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Secrets of KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, The Drakensberg & More

Duration
8 Days
Prices From:
US$ 1,414

FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: It may be South Africa’s third-smallest province, but KwaZulu-Natal’s scenic and cultural riches include the country’s most popular beaches, numerous game reserves, historic battlefields, and the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. Take a different style of South Africa vacation, and see why this region is so popular with first-time and repeat visitors.


This 8-day South Africa trip takes you to Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, encompassing history, wildlife, and the natural beauty of this much-loved part of the country.

Staying in Durban itself, start with a full day exploring the city’s highlights. Follow the revitalized ‘Golden Mile’ beachfront before browsing the markets of Warwick Triangle, where up to 6000 street vendors sell their wares. The tour concludes with a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens and the spectacular view from the top of Moses Mabhida Stadium. The following day, journey into the heart of Zululand with a visit to the largest Zulu kraal, a visit with an iSangoma or traditional healer, a local beer tasting, and a thrilling display of traditional dance.

It may not have the instant name recognition of Kruger, but Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is one of South Africa’s best game parks. Rising early, you’ll embark on a game drive, searching for the Big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and black rhino) among other majestic creatures. Bird watchers will also love this region with 425 distinct species recorded. From wildlife to landscapes, go on to the Drakensberg Mountain Range, including the Giant’s Castle. You’ll explore the nearby caves, and see Bushman paintings dating back millennia.

South Africa boasts a rich mix of ethnic influences from near and far, which has contributed to its distinctive and delicious cuisine. To devotees, the Curry Buffet is more a site of pilgrimage than a restaurant. But even a currysceptic will appreciate the sweeping Indian Ocean views as you enjoy this multicultural feast at Oyster Box Hotel. Your final full day is one of history, exploring the Battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu war,Isandiwana and Rorke’s Drift.

At Goway we are experts at designing personalized itineraries to suit your special interests, tastes and budget. Let us arrange your ultimate travel experience today.
Duration
8 Days
Prices From:
US$ 1,414

Itinerary View Trip Map

Day 1

Arrive Durban

Upon arrival at Durban King Shaka International Airport, you will be met by a Goway representative and transferred to your hotel.

Duration7 Nights
Accommodation

Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani

More Info

Location View map
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    Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani



    Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani is a 449 room hotel located on Durban's North Beach with incredible views of Durban's Golden Mile and the beautiful Indian Ocean. Business and leisure travellers are welcomed to enjoy fine service and hospitality at one of Durban's top hotels. …

    Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani is a 449 room hotel located on Durban's North Beach with incredible views of Durban's Golden Mile and the beautiful Indian Ocean. Business and leisure travellers are welcomed to enjoy fine service and hospitality at one of Durban's top hotels. The bright, vast lobby is the starting point to a memorable stay.

    Facilities

    • Bar(s)
    • Business Centre
    • Concierge
    • Conference Facilities
    • Daycare/Babysitting Service
    • Gift Shop
    • Gym/Fitness Centre
    • Internet Access
    • Laundry facilities
    • Lounge(s)
    • Medical Services
    • Newsstand
    • Parking
    • Parking (Valet)
    • Pool (s)
    • Restaurant(s)
    • Room Service
    • Secretarial Service
    • Wheelchair Accessible Rooms

    More Details

    Preferred Hotel
Day 2

Durban

Departs between 08:30am and 09:00am. Returns at approximately 12:30pm. Your tour begins as you travel along the brand new Golden Mile, the revitalized beachfront promenade, which hugs the beckoning beaches of Durban viewing the newly upgraded Point Waterfront. Guests will move through the City, viewing the majestic City Hall, and enjoying its humorous history. Continuing to the small craft harbour viewing the 8th largest harbour in the world. Drive past the sugar terminals and very busy harbour warehouses on your way to the University of Natal Durban Campus where guests will view lovely sights of the harbour down below. Then visit the bustling African and Indian Markets at Warwick Triangle home to 9 distinct markets developed around Durban's largest public transport interchange and where approximately 6 000 street vendors ply their trade, to an average of 460 000 daily commuters an authentic experience. Visit the fascinating Phansi Museum - home to the largest publicly accessible collection of Southern African artifacts and traditions, including beadworks, headrests, Zulu clay pots and various other treasures. (Closed on weekends and entrance fee for own account). From culture to nature, guests visit the peaceful Durban Botanic Gardens founded in 1849, a treasure trove of massive trees from Asia, Africa and America, and a magnificent orchid house. Guests then conclude with a visit to an icon of Kwazulu Natal, the Moses Mabhida Stadium where you will have the option of experiencing the cable car ride (own account) to the top of the Stadium for that phenomenal view of Durban and its surroundings.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 3

Wowzulu Balito Cooking Experience

Today you will be transferred from your hotel to Ballito for your Wowzulu Balito Cooking Experience. At the WOWZULU Marketplace in the heart of bustling Ballito, you will be treated to great coffee and a unique immersive culinary experience: a 'taste of local' cuisine created by award-winning chef Phumlani Mthembu. Let Phumlani teach you to make 'Kasi Taste' dishes that are a fusion of Zulu and Indian flavours. Upon returning to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 4

Full Day Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Safari

Departs between 06:30am and 06:45am. Returns at approximately 6:30pm. This magnificent Big Five game park is not only home to 84 species of game, but it is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, world-renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation programme. A day on safari in the magical Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park doesn't stop at the thrill of searching for the Big Five, but the hilly terrain offers spectacular views of the Reserve and your camera is going to love it. There is an arranged lunch at the lofty Hilltop Camp - or similar - and it will give you a chance to check how close your bird count has come to the 425 listed birds in the Park. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is Kwazulu-Natal's pride and joy, and after your visit, you'll understand why.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5

Full Day Drakensberg World Heritage Tour

Departs between 06:00am and 06:30am. Returns at approximately 5:30pm. Discover the beauty of the undulating Drakensberg Mountain range as you travel through such breathtaking vistas as you visit the World Heritage Site of Giant's Castle. The enigmatic Bushman paintings in the vicinity are not far, so you set off on foot for a leisurely 3km round hike to the site of the caves to discover this magical legacy of the bushmen (moderate fitness level required). Your guide there will share his knowledge of the paintings which date back 2 000 years. You're bound to have built up an appetite, so you'll tuck into the hearty lunch laid on. Your return to Durban is via a visit to the Nelson Mandela Capture site - a historically significant moment in South African history and now commemorated with a world class sculpture, in memory of Nelson Mandela and his heroic role in the struggle against apartheid.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6

Curry Buffet at the Oyster Box

Today is at your leisure to relax and explore Durban on your own. This evening you will be transferred to The Oyster Box Hotel for dinner at The Curry Buffet in the Ocean Terrace Restaurant, which continues to attract fans from far and wide. Set in the casual, Mediterranean-inspired Ocean Terrace, with gorgeous views across the Indian Ocean, the impressive curry selection, of at least 11 curries daily, includes meat, fish and vegetarian options. Using delicate blends of spices and fresh herbs, each curry is a masterpiece in itself.

From the delicate flavours of the Singapore Fish Curry, using the freshest fish of the day, to the spicy, hot Lamb Vindaloo and smooth-textured Butter Chicken. Vegetarian options delight as Bean and Botie sit side-by-side with, Vegetable Korma and Sugar-Bean Curry. The city's famous Chicken and Prawn Curry and the Oyster Box's signature Traditional Durban Lamb Curry remain firm favourites.

Accompanied by fresh, homemade condiments including lime and vegetable pickle, homemade Chutneys, Raitas, Sambals and freshly baked Naan breads, Papadums and Roti, the Curry Buffet, compels diners to return time and again.

Two Tandoori ovens guarantee authentic, freshly prepared Tandoori chicken, also available on the Buffet.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7

Full Day Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift

Departs Saturday between 06:15am and 06:45am. Returns at approximately 7:30pm. Historians will love it for sure, but if you enjoy a great story, the Battlefields tour is for you too - it's both a thriller and a drama. KwaZulu-Natal is rich in Anglo-Zulu war history, where two of the most famous, at times heart-wrenching battles fought between the Zulu and British Armies took place. Visit the eerie battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift, and let your imagination paint mental pictures of the battle scenes played out here. Your tour includes lunch, and you wind your way home thereafter through some of the most spectacular scenery in the province of Kwazulu Natal.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8

Departure

Today, you will be met and transferred back to Durban King Shaka International Airport in time for your departure flight.

Meal Plan Breakfast

Other Information

DEPARTURES:

Sundays

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Meet and Greet at Durban King Shaka Airport
  • Shared arrival and departure airport transfers
  • Private transfers Durban hotel - The Oyster Box - Durban on day 6
  • 7 nights in first-class accommodations in Durban
  • Small group Durban Highlights Tour (max 15 guests)
  • Small group Shakaland Tour (max 15 guests)
  • Small group Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Tour (max 15 guests)
  • Small group Drakensberg World Heritage Tour (max 15 guests)
  • Curry buffet at Oyster Box Hotel
  • Small group Isandlwana & Rourkes Drift Tour (max 15 guests)
  • 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

PRICE EXCLUDES:

  • Travel insurance
  • International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals & beverages not explicitly listed as included
  • Gratuities
  • Optional excursions
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees if applicable

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.

TB THOMPSODUR0222SG: DD 2
8 Oct 2023
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