Great Adventure Trips

South Africa

Self-drive / Family / Walking / Romance / General Tours / Specials
Camping Tours / Wildlife Training Courses / Victoria Falls

KwaZulu Adventure

This self-drive holiday incorporates some of the major highlights of KwaZulu Natal: game-viewing in Huhluwe game reserve and Pongola private game reserve; relaxing on the Indian Ocean beaches, touring the Natal Battlefields, cultural interest and walking or scenic touring in the Drakensberg mountains. It's an enjoyable mixture of discovery and gourmet delights amidst breathtaking scenery. It's ideally suited to the South African winter and spring months when the climate is warm, sunny and dry. It uses Premier to Luxury accommodation throughout.

Meals Varied, Full Board & Activities on 3 nights, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on 9 nights, Bed & Breakfast on 2 nights
Accommodation Premier - country lodges, hotels and simple game lodges
Departure Dates On request
Transport Group B rental car with unlimited kilometres. Upgrades to larger vehicles easily arranged.
Price Includes Meals and accommodation as shown in text, Group B car rental
Price Excludes International flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number 2
Climate Sub-tropical climate - hot & humid summers, warm dry and sunny winters
Best time to go April to October (or November to February for turtle breeding but very hot)
Health Requirements Anti-Malarial precautions recommended for northern KwaZulu Natal. Sunblock essential.
Other Ideas Why not add on a few days at a Big Five game reserve?

Day 1 - Arrive Durban
On arrival in Durban you collect your rental car and drive to Lalaria Lodge for a two night stay.

The "Dolphin Coast" north of Durban is made for swimming, relaxing and enjoying alfresco seafood cuisine. It's famous for its bottle-nosed dolphins - take a boat cruise to view them at close range. Here you are away from the bustle of the city and yet easily within reach of its attractions such as the lush botanical gardens and enticing Indian spice markets. (40 minutes)
Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Lalaria Lodge

Day 3 - 2 nights Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Today you drive north to Zululand for your two night stay at the Hluhluwe River Lodge. Hluhluwe Umfulozi Game Reserve is the best known of several good game parks in Zululand. It is particularly famed for its concentrations of rare white rhino, as well as elephant, black rhino, buffalo and predators.

Hluhluwe River Lodge overlooks the Hluhluwe floodplain and borders the St Lucia Wetlands. Tucked away in an indigenous forest setting, the chalets are supremely comfortable with air-conditioning, minibar and wooden sun decks. The main lodge has an expansive terrace, for alfresco dining, and commands a spectacular view of the Hluhluwe river floodplain. Popular activities include game drives to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve and bird watching boat trips on the river. For adventure seekers there is quad biking, horse-riding and mountain bike trails on offer. Between activities you can take a self-guided walk or relax and soak up the sun at the secluded pool. (2½ hours, 250km)
Full Board & 1 Game Drive. Accommodation: Hluhluwe River Lodge

Day 5 - 3 nights Kosi Bay on the Maputaland Coast
Today you travel up the coast to Maputaland to Thonga Beach Lodge. The Kosi Forest coastal reserve is an unspoilt wilderness region of pristine golden beaches backed by forested dunes and captivating freshwater lakes. This truly is a magical area, untouched by large-scale tourism.

Thonga Beach Lodge is a luxurious yet relaxed coastal lodge at secluded Mabibi Bay. It's a magical place of tranquil swimming bays, sandy beaches, snorkelling reefs, coastal forest and shimmering lakes. The lodge, nestling high in the canopy of the dune forest, offers panoramic ocean views. Eco-friendly suites are decorated in a chic "Robinson Crusoe" style. As well as swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving, enjoy bird-watching, sundowner cruises and guided kayaking trips on Lake Sibaya or a treatment in their bush spa. Turtle tracking is a highlight for summer visitors. (3 hours, 210km).
Full Board & Activities. Accommodation: Thonga Beach Lodge

Day 8 - 2 nights Pongola Reserve
Today you drive east to the Pongola Game Reserve at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, overlooking the beautiful Lake Jozini. Here you encounter a variety of antelope, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hyena and elephant plus loads of activities - open top game drives, sunset boat cruises, nature walks, Tiger fishing and tracking rhino or elephant.

White Elephant Bush Lodge's reed and thatch cottages are quite rustic but charming with mosquito nets and fans and a large walk in shower. (2 hours, 150km)
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast & 1 Game Activity. Accommodation: White Elephant Bush Lodge

Day 10- 2 nights Battlefields
Today you travel to the Battlefields, a collective name for an area of rolling cattle country in rural Zululand where many of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles were fought - an enduring story of courage and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and tragedy. We recommend a fascinating guided tour to sites such as Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.

Babanango Valley Lodge offers superb hospitality with country-style bedrooms and delicious dinners. Guided Battlefield and Hluhluwe tours are popular. Other activities include well-marked walking trails, complete with handbook, 4x4 nature drives, visits to a cultural village and superb bird watching.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Babanango Valley Lodge

Day 12 - 3 nights Drakensberg area
Today you travel in the Drakensberg area, named after the jagged teeth of the mythical beast that locals believe must surely inhabit such an awesome mountain range. The "berg" offers everything, from serious hiking to gentle rambles beside crystal streams and through wooded glades. Other delights are its ancient San rock paintings at Giants Castle and Kamberg, the 4x4 ascent to the top of Sani Pass in Lesotho, the world-class Drakensberg Boys Choir and the arts and craft studios.

Cathedral Peak is a classic mountain resort hotel within a World Heritage Site, with stunning panoramic views. Thatched rondavels, spacious deluxe rooms, family rooms and executive suites each with TV and telephone. Unmatched sporting facilities include two pools (one heated), children's paddling pool, tennis, squash, gym and beauty therapist, steam bath, 9 hole golf course, horse riding, trout fishing, bowls, 10m climbing tower, children's playground and famed daily guided mountain walks. Scenic helicopter flights offer a unique opportunity to view the Drakensberg from the air. (3½ hours, 290km)
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Cathedral Peak Hotel

Day 15 - Return car to Johannesburg
Today you drive to Johannesburg Airport to drop off your rental car. (4½ hours, 405km)

Price per person sharing: 01 Apr 2009 - 31 Jul 2009 = US$2346, 01 Aug 2009 - 31 Oct 2009 = US$2576.00