some self-drive game drives in your rental car, or in one of Tailor Made Safari’s vehicles. In short: The standard A tour is available as a self-drive or guided tour, version B only as a self-drive tour. Version A has several nights staying in parks accommodation, and some of the game drives during the trip you self-drive on your own in your hire car. Should you opt for a fully guided version A the game drives will be conducted in one of Tailor Made Safaris vehicles with one of our guides.The more luxurious version B stays at more luxury accommodation, and has most excursions and guided game drives included. Also, there are more meals included in version B. Close

Version A (Standard)
Version B (Luxury)

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg

Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will be met by a representative of your guesthouse and driven there. Here you can spend the evening relaxing after your flight. If you arrive in the morning, it is possible for us to schedule an activity for you this afternoon.

Day 2: Johannesburg - Richards Bay - St Lucia

After breakfast, your guesthouse representative will drive you back to the airport where you will board a plane and fly to Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). After a short flight you will travel to St Lucia. Bordering the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, this little coastal town is unique in many ways. After all, you won’t find hippos grazing the grass verges in many other towns in South Africa!
The St Lucia Estuary, which separates the town from the ‘mainland’, is home to hippos, crocodiles and a huge variety of water birds. This afternoon you will get to enjoy the estuary from the water during a boat tour, giving you up close encounters with all the wonderful residents of St Lucia Estuary. St Lucia has a good array of restaurants so meals in town will always be delicious with many choices.

Day 3: iSimangaliso wetlands park game drive

Today you will be collected and taken on a game drive through the Eastern Shores Game Reserve en route to the beach at Cape Vidal for some snorkelling and lunch. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is known as the ‘premier bush and beach destination’ and has completely different ecosystems than Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Tembe Elephant Park. After the drive through the wetland park, where you should see rhino, kudu and other, smaller species, you can enjoy a few hours on the beach, swimming or snorkelling at low tide. Lunch is served at the beach and the day will draw to a close with a game drive through the wetland park as you return to St Lucia.

Day 4: St Lucia - Tembe elephant park

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your guesthouse in St Lucia, you will travel the short distance to Tembe Elephant Park. Tembe is an amazing place; an elephant sanctuary and a Big 5 game reserve including the beautiful African wild dog. Accessible only with 4x4 vehicles and, with no more than ten vehicles per day allowed entry into the reserve, you will experience a complete wilderness feeling. In addition, Tembe is the only place in South Africa where the indigenous elephants of Maputaland are found. These Maputaland Great Tuskers are quite a bit bigger than the ‘ordinary’ African Elephant found elsewhere in the country. This afternoon you will experience a game drive in an open game viewer, during which you will be on the lookout for these magnificent beasts.

Day 5: Tembe Elephant Park

Fully taken care of by the lodge personnel, you will want for nothing at Tembe. Today you will enjoy a game drive in the morning as well as one in the afternoon. Look out for, amongst others, lion, African wild dog and, of course, elephants.

Day 6: Tembe Elephant Park - Kosi Bay Nature Reserve

Following an early morning game drive in Tembe you will head towards the coast to Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, where you will stay at the superbly located Kosi Bay Lodge. Kosi Bay is the northern most extent of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and a beautiful lagoon where you can visit traditional fish traps. These fish traps have been used for centuries and the fish kraals are spread over two of the four lakes in the azure water. The best way to get a good idea of the 700 year old fishing methods of the local people is on a boat trip during which a guide will inform you of all sorts of interesting facts. This afternoon will indeed be spent on a boat cruise, where you’ll see hippo, lots of birds and beautiful scenery. During summer (November-March) you may be able to go on a turtle walk along the beach and, with some luck, see either the loggerhead or leatherback turtles laying eggs in the sand, or see the hatchlings making their way towards the ocean.

Day 7: Snorkelling in Kosi Bay estuary

Kosi Bay has a healthy estuarine system, consisting of four natural lakes connected by channels. Kosi Bay Mouth, where the first lake connects to the ocean, is one of the best places to snorkel in South Africa, with over 200 species of tropical fish having been identified here; anything from devil fire fish to different species of moray eels and Picasso triggerfish. Join a snorkelling excursion to Kosi Bay Mouth and overlook the estuarine system and the traditional fish traps from the elevation of a dune, or you can enjoy a short walk to get a closer look at the mangrove trees and associated fauna.

Day 8: Kosi Bay - Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Enjoy some relaxed time with a book or by the pool before you head on to your final destination, the magnificent Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. This Big 5 game reserve is internationally renowned for its rhino conservation efforts and large rhino population. With its stunning savannah landscapes and rolling hills, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi provides not only excellent game viewing but also wonderful photographic opportunities. This afternoon you will enjoy a game drive through this wonderful terrain, keeping an eye out for members of the Big 5 and much more! Tonight you’ll stay in comfortable chalets in an unfenced camp inside the park

Day 9: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park

An early morning game drive will see you exploring a different part of the reserve from yesterday, still on the lookout for members of the Big 5 which you may not yet have seen, as well as the many species of antelope. After lunch and a few hours relaxing in your chalet, you can go on an afternoon game drive which will give you the opportunity of seeing species that you may not have seen yet.

Day 10: Hluhluwe-imfolozi park - richards bay - johannesburg

Make the most of this morning’s game drive, as it’s your last chance to experience the African bush on this holiday. This morning’s game drive will see you leaving the park through the eastern gate and heading to Richards Bay Airport. From here you will fly to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, from where you will head home.

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg

Day 2: Johannesburg - RIchards bay - st lucia

Day 3: Isimangaliso wetlands park game drive

Day 4: St Lucia – Tembe Elephant Park

Day 5: Tembe elephant park

Day 6: tembe Elephant Park - kosi bay nature reserve

Following an early morning game drive in Tembe you will head towards the coast to Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, where you’ll enjoy an intimate stay at Kosi Forest Lodge. Kosi Bay is the northern most extent of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and a beautiful lagoon where you can visit traditional fish traps. These fish traps have been used for centuries and the fish kraals are spread over two of the four lakes in the azure water. The best way to get a good idea of the 700 year old fishing methods of the local people is on a boat trip during which a guide will inform you of all sorts of interesting facts. This afternoon you can enjoy either a guided canoe trip exploring the Kosi Bay Lake system or a guided walk through the impressive raffia palm forest.

Day 7: snorkelling in kosi bay estuary

Day 8: kosi Forest lodge - Manyoni Private Game Reserve

Enjoy some relaxed time with a book by the pool, or choose between a guided canoe trip exploring the Kosi Bay Lake system or a guided walk through the impressive raffia palm forest. Later this morning you’ll move on to your final destination, Zululand Rhino Reserve. This large private reserve is one of the finest in the region, and offers great wildlife viewing. Not only do they have large numbers of white and black rhinos and other members of the Big 5, but additionally cheetahs and African wild dogs! You stay here the next few days in a luxury lodge, where you will be taken on game drives every day with a wonderful guide in an open safari vehicle, looking for the animals. This afternoon you will join your first guided game drive.

Day 9: Manyoni Private Game Reserve

Today is a day of game drives. You can join both the early morning and late afternoon drives, looking out for more animals. Between game drives, guests can relax at the lodge. Your every need will be fully catered for during your stay at the Zululand Rhino Reserve.

Day 10: Manyoni Private Game reserve - richards bay - johannesburg

This morning is your last chance to go on a game drive, so make the most of it! Then you leave the park and drive to Richards Bay Airport where you will return your rental car and fly to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Please note: Accommodation can potentially differ from the establishments mentioned in this itinerary (if fully booked). In such cases we will look for suitable and similar accommodation. Any changes will be discussed with you. We can only book accommodation after you have confirmed your booking with us.

The European ANVR Travel and Booking Terms & Conditions apply to your booking with us. For full details, click here.

Price Overview

Self-drive tour

Price per person:

	With 2 persons	With 4 persons	With 6 persons	With 8 persons
Version A from	R 15850	R 14300	R 13850	R 13050
Version B from	R 24300	R 23050	R 22550	R 21750

For the most recent exchange rate see www.XE.com.
Prices are partly dependent on which type of rental vehicle you choose. For more information about car rentals, click here.

Includes: Car hire, extensive self-drive pack including GPS navigation device & South African cell phone and SIM card, all accommodation, all meals and guided activities as mentioned as included in the quote above/table below, 14% Value Added Tax (VAT).

Excludes: Airfares, travel and cancellation insurances, petrol, road tolls, parking fees, entry fees, meals & activities mentioned under excluded in the table below, snacks and drinks, gratuities for guides and local restaurants.

Included in the car rental is the Super Cover insurance with zero liability and unlimited kilometres. Not included are the following fees though, which will be charged to your credit card upon collecting the vehicle:

AVIS contract fee: ZAR 85 (once off)
Additional driver fee: ZAR 385
Fuel: cost of refuelling if the car is not handed in full
One-way fee (if the car is returned to a different location from where it was picked up): Between ZAR 869-1177 depending on distance)
If the car is handed in late you will be charged an extra day of rent

These costs cannot be paid by us and therefore will be charged on your credit card by AVIS. AVIS also requires a refundable rental deposit (between ZAR 3500-4000). This sum will be taken off your credit card at the beginning of your trip and if all is well it will be deposited back into your account at the end. For renting a vehicle the driver must be over 18 years old and must have had a valid drivers licence for over a year, which must be valid for at least a year at the start of the rental period, and a valid passport and credit card. Please note that without a credit card, you cannot rent a car!

Download the quote overview for this tour: