Trip Info
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self-drive
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2-20
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To be provided for during the trip
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Durban
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Game Drive
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English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic
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To be provided for during the trip
Overview
Set out from Durban’s coast, winding through the dramatic landscapes of the Drakensberg Mountains, exploring the heritage of Spioenkop, and discovering Big Five game at Nambiti Reserve. This self-drive itinerary offers a rich mix of culture, safari thrills, and natural beauty with the independence of traveling at your own rhythm. Professional arrangements and backup assistance ensure peace of mind. End your road trip in vibrant Johannesburg—request your quote now.
Highlights
- Luxury tour: This luxury tour uses lodges.
- Self-drive tour: Drive a vehicle yourself and travel without a tour guide. Rental vehicle is included.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized: You can request changes to this tour.
- Suitable for solo travelers: Solo travelers can book this private tour.
- Minimum age of 12 years: The minimum age for this tour is 12 years.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Durban, you will be met by a Wayfairer representative. You will collect your hire car and use the detailed driving instructions we provide: satellite navigation is available on request but often lodges are easier to find using the details we give, which is why we do! You’ll then drive for one hour to your superb accommodation in Umhlanga Rocks on KwaZulu Natal’s North Coast.
Main Destination: Umhlanga (Town)
Accommodation:Teremok Boutique Lodge & Spa
Luxury lodge located in Umhlanga (Town)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
oday you’ll have a full day to explore Umhlanga Rocks and this wonderful stretch of coastline. We recommend the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Trail. This 90-minute walk takes you through pristine coastal forest and you can expect to see Vervet monkeys, blue Duiker antelope, and colorful butterflies and birds.
Main Destination: Umhlanga (Town)
Accommodation: Teremok Boutique Lodge & Spa
Luxury lodge located in Umhlanga (Town)
Meals & Drinks:Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Drinks not included
After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive toward the Drakensberg Mountains. En route, we highly recommend that you stop to see the spectacular Howick Falls on the Umgeni River.
Your home for the next two nights is a charming lodge in the beautiful Kamberg Valley in the heart of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. This rustic, yet luxurious lodge is one of South Africa's best culinary retreats and you can expect an incredible dining experience during your stay here.
Main Destination: Drakensberg (Mountain Range)
Accommodation: 'Montusi Mountain Lodge
Luxury lodge located near Royal Natal (Drakensberg Mountains)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
Today you can explore Giants Castle Nature Reserve and Little ‘Berg with its waterfalls, pools, and lush, forested gorges, and discover the bushman rock art sites within the Kamberg Nature Reserve. You can also hike on the endless scenic trails of the Drakensberg Mountains, before returning to your lodge for a sumptuous seven-course dinner prepared by an award-winning chef, which is all part of your tour fees.
Main Destination: Drakensberg (Mountain Range)
Accommodation: Montusi Mountain Lodge
Luxury lodge located near Royal Natal (Drakensberg Mountains)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
Drinks not included
After a delicious breakfast, you’ll continue your South African adventure with a short drive to Spioenkop. The lodge where you’ll stay for the next two nights is set against the backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking the infamous battlefield of Spioenkop.
*There is an optional accommodation upgrade at an extra cost.
Main Destination: Spioenkop Game Reserve
Accomodation: Spionkop Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Spioenkop GR
Meals & Drinks:
Drinks not included
All meals included
Today, you have a full day to enjoy Spioenkop and the surrounding area. You may wish to explore the battlefields region further with a knowledgeable guide, or you may prefer to join a game walk in the Spioenkop Game Reserve or a guided mountain biking excursion into the foothills of the Drakensberg.
Game walks around the reserve are also brilliant and rhino tracking is possible with an experienced guide.
Main Destination: Spioenkop Game Reserve
Accommodation: Spionkop Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Spioenkop GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinks not included
This morning you can enjoy an early morning activity, such as a guided walk or horse riding, before a 2-hour drive to Nambiti Private Game Reserve, near Ladysmith, in the heart of the area of the battlefield (approximately three hours from two and a half hours from Durban).
A guide will meet you at the entrance of the reserve. You’ll transfer from your rental vehicle to the lodge's 4x4 Land Cruiser. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive with sundowners overlooking Nambiti's spectacular landscape, before returning to the lodge for a delicious dinner.
Main Destination: Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Accommodation: Nambiti Hills Game Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Nambiti GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinks not included
You’ll have two full days in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve.
You can enjoy two daily game drives, at sunrise and in the late afternoon, where you’re likely to spot an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five, hippos, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, impalas, elands, and zebras. The birdlife here is prolific too as the reserve’s natural water, perennial rivers, and spectacular 40-metre waterfalls on the Sundays River attract several rare bird species.
Main Destination: Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Accommodation: Nambiti Hills Game Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Nambiti GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinks not included
Your South African adventure is coming to a perfect end. Following your breakfast at the lodge, you’ll be transferred back to the entrance of the reserve where you’ll collect your vehicle.
From Nambiti Game Reserve you’ll drive through the scenic landscape of South Africa for four hours to Johannesburg Airport. Your hired car and keys will be collected and you will board your international flight home.
Main Destination: Johannesburg (City)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Rental vehicle
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (No tip expected)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks
FAQs
A Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari holiday is unique because it combines natural beauty, cultural heritage, and thrilling wildlife encounters. In the Drakensberg, visitors can enjoy dramatic mountain scenery, hiking, and rock art. The Battlefields offer a glimpse into South Africa’s rich history through guided tours of famous Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer war sites. The safari portion allows travelers to experience the Big Five and diverse wildlife in renowned reserves, creating a well-rounded holiday of adventure, culture, and relaxation.
A Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari holiday offers a wide variety of activities. In the Drakensberg, popular options include hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding, and exploring San rock art. On the Battlefields, guided tours with expert historians bring past conflicts to life through storytelling and site visits. The safari leg of the journey includes game drives, bush walks, and wildlife photography, giving travelers a chance to immerse themselves in nature.
Yes, a Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari holiday is very family-friendly. The Drakensberg Mountains provide easy walking trails and outdoor adventures that children can enjoy. The Battlefields tours can be tailored to be educational and engaging for all ages, offering insights into history in an interactive way. On safari, family-friendly lodges provide comfortable accommodations, kid-focused activities, and guided drives suitable for younger travelers, making it an enriching experience for the whole family.
The best time for a Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari holiday depends on personal preferences. The Drakensberg is beautiful year-round, with summer (November to March) bringing lush landscapes and wildflowers, while winter (June to August) offers crisp hiking conditions and occasional snow on the peaks. The Battlefields can be visited in any season, though cooler months are often more comfortable for walking tours. For safari, the dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for spotting wildlife as animals gather around waterholes.
Accommodation on a Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari holiday is diverse, catering to different preferences. In the Drakensberg, options range from mountain lodges and resorts with stunning views to cozy guesthouses. On the Battlefields, visitors can stay in country lodges, heritage hotels, or boutique guesthouses close to historic sites. For safari, choices include luxury lodges, tented camps, and family-friendly safari resorts, many offering personalized service and unique experiences in the bush.
A Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari holiday stands out because it blends three unique experiences in one trip. You can enjoy breathtaking mountain landscapes in the Drakensberg, delve into South Africa’s fascinating history on the Battlefields, and encounter iconic African wildlife on safari. This combination ensures that travelers don’t just experience natural beauty but also gain cultural and historical insights alongside thrilling wildlife adventures, making it a well-rounded and unforgettable journey.
