Kwazulu Natal Self Drive Family Holiday

The amazing province of KwaZulu Natal on South Africa's East Coast has all the elements that make for a perfect family holiday - excellent weather, stunning scenery and beaches, a huge variety of activities and of course the famous wildlife. The charm of this part of the country is it's compactness and accessibility; as a family you can experience the incredible protected marine habitats of the African Indian Ocean, learn about Zulu culture and see Big 5 game, all within an afternoon's drive of each other!

Arguably an off-the-beaten track family holiday, you will travel all along the coast right up to the border of Mozambique and stay in very remote nature lodges. This is the holiday where you will be far from technology and focused entirely on each other and the fun-filled nature activities such as boat trips to see hippos and crocodiles, canoe trips, forest walks, scuba diving,snorkelling, turtle tracking, fishing and cultural tours. Not forgetting of course, the Big 5 safari, staying at the luxurious Phinda Mountain Lodge. Children of Mahlatini consultants have stayed in these lodges and given them their seal of approval. If you are looking to 'go off grid' for a while, this is the family holiday for you.

• Tailor-made Itinerary from $19,530 For Family of 4

Day 1: Catch your overnight flight from JFK to Durban King Shaka

Day 2 - 4:

• Durban

• 3 nights at The Oyster Box Hotel

Upon arrival at Durban King Shaka Airport you will make your way to the car hire desk to collect your hire car. From here you will drive yourself to the upmarket, coastal town of Umhlanga Rocks, north of Durban, and famed for its swimming beaches.

Room Type: Sea Facing Family Room Meal Basis: BB Bed and Breakfast

Day 5 - 6:

• Elephant Coast

• 2 nights at Makakatana Bay Lodge

Today you will take the drive to the St Lucia Estuary, home to more than 800 hippos and an estimated 1200 Nile crocodiles, not to mention an abundance of birdlife.

Room Type: Family Room Meal Basis: FBA Full Board and Scheduled Activities

Day 7 - 9:

• Elephant Coast

• 3 nights at Kosi Forest Lodge

Today you will take the drive to Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, the most pristine lake system on the South African Coast, a tropical paradise of crystal-clear blue water and marshland, raffia, wild date and palm, mangrove swamp and sycamore fig forest.

Room Type: Family Tent Meal Basis: FBA Full Board and Scheduled Activities

Day 10 - 13:

• Elephant Coast

• 4 nights at Thonga Beach Lodge

Today you will drive to the Maputuland Coast, a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa's best snorkelling and excellent off-shore scuba diving.

Room Type: Forest View Family Suite Meal Basis: FBA Full Board and Scheduled Activities

Day 14 - 16:

• Phinda Private Game Reserve

• 3 nights at Phinda Mountain Lodge

Today you will drive to Phinda Private Game Reserve, a private Big 5 game reserve in northern KwaZulu Natal.

Room Type: Family Cottage Meal Basis: AIS All Inclusive and Scheduled Safari Activities

Day 17:

Onward Transfer to Durban King Shaka Airport

Today you will take the drive to Durban Airport where you will drop off your hire car and connect with your onward flight home.

Day 18: Arrive at JFK

Contact our specialists and start planning your tailor-made holiday to South Africa

Make an enquiry

• Arrival Airport: Durban King Shaka
• The Oyster Box Hotel
  Nights: 3
• Makakatana Bay Lodge
  Nights: 2
• Kosi Forest Lodge
  Nights: 3
• Thonga Beach Lodge
  Nights: 4
• Phinda Mountain Lodge
  Nights: 3
• Return Airport: Durban King Shaka