My Upcoming Accessible South African Safari and Wild Life 8 Days Itinerary

I am really excited to announce that in March of this year, I will be heading to South Africa for an amazing trip.  After months of talking and emailing with Jennae of Access 2 Africa Safaris, I have finally booked an 8 day / 7 nights Accessible South African Safari and Wild Life Tour with her.  Doing a safari has been a life long dream of mine and am so excited to cross this off my bucket list.  I will be spending a few days in Los Angeles before flying to Durban in South Africa.  Here is my itinerary in South Africa so that everyone can get excited and follow along as I show you what it’s like on an accessible safari.

accessible van for our tour

Day 1
A warm welcome awaits you at the airport and you will be transferred to your lodge. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy luxurious facilities and 30 acres of private botanical gardens. The grounds and buildings have been designed to be wheelchair friendly with 18 ponds, waterways and prolific birdlife.
There is even a swimming pool with full access for wheelchair users. Located in the rolling hills of Kwazulu Natal and near the Valley of a Thousand Hills this is the perfect place to unwind, relax, and be enchanted by the scenery after your exertions of a long flight
The beautiful gardens are an oasis of peace and serenity with indigenous and exotic plants and provide the ideal backdrop to achieve the desired levels of relaxation for all who visit. Enjoy walks through the 30 acres of gardens incorporating, artworks, sculptures, a magnificent Japanese garden, cycad gardens, ponds and meandering pathways leading to waterfalls.
Soak up your first day in Africa by spoiling yourself at Makaranga Health Spa with its special invigorating and holistic treatment range. In addition, you can enjoy the African sun next to the large full accessible rock swimming pool.

(5 star lodge Durban) (Makaranga Garden Lodge, Durban)

Day 2
Spend the day in Durban Central at Ushaka Marine World that also has accessible beach wheelchairs and snorkeling ponds with over 5000 fish. Included at Ushaka Marine World are attractions such as Shark Feeding, Turtle, Dolphins. Penguin and Seal shows – a fun day for the whole family! Afternoon we head along Durban Beachfront with its colorful markets to Moses Madiba Stadium which was built for The World Cup 2010. This stadium has a cable car with wonderful views of Durban and Coastline 40 stories high.Durban Beachfront has accessible beach wheelchairs and accessible mat that extends to the waterfront.

(Makaranga Garden Lodge, Durban)

beach wheelchair with accessible mat

Day 3
Today we head out to the great African safari to the World Heritage Site namely the Isimangaliso Wetland Park which includes Hluhluwe Game Reserve South Africa`s second largest Big Five Game Reserve. Your accommodation is in a private game sanctuary and your chalet with glass walls has own private outdoor Jacuzzi. Afternoon at leisure at your lodge with its abundant bird and wildlife. Today’s adventures include a visit to a Traditional Zulu Village where you will learn of the African Zulu Tribe as you visit its cultural village. Be spellbound by the energetic Zulu Dancing with its awesome rhythm of drumbeats and African dancing!

(Lodge Hluhluwe)(Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)

Day 4
These are the days where the spirit of Africa touches your soul. We embark on leisurely extended game drives to all areas of Hluhluwe Game Reserve There is much to explore! Your experienced ranger will help you spot and identify many species of bird and animal life. (The Elephant Coast has more than 500 species of birdlife recorded). With a little assistance most people will be able to distinguish the more common families of birds in no time at all. Look out for the abundant animal life such as black rhino, nyala, kudu, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, reedbuck, red duiker, baboons, monkeys, hyena, wildebeest, giraffe and often to be seen elephant and buffalo. You may also see lion, cheetah, wild dog and other predators. Time will be spent in the Hluhluwe side of the game reserve and on other days will be spent enjoying the Umfolozi side of the game reserve.

(4 star lodge) (Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)

can’t wait to see this in real life

Day 5
Elephant Interaction- A unique and wonderful experience in the heart of Zululand where you get close and interact with these powerful but gentle creatures. Guests seeking deeper meaning to their visit have close contact and interaction with these elephants.  Although little can match the thrill of seeing wild elephants in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, guests are also afforded an opportunity of close contact with 2 mature elephant that were orphaned and hand reared but are now free to range in a private game reserve that is over 2 500 hectares. These two elephant come up to visit the viewing area each morning, for a welcome snack of game pellets. Here you will be able to interact with them in well controlled situations and also enjoy suburb interpretation of the elephant species, which is enlightening and clearly shows the care and concern that is shown. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon- Visit to Cat and Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre Join us for an up close and personal tour and learn more about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. Come and be mesmerized by the beauty of the Caracal (Lynx), enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed and agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat. View and photograph these amazing animals at this Centre. There are educational tours daily, with feedings during the afternoon tour and an informative talk about the animals The aim of this Centre is  to care for the cats which have been orphaned or injured in the  wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation.  Other attractions include Ilala Weavers with its restaurant where you will enjoy lunch and curio shops featuring traditional Zulu basket weaving and beading.

(4 star lodge) (Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)

looking forward to hanging out with the elephants

Day 6
Today we will enjoy a full day Safari Game Drive to Hluhluwe/Umfolozi side of the game reserve with your personal field guide with a picnic lunch overlooking the river.

(Overnight Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)

pictures with a cheetah

Day 7
We head to St Lucia, is a picturesque village situated within a nature reserve and which is surrounded by 5 distinct ecosystems and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Dinner at leisure at one of numerous restaurants in village. Afternoon safari boat trip on accessible boat with sightings of hippos, crocodiles and birds in the estuary.

(4 star guest house, St Lucia)

Day 8
Transfer to Durban airport.

A South African safari may seem difficult and almost impossible to do, please follow along as I will take a lot of pictures and will write a few articles about this exciting trip of mine.  Thanks to Access 2 Africa Safaris, I can’t wait to show everyone how possible it can be to do a safari.