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Day 1–2 : Riverside Hotel and Spa, Durban You will be met by a representative at Durban International Airport and assisted with the collection of your rental car. You will drive to the Riverside Hotel and Spa (or any other hotel of your choice in Durban). Set on a hillside overlooking the city, the hotel provides panoramic views over a green belt which stretches from the Umgeni River to the beachfront. It is the perfect city escape with its four-star rooms, restaurants and a superb Spa! You have the evening at your leisure to explore the pulsating port city of Durban with its beachfront, shopping malls, as well as bars and restaurants for some wining and dining .
Accommodation : Riverside Hotel and Spa
Meals :Breakfast
Day 2- 4 : Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, Drakensberg
After a sumptuous breakfast, you head out of Durban inland along the
Midlands Meander - this is a scenic drive that takes you through rolling hills and lush countryside en route to the Drakensberg. If you don't mind the extra drive, head up to
Sani Pass (3000m) and have a beer at the highest bar in Africa.
You check into
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, an exceptional retreat at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains. A rustic lodge which combines comfort and luxury with the great outdoors. You have a few days at leisure to enjoy the stunning views, go hiking, climbing, horseriding and view historic San rock art in caves and caverns.
Accommodation: Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Meals: Bed and breakfast
Day 4-6 : Hartford House, Drakensberg
After breakfast, it is a short drive to Hartford House, home to the family of the last Prime Ministers of the Colony of Natal. Hartford House is situated on South Africa’s most famous thoroughbred farm near
Giant’s Castle. Chosen by the rulers of the Dubai as the location for their priceless stallions, the ‘gem of the Midlands’ is remembered by chroniclers as one of the country’s most beautiful homes, with its award winning gardens and acclaimed fine dining.
Accommodation: Hartford House
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6–8: Three Tree Hill, Battlefields After breakfast depart to Three Tree Hill Lodge. Surrounded by the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking the secluded Umfazomnyama Valley of the Spionkop Nature Reserve and in the lee of the famous hill lies Three Tree Hill Lodge. The lodge overlooks the Spionkop Nature Reserve, which contains white rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, numerous smaller antelope and 270 recorded bird species. On the hill behind the lodge, with the sun setting over the Drakensberg, the story of Spionkop unfolds as you learn the origins of the Anglo-Boer War.
Accommodation: Three Tree Hill
Meals: Full Board Basis
Day 8–10: Fugitives Drift Lodge
After breakfast depart to Fugitives Drift. The Anglo Zulu War of 1879 is famous for the great battles of
Isandlwana and
Rorkes Drift. Survivors from Isandlwana crossed the Buffalo River at a place forever after named ‘Fugitives Drift’. This spectacular property, a Natural Heritage Site, overlooking the sphinx of Isandlwana and the Oskarberg at Rorkes Drift, includes the site where Lieutenant Melvill and Leiutenant Coghill died while saving the Queen's Colour of the 24th Regiment.
Accommodation: Fugitives Drift Lodge
Meals: Full Board Basis
Day 10–12: Phinda Private Game Reserve
This morning you will depart for Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal’s Maputaland region for a unique safari experience. Phinda nestles between the Ubombo Mountains in the west, and the azure sweep of the Indian Ocean in the east. You will be welcomed by your game ranger and transferred to the lodge of your choice.
Phinda Adventures are an optional extra - your ranger will advise which of the adventures are best suited to your interests. Come face to face with lions and rhino after breakfast, up close to a Whale Shark or battling sailfish after lunch. That’s the Phinda Experience, one of the most exciting safari destinations in Africa.
Accommodation: Phinda Mountain Lodge or Phinda Forest Lodge
Meals: Fully inclusive including all scheduled activities
Day 12-14 : Rocktail Bay
After the early morning game drive and breakfast you will depart by air charter to Rocktail Bay. Rocktail Bay is situated in northern Natal, within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve. The secluded lodges is situated metres from the Indian Ocean in the coastal forest, just behind the first row of forested dunes. It offers perhaps the most private beach experience in South Africa on 40 kilometres of unspoilt, undeveloped and pristine coastline. Rocktail Bay received its name after a trawling ship, the Rocktail was wrecked off shore.
Accommodation: Rocktail Bay Lodge
Meals: Fully inclusive including all scheduled activities
Day 14: Durban and departure
After one last swim in the sea, you check out of Rocktail Bay and drive south along the N2 to Durban to continue with your onward travel arrangements. Or you can hop a charter flight instead.
NB: This tour is just a guideline. You can do it in reverse, extend or shorten it, upgrade or downgrade accommodation and change it to suit your budget and needs.
Contact us to plan your tailormade trip!
