Mozambique, South Africa · Safari

8-Day Durban to Maputo Coastal Tour with Safari and Snorkelling

8 Days Round trip from Durban Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Durban's Warwick Triangle and Southern Africa's largest traditional medicine market
  • 02 Cruise among hippos and crocodiles in the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park
  • 03 Visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve and a rhino conservation success story
  • 04 Snorkel at Kosi Bay mouth's natural aquarium or enjoy a beach walk along this magnificent waterway
  • 05 Spend two nights at Ponta du Ouro experiencing a totally different Africa on the Mozambican coast
  • 06 Discover Maputo's Eiffel-designed buildings and chaotic central market on a walking tour

Explore the diverse landscapes and rich cultures of South Africa and Mozambique on this 8-day adventure from Durban to Maputo. Discover Durban's vibrant markets, the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and Zulu art projects before heading to the Elephant Coast for hippo and croc cruising in the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Track wildlife through Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, snorkel or beach-walk at Kosi Bay, and unwind at Ponta du Ouro. The journey ends in bustling Maputo with its Eiffel-designed buildings, central market, and distinctive Mozambican cuisine.

Crossing the spectacular Katembe Bridge and arriving in this bustling city is certainly an assault on the senses.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Durban, Maputo, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Maputo National Park
Languages Afrikaans, English, German

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Durban Markets and the Valley of a Thousand Hills

  • Guests are collected in Durban before taking a 1.5-hour walking tour of Durban's Warwick Triangle. The traditional medicine and herb market is Southern Africa's largest market of this type. A light lunch follows, feasting on the delights of the Indian population, the most significant Indian settlement of any city outside of India.
  • The afternoon features a tour of the Valley of a Thousand Hills and a visit to a Zulu-beaded art project before settling into Cybele Lodge for the evening.
2
Day 02

St Lucia Hippo and Croc Cruise

  • Departure to the Elephant Coast, where guests will end the morning with an exceptional hippo and croc cruise in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso.
  • Lunch will be enjoyed in the quaint village of St Lucia.
  • An afternoon game drive in the iSimangaliso Park.

Overnight stay in the village.

3
Day 03

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safari and St Lucia

  • A very early morning departure sets off on a four-hour trip to Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. This reserve has twice saved rhinos from extinction. A late breakfast will be enjoyed in Hilltop Camp. A visit to a Zulu community market, Zamimpilo, near Hluhluwe, features fabulous art and fresh local fruit.
  • After a game drive through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, enjoy a late lunch in St Lucia.

Dinner is in a local restaurant, and night two is in the same guesthouse.

4
Day 04

Through Zululand to Kosi Bay

  • A very early morning departure heads off on a 4-hour drive in Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. This reserve has twice saved rhinos from extinction. A late breakfast will be enjoyed in Hilltop Camp before guests continue on a guided drive through Zululand, stopping at several points of interest before arriving at Kosi Bay, Maputaland.

Accommodation will be in a lodge at Kosi Bay.

5
Day 05

Kosi Bay to Ponta du Ouro

  • Tide-dependent, guests will be transferred to the Kosi mouth to enjoy a snorkel in the aquarium. Those who do not swim can enjoy a beach walk in this magnificent waterway. A two-hour transfer into Mozambique will see guests settled into an ocean lodge, where they will experience a totally different Africa at Ponta du Ouro for the next two nights.
6
Day 06

Leisure Day at Ponta du Ouro

  • A full day at Ponta du Ouro, where guests can enjoy some of the many activities at this renowned ocean resort.
7
Day 07

Maputo via the Elephant Reserve

  • After breakfast, guests will be transferred to Maputo via the Maputo Elephant Reserve. Crossing the spectacular Katembe Bridge and arriving in this bustling city is certainly an assault on the senses.
  • A two-hour walking tour includes the famous Eiffel-designed buildings in Maputo and the chaotic central market. The afternoon will be spent at leisure. Dinner will be in a typical Mozambican restaurant featuring delectable food.

Overnight in a classy guesthouse.

8
Day 08

Transfer to Maputo Airport

  • After a sumptuous breakfast, guests will be transferred to Maputo Airport for their onward connection. The tour now sadly terminates, as we wish guests a safe onward journey.
Durban markets, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, Ponta du Ouro coastline

Where this trip takes you

Durban markets, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, Ponta du Ouro coastline

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Durban 5 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All transfers
  • 7 nights' accommodation on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis
  • Lunches where mentioned
  • Single supplement will apply for a private exclusive tour
  • Assistance with cross-border visas
  • Owner-guided
  • Guided bird tour
  • 2 guided Big 5 game activities
  • Guided hippo and croc boat tour
  • Guided snorkelling
  • Maputo city walking tour
  • Water and snacks in the vehicle

What's Not Included

  • All visa costs
  • All gratuities
  • All entrance fees, other than those mentioned
  • All items of a personal nature
  • Personal insurance
  • All drinks, other than water, in the vehicle
  • Lunches where not mentioned
  • Add-on tours

What to bring

  • Valid passport
  • Camera
  • Walking shoes
  • Warm clothes for game drives
  • Sun protection
  • Any required medication
  • Swimming costumes

Know before you go

  • Travel will be in low-risk malaria areas; please consult your physician before travelling.
  • Credit card facilities and cash machines are readily available, but MasterCard, Amex, and Diners Club are generally not accepted in Mozambique.
  • All tours can be adapted to the client's exact needs.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
MSC Cruises, KwaZulu Cruise Terminal, South Beach, Durban, South Africa
Tour start
Durban, South Africa
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Durban.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 3,765 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total