Safari & Phezulu Village Day Tour From Durban

My husband and I with one other friend did this excursion with Bule, our tour guide. He is amazing- so passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. As we drove to the Tala Game Reserve he explained the countryside around us with the agriculture, the chicken farms and wildlife. We arrived at the game reserve and Bule provided an amazing experience with excellent driving skills enabling us to get up close to all animals, we were able to see the giraffes at the watering hole and took amazing videos and photographs. We saw baby zebras with their mothers, a baby rhino with mum, wildebeest, impalas, ostriches, guinea fowl and boks- a superb experience. There was time to visit the gift shop before we left for the Phezulu village. At the village we visited the Reptile Centre and the guide told us interesting facts about the crocodiles, alligators, turtles and snakes- my husband got to hold an enormous python! We then visited the Phezulu village and were guided to meet the Chief in the Meeting Hut explaining their rituals , the wife in the Kitchen Hut explaining how they prepare food and beer. Then we watched Zulu dancing renenacting courtship and marriage in the Zulu culture and then had an opportunity for photos with them. We had time to look around the gift shop ( much cheaper here than at the game reserve) before heading home. I have to say that Bule provides so much information and answers our many questions, it was a truly brilliant 8 hours.

This was a great experience, especially if you want to see a mix of animals and culture and only have limited time. Also the guide Fortune was knowledgeable and funny at the same time.

Bule was our tour guide for the day! He did amazing job. He provided detailed education and information since he himself is Zulu. We had so many questions that another guide wouldn't have been able to answer. He was such a gem and a pleasure. The tour experience was made better because of his insight and willingness to share. On the safari he took his time with us and made sure we saw every animal. We even got to see a hippo which most people never get to see. But Bule made sure to drive around and educate us on the different animals and their habits. It was the best possible way to do a safari. My concerns around safaris are whether they are safe but we felt safe the entire time. The photos we were able to get are priceless. We couldn't have asked for a better guide on the tour.

My friend is badly disabled and in a wheelchair. When I explained this to the company they provided a private car for the two of us with a charming, knowledgeable guide, Bule. The safari was wonderful - white rhinos, ostriches, monkeys,giraffes etc. The scenery is beautiful and the lunchstop has a truly wonderful view. The dancing was obviously choreographed for the hundreds of tourists and I was rather disappointed that it was not a genuine village but one created for tourists. The raptor area is full of snakes and huge crocodiles and Bule very kindly pushed the wheelchair over some difficult ground. He the showed us quite a good cross section of urban life on the way back to the ship. A memorable day with a wonderful guide.

Buleh, our guide was first rate. My friend is disabled so we were given a private car and Buleh helped with everything - including pushing him round the reptile park. He was very informative and a delight to be with and we thoroughly enjoyed our brief but colourful introduction to PheZulu life, culture and wildlife. A truly memorable day!

The entire experience was exceptionally well coordinated and thoughtfully engaging from start to finish. It offered the perfect balance of cultural immersion and natural exploration, allowing us to truly appreciate the unique beauty and heritage of KwaZulu-Natal. Every detail felt intentional — from the seamless organization of activities to the warm hospitality we received along the way. What made this trip particularly special was the extra care the operators showed. Not only did they guide us through remarkable cultural sites and breathtaking landscapes, but they also went above and beyond by assisting with transportation arrangements. Their attention to safety and comfort gave us complete peace of mind, which allowed us to fully relax and enjoy the journey. Overall, it was an unforgettable trip that left us with lasting memories and a much deeper appreciation for the people, history, and environment of KZN. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a meaningful and well-curated way to explore the region.

We had a wonderful day on this tour! Our guide, Bule, was patient and knowledgeable. He went at the perfect pace and even spent some extra time looking for giraffes, our favorite! Excellent day!

The tour was amazing got to see Lions, feed elephants, saw the zebra and giraffe very close buy and many more. Our guide Thamy was very attentive all by all a highly recommend tour.

A great way to see lions, feed elephants, reptiles, birds and many other animals and finishing off with a beautiful Zulu performance on the valley of 1000 hills.

Our group of 15 booked last minute and they were able to accommodate us. The tour guide was very informative and kind. Highly recommended!

I usually prefer arranging travelling myself but it would be impossible to do all this in 8 hours on our own, and also the guide Fortune was very knowledgeable and nice. No other tour covers all these items and entrance tickets. A highlight of our Durban visit. Feeding and petting two elephants in the wild, getting as close to lions as you can in a car, all kinds of wild animals in Tala, amazing Zulu culture and dancing, crocodiles, snakes, many and well kept. All in all highest rating. Minus to Tripadvisor: even though logged in at Viator and seeing other reviews I could not write one there, had to go to Tripadvisor, which doesnt accept the same login even though is the same company

Had the best time with the elephants! And our guide was patient and really king, best experience everp

What a wonderful day seeing animals up close. Our driver Freddie was so nice and knowledgeable. Patient with us as we asked questions. Money well spent!

Incredible from beginning to end! Experience was exactly as described online and our guide, Fortune, was the cherry on top! He was thorough, friendly, and experienced - felt like we spent the day with a friend. Logistics were easy, guide was superb, and it was absolutely worth every penny. Dont second guess - just book it!

Was everything i imagined it to be. Saw everything except a leopard. It is a long day but if you only have a day i suggest this tour. Dont expect Kruger but was very good

I have visited Phezulu many times throughout my life. First with school, years ago, when it felt a bit sad and neglected. Thankfully, those days have passed and it is now a wonderful experience, especially for children and foreign visitors. We took our son on the little game drive when he was younger to give him a taste of the wildlife and he loved it. We have also been to the reptile section, which is fascinating. In the past, a father and young son used to give amazing snake talks with live snakes which was astonishing to my risk-averse British family! On this occasion, we had very informative guides explaining the crocodile life cycles. But the best by far has to be the lump that you get in the back of your throat when you watch Zulu dancing and singing with the truly stunning backdrop of the Valley of 1000 Hills. It made me very homesick, but proud to show our foreign family. Thanks for a great day, Phezulu! (PS .also great gift shop with charming staff.)

we got to feed an elephant and got so close we could stroke it, it was an experince to get so close to lions giraffe and all the different types of antelope and see the hippos not counting to see a zulu village and meet them and see their dances a once in a life time experince Freddy our tour guide was brilliant would definite recommend Zulu Safaris as the best tour company here

Excellent tour and experience. Phezulu village people, and their dance is amaizing. 100% recommended.

I went on this safari with two of my friends and had Thami as our guide. Before the trip even began, the company was so great with communication and patience by dealing with our payment problem greatly. I knew immediately from our conversations prior to even getting to Durban that our experience would be wonderful! The day of the tour Thami was on time and even allowed us to stop quickly to get snacks because we hadn’t eaten before his arrival. Throughout the tour he was patient and attentive. One thing I remember thinking was how amazed I was with how much he knew and his professionalism was definitely shown. I think my friends and I loved the tour from beginning to end. We initially thought we only booked a half day but as the activities continued from seeing the lions, elephants birds of prey and then off to see reptiles we realized how inclusive the tour actually was. I’ve already recommended and sent information to my friends about booking with this company because it truly was a great experience from beginning to end.

This was the best safari day. Saw so many things... elephants, zebras, giraffes, snakes, crocodiles. Got to actually stand next to a few elephants and feed them apples. Amazing. Our tour guide could not have been better.

Zamani was passionate and knowledgeable. Also very caring and patient when he discovered that one of us recovering from a stroke. Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience despite the mornings weather

Great day out and our guide Benson was amazing. The Elephants were my favourite part especially as Benson stopped to get carrots and we could feed the elephants. Thank you again.

I was picked up from the hotel promptly although I wasn’t staying downtown. Our guide, Zumani, made sure we saw all the animals: lions, elephants, hippos, rhinos, ostriches, giraffes, baby crocodiles and more! Zumani has a great eye! The tour was just the right length for me. I was surprised to find all this wild life so close to the city! I enjoyed the exposure to Zulu culture, also.

Neusami our driver (mis-spelled) was great. Full of great information, had us hand feed elephants in the park. Wonderful experience. Air conditioning in the car could use improvement, but otherwise great. Zulu dancing was surprisingly good. Highly recommended tour. Much better than the cruise ship yours taken by our friends.

We are a Canadian/European couple, and we took a Safari tour with Zulu Safaris in Durban on Christmas Eve, 2022. We have had a wonderful time on our Safari Tour! We have seen a lot and had a great experience. Our driver and guide Alain was brilliant! Very knowledgeable, skilled driver, friendly and approachable. Answering all of our questions, catering to our needs. He was providing us with so much information! We will never forget amazing experience with elephants that he arranged for us!! It was incredible, unforgettable! We felt very safe with him. It was a right choice of the company and guide and we highly recommend! THANK YOU guys!!!

Best Tour to see Durban’s Culture & City! We paid a couple hundred of Rand to have the driver pick us up from our hotel. The driver name was Fred he was outstanding! Finding out everyone’s name and where they were from! He explained the route and stops before leaving . You are able to eat inside of the Zulu tour (Phezul) if you want breakfast or lunch. You will visit reptiles at the reptile park. Crocodiles and snakes are some of Africas beautiful creations ! They allow you to hold one if you want. Definitely pay attention in the apartheid Museum! Durban has a mixture of people who can coexist it is what life is about embracing ALL cultures ! Here is where we went; Phezul (Zulu tradition dance, reptiles:crocodiles and snakes, tortoises...) City tours ( botanic gardens, Indian market View at Florida road. Apartheid museum...

Absolutely must. Near Durban city you will see the big 5 with great guides without spending time to whole day longer trips and larger parks. Over here the animals can be found quickly. Thanks.

All we could ask for – very friendly guide with answers to all our questions. He went out of his way to make sure we see an elephant. I wish I could take him with me to every holiday in the future.

Freddie, our amazing guide, was the best part. We arrived by cruise ship, 2 hour late. He waited and reorganized our tour so we missed only one small thing I can't even remember. We saw everything else including lions and hippos after the best time with the Zulu performance. I would give him more stars if I could. At the end of the tour, his boss called to make sure we were taken care of. When I spoke to him, he pretty much said it went so well because we had Freddie. Freddie knew every nuance of our visits....how much time to allow, what to pass over more quickly, where to spend the most time. Thanks to all of you.

I was fortunate to be the only tourist on this tour and was treated like a VIP since I was the only one. I have to give credit to Vusi Gumede for making this experience unforgettable. He was very patience and did not rush me throughout the tour ensuring that i have taken enough photos and tour around the premises. In addition, kudos to him when we could not spot a giraffe on our first round at Tala Game Reserve, he did not give up and embark on another tour around. Although we still fail to spot any giraffe, I am considered lucky to see 2 hippos out of water feeding. Vusi is also very knowledgeable, whenever he drove pass by a famous spot/area, he will share the history and information about them. This is definitely one tour you should not miss. Definitely makes me want to go on more safari tour.

On a one day excursion to a safari at Tala and a visit to Phezulu. The former was OK, but a little bit 'tame' as although the area is very large, it still felt a bit farm-like. The elephants were tame, and the lions were VERY sad in a separate small enclosure, but the countryside was spectacular. Phezulu was a Disneyland-like show, in a small but absolutely wonderful arena, with a cast of about 10 tribespeople as dancers, actors and drummers giving you a little information, and yes, you can take photos - 'it's all included' - but still be prepared to be asked for money. Yes, the people are poor in Africa, but I'd rather pay $5-10 more for entry than be asked for cash for having taken a photo, especially as these are show people.

We had only about half a day ashore on a cruise stop in February, and we had booked in advance with Zulu Tours. We were met on the dock, and because my husband and I both have some mobility issues, they led us over to a vehicle that we was easy to get into. I rode up front with Wonder Boy (that's his name) and my husband rode in the middle seats with another couple from the ship. Rejoice (that is actually her middle name) came along and rode in the back, so we had two guides. They were both very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information. We saw the lions and elephants first, and then went on to Tala Game Preserve, where we saw dozens of kudu, zebras, wildebeasts, warthogs, ostriches, water buffalo.....up close! It was a thrilling experience.

Great wildlife sights, especially the elephants, comfy aircondit. bus. If you're Aussie don't bother with the crocs, but excellent opportunity to "cuddle" a snake - brilliant! The Zulu show was perfunctory (expected though, considering the tourist crowds H appy overall with this park.

We were met at the cruise terminal by Wonder and off we went with one other couple. The whole day was superb. Wonder spent his time explaining all about the areas we visited, lion park and Tala park, and all the animals we saw. We saw the whole pride in the lion park, and in Tala, Wonder talked to the various rangers and other guides to make sure we saw as many different animals as possible. Returning us to the ship, safely, we all agreed we had had a fantastic day out. Wonder (boy) ( his term) was an excellent guide.

Had one day to do some exploring around Durban as I was here on a business trip. I decided on the safari which I definitely enjoyed. I was the only person in our vehicle which was nice. My favorite part of the trip was the tala reserve. I saw giraffes, rhinos, zebra, impala, ostrich, buffalo, wild pigs, and more. Only big animal I didn’t get to see there were hippos but apparently those are hard to see during the day. Second favorite part was the lion park where they let you drive through the lion cage which was cool. The lions were pretty tame and lazy and it was a hot day. I would recommend this tour and my guide was pretty great also (forgot his name unfortunately).

Met and exceeded all our expectations. Freddy is an excellent guide and driver. Nice and impeccable jeep. Freddy is extremely pleasant and very attentive to our needs. Made our day interesting and pleasant. Highly recommended.

Was a really great experience. The tour guide had a lot of knowledge about all of the animals. Learning about phezulu tradition was very cool and interesting! An overall great day out if you're looking to see most of Africas famous animals!

I took a combined tour with the Elephant interaction and Zulu village. I really wanted to learn about and support the Zulu people. I was a bit disappointed that th itinerary was disorganized. Our tour guide was nice but seemed confused about what activities we were supposed to do and their times. The first tour was the Elephant interactive. We arrived very early and it was not open. We asked to use the bathroom. It was full of bees in toilet area and water buckets to wash hands. Rest stops the guide picked were dirty and had no toilet paper or water to wash our hands. We complained about the sanitary conditions and he brought us back to the same bathroom returning to our hotel. We arrived to the Zulu village where we were told they already performed and that we would have to wait a few hours until the next one. The guide did not know how to fill the time. We had to ask about the reptile area from the itinerary and lunch There was a restaurant on the property. We had to check when we could eat as it was closing shortly. Lunch was not included but was a tasty buffet of African cuisine. Zulu people friendly and entertaining but the presentation lacked communication. We had to ask our guide for the translation several times. The tour provided a nice demonstrations of culture. It was Interactive and fun. I wished it included more history of the Zulu people and their current status in South Africa.

I booked the Safari & PheZulu Day Tour in advance via email. Although I ended up being the only person signed up for the tour on that particular day, they still honored my reservation and I got a fantastic private tour! Guide Freddy was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. He speaks French in addition to English, so as a bonus I was able to practice my rusty French. I was impressed by the wide variety of animals I saw for 1/2 day of safari time, and the PheZulu village was also a unique and interesting experience. I received an email the day before the trip confirming the pickup details, which went exactly as planned. Would definitely recommend, especially for people who want a one-day escape from Durban.

We booked a half day Safari & PheZulu Village tour from Durban. The tour was such an amazing experience and our tour guide Zamani made it even better!!! Our guide Zamani told us all the historie about South Africa, villages and the animals. He took us around the city of durban aswell. He even took us to the market place. In the end of the day he drove us to a fantastic restaurant to enjoy our last meal before heading back home. All in all, best Safari EVER! I really recommend ZULU SAFARI. Thank you Zamani the most knowledgeable guide ever!

For a one-day excursion overall this was a great experience. As I only had a couple days to take a safari - this tour provided a chance to see elephants, giraffe's, springbok's, gazelles, birds or prey, reptiles, etc. as well as some traditional history. We also saw lions (not in a free/wild setting) and rhinos/hippos (they were sleeping and not really visible - so that was a little disappointing. I am grateful for the experience - and particularly our guide (Freddy) when out of his way to make the tour great and ensure we saw as many animals as possible. Thank you!

This is an excellent tour, especially for a first Safari. It was easy to moderate physical, and encountered numerous big and small game. Our guide, Ndu Nene, was Zulu and extremely knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this as a first Safari.

Guide was great and very knowledgeable the tour was well organized with travelers from all over the World.

This tour was such an amazing experience and my tour guide Nduduzo Nene made it even more spectacular. He was so knowledgeable about all the animals and places we visited and just has a great personality -- very funny and personable. Thank you for a memorable experience and I'll definitely be booking another tour with Zulu Safaris the next time I'm in Durban.

We had the most knowledgeable guide ever! Thank you very much Ndu N. This tour was mostly for my boyfriend since he has never been to South Africa before. I wanted him to get the full cultural experience and this trip definitely helped him. We started with the bird reserve then we went to visit the lion park as well as Itala game reserve to look for some animals. After all of this we went to 1000 hills valley and PheZulu village for a wonderful cultural experience of the Zulus. After that Ndu gave us a wonderful tour of the reptile park since he used to work there. We even got to hold a python. All in all it was a full day of activities and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Having Ndu be our guide made the experience even more memorable!

This was an excellent experience visiting several smaller Safari parks near Durban, 1000 hills valley and PheZulu village. A hell of a ride in Paradise with Sotiris (our fellow Greek) and his assistant. A bonus for us the music throughout our trip with him.

A full day of activities. Great reptile park, Lion Park, saw lots of animals in a 4-wheeler. Ndumiso was a great guide, very personable and knew where to go. Hippos, Giraffes, Lions, Rinos, Impalas...so much game!! The bird reserve and all the stops were very good. The grilled crocodile meat was oily.

The guide was very friendly, and very knowledgeable about the area, and the animals that we saw on out tour. We saw a very wide variety of animals and locations. This tour took the whole day, but we still had time in the evening to wind down. It seemed like the perfect amount of time to spend on a day trip. The vehicle was in top shape and did not have any Issues. 11 out of 10 I would recommend this tour!

Not knowing how my children would appreciate the outdoors as much as I do, I thought I would introduce them slowly to this by taking them on a one day mini safari, and this tour caught my eye. It was worth every cent I paid for it and well worth the recommendation to anyone thinking about going on a safari but do not have so much time on their hands. It was affordable, and our driver / guide Ndumiso made sure we had the best opportunities. The tour was not rushed at all despite going to four places in one day, and we felt like we made the most of each visit.