An awesome escorted tour: Experience the Zulu Kingdoms world renowned destinations with overnight stays in the Drakensberg Mountain Range, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and Umhlanga Rocks Coastline.
Day 1: Didima Restcamp - Drakensberg Mountain Range Arrive at Durban International Airport and meet your safari host, who will transfer you 3-hours to the spectacular uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains, recognised as a World Heritage site for their unspoilt natural beauty and vast collection of San Bushmen rock art paintings.
We pass through Pietermaritzburg, with its charming colonial architecture and famous public schools. We also make a short stop at Howick Falls, which at 365 feet are the highest in the country and visit the historic spot where Nelson Mandela was captured prior to his imprisonment on Robben Island.
Known locally as the Barrier of Spears, the dramatic Drakensberg Mountain range runs right down Southern Africa from the Great Rift Valley. Visit the Didima Bushman Rock Art Centre before checking into your luxury mountain resort.
Once you are settled in bid farewell to your host, who will leave you to enjoy the many facilities of your resort.
Days 2 and 3: Didima Restcamp - Drakensberg Mountain Range The Drakensberg Mountains offer superb scenery and fresh mountain air, making it ideal for walking holidays at any level of fitness. Your hotel will organise guided walks each day – typically one short walk and one long walk, plus a walk to a San Bushmen painting site. You resort also has a swimming pool and caters for several other activities including Tennis, Golf, Fly-fishing and Horse Riding.
The mountains also offer an outstanding location for bird watching holidays – particularly raptors, but also sunbirds, waxbills and the numerous other species found in the grasslands, riverine scrub and natural forests.
Each evening enjoy socialising with other guests over dinner.
Day 4: Hluhluwe River Lodge After breakfast, and if time allows, a short early morning hike, we continue on our journey and head to the Hluhluwe River Lodge in northern Zululand. Your Holiday host will collect you and escort you to your new destination.
Check into your luxury lodge in Hluhluwe, settle down and relax before enjoying a late afternoon game drive in an open-top vehicle hosted by a local ranger in the vast Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park. This is one of South Africa’s most beautiful game parks and home to all of the Big Five while it is also home to the subcontinent’s largest population of endangered white and black rhino. The Game viewing opportunities should be plentiful.
After returning to the Lodge, you will be able to enjoy drinks around the campfire while your host entertains while preparing a mouth-watering dinner, which is likely to include several interesting local game dishes.
Day 5 & 6: Hluhluwe River Lodge You will spend the next three days exploring both the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve and the World renowned Greater St Lucia Wetlands Reserve.
We will be up early everyday for a predawn game drive with a local ranger. Your guide will introduce you to the wonders of the bush, where he will impart his knowledge on Big Game animals, medicinal and edible plants, as well as pointing out a number of endemic bird species. We also hope to see lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe and many other interesting species.
The remainder of the morning is free to relax by the lodge swimming pool. You will also have an option to venture to the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Rehabilitation Centre where you will get an opportunity to see conservation work in progress.
The first afternoon will be spent on a sun downer boat trip to view hippos and crocodiles, and more importantly to toast the African sun as sets over this spectacular setting. The second afternoon you will travel to Duma Zulu Cultural Village, where you will get the opportunity learn about the warrior culture of the Zulu Kingdom.
Whilst the sun sets over the park, enjoy sundowners in the scenic hills and in the evening dine in the atmosphere that only the African bushveld can provide.
Day 7: Umhlanga After our final morning drive and a leisurely breakfast, we reluctantly leave Hluhluwe iMfolozi and transfer to your beach resort, situated on the outskirts of Durban.
KwaZulu Natal is South Africa’s favourite beach holiday destination, with its warm sweeping beaches and reliably good holiday weather all year round.
Umhlanga is a popular beach resort situated on the warm Indian Ocean, with everything you need to relax and unwind under sunny blue skies. The long golden beaches are magnificent and restaurants are of an extremely high standard. Wine and beer are also excellent and relatively inexpensive.
Your hotel is splendidly situated right on the beach, with its own swimming pool. Water sports are nearby, as well as championship golf, horse riding, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. The casinos and nightlife of Durban are within easy reach, as well as several outstanding shopping malls. All you need for a wonderful beach holiday!
Check in, settle down and relax near the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.
Day 8: Durban – Tour Ends On the final day, we venture out to enjoy a full day tour of Durban. This city of many contrasts is rich with cultural diversity influenced by Zulu, British and Indian heritage.
We will explore the temples, churches and architecture Durban is blessed with. Drive past the beautiful City Hall and Playhouse theatre complex before reaching the Indian market where you'll have time to explore. Take a peek inside the Emanuel Cathedral before we head off to the informal settlement of Cato Manor. After which, we continue to Durban's newest attraction: uShaka Marine World, for lunch (not included). Enjoy a guided tour of this world class facility, which comprises a saltwater aquarium with both indoor and outdoor displays with exhibits of South Africa's unique Indian and Atlantic Ocean Marine life. You also have the opportunity of interacting with dolphins, seals and penguins during scheduled shows. Interesting shops, numerous restaurants and a magnificent private beach with spectacular sweeping views will add more pleasure to your day.
Before the sunsets on your final day, you will have a final opportunity to some curio shopping before your host transfers you to Durban International Airport for your flight on to your next destination
Want to be more independent? Let us know! We can offer this tour as completely self drive! ________________________________________________________________________________________
What Is Included:
• All airport and ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles • Accommodation on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis • Activities specified in itinerary, including transfers and entrance charges
What Is Not Included:
• International & domestic flights (quoted separately) • Lunches & dinners (unless specified) • Drinks & refreshments • Tips for porters and restaurants • Telephone calls, laundry & other incidental personal expenditure • Visa fees, in countries where these apply • Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply
Important Notice:
• Malaria tablets are recommended for Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve • All activities are subject to prevailing weather conditions
