Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Example holiday
Exploring KwaZulu-Natal
We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.
The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.
Important travel information for visitors to South Africa is included at the back of this document.
All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.
All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.
Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Travel Butlers Team
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Arrive into Durban's King Shaka Airport and after you have cleared Immigration and Customs, make your way to the Europcar Car Rental office. Complete the necessary paperwork - the main driver will need to present a driving licence, passport and credit card. The keys to your hire car will then be handed over to you.
13 Day Car Rental: Group M Standard SUV - Toyota Urban Cruiser or similar (Classic Plus Cover GPS PACKAGE)
Allow about 2 hours to drive to your first destination. Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands lies Granny Mouse Country House, the perfect combination of relaxation and luxury and with a heritage spanning 30 years.
Drive to Umhlanga (approx 300 km / 3 h 45 mins). The award-winning Beverly Hills Hotel, which first opened its doors in 1964, has become synonymous with elegance, gracious hospitality and intuitive service. Distinctive features and an atmosphere of old-world opulence contribute to a relaxing and enjoyable stay here.
Drive to the Amazulu Private Game Reserve (approx 385 km / 4 h 15 mins). Amakhosi Safari Lodge is a majestic safari destination where no day is the same. This is Big 5 territory and what you don't view from your deck, expert guides invariably will deliver on dawn and dusk game drives. Inbetween drives, relax by the rock-fringed lodge swimming pool,and when darkness falls, listen for the roar of the lions.
Drive to the Phinda Game Reserve where you will enjoy another private safari experience in a 'Big 5' game reserve with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Phinda is one of the leading private reserves in South Africa and offers the highest standards of comfort and service, and the experience of seeing this magnificent wildlife in its natural environment is second to none.
After breakfast, you will drive back to King Shaka Airport (allow about 4 hours), where you will return your hire car and check in for your flight home.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Granny Mouse Country House
The Drakensberg: 3 Nights
A warm welcome awaits all guests at Granny Mouse Country House and Spa - a charming country hotel situated in the Natal Midlands Meander at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains.
The Granny Mouse Bistro restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarian options are always available. The same menu can be enjoyed on the pool deck and is available to all in house guests from Room Service.
The Eaves Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant hidden in the eaves above the Bistro, where the focus is on personalised yet discreet hospitality where guests enjoy quality service and a world-class, contemporary South African menu. Ingredients, sourced from local suppliers, are farm fresh and organic, where possible.
The Granny Mouse Spa offers treatments for all preferences. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a full range of massage and beauty treatments, jacuzzi and hydrotherapy as well as a steam room.
The accommodation is as quaint as the name of the hotel implies. Old-world charm, embedded in the foundations of the hotel, complements the rural ambiance and modern comforts of the rooms and venues.
Guests can choose from Garden Rooms, Deluxe Rooms with river views, or Deluxe Suites, also with river views.
Example Details For Granny Mouse Country House
Nights:
3 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Garden Room
Includes:
Breakfast is included.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Beverly Hills Hotel
Durban: 3 Nights
The hotel is perfect for romantic escapes, family holidays and business travel and offers an idyllic place for guests to unwind and enjoy the gracious and intuitive service it is so well-known for.
The award-winning Beverly Hills hotel opened her doors over 50 years ago and is considered to be one of Durban's finest hotels. Over the past 5 decades, the hotel has been home to royalty, celebrities and captains of industry - the place where deals have been done and memories have been made.
The hotel is situated in Umhlanga and boasts uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. The 88 Standard and Deluxe Rooms are all eleganty and stylished decorated.
The hotel also boasts a state of the art fitness centre, heated swimming pool, spa, two restaurants with an al fresco dining option and a convenient retail outlet.
Example Details For Beverly Hills Hotel
Nights:
3 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Standard Room
Includes:
Breakfast is included.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Beverly Hills Hotel
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
AmaKhosi Safari Lodge
AmaKhosi Private Game Reserve: 3 Nights
AmaKhosi Safari Lodge is situated in the 12,000 hectare Amazulu Private Game Reserve, about 4 hours north of Durban.
The reserve is made up of a varied ecosystem which includes savanna, mountains and wetlands - making it the ideal home to the Big 5 as well as giraffe, zebra, warthog and hyena, hippopotamus and crocodile. There are also more than 400 bird species.
Early morning and late afternoon guided walks and game drives take you into the African bush to observe the animals and their fascinating behaviour. Qualified game rangers introduce the unique role each animal plays on the massive stage within the African Kingdom.
Amakhosi's main lodge boasts a deck with an intimate bar, lounge area, a swimming pool and dining area where meals are served under the stars. With panoramic river views, guests can unwind at Amakhosi River Spa, which offers beauty and message treatments using eco-friendly and holistic products.
The 6 luxury river suites are situated along the flowing Mkuze River. Each one boasts a separate air-conditioned bedroom, a lounge with a fully stocked mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities. The high thatched ceilings and glass walls are complimented by a large bathroom with a unique bath made for two and an outdoor (al fresco) shower.
For ultimate privacy there are 2 honeymoon suites with private plunge pools and hammocks.
'IsiGodlo' (meaning 'chiefs residence') is a private 2 bedroom house which overlooks the Mkuze River and can accommodate up to 4 guests. Guests staying here have their own ranger, tracker and private game vehicle for game drives.
Example Details For AmaKhosi Safari Lodge
Nights:
3 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Honeymoon Suite with Plunge Pool
Includes:
Brunch, high tea (late lunch) and dinner; all local branded beverages; bush walks; and 2 shared game activities per day with qualified guides are included.
Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
AmaKhosi Safari Lodge
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
AndBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Phinda Game Reserve: 3 Nights
Set deep in the heart of a rare dry sand forest, AndBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge fuses spectacular architectural design with the ultimate in conservation principles. The creation of this award-winning safari lodge was an exemplary exercise in building eco-sensitive structures with a light environmental footprint (not one tree was felled during construction).
The lodge is situated in the Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, home to not only the Big 5, but a plethora of other animals and birds within its 28,555 hectares.
Activities include twice-daily interpretive game-drives, bush walks and seasonal riverboat cruises.
The Phinda night eye experience offers you the chance to see the wild world of the bush in the dark, and watch everything play out right in front of you. This experience includes a dedicated vehicle, guide, tracker and specialist cameraman. High definition infra-red cameras are used, providing not only excellent visuals on your drive, but also high quality video footage of your night-eye experience for you to take home, as a memento of your safari.
The lodge's sparkling rim-flow swimming pool, as well as the expansive decks in its seating area, looks out onto panoramic views of an open meadow where animals frequently graze. A traditional African boma is enclosed with a wooden fence and offers lantern-lit open-air dining beneath a canvas of stars.
The 16 air-conditioned suites are built on stilts and appear to float between the forest floor and the towering torchwood trees. Each glass-encased suite boasts a minimalist flair that incorporates high-gloss wooden floors, richly tactile fabrics and brightly accented Zulu artefacts.
The suites also feature luxurious en-suite bathrooms with slate hand basins and viewing decks where guests can drink in the sight of graceful nyala and duiker in the dappled shade of the forest.
Example Details For AndBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Nights:
3 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Suite
Includes:
All meals; tea/coffee, soft drinks, house wines and local branded spirits; safari activities; one hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability); refreshments on game drives; emergency medical evacuation insurance; transfers to and from the Phinda airstrip; the Phinda Conservation Fee and bed levy; and a laundry service are included.
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris. A medical certificate is required for guests aged 60 years and older.
Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
AndBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Important Travel Information For South Africa
Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements
Latest Travel Updates
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter South Africa when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days: United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Spain, Switzerland.
If you are a passport holder from another country, please contact your local South Africa High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as citizens of certain countries (including New Zealand) are required to obtain visas before travelling. Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel.
Children under 18 years of age who require a visa to enter South Africa may be required to provide additional information when applying for the visa including an unabridged birth certificate and affidavit if travelling with only one parent. There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors and/or South African children - details available on request or via the SA Department of Home Affairs at http://www.dha.gov.za.
Please note that anyone travelling to South Africa should have a valid return ticket and a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa. However, some immigration officials still request that a passport should have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to South Africa so to avoid problems on arrival, we advise that your passport meets this requirement instead. The passport must also have sufficient pages for entry/exit stamps - AT LEAST 2 BLANK PAGES.
South Africa has implemented biometric capturing at all ports of entry. This may result in some delays at land borders so you should allow additional time for border crossings.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
Medical
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to South Africa.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.
Tap water is purified and safe to drink in major cities and towns, however, we do advise that you do not drink the water in more remote places such as the camps in the National Parks - the water may be safe to drink, but it simply is not worth the risk, as bottled water is widely available.
Whatever you do, do not drink water from any river lake without firstly purifying the water. Always take water with you when you go on a hike, and have a bottle in the car on a long journey to avoid dehydration.
There is a risk of malaria in and around the Kruger National Park/Mpumalanga Province, the Limpopo (Northern) Province, and the north-eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is South Africa. However, in accordance with International Health Reguations, South Africa requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having transited through a yellow fever risk country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya and Uganda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list here https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 10177 and ask for an ambulance.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Important Travel Information For South Africa
Continued
Languages And Culture
The 11 official languages are Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele. Whilst many visitors will hear at least a couple of the tribal languages during the course of their stay, it is possible to travel extensively and comfortably with just English as a language.
The South African society is quite liberal, as gay marriage was legalised in 2006 nationwide and everyone’s rights are protected under the constitution. In some more rural areas, however, the local people may not be quite as liberal thinking, so whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship if travelling to a rural/remote area.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Book With Confidence
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.
Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel
Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:
Postponing to a later date
Switching to another destination
Receiving a full refund of all monies paid to Travel Butlers for the trip, providing the balance due has been paid in full
The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel or your booked country is placed on the red list
The government in your country of residence (non-UK residents) restricts all but essential travel
The destination you are travelling to has entry restrictions in place that prohibit you travelling, such as closed borders or extended quarantine requirements
International flights are cancelled without alternative routing available for you to use to reach the destinations in the itinerary
We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.
If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.
You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19 to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.
Support whilst you are away
We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.
If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need. You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy. Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.
Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday
All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.
Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19
You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:
cancellation if you or anyone covered by the policy gets a positive coronavirus test in the two weeks before you travel
medical costs if you get coronavirus while you are away
additional transport and/or accommodation expenses if you fall ill with coronavirus while you are away
Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance.
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.