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Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour
5.0
9 Ratings
Hluhluwe Game Reserve
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.
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.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Located in the heart of Zululand, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhinoceros, all thriving in the lush savannah. Established in 1895, it is the oldest park in South Africa, covering over 98,000 hectares of stunning African landscape. Visitors can enjoy a…
- Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Located in the heart of Zululand, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhinoceros, all thriving in the lush savannah. Established in 1895, it is the oldest park in South Africa, covering over 98,000 hectares of stunning African landscape. Visitors can enjoy a tour in a closed vehicle. The park boasts a rich diversity of fauna and flora and is known for its hilly terrain. The variety of animals in the park is extensive and diverse. The northern section, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, is famous for its wide range of bird and animal life. To the south lies the Imfolozi Game Reserve, which together with Hluhluwe forms the largest reserve in KwaZulu Natal. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve is particularly noted for its White Rhino conservation efforts.
- Zululand Cat Conservation Project (Emdoneni Lodge Cheetah Project) - The Emdoneni Cat Project provides a guided tour focused on South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. The project aims to care for wild cats that have been orphaned or injured in the wild and require rehabilitation. Emdoneni’s guided tour offers visitors a unique and thrilling chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent cat species. The project is home to five species of wild cats: African Wildcat, Caracal, Cheetah, and Serval. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is both educational and popular among visitors!
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle collection & drop-off from Durban
- All entrance fees included
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional tour guide services
- Air-conditioned vehicle collection & drop-off from Durban
- All entrance fees included
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional tour guide services
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- 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…
- 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
Location
Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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P7590hnbonniew
Nov 7, 2025
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karengm5457lr
Nov 6, 2025
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!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pinar265
Nov 5, 2025
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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Exploration236290
Aug 6, 2019
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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jim
Jun 28, 2019
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alex12435
Apr 15, 2019
Amazing Excursion - Myself and my partner had a fantastic day at the Cat Project & Imfolozi. The cat project was amazing. We got to get up close a personal with 4 different types of African big cats. You can even stroke a few of them. Then we headed to Imfolozi to find the big 5. Our tour guide was brilliant, and was relentless in searching for animals. We saw 3 of the big, plus loads more on a 3 hour drive. I would 100% recommend this tour if you’ve got a spare day in Durban.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mathias_c
Mar 29, 2019
Stunning Safari - This is a very exiting tour. My guide, Vusi Gumede, was very knowledgable and was able to provide information about the different animals but also about the culture. The cat project is also very interesting. I can highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Timobrien_in_maine
Sep 18, 2018
Excellent 2 day Adventure - Zulu Safaris Rock!!! - This was my first trip to South Africa and wanted to fit a quick Safari and a few excursions into my brief time there.
I only had 10 days notice on my business trip so I had to prepare professionally and needed them to suggest and organize my final two days of activities quickly. The planning and suggestions came from a very professional and prompt email exchange.
I ended up with Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari and Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour, Bayete Elephant Interaction and St Lucia Estuary Boat Ride for Hippo's.
The planning was excellent and I stayed at the Hilltop Hotel to do a 5am Open Safari in the park. The Safari and Cats were excellent but the best was the Elephant interaction!
Nene was my guide and his excellent personality and professional manor was only surpassed by his knowledge. Thanks again for helping me make these memories that will last me a lifetime.
If I do return I will not hesitate to do another series of trips with Zulu Safari and will recommend them to anyone who would like an awesome tour of anything near Durban.
Thanks all that helped and hope to work with you all again soon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Addison
Jun 3, 2018
Excellent Day Safari and Service! - Extremely pleased with the initial booking process and timely email responses. It's a perfect day safari because they pick you up and drop you off at your desired location. Sabelo showed up on time and was very welcoming and polite. Throughout the day, Sabelo was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He answered all our questions and knew the reserve very well. We were able to see 4/5 of the Big Five!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
