Adventure in Kwa-Zulu Natal

7 Night / 8 Day Itinerary

Day One

Durban / Drakensberg
You will be met and collected in Durban, at 06h00.

The Sharks Board headquarters are situated on the ridge overlooking the Umhlanga.  It is one of the foremost facilities worldwide for research into the habitats of this magnificent, misunderstood, marine creature – the shark.

The meeting point is a Café Fish at 06h30 – you will be taken out on a 2 hour boat trip with the Sharks Board to check the shark nets and if any sharks have bee caught in the nets – if so then to try to release them. During the trip there will be dolphin spotting as this coastline is renowned for the huge shoals of dolphin that patrol the coastline.  On your return to the shore, we will have an audiovisual shark presentation and shark dissection.

Depart around 10h30 for the scenic drive towards Ardmore Guest Farm situated at the base of the main Drakensburg range en route, you will passing the quaint small farming towns of Bergville and Winterton with spectacular views of the central Drakensburg range of mountains.

Ardmore is the home of the world famous Ardmore Ceramic Studios, these magnificent hand made ceramics are treasured in many places throughout the world including the White House and Buckingham Palace.  Recently one piece sold at “Christies” in London for 33 000 pounds sterling.

Lunch at Ardmore and thereafter the opportunity to tour the ceramics manufacturer and view some of these works of art while being created by the local artisans.

Also based at Ardmore Guest Farm is the Ardmore Zulu Bead Project; this is the biggest beadwork collection in existence and is a community-based project by the Amangwe Tribe, the local clan of the Zulu.  Have an opportunity to watch the manufacture by the AMANGWE PEOPLE and studio of this magnificent collection of authentic Zulu beadwork.

At 14h30, we will depart for a mountain excursion.  A 15-minute drive takes us to the base of Champagne Castle the 2nd highest mountain in South Africa and part of the famous Drakensberg Mountain Range part of the World Heritage Transfrontier Park.  We will enter the Natal Parks Board region to experience the awesome splendour of South Africa’s greatest range of mountains.

Dinner this evening at Ardmore Guest House – outside under candlelight.

Day Two

Drakensberg – Ardmore Guest Farm
After breakfast, we will do an easy white water rafting trip on the Tugela River, which will take approximately 2 hours with a refreshment break. Thereafter we transfer to Thokozisia Restaurant for lunch. This is the tourism hotspot of the area and has a group of eight tourist shops supported by the local community.  Here we will have the opportunity for shopping at leisure for local community art.

Before 15h30, we will transfer to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School for the concert in the mountains.  They are rated amongst the top boy’s choir in the world!  Dinner at Ardmore Guest Farm after the concert.

Day Three

Drakensberg / Midlands Meander
Depart after breakfast for the famous Midlands Meander.  Traditionally the economy of the Midlands revolved around agriculture – mainly dairy and forestry.  However, in recent years tourism and hospitality has thrived and grown thanks to the excellent arts and crafts cottage industry, which has been developed into a well-organised route, known as the Midlands Meander.  Ceramic pots, wild animal bronzes, magnificent wooden bowls and many other intriguing galleries and workshops. Lunch at the Nottingham Road Brewery at Rawdon’s with brews such as ‘’Pied Eyed Possum’’, ‘’Tiddley Toad’’, ‘’Whistling Weasel’’ and ‘’Pickled Pig’’.  After lunch, continue on the Meander towards Hartford House.  This beautiful estate is part of one of the magnificent world famous Thoroughbred stud farms.  It is here that the Sheikh of Dubai has his string of top class stud stallions.

Overnight at Hartford and indulge in a feast of the region’s finest produce and a selection of great wines.

Day Four

Hartford House / Simunye
This morning after breakfast, we will have a personally guided tour of Summerhill Stud Farm and view some of the fastest horses in the world – this is a huge industry in South Africa.

Arrive at Simunye Cultural Village around 15h00; you will be welcomed at the Trading Store to arrange your mode of transport to the village.  Transport options are horse back or ox-wagon.  Accommodation is in a stone and thatched lodge nestled in a cliff overlooking the Mfule River.  This evening soak in your own hot rock pool bath – an experience you will get nowhere else!  The Chief of the village has invited us for pre-dinner drinks in the Zulu Village.  Dinner is then served in the lodge followed by the rhythmical Zulu dancing.

Day Five

Simunye/ St Lucia
Before breakfast, visit the village once again to see the daily working of the village – cattle kraal, Zulu crafts and many other interesting aspects of Zulu life-style.  Breakfast and then depart for St Lucia.

This is a very special slice of Africa – World Heritage Site.  The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park offers visitors some of the most diverse wildlife and outdoor experience imaginable.  This unique, 38 000 hectare expanse of lake, islands and estuary, incorporates an astonishing variety of habitats ranging from the Lebombo mountains to grasslands, forests, wetlands, mangroves and vegetated dunes, with magnificent beaches and coral reefs.

Arrive at the Crocodile Farm (Nile crocodile, snake display, cycad garden) at around 11h00.  Then it is a 20 minute drive to the eastern shore of St Lucia Park to Catalina Bay.

A short Kayak safety and introductory talk before beginning paddling.  Enjoy an hour’s paddling along the shoreline before we stop for a refreshing drink and ½ -hour stretch of legs.  Back into the kayaks to continue paddling towards the trails camp where a delicious picnic lunch will be waiting for us – wine and beers will be served.  After lunch, a 20 minute drive to Mission Rocks, this is on the tropical coastline.  A short beach walk to the viewing platform.  We will depart around 15h30 for the Crocodile Farm and if time allows then a short tour of the farm.

We will then make our way towards Falaza Water Wilderness Park.  This tented en-suite accommodation and private wooden sun decks are set amongst the trees overlooking Lake St Lucia’s False Bay.  Enjoy a sundowner cruise on the lake this evening before dinner in the boma under the stars.

Day Six

St Lucia/ Hluhluwe Game Reserve – Hilltop Camp
After an early breakfast, we will depart for Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s world famous game reserves.  The Park is home to 1 600 white rhino, 450 black rhino, and the rest of the Big Five (lion, buffalo, leopard and elephant) as well as many other species.

We will be staying at Hilltop Camp, which is in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

This evening enjoy a private night game drive with rangers, who have extensive knowledge of the bush as you view the various night species – black backed jackal, leopards and many other nocturnal species not seen during the day.

Day Eight

Hluhluwe Game Reserve / Durban
An early morning wake up call before the sun rises this morning, as this morning is the day that we will be Rhino Tracking!  Your experienced ranged will take you off into the African bush to identify the spoor of the rhino and begin the exciting experience of tracking them.  Wonderful photographic opportunities will arise (alternative game drive for those not wanting to go on the Rhino Tracking walk).

A ‘’farewell’’ bunch will follow on your return to the lodge before the drive back to Durban in time for your connecting international flight back home.

"HAMBA KAHLE (Good Bye in Zulu)"