What you can expect

Nowhere in the world can you combine a self-drive, luxury bush and beach honeymoon quite like South Africa, and what better way to spend the first 7 days of your union engaging with nature in the Zululand of KwaZulu-Natal, with two nights on our luxury African safari tours and four nights on our luxury African beach holidays. Come face to face with the Big 5 and other animals at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (KZN), where you can enjoy two daily game drives, sit around the fire after dark listening to the sounds of the wild under millions of stars. Then, feel the sand between your toes as you embark on long walks on the beach by day and romantic dinners under the stars by night in the tropical climate found in the Zululand. This tour is perfect for honeymoons, couples and families.

Do this because

Our best 7 days Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park safari tours and iSimangaliso Wetland Park beach holidays are among some of the most popular combinations for honeymooners. Benefit from all-inclusive luxury accommodation, including all meals, 2 daily safari game drives, nature walks, canoeing, snorkeling, kayaking, sundowners and cultural tours. What better way to spend your luxury honeymoon in South Africa than engaging with nature at its best in the heart of the Zululand.

Day 1: Welcome to South Africa!

Upon your arrival at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), you will collect your rental vehicle (own arrangements) and depart on your exciting self-drive journey to Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, which is found on the western boundary of Hluhluwe Game Reserve and approximately 3-hours, 30-minutes drive from the airport. (Should you prefer a transfer rather than self-drive, please inquire with us as this is subject to additional cost.) Upon your arrival at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, receive a warm welcome from one of our representatives and a welcome drink. You will receive a brief orientation of the lodge facilities location before checking in at your accommodation. Thereafter, join us for High Tea on the verandah overlooking the entire reserve in all its splendor. Shortly after tea, your guide will prepare you for your first safari experience, informing you about safety whilst on safari. Explore the hills and valleys of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park on a late afternoon - early evening safari game drive. Enjoy sundowners and snacks along the way and seek out nocturnal animals and species such as leopards, owls and jackals. Upon your return to the lodge, freshen up and return to the dining deck or restaurant for a delicious dinner.

Your 2-nights stay at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge includes full board accommodation (upgradable to Bush or Honeymoon Villa), all meals, morning and afternoon game drives.

2-Nights at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, KZN

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is located on the boundary of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and is within three and a half hours drive from Durban's King Shaka International Airport. It is a luxury four-star lodge including full board accommodation, meals and safari activities. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the only private lodge inside the park. There are 8 luxury bush villas, 2 honeymoon villas, 4 safari rooms and 2 safari family rooms, each with air-conditioning, overhead fans, indoor showers (the villas have bathtubs) and mosquito nets. The lodge has a swimming pool, spa, laundry service and wi-fi in the main lodge only.

Day 2: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve Big 5 safari!

Wake up to the roaring sounds of the African bush as you receive your early morning wake up call and enjoy fresh coffee, tea and rusks (a South African traditional biscuit), before departing for your early morning safari game drive. Game Drives are conducted in an open 4x4 safari vehicle by an experienced game ranger/guide. Please bring along a jacket for chilly mornings and sunscreen and sunglasses for mid-morning sunshine. Ranger/guides are happy to show you all that the bush has to offer and share stories about the animals in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and are very knowledgeable about seeking out the best places to find the Big 5 and other animals. After this fascinating experience, return to the lodge for brunch. Spend the rest of the relaxing on your private balcony, booking a Spa treatment, take a dip in the swimming pool or embark on an exciting guided bushwalk in the national park. Ranger/guides who accompany you on guided bush walks will be armed for your protection, and share stories about the bush along the way. In the afternoon, return to the lodge for High Tea followed by an exciting late afternoon - early evening game drive. Upon your return to the lodge, freshen up before dinner time.

Day 3: iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Enjoy your final early morning safari game drive and brunch before checking out at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge for your departure to the Coastal Forest Reserve and then onto the 4x4 pick up point for your transfer to Kosi Forest Lodge. Please bring with you a warm jacket and hat/cap. Upon your arrival at Kosi Forest Lodge, you will check-in at your accommodation and relax before dinner on the dining deck.

Your 2-nights stay at Kosi Forest Lodge includes full board accommodation, all meals, tea, coffee, guided canoeing and guided Raffia forest walk activities.

2-Nights at Kosi Forest Lodge, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KZN

Kosi Forest Lodge is situated in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland and offers wonderful opportunities to explore the pristine wetland environment by vehicle, guided canoes and boats. There are 8 canvas and thatch cabins which are perfect for families and couples. All rooms are on raised decks hidden in the forest. Unique open-air, reed enclosed bathrooms with bath and shower sunk into white forest sand is one of the highlights of the lodge.  There is a swimming pool, laundry service, indoor and outdoor showers, bath, fans and limited internet and cellphone coverage.

Day 4: iSimangaliso activities!

Wake up to the call of nature, with myriad birds singing and enjoy breakfast surrounded by beautiful nature. Today you can enjoy a canoe trip on the Kosi Lakes. This exciting activity brings you in touch with nature for approximately 2-hours. The best time for this activity will be early morning. Thereafter you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before your afternoon activity. Enjoy an afternoon walk through the tallest Raffia Palms in the world. There are Palm Nuts Vultures and Pel's Fishing Owls. Upon your return to the lodge, enjoy a sundowner beside the pool with stunning views of Lake Shengeza. Take time to freshen up before a delicious lantern-lit dinner on either the main deck or in the Boma. 

Day 5: Thonga Beach beach safari! 

Shortly after breakfast and an early morning activity, you will receive a transfer to the pickup point in Manguzi from where you will be transferred to Thonga Beach Lodge. The traveling duration is approximately 1-hour, 40-minutes between the two lodges. Upon your arrival at Thonga Beach Lodge, you will receive a welcome drink and an introduction to the facilities at the lodge, before checking into your accommodation. In the afternoon, enjoy one of the many activities available at Thonga Beach. After your afternoon activity, freshen up, relax with a cocktail and canapes at the bar and enjoy an enchanting dinner under the stars.

Your 2-night stay at Thonga Beach Lodge includes accommodation in a forest view room (upgradable to ocean view room), all meals, tea, coffee, snorkeling, guided walks, cultural tours, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya.

2-Nights at Thonga Beach Lodge, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KZN

Thonga Beach Lodge is found in the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which is a World Heritage Site, on the secluded Mabibi Bay, with direct access to Maputaland coast. There are 12 thatched en-suite rooms in the coastal dune forest. Each guest room has a double vanity, indoor shower, bar fridge, air-conditioning, fan and mosquito net. 

Day 6: Thonga Beach Activities!

Wake up to the sound of gentle ocean waves breaking against white sands as you take in the fresh ocean breeze. Enjoy breakfast and head out to enjoy a number of exciting adventure activities in this magical place of tranquility, combining swimming, snorkeling, forests, grasslands, bush, lakes and sandy beaches. There are amazing opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are also cultural tours to the local Tsonga village and guided forest walks. Swim with the dolphins or enjoy whale watching in season. Alternatively, you may choose to relax with a Spa treatment or on the beach deck. During summer months enjoy nocturnal walks and drives along the beach seeking out turtles laying eggs and see the culmination of the giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles come to shore to lay their eggs and prepare their nests. Turtle tracking can be enjoyed from November to February annually. 

Day 7: Farewell!

Shortly after breakfast and check out from Thonga Beach Lodge, you will receive a 4x4 transfer (1-hour duration) to the pick-up point for your onward journey. We bid you a fond farewell.

What is included

• 2-nights stay at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge includes full board accommodation (upgradable to Bush or Honeymoon Villa), all meals, morning and afternoon game drives.
• 2-nights stay at Kosi Forest Lodge includes full board accommodation, all meals, tea, coffee, guided canoeing and guided Raffia forest walk activities.
  
• 2-night stay at Thonga Beach Lodge includes accommodation in a forest view room (upgradable to ocean view room), all meals, tea, coffee, snorkeling, guided walks, cultural tours, kayaking, sundowners at Lake Sibaya and nightly turtle walks (November to February).
  

What is not included

• Car Rental for self-drive between King Shaka International Airport and Manguzi. (Airport Transfers available on request at additional cost.)
• Park Fees, Drinks, Laundry, Gratuities (optional)
• Items of personal nature
• Kosi Forest Lodge additional activities at extra cost: Motorized boat trip on Kosi Lakes System, 4x4 Day Trip to Kosi Bay Mouth and 4x4 Turtle Tours.
• Thonga Beach Lodge additional activities at extra cost: Spa Treatments, Scuba Diving, Open Ocean Experience, Diving equipment hire and 4x4 Turtle Tracking Tours (November to February).

Highlights:

• Our best 7 days Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park safari tours and iSimangaliso Wetland Park beach holidays are among some of the most popular combinations for honeymooners.
• Benefit from all-inclusive luxury accommodation, including all meals, 2 daily safari game drives, nature walks, canoeing, snorkeling, kayaking, sundowners and cultural tours.
• What better way to spend your luxury honeymoon in South Africa than engaging with nature at its best in the heart of the Zululand.

Know before you go

• Transfers can be arranged at an additional cost for transfers between King Shaka International Airport, Durban and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge and then from Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge to the pick-up point for Thonga Beach Lodge, should you choose not to self-drive.