Heritage Tours & Safaris Turns 24 Years Old

Heritage Tours & Safaris turns 24! Thank You to all of our Clients & Partners

Twenty-four years ago, Heritage Tours & Safaris began with a simple promise: to deliver authentic, conservation-minded safari experiences that connect travellers with the soul of KwaZulu-Natal. Today, as Heritage Tours & Safaris turns 24 years old, we’re humbled by the journey, the wildlife we’ve celebrated, and most of all the people who made it possible. From dawn game drive safaris on our classic Hluhluwe Safaris to sunset estuary cruises and iSimangaliso Wetland Park tours and safaris, our story is your story. This anniversary is a heartfelt thank-you to every guest, guide, partner, and platform that helped us grow from a small local operator into a trusted, award-winning brand.

Heritage Tours & Safaris Turns 24 Years Old

24 Years of Milestones and Moments

From first tracks to flagship experiences.
What began as a passion project has matured into a comprehensive portfolio of curated adventures across Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. We’ve expanded our fleet, refined our guiding standards, and introduced small group family safaris that keep our vehicles intimate, our service personal, and our sightings respectful of wildlife and guests alike.

Seven years at the top of TripAdvisor
We’re especially proud to have been #1 on TripAdvisor for seven years in a row in our category, an accolade fuelled entirely by guest reviews. Your feedback sharpened our service, inspired new routes, and reinforced our unwavering commitment to consistency and care.

Recognised for excellence.
Over the last decade, we’ve received regional and international recognition for sustainable tourism and guest experience. Awards are wonderful but what matters more is what they represent: trust, reliability, and a proven track record over time.

A holistic ecosystem.
We’ve built an interconnected experience for travellers: expertly guided game drives, wetland and estuary explorations, birding and seasonal specialties complemented by our boutique bed and breakfast, At Heritage House. The result is seamless itineraries and a level of attention to detail only possible when your lodging and guiding team operate as one.

heritage tours and safaris awards 2025

Thank You to All Of Our Clients The Heart of Heritage

You choose who you travel with. When you choose us, you hand us your precious time, holidays, honeymoons, bucket-list trips, first safaris with kids. Thank you.

Your curiosity on the vehicle, your early-morning enthusiasm, the “just five more minutes with the elephants,” and your hundreds of thoughtful reviews have shaped everything we do.

What you’ve told us you love:

  • Personal space, deeper stories: Our small group family safaris offer more time with your guide, more time at sightings, and more voice for your questions.

  • Guides who care: We invest in local knowledge, advanced training, and ongoing conservation education so your guide can interpret the bush, not just drive through it.

  • Flexibility and flow: From a classic Hluhluwe safari to a tailor-made family day combining Bush and Beach & Boat, your preferences come first.

  • Comfort that complements the wild: At Heritage House gives you a restful, boutique base where breakfast is crafted, not mass-produced, and personal touches matter.

Your stories, families seeing their first rhino, photographers capturing wild dogs on the move, children learning to identify spoor are our greatest legacy.

hluhluwe safari
Get the family out into the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park on Safari

Gratitude to Our Partnerships and Tourism Platforms

Sustainable Safaris is a team effort. We’re deeply grateful to:

  • Conservation and park authorities who protect habitats and enable responsible access.

  • Local suppliers, artisans, and hospitality partners who help us keep value in the community.

  • Tourism platforms that connect guests and operators with transparency and trust. A special thank-you to TripAdvisor, Viator where our community helped us achieve #1 for seven straight years a standard that keeps us hungry and humble. We also appreciate the visibility and accountability provided by other platforms that spotlight verified reviews and accurate information.

  • Industry colleagues who share sightings responsibly, collaborate on safety and ethics, and elevate the guest experience across the destination.

Partnerships make our region stronger. When we rise together, travellers get better choices, clearer information, and experiences that honour the places we all love.

clients and game rangers on a safari for six big 5 hluhluwe imfolozi park safari

Our Boutique Base: At Heritage House

Great safaris start and end with a great night’s sleep. At Heritage House is our take on boutique hospitality: refined, friendly, and designed around the rhythm of safari life. Expect early departures for your Hluhluwe Safari, thoughtful amenities, and a quiet, curated setting that balances style with simplicity. Because we manage both your stay and your guiding, you can enjoy a seamless coordination wake-up calls, packed meals, and effortless transfers so you spend less time planning and more time experiencing.

Why guests choose At Heritage House:

  • Boutique comfort: Stylish rooms, personalised service, and an intimate scale that feels like a private address.

  • Safari-centric timing: Breakfasts, briefings, and daily plans aligned with morning and afternoon game activities.

  • Insider tips: Our front-of-house team and guides coordinate in real time, sharing local intel from birding hotspots to dinner recommendations so that each day unfolds smoothly. Not to mention our in-house Safari Packages.

at heritage house st lucia room 4
at heritage house clients leaving for big 5 safari hluhluwe imfolozi park

Signature Experiences That Define Us

Our Hluhluwe Safaris - Iconic and Intimate

The oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa delivers timeless drama: sweeping hills, fever-tree valleys, and a conservation story that changed the fate of rhinos worldwide. Our Hluhluwe safaris focus on ethical sightings and storytelling. We slow down where it matters, position vehicles respectfully, and prioritise your view and safety.

Small Group Family Safaris - Sharing the Magic

A Safari is more meaningful when everyone feels included. Our small group family safaris are crafted to keep children engaged (without overwhelming them) and with parents relaxed (without compromising depth). Expect patient guiding, clear explanations, appropriate breaks, and flexible pacing because the best memories come from time, not rushing.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park Tours and Safaris - A World of Diversity

The word “iSimangaliso” means “miracle,” and it fits. From coastal dunes and shimmering lakes to forests and savannah, iSimangaliso Wetland Park tours and safaris reveal an astonishing range of habitats in a single day. We combine scenic viewpoints, gentle walks where appropriate, and estuary experiences to showcase the connections between land, water, and wildlife.

elephant sighting on full day hluhluwe umfolozi park safari
isimangaliso wetland park tours and safari packages

What We’ve Learned in 24 Years (And How It Helps You)

  • Quality over quantity wins, every time. Smaller groups lead to calmer sightings, clearer photos, and richer conversations.

  • Consistency beats trends. Vehicles, maintenance, guide training, and safety protocols don’t grab headlines, but they define guest experience.

  • Conservation is the compass. Ethical wildlife viewing, zero-litter operations, and community benefits are non-negotiable.

  • Local storytelling elevates everything. A lion sighting is exciting; understanding its territory, behaviour, and role in the ecosystem is transformative.

  • Seamless logistics = more holiday. Door-to-door planning with At Heritage House removes friction and keeps your trip focused on joy.

Full-Day Hluhluwe Safari Experience
hluhluwe imfolozi park safari

Our Promise for the Years Ahead

Turning 24 is both a celebration and a commitment. We will continue to:

  • Invest in guide development and next-generation conservation leaders.

  • Keep our fleet modern, comfortable, and photography-friendly.

  • Champion small group family safaris that protect the integrity of the experience.

  • Expand unique combinations of Hluhluwe Safari adventures and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Tours and Safaris that feel fresh without ever being rushed.

  • Deepen our sustainability efforts minimizing our footprint, maximising community participation, and supporting on-the-ground initiatives that matter.

hluhluwe park safaris
lookout point on safari

A Final Thank-You and an Invitation to Safari with Us

To our guests, partners, and platform communities: thank you for twenty-four remarkable years. Your trust put us on the map; your reviews kept us honest; your smiles at the end of a long safari day made the early alarms worth it. If you’re planning your first trip or returning for another season of sightings we’d love to host you.

Stay Boutique. Safari Deeply.

Join us at At Heritage House and let our team handle the details. Whether it’s a classic Hluhluwe Safari, bespoke Small Group Family Safaris, or wide-angle iSimangaliso Wetland Park Tours and Safaris, your next chapter in KwaZulu-Natal begins here.

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Boutique Accommodation & Safari Tours Offered:

Centrally situated within St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal is our 4 Star Bed & Breakfast. Within walking distance to town. Relax after a day's safari and listen to the beating drums of the Zulu Dancers and Grunting Hippos in the St Lucia Estuary.

Heritage Tours & Safaris departs daily into the oldest proclaimed game reserve the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park as well as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Hippo & Croc Boat Safari St Lucia