Kwa-Zulu NatalThe majestic Zulu Kingdom is known for its proud history, dynamic cultures, breath-taking beauty, sandy beaches and warm all year round climate along the coastline and part of the interior.    The Elephant Coast includes South Africa’s first World Heritage Site of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, as well as the Hluhluwe / Imfolozi Reserve which is famous for waving the white rhino from extinction. 

Besides the Big Five that park has an astonishing variety of wildlife and is home to the largest population of southern white rhino in the world.

The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park has been declared a World Heritage Site for both its outstanding natural environment as well as the ancient San rock paintings found in the caves and overhangs in the area.  The peaks of the mountain range rise to heights of over 3000 metres and are often snow-capped in winter, and the surrounding scenery is spectacular.

Day 1 - DURBAN

Arrive at King Shaka International Airport from where you will either  be met by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel; take a normal shuttle transfer to your hotel, or collect your self drive rental vehicle and drive to your hotel.

Situated on the warm Indian Ocean coastline, Durban is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city of over three million people.  This is a city where east meets west, being home to South Africa’s largest Indian community, and Africa’s busiest port.

Lush gardens, palm trees and a pool with a gazebo lend a relaxed, summer feel to the City Lodge, Durban, as well as being only 2 blocks away from the main beach and 2 minutes from Durban’s CBD. It also has a mini gym and small meeting room for guest use.

With spacious, air-conditioned rooms with twin or double beds and en suite facilities which include a separate bath and shower, this hotel offers free and convenient parking for its guests.

All rooms offer tea/coffee making facilities and have MNet and selected DSTV channels, as well as electronic safes which are large enough to accommodate laptops.

On the beachfront itself, you will find wonderful examples of traditional beadwork and basketry for sale at incredibly low prices.  However do take care to only walk along the beachfront in daylight hours and to watch your belongings!

Your accommodation tonight is at the City Lodge Durban on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2 - DURBAN TO MELOTH

After breakfast you will check out of your hotel and visit the uShaka Marine World to wonder at the local displays of marine life.

Featuring the 5th largest aquarium in the world, with underground viewing galleries, extending 500 meters through a series of four superbly designed old ship wrecks, the uShaka aquarium is breathtaking. Each and every display was designed to represent not only the natural habitat of the sea creatures, but to depict a story that ties in with the Phantom Ship theme.  At uShaka Marine World, it really is an adventure, with dolphin shows, seal shows, penguin presentations, shark dives, ray feeds and so much more!

Enjoy an early lunch at one of the many restaurants in the uShaka complex (for your own account) before heading north, through KwaZulu Natal’s sugar cane fields, in the direction of Zululand.  At Empangeni you will turn off the N2 highway and head inland to just beyond the small settlement of Melmoth, to Simunye Zulu Lodge.

A journey to Simunye will take you deep into the heart of the motherland, the land of the abakwaZulu or the People of Heaven.   It is in these beautiful hills that famous wars have been won and lost, in these fertile pastures that the Zulu people have grazed their cattle and constructed their villages.

Arriving at the departure point at between15h30 and 16h00, you will be provided with safe parking for your vehicle and set out on your journey into the Simunye valley (4.5 km) by  horseback, ox-wagon or 4 x 4 vehicle.  Please dress warmly and carry a small overnight bag only.  The bulk of your luggage will be secure in your vehicle at the departure point.  The journey down the valley will take you approximately one hour.

On your arrival at the lodge you are offered a refreshing drink after your journey and your host will provide an introduction to the Zulu home that you are visiting.  You will then be guided to your rooms to freshen up.

In the evening you will meet the Chief of the village and be welcomed into the restaurant in a truly traditional Zulu manner where you will enjoy your dinner at approximately 19h00.

At approximately 20h15 the young Zulu dancers from the village and surrounding area will entertain you with their energetic dancing.

The community of people who will host you at Simunye have lived in the surrounding areas their whole lives. They invite you to share their history, culture and traditions whilst enjoying outstanding hospitality in their world renowned lodge. Simunye means "We are one".

The roots of Simunye date back to the time before the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 when early pioneer traders and transport riders kindled lasting friendships with their Zulu neighbours which have lasted through generations, enshrining the peaceful co-existence between the pioneer and Zulu cultures in this awe-inspiring and captivating valley.

After dinner and your entertainment you will head back to your lodgings for a night of peaceful sleep.  Each room has been uniquely crafted by the Zulu community using natural materials from the valley. All the lodgings are comfortably furnished and have a private bathroom/shower.

Your overnight accommodation at Simunye Zulu Lodge is on a dinner, bed and breakfast plus cultural experiences basis.

Day 3 - MELMOTH TO ST LUCIA

At around 07h00 you will be woken by a musician playing his unique Zulu style of guitar and coffee and rusks will be brought to your room.

At 08h00 you will again meet at the main entrance to the village for an in depth look into the Zulu culture before enjoying breakfast in the restaurant.

Check out is at 10h15 and you will once again begin your journey back to the old trading post to collect your vehicle.

Heading back to the N2 you will continue north to St Lucia.  Here you can enjoy some lunch (at your own expense) at one of the host of restaurants in the village after strolling through the roadside stalls selling a host of tropical fruits and souvenirs.

After lunch check into your guesthouse to freshen up before heading down to the St Lucia River for an afternoon boat trip on the St Lucia Lake (for your own expense).  You are sure to see the resident hippo and crocodiles which abound in the lagoon, as well as a host of water birds including pelicans and Goliath Herons, and perhaps even hear the evocative cry of a resident Fish Eagle.

Avalone Guesthouse consists of two independent neighbouring houses.  Both houses offer you luxurious, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. From each room there is direct access to a private terrace in the beautiful tropical garden.  Enjoy a full English breakfast served on the patio area overlooking the sparkling swimming pool in a lush tropical garden bordering on the nature reserve.

The World Heritage site of iSimangalisa (or the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) boasts five distinctive eco-systems ranging from sub-tropical seas, coral reefs and unspoiled sandy beaches to lush forests, grassy plains, dry savannah and reed and papyrus wetlands.  The entire Hluhluwe region is a bird watcher's paradise, with sightings ranging from the ubiquitous pelicans and flamingos of Lake St Lucia to rarer locals such as Rudd's Apalis, the Pink throated Twinspot and Lemon-breasted Canary.  The oldest living species on the planet, the Coelacanth, is found in deep water off the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The Coelacanth was thought to be long extinct, but in 1938 the first specimen was found along the eastern coast of Africa. It has now become known that Coelacanths live in the underwater canyons offshore of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.  Scientists are trying to research these creatures and obtain an understanding of the number of these fish, their locations and habitats. They are also interested in finding out if the population of coelacanths living in these waters are resident and are breeding.  Information found will feed the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Coelacanth Management plan so that the species can be.

Return to your lodgings for dinner (included in your tour price).

Your overnight accommodation at Avalone Guesthouse is on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 4 - ST LUCIA TO HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE

St Lucia is one of those villages just begging to be walked, and an early morning stroll to the river estuary may result in your seeing the morning catches being offloaded off the fishing boats.  However don’t be tempted to swim in the estuary!

After breakfast check out of your hotel / guest house and head a few kilometres north of St Lucia on the road to Cape Vidal to visit the local Crocodile Centre.  Informative exhibits portray the lives of these fascinating reptiles and some of the largest crocodiles in the country can be found at this centre.  A series of informative displays on the Nile crocodile provide details about the breeding, feeding, physical structure and distribution of this prehistoric creature. Aquaria hold examples of living organisms which are found in the mangrove swamps, rock pools along the seashore and freshwater pans. (Entry for your own expense.)

In the various ponds all the African species of crocodile can be seen; the Nile, long-snouted and the dwarf crocodile. For comparison there are also American alligators. The crocodiles on display range in size from hatchlings to specimens of up to four metres.

The St Lucia Crocodile Centre now hosts an impressive collection of snakes.  The Crocodile centre is one of only four permit holders that are allowed to keep the impressive Gaboon Viper in captivity. This highly endangered Viper is the world largest Viper and can weigh up to 8kgs with a fang length of 4cm.

After your tour you will head inland to the world renowned Hluhluwe /Imfolozi Game Reserve, where you can enjoy lunch (for your own account) at the Mpunyane Restaurant before checking in to your chalet.

The award-winning Hilltop Camp on the summit of a forested hill offers fine views of the surrounding countryside. The camp, the oldest in KwaZulu-Natal, was extensively rebuilt and enlarged in the early nineties, and today accommodation at Hilltop ranges from a luxury lodge to a variety of superbly appointed self-catering accommodation.

Your reservation is on a dinner, bed and breakfast plus one daily game activity basis, but additional game activities can be arranged through the camp reception (for your own expense).  It is up to you to decide whether you choose to take your daily game drive in the morning or on the evening excursion.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve -  Set in the heart of Zululand, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game reserve in Africa, where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws and where today the "big five" of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. Established in 1895, game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range.
As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which originated in Imfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa.

The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora.  Hluhluwe is characterised by hilly topography, and this northern section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life. Apart from game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided auto trails which provide information on both the management and natural history of the reserve. Guided walks are also available, particularly rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon.

Your accommodation tonight is at Hilltop Resort in the Imfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, plus one game drive, and includes the daily conservation levy.

Day 5 - HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE

Today you have the entire day at your disposal to head out on either one or two game drives to encounter some of the magnificent species that are endemic to the Hluhluwe / Imfolozi Game Reserve.

With its huge diversity of wildlife, landscapes and scenery the reserve offers a wide range of activities to the many people that visit it. Game viewing, birdwatching, the spiritual upliftment of a wilderness trail or just a walk in the bush, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park offers it all.

Hluhluwe Imfolozi is one of South Africa's most popular game parks affording visitors fascinating wildlife encounters. The wide range of plant life in the park gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians. The BIG FIVE - lion, rhino (black & white) elephant, buffalo and leopard are all to be seen in the park, as well as a variety of other species, including cheetah, wild dog and giraffe. It is also one of the best places in the world to see nyala.

The placid White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) almost became extinct in the early 1930's, but with careful conservation the numbers have increased considerably. The bad-tempered Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) was also depleted in numbers through poaching.

Both male and female carry the characteristic horn, with the frontal one being larger than the hind. Average length of horns is from 60 to 90 cm but the record length for White Rhinoceros horns stands at 158 cm front and 56 cm rear.  The White Rhinoceros can weigh as much as 1700 kg and is the largest land mammal after the African Elephant.

The Imfolozi section of the park has three self-guided foot trails, at Emoyeni Mpila, Enkulu and Masinda Ncane. Guide books are available to help visitors interpret the many points of interest along these trails.

Short day walks of approximately two hours are conducted from Mpila and Hilltop Camps under the supervision of an experienced field ranger. These walks may be booked at Reception in both camps.

After an exhilarating day of game viewing enjoy dinner back at Hilltop Camp before heading back to your chalet and perhaps enjoying a final drink on your balcony under the African stars.

Your accommodation tonight is at Hilltop Resort in the Imfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, plus one game drive, and includes the daily conservation levy.

Day 6 - HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE TO DURBAN

Time for a final game drive this morning before you enjoy your breakfast and check out of the camp to head back to Durban to catch your outbound flight.

*** END OF SERVICES ***

This itinerary can be extended with an overnight in Swaziland, to join up with an Mpumalanga tour.

COSTING:  From ZAR 7 290.00 per person sharing

Cost includes: Accommodation, meals, entry fees and excursions as set out in this itinerary, VAT and Government Tourism Levies.

Not included: Flights and any transportation in any form, either with a guide or self-drive rental vehicle.  Vehicle hire costs to be quoted separately.  Any meals and excursions not specified in the above itinerary, gratuities or items of a personal nature.