From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways
From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways
Escape Durban for an unforgettable weekend safari getaway. Discover Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, St Lucia, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park with Big 5 game drives, hippo cruises, and luxury stays.
From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways are the gateway to some of South Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences. Nestled in KwaZulu-Natal, this unforgettable adventure combines two extraordinary destinations Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, with St Lucia as your charming base.
Why Choose a Weekend Getaway from Durban?
Durban sits at a convenient point for wildlife lovers. A road trip northward up the N2 takes you through sugar cane fields and Zulu villages toward the wilderness Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, Africa’s oldest proclaimed game reserve, is only around 236–250 km away about a 2.5-hour drive (hluhluwegamereserve.com, stluciasouthafrica.com).
For international and domestic travellers, you can also fly directly into Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, where the journey to the wild begins the moment you land. From here, transfers are available with Heritage Tours & Safaris, ensuring a seamless connection from the airport to St Lucia and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. This makes it possible to arrive in Durban in the morning and be on safari by the afternoon ideal for a magnificent weekend safari escape.
Once you arrive in St Lucia, you’re not only stepping into a town rich with wildlife, hippos roam freely at night but you are also perfectly positioned to explore both parks. St Lucia is just 54–55 km (approx. 45–60 minutes) from Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Exploring Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Africa’s Wildlife Legacy
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park isn’t merely a stop it’s a journey through an African conservation history. Officially proclaimed in 1895 by the Natal Colonial Government, Hluhluwe and Imfolozi were established to protect dwindling populations of wildlife in Zululand, particularly the last surviving southern white rhinos. This makes Hluhluwe-Imfolozi the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa.
The park spans approximately 96,000 hectares, showcasing diverse landscapes from rolling hills in Hluhluwe to open grasslands in the Imfolozi with exceptional wildlife opportunities.
A defining chapter in its legacy is the rhino translocation programme, known worldwide as Operation Rhino. Beginning in the 1960s, conservation teams pioneered the capture and relocation of white rhinos from the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park to reserves across Africa and abroad. This effort not only rescued the species from the brink of extinction but also cemented the reserve’s reputation as a global leader in conservation innovation (hluhluwegamereserve.com).
Today, visitors are likely to encounter the Big Five lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and both black and white rhinoceros along with cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, hyena, and over 340 bird species.
St Lucia: The Safari Town by the Wetland
St Lucia, Kwazulu Natal is perched on the shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park South Africa’s first World Heritage Site is more than a quaint town. It’s a wildlife hub, with daily hippo and croc boat cruises along the estuary, turtle tours, birdwatching, and pristine beaches.
The history of St Lucia dates back to 1554, when Portuguese shipwreck survivors first encountered the estuary and named it Rio dos Medos do Ouro (River of the Gold Dunes). Later, in 1822, British surveyors officially renamed it St Lucia, in recognition of the feast of Saint Lucy which coincided with their arrival. Since then, the town has grown into a remarkable safari gateway, blending colonial history with Zulu cultural heritage.
Today, the town vibrates with nature hippos roam the streets, bush babies stir at night and St Lucia itself is an unforgettable safari destination.
Weekend Itineraries: Safari Packages That Deliver
A weekend safari is more than just a short escape it’s an immersion into the heart of Zululand’s wildlife. Whether you choose a 2-night package, a 3-night adventure, or a full-day bush and boat safari, you’ll have the chance to encounter some of Africa’s most iconic animals.
While exploring Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, keep your eyes open for the Big Five lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The park is particularly famous for its rhinos, thanks to the world-renowned Operation Rhino conservation programme. Herds of elephant, giraffe, and stealthy predators like cheetah and wild dog also roam freely across its rolling hills and open savannahs.
In the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the St Lucia Estuary, your weekend safari getaway could bring you up close to hippos, nile crocodiles, and an astonishing variety of birdlife over 530 recorded species, including fish eagles, kingfishers, and pink-backed pelicans. Depending on the season, you may also witness the annual migration of humpback whales off the nearby coastline, or even the nesting of leatherback and loggerhead turtles on the pristine beaches.
Each itinerary is designed not just around activities, but around the wildlife encounters that make Zululand one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.
From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways
2-Night Safari Getaways
Ready for a quick adventure into the wild:
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2-Night Safari Package Overview, including:
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Full-day Big 5 Safari into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
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Night Drive into iSimangaliso
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Hippo Boat Cruise on the estuary
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Accommodation, 4-star Bed & Breakfast
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Pricing: R6,150 per person or R9,950 including transfers from Durban.
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From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways
3-Night Safari Packages
Deepen the experience with more wildlife encounters & adventures:
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3-Night Safari Package combining:
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Full-day Big 5 safari
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Hippo boat cruise
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Sunset or night drives
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Snorkelling in iSimangaliso
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4-star accommodation
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Option to include transfers from Durban: R11,860 p/p with transfers; R7,960 p/p without transfers
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From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways
Bush & Boat Safari (Full Day)
For those tight on time but rich in ambition:
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Heritage Tours & Safaris runs a Bush & Boat Full Day Safari:
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Open Game Drive Big 5 Safari
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Boat trip on the St Lucia Estuary of iSimangaliso, Hippo Boat Cruise
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Starts at 5 am, includes a bush breakfast
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R1,760 per person
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Tailored Day Safari Options
Custom flexibility for the discerning safari travellers:
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Heritage Tours & Safaris also offers:
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Full-day or Half-day Big 5 safaris in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
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"Six on Safari" exclusive small-group experiences
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All options include conservation levies, gate fees and catered for as per individual safari desription.
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Recognised as the No.1 Safari Operator on TripAdvisor for the 7th consecutive year, Heritage Tours & Safaris has built a reputation for excellence in guiding, service, and conservation-minded tourism. In addition, the company was named one of Africa’s best safari operators by the Global Tourism Awards 2025, cementing its place as a trusted leader in the safari industry (heritagetoursandsafaris.com).
Accommodation: Rest in Authentic Safari Comfort
At Heritage House, is tucked away in St Lucia, this popular 4 star Bed & Breakfast offers comfortable stays with safari access. It includes easy connections to tours, check-in at 2 pm and check-out at 11 am—making it an ideal base for your safari getaway (atheritagehouse.com).
Final Thoughts
From Durban to the Wild Hluhluwe and St Lucia Weekend Safari Getaways encapsulates a journey that’s as effortless as it is magnificent.
Within a few hours from Durban or directly from King Shaka International Airport your safari dreams unfurl across the Big Five safaris, hippo-studded estuaries, World Heritage wonders, and classic Zululand hospitality.
Whether you’re drawn by exclusive small-group safaris or immersive multi-day wildlife adventures, the 2-night and 3-night packages, the Bush & Boat days, and flexible Heritage Tours & Safaris offerings ensure your experience is both richly authentic and richly memorable.
