9-Day 8-Night Eco-Safari

Day 1. Arrive in the evening at the gorgeous, 5-star Woodhall Guesthouse after your long trip.

Day 2. You’ll have time to shop for souvenirs in traditional African markets, golf on an Ernie Els course, or enjoy the warm-water sports and beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Day 3. After breakfast, take a spectacular 3-hour zipline canopy tour above the sub-tropical jungle, over a gorge and past a waterfall. See the incredible splendor of Africa like the birds!

Day 4. This morning, you’ll be transported by comfortable van or bus to the Thula Thula Exclusive Private Game Reserve. Your Eco-Safari host will greet you and help you settle into your 4-star tented camp accommodations.  Lunch on the lodge verandah.  This afternoon, you’ll be treated to an exciting 2-hour open-air game drive into the dense forest area of the reserve, with professional rangers by your side.  Each game drive will strike out into the far reaches of this extraordinary no-kill game reserve, where you can revel in the abundance of wildlife: elephant, rhino, leopard, cape buffalo, zebra, baboon, impala, wildebeest, hyena, giraffe (to name just a few) and over 350 species of birds. Tonight, delight in the culinary art of our Cordon-Bleu chef, our candlelight Welcome Dinner around the fire will be highlighted by a performance by an authentic Zulu choir.

Day 5. Awake to the extraordinary songs of an amazing variety of birds.  Before a delectable breakfast, enjoy an early morning game drive with a stop for coffee and biscuits on the river bend where Zulu King Shaka and his father had an historic meeting.  Late morning, a fascinating briefing will bring you up to speed on the problems and solutions related to endangered species.  After a leisurely lunch on the verandah, take some time to enjoy the amenities and camaraderie of new friends.  Relax by the pool, read a book in a hammock, or enjoy an optional massage.  After your evening game drive, join your fellow travelers for cocktails and a traditional South African braai (BBQ) under the stars.

Day 6. Explore the African bush-veld on foot, guided by your game ranger.  You’ll get up close and personal with the wildlife and plant species, learning basics of tracking and how to recognize the varieties of animal spoor.  In the late morning, meet with The Earth Organization staff for a short briefing on conservation issues of today.  After a tantalizing lunch, travel to nearby Buchanana Zulu village and visit with the highly revered Inyanga (medicine man) to have your future divined.  You’ll be amazed at how accurate he can be!  Game drive into the night to witness the nocturnal animals.  Traditional South African cuisine under the southern hemisphere’s star-filled sky.

Day 7. During your morning game drive, the staff will transfer your luggage to your 5-star accommodations at the Safari Lodge Cabin Camp. You’ll be sipping coffee at the highest point on the reserve overlooking the grandeur of Thula Thula.  Spend the day with Zulu villagers while you take part in a community service project with the Earth Organization to help a local school or orphanage.  At dinner, savor the culinary art of our Cordon-Bleu chef, with distinctive wines and heavenly desserts, while you are enchanted by true-life stories of extraordinary African adventures.

Day 8. Awake to the wonderful sounds of wildlife.  Before breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive with a stop for coffee and biscuits in the bush.  Lear about the legacy of Thula Thula founder Lawrence Anthony, called “The Elephant Whisperer” and “The Indiana Jones of Conservation.” After your evening game drive, join your fellow travelers for cocktails, followed by a Farewell Celebration Dinner with Zulu Warrior dancers around the fire!

Day 9. After a last amazing breakfast, we will transport you back to Durban airport for your flight home.  You will leave knowing a lot more about Africa than when you came, and also that your trip has helped conservation efforts, rebuilding and education, and given other vital assistance to the survival of this amazing way of life!