Durban, Drakensberg & Wildlife Safari Self Drive Tour  8 day itinerary

Durban, Drakensberg & Wildlife Safari Self Drive Tour

KwaZulu Natal is rich in culture, wildlife and history. This self-drive tour takes one on a safe route where you have the opportunity to experience all the region has to offer. Taking you through the most beautiful settings, on the best roads possible to view wildlife; this South African self-drive KwaZulu Natal Wildlife Tour promises a pre-plotted route of exploration around KwaZulu Natal.

Day 1 - Durban

Upon arriving in Durban, collect your rental vehicle.

Alive with vibrant culture, Durban hosts a variety of activities you can choose from to enjoy the city:

• Go on a Durban City Tour.
• Take a rickshaw ride through the streets of the city.
• View the surrounding mosques and the Golden Mile.
• Get a taste of the local flavour, trying Indian spices and Durban’s own ‘bunny chow’.  
• Visit uShaka Marine World, Africa's largest Marine Theme Park.
• Experience an audio-visual educational presentation offered by the Natal Sharks Board, which includes a 20 minute dissection.
• Notch the level of adventure up even higher and bungee jump/swing at Durban Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The Riverside Hotel & Spa in Durban North will serve as your evening’s accommodation. Situated next to the Umgeni River, the Hotel has a lovely restaurant where you can dine in style with food to suit your mood. Special facilities include a pub, swimming pool and a tranquil spa facility.

Overnight at The Riverside Hotel and Spa (Standard Room ) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 2-3 - Durban - Drakensberg Mountain

Day two and three see you on a journey in Drakensberg. Stop at stunning Howick Falls with its lush green surrounding vegetation and rock face. Continuing on your journey, you pass through the Valley of a Thousand Hills where the air is clear and fresh among this scenic mountain pass. Visit the Royal Natal National Park where you can enjoy mountain walks and view Bushmen rock art.

The Cavern Resort in Drakensberg serves as your accommodation for these two days. This award winning resort offers pool, spa facilities as well as a ‘star trail’ and stunning views of World Heritage Site, the Royal Natal National Park Amphitheatre.

Overnight at The Cavern (Standard Room ) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

Day 4-5 - Drakensberg Mountain - Ithala Game Reserve

Day four and five are all about the nature and wildlife in KwaZulu Natal’s Ithala Game Reserve.  Travel via historic battlefields at Dundee, Vryheid where Boer, Brit and Zulu battle sites lie. Explore the reserve on game drives and self-guided walking trails. A variety of wildlife are to be seen in the game reserve: elephant , buffalo, giraffe and zebra, are closely followed by predators like leopard and spotted hyaena.

Nestled inside the Ithala Game Reserve, the Ntshondwe Lodge is where you will be resting your head for two nights. Be sure to check in before the game reserve closes, otherwise you’ll be left on the opposite side of the fence to your accommodation.

Ithala Game Reserve Gate Opening and Closing Times:

• Summer (1 November to 28/29 February) 05h00 to 19h00
• Winter (1 March to 31 October) 06h00 to 18h00

Overnight at Ntshondwe Lodge (2 Bed Chalet) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: None.

Day 6-7 - Ithala Game Reserve

Travel from Ithala Game Reserve to Hluhluwe through the culturally rich KwaZulu Natal. Here you have the opportunity to visit Jozini Dam, where, en-route, you can enjoy the scenic surrounds taking a fishing boat trip down the Pongola River. These next two days will give you the opportunity to venture into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve or experience first-hand the Zulu culture when visiting a traditional village. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is famous for its conservation of both white and black rhino, which can be seen roaming the park’s plains along with the rest of the ‘Big Five’.

The Falaza Game Park & Spa provides luxury tented accommodation, flanked by World Heritage site St Lucia. This peaceful haven boasts a boma, swimming pool, restaurant, bar and satellite TV in the lounge. The lodge’s impeccable service promises your needs be catered for.

Overnight at Falaza Game Park & Spa (Luxury Tent) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 8 - Durban

Before returning to Durban, take an estuary cruise on Lake St Lucia where you can enjoy a relaxing drift on the lake viewing the diversity of eco systems where crocodile and hippos can be spotted.

Durban, Drakensberg & Wildlife Safari Self Drive Tour Map