Kwa Zulu Natal self drive South Africa holiday
| country: | South Africa |
| location: | KwaZulu Natal |
| departures: | Our trips are tailor made and departures can be arranged all year round. This itinerary is simply a suggestion which can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination. |
| price: | From £3075 per person (15 days) including flights from the UK. Price includes 12 night's accommodation and car hire. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Kwa Zulu Natal self drive South Africa holiday
The trip is a self drive itinerary allowing flexibility and time to explore the regions you visit at your own pace.
The selected accommodation has all been visited by the consultants and the excursions, which are not included, have also been personally recommended by the team. The properties have been selected for many reasons including location, award winning service and excellent food and the knowledge of the staff who all share a passion for their local area and will pass on information that no guide book will tell you about.
This trip is South Africa’s best kept secret and a must for all second time visitors who are feeling a little more adventurous. Your first port of call will be The Midlands at the base of the Drakensberg, an area of green rolling hills with a concentration of local artists, brewers, cheese and chocolate makers. The local hospitality will give you a warm welcome to South Africa.
After you have explored the area, either on foot or by car, you can make your way along the fringes of the “Berg”, as it is known locally, to Montusi Mountain Lodge which nestles in the lower hills and offers homely accommodation for the next couple of nights. With views from your room of the famous Amphitheatre this gem is perfectly located for you to explore the hiking trails which suit all levels, from a serious hike to a gentle stroll. Suitably exercised you can make your way across the heart of the region to The Battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu wars which have been made famous by the film Zulu.
From your lodge you will be taken expertly through the battles, on the battlefields themselves, by your guide who will bring to life the individual stories of the warriors and soldiers who so bravely fought here 130 years ago. Heading over towards the coast your next port of call is Phinda, a haven for Africa’s big and endangered game. The next few days will be in the company of your expert ranger who will take you up close and personal with the animals and bush they have such a passion for. To end your trip you will spend three nights on the Elephant Coast, an almost deserted wild stretch of coast on the Indian Ocean offering relaxation as well as activities and, in season, an encounter with the endangered leather head turtle. You will then return the UK after your adventure.
The selected accommodation has all been visited by the consultants and the excursions, which are not included, have also been personally recommended by the team. The properties have been selected for many reasons including location, award winning service and excellent food and the knowledge of the staff who all share a passion for their local area and will pass on information that no guide book will tell you about.
This trip is South Africa’s best kept secret and a must for all second time visitors who are feeling a little more adventurous. Your first port of call will be The Midlands at the base of the Drakensberg, an area of green rolling hills with a concentration of local artists, brewers, cheese and chocolate makers. The local hospitality will give you a warm welcome to South Africa.
After you have explored the area, either on foot or by car, you can make your way along the fringes of the “Berg”, as it is known locally, to Montusi Mountain Lodge which nestles in the lower hills and offers homely accommodation for the next couple of nights. With views from your room of the famous Amphitheatre this gem is perfectly located for you to explore the hiking trails which suit all levels, from a serious hike to a gentle stroll. Suitably exercised you can make your way across the heart of the region to The Battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu wars which have been made famous by the film Zulu.
From your lodge you will be taken expertly through the battles, on the battlefields themselves, by your guide who will bring to life the individual stories of the warriors and soldiers who so bravely fought here 130 years ago. Heading over towards the coast your next port of call is Phinda, a haven for Africa’s big and endangered game. The next few days will be in the company of your expert ranger who will take you up close and personal with the animals and bush they have such a passion for. To end your trip you will spend three nights on the Elephant Coast, an almost deserted wild stretch of coast on the Indian Ocean offering relaxation as well as activities and, in season, an encounter with the endangered leather head turtle. You will then return the UK after your adventure.
best time to go
This itinerary can be undertaken all year round but the best months for weather are considered to be April to August. Kwa Zulu Natal offers excellent game viewing all year round with a great chance of seeing the big game everyone associates with Africa. If you are able to make the trip between November and March you will be able to observe the leather head turtles laying their eggs and also watching them hatch which is a unique and special experience. day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart the UK. |
| Day 2: | Connect onto your domestic flight in Johannesburg and arrive in KwaZulu Natal and collect your hire car for your drive out to The Midlands for your 2 night stay at Hartford House. |
| Day 3: | A chance to explore The Midlands and try some of the local produce such as cheese and chocolate as well as observe some of the local artisans at work in their studios. |
| Day 4: | Make your way north along the Drakensburg to The Royal Natal National Park for your 2 night stay at Montusi Mountain Lodge. |
| Day 5: | Spend the day discovering what the Drakensburg have to offer and follow one of the trails that offer something for everyone. |
| Day 6: | Leave the picturesque mountains and make your way to The Battlefields of the Anglo Zulu wars where you will stay for 2 nights at Isibindi Zulu Lodge learning about a period that is so important to the Zulu’s as well as the history of this diverse country. |
| Day 7: | Spend the day on the battlefields with your guide hearing the stories that have been passed down through the generations. |
| Day 8: | Drive through the heart of KwaZulu Natal to the Phinda Private Game Reserve to spend 3 nights in one of the lodges enjoying safari. |
| Day 9-10: | On safari. |
| Day 11: | After your morning game drive make your way up to the Elephant Coast to meet your 4X4 transfer to take you to Thonga Beach Resort for the last 3 nights of your trip. |
| Day 12-13: | Enjoy relaxing on the beach or enjoying one of the many activities on offer. |
| Day 14: | After your 4X4 transfer back to your car you will make your way to your return flight home via Johannesburg. |
| Day 15: | Arrive into the UK. |
tailor made holiday
This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more luxurious trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments before relaxing in comfort in some of the best and most characterful local accommodation! Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips.how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
There is an opportunity to visit a large number of national parks and reserves: The Royal Natal National Park, The Battlefields of Isandlawana and Rourke’s Drift, the world famous Phinda Private game reserve as well as the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site. If the season is correct you can observe the leather head turtles laying their eggs and also hatching when you stay at Thonga beach. The time of year for this is November to March. Phinda Private Game Reserve is run and managed by &Beyond who are world leaders in animal conservation and they work in conjunction with Ezemvelo KZN-wildlife to secure the future of the endangered Black Rhino. Phinda itself is spearheading the reintroduction of this elusive giant. Community: The property you will stay at for safari is one that has been accredited by Fair Trade and Tourism South Africa (FTTSA). FTTSA awards this status to qualifying guest houses as a way of signifying their commitment to Fair Trade criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing, fair operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and environment. By electing to stay at an FTTSA-certified establishment, tourists are assured that their travel benefits local communities and economies, and that the business is operated ethically and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. All the other recommended accommodation are all locally owned and employ local staff who are learning the hospitality industry providing them with qualifications for the future. Because they are owner-run the passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the local area is vast and the staff will sit with you helping you plan your days so you get the most out of this amazing country. The locals rely on tourism to sustain their economy so staying in local run and sometimes community owned properties is a must. Thonga Beach Resort is owned by the local community from Mabibi and has been set up to preserve this fragile and beautiful environment. Isibindi Zulu Lodge is also run by the local Zulu community giving you a real insight into their lives and enabling them to carry on their traditions which are an integral part of their culture. For every booking made we will make a donation to our chosen South African charity Uthando. They are a registered non-profit organisation founded in 2007 the organisation raises funds for a broad range of community based projects which support the most vulnerable sectors of society in some of the most destitute areas of the city. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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