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The Best of KwaZulu-Natal when on holiday

Leaving the airport you now drive north into the mountains of the southern Drakensberg. Recently declared a World Heritage Site and offering spectacular mountain scenery, gentle walks, full day and overnight hikes, horse riding and trout fishing as well as hidden San (bushman) paintings, the Drakensberg Mountains are unrivalled in South Africa as a mountain destination.

Make your way to Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, a charming, owner-run, guesthouse surrounded by crystal clear rivers, towering mountains and magnificent scenery. Enjoy the exciting cuisine (it truly is a "foodies" paradise), explore the nearby mountains on foot or on horseback, spend the day trout fishing (Sep - June), visit nearby bushman paintings or simply relax, swim in the mountain pools and enjoy the fresh air and fantastic scenery that surrounds you.

 

Day 3 & 4: Northern Drakensberg Tour (175 kms)

You now make your way into the heart of the spectacular mountain scenery offered by the northern Drakensberg tour, stopping along the way to explore the rolling scenery and arts and crafts of the Natal Midlands.

Your accommodation Montusi Mountain Lodge is situated close to one of the Drakensberg's most famous and spectacular landmarks, the Amphitheatre, 3000 metres high and 4 kilometres wide. The 1,000 hectare Montusi Mountain Lodge offers genuine hospitality in the tranquillity of one of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa. The spacious, tastefully decorated, individual garden suites have comfortable bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a lounge with fireplace, and a private patio with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. Your hosts are on hand to help you plan your day: explore the neighbouring mountains, join a guided walk or simply relax and enjoy the sparkling swimming pool at the lodge. In the evening share your experiences with other visitors at the bar before enjoying the sumptuous local cuisine in the dining room

Days 5, 6 & 7: Fugitive's Drift (175 kms)

Heading east you now enter into the heart of Zululand and it is at Fugitives' Drift Guesthouse that the history of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 will be recounted. The peaceful countryside here hides many astounding stories of tragedy, courage and valour, which will be brought to life for you by David Rattray and his outstanding team of resident historians on your visits to the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. The lodge itself is set in a private game reserve with game including: giraffe, zebra, kudu, hartebeest and a host of smaller antelope and, as well as the fascinating history and the interesting game, you can enjoy walks, horse rides in the reserve and meals in the relaxed atmosphere of the guesthouse.

 

Days 8 & 9: Hluhluwe Game Reserve (250 kms)

With the stories of British and Zulu courage fresh in your mind you start your journey to the Hulhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve and on to Hluhluwe River Lodge. Idyllically situated overlooking the Hluhluwe River flood plain the lodge offers eight comfortable, thatched, A-frame, double chalets and is ideally located for visitors looking for a comfortable and exclusive base from which to explore the world-renowned game parks of northern Zululand. As well as guided walking trails and bird watching excursions you can join guided open-vehicle game drives to the neighbouring Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve, world famous for its conservation efforts, especially with rhino. Hluhluwe is home to a wide variety and density of animal species including all the "Big 5" (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard).

Option: Upgrade your safari to Amakhosi, a 5 star lodge set in a 10,000 ha private game reserve which is home to the ‘Big Five' as well as herds of antelope, hippo, crocodile and other wildlife. Surrounded by rolling hills, grass and wetland, the lodge has been built on the banks of the Mkuze River and is a discreet mix of the sublime and the earthy. The rooms are decorated with local tribal basketwork and the changing moods of the day are allowed to become an integral part of the décor. Relaxation at Amakhosi Lodge can be as simple or as grand as you desire: enjoy a picnic in the veld, sundowners by the river or relax by the pool until you hear the beat of an African drum calling you for dinner.

 

Days 10 & 11: St Lucia (50 kms)

Leaving the big game of Hluhluwe behind, you now make your way the short distance to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. St Lucia is Africa's largest natural estuary and one of the world's most remarkable wetland and marine reserves. Along the coast the warm Indian Ocean washes up on miles of golden uninhabited beaches with dune forests just waiting to be explored. The wildlife in this pristine piece of wilderness includes leopard, rhino, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles, elephants as well as numerous antelopes and over 360 species of birds.

Makakatana Bay Lodge is an exclusive bush lodge located within the St Lucia World Heritage Site offering a private and personal wetlands, wilderness and beach experience. The 5 luxury suites are connected by wooden walkways and the lodge facilities include a private bush pool on the lake's edge, an outdoor boma for evening dining as well as a wine cellar in the ‘Old Crab House'. Personal guides take you on your daily adventures, mokoro (traditional dug out canoes) trips, boat trips, beach safaris, hippo and crocodile safaris, game drives and night drives.

 

Day 12 & 13: Durban South Coast Tour(300 kms)

After a final breakfast in the wilderness of St Lucia you make your way back towards Durban on the Durban South Coast Tour and continue south to what is locally known as the Sunshine Coast. This stretch of coastline boasts a mild tropical climate, lovely wide expanses of beach, the warm, intensely blue waters of the Indian Ocean and a lushly green hinterland – a perfect relaxing destination to end your holiday

Now in its third century, your historic accommodation, Lynton Hall, has played host to Royalty, Prime Ministers, men of letters and captains of businesses. This gracious property rests at the head of Umdoni Park, the lands most picturesque golf course, meandering through pristine coastal forest and spilling down to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Nine incomparable, superior suites are uniquely decorated in the Indian Colonial style, which characterised the sugar industry of KwaZulu in the late 1800's, and are equipped with air conditioning, heated towel rails and freestanding baths. Spend the days relaxing on white sandy beaches, playing golf, taking a walk through the historic gardens, unwinding at the swimming pool and enjoying the culinary creations of Lynton Hall, which are inspired by its proximity to the Indian Ocean and the property's traditional connections with Colonial India.

 

Day 14: Durban

You now make your way back to Durban airport where you drop off your rented car and board a flight for home.

Includes: Meet & Greet on arrival, accommodation as follows:  Cleopatra Mtn Farmhouse and Montusi Mtn Lodge on a DB&B basis, Fugitive's Drift Guesthouse on a full board basis, Hluhluwe River Lodge on a full board & 1 activity per day basis, Amakhosi (optional) and Makakatana on a full board and activities included basis and Lynton Hall on a B&B basis.   14 days car rental: Group B, Nissan Almera or similar (unlimited kms, air conditioning, radio/tape, power steering, supercover insurance).

Excludes: Meals not indicated above, all drinks, entrance fees, activities (unless otherwise specified), all airfares and airport taxes, travel insurance, fuel and toll fees, car hire extras such as contract fees, additional driver fees and one way drop off charges, mobile phone rental, expenses of a personal nature, porterage, tips and gratuities.

Now you cannot ask for a better holiday than one of Hidden Vintage's full tours.

About the Author

Luxury African Safaris, accommodation and tours offered by Hidden Vintage, your source for quality vacations, Kwazulu Natal and Durban holiday tours

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