Dinizulu Safaris (established 1969), is an owner managed safari company based in Hluhluwe town. This is a perfect place from where to start your exploration of the conservation, historical, wildlife and cultural attractions of the Elephant Coast Region.
WELCOME TO DINIZULU SAFARIS
Game Drives
We offer 3, 6 and 9 hours guided game drives in 4×4 open vehicles within Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Mkuze Game Reserves, as well as to other local attractions. Dinizulu Safaris pride themselves on employing only the finest of qualified guides in this area. This means that all guides are registered with FGASA and accredited with THETA. All guides have a public drivers permit and a valid First Aid Certificate.
Our well-maintained open vehicles are equipped with two-way radios for our guides to communicate with each other thus ensuring that every vehicle has a chance to see as many good sightings as possible and to ensure communication is maintained with the base operations. Please note that we do have a no smoking policy on our vehicles. So, come experience the wind on your face, smell the wildflowers, listen to the birds, come face to face with the big five and be one with nature.
Self-Catering Accommodation
Dinizulu Cottage is a 2-unit house on a small game farm with a view over False Bay, Lake St Lucia. The units can be used, as one large unit or two separate units. Each, equipped with kitchen, bathroom, living/dining room and bedrooms. Linen supplied; all you need to bring is your food.
It is a very quiet getaway only birdsong to wake you in the morning.
Dinizulu Cottage is 13km away from Hluhluwe Town and 30km from the Memorial Gate entrance to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, 1km from False Bay Park entrance.
Sodwana Bay and St Lucia Estuary both 90km in opposite directions.
The fully furnished house consists of 2 apartments.
A: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, dining-living area and gauze-enclosed veranda with 2 beds. (Sleeps 6-7.)
B: 1 bedroom, en-suite bathroom, kitchen, dining-living area, gauze-enclosed veranda with 2 beds. ( Sleeps 2-5) All bedrooms are air-conditioned and clean linen and towels are supplied. Apartments have an inter leading door and can be used as one unit for big families or groups. (There are special rates for children) The kitchens are fully equipped with a fridge/freezer, microwave oven, electric toaster, kettle, frying pan, stove/hotplate, crockery and cutlery. Fast food outlet are available in town should you wish not to prepare your own meals. Paved patios with braai facilities are available outside. Please note that the property is fully fenced with a security gate. Enjoy the unspoiled view of Lake St Lucia, have a walk on the property and marvel at the abundant bird life.
Road Transfers
Our private road transfers with a superb fleet of vehicles are done on request. We operate from and to Durban and Richards Bay to and from destinations on the Elephant Coast. Our objective is to offer travelers flexibility, reliability and the safe and punctual arrival of guests at their destinations. Our fleet consist of minibuses, each take up to seven passengers, and a Nissan Sani to use on rugged gravel roads.
All these vehicles have roadworthy certificates and with features such as air-conditioning and radio facilities make long journeys safe, comfortable and relaxed. Regular refresher and meal stops are done during the journey. Luggage trailers are available on request. All our drivers provide a friendly personalized service. They will take care of the traveler from the moment they are picked up, right through to the end of their transfer. They have public driver permits (PDP) and a sound knowledge of the surrounding areas.
GENERAL info
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is one off the oldest reserves in Africa. It was proclaimed in 1895 and covers 96,000 ha. Characterized by rolling hills and open spaces, it is home to the white rhino, once almost extinct. Due to the dedicated conservation efforts of the Kwazulu-Natal Parks Authorities since 1920, these animals are now no longer endangered. Apart from the black and white rhino, the rest of the Big Five plus the Nyala antelope, a variety of other animals and birds can be found in this park.
Mkuze Game Reserve
Mkuze Game Reserve lies between the Lebombo Mountains in the west and the Mkuze River in the east. This enchanting 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912 and, with more than 420 bird species on record, is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers. The animal life is abundant and six permanent hides provide good viewing for game. Mkuze lies in a confluence of moderate and tropical climate zones which has created a habitat ranging from flat dry savanna to sandy ridges, riverine forests, pans and swamps.
The St Lucia Wetland Park
“The St Lucia Wetland Park must be the only place on the globe where the world’s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale).” – Former President Nelson Mandela 10 August 2001.
The St Lucia Wetland Park is a vast unspoilt area and at its heart the 38 000 ha Lake St Lucia is connected to the sea via a narrow estuary. Fed by multitudinous river deltas, swamplands, mangroves and forests, it is separated from the beach by high-vegetated sand dunes.
The Park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site, stretches from the St Lucia Estuary in the south to Sodwana Bay in the north and includes Mkuze Game Reserve and part of the Maputaland Marine Reserve.
Interesting places to visit include False Bay Park, Charters Creek, Fanie’s Island, Cape Vidal, St Lucia Village, Mapelane, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve and Lake Sibayi. All these areas comprise five ecosystems that promise an impressive diversity of fauna and flora.
Health
Ticks can be picked up when walking in the bush or long grass. Ticks, such as pepper ticks, burrow under the skin and can be itchy. The best way to avoid them is by wearing socks and insect repellant on exposed skin. After walks check all over your body for any ticks.
Sunburn: Temperatures in summer can be very high with February as the hottest month of the year. The sun is at its strongest between 11h00 and 15h00. Always wear a hat and use a waterproof suntan lotion with a high protection factor. Drink plenty of fluids and remember that cloud and wind are no protection against sunburn, because it is the sun’s ultra violet rays that cause sunburn and they penetrate cloud.
Best time to visit
From early Autumn through until Spring is the best time to visit Zululand as summers can be very hot and humid. Game Parks can be visited all year round. The Indian Ocean is warm enough to swim in during our winter.
Weather
Kwa-Zulu Natal experiences hot summers and mild winters all year round in the low-lying coastal areas. In the Midlands and the northern interior, winters are cold with frost. The Drakensberg is extremely cold in winter with occasional snowfalls. The province is a summer rainfall area.
Other essential information
1) Banks are open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. ATM’s are available and most major credit cards can be used to withdraw cash.
2) Tap water is safe to drink.
3) Shopping hours is generally from 08h00 to 17h00 on weekdays and 08h30 to 13h00 on Saturdays.
4) Some shops might be open on a Sunday.
5) Swimming is generally safe and hygienic. Always make sure that the beaches you use are considered a swimming beach with lifeguards and shark nets.
6) The Elephant Coast is an environmentally sensitive area and to protect the area, regulations must be adhered to. Specific permits are required for boating, fishing and visiting Kosi Bay Mouth.
