KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has opened a new window into one of the country’s most ecologically and culturally significant landscapes with the launch of Beach2Bush – an adventure route that connects the Indian Ocean coastline of St Lucia-iSimangaliso Wetland Park with the wild bush landscape of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, the oldest game reserve in Africa.
“Beach2Bush has been designed for all types of leisure travellers; for conservationists, families, school groups and corporate teams. It offers a chance to experience multiple biodiversity hotspots with both land and water based safari experiences,” says Ebrahim Mulla, Commercial Operations Executive Manager at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. “It’s a chance to see KZN through a different lens – one that celebrates both its natural beauty, wildlife, and histroical legacy.”
The route begins in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park at Hilltop. Once the hunting grounds of King Shaka Zulu, the reserve was proclaimed in 1895 and today plays a critical role in wildlife conservation, particularly in protecting rhinos. The park spans 96,000 hectares and offers frequent sightings of Africa’s Big Five, as well as giraffe, cheetah, crocodiles, hippos, wild dog, and an astonishing range of flora and fauna. Travellers can also visit various sites where King Shaka gathered his tribes for feasts and where he hid his clan from enemies.
From the bush, the route moves onto the wild coastline of St Lucia at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where travellers can explore coastal forests, estuarine lakes, and sandy beaches that stretch beyond the horizon. iSimangaliso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of the most biodiverse places in South Africa, home to over 6,500 plant and animal species, including nesting leatherback turtles, hippos, and over 500 types of birds.
Along the way, travellers will stop at a number of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife sites, including:
Hilltop – a lookout point and lodge with panoramic bush views. Hilltop has options for both self-catering, non-self-catering chalets, universal access chalets to cater for those with mobility challenges, and a restaurant and bar.
- Game Capture Museum – chronicling the origins of wildlife management in Africa.
- Guided or Self-Drive tours so that you can travel at your own pace.
- Emaphumulo Picnic Site- a historical site where one can trace King Shaka Zulu’s footsteps.
- Emagangeni View Point where you can enjoy your Sundowners.
- Esiweni Samakhosikazi where you can enjoy open air brunch or picnics.
- St Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise and visit to the crocodile centre.
“Beach2Bush offers a range of travel preferences. Some visitors may opt for a fully guided experience with accommodation, meals, and game drives included. Others may prefer to self-drive, with the flexibility to explore at their own pace, staying in self-catering or bush lodges along the way.
Mthwazi Family Lodge located near Hilltop offers exclusivity, and comes with a private cook. Gqoyeni and Hlathikhulu Bush Lodges cater for families and include a cook and your own personal guide, and Masinda caters for families up to eight people. Masinda also comes with a private cook and you can enjoy unlimited game drives at your leisure. A standout experience exclusive to this route is the bush braai – a dinner served under the stars, accompanied by storytelling rooted in the region’s culture and conservation history,” says Siphelele Luthuli, Senior Manager: Sales and Marketing.
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving visitor experience, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has embarked on a series of extensive maintenance and upgrade projects across several key facilities. Recent work at Hilltop has included the refurbishment of chalets, restaurant decking and pathway lights. Further upgrades have been scheduled for Mthwazi lodge.
Beach2Bush is a suitable experience all year-round. KZN’s Elephant Coast has a warm, subtropical climate ideal for travel in all seasons.
Ms S Luthui, Senior Marketing Manager added that this package is aligned to their pay-off line Your Ultimate Adventure Destination. “Beach2Bush is aligned with the annual marketing campaign called ‘Drive, Xplore and Stay in the Zulu Kingdom’ which is aimed at promoting domestic tourism, targeting Durban based establishments as well as other hotels along the Dolphin Coast of KZN. Partnerships with well established brands will allow us to expand our consumer base. Our aim is to reach broader local audiuences, leveraging these partnership networks to open up more revenue streams – which will ultimately support our conservation and ecotourism mandates.”
How to book: Visit bookings.kznwildlife.com or contact Central Reservations on +27 33 845 1000.
For those seeking a meaningful journey through wild places and stories from the past, Beach2Bush opens the way.
For enquiries, you can contact Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Communications Manager.
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