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KwaZulu Natal self-drive tour

From £2,490 per adult

South Africa

If a "sun-lounger" holiday is not your thing, this exciting two-week tour of South Africa's KwaZulu Natal, packed with outdoor activities and excursions, might rock your boat. This trip takes you high into the Drakensberg on the Lesotho border, through the famous 1879 Zulu War battlefields, on safari in Zulu King Shaka's former hunting grounds, and ends with three days in the sea-side town of St Lucia, gateway to the 260,000 hectare Isimangaliso Wetland Park.

Kwa Zulu Natal has sunshine year-round. March to November are the best months for touring, as South Africa's summer (December - February) can be wet and humid. Days are clear and sunny throughout the South African winter (June to August), but take a warm fleece as nights can be cool, especially on safari and high in the mountains.

Itinerary

On this trip you will visit:

Drakensberg & Midlands
Durban & South Coast
Greater St Lucia
KwaZulu Natal
Zululand & the Battlefields

Day 1

Fly overnight to Johannesburg, and connect to Durban, where you pick up your hire car. A short drive to the foothills of the Drakensberg, brings you to your first hotel, Moorcroft Country Lodge for a two-night stay. This is the starting point for the thrilling, full-day, Sani Pass tour that takes you by four-wheel drive along a spectacular mountain route, into Lesotho, the "roof of Africa".

Accommodation: Moorcroft Manor

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Day 2

The tour visits Basotho, a traditional village where you lunch in the highest pub in Africa! You will need your passport and a visa to enter this mountain kingdom. Other activities at Moorcroft Country Lodge include a guided walk to see ancient San rock art, horse riding, fly-fishing (tackle provided) and hiking.

Days 3 - 4

Continue northwards along winding scenic roads to Cathedral Peak Hotel, in the Central Drakensberg, to stay two nights. There is so much to do here, you will feel spoilt for choice guided and self-guided walks, excursions to see San rock art, birding hikes, mountain-biking, horse riding, fishing, golf, tennis, and white water rafting at Four Rivers during October/November and April/May.

Accommodation: Cathedral Peak Hotel

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Days 5 - 7

Drive east to the Battlefields to stay three nights at comfortable Fugitives Drift Guest House, on the reserve only 5 minutes from the main lodge with just 6 rooms each with private verandah, grouped around an old farmhouse, set in lovely gardens with a peaceful atmosphere. Here there are fascinating tours to the nearby battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift, as well as to Dingaan's Kraal and the Zulu -Valley of the Kings.

Accommodation: Fugitives' Drift Guest House

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Days 8 - 9

Continue Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, South Africa's oldest game reserve, once the hunting ground of Zulu kings. Stay two nights in a spacious chalet at Hilltop Camp, set on a hilltop in the north and overlooking the reserve. Your chalet has a lounge and a fully equipped kitchen. You can cook for yourselves - there is a shop selling basic supplies or eat in the camp restaurant. We recommend the morning and afternoon game drives, in open safari vehicles, booked locally, but it is also fun to drive yourselves around the reserve.

Accommodation: Hilltop Camp

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Days 10 - 12

Drive the short distance east to the picturesque, coastal village of St Lucia, to stay three nights at Avalone Guest House, where a warm welcome awaits. A firm favourite with Rainbow Tours' clients, your time here can be packed with activities and excursions, including a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia to see hippos, crocodiles and pelicans, a kayak safari, self-guided hiking, Zulu cultural tours, deep sea-, rock-, surf and fly-fishing, whale watching tours (June to November), and turtle watching (November to March). Just beyond St Lucia village, the vast sandy beach at Cape Vidal is a popular spot for snorkelling and swimming.

Accommodation: Avalone Guesthouse

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Day 13

Drive to Durban on your last morning to catch the late afternoon flight to Johannesburg, and connect with the overnight flight to London.

Price guides 2013/2014

From £2,490 per adult, and child from £1980 sharing with adults, for travel May - Sept

Prices based on two people travelling together, subject to availability for travel May - September. Price includes international and domestic flights, accommodation, all breakfasts, dinner at Cathedral Peak, Fugitives Drift Guest House and Hilltop Camp, Battlefields tour, Group C car hire with full insurance cover.

Speak with a specialist

Rainbow specialists provide a high-quality, personal service and respected, impartial advice so you can make informed decisions about your individual holiday. To talk through your holiday ideas and plans, ring us on 020 7666 1250, or make an enquiry by email.

Accommodation

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Avalone Guesthouse

Maputaland, South Africa

Avalone Guesthouse The little town of St Lucia, by Lake St Lucia, at the southern end of the wetland beaches, is a hub for all kinds of outdoor activities. You can cruise on the lake, go fishing, kayak, ride horses on the...

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Cathedral Peak Hotel

Drakensberg & Midlands, South Africa

Cathedral Peak Hotel is an established resort hotel beautifully set in a quiet valley among the rugged peaks of the Central Drakensberg. Since it first opened in 1939, the owner’s family has provided warm hospitality and...

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Fugitives' Drift Guest House

Zululand & the Battlefields, South Africa

Fugitives' Drift Guest House offers alternative accommodation on the Fugitives Drift Reserve, just five minutes away from the lodge. It has just six rooms, each with a private verandah, grouped around an old farmhouse and set in...

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Hilltop Camp

Hluhluwe & wildlife, South Africa

Hilltop Camp is on the summit of a forested hill inside Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and has stupendous views over the Reserve. Operated by KZN Wildlife, which manages all the public reserves, accommodation is in simple but comfortable...

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Moorcroft Manor

Drakensberg & Midlands, South Africa

Moorcroft Manor Set close to Himeville in the Underberg, the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, this country hotel is an ideal base to explore the southern Drakensberg. The eight bedrooms have private patios with...

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