As we all know, the beautiful game, World Cup 2010, the greatest sporting attraction in the world, takes place from the 11th June to the 11th July 2010 in South Africa. Accommodation at this time is understandably very scarce and is at a premium, with thousands of fans flocking to our shores to witness this sporting spectacle. We have secured some very limited accommodation that is available for this period, and we are able to offer the following dates for our 3-day Beautiful Game Tour, these dates being:

10 to 12 June 2010
17 to 19 June 2010
24 to 26 June 2010
26 to 28 June 2010
2 to 4 July 2010
8 to 10 July 2010

The itinerary for this 3 day tour for any of the above dates as follows:

Day 1 – Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park (Dinner)
We will collect you after your breakfast from your hotel in Durban and travel along the scenic Dolphin Coast and into rural Zululand, directly to the “big 5” Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park where we will spend two nights at Hilltop Camp. The accommodation here is in a brick under thatch chalet, each bedroom with its own private bathroom/wash-basin and toilet. Each chalet is also equipped with a fridge.

Our game viewing commences immediately upon entering the gates into the park.
This first evening we go on a night drive in an open game-viewing vehicle with staff from KZN Wildlife, the organization that is tasked with running this reserve. Here we hope to improve on your chances of seeing some of the nocturnal species such as leopard, which are always difficult to find, lion, hyena, genet, bush babies and then the other nocturnal animals such as the owls and nightjars. You also get the chance to see some of the diurnal animals, such as impala, nyala, giraffe, zebra, etc.

Day 2 – Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today will be spent on extended game drives to various areas of the Park, with an early start to make the most of the day and to possibly chance upon one of the predators returning to their day-time lair. This is the game reserve famous for "Operation Rhino" which brought the white rhino back from the brink of extinction. Now you should see just how successful KZN Wildlife has been in this endeavor.
Sightings of rhino, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, and antelope such as impala, nyala and kudu are seen frequently and with the possibility of seeing lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, black rhino, hippo, crocodile, monitor lizard, hyena and antelope such as red duiker, steenbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck and then the rare Samango monkey and wild dog, much less frequently. These drives are conducted with your guide in his/her vehicle, making the most of the limited time available.

Day 3 – St. Lucia, Durban (Breakfast)
This morning we depart the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park after breakfast and make our way to the village of St. Lucia where we board a boat for a two hour cruise on the lake in this proclaimed World Heritage Site. Here you are guaranteed to see hippos, with a very good chance of seeing crocodiles and a vast array of bird-life. After our two-hour cruise and lunch in the village we make our way back to Durban, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

The tariff for this tour is R7230 per person sharing, and this includes transport to and from Durban, accommodation, one night drive, all game drives with your guide, entry fee, conservation levy, all transport in an aircondtioned vehicle, those meals as indicated, i.e. dinner on day one, breakfast and dinner on day two and breakfast on day three, one boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia and the services of a full time guide. Excluded will be your drinks, telephone calls, personal purchases, etc.