I have been lucky enough to have seen and done many things in South Africa.
Jumped out of a plane, bungee jumped, shark tank dived, not to mention the many wonderful game drives and wildlife encounters.
And after all my adventures it’s not about what I’ve done so much as how Africa makes me feel. No other place on earth has the same effect on me. It’s hard to put into words…but Africa changes you.
I’m not sure if it’s the people or the wildlife or the magnificent scenery – it’s an energy that’s hard to define and it’s quite extraordinary.
Whenever I get asked where my favourite place is (and there are a few), if I have to, I will say South Africa. It’s a bit like being asked who your favourite child is!
The most common response I get is: “Oh, but isn’t it very dangerous and expensive?”
And I reply that the same precautions should be taken in South Africa as whenever you travel anywhere, especially big cities – you should be vigilant about it, stay to well-known tourist spots, avoid any unknown areas and you can rest assured hotels and lodges make safety a priority.
And of course when you’re travelling in a group on a tour the chances of any issues are minimal.
As for the cost? Well right now with our rather weak Aussie dollar it’s one of the most affordable places on earth.
And while safari is not cheap, it’s worth every penny as it’s a priceless experience and is offset by the cost of living/hospitality in South Africa. Food and drink is ridiculously cheap and great quality.
So, the opportunity to return to my favourite place had me packing my khaki threads quick smart. And this time I got to experience KwaZulu-Natal (KWZ) and what a revelation….
When travellers dream of a South African safari, Kruger National Park usually tops the list. While it’s undoubtedly famous, the reality is that Kruger – especially its private reserves – can be expensive, crowded and in high demand.
But here’s the good news: South Africa has a stellar line-up of alternative safari experiences that are just as exciting and rich in wildlife, and – bonus – a whole lot easier on the wallet.
I recently had the great pleasure of experiencing three standout lodges in KZN that prove you don’t need to pay Kruger prices to have a five-star African safari: Makakatana Bay Lodge, Thanda Royal Residences and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge.
MAKAKATANA BAY LODGE – WILD COASTAL WONDER
Where: iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal
Best for: Unique blend of safari, wetlands and beach
Access: Two-and-a-half to three-hour drive from King Shaka International Airport (Durban).
Tucked away on the edge of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Makakatana Bay Lodge offers a truly one-of-a-kind safari experience.
This family-owned lodge (run by the warm and welcoming Morrison family) is the only private lodge inside the park, giving it exclusive access to one of South Africa’s most unique ecosystems.
Makakatana blends wetland safaris, boat cruises, beach days and game drives into one extraordinary itinerary.
You could be spotting hippos and crocs in the St Lucia estuary one morning, then lounging on a wild beach by afternoon and wrapping up the day with a sundowner on the deck as giraffes wander by.
The rooms are bright, airy and contemporary, each with outdoor showers and bush views, and the food is consistently delicious – hearty breakfasts, fresh seafood and homemade touches that remind you this is a proudly family-run lodge.
Activities include:
# Game drives to spot elephant, buffalo, and antelope
# Boat safaris on the estuary
# Beach excursions with picnic lunches
# Birding (more than 500 species)
# Snorkelling and turtle tours (in season)
And let’s talk price: compared to the Kruger’s top lodges, Makakatana is far more affordable, with better variety and no malaria risk, making it a dream for families and first-timers.
THANDA ROYAL RESIDENCES – PRIVATE, PLUSH AND PROFOUNDLY SPECIAL
Where: Thanda Private Game Reserve, northern KwaZulu-Natal
Best for: Luxury groups, multigenerational travel, VIP privacy
Access: Three- to three-and-a-half hours’ drive or charter flight from Durban.
If Makakatana is your barefoot bush and beach escape, Thanda Royal Residences is where you go to live like royalty.
Part of the larger Thanda Private Game Reserve, the Royal Residences are a collection of ultra-luxury private-use villas – think six-suite homes with private staff, chefs, your own game drive vehicle and full butler service.
Everything here is bespoke. You can plan your own game drive schedule, host poolside dinners under the stars, or sip Champagne next to your firepit as lions call in the distance.
The experience is lavish but laid-back – and deeply connected to Zulu heritage and conservation.
Thanda offers superb wildlife viewing with all the Big Five, but without the Kruger crowds. Their guiding is top-notch, the terrain is varied and the wildlife sightings are consistently excellent, from rare black rhinos to cheetahs and elephant herds.
Activities include:
# Twice-daily Big Five game drives
# Bush walks rhino & cheetah tracking
# Zulu cultural experiences
# Spa treatments in your villa
# Conservation experiences (with vet teams and researchers)
Despite the exclusivity, Thanda offers excellent value when you compare cost-per-person for large family groups to similar Kruger private villas. Plus, it’s malaria-free and easily accessible from Durban or Richard’s Bay.
RHINO RIDGE SAFARI LODGE – ETHICAL LUXURY WITH A VIEW
Where: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal
Best for: Conscious travellers, epic views, small groups
Access: Three- to three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Durban
Perched on a ridge with sweeping views over the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa, Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge ticks every box for travellers looking for style, substance and affordability.
Operated with a strong focus on community upliftment and conservation, Rhino Ridge is built on land returned to local Zulu communities and it employs and supports staff from surrounding villages. So, when you stay here, you’re part of something meaningful.
Accommodation ranges from stylish suites with fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows to thatch-roofed bush villas and honeymoon hideaways with private plunge pools.
The décor is crisp, modern and minimalist, letting the view and the wildlife do the talking.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is a Big Five reserve, famous for its pioneering rhino conservation work.
It’s one of the best places in South Africa to see both black and white rhino, along with lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, giraffe and more.
Activities include:
# Twice-daily game drives in open vehicles
# Guided bush walks
# Spa treatments with local ingredients
# Visits to community projects
Best of all? The pricing is exceptionally competitive. You’ll often find nightly rates at Rhino Ridge that are half or even a third of Kruger’s top-end lodges, without compromising on experience or wildlife.
WHY KZN? HERE’S THE SMART SAFARI LOWDOWN
1. Better Value
Whether you’re going luxury at Thanda, mid-range at Makakatana or conscious chic at Rhino Ridge, you’re getting much more for your money.
With Kruger’s top-end lodges often running $US1,000–$US2,500 (approx. $AU1,500-$AU3,800) per person per night, KZN lodges often deliver similar (or better!) experiences at 30–50% less.
2. Malaria-Free Zones
The entire KZN safari circuit – including these three lodges – is malaria-free, making it ideal for families or those who’d prefer to skip the meds.
3. Access is Easy
Fly into Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, rent a car or hop in a transfer and you’ll be at any of these lodges within two-and-a-half to four hours.
You can also combine them easily, creating a circuit of safari, wetlands and beach – something Kruger can’t offer.
4. Fewer Crowds, More Authenticity
Unlike Kruger’s often congested roads, KZN’s reserves are uncrowded, offering a sense of remoteness and authenticity that’s hard to find elsewhere.
This is safari at its purest – just you, the wild and nature doing its thing.
5. Activities Galore
From boat safaris to beach days, Zulu cultural visits to spa treatments and rhino tracking, the diversity of activities across these three lodges means you’ll never be bored, even on a longer stay.
THE FINAL WORD
If you’re craving an African safari that feels personal, wild and deeply connected – without the Kruger price tag – then KwaZulu-Natal is calling.
This is South Africa’s hidden safari trifecta and it’s time more travellers discovered it.
The value is better. The access is easier. The experience? Just as unforgettable.
