KwaZulu-Natal: Where Safari and Scuba Meet Conservation

For the adventurous spirit craving both salt and soil, with hearts drawn to the deep and souls stirred by the wild, KwaZulu-Natal offers a rare kind of magic. It’s an unfolding of Africa’s most majestic wildlife encounters on land, and technicolour dreamscapes beneath the Indian Ocean.

I’m Lesley Rochat, and I’ll be your host and guide on this unforgettable 7-night journey—4 nights in the underwater paradise of Sodwana Bay, and 3 nights at an exclusive private game park and spa tucked into Zululand’s wilderness. This carefully curated above and below itinerary is designed for those who want the best of both worlds: world-class scuba diving and unforgettable wildlife encounters, all with a strong focus on photography, conservation, and connection.

Diving into a Living Museum: The Underwater Paradise of Sodwana Bay

Our adventure begins in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity and three interconnected ecosystems: a vibrant marine system, coastal dunes, and vast wetlands. Sodwana Bay is one of my favourite local diving locations and home to some of the southernmost tropical coral reefs in the world.

It is also famous for something truly extraordinary—it's one of the few places on Earth where the ancient coelacanth still roams the depths. This prehistoric fish, a true 'living fossil', was once believed to have vanished with the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Its rediscovery here in 2000 sent shockwaves through the scientific community, cementing Sodwana Bay not just as a diving destination, but as a living museum of natural history.

These reefs thrive thanks to the warm, nutrient-rich Agulhas Current, which nourishes a spectacular system that hosts over 1,200 species of fish, vibrant coral gardens, goliath groupers (formerly potato bass), turtles, rays, and seasonal visitors like ragged-tooth sharks and whale sharks – and if you look closely you might spot a rare harlequin shrimp.

We’ll be staying at a relaxed dive resort just minutes from the launch site—perfectly situated for both new and experienced divers. The lodge is relaxed with friendly staff ensuring everything a diver needs is catered for.

Together we’ll explore iconic sites like Two Mile, Five Mile, Seven Mile and Nine Mile, often enjoying visibility of up to 30 metres. Between dives, soak in the sun at the beach, join a guided turtle tour, simply relax under the coastal dune forest canopy, or join me for informal marine conservation talks.

For those interested in underwater photography, this part of the trip gets even more exciting. I’ll be offering hands-on photo workshops, tailored to your experience and gear. Whether you’re refining your camera setup for reef shots or getting your long lens ready for wildlife images later in the trip, I’ll work with you to ensure you leave with more than just memories—expect some frame-worthy shots to take home.

From Reef to Bushveld: A Safari for the Soul in Zululand

After our time in the ocean, we shift gears and head inland to a private game park and spa, a tranquil haven just a short drive from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Nestled in a rare and protected sand forest, a unique ecosystem that grows on ancient coastal dunes, and teeming with wildlife, this is where we reconnect with the rhythms of the bush. Imagine sipping coffee on the private deck of your luxury safari tent as nyala stroll by, followed by guided game drives in search of giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and, if luck is on our side, a close-up encounter with elephants and lions.

The luxurious safari tents are stylish and serene, offering a rare kind of quiet that lets you hear the bush breathe. After a day of exploring, you can treat yourself to a session at the spa and later enjoy a fireside boma while dining under the African stars.

On our final day, we’ll take to the water once more, this time on a peaceful boat tour of the Lake St Lucia estuary, Africa's largest estuarine system. This unique ecosystem is home to one of the world's largest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles, and an astonishing variety of birds. It’s a fitting finale that beautifully mirrors our journey: from the depths of the ocean to the wide-open wilderness, and finally to the calm, life-rich waters of the estuary.

Travel That Matters: A Journey Rooted in Conservation

What makes this itinerary so special to me is its foundation in conservation. Both the private game park and dive resort are actively involved in protecting their surrounding ecosystems, from anti-poaching initiatives and coral monitoring to community upliftment and environmental education.

This philosophy is deeply embedded in the region’s history. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is not only one of the oldest proclaimed reserves in Africa but is globally renowned for its pioneering role in saving the southern white rhino from extinction. Through the historic 'Operation Rhino' in the 1960s, the park's successful breeding programmes helped repopulate reserves across Southern Africa. Similarly, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority is a model for wetland restoration and estuarine conservation, protecting vital habitats that support thousands of local livelihoods.

Your travel with me doesn’t just create amazing memories—it directly contributes to the long-term protection of these incredible ecosystems.

This is travel that touches every sense: the roar of lions in the bushveld, the hush of a turtle gliding over pristine coral, the scent of the bushveld, and the taste of salt on your lips after a perfect dive. It’s Africa in full stereo, and I’d love for you to experience it with me.

I will be leading this package in October and November 2025. Contact me to find out more, ask questions, or reserve your spot. Let’s explore, dive, photograph, and make a difference, together!