Summary of the Route
KwaZulu-Natal has something for everyone - splendid beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean, stunning mountain scenery, wildlife, and a vibrant city life. Nowhere else in Southern Africa are so many outstanding tourist destinations to be found in such close proximity to one another, and this really is modern Africa at its magnificent best.
The cost of this route will vary depending on the type of accommodation you prefer and the type of safari you choose - there is a wide range of accommodation all along this route from inexpensive B&Bs and guest houses to 5* hotels and world-class safari lodges.
Another big influence on cost is the time of year you travel: May to September is low season and whilst these are the cooler, wetter 'winter' months, many visitors choose to visit during this time as both safaris and other accommodation are significantly cheaper than in the high season. For more information on the climate and seasons, click here.
Durban (3 days)
On arrival at Johannesburg go to the domestic terminal and connect with the flight to Durban (DUR). We can arrange for a hire car to be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive in Durban.
Durban is a wonderful sub-tropical city with a cosmopolitan population, thriving nightlife, and a history that goes back to the earliest days of European settlement in Southern Africa.
With over 320 days of sunshine per year, Durban is a holidaymakers' paradise. The 6km 'Golden Mile' of beaches are packed with sun worshippers throughout the year, while the warm waters of the Indian Ocean entice swimmers, surfers, divers and other watersport enthusiasts.
Ghandi's home in South Africa and Zulu villages in the Valley of a 1000 Hills are within easy reach of the city, and this makes a great place to start your trip to Africa.
Private Lodge Safari (3 days)
The private game reserves of Phinda, Mkuze and AmaKhosi are all less than a 4 hour drive from Durban, and offer the undoubted highlight of any visit to Africa - a safari experience in a Big ' game reserve with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.
The game drive vehicles are not restricted to the road network and it is therefore possible for the experienced guides to follow the wildlife through the bushveld and get extremely close for an unforgettable safari experience.
The prices starts from around R1,200 per person per night and go up to over R4,500 per person per night depending on the lodge and time of year. The rates are fully inclusive of all your meals and morning/afternoon game drives, and some lodges include all drinks as well in the price.
Run by CC Africa, Phinda is one of the leading private reserves in South Africa and supports what is probably the world's most successful cheetah reintroduction programme, offering incomparable sightings of these fleet-footed felines.
Self-drive Safari (2 days)
The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park offers excellent self-drive game viewing opportunities, and is renowned for its variety of animal and bird life.
Although you will probably not get as close to the wildlife as in the private reserves (in Hluhluwe itself you are restricted to the extensive road network), the thrill of waiting at a peaceful waterhole and having a sighting all to yourself is hard to beat.
Cheetah, wild dog, the Big 5 and many species of antelope and other plains game including giraffe and zebra inhabit the Park, offering the visitor a varied self-drive game viewing experience. There have also been over 300 bird species recorded. The Park is most famous for its population of white rhino, of which there are about 1,600.
The Battlefields (2 days)
The Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal offer an incredible insight into the history of South Africa, and the best way to really appreciate this bloody and fiercely-fought history is to go on one of the mesmerising and theatrical tours of the key areas, which bring to life the incredible stories of events that happened only 100 years ago.
No matter how uninterested you think you are in history, these tours will captivate and move you.
The Drakensberg (2 days)
The Drakensberg Mountains are simply magnificent. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountains are an area of outstanding natural beauty as well as being home to some of the earliest evidence of human habitation.
The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, and nature lovers will enjoy the many hiking and walking trails available for all levels of ability.
There are easier walks through lush meadows and across clear streams, or more strenuous hikes up and across rugged mountain terrain. In addition there are countless other activities including horse riding, fly-fishing, and art-courses to be enjoyed.
Getting Home
After your stay in the Drakensberg, you can either drive back to Durban and fly back home from there (flights connect in either Cape Town or Jo'burg), or alternatively you can drive to Jo'burg and catch your flight from there.
