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| Viewing: Discover KwaZulu-Natal |
Package ID: 1818 |
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| Discover KwaZulu-Natal |
This tour covers the highlights of KwaZulu-Natal, one of South Africa's most diverse provinces. From whale watching to the Drakensberg, game reserves to battlefields - this tour has it all!
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DAY 1: UNDERBERG
We collect you from Durban and head to the Southern Drakensberg. We book into Moorcroft Manor Country House and the afternoon is spent at leisure, although your guide is on hand if you are up to a bit of exploring! There are well-stocked dams and rivers on the property and fly fishing tackle is available. Interesting shops that stock books, crafts, cheese and gifts are also to be found in the area.
DAY 2: SANI PASS
We set off to conquer Sani Pass, a spectacular mountain road that is a well-known entry point into Lesotho from South Africa’s Natal Drakensberg Park. Once, the Sani Pass was a rough mule trail descending the Eastern Highlands of old Basutoland into Natal. And a young man had a dream … of operating a motor vehicle service up this fantastic Pass, using the 4-wheel drive vehicles he had seen on service in World War II. Today we follow the route established by him. We travel to the World Heritage Site of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, up the scenic Sani Valley to the South African Border Post. We continue up the Sani Pass Road and stop at the Good Hope Trading Post, where the history of the trading era is explained. We climb to an altitude of 2874m, zig-zaging upwards beneath towering cliffs, buttresses, past waterfalls and unique flora and bird life. After border formalities on the Lesotho Border, we arrive at the Sani Top Chalet, the highest pub in Africa! We also visit an authentic Basotho Mountain Village, where you learn more about the “People of the Blanket”.
DAY 3: NAMBITI
We head up the Midlands Meander. Started as a voluntary collection of crafters, the Meander has grown into a fascinating mix of arts, crafts and homely comforts, with a range of environmental and historical pursuits thrown in. We continue to Nambiti Conservancy, a private Big Five bush retreat set on 20,000 acres of bushveld. It has an incredible biodiversity and is also home to several rare bird species. We spend the next 2 nights at Elephant Rock Lodge, overlooking a waterhole. We enjoy an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle.
DAY 4: NAMBITI
After an early morning game drive in an open safari vehicle, we return to the lodge for breakfast. Spend the rest of the morning relaxing around the rock pool or try fishing in the river! Lunch is served in the boma overlooking the watering hole. In the afternoon you have a choice of either another open safari vehicle game drive or go on a bush walk with your ranger!
DAY 5: DUNDEE
A last early morning game drive and we bid Nambiti farewell. From here it is just a short hop to the Battlefields - where every town, historic building, battlesight and memorial has a fascinating tale to tell or an event to commerate! We visit Talana Museum, which lies on the Talana Battlefield - site of one of the first clashes between the British and Boers in the Anglo-Boer War. Nestled at the base of Talana Hill the museum is set in a 20 acre heritage park. This varied museum comprises 17 buildings, dedicated to subjects as diverse as war and agriculture, mining, industry and domestic life. After time at leisure to stroll through the interesting displays we head out to the Battle of Blood River. Life-size laager of brass oxwagons commemorate the battle where 150 Boers defeated 6000 Zulu warriors. We finally book into Zulu Wings Lodge.
DAY 6: DUNDEE
We visit what are probably 2 of the best known battlefields that have made this area famous - the Battle of Isandlwana and the Battle of Rorkes Drift. During the Battle of Isandlwana, the Zulu’s wiped out almost an entire regiment of the mighty British Empire – the greatest defeat Britain ever suffered from a native force. Rorkes Drift, on the other hand, holds the record of the most Victoria Crosses (11) ever awarded during a single encounter. We finally return to Zulu Wings, where we enjoy a traditional South African “braai” (BBQ) for dinner.
DAY 7: DUNDEE
Today is often cited as a highlight of their tour by many of our guests. We venture into rural Zululand for a glimpse into the life of the modern-day Zulu’s. This is not a staged or planned trip and we meet the Zulu’s as they go about their everyday life. Your knowledgeable guide will explain the intricacies of the Zulu lifestyle and culture. You will also have the opportunity to approach the locals (with the help of your guide) and if you are in luck, to make purchases of artefacts and genuine Zulu memorabilla.
DAY 8: PONGOLA
We make our way to Zululand and the Pongola Private Game Reserve. We spend two nights at Mvubu Game Lodge, surrounded by bushveld savannah and the picturesque Lebombo mountains. In the afternoon we set off on a scenic sundowner game cruise on the Pongola Dam.
DAY 9: PONGOLA
After a choice of either an early morning game drive in an open safari vehicle, or going Rhino tracking (where we see how close we can get to the Rhino on foot), we return to the lodge for breakfast. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. Pongola Game Reserve also has a Spa where you can pamper yourself - after all you are on holiday!
DAY 10: HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI
We leave Pongola after breakfast and visit Illala Weavers. This project was established to revitalize the Zulu tradition of handcrafts. Ilala helps over 2000 Zulu people attain self sufficiency by working from their homes. After viewing the many crafts on display and for sale, we enjoy a light lunch. From here we head for the old hunting grounds of the legendary King Shaka - today known as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. It is here that the acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced in the 1960's. This park managed to turn the tide on the rhino and grew the numbers of White Rhino from around 500 in the 1960's to its current 6 000. A fifth of the world's Black and White Rhino populations are found in this park. We enjoy an afternoon game drive, seeking out the rhino that made this park famous, as well as the other members of the Big 5.
DAY 11: HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI
We chase you out of bed early to enjoy a game drive as the bush awakens. This is the best time for game viewing. We then return to camp to freshen up and enjoy breakfast. The midday heat is spent relaxing around camp - which has a magnificent view over the river below and a wonderful swimming pool. In the afternoon we set of on another game drive.
DAY 12: ST LUCIA
We head south into The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park World Heritage Site. We embark on a Hippo & Crocodile Estuary Cruise, a leisurely boat trip down the St Lucia Estuary, where you can watch fish eagles, hippos, crocodiles and goliath herons against a backdrop of mangrove swamps. The afternoon is at leisure. Go on a guided horse ride (beginner to intermediate) in the bush or, tides permitting, along the beach. The area is also renowned for it's abundant birdlife - so perhaps some birding? Or you can simply relax around the pool at the guest house.
DAY 13: CAPE VIDAL
We join the crew of the Advantage to go whale watching (seasonal). A tour with the experienced and skilled crew of the Advantage makes a whale watching tour an unforgettable and unique lifetime experience from as close as 50 metres. The whales migrate past this stretch of coastline between the months of mid May to mid December annually, so your chances of sightings are pretty good. Although the whales are by far the highlight of this tour, there is no guarantee that we will be lucky enough to sight any - but there is a good chance of spotting many other ocean critters – turtles, dolphins, sharks, marlin and sailfish. We finally return to dry land and head off to Cape Vidal, renowned for unspoilt beaches and excellent, safe snorkling. It holds the distinction of allowing visitors access to both the Africa Wildlife, such as the white rhino, as well as the Marine life of the Indian Ocean Coast. Be sure to pack your swimming costume and binoculars (we will provide dive masks and snorkels if you are up to a bit of underwater exploration)!
DAY 14: DURBAN
After a leisurely breakfast, we return to Durban where we drop you off at your hotel or the airport.
INCLUDED:
All transport, meals, entrance fees, activities, guides and accommodation during the tour, as indicated in the itinerary. The tour will be done in an air-conditioned vehicle.
EXCLUDED:
Accommodation before and after the tour, flights, meals not specified on the itinerary, drinks, curios, laundry, travel insurance, required inoculations and malaria medications, visas (if required).
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