DAY 1: DURBAN

Fly into Durban International Airport where your Group B rental car awaits you. From here it is a short drive to Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel, for the start of your South African holiday in Durban.

A heady melting pot of culture and diversity, Durban is filled with numerous activities ranging from Rickshaw rides, markets, exotic foods and tastes. With golden beaches, warm seas and a tropical climate, swimming is possible all year round in Durban. If you are looking for a world class marine life experience, visit u-Shaka Marine World - a 16 hectare freshwater and seawater theme park.

Accommodation at Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel is on a bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 2 – 4: THE BATTLEFIELDS

Drive from Durban to the lower regions of KwaZulu Natal’s Battlefields region - an area that traces the brutal and significant battles that involved Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Shaka and General Louis Botha.

With a car at your disposal this area is full of exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy, from hiking and nature trails, to historical and cultural attractions.

At Isibindi Zulu Lodge, you will explore the traditional Zulu culture, sleep in luxury dome huts and experience the re-enactment of the enthralling battles that shaped the face of South Africa. Here, you will also visit the traditional Zulu village and enjoy a boma dinner complete with traditional dancing and singing.

Accommodation at Isibindi Zulu Lodge is fully inclusive of meals, teas and coffees.

DAY 4 – 6: PHINDA GAME RESERVE

Come face-to-face with Africa’s Big 5 at the Phinda Private Reserve. Described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, Phinda is one of KwaZulu Natal’s world class game reserves. Seven distinct habitats shelter abundance of wildlife including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo and over 400 bird species.

At Phinda Forest Lodge a typical day on safari starts off with an early game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicles accompanied by experienced guides who will have you within an arms length of Africa’s wildest creatures. Afterwards it’s back to the lodge, where a hearty breakfast awaits you and then the day is yours to enjoy as you wish until lunch.

Late afternoon brings with it another game drive and the chance of spotting some of the more nocturnal animals. Following sundowners in the vast African bush, head back to the lodge just in time for a sumptuous dinner.

Accommodation at Phinda Forest Lodge is on a full board basis.

DAY 6 – 9: DOLPHIN COAST

After your Big 5 safari, head to KwaZulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast for some rest and relaxation.

The Dolphin Coast is a beautiful playground of warm waters, pounding waves, and glorious beaches set alongside fields of sugarcane. Hiding the southernmost coral reefs in the world, the warm waters offer excellent scuba diving and snorkelling and exciting encounters with huge shoals of fish, dolphins and whales.

Your base will be at the rustic, yet chic Thonga Beach Lodge. During the months of November to January, the lodge offers tracking of the Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles on nocturnal beach walks. This is an incredible sight as turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Accommodation at Thonga Beach Lodge is fully inclusive of accommodation, meals, teas and coffees.

When your days of fun in the sun are up, you’ll take a 4 and a half hour scenic drive back to the airport to drop off your rental car, concluding your superb Best of Kwa-Zulu Natal Safari Tour.