Kwa Zulu Natal self drive South Africa holiday

Description of Kwa Zulu Natal self drive South Africa holiday

This Kwa Zulu Natal self drive holiday takes you through one of South Africa’s most fascinating regions, historically and culturally but also one of its most beautiful. With a combination of the Drakensberg Mountains and Elephant Coast, with its empty beaches and subtropical forests, you will have the most stunning journey.

Following our carefully crafted itinerary, but travelling independently in your own hire car, we will book all the accommodation you need to fit in with your schedule, staying at quality hotels and guesthouses with which we have years of experience. We can, of course, tweak the itinerary to suit your interests and time frame.

Kwa Zulu Natal is South Africa’s secret gem, with first timers often heading for The Garden Route. Which is stunning of course, however this holiday is perfect for those coming back to South Africa for a second time and wanting to explore a new region. Or for those who are first timers, but with more of a penchant for off the beaten path adventure.

The trip starts in The Midlands, the rolling hills at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains which are home to a fine array of artists, artisan producers and, of course, wineries. You will have plenty of opportunities to sample the fine local fare at your accommodation , Hartford House and later at Montusi Mountain Lodge, also nestled in the in the ‘Berg’. The Drakensberg Mountains, and foothills, are of course a great location for hitting the hiking trails.
Moving on to The Battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu Wars, you can take a memorable guided tour around this area where, in 1879, the British army invaded Zululand and found themselves face to face with thousands of Zulu warriors.

Your next stop is all about nature, however, although not without its battles, with South Africa’s wildlife having had a history of endangerment, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is one of many examples of organisations that have contributed massively towards wildlife conservation. Spend several days here, staying in a safari lodge, enjoying game drives and safaris under the guidance of an expert ranger.

From Phinda’s elephants to the Elephant Coast, where most people go in search of the Indian Ocean and idyllic beaches rather than elephants these days. And the beaches certainly are colossal, particularly at Thonga Beach Resort where you will stay for three nights revelling in coastal bliss but also taking in some of the marine wildlife wonders. These include the endangered leatherhead turtle which nest here between November and March. In general, however, the best time to visit Kwa Zulu Natal is between April and August.

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