KwaZulu-Natal – Bespoke South Africa Itineraries

Located on South Africa‘s east coast, KwaZulu-Natal offers miles of coastline for swimming and surfing, the country’s highest mountains, and plenty of activities outside of safari including golf and many cultural and historical experiences.

The seaside city of Durban is the main entry point and from here, it’s about a two-hour drive south to the region’s prime wildlife destinations. KwaZulu-Natal’s best safari experiences are found within the Phinda and Thanda Private Game Reserves. Phinda is known for its excellent big game-viewing and seven distinct ecosystems within the reserve, including a rare sand forest. Combining stays in the north and south can give you a complete safari experience without leaving the park gates.

A safari vehicle sits in golden grassland as two tourists observe wildlife at golden hour.

A pangolin walks slowly across dry sandy ground, its overlapping scales clearly visible.

A lioness walks toward the camera along a dirt track with a safari vehicle in the background.

Why visit KwaZulu-Natal?

With only six beautiful properties sharing the reserve, the experience is personal and exclusive. Day trips out to the coast are on offer, as is the opportunity to visit the nearby communities outside the park’s gates.

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With only six beautiful properties sharing the reserve, the experience is personal and exclusive. Day trips out to the coast are on offer, as is the opportunity to visit the nearby communities outside the park’s gates.
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We are big supporters of &Beyond’s conservation efforts within Phinda, piloting a pangolin conservation experience as well as involving guests in rhino notching and de-horning (by advanced arrangement and additional cost).
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KwaZulu-Natal’s temperatures are warm year-round (think Southern California or Florida) and the snorkeling and diving off the coast here is some of the best in the world. The area is also a nesting area for sea turtles between October and early March.

The best time to visit KwaZulu-Natal

Although the area is a year-round destination, two distinct seasons offer a unique experience. Due to KwaZulu-Natal’s location along the coast, the summer (October-April) can be hot and humid, but it is beautiful, lush and young animals are abundant. The winter months (May-September) are cool and dry, and the thinner vegetation makes wildlife spotting easier.

Best

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Apr

May

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January - December

Good

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January - December

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Other areas to explore

A visit to KwaZulu-Natal puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of South Africa.

Cape Town

Sitting at the bottom of Africa where two oceans meet, Cape Town is one of the world's most captivating cities.

Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands demand only that you delight in the rewards of what's been harvested, homemade, and handspun.

A lone tree stands in golden grassland, its wide canopy silhouetted against a pale African sky, in warm evening light.

Madikwe Game Reserve

On a malaria-free Madikwe safari you’re assured all the hallmarks of a premier safari destination: a crowd-free wilderness, Big Five encounters, and arresting landscapes.

Hermanus

Charming Hermanus has earned the status of being the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world.

Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?

We go deep

We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.

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We keep it honest

Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.

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We’ve got it covered

Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.

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We know it’s personal

There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.