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
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.



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.





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.





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.





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.





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!



Your Itinerary
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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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!



Your Self Drive Includes:
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Complete KwaZulu-Natal self drive holiday and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- 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 Steps
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 2 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.
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