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

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.

Cathedral Peak Hotel
Breakfast and dinner

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.

Fugitives Drift Lodge
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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.

Leopard Mountain Lodge
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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.

Elephant Lake Hotel
Breakfast

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!