The Best Of Kwazulu-natal When On Holiday

the airport you now drive north into thewith local tribal basketwork and the changing
mountains of the southern Drakensberg. Recentlymoods of the day are allowed to become an
declared a World Heritage Site and offeringintegral part of the décor. Relaxation at
spectacular mountain scenery, gentle walks, fullAmakhosi Lodge can be as simple or as grand as
day and overnight hikes, horse riding and troutyou desire: enjoy a picnic in the veld, sundowners
fishing as well as hidden San (bushman) paintings,by the river or relax by the pool until you hear
the Drakensberg Mountains are unrivalled in Souththe beat of an African drum calling you for dinner.
Africa as a mountain destination.Days 10 & 11: St Lucia (50 kms)
Make your way to Cleopatra MountainLeaving the big game of Hluhluwe behind, you
Farmhouse, a charming, owner-run, guesthousenow make your way the short distance to the
surrounded by crystal clear rivers, toweringGreater St Lucia Wetland Park. St Lucia is
mountains and magnificent scenery. Enjoy theAfrica’s largest natural estuary and one of
exciting cuisine (it truly is a “foodies”the world’s most remarkable wetland and
paradise), explore the nearby mountains on footmarine reserves. Along the coast the warm Indian
or on horseback, spend the day trout fishing (SepOcean washes up on miles of golden uninhabited
- June), visit nearby bushman paintings or simplybeaches with dune forests just waiting to be
relax, swim in the mountain pools and enjoy theexplored. The wildlife in this pristine piece of
fresh air and fantastic scenery that surroundswilderness includes leopard, rhino, buffalo, hippo,
you.crocodiles, elephants as well as numerous
Day 3 & 4: Northern Drakensberg Tour (175antelopes and over 360 species of birds.
kms)Makakatana Bay Lodge is an exclusive bush lodge
You now make your way into the heart of thelocated within the St Lucia World Heritage Site
spectacular mountain scenery offered by theoffering a private and personal wetlands,
northern Drakensberg tour, stopping along thewilderness and beach experience. The 5 luxury
way to explore the rolling scenery and arts andsuites are connected by wooden walkways and
crafts of the Natal Midlands.the lodge facilities include a private bush pool on
Your accommodation Montusi Mountain Lodge isthe lake’s edge, an outdoor boma for
situated close to one of the Drakensberg’sevening dining as well as a wine cellar in the
most famous and spectacular landmarks, the‘Old Crab House’. Personal guides take
Amphitheatre, 3000 metres high and 4 kilometresyou on your daily adventures, mokoro (traditional
wide. The 1,000 hectare Montusi Mountain Lodgedug out canoes) trips, boat trips, beach safaris,
offers genuine hospitality in the tranquillity of onehippo and crocodile safaris, game drives and night
of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa.drives.
The spacious, tastefully decorated, individualDay 12 & 13: Durban South Coast Tour(300 kms)
garden suites have comfortable bedrooms withAfter a final breakfast in the wilderness of St
en suite bathrooms, a lounge with fireplace, and aLucia you make your way back towards Durban
private patio with outstanding views of theon the Durban South Coast Tour and continue
surrounding mountains. Your hosts are on hand tosouth to what is locally known as the Sunshine
help you plan your day: explore the neighbouringCoast. This stretch of coastline boasts a mild
mountains, join a guided walk or simply relax andtropical climate, lovely wide expanses of beach,
enjoy the sparkling swimming pool at the lodge. Inthe warm, intensely blue waters of the Indian
the evening share your experiences with otherOcean and a lushly green hinterland — a
visitors at the bar before enjoying the sumptuousperfect relaxing destination to end your holiday
local cuisine in the dining roomNow in its third century, your historic
Days 5, 6 & 7: Fugitive's Drift (175 kms)accommodation, Lynton Hall, has played host to
Heading east you now enter into the heart ofRoyalty, Prime Ministers, men of letters and
Zululand and it is at Fugitives' Drift Guesthousecaptains of businesses. This gracious property
that the history of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 willrests at the head of Umdoni Park, the lands most
be recounted. The peaceful countryside here hidespicturesque golf course, meandering through
many astounding stories of tragedy, courage andpristine coastal forest and spilling down to the
valour, which will be brought to life for you bywarm waters of the Indian Ocean. Nine
David Rattray and his outstanding team ofincomparable, superior suites are uniquely
resident historians on your visits to the battlefieldsdecorated in the Indian Colonial style, which
of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. The lodge itself ischaracterised the sugar industry of KwaZulu in the
set in a private game reserve with game including:late 1800's, and are equipped with air conditioning,
giraffe, zebra, kudu, hartebeest and a host ofheated towel rails and freestanding baths. Spend
smaller antelope and, as well as the fascinatingthe days relaxing on white sandy beaches, playing
history and the interesting game, you can enjoygolf, taking a walk through the historic gardens,
walks, horse rides in the reserve and meals in theunwinding at the swimming pool and enjoying the
relaxed atmosphere of the guesthouse.culinary creations of Lynton Hall, which are inspired
Days 8 & 9: Hluhluwe Game Reserve (250 kms)by its proximity to the Indian Ocean and the
With the stories of British and Zulu courage freshproperty's traditional connections with Colonial
in your mind you start your journey to theIndia.
Hulhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve and on toDay 14: Durban
Hluhluwe River Lodge. Idyllically situatedYou now make your way back to Durban airport
overlooking the Hluhluwe River flood plain thewhere you drop off your rented car and board a
lodge offers eight comfortable, thatched,flight for home.
A-frame, double chalets and is ideally located forIncludes: Meet & Greet on arrival, accommodation
visitors looking for a comfortable and exclusiveas follows: Cleopatra Mtn Farmhouse and Montusi
base from which to explore the world-renownedMtn Lodge on a DB&B basis, Fugitive’s
game parks of northern Zululand. As well asDrift Guesthouse on a full board basis, Hluhluwe
guided walking trails and bird watching excursionsRiver Lodge on a full board & 1 activity per day
you can join guided open-vehicle game drives tobasis, Amakhosi (optional) and Makakatana on a
the neighbouring Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve,full board and activities included basis and Lynton
world famous for its conservation efforts,Hall on a B&B basis. 14 days car rental: Group B,
especially with rhino. Hluhluwe is home to a wideNissan Almera or similar (unlimited kms, air
variety and density of animal species including allconditioning, radio/tape, power steering,
the “Big 5” (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo andsupercover insurance).
leopard).Excludes: Meals not indicated above, all drinks,
Option: Upgrade your safari to Amakhosi, a 5 starentrance fees, activities (unless otherwise
lodge set in a 10,000 ha private game reservespecified), all airfares and airport taxes, travel
which is home to the ‘Big Five’ as wellinsurance, fuel and toll fees, car hire extras such
as herds of antelope, hippo, crocodile and otheras contract fees, additional driver fees and one
wildlife. Surrounded by rolling hills, grass andway drop off charges, mobile phone rental,
wetland, the lodge has been built on the banks ofexpenses of a personal nature, porterage, tips
the Mkuze River and is a discreet mix of theand gratuities.
sublime and the earthy. The rooms are decorated