The tours first stop is the Natal Lion Park which is home to a variety of wildlife including Lion, African and Asian Elephants as well as Rhino. There our guide will drive around the park in search of the Elephants before entering the Lion’s enclosure to marvel at the pride of Lions. This activity is very popular as it gives tourists a rare opportunity to enjoy the excitement of being so close to lions. Tourists are amazed at their size and beauty.

Next, we visit Tala Private Game Reserve that hosts a diverse selection of wildlife on a 3000 hectares reserve. Tala Game Reserve is a Rhino sanctuary and is home to over 370 bird species and wildlife that includes Rhino, Giraffe, Hippo and Eland to name a few of the bigger animals. Our guide will drive around the park in our closed vehicle to view all the wildlife and to share some of his knowledge into the wildlife ecosystem and interesting facts of the animals at Tala Game Reserve.

Our final stop is the ‘Valley of 1000 Hills’ to experience traditional Zulu culture at PheZulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park. Visitors are taken into a traditional Zulu homestead to experience what traditional Zulu life was like before the modern era. Inside a traditional Zulu homestead there are thatched huts placed in a circular position, with the cattle placed in the centre as a form of protection. At PheZulu’s ‘Sibaya’ or homestead the thatched huts are surrounding the auditorium which faces the beautiful ‘Valley of 1000 Hills’. The local PheZulu guide will take you on a guided tour of the PheZulu sibaya and describe Zulu cultural practices to gain insight into Zulu traditions during the 1800’s. The local Zulu dancing show is educating and entertaining with the local performers singing beautiful traditional Zulu songs and dancing energetically. The performers wear their traditional Zulu attire, showing off their dancing and singing skills with rhythmic agility and pride.

Included in PheZulu is the Reptile Park where guests enjoy a guided tour by a local PheZulu Reptile park guide. The local guides are very knowledgeable and eager to take you around the park and share interesting facts about the animals in the park. PheZulu Reptile Park has diverse reptilian wildlife on site which include crocodiles, alligators, snakes, tortoises, spiders and iguanas. The local PheZulu guide will let you touch or hold some of the animals including the small crocodiles and the giant Burmese python, just long enough to take a photo. This tour is ideal for families with young children.

After PheZulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park the tour proceeds back to Pietermaritzburg.