The Elephant Coast

DESCRIPTION

The Elephant Coast is a region of game reserves, beautiful beaches and wetlands overflowing with wildlife. We visit the St Lucia Estuary, the largest estuarine system on the African continent with the largest concentration of hippo in South Africa! This area is part and parcel of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a world heritage site – and is considered ‘one of the most abundant, naturally-endowed and beautiful pieces of real estate on earth’.

After a night in St Lucia, we travel further north to the exclusive Thonga Beach lodge for a beach break, which also falls within the protected world heritage site. Your private thatched room is perfectly positioned in the dune forest overlooking Mabibi Beach. Spend the days snorkelling in the reefs in front of the lodge, eating wholesome and delicious meals, and soaking up the sun on the beach deck.

Our trip culminates with a Big Five Safari experience at Tembe Elephant Park, home to some of the largest elephants in Africa, followed by a safari at the local favoutire Rhino River Lodge situated in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

• Collected from King Shaka International Airport – please look out for a board on which your names will be displayed

• Depart for St Lucia, arriving in time for lunch

• This afternoon we enjoy a boat cruise on the estuary to view pods of hippos, the Nile crocodile and beautiful birdlife

• Pick a spot for dinner in the town, but keep your eyes peeled for hippos!

• Overnight: St Lucia Guesthouse BB

DAY 2 & 3

• After breakfast there is time to visit the St Lucia market before departing for Thonga Beach Lodge

• Check in to lodge

• The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy your beautiful surroundings!

• The next two nights are spent at this lodge and there are plenty of additional activities you can sign up for during your stay (scuba diving, snorkeling, enjoying spa treatments, and between November and January Turtle tracking tours depart  in the evenings)

• Overnight: Thonga Beach Lodge DBB

DAY 4 & 5

• Depart for Tembe Elephant Park where we experience intimate encounters with some of the largest elephants in Africa

• The next two days are spent at Tembe Elephant Park where we have the chance of spotting Africa’s Big Five

• Overnight: Tembe Elephant Park Full Board

DAY 6 & 7

• Depart for Rhino River Lodge situated in the beautiful Manyoni Private Game Reserve

• Morning and evening safari activities daily

• Overnight: Rhino River Lodge full board

DAY 8

• After a final game drive in the African bush and a hearty breakfast we transfer to King Shaka International Airport for your flight home

INCLUDED IN TOUR

• 1 night St Lucia Guesthouse BB

• 2 nights Thonga Beach Lodge DBB

• 2 nights Tembe Elephant Park Full Board

• 2 nights Rhino River Lodge Full Board

• Certified guide

• Air-conditioned vehicle

• Return transfers to King Shaka International Airport

• St Lucia Hippo Boat Cruise

• Mabibi Beach Break

• Tembe Big Five Safari Experience

• Manyoni Big Five Safari Experience

• Conservation levies

EXCLUDED FROM TOUR

• Lunches & dinners where it is not mentioned

• Spa treatments

• Any additional activity

• Any purchase of a personal nature

• Gratuities

• Travel insurance

• Flights

WHAT TO BRING

• Sunscreen & sun hat

• Walking shoes

• Camera

• Swimwear

• Neutral tones for your safari attire