KwaZulu-Natal Self Drive • View Itinerary
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Game drive, Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
Durban, South Africa
Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Isandlwana Battlefield
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa
Durban, South Africa

Complete KwaZulu-Natal

10 day Self Drive Holiday – from £1815

With flights from £2705

This circular KwaZulu-Natal self drive offers a holiday of wonderful variety, staying in carefully-selected hotels and safari lodges set in unforgettable locations.

Highlights:
  • Explore the city sights of Durban and stroll along the Golden Mile
  • Stay in the heart of the towering Drakensberg Mountains
  • Learn about the Anglo-Zulu War at Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana
  • Go in search of rhino, elephant and lion on a 4×4 safari in a private reserve
  • Enjoy two nights in St. Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Your Itinerary

Expand All

You can customise your South Africa self drive holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Durban, South Africa

Day 1 to 2 – Durban

Feel the excitement build as your plane lands at King Shaka International Airport, where you will…

Feel the excitement build as your plane lands at King Shaka International Airport, where you will collect your rental car to drive to  the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel for a two night stay.

With a full day in Durban you have time to explore the city sights, take a dip in the Indian Ocean and relax in the bars and cafes along the Golden Mile. For thrill seekers, uShaka Marine World has some of South Africa’s best rollercoasters and waterslides, as well as an impressive aquarium. For those who enjoy more gentle pastimes, Durban Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit, to wonder amongst its indigenous and exotic collections.

    Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani

    Breakfast
Durban, South Africa
Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Day 3 to 4 – Drakensberg Mountains

Collect your hire car this morning to begin your KZN road trip, heading east into the…

Collect your hire car this morning to begin your KZN road trip, heading east into the Drakenserg Mountains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the range forms part of the Great Escarpment, which forms a natural border between South Africa and Lesotho.

Nestled in the heart of the ‘Bergs, the views from Cathedral Peak Hotel, your base for the next two days, are astounding. There are 19 walking trails that start and end at the hotel, with options for most abilities, plus a guided hike that you can join each morning.

If you are seeking a greater challenge, why not take on Champagne Castle, South Africa’s second highest peak at 3,377 metres? Or head to the incredible Amphitheatre, where you can hike to Tugela Falls, the second highest in the world? Also make time to visit the caves at Giant’s Castle, adorned with ancient rock art by the San people.

    Durban > Drakensberg Mountains | 260 kms

    Cathedral Peak Hotel

    Breakfast and dinner
Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Isandlwana Battlefield

Day 5 – Battlefields

From the Drakensberg Mountains, head north east to the town of Ladysmith and then onwards to…

From the Drakensberg Mountains, head north east to the town of Ladysmith and then onwards to Fugitives Drift Guest House, your overnight accommodation.

Located in the heart of the battlefields region, the lodge overlooks the historically important sites of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where bloody battles were fought out in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. The guided tour from Fugitives Drift is highly recommended and can be booked at reception.

    Drakensberg Mountains > Battlefields | 250 kms

    Fugitives Drift Lodge

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Isandlwana Battlefield
Game drive, Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge

Day 6 to 7 – Manyoni Game Reserve

The journey to Manyoni Game Reserve is a pleasant drive through rolling hills. The views then only…

The journey to Manyoni Game Reserve is a pleasant drive through rolling hills. The views then only get better when you reach Leopard Mountain Lodge, where each suite has a private balcony and plunge pool overlooking the forested ravines of Zululand.

Early morning and afternoon game drives are included in your stay, on which your ranger will seek out the wide variety of wildlife that calls the private game reserve home, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Likewise, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided, the latter served al fresco in the lodge’s ‘million star’ boma and followed by a campfire to swap stories with fellow guests.

    Battlefields > Manyoni Game Reserve | 315 kms

    Leopard Mountain Lodge

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Game drive, Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Day 8 to 9 – St. Lucia

This morning head for the coastal town of St Lucia. On your way to the

This morning head for the coastal town of St Lucia. On your way to the Elephant Lake Hotel, stop at Lake St Lucia, in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, to join a wildlife cruise. 80 km long and 23 km wide at its largest point, the estuarine lake and its shores are home to hippo and Nile crocodile, as well as over 530 species of bird, including fish eagle, white stork and bee eater.

The following day you may like to enjoy the superb and often deserted beaches of this spectacular stretch of coast. In the evening be sure to watch out for hippos wondering through town – a regular site enjoyed by visitors.

    Manyoni Game Reserve > St. Lucia | 180 kms

    Elephant Lake Hotel

    Breakfast
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa
Durban, South Africa

Day 10 – Farewell from Durban

This morning, continue south from St. Lucia to King Shaka International Airport, in northern Durban, for…

This morning, continue south from St. Lucia to King Shaka International Airport, in northern Durban, for your flight back to the UK, on which you can start planning your next South African adventure!

    St. Lucia > Durban | 215 kms
Durban, South Africa

Your Itinerary

You can customise your South Africa self drive holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Day 1 to 2

|

Durban

Feel the excitement build as your plane lands at King Shaka International Airport, where you will collect your rental car to drive to  the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel for a two night stay.

With a full day in Durban you have time to explore the city sights, take a dip in the Indian Ocean and relax in the bars and cafes along the Golden Mile. For thrill seekers, uShaka Marine World has some of South Africa’s best rollercoasters and waterslides, as well as an impressive aquarium. For those who enjoy more gentle pastimes, Durban Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit, to wonder amongst its indigenous and exotic collections.

    Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani

    Breakfast
Durban, South Africa

Day 3 to 4

|

Drakensberg Mountains

Collect your hire car this morning to begin your KZN road trip, heading east into the Drakenserg Mountains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the range forms part of the Great Escarpment, which forms a natural border between South Africa and Lesotho.

Nestled in the heart of the ‘Bergs, the views from Cathedral Peak Hotel, your base for the next two days, are astounding. There are 19 walking trails that start and end at the hotel, with options for most abilities, plus a guided hike that you can join each morning.

If you are seeking a greater challenge, why not take on Champagne Castle, South Africa’s second highest peak at 3,377 metres? Or head to the incredible Amphitheatre, where you can hike to Tugela Falls, the second highest in the world? Also make time to visit the caves at Giant’s Castle, adorned with ancient rock art by the San people.

    Durban > Drakensberg Mountains | 260 kms

    Cathedral Peak Hotel

    Breakfast and dinner
Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Day 5

|

Battlefields

From the Drakensberg Mountains, head north east to the town of Ladysmith and then onwards to Fugitives Drift Guest House, your overnight accommodation.

Located in the heart of the battlefields region, the lodge overlooks the historically important sites of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where bloody battles were fought out in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. The guided tour from Fugitives Drift is highly recommended and can be booked at reception.

    Drakensberg Mountains > Battlefields | 250 kms

    Fugitives Drift Lodge

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Isandlwana Battlefield

Day 6 to 7

|

Manyoni Game Reserve

The journey to Manyoni Game Reserve is a pleasant drive through rolling hills. The views then only get better when you reach Leopard Mountain Lodge, where each suite has a private balcony and plunge pool overlooking the forested ravines of Zululand.

Early morning and afternoon game drives are included in your stay, on which your ranger will seek out the wide variety of wildlife that calls the private game reserve home, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Likewise, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided, the latter served al fresco in the lodge’s ‘million star’ boma and followed by a campfire to swap stories with fellow guests.

    Battlefields > Manyoni Game Reserve | 315 kms

    Leopard Mountain Lodge

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Game drive, Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge

Day 8 to 9

|

St. Lucia

This morning head for the coastal town of St Lucia. On your way to the Elephant Lake Hotel, stop at Lake St Lucia, in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, to join a wildlife cruise. 80 km long and 23 km wide at its largest point, the estuarine lake and its shores are home to hippo and Nile crocodile, as well as over 530 species of bird, including fish eagle, white stork and bee eater.

The following day you may like to enjoy the superb and often deserted beaches of this spectacular stretch of coast. In the evening be sure to watch out for hippos wondering through town – a regular site enjoyed by visitors.

    Manyoni Game Reserve > St. Lucia | 180 kms

    Elephant Lake Hotel

    Breakfast
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Day 10

|

Farewell from Durban

This morning, continue south from St. Lucia to King Shaka International Airport, in northern Durban, for your flight back to the UK, on which you can start planning your next South African adventure!

    St. Lucia > Durban | 215 kms
Durban, South Africa

This Self Drive Includes

9 nights accommodation
9 nights car hire, with unlimited kilometers
Time to relax and explore
Well planned route

Flights & More

Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.

They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:

  • Extra nights in Durban, on safari or at any location en route
  • A visit to the Elephant Coast and stay at the exceptional Thonga Beach Lodge

Next Step

Please get in touch with our Africa Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.

Complete KwaZulu-Natal

10 day Self Drive Holiday – from £1815

With flights from £2705

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Seasonal variations may apply, please call Freedom Destinations for more information and availability. Accommodation specified is subject to availability and may be substituted to a similar standard.

Map

Complete Kwazulu-Natal route map