6-Day South Africa Safari & Wetland Adventure: Big Five, Hippos & Coastal Wildlife

This 6 day iSimangaliso and Big Five safari mixes water and bush in KwaZulu-Natal. You drive north from Durban to St Lucia, take a guided boat cruise on the estuary, then move to a Big Five reserve near Hluhluwe for game drives, and return to Durban on the last day. It is a gentle route with no flights, with short drives, and with two nights in St Lucia so that you can use the lake and the coast at a relaxed pace.

St Lucia sits on the edge of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its estuary is famous for hippos and crocodiles. On a guided boat cruise you see them from a safe distance on the water, along with fish eagles, herons and other waterbirds. The park also has beaches and coastal forest, and an optional coastal activity fits in the afternoon if conditions allow. See the best things to do in iSimangaliso Wetland Park for more detail.

The second part of the trip takes you to a Big Five reserve in the Hluhluwe area, where the drives are land-based and aimed at rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards. It is a different kind of day: the morning drive at first light, a rest, and an afternoon drive. Read how to combine iSimangaliso Wetland Park with a Big Five safari. Browse the Big Five safari page and the South Africa destination page.

Easy. The estuary cruise is seated, the game drives are from the vehicle, and there is no hiking. Mornings can be cool and the heat builds in the middle of the day, so a hat matters. Drives between stops are short by South African standards. If you are travelling with children, ask us about age rules at the lodge and on the boat.

The dry winter months, from about May to September, are best for the game drives, with cooler weather and thinner bush. The estuary is good all year, and summer, from about November to March, is hot, humid and green, with many birds and afternoon storms. The shoulder months are a good compromise, and we help you decide.

This tour suits travellers who like water and bush, including families, couples and small groups who want a short trip without flying. It is a good add-on for a Durban stay. For a trip that adds Zulu heritage, see our Signature Journey, the 6-day KwaZulu-Natal safari and Zulu cultural heritage tour. For a Kruger trip, see the 4-day Kruger National Park Big Five safari.

Tell us your month and your interests, and we will set the reserve and the boat times. We advise on visas free of charge and confirm lodges once you book. Read the best park for the Big Five in South Africa and the best Big Five family safari in South Africa.