Meet two remarkable African elephants, then continue to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park for a three-hour open-vehicle Big Five safari.
FROM R3,590 PER PERSON
Minimum 2 guests
Group discounts available
Solo travellers welcome — please enquire
Looking for a safari from Durban that combines a close-up elephant experience with the excitement of an open safari vehicle?
Our Elephant Encounter and Open-Vehicle Big 5 Safari takes you north through KwaZulu-Natal for two very different wildlife experiences in one memorable day.
Meet and learn about two habituated elephants at a private game reserve before continuing to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Here, a specialist safari guide takes you into the reserve in an open vehicle to search for lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many other African animals.
Tour Details
- Duration: Full day
- Pickup: Durban and surrounding areas
- Departure: Approximately 6:00 AM
- Tour type: Private Durban transfers with a guided open-vehicle safari
- Highlights: Elephant encounter • Three-hour open-vehicle safari • Big Five reserve
- Includes: Transfers • Entrance fees • Elephant encounter • Open-vehicle safari • Bottled water
Why Choose This Elephant Encounter and Big 5 Safari?
- Two special wildlife experiences – Meet African elephants at close range and enjoy a Big Five safari in the same day.
- Open safari vehicle included – The elevated, open vehicle offers excellent visibility, photographic opportunities and a stronger connection with the sights and sounds of the bush.
- A genuine Big Five reserve – Hluhluwe–iMfolozi is home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, along with many other species.
- Remarkable elephant encounter – Learn about Rambo and Rachel, their histories, behaviour, intelligence and individual personalities.
- Door-to-door from Durban – Your Durban transfers and the day’s arrangements are taken care of for you.
- Experienced local guidance – Travel through KwaZulu-Natal with a guide who has worked in tourism since 2000 and has extensive experience in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi.
Elephant Encounter and Big 5 Safari Itinerary
- 6:00 AM – Pickup from Durban – We collect you from your hotel or accommodation in Durban and surrounding areas and travel north through KwaZulu-Natal.
- Arrive at the private game reserve – We make our way to the elephant encounter, where the resident elephants approach for the interaction under the supervision of their experienced handlers.
- Meet Rambo and Rachel – Learn about the elephants, observe them at close range and have the opportunity to feed and gently touch them as directed by the handlers.
- Continue to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi – After the interaction, we travel to one of South Africa’s oldest and best-known wildlife reserves.
- Three-hour open-vehicle safari – Join a specialist safari guide and explore the reserve in search of the Big Five and other wildlife.
- Lunch break – We stop for lunch during the day. Lunch is for your own account.
- Return to Durban – After the wildlife experiences, relax during the journey back to your Durban accommodation. Return time depends on traffic and the day’s arrangements.
Meet Rambo and Rachel
The elephant encounter introduces you to Rambo and Rachel, two habituated African elephants living within a private game reserve.
The elephants roam within the reserve and come to the interaction area voluntarily. Their experienced handlers explain their histories, personalities and behaviour and show guests how to interact with them respectfully.
Standing close to an elephant gives you an extraordinary sense of its size, strength and intelligence. You may have the opportunity to feed and gently touch the elephants while learning about their trunks, tusks, skin, communication and social lives.
The interaction is carefully managed, and guests must always follow the instructions provided by the elephant handlers.
Open-Vehicle Safari in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi
After the elephant encounter, the day continues at Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. The reserve is famous for its wildlife, changing landscapes and important role in the conservation of the southern white rhino.
Your approximately three-hour game drive takes place in an open safari vehicle with a specialist guide. The raised seating provides excellent visibility over roadside vegetation and allows guests to experience the sounds, scents and atmosphere of the African bush more directly.
We search for whatever the reserve presents on the day. Possible sightings include elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, warthog and numerous antelope and bird species. Leopard also occurs here but is secretive and rarely seen.
The Advantage of an Open Safari Vehicle
An open vehicle creates a different safari experience from travelling through the reserve in a normal touring vehicle.
The elevated seats can make it easier to see across the bush, while the open sides offer unobstructed photographic opportunities. You are also accompanied by a guide who spends much of their working life conducting game drives in the reserve.
Wild animals move freely through a large natural environment, so no particular species or Big Five sighting can ever be guaranteed. The guide uses current conditions, animal behaviour and information available on the day to make the most of your time.
Who Is This Safari Suitable For?
This full-day safari is ideal for international visitors who want more than a standard game drive and would value both a close elephant experience and an open-vehicle safari.
It is a good choice for couples, families, photographers, first-time safari travellers and small private groups staying in Durban. The day involves an early start and several hours of travelling, but it delivers two very different wildlife experiences before returning to Durban that evening.
What Is Included?
- Pickup and drop-off in Durban and surrounding areas
- Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Fuel and road tolls
- Elephant encounter and applicable entrance fee
- Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park entrance fee
- Approximately three-hour guided open-vehicle safari
- Bottled water
What Is Not Included?
- Lunch
- Additional drinks and snacks
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
- Gratuities
R3,590 PER PERSON
Minimum 2 guests
Group discounts available
Solo travellers welcome — please enquire
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include an open safari vehicle?
Yes. The price includes an approximately three-hour game drive in an open safari vehicle at Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Transfers between Durban and the wildlife destinations take place in a comfortable closed, air-conditioned vehicle.
Can we touch and feed the elephants?
The experience normally provides an opportunity to feed and gently touch the elephants under the direction of their handlers. The elephants’ wellbeing and the safety of guests come first, so the exact interaction is always controlled by the experienced team on the day.
Can we see the Big Five?
Hluhluwe–iMfolozi is home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. However, these are wild animals moving freely through a large reserve, and sightings of any particular species cannot be guaranteed.
Is lunch included?
No. We stop for lunch during the day, but food and additional drinks are for your own account.
Is this safari suitable for children?
Yes, subject to the age requirements of the elephant encounter and open-vehicle safari operator. Please tell us the ages of all children when enquiring so that we can confirm suitability.
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable clothing, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera or phone. Open vehicles can be cool in the morning and exposed to wind, so we recommend bringing a warm jacket.
Do you collect guests from Durban hotels?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels and accommodation in Durban and surrounding areas. Please provide the name of your accommodation when enquiring.
You May Also Like
- Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Big Five Day Safari – A private day safari in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Full-Day Open-Vehicle Big Five Safari – Spend the day exploring the reserve in an open safari vehicle.
- 2-Day Hluhluwe and St Lucia Safari – Add an overnight stay, sunset safari and estuary cruise.