Grand Safari Durban and Cape Town

After meeting the Limitless Team at the airport special assistance desk, we’ll make our way through security and head for our boarding gate together. We recommend booking special assistance with the airport before flying if required, but the Limitless team will also be on hand to provide additional support as we check in and board the plane. We're there to ensure the airport experience is as easy as possible, advocate on your behalf, and give you the confidence to fly, so we'll be by your side throughout the journey.

On arrival at our destination, the Limitless Team will help you through the airport and onto the awaiting accessible transfer vehicle. From there, it’s on to your excellent disabled-friendly hotel, where we’ll check in, get you settled and comfortable in your room, and enjoy a delicious evening meal with your fellow guests. 

Your Grand Safari adventure begins in Durban, South Africa’s third city and gateway to the region’s spectacular UNESCO-designated wildlife parks. On arriving at Durban International Airport, we’ll be met by our trusted accessible transfer and head to the hotel.

The Limitless Team will help you check-in and get settled. Your accommodation boasts spectacular natural surroundings and an abundance of animal life in the locality, so the safari spotting starts now! After a long flight, we’ll spend the afternoon relaxing, getting to know your new travel companions and enjoying the hotel’s phenomenal facilities.

As South Africa’s most popular marine theme park, uShaka Marine World hosts Africa’s largest aquarium, wildlife shows, shark-feeding demonstrations and a range of beach activities. Boarding our accessible transport in the morning, we’ll head to the tip of Durban’s Golden Mile Beach and the bustling harbourfront for a wet and wild day out at Ushaka.

The park is equipped with an accessible beach and adapted wheelchairs, so you can kick back with a refreshing beverage and soak up the sun. Keep an eye out for the daily dolphin shows and don’t forget to check out the beautiful coral-bottomed snorkelling lagoon, which is home to thousands of exotic fish. On returning to the hotel, we’ll have a little downtime before we meet back up for a sumptuous group dinner.

Leaving the city behind, we’re heading out into South Africa’s breathtaking countryside as we make the journey to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Your hotel for the next three days is located in the heart of the reserve, putting you at the heart of the action, surrounded by a wealth of wildlife. From the Hilltop Restaurant, you have incredible views over the local area and its herds of elephants. Watch out for the cheeky monkeys, though. They have been known to pinch a little food off the plates of diners distracted by the sights below.

Let the safari begin. On your first full day in the remarkable Hluhluwe Game Reserve, we’ll board our accessible vehicle and head out into the wild. Led by an experienced park ranger, we’ll visit several of the park’s most striking locations in search of black rhinos, nyalas, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, reedbucks, red duikers, baboons, monkeys, hyenas, and lions, to name just a few.

It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of a good ranger on a game reserve drive. They understand the park and its animals better than anyone, will help you get the most from the day, and will offer an unmatched insight into how the wildlife interacts with the surrounding environment. Which is why we’re so happy to work with the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, whose rangers rank among the best in the business. They will ensure you enjoy a day to remember.

Having spent yesterday in the Hluhluwe half of the reserve, we’re visiting the Umfolozi half today. Renowned for its rhino conservation programme, which singlehandedly prevented the extinction of the southern white rhino, Umfolozi is the ideal place to go in search of Africa’s “Big Five”. We’ll be hoping to spot lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants and Cape buffalo, so you can cross all five off your safari bucket list.

Of course, there will be plenty of other animals to see along the way. The park is particularly famous for its population of wild dogs, and is also considered one of Africa’s birding hotspots. For those interested in lesser-known creatures, keep an eye out for the majestic lowland nyala, warthogs and jackals.

South Africa is home to several highly regarded animal conservation, rescue and rehabilitation programmes. Today, we will visit two such sanctuaries, getting up close and personal with two of the country’s most iconic creatures. First is one of the world’s largest land mammals – the elephant. Specialising in rescuing orphaned elephants and providing care as they grow, the elephant centre features an accessible viewing platform from which visitors can help with the breakfast feed. This is probably the closest you’ll ever get to these magnificent beasts!

Following lunch at a local restaurant, we will make our way to the cat and cheetah rehabilitation centre. Home to some of South Africa’s most beautiful wild cats, including lynx, serval and cheetahs, it’s an opportunity to meet the fastest land animal on the planet, as well as some of its lesser-known feline relations. We’ll also visit Ilala Weavers, a Zulu arts and traditional crafts centre that supports local artisans and communities. In the evening, we will board our accessible transport and head to Saint Lucia, ready for tomorrow’s accessible boat safari.

Situated in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia is a wonderfully picturesque village and the perfect base from which to explore South Africa’s largest estuarine river system. The country’s first ever UNESCO Heritage Site, iSimangaliso covers a phenomenal 13,000 km² and is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles and exotic birds.

To see as much of the aquatic ecosystem as possible, we will board an accessible safari boat for a guided tour of the wetland’s waterways. One of the most diverse environments on the planet, the sheer variety of wildlife on display is staggering, and you’re sure to enjoy an unforgettable day. We’ll stop for lunch in one of St Lucia’s excellent restaurants and, towards the end of the day, there’s also a good chance you’ll get to see hippos grazing in the village gardens!

Having spent yesterday exploring the lakes and estuaries around St Lucia, today we’ll head for Cape Vidal and its awe-inspiring coastline. Famous for its wild crescent beaches, Cape Vidal benefits from the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and it’s not uncommon to see humpback whales, dolphins and marlin out to sea.

Back on shore, there is big game galore, with rhino, elephants, waterbuck and kudu calling the area home. With this in mind, we will spend the day visiting the region’s local markets, discovering the breathtaking Cape Vidal coast and touring the Game Reserve in search of once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.

Comprising more than 15 million people, the Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa and live mainly in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Originally a relatively small regional clan, the Zulus rose to prominence in the early 19th century, as their military prowess facilitated rapid expansion and the creation of the powerful Zulu Kingdom.

Today, Zulu culture forms a prominent part of South African national identity, and Zulu arts, beadwork and ceremonies are known across the country. You’ll have the chance to experience all of these as we visit a local Zulu tribe to learn a little more about their way of life and history. As well as traditional dancing and musical performances, you will gain an insight into local dress and customs and share in a fantastic day of cultural exchange.

Backed by Table Mountain’s iconic flat-topped silhouette, Cape Town is one of Africa’s most dramatic and delightful cities. Boasting a rugged natural beauty, incredible cultural diversity and some of the finest food on the continent, it’s one of the country’s must-see destinations.

Today, we’ll make the journey from the nature reserve back to Durban, and board a short flight to the crystal waters, white sandy beaches and vibrant streets of Cape Town. On arrival, we’ll check into your luxury four-star hotel, which will serve as our base for the remainder of the tour. Your accommodation is situated in the beautiful V&A Waterfront neighbourhood, which benefits from sea views and a picture-perfect backdrop.

Table Mountain looms large over Cape Town and is arguably the city’s most recognisable landmark. Named for its flat top, the mountain overlooks Table Bay and Cape Flats, offering commanding 360° views of the local area. We’ll take the accessible cable car up to the top of the mountain, so you can look down on the city from over 1,000 metres above sea level.

After soaking up the panoramic vista, we'll descend and head over to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Famous for its award-winning flower shows that tour around the world and nestled amongst the lower slopes of Table Mountain, this is one of the world’s finest Botanical Gardens and an amazing opportunity to learn a little about the local flora.

As we make the short journey down the coast to the Bay of Good Hope Nature Reserve, we have a very exciting stop to make. Boulders Beach is home to a 3,000-strong protected colony of endangered African penguins, who spend their days waddling, paddling and splashing in the crystal clear shallows. We’ll be able to watch from accessible boardwalks as the cutest of the country’s flightless birds frolic on this gorgeous beach.

Then it’s on to Cape Point, the rugged promontory jutting out from the southern tip of Africa and a major landmark for sailors throughout the ages. It’s also one of the places at which the cold Atlantic meets the warmer Indian Ocean, causing the dangerous swells and currents that made this such a risky area for boats in the past. While exploring the Cape, we’ll take the funicular up to the Old Lighthouse, where you can enjoy sensational views of the ocean. On the way back to the hotel, we’ll drive the breathtaking Hout road, which runs along the coast and takes in some of the local area’s most incredible scenery.

On your penultimate day in South Africa, we’ll visit Stellenbosch – one of the world’s most iconic wine regions and South Africa’s second-oldest town. Just 50 km east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is also a famous university city and boasts a vibrant, easy-going atmosphere that makes it a particularly enjoyable destination.

While in town, we will visit one of the many world-class local vineyards for a delicious wine tasting session, after which we’ll sit down together to indulge in a fantastic, traditional South African lunch. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reminisce with your fellow Limitless Travellers and share your favourite moments from what will have undoubtedly been the holiday of a lifetime. What a way to end your epic South African safari adventure!

Today, your accessible holiday comes to an end. After breakfast, the Limitless Team will help you transfer to the airport. We’ll be on hand to help you through the airport, while you’re boarding the plane and during your flight. Once we touch down in the UK, we’ll accompany you through to arrivals and wave you off on your journey home. We’ll see you next time!