South Africa Tours from Durban
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10 best South Africa tour packages from Durban
Compiled by
MelissaSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- Sanbona Wildlife Safari & Garden Route 5Days/4Nights
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Big 5 and St. Lucia Wetland Safari
- Bush and Beach
- 3-day Durban, Culture and Wildlife (Accommodated)
- Thula Thula Game Reserve Experience 3Day/2nights
- 12-day Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town (Accommodated)
- Thula Thula Game Reserve Experience 4Day/3nights ( Comfort)
- 12-day Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town (Camping)
- Rovos Rail - The Pride of Africa (from Durban to Pretoria)
- Garden Route Adventure
The 5-day route from Durban Port to Cape Town begins with a flight to Oudtshoorn Airport. The itinerary winds through Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Hermanus, and Betty's Bay, spanning 600+ kilometers of South Africa's striking terrain. Highlights include game drives, whale watching, and a cable car ride up Table Mountain.
Duration 5 days Destinations Durban, Oudtshoorn, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Betty's Bay, Hermanus, Cape Town Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Across Africa Tours & Travel From
- US$3,857
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Big 5 and St. Lucia Wetland Safari
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic service and knowledge! Made the trip a lifetime memory and experience.”
BjHoltzhausen, traveled in June
The 4-day safari from Durban covers 200km to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and St. Lucia Wetland Reserve. Air-conditioned minibus service includes pickup from Durban International Airport or city lodgings, while knowledgeable guides share local history throughout.
Duration 4 days Destinations Durban, Hluhluwe Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Endless Summer Tours From
- US$1,440
A 6-day circular route from King Shaka International Airport spans 760km. The path stretches 210km to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, continues 200km to Maputaland's coastline, before returning 350km to Durban. Major visits include the Dolphin Coast and South Africa's oldest game reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park.
Duration 6 days Destinations Durban, Hluhluwe, Isimangaliso Wetland Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator ATC Group From $3,583
15% Off- US$3,046You save $537
3-day Durban, Culture and Wildlife (Accommodated)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The St Lucia boat tour was a disappointment being mid day when too bright and animals not active and estuary is 'dead' on one side.”
Derek, traveled in May
The route from Durban leads through KwaDukuza's sugar cane fields to St Lucia, entrance to the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Visitors continue to Hluhluwe Game Reserve for wildlife spotting, then return to Durban via Mtunzini's bird sanctuary and an authentic Zulu village.
Duration 3 days Destinations Durban, St Lucia, Hluhluwe Age Range up to 75 year olds Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
15% Off- US$910
Your safari begins at Durban Port, transferring directly to St. Lucia Estuary for wildlife cruise before reaching Thula Thula. Return via King Shaka International Airport with optional extension to Cape Town. English-speaking guide meets at port for seamless start to safari adventure.
Duration 3 days Destinations Durban, St Lucia Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Across Africa Tours & Travel From
15% Off- US$1,264
12-day Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town (Accommodated)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“He turned a wonderful trip into an unforgettable experience. He knows everything about his country, and this make him a perfect storyteller.”
Mirko, traveled in October
This extensive 2,800km route from Durban's coast to Cape Town showcases Southern Africa's varied terrain. The path climbs the Sani Pass at 3,240m, visits Mountain Zebra National Park's wildlife, and follows the Garden Route via Tsitsikamma National Park and Hermanus. Notable stops include Africa's highest bar and the Bloukrans Bridge bungee site.
Duration 12 days Destinations Durban, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Malealea, Mountain Zebra National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, L'Agulhas, HermanusSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 75 year olds Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $2,255
10% Off- US$2,029You save $226
The adventure starts at Durban Port for noon departure to Thula Thula, South Africa's oldest private game reserve. Stops include St. Lucia Wetlands and Hluhluwe Reserve before concluding in Cape Town, showcasing diverse South African landscapes.
Duration 4 days Destinations Durban, St Lucia, Hluhluwe, Cape Town Age Range up to 94 year olds Operator Across Africa Tours & Travel From
10% Off- US$2,482
12-day Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town (Camping)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience for the price.”
OliverWatson, traveled in October
The 1,600km path from Durban weaves through South Africa and Lesotho, scaling the magnificent Sani Pass (3,240m) and Drakensberg Mountains. Visitors pass through KZN Battlefields, Mountain Zebra National Park, and Addo Elephant Park before reaching Cape Town via the Garden Route and Hermanus.
Duration 12 days Destinations Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Underberg, Sani Pass, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Royal Natal National Park, Malealea, Mountain Zebra National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 75 year olds Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $1,875
15% Off- US$1,594You save $281
This luxury rail adventure covers 484km from Durban Station to Pretoria through varied South African landscapes. The journey includes stops at Pietermaritzburg, the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery at Lions River, and Ladysmith, featuring game drives at Spionkop and Nambiti Game Reserves. The final leg passes through Gauteng's gold mining regions before arriving at Rovos Rail station.
Duration 3 days Destinations Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Pretoria Age Range 3 to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
15% Off- US$1,786
Garden Route Adventure
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Overlanding is the best way to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time. Intrepid are an excellent company to travel with.”
Emily, traveled in July
The 14-day expedition from Durban to Cape Town passes through Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. An overland vehicle connects 10 destinations, including the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Lesotho Highlands, concluding at Table Mountain. Daily drives range from 4-6 hours across South Africa's varied landscapes.
Duration 14 days Destinations Durban, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Cintsa, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn, Bontebok National Park, L'Agulhas, Hermanus, Cape Town Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
15% Off- US$2,125
What our customers ask about South Africa Tours from Durban
What are the best destinations to combine with Durban tours?
South African travelers often pair Durban with Cape Town exploring the Garden Route or take the luxury Rovos Rail to Pretoria. Closer destinations include the wildlife-rich Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and St. Lucia Wetlands. The mountainous regions of Lesotho and the Drakensberg add natural diversity to any itinerary. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The combination of Durban's wildlife the Garden Route's scenery and Cape Town's culture was perfect."
What are the best wildlife viewing opportunities near Durban?
Durban serves as a gateway to several premier wildlife destinations. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park houses the Big 5 and leads global white rhino conservation efforts. St. Lucia Wetlands offers close encounters with hippos crocodiles and diverse marine life while Thula Thula Private Game Reserve provides intimate safari experiences. Peak viewing times occur during early morning and late afternoon drives. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "At Hluhluwe we saw over 450 elephants buffalo, rhinos and even rare wild dogs - the wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations."
What accommodation options are available for tours starting in Durban?
The accommodation spectrum spans from basic camping to high-end lodges. Notable options include the intimate Thula Thula Luxury Tented Camp the elevated Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge in Hluhluwe and city-based options like Protea Hotel or Southern Sun in Durban. Camping tours utilize well-maintained sites with modern amenities. A TourRadar reviewer mentioned: "The lodges were excellent - especially Thonga Beach Lodge with its amazing ocean views and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge overlooking the reserve."
What is the typical length of tours starting in Durban?
Durban-based tours range from quick 3-day excursions to comprehensive 14-day journeys. Wildlife safaris typically span 3-4 days with trips like the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Big 5 safari starting at Hilltop Camp. Longer coastal routes to Cape Town extend to 14 days. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "This trip is amazing! The 14-day journey gave us enough time to really experience everything from wildlife to coastal views."
What are the most popular first-day activities for tours starting in Durban?
Tours typically begin with visits to either Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve or St. Lucia Wetlands. First-day schedules often include afternoon wildlife drives boat trips for hippo and crocodile spotting and check-in at properties like Thula Thula or Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The afternoon game drive on our first day at Hluhluwe was incredible - we saw elephants rhinos and so many other animals right from the start."
How does the weather affect tours departing from Durban?
Durban tours operate throughout the year. The dry winter season (May to September) offers prime wildlife viewing conditions. Summer months (November-February) bring afternoon rains but reward visitors with newborn animals and active birdlife. Spring and fall (March-April and September-October) provide balanced conditions for coastal routes. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The winter months were perfect for game viewing - clear skies and animals congregating around waterholes."
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