Durban City & Valley of 1000 Hills

Duration – Full Day

Hotel Rate – R1700 – R2300 per person

Departure – Between 08h30 – 09h00 and return between 16h00 – 16h30

Included – Entrance Fees to Phezulu (Lunch for your own account)

Description

Durban, with its old colonial homes and architecture has become a veritable melting pot of culture and intrigue. A melding of history, traditions, and beliefs which totally encompass South Africa’s policy of tolerance and equality for all! We start off with a visit to the KwaMuhle Museum (if open) to get a bit of background information about the history of Durban. Allow us to take you on a journey of sight, smell, and sound as we drive along the well-known Golden Mile, view the magnificent historical buildings in the City Centre, wander through lush tropical Botanical Gardens, savour amazing Panoramic Views and interact with Local Traders at the famous Victoria Street Indian Market. You will have the opportunity to taste the traditional unique Bunny Chow (for own account). Time permitting, we also stop at the renowned Moses Mabhida Football Stadium

After a stop for lunch on route (for own account), we journey inland through villages and gentle rolling countryside which give way to the most spectacular vista, known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills. At Phezulu you will be immersed in the fascinating culture and traditions of a proud Zulu Nation; have the opportunity to interact with the villagers and purchase traditional and modern souvenirs. A visit to the on site Crocodile park is also included.

Hluhluwe Safari

Duration – Full Day

Hotel Rate – R4550 – R5490 per person

Departure – Between 05h00 – 05h30 and return between 17h30 – 18h30

Description

This early dawn departure enables us to enjoy an exciting full day, possible ‘Big 5’ photo safari. We travel north into the heart of Zululand to visit the oldest Game Reserve in South Africa, the Hluhluwe & Imfolozi National Park. It was here that the famous White Rhino breeding project was initiated and implemented with great success. This reserve is host to the ‘Big 5’ – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino – as well as many other exciting wildlife species. The area is also renowned for its exceptional birding. A break will be taken for lunch at around midday, when the animals tend to seek the cool of the denser vegetation. You will be treated to a light lunch at one of the picnic spots in the Reserve. Our adventure will resume again for a few hours in the early afternoon, before returning home, cameras filled with footage of Africa’s wildlife at its best! Included: Entrance Fees and light

Lunch – Optional open vehicle game drive available.

Midlands Meander & Capture Site

Duration – Full Day

Hotel Rate – R2600 – R3080 per person

Departure – Between 08h30 – 09h00 and return between 16h00 – 17h00

Description

We depart Durban, and make our way out of the city into the gently rolling countryside towards Pietermaritzburg, the Capital City of Kwazulu-Natal, and Howick. Upon arrival, we view the Howick Falls, an approximately 100 meters of spectacular display almost in the center of the picturesque town itself. You have time to browse around in the little shops in the area. We proceed and visit the site, where Nelson Mandela was captured on 5th Aug 1962. We continue via some local arts and crafts shops, if participants are interested to one of the highlights of the day: Ardmore Ceramics. Ardmore celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010 and saw the launch of the Ardmore Design Collection, which translated Ardmore’s distinctive imagery and styling into functional, superb quality ceramic and non-ceramic products including dinnerware, tapestries, furniture, fabrics for soft furnishings, and more. The artists from the Ardmore studio are given training, direction, materials, a studio and a guaranteed market for their work, supported by a skilled marketing and administrative team. Over the years, Ardmore’s artists have won numerous awards and exhibited widely in South Africa and around the world. Ardmore artworks feature in leading galleries and collections, including the Museum of Art & Design in New York, the Museum of Cultures in Basel, Switzerland, and the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The acclaimed auction house Christie’s has acknowledged Ardmore artworks as “modern day collectibles”. We continue towards Nottingham Road, and after a light lunch in the area, and further browsing in the arts and crafts shops, we return to Durban in the afternoon.

Included: Light lunch / Capture Site Entrance

Drakensberg Sani Pass / Lesotho

Duration – Full Day

Hotel Rate – R3800 – R4750 per person

Departure – Between 05h45 – 06h15 and return between 18h00 – 19h00

Description

A mere 3 hours drive from the city we find ourselves in the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains. Spectacular vistas, breathtaking scenery and diverse flora and fauna are what you can look forward to experiencing today, as we explore the highlight of the Southern Drakensberg – Sani Pass! We leave our vehicle at the base station and use 4 x 4 vehicles to traverse the pass into the “Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho”. En route we stop to visit with the local people in their traditional village and learn a little about their culture and way of life. Our journey continues further up the pass to the “Highest Pub in Africa” where we will enjoy a light lunch whilst marveling at the sheer magnitude and beauty of these incredible mountains. After lunch we will make our way back down the pass, through the border post and return to Durban.

PASSPORTS ESSENTIAL, please note some nationalities require visas

Included: 4 x 4 excursion and a light Lunch

Durban City Tour

Duration – Half Day

Hotel Rate – R830 – R1100 per person

Departure 1 – Between 08h30 – 09h00 and return between 12h00 – 12h30

Departure 2 – Between 13h00 – 13h30 and return between 16h00 – 16h30

Description

We depart your hotel. Our first stop will be the Moses Mabhida football stadium which was built for the Football World Cup in 2010. After photo opportunities and some historic information, we continue up Innes Road, and stop at the Cube for some beautiful panoramic views over the City. We continue onto Florida Road – This tree lined road displays restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings boasts over 2km of restaurants, pubs, clubs and art galleries. We continue to the tranquillity of the Durban Botanic Gardens for a brief visit – the oldest surviving botanical gardens in Africa established in 1849. We make our way into the hustle and bustle of the city centre with its art deco buildings, the Victorian old Post Office and the Neo-Baroque style City Hall. It is here where the multicultural nature of Durban really becomes evident — informal roadside sellers, the splendid Juma Masjid Mosque, Hindu temples, the Emanuel Cathedral and the Victoria Street market (closed on Sunday afternoons), renowned for its fragrant spices and curios. We proceed along the Victoria Embankment to the Southern end of the beachfront where we drive past the uShaka Marine World aquarium and through the new Point road development to see the exciting regeneration of the more run down areas of the city centre next to the harbour. Durban harbour is the 4th busiest container port in the Southern Hemisphere and the lifeblood of the city. After a few photo opportunities, we drive along the Golden Mile, the Durban beachfront, with its golden beaches and the longest uninterrupted waterfront promenade in Sub-Saharan Africa. Get a glimpse of the beach lifestyle that Durban is famous for; walking on the beach, swimming, cycling, surfing. After a relaxing, scenic and informative morning/afternoon, we return to your hotel.

Valley of 1000 Hills & Phezulu

Duration – Half Day

Hotel Rate – R1100 – R1350 per person

Departure 1 – Between 08h30 – 09h00 and return between 12h00 – 12h30

Departure 2 – Between 12h30 – 13h00 and return between 15h30 – 16h00

Description

Escape from civilization and allow us to heighten your senses and increase your awe at the true splendor of Mother Nature’s canvas and palette. We journey inland through villages and gentle rolling countryside which give way to the most spectacular vista, known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Here, at Phezulu, you will be immersed in the fascinating culture and traditions of a proud Zulu Nation; have the opportunity to interact with the villagers and purchase traditional and modern souvenirs. A visit to the onsite crocodile park is also included.

Included: Phezulu Village and reptile park entrance

Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park, Zulu Culture & St. Lucia

Duration – 2 Nights / 3 Days

Hotel Rate – R15000 – R19300 per person

Description

Highlights: Khula village, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park

Included:

• 2 nights’ accommodation at a 4 star Guest House, St Lucia, on a Bed & Breakfast basis
• Return road transfers from Durban to St Lucia
• Lunch on Days 2 & 3

Activities:

• Khula village cultural experience (shared)
• Lake St Lucia Boat Cruise (shared)
• 1 x Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve Full day Open vehicle Safari (shared)
• 1 x Eastern Shores/Cape Vidal, Full day Open vehicle Safari (shared)

Not included (for own account)

• Flights to and from Durban
• Refreshments
• Gratuities
• Laundry
• Activities and meals not specified
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Dinners
• Lunches not specified above

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Departure approx. 07h00

We travel approx. 2.5 hours into the heart of Zululand, on route stopping at the King Shaka Memorial to learn more about this great Zulu King. We immerse ourselves into the rich and diverse culture and learn more about the history of the amaZulu or People of the Heaven at Khula Village. Visit a traditional healer, watch traditional Zulu dancing, visit homesteads, view beautiful beadwork and crafts while being able to interact with the people of the area. We continue to the village of St Lucia. Here we will have lunch (own account) and have the opportunity to visit the local market. St Lucia will be our base for the next two nights. In the afternoon, we’ll embark on our ‘Estuary Safari”, where we’ll enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia, which falls within the greater Isimangaliso St Lucia Wetlands Park, one of South Africa’s 10 World Heritage sites. Here we will have the opportunity to view crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat, as well as an abundance of birds and possible other animals. Tonight you can enjoy dinner (for own account) at one of the local restaurants, based in St Lucia.

Included: Khula village tour, Shared St Lucia boatcruise, Accommodation BB Basis

Day 2 – Departure approx. 05h00

An early dawn departure enables us to enjoy a shared open vehicle safari, with ‘possible Big 5’ photo opportunities. We travel a short distance into the heart of Zululand to visit the oldest Game Reserve in South Africa, the Hluhluwe & Imfolozi National Park. It was here that the famous White Rhino conservation project was initiated and implemented with great success. This reserve is host to the ‘Big 5’ – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino – as well as many other exciting wildlife species. The area is also renowned for its exceptional birding. A break will be taken for lunch at around midday, when the animals tend to seek the cool of the denser vegetation. We return to St Lucia later in the afternoon. Tonight, you can enjoy dinner (for own account) at one of the local restaurants, based in St Lucia.

Included: Shared Open Vehicle safari & light lunch, Accommodation BB Basis

Day 3 – Departure approx. 08h00

After breakfast we depart to Cape Vidal. Here, we spend some time on the beautiful unspoiled beaches. Cape Vidal falls within the St Lucia Marine Reserve and is situated north-east of St Lucia. It has the best of both worlds with access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where there is a variety of game including reedbuck, other antelope, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo, spectacular water, forest and grassland birds and the wonderful Indian Ocean shore line with its startling array of marine animals. We return to Durban in the late afternoon/evening

Included: Shared Open Vehicle safari Eastern Shores, light lunch