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Self-drive through KwaZulu Natal in South Africa

Self-drive through KwaZulu Natal in South Africa

per person

Overview

Enjoy 11 great days exploring South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal area, including the Drakensberg Mountains, the KZN Battlefields, the Maputaland Coastal Reserve, and the spectacular Phinda Resource Reserve.

Begin your self-drive tour at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, at the foot of the famed and iconic Drakensberg Mountains. Enjoy Cleopatra’s notably superb gourmet food as well as the opportunity to hike or ride a horse in the Drakensberg Mountains.

Continue north into the historic and culturally rich Battlefields region to Fugitives’ Drift for two nights. You’ll hear about the area’s renowned colonial wars, such as Isandwlana and Rourke’s Drift, and you’ll also go bird watching on the Buffalo River and look for giraffe and zebra in the nearby wildlife reserve.

Next, travel to Thonga Beach Lodge, which is located on the subtropical KZN coast. Relax for a few days on beautiful sandy beaches, go snorkelling in the blue Indian Ocean, or cool down in the camp’s swimming pool.

Finish your experience with a Big 5 safari in South Africa’s most exclusive and diversified conservation area, the Phinda Resource Reserve.

Highlights

  • Cooking with an award-winning chef
  • Hike or horseback trip through the Drakensberg.
  • Fly fishing in the Kamberg Valley.
  • Re-live history in the Battlefields Region
  • Visit the actual battleground of Rourke’s Drift.
  • Spend the night in a remote coastal forest reserve.
  • Dive with turtles and manta rays in the Indian Ocean
  • Search for the Big 5 in Phinda.
  • Stay at the exclusive and award winning Phinda Forest Lodge.
  • Enjoy great bird watching all the way through

Destinations Visited

  • Kwa Zulu-Natal
  • South Africa
  • Kwazulu-N

Accommodations Visited

  • DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA – Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse (2 NIGHTS)
  • BATTLEFIELDS, KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA – Fugitives’ Drift Lodge (2 NIGHTS)
  • KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA – Thonga Beach Lodge (3 NIGHTS)
  • KWAZULU-NATAL, KWAZULU-NATAL SAFARIS, SOUTH AFRICA – Phinda Forest Lodge (3 NIGHTS)
11 Days
South Africa

From our gallery

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Days 1-2: Delight your palate at Cleopatra | 2 Nights

KWAZULU-NATAL, DRAKENSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA Fly from Johannesburg to Durban, then rent a car and drive to the picturesque Drakensberg Mountains and The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. Enjoy two nights in this quaint and comfortable accommodation near the Giants Castle Nature Reserve. Take a trek or go horseback riding in this magnificent mountain region, and if you're a birder, keep an eye out: the area is a fantastic birding location. There will be plenty of time to unwind at the farmhouse: read a book on a hammock in the garden or attend a cooking class - Cleopatra is famed for its great food and award-winning chefs.
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Days 3-4: Hear the Battlefield Stories | 2 Nights

BATTLEFIELDS, KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA Drive to northern KwaZulu Natal and the dramatic Battlefields Region, where you'll stay at the basic yet exquisite Fugitives' Drift Lodge. The resort, located on a hillside, offers breathtaking views of the Buffalo River Gorge and the plains beyond. Relive history on a tour of the local battlefields, where events from the Anglo-Zulu War are recounted in compelling, emotive detail. Hear the classic story of Rorke's Drift while standing on the site of the terrible fight. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the neighbouring Buffalo River, where the birdlife is very abundant and a variety of species, including giraffe and zebra, have been reintroduced into a nearby nature reserve.
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Days 5-7: Indian Ocean Snorkelling | 3 Nights

KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA Thonga Beach Lodge, a quiet lodge nestled on one of Africa's remaining unspoiled wilderness beaches in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, will be your destination today. This eco-sensitive resort mixes a genuine vacation in nature with modern amenities, making it the pinnacle of barefoot luxury. After a day of playing in the water and resting on the smooth, white sand, nothing beats returning to your suite to a few modern conveniences. With a Thonga's multitude of activities, you may explore the Indian Ocean and all of its splendour. Start early and kayak through the tranquil Lake Sibaya. Snorkel directly in front of the lodge or in adjacent safe coral reefs, where you could see a dolphin or turtle. Alternatively, sign up for PADI-accredited scuba diving instruction with one of Thonga's trained guides. Finish the day by sunbathing on Mabibi beach, one of the world's cleanest and most beautiful beaches, or treating yourself to a deep tissue massage at Thonga spa's outdoor treatment area in the forest.  
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Days 8-10: Exploring the stunning Phinda Reserve | 3 Nights

KWAZULU-NATAL, KWAZULU-NATAL SAFARIS, SOUTH AFRICA After breakfast, make your way to the breathtakingly beautiful Phinda Forest Lodge, which is nestled in the magnificent Phinda Resource Reserve. Set off on exhilarating game drives with an expert ranger in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle - it's a reserve teeming with wildlife, and you have a high chance of witnessing Africa's Big 5 as well as many other typical African creatures. There are also guided nature walks where you can learn about local folklore and the traditional usage of indigenous flora. An armed ranger and tracker will lead the treks and assist you in identifying animal spoor and unusual birds. Birders should also keep in mind that Phinda is one of South Africa's premier birding locations.
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Day 11: End your adventure in Durban

Say goodbye to the Phinda Game Reserve after one final safari activity and drive down the coast to Durban. Your tour ends once you drop off your hire car at the airport.
Inclusions
  • 8 days car rental
  • Flight from Cape Town International Airport to Hoedspruit Airport
  • Flight from Hoedspruit Airport to OR Tambo International Airport
  • Return transfers from Hoedspruit Airport to Thornybush Main Lodge
Exclusions
  • International flights
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals and drinks not specified
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
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