Current as of: March 12, 2025 - 14:19
South Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: South Africa
- Programmes: Wildlife
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- 11 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: WZJ
Trip Overview
Explore wildlife-rich habitats on land and water with expert guides who know where the action is happening
Go beyond the classic South Africa safari trip on this extra-special adventure, scouring both the plains and underwater world. Search Kruger and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi for lions, elephants and more on multiple game drives and walks. Cruise the hippo and croc-filled waters of Lake St Lucia. And kayak and snorkel to explore the waters of Kosi Bay. Illuminating our adventure are our expert guides, who have a deep knowledge of the local wildlife and a keen eye for picking out those harder-to-spot creatures.
Please note: The original version of this adventure visited Mozambique. However, the FCDO is currently advising against travel; therefore, we are running an amended itinerary, which visits the wildlife-rich Kosi Bay in South Africa instead. Please see the day-to-day itinerary for more information.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 10 Classic nights (7 lodge/chalet, 3 permanent tented camp)
- Travel by private minibus, 4×4 safari vehicle and boat
Highlights
- Search land and sea for the wildlife of South Africa with expert guides
- Spot iconic safari animals in Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Cruise Lake St Lucia where hippos and crocodiles populate the waters
- Snorkel and kayak in the wildlife-rich waters of Kosi Bay
- Enjoy time at the beach from Kosi Bay to Ponta do Ouro
- Gaze across Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest in the world
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Five. For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Mozambique: The FCDO is currently advising against travel to Mozambique; therefore, we are running an amended itinerary, which visits the wildlife-rich Kosi Bay in South Africa instead. See the day-to-day itinerary for more information.
Journeys: Considering this is South Africa, travelling times between destinations are relatively short. The longest drive is approximately eight hours, but the rest are less than four hours unless there is a game drive. The drives between destinations are completed in a comfortable minibus while the game drives are in open-sided safari vehicles. Please note, drives in and out of Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are mostly in the minibus but our other drives are in safari vehicles. The game drives in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park may be with other guests at the camp who aren’t members of our group.
Walking: There is limited hiking on this trip. The longest is a two-hour game walk over relatively flat terrain, but the ground can be uneven, and vegetation must be navigated.
Legal note: All group members joining this tour will be asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the trip. This indemnity form is a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association, of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 15
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Dolphin Coast
- End City: Johannesburg
Land Only Itinerary
Depart London
Depart London.
Start Dolphin Coast
Welcome to South Africa, where our tour begins on the Dolphin Coast. Depending on your arrival time, there is the option of spending the day at the beach or relaxing at our accommodation. There is a welcome briefing this evening to discuss the adventures to come.
Accommodation: Dolphin Coast Lodge (or similar)
iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Cape Vidal Beach
This morning, we head to Lake St Lucia, a World Heritage site in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The uniqueness of the park lies in a remarkable combination of estuarine lakes, subtropical coastline, forests and wildlife. On arrival, we drive into the park and picnic at Mission Rocks, where there is an excellent chance of seeing turtles. We then explore the park, looking for buffalos and rhinos on our way to Cape Vidal Beach. We drive to St Lucia in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: St Lucia Luxury Tented Village (or similar)
Lake St Lucia boat cruise; drive to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Starting early, we have a two-hour boat cruise on Lake St Lucia, known for its large hippo population. We may also spot crocodiles and fish eagles. After breakfast at our accommodation, we have a short drive inland to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa. We drive through the park in our tour vehicle (our first chance to spot the incredible animals here) until we reach camp. We have some time to relax in the afternoon and then in the evening we head out in safari vehicles with a park ranger where have a good chance of seeing white and black rhinos along with plenty of key species: lions, elephants, buffalos and leopards. Back at camp, we enjoy our first braai (South African barbecue) of the trip.
Accommodation: Mpila Camp (or similar)
Game walk and game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
We begin with an early morning game walk with a park ranger. The walk is limited to eight people; for larger groups, we split into two, with one group walking today and the other group tomorrow. The group not joining will go on a game drive in one of the camp’s safari vehicles. We return to camp for breakfast and then have most of the day to relax or go on an additional game drive in the tour vehicle. In the late afternoon, we head out in the camp safari vehicles again in search of the park wildlife, including lions, rhinos (both black and white), giraffes and leopards.
Accommodation: Mpila Camp (or similar)
Transfer to Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Any group members who didn’t join the game walk yesterday will do it today. After breakfast, we drive out of the park in our tour vehicle. Enjoying more animal watching as we go, we exit from the Memorial Gate and travel through Hluluwe town to Kosi Bay Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal. We arrive in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Kosi Bay Lodge (or similar)
Kayak and snorkel in Kosi Bay
In the morning, we embark on a two-hour kayaking tour of Kosi Bay’s mangrove system, covering roughly 1.2mi (2km). Nicknamed the aquarium, it is known for its plentiful fish and birdlife, plus crabs and small sea creatures.
We then enjoy snorkelling with the chance to see lionfish, stone fish and other interesting fish species. Equipment is provided and the guides each take a torpedo buoy with them, should you need to relax.
After lunch, we take a boat cruise along the Kosi Bay Estuary (this experience may be shared with others staying at the lodge). On this adventure, we keep our eyes peeled for hippos, crocodiles and birds, plus animals on the lake shores.
Accommodation: Kosi Bay Lodge (or similar)
Drive to Kruger National Park
Our destination today is Kruger National Park, justifiably one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. It’s home to all the iconic safari species, such as lions, leopards, elephants, rhino and buffalos. The drive takes approximately eight hours as we’ll be crossing through Eswatini to our camp on the Sabie River. As we get closer to Kruger, there will be opportunities to spot animals from the vehicle!
Accommodation: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)
Full-day game drive in Kruger National Park
Today is the first of two full days in Kruger National Park and will concentrate on the south section of the park. Game drives are in safari vehicles with local guides. The best time for viewing animals is sunrise and sunset, which means an early start as we head out to witness the wildlife at their most active. We return to camp for breakfast and spend the rest of the day exploring the park on the way to our camp in central Kruger.
Accommodation: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)
Full-day game drive in Kruger National Park
Our second day focuses on the central area of Kruger and we prioritise looking for species that we have not yet seen or have seen less of over the rest of the trip.
Accommodation: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)
Drive to Graskop Gorge via Blyde River Canyon
There is a final game drive this morning in the safari vehicles to Orpen Gate. When we exit the park, we change vehicles and then proceed to our lunch stop before moving onto a great viewpoint for Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. This afternoon, we explore a geological formation known as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the God’s Window viewpoint on our way to our accommodation on the edge of Graskop Gorge.
Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)
Graskop Gorge Lift; drive to Johannesburg; end Johannesburg
For our final morning, we ride the glass Graskop Gorge Lift for a sky-high view over the mighty gorge and enjoy a walk through indigenous Afromontane forest. From here, we have a four to five-hour drive to Johannesburg International Airport where our trip ends. Please note, if you are organising your own flights, you should speak to your sales representative to confirm transfer timings before booking your flights.
Arrive London
Arrive London.
Accommodation
Tented camp, lodges and chalets
Throughout this trip, we mostly stay in three-star lodges and chalets. On three nights, the lodges are permanent tented camps. These are comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, but they are in part made of canvas and are a quintessential African safari experience. While the lodges are not luxury properties, they are comfortable and in great locations. Most properties have a pool and wifi, although this is not always very reliable.
Single supplement from £ 500
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, seven lunches and five dinners are included.
In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. The list below provides an indication of what these will consist of:
- Breakfast: Cereals, coffee, tea and toast, the occasional cooked breakfast
- Lunch: Cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls
- Dinner: Potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta
Where meals are not included, the leader will recommend a restaurant for a group meal. Dinners can cost on average 370-560 rand (US$20‐US$30) per person and lunches from 90-150 rand (US$8-US$13).
The tour leaders do all the shopping, meal planning and cooking for each group. They will purchase fresh produce wherever possible. Each tour has two cool boxes for meats and fresh produce and one cool box for cold drinks. We will supply the following drinks: fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be at your own expense. Please note, on days when the group are on morning game walks or drives, we have an early morning cup of tea or coffee and rusks followed by the walk. Once we return to camp, we have a large brunch at around 11am. In the early afternoon, we have a snack-style lunch and dinner will be served after completion of the optional game drives.
Please be aware, we need at least two weeks’ notice to deal with special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies).
The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.
Transport
Transport is by minibus fitted with forward-facing seats and towing a trailer for equipment and luggage. Game drives are in open-sided safari vehicles with three rows seating three people each. Please note, drives in and out of Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park will be in the minibus but our other drives will be in the safari vehicles.
Weather & Seasonality
Although the greater part of South Africa lies south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the temperature is moderated by the altitude. The average midday temperature is likely to be about 22C (72F) on the coast and 24C (75F) inland. This trip covers various different weather regions. Generally, inland areas will be dry between April and October (although storms can occur). In August, the nights can be very cold. However, the days are warm and crisp with generally cloud-free skies. November through February, rain can sometimes fall and the temperature will be higher. However, as anyone who has travelled to these parts will say, rain is often a blessing, it manifests the local colours, drops the sometimes sweltering temperatures and never generally lasts too long. It also means the night times are incredibly clear.
Joining Instructions
Joining Instructions
Start hotel: Dolphin Coast Lodge, Umdloti
Phone: +27 (0)63 855 8780
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately.
Airport: King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 10 to 15-minute drive from the airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves.
Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times, to arrange a private transfer, or for more information.
Flying via Johannesburg
If you are travelling on flights via Johannesburg, please note that you will need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Durban (and even if you are told you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight – you do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) for those booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Dolphin Coast
Location end: Johannesburg
What To Take
Essential Equipment
In addition to your normal daily clothes:
- Neutral coloured clothes (for the game walk)
- Long-sleeve clothing and long trousers (pants) to wear when the sun goes down to protect skin from mosquito bites
- Some warmer clothes, windproof jacket and warm fleece for the winter months
- Lightweight walking boots or trainers (sneakers)
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Backpack for the day
- Wet wipes or hand sanitizer gel
- Towel
- Headtorch (head lamp) with spare batteries
- Water bottle
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Optional Equipment
- Binoculars
- Camera with a zoom lens (at least 300mm) if you want good animal shots
- Waterproof camera for dolphin excursion
- Long-sleeve rash vest for dolphin excursion
Practical Information
Visa
South Africa
Travellers from the UK, US and most (though not all) EU states normally do not need a visa to enter South Africa. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html
Please note, all travellers to South Africa who require a visa need at least two consecutive blank pages in their passport (ie a left- and right-hand page) to enable an entry visa to be issued.
Additionally, any child under 18 travelling to South Africa needs to be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate with the names of both parents. If a child under 18 is only travelling with one parent, they will also have to have an affidavit, no less than three months old, from the absent parent confirming the child can travel with the other parent; a court order granting full legal guardianship of the child; or a death certificate of the deceased parent.
Vaccinations and Health
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. Additionally, malaria prophylaxis is essential as we travel in the greater Kruger area; seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic about which tablets to take.
Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic before you travel about all your vaccination and health requirements.
Local Time
South Africa's time zone: Africa/Johannesburg (UTC +02:00)
Electricity
South Africa's electricity: Plug types M (three round pins), N (three round pins) and C (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
South Africa's currency: South African rand (ZAR)
ATM Availability
There are ATMs in all major towns and at the airport. Credit cards are widely accepted, including at hotels, shops and restaurants.
All major denominations, including British pounds, US dollars and euros, are accepted at currency exchange establishments, available in all major towns and at the airport.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Allow about 150 rand (US$8) per day for incidentals.
These activities can be paid in local currency or card:
Optional excursions (prices are approximate and subject to change)
- Kruger National Park night drives: 310 rand (US$16) per person.
- Johannesburg city tour: 900 rand (US$48) per person
- Apartheid museum with transfers: 1,000 rand (US$54) per person
- Johannesburg township and city tour: 1,330 rand (US$72) per person
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work, but we would still recommend for your leader approximately 90 rands (US$5) per person per day.
Tipping is expected but not compulsory in South Africa. In most restaurants, an average of tipping 10 percent is common and service staff as well as local guides rely on tipping as part of their wages but be sure to check. This tip is voluntary and can be declined if service was unsatisfactory.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.