- Day 1 - 2:
- Durban staying at either Zimbali Lodge, Hotel Izulu or the Beverly Hills Hotel
- Day 3 - 5:
- Drakensberg Mountains staying at either Hartford House or Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
- Day 6 - 7:
- Zululand Battlefields area staying at Fugitives Drift Lodge
- Day 8 - 10:
- Zululand Battlefields area staying at Fugitives Drift Lodge
- Day 11 -12:
- Kosi Bay staying at Kosi Forest Lodge
- Day 13 -16:
- Elephant coast area staying at either Rocktail Beach Camp, Rocktail Bay Lodge or Thonga Beach Lodge
- Day 17
- Transfer to Durban Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and your international connection.
contact a specialist about this trip
- Day 1 - 2:
On arrival at Durban Airport you will collect your hire car and take the approximately 1 hour journey north up the coast to the Umhlanga Rocks / Ballito areas. The north coast of Durban is famed for its safe swimming beaches, promenades and excellent shopping and dining. Spend your days here relaxing on the beach or you may wish to make your way into the city of Durban characterized by its colonial British architecture. Durban is a cultural melting pot with distinctive Zulu and Indian flavours. Known as the playground of the Zulu Kingdom, this exciting city is ideal to visit uShaka Marine World, Wilson’s Wharf on the Victoria Embankment or go sailing.
- 2 x Overnights at Beverly Hills in a standard room (BB) OR
- 2 x Overnights at Hotel Izulu in a standard room (BB) OR
- 2 x Overnights at Zimbali Coastal Resort in a Luxury Twin/King Room (BB)
- Day 3 - 5:
Today drive further inland to the famous Drakensberg Mountains which border KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho. Wild and rugged with spectacular scenery, this World Heritage site is a paradise for mountain lovers and in particular for hikers and fly-fishermen. There are towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and lush forests carpeted with ferns. Caves scattered throughout the mountains are decorated with San Bushman rock paintings. One very popular activity is a 4x4 trip up the Sani Pass. At 10 000ft the rough gravel and dirt road to Lesotho is the highest pass in South Africa and the only road between KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho. There are also several beautiful hiking trails some of which lead you to superb bushman paintings or to natural swimming pools of crystal clear water and most at the highest pub in Africa.
- 2 x Overnights at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse in a standard room (DBB) OR
- 2 x Overnights at Hartford House in a standard room (BB)
- Day 6 - 7:
Make your way inland to the Zululand region and the KwaZulu Natal Battlefields Route which has the highest concentration battlefields and related military sites in South Africa. Battle sites from the Anglo-Zulu Wars and the Anglo-Boer War are depicted in graves and various museums which provide a unique insight into the past and present of this region and South Africa as a whole. You can choose to self drive the area or take part in one of the famous battlefields tours lead by world famous experts.
- 2 x Overnights at Fugitives Drift Lodge in a standard room (FB)
- Day 8 - 10:
Today you will drive yourselves to either Thanda or Phinda, both of which are private game reserves with a host of luxury lodges. Both reserves are situated in the lush Maputaland region in northern KwaZulu-Natal and bordering the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a world heritage site.
Thanda and Phinda Game Reserves have an abundance of wildlife including Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. During your stay at one of the lodges you can look forward to exciting game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles led by experienced rangers and Zulu trackers. Other activities on offer include interpretive bush walks, canoeing on the Mzinene River, White Rhino tracking or boat cruises. Activities which can be arranged nearby include scuba diving or game fishing in Sodwana Bay, horse riding through False Bay Nature Reserve or a breathtaking flight over Maputaland.
- 3 x Overnights at Thanda Game Reserve in a Double Luxury Tent (AI) OR
- 3 x Overnights at Phinda Forest Lodge in a suite (AI) OR
- 3 x Overnights at Phinda Mountain Lodge in a suite (AI)
- Day 11 -12:
Travel further north where you will come to the unspoilt coastal area of Maputuland, and your base in Kosi Bay which is actually an extensive system of lakes which are part of the Greater St Lucia ecosystem. Activities in the area include: canoe trips on the lake, full-day boat cruises, birdwatching, snorkelling, swimming, fishing (lake, surf and fly-fishing), Thonga cultural activities and guided walks through Raffia Palm Forest. From November to January you can go turtle tracking.
- 2 x Overnights in Kosi Forest Lodge in a double luxury tent under thatch (FB)
- Day 13 -16
Travel down the Elephant Coast to the area known as Mabibi which is a magical remote place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. It offers one of the most private beach experiences in South Africa on 40 kilometres of unspoilt, undeveloped and pristine coastline. Due to its World Heritage status the scuba diving here is stunning, and given the remote location you will not have to share it with everyone!
Activities on offer in the area include beach and forest walks, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, trips to Lake Sibaya, scuba diving, horse riding, turtle tracking, dolphin and whale watching from the shore and many more.
- 4 x Overnights in Rocktail Beach Camp in a Luxury Tent (DBB) OR
- 4 x Overnights in Rocktail Lodge in a Tree House Chalet (FB) OR
- 4 x Overnights at Thonga Beach Lodge in a Sea View Double Room (FB)
- Day 17
Today after your morning activities and brunch you will drive the approximately 5 hour drive to Durban Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and your international connection.
contact a specialist about this trip
- Cost:
- Prices range from £1,850 to £2,825 per person sharing depending on season and excluding international flights
- Includes:
- Meals and accommodation as per itinerary (BB – Bed and Breakfast, FB – All meals excluding drinks, DBB – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, AI – All Inclusive including all meals and local brand drinks)
- Car Hire in a Group B Car (Polo or similar) for 15 days (includes full cover, unlimited km and taxes)
- All Game Viewing Activities at Thanda Private Game Reserve / Phinda Game Reserve
- Rocktail Beach Camp includes beach and forest walks, surf/rock fishing, swimming, snorkelling at Lala Nek, Trips to Lake Sibaya, Guided trail (beach and forest)
- Thonga Beach Lodge includes all meals, teas, use of snorkelling equipment, guided walks, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya.
- Kosi Forest Lodge includes guided canoeing on lakes and a walk in the Raffia Forest, a boat trip on Kosi Lake, plus swimming at Bhanga Nek beach & picnic lunch.
- Excludes:
- International Flights into and out of Durban
- Gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Drinks in all properties with the exception of Thanda Game Reserve / Phinda Game Reserve
- Spa Treatments
- Any sight seeing trips mentioned
- At Rocktail Beach Camp Activities at additional cost to all guests: Scuba diving, PADI scuba diving courses, Excursions to Black Rock (60-foot fossilised sand dune with spectacular views), Horse riding, Sangoma (traditional herbalist) cultural visits, Zulu dancing, Quad-biking, Stargazing
- Petrol
- Additional Driver’s Fee
contact a specialist about this trip