Curated by: Anouk Renner
9 Days in South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal's varied landscape lends itself to the road trip of a lifetime. This tour starts in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, before moving on to the game-ridden and predator-driven game reserves of Amakhosi and Nambiti. After thrilling wildlife encounters on safari, wind down in the Natal Midlands, a pocket of the province home to rolling hills, farmland, fascinating history, picturesque scenery and charming towns.
Swamps, lakes, coral reefs, beaches, woodlands, wetlands, coastal forest and grassland come together to form the 328,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This mosaic of ecosystems supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem containing...
Swamps, lakes, coral reefs, beaches, woodlands, wetlands, coastal forest and grassland come together to form the 328,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This mosaic of ecosystems supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem containing prolific wildlife and vegetation. Its pristine coastline touches the Mozambican border in the north and brushes against Mapelane Nature Reserve to the south of St Lucia’s 60km-wide estuary. The river is littered with basking crocodiles and bobbing hippos. Flocks of pelicans and flamingos paint the area pink and white while fly-fisherman attempt to catch the giant trevally and sea pike. Along the coast, Sodwana Bay’s bountiful reefs, with...
With magnificent views of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe River Lodge is the ideal forest retreat to retire to after a day spent exploring. Sodwana Bay, Big 5 game reserves and charming coastal villages are all within driving distance. This is an ideal base for self-drivers exploring the region.
Located in the beautiful village of St Lucia, Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is a B&B that will leave guests wanting for nothing. With a long list of activities that can be organised by Kwalucia or done on your own as well as a beautiful garden, pool and boma, this is a wonderful base from which to explore St Lucia.
South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, offers an array of different types of safaris including land, boat, horse and beach. Makakatana Bay Lodge, the only privately owned lodge on the banks of the St Lucia Estuary, promises a personalised and memorable experience.
Named after the muddy Maputo River that flows through southern Mozambique, Maputaland is a medley of clear, beige beaches, lakes, grassy marshlands, sand forests and mangroves. Small farmsteads and fishing communities dot...
Named after the muddy Maputo River that flows through southern Mozambique, Maputaland is a medley of clear, beige beaches, lakes, grassy marshlands, sand forests and mangroves. Small farmsteads and fishing communities dot the unspoilt landscape, adding to the laid-back ambience of the region. Its coastline, extending eastwards to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is a breeding ground of the leatherback turtle. Track these gentle giants’ progress as they make their way up the sandy beach to lay their eggs. The area is encamped within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, (the third largest protective area in the country), along with the diving mecca of Sodwana...
A 5-star stopover awaits for visitors making their way to St Lucia and Sodwana—and even Mozambique and Swaziland! Settled in the lush Amakhosi Private Game Reserve, Amakhosi Safari Lodge promises a thrilling safari experience combined with all the comforts imaginable.
Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve is located in the historic core of KwaZulu-Natal, with the Zulu Battlefields as its neighbour and the Big 5 and over 400 bird species in its backyard. A safari experience like no other awaits visitors to this verdant reserve.
The rolling hills of northern Zululand coupled with the pound of Arabian hooves through lush sugarcane belts and exotic vegetation is what sets Pakamisa Private Game Reserve apart from the rest. This malaria-free reserve dishes up exhilarating game viewing, exquisite cuisine, and luxury living high on the African plateau.
There is no doubt that KwaZulu-Natal is eclectic with its terrain fluctuating between undulating hills, sharp ravines, mountain ranges and sub-tropical beaches. The cities’ streets brim with life and are in stark contrast...
There is no doubt that KwaZulu-Natal is eclectic with its terrain fluctuating between undulating hills, sharp ravines, mountain ranges and sub-tropical beaches. The cities’ streets brim with life and are in stark contrast to the traditional settlements found in rural areas. Natal (or KZN) can be whatever you want it to be: a place of respite or one of action-packed adventure. The province boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, home to southern Africa’s highest mountain range, over 30 000 San paintings, and 500 caves; and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park graced with Africa’s largest estuarine system and more than 500 bird species....
Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge is a hidden jewel in one of the most beautiful private reserves in South Africa: Nambiti. Enjoy the peace and serenity of the great outdoors, comfort and privacy of your suite, dining under the stars, gazing out over the world from your panoramic terrace overlooking a river – and encountering the Big 5.
Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge offers a boutique safari experience in the contrasting landscape of the Nambiti Private Reserve. The reserve is within easy driving distance of Johannesburg and Durban and is also near to the Drakensberg mountains making it an easy add-on to an itinerary in this area.
Stay in a restored turn of the century farmhouse or neighbouring cottages surrounded by lawns within a 700ha game farm at Spion Kop Lodge. From here you can pop across to Spioenkop Nature Reserve, spend a day on the dam, or let your knowledgeable host take you on a tour of the region’s historical battlefields.
If ever there was a landscape that lived up to its airbrushed and hyped reputation, it’s the ragged, green stretches of the Drakensberg range’s peaks. Meaning ‘dragon mountain’ in Afrikaans, most of the mountain calls KwaZulu-Natal...
If ever there was a landscape that lived up to its airbrushed and hyped reputation, it’s the ragged, green stretches of the Drakensberg range’s peaks. Meaning ‘dragon mountain’ in Afrikaans, most of the mountain calls KwaZulu-Natal home while forming the natural border between South Africa and the Lesotho kingdom. The mountain’s vast, sweeping, basalt summits and sandstone cliffs are part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg UNESCO World Heritage Site. Summer brings forth dramatic thunderstorms that rage around 3,400m peaks. When the thunder fades, crisp mountain air settles among gorges and valleys. The streams and rivers are ideal for kayaking, tubing, swimming,...
With the grace and poise of a sophisticated dame, Granny Mouse Country House rests peacefully in the Caversham Valley of KwaZulu-Natal. Pick your pampering from a selection of treatments at The Granny Mouse Spa and enjoy the award-winning fine dining restaurant, log-fired bar and underground wine cellar.
Amid the rolling Natal Midlands, in the heart of Zululand and on Summerhill Stud, Hartford House promises old-world decadence and luxury. Expansive terraces, trout lakes, manicured lawns and high teas set the scene for the day while their award-winning restaurant is ready to take guests on a five-course journey of the senses.
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse marries fresh mountain air and hauntingly delicious cooking to create an experience not easily forgettable. This lodge is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or any kind of romantic getaway. But be warned: leaving this home away from home may be a more difficult feat than you anticipate.
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We’ve slept in the beds, tasted the food, met the people and seen the wildlife. Then we went back and did it all again, just to be sure. We’ll keep on going back to ensure that what we recommend is perfect for you. We pride ourselves on being the authority on African travel.
We want only the best for the place we call home, and that’s why are devoted to conservation and community upliftment. Join us, and leave your legacy in Africa.
We are a Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) affiliated and bonded company, completing the circle of a one-stop travel shop to Africa. We are also members of African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), which is Europe’s largest trade association promoting Africa.
For five years running we’ve been awarded the title of Africa’s Leading Safari Company by the World Travel Awards, the Oscars of the travel industry. Ladies and gentlemen, you're dealing with the King of this Jungle!
We are the only tour operator in Africa to provide complimentary financial protection. This means that should anything go wrong you can rest assured that we have you covered. It’s included in each booking and is completely free of charge.
We have direct relationships with over 1,500 suppliers across Africa. Based in spectacular Cape Town, we’re on the ground which allows us to cut out agents and the middlemen, delivering you the best pricing possible.
Our itineraries are like the spots on a leopard’s coat - each one is different. We’ll tailor-make your trip to suit your individual needs rather than simply asking you to choose. Through this we create your dream trip.
Through our volume and direct relationships, we will ensure that you never pay more than you should. We’re so confident that if you manage to somehow find the same holiday for less, we'll beat it.
We’ve slept in the beds, tasted the food, met the people and seen the wildlife. Then we went back and did it all again, just to be sure. We’ll keep on going back to ensure that what we recommend is perfect for you. We pride ourselves on being the authority on African travel.
We want only the best for the place we call home, and that’s why are devoted to conservation and community upliftment. Join us, and leave your legacy in Africa.
