OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN SOUTH AFRICA

Day 1 Arrive in Durban

Transfer to Richard's Bay. Drive to Phinda Mountain Lodge. 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 twenty five private, air-conditioned suites, all scattered along paved brick pathways beneath the tree canopy where Impala and Nyala can often be caught grazing. The comfy twin and king bedrooms come fully equipped with huge en-suite bathrooms, spacious dressing rooms and walk-in showers. The seating areas have minibars and lead out onto fabulous viewing decks with private plunge pools.

Overnight: Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 2 - 3 Phinda Private Game Reserve 

Spend time going on morning and late afternoon/early evening game drives with your very own ranger and Zulu tracker or take a leisurely bush walk soaking up the sounds and smells of the African bush. For the active type - organise a canoeing trip down the Mzinene River.

Overnight: Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 4 KwaZulu Natal 

Drive to Fugitives' Drift Lodge located on the historic KwaZulu Natal battlefields.

Overnight: Fugitives' Drift

Day 5 KwaZulu Natal on Horseback 

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

Overnight: Fugitives' Drift

Day 6 Drakensberg Mountains 

Drive to Qambathi Mountain Lodge. Located in the Southern Drakensberg, the quaint setting is enhanced by the stone walling, the corrugated iron roof and the original pine floors of this typical Natal farmhouse. Equipped with a library, a well-stocked wine cellar and a chill lounge with deep comfortable sofas and soft cream cottons, Qambathi Mountain Lodge is incredibly homely. Communal guest areas open up onto a wide wooden veranda, where loungers and hanging chairs overlook the surrounding garden and sweeping mountains. The six rooms and suites come equipped with twin or king beds, en-suite bathrooms, under floor heating and tea and coffee making facilities.

Overnight: Quambathi Mountain Lodge

Day 7 Explore the Southern Drakensberg

Explore the Southern Drakensberg, noted for its walking trails, trout fishing and horse riding. Be sure to round the day off with stories at the boma fire whilst star gazing.

Overnight: Qambathi Mountain Lodge

Day 8 Samara, the Karoo

Fly from Durban to Port Elizabeth. Drive to Samara, the Karoo. Karoo Lodge, situated on the Samara Private Game Reserve and set amidst twenty-eight thousand hectares of lush, indigenous wilderness offering guests some truly breath-taking views of the surrounding Sneeuberg Mountains and expansive plains. Accommodation consists of three Lodge Suites in the main building and three Karoo Suites, which are all individually placed within the grounds and come furnished in a rich colonial style with old African influences. It also has two Sibella suites overlooking a waterhole, each with its own veranda and en-suite bathroom.

Overnight: Karoo Lodge

Day 9 - 10 Samara Game Drives and Bush Walks 

Explore Samara on guided game drives and bush walks. Discover the fossil sites and Bushman paintings or indulge in a spa treatment at Karoo Lodge.

Overnight: Karoo Lodge

Day 11 Plettenberg Bay 

Drive to Emily Moon River Lodge. Located in Plettenberg Bay on the vibrant Garden route, this intimate and exclusive lodge is carefully placed overlooking the wetlands from the southern bank of the Bitou River. The eight luxury lodges are totally separate and guests can access the main lodge via raised boardwalks leading through the indigenous vegetation. All of the units are very comfortable and there is one family lodge that is perfect for a family of four traveling with children. Each lodge is decorated in an authentic African style and comes fitted with mini bars and satellite TV. All suites are also fully en-suite and have their own private viewing deck.

Overnight: Emily Moon River Lodge

Day 12 - 13 Plettenberg Bay 

Relax beside one of the two pools or get active with canoeing, mountain biking and adventurous walks. Explore the remote beaches of the Bay area. Emily Moon River Lodge.

Overnight: Emily Moon River Lodge

Day 14 Prince Albert

Drive to African Relish, a recreational cookery school at Prince Albert.

Overnight: African Relish

Day 15 African Relish 

Tantalise your taste buds learning to cook South African style at a day-long cookery class. Take a Botanical excursion, visit the Bergwater Vineyards for wine tasting or go cheese making at Gay's Guernsey Dairy.

Overnight: African Relish

Day 16 Cape Town 

Drive to Cape Town where you will be staying at the Steenberg Hotel. This Luxury Boutique Hotel and Wine Farm is located within the scenic Constantia Valley. Home to an award winning winery, an eighteen-hole championship golf course and a luxury spa, this sprawling property offers something for everyone. The buildings, recently restored to their former glory date back to 1682 and have been declared national monuments. The accommodation varies substantially from the standard rooms to the three Heritage Suites, which are effectively small homes, two of them comprising two bedrooms and huge kitchens, whilst the third has one bedroom and a kitchenette. All rooms have air-conditioning and feature satellite TV, Wi-Fi connectivity, mini bars, digital safes, tea and coffee making facilities and bath robes.

Overnight: Steenberg Hotel

Day 17 - 18 Cape Town

Spend the next two days exploring the Cape Town area, playing a round of golf or exploring the magnificent gardens and vineyards.

Overnight: Steenberg Hote l

Day 19 Depart

Catch your international flight home.