St Lucia and Emdoneni Cheetah Day Safari from Durban
Discover two of KwaZulu-Natal’s most memorable wildlife experiences on a St Lucia and Emdoneni day safari from Durban. This full-day excursion combines a guided wild cat experience with a boat cruise through the spectacular St Lucia estuary.
Your day starts with pick-up from your Durban hotel or guesthouse before travelling north along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. At Emdoneni Lodge, enjoy a guided visit to see indigenous wild cats, including cheetahs, servals, caracals and African wildcats. Learn about their behaviour and the conservation work undertaken at the centre.
Continue to St Lucia for a boat cruise on the estuary within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep watch for hippos resting in the water, Nile crocodiles along the banks and fish eagles and other birdlife overhead. The estuary’s landscapes provide a wonderful contrast to the wild cat experience earlier in the day.
Your day
Early morning
Pick-up from your Durban hotel or guesthouse, then a scenic drive through Zululand to Hluhluwe.
Emdoneni Lodge
A guided tour of the cat enclosures, home to African wildcats, caracals, servals and cheetahs, with a photo opportunity with hand-reared cheetahs.
St Lucia boat cruise
An estuary cruise in the St Lucia wetlands, where you can look for hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. Then the drive back to Durban.
This day safari focuses on the cats and the estuary. For game drives in a Big 5 park, choose our Big 5 day safari.
What is included
Included
- Qualified guide
- Cheetah interaction
- St Lucia boat cruise
- All transport
- Mineral water and a snack pack
- All gate entrance fees
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Lunches and additional drinks
- Personal and medical insurance
Good to know
- 12 hours, with pick-up and drop-off at Durban hotels and guesthouses.
- Minimum 2 guests. Ask about group discounts.
- English guiding, with Italian and German on request.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and a camera. Early mornings can be cool, so pack a light jacket.
Questions
Does this safari include a Big 5 game drive?
No. The day centres on Emdoneni Lodge and the St Lucia estuary cruise. Our Big 5 day safari covers game drives in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.