 |
|
|
|
| |
Kwazulu natal - S africa |
|
A Incredible scenery, wonderful game viewing and great walking in one of the most beautiful areas on the continent |
Ref: EX-DWK
10 days
from £1895 (minimum 6 passengers)
|
|
Destination:
South Africa
<
Go Back
|
|
Incredible scenery, wonderful game viewing and great walking in one of the most beautiful areas on the continent
The Drakensberg are the mightiest mountain range in South Africa. They define in dramatic style the edge of the high plateau extending 960 km from the North Eastern Transvaal to the Eastern Cape. In the central section is the Amphitheatre, 4km of awe-inspiring rugged mountain scenery reaching 3000m. The Zulu name is Quathlamba, "a barrier of spears", a most appropriate name for the hugely impressive maze of towers and gorges rising 1500m above the valley floor. From this magnificent scenery we move on to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park, the oldest game reserve in Africa. It was the exclusive hunting preserve of the Zulu kings, who proclaimed conservation laws in 1895 long before any other formal wildlife protection. The Park supports many of the larger mammals including buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and large numbers of impala, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal. Thanks to "Operation Rhino" during the 1950s and 60s, the Park is renowned for its White Rhino. We see the animals either by vehicle or on foot, observing some of the most interesting secrets of the bush. Attention will be paid to plants, spoor and birds, and there is the distinct possibility of encountering wildlife in a uniquely exciting way while on foot! We complete our trip with a stop on the shore of Lake St Lucia, a newly proclaimed World Heritage Site. The area is home to the giant Lebombo Wattle, the diminutive Suni, Africa's smallest antelope, and approximately 300 species of birds, including the beautiful purple crested lourie.
Extend your Holiday: it is possible to link this holiday with trip Cape Town & The Winelands: DWS in the following way on the following departure dates.
KwaZulu Natal followed by Cape & The Winelands: 13 Aug, 15 Oct, 12 Nov, 11 Feb 2005
Cape & The Winelands followed by KwaZulu Natal: 8 Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov, 11 Mar 2005
Further Information
Special equipment required: warm jacket/jumper, trousers, waterproofs, good trekking boots, daypack (35 litres), hat, sun cream and sunglasses. Neutral coloured clothing for the game walks/drives.
Extra Expenses:
you will need a picnic lunch, and should allow about £5 per day (your guide will help you purchase suitable items). For dinners not included you will need about £30. Allow extra for tips, soft drinks etc.
Meals Included: all breakfasts and 5 dinners on Days 2,3,6,7 & 8.
Transport:
we use a private air-conditioned minibus and jeeps for game drives.
Children:
this trip is not available to children under the age of 16.
Joining locally:
the local joining point is Durban Airport. You should be there in time to meet the group flight.
Group & Staff:
Min. 6, max. 14 plus leader
Accommodation:
In the Drakensberg we stay in two different places. The first is a rather special and quite luxurious 4-star lodge with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. The chalets have all modern amenities and there is also a good communal restaurant, bar and lounge. The 2/3 star Witsieshoek Mountain Resort also provides a high standard of accommodation and nestles in the foothills of the Sentinel and the impressive Amphitheatre of the Northern Drakensberg mountain range. There are breathtaking views over the mountains and the Royal Natal National Park; the restaurant has excellent cuisine and an extensive wine list, and many stories have been shared in the cosy pub or around the open log fire in the lounge. At Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park we stay in an excellent 4-star lodge with wonderful views of the surrounding game reserve. All rooms have private facilities. Our last night is a stop at Hluhluwe River Lodge, situated on the beautiful shores of Lake St Lucia.
Food:
South African food almost always involves large quantities of meat with biltong, sun-dried spiced game meat, being a national favourite. Bobotie is also a favoured dish, with layers of spiced meat, yellow rice, egg and raisins. That said, there are always plenty of options for those who prefer a more modest intake of meat and for vegetarians. Lunches will be picnic style and breakfasts are continental.
|
Day 1 | Depart London Heathrow on the overnight flight to Durban via Johannesburg. | Day 2 | Arrive in Durban and drive to the majestic Drakensberg. Those not traveling on the group flights should meet us at Durban airport. We arrive late in the afternoon at the Royal National Park in the foothills of the famous Amphitheatre and relax at the beautifully-located chalets with spectacular vistas of the mountains. | Day 3 | A full day of trekking in this spectacular setting (6 hours at an unhurried pace).The major attraction is the Gorge Walk, which takes us almost to the base of the spectacular Tugela Falls. There are some short fixed chain ladders (not as hard as it sounds, but not good for vertigo sufferers) used to reach the end of the trail. This is arguably the most beautiful area of the Drakensberg and we have time to relax and swim in the pools, visit the Bushman paintings or just sit and take in the peace and tranquillity of the area. | Day 4 | After a leisurely breakfast we drive to the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort. High above the little berg there are spectacular views of the mountains and Kwazulu Natal and the chance to encounter the endangered Lammergeyer or Bearded Vulture. | Day 5 | Weather permitting, we start early by vehicle up the Witsieshoek pass and start our walk of approx. 6 hours. The scenery is magnificent but the last stretch to the top involves a climb of about 30m up ladders (see above) for spectacular views over KwaZulu-Natal. In the afternoon we return to the comfort of our mountain chalets. | Day 6 | Leaving the Drakensberg we make our way south across Kwazulu Natal to the world-famous Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park. En-route we stop to take in some of the sights of the Anglo-Boer War in Ladysmith and King Shakas grave site in Stanger. | Day 7 | The Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park currently boasts the largest rhino population in Africa. Furthermore it is home to all the big African mammal species and the rich diversity of tree and plant communities in the Park enables many different species of game and birds to coexist, a naturalist's paradise! We explore the park in the morning and afternoon on foot and by vehicle. | Day 8 | Early morning bushwalk then we drive to Hluhluwe River Lodge on the shore of Lake St Lucia, home to an abundance of wildlife. The afternoon is free to relax, kayak on the Lake or take a superb guided walk through the rare sand-forest habitat. | Day 9 | Pre-breakfast boat trip on the lake to see hippo and waterbirds then drive along the Dolphin Coast to Durban. Transfer to the airport for the overnight flight to Heathrow via Johannesburg. Land only clients end the trip on arrival at Durban airport. | Day 10 | Arrive London Heathrow. |
Departures Between | Price from | 12 Nov 04
26 Nov 04
13 May 05
10 Jun 05 | *£1895 | 17 Dec 04 | *£2375 | 21 Jan 05
11 Feb 05
18 Mar 05
15 Apr 05
12 Aug 05 | *£1945 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
|
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment Rand1600 (approx. £135)
Single room supplement £155
Insurance £77
**Land-only 8 days Sat to Sat
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
|
| |
|
|
|
Kwazulu natal - S africa
A Incredible scenery, wonderful game viewing and great walking in one of the most beautiful areas on the continent
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
