EXPLORING KWAZULU-NATAL

Day 1 Arrive in Durban

Arrive in Durban, where you collect your rental car and drive to Phinda Mountain Lodge to begin your South African adventure in spectacular style. Located in the award-winning Phinda Private Game Reserve, in the Maputaland region of northern KwaZulu-Natal, the lodge boasts stunning views of the majestic Lebombo Mountains. Accommodation comprises 25 private, air-conditioned suites, all scattered along paved pathways beneath the tree canopy where Impala and Nyala can often be found grazing. The comfortable twin and king bedrooms come fully equipped with huge en-suite bathrooms, spacious dressing rooms and walk-in showers. Living areas open out onto fabulous viewing decks with private plunge pools.

Overnight: andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 2 Phinda Private Game Reserve 

Discover the breathtaking natural beauty and bountiful wildlife to be found in this pristine private reserve on a series of early morning and late afternoon game drives, lead by your guide and expert Zulu tracker. In addition to keeping a lookout for the formidable Big 5, you may also encounter a wealth of other fascinating creatures including the elusive cheetah and endangered black rhino.

Option: For a truly exclusive safari experience you could consider hiring a private guide and vehicle, who can tailor game viewing to suit you. Alternatively, the included shared game drives are excellent, with a maximum of six people per vehicle.

Overnight: andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 3 Further activities in the Phinda Reserve

A second full day of safari adventures await today at Phinda. In addition to exhilarating game drives through the vast private reserve, guided bush walks allow guests to experience the flora and fauna at ground level, with a memorable immersion into the sights and sounds of the African bush. Those seeking a little more exertion could choose to canoe down the Mzinene River, while those with an interest in wildlife conservation can participate in activities such as elephant collaring, rhino notching or pangolin tagging.

Overnight: andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 4 KwaZulu-Natal 

Bidding farewell to Phinda today you will take the scenic drive west towards Fugitives' Drift Lodge, located on the historic KwaZulu-Natal battlefields. The afternoon is at leisure for you to begin settling into the atmospheric surroundings of your lodge, which is set in a 5,000-acre protected estate looking out to the Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana battle sites. Fugitives' Drift also features tranquil shaded gardens, a cooling swimming pool and a museum housing an impressive collection of photographs and Zulu War memorabilia.

Overnight: Fugitive’s Drift

Day 5 KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields

Visit the battlefields on horseback or on foot and appreciate the extraordinary saga of the Anglo-Zulu War.

Today is dedicated to gaining an in-depth immersion into the extraordinary saga of the Anglo-Zulu War. Your passionate guide will escort you on explorations of the Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana battlefields, where you will hear in gripping detail the context of these iconic combats and tales of the lengthy battles between the Zulu and British armies.

Overnight: Fugitive’s Drift

Day 6 Drakensberg Mountains 

A leisurely drive south today takes you in the direction of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains and your accommodation at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. Located the heart of the Drakensberg range, this recently transformed authentic farmhouse is now a gourmet retreat, nestling into the beautiful Kamberg Valley. Nine rooms and two Executive Cottages are furnished eclectically with a unique design theme. Each has a view over the trout filled dam or onto the gardens and mountainside.

Overnight: Cleopatra's Mountain Farmhouse

Day 7 Explore the Drakensberg

Days around Cleopatra can be filled with walking, river swimming, mountain cycling, riding, fishing, visiting artisan craftspeople or discovering bushman rock art, dating back 3000 years. There are three large trout dams in the Highmoor Nature Reserve and wildlife sightings may include reedbuck, jackal and serval, as well as myriad birds. After a day of exploring, relax in the Copper Pot Spa, where wild-harvested ingredients such as baobab, marula, kigelia and Kalahari melon are used to treat and soothe. The food offering is a true highlight of a stay at Cleopatra. Three-course breakfasts get the day off to a great start. Dinners are a sumptuous seven-course affair, promising a memorable dining experience of colours and flavours. Menus change daily according to the seasons and many of the ingredients are picked straight from the gardens.

Overnight: Cleopatra's Mountain Farmhouse

Day 8 Durban

Return to Durban and The Oyster Box. Majestically positioned on Umhlanga's beachfront, only 20 minutes' drive from downtown Durban, this exclusive boutique gem looks out to a striking red and white lighthouse and the sparkling blue Indian Ocean. Though the exterior and ambience of The Oyster Box is colonial in style, contemporary touches include the richly coloured KwaZulu-Natal artwork that adorns the walls, and the charming red and white pool terrace paying homage to the iconic lighthouse. Rooms and suites are individually designed and feature vintage beds and colourful fabrics. Each has a balcony or terrace with ocean or garden views For a special treat, opt for one of the suites or villas which offer their own private plunge pools.

Overnight: The Oyster Box

Day 9 Exploring Durban

Enjoy a snapshot of this fascinating city as you begin your morning in Africa's oldest Botanical Gardens and meet a passionate horticulturalist who will introduce you to a unique collection of plants and the secret to invisibility! Meet the dancing curator of the city's largest collection of tribal art while you tap into indigenous beliefs and culture before moving on to the Markets of Warwick. These markets are home to over 5,000 vendors and nearly 500,000 commuters pass through here every day, browsing the bewildering array of fresh produce, herbs, traditional medicines and colourful handicrafts. Unlock the soul of Victoria Street Market and the Markets of Warwick with an expert guide, before finishing the day with Durban's famous street food - the bunny chow - at an award-winning local hotspot (payable locally).

Overnight: The Oyster Box

Day 10 Depart

Travel back to Durban airport today and return your hire car before checking in for your flight home.