Depart Durban and travel inland to Pietermaritzburg for a brief tour of the city and its captivating past. Continue the journey through the midlands to Howick and the site where late former President Nelson Mandela was captured on August 5th, 1962. Continue via the Natal Midlands to your accommodation which holds a fine location within the Drakensberg range. Check into the hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before enjoying dinner. (D)
Enjoy the magnificent scenery on offer in the Drakensberg, as well as discover the cultural significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site – the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. At Giant’s Castle enjoy a 45 minute walk to the main caves for a short tour and interpretation of the paintings and artefacts on display in the museum. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (BD)
Day 3 - Spioenkop – Dundee - Isandlwana
Today you will make your way to Spioenkop Mountain where your guide will recount the Anglo-Boer 9 day battle in January 1900. Continue to Ladysmith and visit the Seige Museum where a diorama excellently depicts its surrounding hills at the time of the Siege. Travel via Dundee to your accommodation located in the heart of the battle sites between the Zulus and the British. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. (BD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Rorke’s Drift Hotel (Standard Room) (or similar).
At Rorke’s Drift on the River Buffalo, the views from the Hotel are spectacular and full of interest and gentle walks or hikes in the natural bush surroundings will revive and stimulate. The wagon drift that gives the area its name is within the grounds, and of course there is the Battlefield, just 5 minutes or a short walk away, where 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded. The dramatic field of Isandlwana that was fought on the same day is just a 20 minute drive, and the poignant memorial at Fugitive’s Drift, 15 minutes downstream.
Day 4 - Battlefields
Today is dedicated to the exploration of the most famous battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal – Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (BD)
Day 5 - Battlefields – Hluhluwe
After an early breakfast, travel across the various battle sites to Hluhluwe where you complete your Kwazulu Natal discovery with an African safari experience. Dependant on your arrival time, enjoy lunch followed by an afternoon open vehicle game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner. (BLD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Falaza Game Lodge & Spa (Tented Suite) (or similar).
The privately owned Falaza Game Park & Spa offers luxury tented accommodation and an array of authentic bush experiences in a lush indigenous setting. Luxury tented accommodation provides true safari ambiance, with every comfort catered for, including spacious dressing rooms, en-suite bathrooms and private sundecks. All tents are equipped with modern amenities, including fans, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, while heaters and additional blankets are available on request for the chillier months.
Day 6 - Hluhluwe
Today you get to enjoy the amenities on offer at your accommodation. The day includes all meals and two game viewing activities. (BLD)
Day 7 - End of KwaZulu-Natal Highlights Tour
Embark on a final game drive followed by breakfast and check-out formalities. Stop enroute the Elephant Coast at St Lucia Estuary for an optional estuarine boat trip (at own expense) offering glimpses of crocodiles and hippos as well as the prolific bird life along the river banks. The tour ends on arrival at your Durban based hotel or with drop off at King Shaka International Airport for your onward flight (it is suggested that your departure flight is booked for the following day, or no earlier than 19h00). (B)