Bring your family, your 4x4 or Sports Utility and join the Bhejane Adventure Team on our self-drive Zululand Safari. This is in no way a “hard core” adventure and no previous 4x4 experience is required.

The Adventure

Take this opportunity to drive and walk in South Africa’s oldest game reserve, and royal hunting ground of Shaka Zulu. Frank and one of his former Zulu colleagues will enhance this experience and share anecdotes of stories of rhino protection, game capture and Zulu history.

Accessible to only 4X4’s, Maputuland’s sand tracks meander past fresh-water inland lakes, under tropical tree canopies and to beaches lined with coral reefs.

Our accommodation on this adventure is in luxury safari tents.

The team

Your tour leader, Frank, is a highly skilled tour guide with extensive experience in tour guiding, 4x4 driver training and biological interpretation. He is also an extensively trained game ranger with expert knowledge in wildlife conservation, as well as guided walks and tours.

Bhejane’s trusty bush chef will be close on hand to assist lodge staff with all our catering requirements.

Adventure itinerary

Day 1:

We meet at Ulundi at 10h00 and then make our way into the heart of the great Zulu empire. At Ulundi, each vehicle will be issued with a hand-held 2-way radio, which allows constant inter-vehicle communication.

Our route takes us from tar to gravel before we enter Umfolozi Game Reserve. This is not difficult driving but ground clearance is necessary. Frank will be passing on snippets of information over the radio along the way. We are constantly on the lookout for game and arrive at our tented camp in the late afternoon.

We unpack and settle down for the most beautiful time of day in the African bushveld – sunset. Animals are able to move freely through the unfenced camp and, although it is not dangerous, we are careful. Bedding and towels are provided and accommodation is for two people sharing.

Our chef will provide a scrumptious dinner, which we enjoy while listening to the night sounds.

Day 2:

After a good night’s rest we wake for a very early start. Frank and one of his former Zulu colleagues will take you on a guided interpretive walk in the Umfolozi wilderness area. Keeping an eye out for the ‘big five’, we tread lightly and quietly. Along the way we will discuss the Zulu history, look at game tracks and enjoy getting in touch with nature. Frank will share the unique story of rhino protection in the park, game capture and lion darting. For the birders, the reserve’s 360 species will keep you busy.

After the walk we return to camp for brunch and a rest. In the afternoon we head out in our vehicles to visit the KZN Wildlife Game Capture and Centenary Centre. We will come away, from a visit to this centre, better informed and more appreciative of the contribution made by KZN Wildlife to the worlds black and white rhino population.

In the late afternoon we drive into the quieter western section of the park, formerly managed by Frank during his term as a section ranger in the park. We stop for a sundowner en route and allow Mother Nature to reveal many of her mysteries.

We return to the camp for supper and well-deserved rest.

Day 3:

After breakfast, we pack up and leave Umfolozi Game Reserve, driving via the Hluhluwe section of the park. We refuel in Hluhluwe town in readiness for the road north to the warm, tropical Maputaland coast, north of Sodwana Bay. Here we take a sandy, two-spoor track in the coastal dune, having obtained special permit for this.

Our route takes us almost onto the beach at Nine Mile Reef. We travel along the banks of Lake Sibiya, South Africa’s largest fresh water lake, where swimming is unfortunately a no-go. There are simply too many crocodiles and hippos. The Indian Ocean however, provides a welcome swimming alternative.

In the late afternoon we arrive at Kozi Bay where we will spend the next three nights in luxury safari tents.

Day 4:

We visit the Kozi Bay system’s mouth to the sea, a few kilometres south of the Mozambique border.

Weather permitting; we will snorkel in the Lake’s mouth, exploring the unique and incredibly beautiful coral reefs and tropical marine life. While having our picnic lunch, we will watch the local fishermen tend their fish traps, a traditional and timeless method of fishing handed down from one generation to the next.

After lunch we make our way to Tembe Elephant Park, the last safehaven of Natal's original elephants.  We take a short drive into the park to its most popular hide which, under the right conditions, is a hive of activity with the coming and going of game needing to drink. 

We head back to camp in the late afternoon.

Day 5:

We leave for yet another big game; 4X4 experience in Ndumu Game Reserve, winding through thick bush, stopping at waterholes and hopefully finding the elusive Black rhino as well as a multitude of other game species. Birders will delight in the multitude of birds to be found here.

Ndumu is situated on the Mozambique border and certain roads are only accessible to 4X4 vehicles.

We head back to Kozi Bay to go on an evening sundowner boat cruise on the Kozi Bay lake system.

We spend our last night around the campfire enjoying the unique bond of friendship that can only be made by fellow travellers who, together, have experienced the magic of the African Bush.

Day 6:

After breakfast, it’s sadly time to pack up, say our goodbyes and head home to prepare for a new adventure.