This self-drive, using PREMIER accommodation, incorporates all of the highlights of KwaZulu Natal - an enjoyable mixture of discovery and gourmet delights amidst breathtaking scenery. Its ideally suited to the South African winter and spring months and can be adapted to include Luxury accommodation as well.Code CT

Extremely varied self drive holiday


Ideal for SA winter and spring months

Suitable for adventurous older children

Minimum Pax None

Meals Varied, FBA on 3 nights, DBB on 9 nights, BB on 2 nights

Departure/End Start in Durban and end in Johannesburg

Accommodation Premier – country lodges and hotels and bush game lodges

Transport Group B car rental with Super Cover and unlimited kilometres

Best Time to Go April to October/November or Summer for turtle tracking

Health Requirements Anti-malarial precautions, Sunblock essential

Day 1 - 2 nights, The Boathouse, Durban North Coast, BB

On arrival in Durban you collect your rental car and drive to the Boathouse for a two-night stay.

The ‘Dolphin Coast’ north of Durban is made for swimming, relaxing and enjoying alfresco seafood cuisine. It’s famous for its bottle-nosed dolphins – take a boat cruise to view them at close range.

Here you are away from the bustle of the city and yet easily within reach of its attractions such as the lush botanical gardens and enticing Indian spice markets.

The Boathouse offers stylish accommodation with a nautical theme, right on the beach. The 19 individually decorated en-suite bedrooms offer TV, air-conditioning, telephone and many have stunning sea views. Evening meals are served and there is a bar and attractive pool. Ballito is a quiet resort, 40 minutes north of Durban.

Day 3 - 2 nights, Hluhluwe River Lodge, near Hluhluwe Reserve, DBB

Today you drive north to Zululand for your two night stay at the Hluhluwe River Lodge. Hluhluwe-Umfulozi Game Reserve is the best known of several good game parks in Zululand.

It is particularly famed for its concentrations of rare white rhino, as well as elephant, black rhino, buffalo and predators.

Hluhluwe River Lodge overlooks the Hluhluwe floodplain and borders the St Lucia Wetlands. The 12 chalets, including two family suites and two honeymoon suites, are spacious and supremely comfortable with air-conditioning, minibar and wooden sun decks. The lodge takes full advantage of its superb location with a host of activities: open top game drives into Hluhluwe reserve; walks in the sand forest; relaxing and informative boat cruises on the lake and highly enjoyable canoeing. Particularly known for its rich birdlife.

Day 5 - 3 nights, Kosi Forest Lodge, Coastal Maputaland, FBA

After breakfast and your morning game drives you travel up the coast to Maputaland to Kosi Forest Lodge. The Kosi Forest coastal reserve is an unspoilt wilderness region of pristine golden beaches backed by forested dunes and captivating freshwater lakes. This truly is a magical area, untouched by large-scale tourism.

Activities mostly revolve around the ocean and the lakeland system with snorkelling for tropical fish, canoeing and summer excursions to view the rare giant leatherback turtles as they lay and hatch their eggs (Oct to Feb).

Kosi Forest Lodge has a lovely setting amongst the serene Kosi lake system so its activities are split between guided canoeing on the tranquil lakes, nature walks in the ancient raffia forest with iLala palm wine-tasting, and snorkelling, swimming and examining the ancient Tonga fish traps at the magnificent Kosi river mouth. Turtle tracking is a highlight for summer visitors. This delightful lodge offers 10 luxurious tented suites with the most romantic bathrooms with a sunken open air bath for star-gazing.

Day 8 - 2 nights, White Elephant Bush Lodge, Pongola Game Reserve, DBB + 1G

Today you drive east to the Pongola Game Reserve at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, overlooking the beautiful Lake Jozini.

Here you encounter a variety of antelope, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hyena and elephant and loads of activities - open top game drives, sunset boat cruises, nature walks, Tiger fishing and tracking rhino or elephant. White Elephant Bush Lodge’s reed and thatch cottages are quite rustic but charming with mosquito nets and fans and a large walk in shower.

Day 10 - 1 night, Simunye Village, DBBA

Travel south for your overnight stay at Simunye Cultural Village.

Simunye is a complete experience - a small Zulu village where you stay as guests of the royal Biyela clan. Whilst quite rustic and authentic, this small and intimate evocation of a traditional village offers a very enjoyable stay. There’s no electricity and you travel to the village, nestling in a beautiful valley, by ox cart.

Here you learn about Zulu culture and traditions and in the evening watch spectacular dancing over a campside meal. The ten stone and thatch rooms are comfortable with unique rock baths filled by hand.

Day 11 - 2 nights, Babanango Valley Lodge, DBB

Today you travel to the Battlefields, a collective name for an area of rolling cattle country in rural Zululand where many of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles were fought - an enduring story of courage and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and tragedy. We recommend a fascinating guided tour to sites such as Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

Babanango Valley Lodge is an 8,000 acre private nature reserve in one of the loveliest valleys in Zululand. The lodge offers superb hospitality with country-style bedrooms and delicious dinners. Guided Battlefield and Hluhluwe tours are popular. Other activities include well-marked walking trails, complete with handbook, 4x4 nature drives, visits to a cultural village and superb bird watching. Children love Babanango, with its trampoline, sandpit, animal farmyard and obstacle course.

Day 13 - 2 nights, Cathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg Mountains, DBB

Today you travel in the Drakensberg area, named after the jagged teeth of the mythical beast that locals believe must surely inhabit such an awesome mountain range. The ‘berg’ offers everything, from serious hiking to gentle rambles beside crystal streams and through wooded glades. Other delights are its ancient San rock paintings at Giants Castle and Kamberg, the 4x4 ascent to the top of Sani Pass in Lesotho, the world-class Drakensberg Boys Choir and the arts and craft studios.

Cathedral Peak is a classic mountain resort hotel with stunning panoramic views. Unmatched sporting facilities include a heated pool, children’s paddling pool, tennis, squash, gym, 9 hole golf course, horse riding, trout fishing, children’s playground and famed daily guided mountain walks.

Day 15 - Return car to Johannesburg

Today you drive to Johannesburg Airport to drop off your rental car in time for your flight.

This package can be extended,to include other Safari, Eco Cultural tour, Golf, Spa, Swim with Dolphins,walking, etc what ever you want to do, or it can stand alone... the vehicle may be upgraded..rates depend on the season...

Best Time to Go April to October/November or Summer for turtle tracking