After departing Durban, we headed deep into the African bush and visited Thanda Game Reserve, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, and Phinda Private Game Reserve — three of KwaZulu-Natal’s most renowned wildlife conservation areas.

Although they sit within the same region and share a commitment to protecting wildlife, each one offers a distinctly different safari experience shaped by its landscape, management style, and conservation focus.

Thanda Game Reserve is a luxurious, exclusive private reserve known for its intimate safari experiences and powerful commitment to conservation, especially rhino protection.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, South Africa’s oldest proclaimed reserve, is a public national park with deep historical significance in rhino conservation and a more rugged, authentic feel.

Phinda Private Game Reserve is another high-end private reserve with remarkable biodiversity; its varied ecosystems support specialized conservation programs and a wide range of safari activities, from birdwatching to boat safaris.

All three reserves are home to the Big Five, but private reserves like Thanda and Phinda typically offer more exclusive and predictable sightings, while Hluhluwe–iMfolozi provides a more rustic, self-drive-friendly experience — and remains one of the strongest strongholds for rhino conservation.

In between incredible game drives, we carved out dedicated time for conservation work and spent meaningful hours with the Project Rhino team, whose efforts on the ground continue to be vital for the future of wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal.

One of the major highlights of our trip was flying with Project Rhino’s ZAP-Wing (Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing) — their aerial surveillance and rapid-response initiative established in 2012 to combat rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal.

This public–private partnership between Project Rhino and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife provides daily helicopter support and fixed-wing aerial patrols across approximately 26 state and private reserves, covering nearly 300,000 hectares of northern KwaZulu-Natal. The ZAP-Wing aircraft conduct daily reconnaissance flights, assist rangers and APUs in identifying poaching trends, transport law enforcement and K9 units into remote terrain, investigate suspicious vehicle movements, monitor border activity, and help locate missing rhinos in difficult areas. Seeing their operation from the sky was extraordinary — it revealed the scale of the challenge and the precision required to protect wildlife on the ground.

Another deeply moving experience was visiting the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. Located in a secure and undisclosed area of the Zululand region, the orphanage rescues and rehabilitates young rhinos who have lost their mothers to poaching. Their work is quiet, specialized, and profoundly compassionate — each orphan’s journey is a testament to resilience, and to the people who refuse to give up on them.

We also had the privilege of working alongside veterinary teams during several white rhino procedures. Witnessing their conservation work up close — and being able to participate in small but meaningful ways — was incredibly impactful. The expertise, care, and coordination involved in safeguarding one of Africa’s most iconic species left a lasting impression on all of us.

Combining safari experiences with hands-on conservation is a powerful way to protect wildlife and educate travelers. It allows people to experience the beauty of nature while contributing directly to its preservation. When tourism and conservation work together, the funds generated help support anti-poaching units, habitat restoration, and community development — creating a more sustainable future for both wildlife and local communities. This approach fosters deeper connection, greater awareness, and a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.