Africa & Beyond Ltd Tel: 0161 789 8838 Email: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk www.africaandbeyond.co.uk
KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa South Africa’s Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal, is often overlooked in favour of its more famous Western Cape counterpart; however due to its diversity, the province is increasing in stature as a destination in its own right, where visitors are invited to share in the rich culture and natural environment, sophistication and nature – as well as being home to the historic Battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Flanked by the warm Indian Ocean, the region also has areas of vast, unspoiled beaches and coastline teeming with nature. In Elephant Coast, a great number of turtles inhabit the waters and breeds include the Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Green Turtle and Hawksbill. The Big 5 are all found in the province’s Game Reserves, and the largest population of Black and White Rhino are also found here.
When to go
The province has a warm, sub-tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the expanse of the Indian Ocean. Summers are hot and humid averaging 28 degrees, and experience the majority of the annual rainfall. The winter averages temperatures of 23 degrees and days are warm, dry and clear. There is occasional frost in the interior and snow often falls on the Drakensberg Mountain range.
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What to do
Big 5 game viewing in the many private and public Game Reserves is a must, and there are some fantastic options with the Greater St Lucia Wetland offering a completely different perspective.
While inland, fascinating historical tours of the Anglo–Zulu and Anglo-Boer Battlefields take place as well as outstanding walking and hiking trails which are found throughout the Drakensberg Mountains.
Loggerhead and leatherback turtles come ashore to breed from Nov– Mar and these areas are now heavily protected but open to visitors staying at selected lodges. Marine life is superb and excellent diving sites are to be found along the coast.
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Safari, Wetlands & Elephant Coast
Battlefields
Durban
Drakensberg Mountains
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Battlefields In 1878, the increasing strength of King Cetshwayo was perceived to be a threat to the power held by the British government, so an ultimatum was issued to the Zulu nation to disband their army and swear allegiance to Queen Victoria. This was never going to be accepted and the infamous Anglo/Zulu war began with ensuing disaster for the British forces having grossly underestimated the strength and will of the Zulus. The legendary historian and raconteur David Rattray, was a pioneer of Heritage Tourism; recreating the drama, horror and emotion of the Anglo/Zulu battles of Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift through the spoken word. Today this passion and enthusiasm continues through the Rattray family and the new generation of guides who will ensure this time in history will never be forgotten. Whilst across in the old Transvaal region many of the Anglo/Boer battles took place, KwaZuluNatal was the location of the famous bloody battle for Spioenkop, a hilltop seen as a strategically crucial vantage point on which to advance on the strong-hold of Ladysmith. Once again guided tours will bring to life how key errors in planning and communication proved fatal for so many.
Fugutives Drift Lodge
Fugutives Drift Guesthouse
Isandlwana
Zulu Lodge
Three Tree Hill Lodge
Nambiti Plains
• Home of the Anglo Zulu Battlefield tours • Luxury cottages with verandas • Homestead style lounge & dining room • Wildlife viewing possible • Walking & cultural tours
• Set on a private game reserve • Battlefield tours • Rustic luxury accommodation • Zulu cultural tours • Swimming pool
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• Part of the legendary Rattray Family • Luxury cottages • Anglo Zulu Battlefield tours • Swimming pool • Indoor & outdoor dining
• Anglo Boer Battlefield tours • Family friendly lodge • Game walks & rhino tracking • Horse riding & hiking • Swimming pool
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• Anglo Zulu Battlefield tours • Luxury guest rooms • Hiking & horse riding • Good birdwatching area • Swimming pool with views
• Private boutique lodge • Guided safari drives on the reserve • Guided battlefield tours • Cheetah interaction experience • Swimming pool & terrace
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Safari, Elephant Coast & Wetlands Away from the well-known safari hot spots like Sabi Sands, Madkiwe & Shamwari, KwaZuluNatal has its own fair share of wildlife. In fact just a few hours north of Durban brings you to a vast area of unspoilt plains and wetlands teeming with wildlife. Big 5 destinations such as Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the private reserve of Phinda are far away from the crowds whilst offering luxurious accommodation too.
Kosi Forest Lodge
Thonga Beach Lodge
Rhino Ridge Lodge
Thanda Safari Lodge
Thanda Tented Camp
Amangwane Lodge
Umkhumbi Lodge
Phinda Forest Lodge
Phinda Vlei Lodge
• Rustic luxury bush suites • Turtle tracking • Canoeing & boating • Set within a nature reserve • Wildlife and birdwatching
• Luxury bush suites • Big 5 game drives • Elephant interaction experience • Spa & great dining choices • Family friendly
• Budget family friendly lodge • Safari game drives • Elephant interaction tours • Kayaking & cultural tours • Onsite bar & restaurant
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• Luxury beach lodge • Coastal & forest surroundings • Turtle tracking & snorkelling • Kayaking on Lake Sibaya • Abundant birdlife
• Luxury tented suites • Big 5 safari drives • Elephant interaction experience • Family friendly • Bush walks and cultural tours
• Luxury Eco-designed lodge • Central pool and terrace area • Safari game drives • River cruises & rhino tracking • Tranquil forest surroundings
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• Big 5 safari experience • Infinity swimming pool • Spa centre • Luxury hilltop accommodation • Family friendly
• Located in Kosi Bay • Rustic chalets • Kayaking • Turtle tracking • Elephant interaction & wildlife tours
• Exclusive luxury suites • Safari game drives • Overlooking the lodge waterhole • River cruises & rhino tracking • Tranquil setting
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Phinda Rock Lodge
• Luxury all suite lodge • Safari game drives • Exclusive hillside location • Terrace with plunge pools • River cruises & rhino tracking
Mkuze Falls Lodge
• Big 5 game reserve • Rustic luxury safari lodge • Swimming pool with river views • Onsite spa, restaurant & bar • River safaris
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Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Mountain Lodge
Hluhluwe River Lodge
Hluhluwe Hilltop Camp
• Small exclusive luxury lodge • Private safari guides & rangers • Chef creates tailored menus • Safari game drives • Private swimming pool & waterhole
• Dramatic mountain top views • Family friendly luxury lodge • Safari game drives • Private plunge pools • River cruises & rhino tracking
• Sweeping views of False Bay • Game drives, rhino tracking & birding • Indoor/outdoor restaurant & bar • Luxury family friendly bush chalets • River safaris & mountain biking
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• Rustic bush camp • Stunning hilltop views • Swimming pool • Boat & driving safaris, rhino tracking • Family friendly
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Drakensberg Mountains The Drakensberg Mountains (Dragon Mountain) stretches roughly 1000km north-east and forms the western border of KwaZulu-Natal separating it from the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Free State province. From the massive basalt cliffs of its northern reaches to the sandstone buttresses in the south, the Berg - as it’s popularly known - offers amazing experiences to anyone of any age who needs to ‘get away from it all’. Peace and quiet is amid this unsurpassed splendour where the World’s second-highest waterfall tumbles down a series of cascades. Several nature reserves including Kamberg and Loteni are worth visiting and both are home to the almost extinct reedbuck as well as blesbuck, eland, bushbuck and oribi.
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Cathedral Peak
Montusi Mountain Lodge
• Luxury guest rooms • Outstanding location • Suburb dining experience • Nature walks, riding, fishing
• Family friendly hotel • Superb mountain location • Nature walks & hiking • Cycling & horse riding • Onsite restaurant & bar
Didima
Hartford House
Moorcroft Manor
• Choice of spacious chalets • Walking, hiking & cultural visits • Family friendly • Unspoilt hillside position • Onsite bar & restaurant
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• Quiet mountain location • Walking & hiking trails • Spacious luxury suites • Fishing & horse riding • Swimming pool
• Ranch style accommodation • Award winning restaurant • Fly fishing, horse riding & Drakensberg tours • Onsite wellness centre • Situated on the world-class Summerhill Stud
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• Country house style property • Fine dining restaurant • Spa • Horse riding, walking • Fly fishing & cultural tours
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Durban & Surrounds Durban is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city of over three million people where east meets west. Durban is a great place in which to play, shop, experience the nightlife and to relax. Leisure facilities abound in Durban. Visit uShaka Marine World, Wilson’s Wharf on the Victoria Embankment and the nearby arts and culture BAT centre. Visitors can enjoy fine and traditional dining, entertainment and shopping in scenic surroundings. Dotted along the coast are several seaside towns which offer the same sandy beaches and warm Indian Ocean waters, but are smaller and less populated, with a fine selection of accommodation ranging from guest houses to golf estates. Umhlanga, Ballito and Salt Rock are amongst the most popular of these which are all within half an hour’s drive of Durban.
Quarters - Florida Road
Oyster Box Hotel - Umhlanga
Sandals Guest House - Umhlanga
Canelands - Umhlanga
Elangeni & Maharani Hotel
Beverly Hills Hotel - Umlanga
• Luxury boutique hotel • Individually styled rooms • Set in beautiful gardens • Fine dining restaurant • Ideal location for city & beach
• Beachfront location • Ocean view swimming pool • Onsite restaurant & bar • Spa centre • Family friendly
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• Beachfront location • Onsite spa • Wellness centre • Family friendly • Heated swimming pool
• International style hotel • Beachfront location • Family friendly • Close to city for excursions • 3 swimming pools
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• Small luxury guesthouse • Centrally located for city & beach • Swimming pool • Onsite dining room & bar • Tranquil sun terrace & gardens
• International style hotel • Family friendly • Beachfront location • Restaurants, bars & fitness centre • Swimming pool with ocean views
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Golf South Africa is blessed not only with extraordinarily fine weather but some of the most beautiful golf courses. Across the country courses are found nestled amongst winelands, mountains or the coast, and KwaZulu-Natal province is no exception. Links courses are scattered along the east coast overlooking the Indian Ocean within easy drives both north and south of Durban. Inland surrounded by the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, players try not to get distracted by the breath-taking back drops found at Cathedral Peak or the Champagne Golf Course. It’s not unheard of either to see wildlife sauntering across the greens. Up in the north of the province near Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park, a course or two can be played while taking a break from a Big 5 safari.
Fairmont Zimbali Resort • 18 hole course • Overlooking the ocean & forest • Luxury apartments & houses • On the Dolphin Coast • Close to shops & beach
Southbroom Golf Club
• Immaculate 18 hole course • Views of the ocean & nature reserve • Abundant birdlife • Dining available at the club house • Accommodation available locally
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Mount Edgecombe Country Club
Champagne Golf Resort
Umboni Park
Scotburg Golf Club
• Two 18 hole championship courses • Club house dining available • Set within rolling hills • Short drive from Durban • Accommodation available locally
• 18 hole golf course • Views over the ocean & parkland • Set within a 20 hectare nature reserve • 1 hour drive from Durban • Accommodation available locally
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• 18 hole championship course • Fishing & walking • Stylish family friendly thatched cottages • Onsite fitness & spa centre • Swimming pool & tennis courts
• 18 hole golf course • Oceanfront location • Club house dining available • Short coastal drive from Durban • Accommodation available locally
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KwaZulu-Natal Itineraries Ultimate KwaZulu-Natal Tour
Day 1 Start your east coast adventure staying at the Oyster Box Hotel. With ocean views, this is the perfect start to your holiday. Day 2-4 Depart Durban for the Drakensberg Mountains. Take time while driving to enjoy the spectacular scenery before settling in to Cleopatra Mountain Farm House. The farmhouse offers excellent accommodation and is renowned for its gourmet food. This pristine mountainous region offers a wealth of outdoor opportunities, from gentle walking to hiking, or horse-riding to mountain biking. Day 5-6 Your journey todays sees you heading to the legendary Battlefields region. There are a wealth of extremely knowledgeable guides who bring history to life by their eloquent narration. Stay at either Spioenkop for the Angelo/Boer War sites or Isandlwana and Fugitives Drift for the Anglo/Zulu War battle sites.
Battlefields Module
Day 1 Choose from either exquisite beachfront or city accommodation to relax on arrival in Durban. Day 2-3 Your destination today is Spioenkop, the site of the famous Anglo/Boer War battlefield. Three Tree Hill Lodge specialises in the history of the 2nd Anglo/Boer War (from 1899 – 1902). Other activities here include horseriding, game walks, rhino tracking, mountain biking and nature trails. Day 4-5 The area of Rorke’s Drift is the destination today, where the focus switches to the Anglo/Zulu battlefields. The incredibly moving narration of this momentous battle is given by guides passionate about their subject. Fugitives Drift Lodge or Isandlwana Lodge offer guests excellent accommodation in the heart of this historically important region. Day 6 Return to Durban for a night by the coast or connect with additional arrangements.
Stylish and relaxed accommodation is recommended at either Three Tree Hill Lodge, Isandlwana or Fugitives Drift Lodge. Day 7-10 Safari time next stop! And here your choice is endless. The wetlands and St Lucia regions offer some of the best game viewing in South Africa including the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, home to the Big 5 including the Rhino Protection Centre. From October – March the Maputaland Coastal Forest is home to thousands of hatching turtles making their maiden voyage from beach to sea, whilst in the ocean, the Marine Reserve offers exceptional snorkelling and some of the best dive sites in Southern Africa. Accommodation can be selected to suit your style, budget and preferences. Phinda Game Reserve has several luxury lodges, Rocktail Beach Camp & Thonga Beach Lodge are right on the coast, while Hluhluwe River Lodge is in the heart of the national park. Day 11 Overnight in Durban with a chance to unwind on the Dolphin Coast.
Safari Module
Day 1 The east coast of South Africa is the perfect start to your KwaZulu-Natal journey. Overnight at Quarters Hotel, Florida Road, for easy access to the beach and city. Day 2-4 KwaZulu-Natal is rich in wildlife regions including the Elephant Coast, where the forest meets the ocean, Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park which is perfect for Big 5 game viewing, or a private reserve such as Phinda or Thanda where luxury accommodation combines with exclusive safari activities. Three nights are recommended to ensure visitors can appreciate the full experience; game drives, canoeing, boat safaris, birdwatching, nature walks, snorkelling and diving are all on offer. Day 5 Transfer back to Durban to continue with your holiday.
Giants Castle
Day 1 Take time out today in the Umhlanga area at the beachfront Canelands Resort. Day 2-4 Self-drive to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, an area of unspoilt beauty on a grand scale. Stretching up to 1000 kms there are a wealth of hiking trails to peaks such as Giants Castle rewarding visitors with the most spectacular endless views. Cleopatra Mountain Farm House has mastered low key rustic luxury across their property while the kitchen produces some of the finest cuisine and hospitality is second to none. Horse riding, fly fishing and mountain biking are just a few of the other activities available in this most unique region. Day 5 Return to Durban today to relax by the ocean or continue with onward arrangements.