Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban worth booking?
Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban is a 12-hour experience in Durban, South Africa, from $2000 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (9)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $2000 per person
On this full day tour we visit Emdoneni Wild Cat Project, which offers a very popular guided tour about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. At Emdoneni you will have the opportunity to see Cheetahs, Serval Cats,
What you get
- Collection and drop off from Durban in an Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance Fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Qualified Tour Guide
About this experience
On this full day tour we visit Emdoneni Wild Cat Project, which offers a very popular guided tour about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. At Emdoneni you will have the opportunity to see Cheetahs, Serval Cats, African Wildcats and Caracal (Lynx) up close and hear about the amazing work the project does to rehabilitate wild cats.
What's included
Included
- Collection and drop off from Durban in an Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance Fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Qualified Tour Guide
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve set in the heart of Zululand where Africa’s Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhinoceros) roam the flourishing savannah. Established in 1895 this is the oldest park in South Africa and encompasses over 98 000 hectares of beautiful African landscape. This tour is in a closed vehicle. The Park contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is characterised by hilly topography. The list of animals at the park is long and varied. Hluhluwe Game Reserve makes up the northern top half of the reserve which is renowned for its diverse variety of bird and animal life. South of Hluhluwe is the Imfolozi Game Reserve which makes up half of the park. These two reserves were joined together to create the largest reserve in KwaZulu Natal. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve is noted for its White Rhino conservation.
180 minutes here
Zululand Cat Conservation Project
Emdoneni Cat Project offers a guided tour about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. The aim of the Emdoneni Cat Project is to care for the various wild cat species which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and need care and rehabilitation. Emdoneni’s guided tour offers visitors a unique and exciting opportunity to literally get up close and personal with their magnificent cat species. There are five species of wild cats at Emdoneni; African Wildcat, Caracal, Cheetah and Serval. This once in a lifetime opportunity can be enjoyed whilst being educated on a tour. This activity is very popular!
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, el, en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 1st Zulu Safaris
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- DEPARTURE & RETURN LOCATION: Pickup & drop off service within a 5km radius of Durban.
- DEPARTURE TIME: 06:00 AM
- RETURN TIME: 08:30 PM
- WEAR: Comfortable clothing and shoes, hat, sunscreen, jacket.
- LOCATION: Emdoneni Cat Project, KwaZulu-Natal
- AGE: All ages welcome
- DATES: All year round
- TRAVELLER TYPE: Single or Per Person Sharing
- You are ok travelling a 2 to 3 hours distance to Wildcat Project.
- You want to experience and learn about the wildlife
- You want to experience a wild cat up close and learn about the important work the project is doing. (Cheetahs, Serval Cats, African Wildcats and Caracal (Lynx))
- German and Polish languages can be requested (on request)
- If you are using a wheelchair, please contact the local partner for type of disability and size of wheelchair
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
10 out of 10, definitely recommend!!
This full day tour was breathtaking. From getting within a meter of a cheetah, no fence, and seeing zebras elephants wildebeests, giraffes, rhinos and so much more. This was a bucket list adventure!! Our guide Bule was always accommodating, fun and informative.
via Tripadvisor
Safari and Cats
Our guide Bule was very friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife, the sites, and the local culture. The Cat rehab center was amazing and I was surprised to find out how close we got to a couple of the cats!! Then we toured the game reserve and Bule pointed out the various animals we saw and told us about them. We saw warthogs, a giraffe, rhinos, Kudu and other deer and antelope, an elephant, baboons and monkeys, Cape buffalo and countless others. I would definitely recommend!!
via Tripadvisor
Cats on cats on cats!
Bule did a great job guiding us. Emdoneni Wild Cat Project was such a heartwarming experience to see people carrying for these kitties that need a little extra love and returning them to the wild whenever feasible. Hluhluwe was breathtaking. We ate lunch meters away from baboons, and while the lions proved elusive, we saw the other big four plus more! RECOMMEND!
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience!
Had such a blast! Vusi was our tour guide and was very informative! He was punctual at his arrival and was both patient and accommodating to our needs! The wildcat encounter was very informative and such a unique experience. We were able to interact with 4 wild cats including the cheetah! Then we were off to Hluhluwe were were spotted some animals up close! We were not able to see the lion or leopard but Vusi tried his hardest to find them! I would definitely tour with Zulu Safaris in the future!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lucrative feedback. I think your feedback will help and give clear picture to many people to know about this trip. Thank you so much for good appreciation for our tour guide services. Providing excellent services to all our valuable guests is our main priority which we strive for. Once again thank you so much for choosing Zulu Safaris and we hope to host you soon again.
via Tripadvisor
Tour of a lifetime with Nduduzo Nene!
Our tour guide for our Safari a was Nduduzo Nene or “Chuck Norris.” He was incredible- extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. On Tuesday, 21 May 2019 our family went on the 1st Zulu Safaris Tour 7B, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour. In short, the trip was amazing. We had a long drive to reach the park from Umhlanga were we were promptly picked up from our resort. On the drive, Nduduzo Nene told us background of Shaka Zulu, and how he became a leader of his people. He is a wonderful story teller, and it was a great way to learn about KwaZulu-Natal. We were passing through on our way to Hluhluwe. As for the safari- - On entering the park we immediately saw wildlife and quickly spotted rhinos. All 5 of us had our heads on a swivel as we scanned for animals. Over the course of the tour we saw rhinos, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, 2 bachelor elephants, an African eagle, buffalo, and numerous antelope. - Our lunch at the park was filling and the view was superb. - The Emdoneni Wild Cat project was outstanding. On entering the facility, we were soon greeted by “Willow”, a very friendly African Wild Cat. The project staff soon had us in the facility seeing the cats they were working with. We were even able to take a photo with 2 cheetah brothers in their enclosure. Our boys (22, 17) really, really, enjoyed our time with the cats. We wholeheartedly recommend this tour. It provided an incredible insight into South Africa, KZN, and it’s wildlife and culture.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your productive and positive feedback . Once again thanks a lot for sharing your good and unforgettable experience with us and I think this will help many people to see and know the kind , quality and authenticity of this trip experiences . We appreciate your lucrative feedback and we look forward to host you soon / to have you again.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $2000 to $5500
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by 1st Zulu Safaris, who run 25 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.5.
See everything 1st Zulu Safaris runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Durban.
How much does Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban cost?
+
Prices start at $2000 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Durban usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban take?
+
Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Durban is not rushed.
Is Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Durban, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban?
+
Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Durban can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Durban and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Durban within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Durban?
+
On Outty we rank every Durban experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Culture Walking Tour of Durban, Sani Pass & Lesotho 4x4 Experience Day Tour from Durban, Discover Rorkes Drift on our Day Tour from Durban. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Durban?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Durban?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban.
Pick your date
