Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Safari Tour from Durban

Paul was an absolutely superb guide. His consideration and care for his customers was exceptional, right from pick-up at the airport and drop-off in suburban Durban, to dealing with all aspects of the practicalities of a safari. We stayed for two nights at Hilltop camp in a family chalet (breakfasts and suppers included), and found the facilities very welcoming. Watch out for the cheeky gangs of Vervet monkeys, though! The food was very good (I recommend the excellent a la carte Kudu steak). The swimming pool was welcome between game drives, as were the small shop and veranda bar with wide views. We saw three of the big five very quickly, but Paul's immense experience allowed us to get so much closer over the three days. We almost became a part of a small herd of elephants as they walked by us on a small road, and we sat and watched groups of buffalo and rhino from metres away. The big cats eluded us, but Paul's enthusiasm for all wildlife more than compensated. I started to keep a tally of bird species (50+ new to me on my first visit to SA), and Paul kept introducing us to the smaller, easily overlooked aspects of nature that I suspect most guides ignore. He managed to enthuse our jaded 12 year old twins about dung-beetles, and (glow-in-the-dark!) scorpions, but his trick for hunting wolf spiders was simply jaw-dropping! I cannot recommend Mzansi (and Paul in particular) highly enough.

I had an amazing safari day trip experience as a female solo traveller with Paul Koekemoer at Hluhluwe Imfolozi park. He was very energetic, passionate and knowledgeable about wildlife and also kept me informed about local history along the way to the safari. We spent a full day at the park (left Durban 6am and returned by 7ish in the evening) and had incredible closeups with white rhinos, African buffalos and elephants, even managed to spot a black rhino! With his experience and network with other safari guides he easily navigated his way around the park to locate the best spots for sightings. He knows the park really really well! On the way back I wanted to get some souveniers and biltong and he stopped at places along the way. I could not have asked for a better safari experience and introduction to SA. Thank you Paul! Would highly recommend Mzansi Safari Africa