Day by Day
Welcome to Africa
Arrival in Durban
You land at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, where your private transfer is waiting. Check into the Premier Hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant uMhlanga Rocks village — a beautiful coastal community on the Indian Ocean. Tonight is yours to settle in, explore, and feel the energy of South Africa.
Highlights
Journey to Zululand
Into the Bush
After breakfast, you embark on a scenic 3-hour drive to our safari lodge in Zululand — just 10 minutes from where the rhino rescue operations take place. The afternoon is yours to relax, explore the lodge grounds, and begin to feel the rhythm of the African bush. Tonight, gather with your group over dinner and entertainment. Tomorrow is the day that changes everything.
Highlights
The Day That Changes You
The Rhino Rescue
This is it. You are up before dawn and heading out with Tony Knight's expert Wildlife Management Team and their veterinarians. You are not a spectator — you are part of the team. You will assist with dehorning rhinos at the highest risk of being poached, collecting DNA samples (hair and blood), taking measurements, ear notching, and micro-chipping. You will place your hands on a wild rhinoceros and know that what you are doing in that moment is keeping that specific animal alive. The procedure is completely safe and painless for the rhino — the horn grows back. This is conservation at its most raw and real.
Highlights
Transition to Luxury
Phinda Private Reserve
After the intensity of the rescue, you transfer to the legendary Phinda Private Game Reserve — one of South Africa's most celebrated luxury safari destinations, renowned for its extraordinary Big Five populations. You arrive at our stunning luxury lodge, settle into your suite, and begin the next chapter of your expedition. Sunrise game drive, brunch, optional walking safari, sunset game drive with sun-downers in the bush, followed by a gourmet dinner under the stars.
Highlights
Big Five & Beyond
Deep in the Wild
A full day immersed in one of Africa's finest wildlife reserves. Your expert trackers and guides will do everything in their power to find lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — the legendary Big Five. Optional experiences today include a walking safari (an extraordinary way to experience the bush on foot) and the 'sleep under the stars' experience, where you spend the night on comfortable luxury beds out on the open savannah, surrounded by the sounds of Africa.
Highlights
Until Next Time
Farewell to Africa
Your final sunrise game drive. Brunch at the lodge. Checkout at 11am. Your private transfer takes you back to the airport in time for your flight home — or, if you have arranged a trip extension, onward to Cape Town for more of South Africa's magic. You leave changed. You leave knowing that somewhere in the Zululand bush, a rhino is alive because of what you did.
Highlights
Included
Everything Is
Taken Care Of
Accommodation
Luxury Safari lodge (2 nights) + 4-star lodge (3 nights)
Meals
3 meals per day from Day 2–6, including drinks & house wines at the luxury lodge
Transfers
Private transfers between airports and all safari lodges
Activities
Rhino Rescue Expedition, sunrise & sunset game drives, walking safaris, night safaris
Permits
National park and Rhino Conservation permits
Laundry
Private laundry service throughout
Not Included
"This trip may be partially tax-deductible. The Upmost Foundation is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consult your accountant for details."