Durban City Tour | Isithumba |The Valley Of 1000 Hills | Sani Pass | Giants Castle | Shakaland
Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Park | Lake St. Lucia | Tala Private Game Park
Transkei Wild Coast | Golf Tours / safaris

DURBAN CITY TOUR: Half Day Or Full Day - Lunch optional (Cash Bar)

• Golden Mile
• Harbour/Wilsons' Wharf/Yacht Mole
• Victoria Street Market
• Jumma Musjid Mosque
• Botanical Gardens

Driving along the promenade - GOLDEN MILE, we experience a colourful hub of activity, with sunbathers and surfers occupying the sun-drenched beaches and the warm Indian Ocean, while African women selling their traditional crafts, and energetic Zulu Richsha drivers, add a cultural flavour to this all year round sunshine playground. Yachting, scuba diving, surfing, snorkelling and wind-surfing are only some of the popular water sports available, and with the added protection of safe netted beaches and life guards, offers full security to the bathers.

DURBAN HARBOUR is the busiest port in Africa, and also has the largest container terminal in Africa. It is also one of the 10 largest in the world. Dine in one of the many harbour side restuarants, and enjoy the closeness of the huge vessels entering into and departing from the Harbour. Watch the Harbour Pilot being lowered onto these vessels by a helicopter, where he assists in bringing them safely into the harbour to their berths, and likewise as these vessels are leaving Durban, and being hoisted back up into the helicopter again to return to port.

There are large mangrove swamps within the harbour, offering abundant wildlife for the birdwatchers, including Pelicans, in a protected conservation habitat.

Further round the Harbour, is WILSONS' WHARF, and the YACHT MOLE, very trendy, vibey fusions of restuarants, live music, crafts, boating marina and magnificent harbour views. Also offering Deep sea fishing cruises, Sundowner cruises, and Charter boats for parties, for the romantics, a candle-lit dinner on board the Allen Gardiner Harbour Cruise Restuarant, which is a World War 11 historic vessel, built for the British Admiralty as an air-sea rescue boat.

The vibrant VICTORIA STREET MARKET - the original Indian Market in Durban, is a world of fascinating Eastern and African treasures, where the calls of the traders trying to sell their wares, creates a pulsating sound. Browse and wander around this very interesting market, savour the exotic aroma of the Herbs and Spices, or stand in amazement at the huge selection of Wooden Carvings, Eastern Silks, African Curios and Ethnic furniture, Gold, Silver and Precious Stones and much more to see around every corner. In walking distance from the market, is the largest Mosque in the Southern Hemisphere, called JUMMA MUSJID MOSQUE, which accommodates 5,000 people. During the 1890's Indian Traders sold fruit and vegetables from the courtyard of the Mosque, then later moved to what is now the Victoria Street Market. A separate Guide has to be arranged for the tour of this magnificent Durban Mosque.

The DURBAN BOTANICAL GARDENS, was founded in 1849 for the introduction of potentially useful commercial crops, but later developed collections of sub-tropical trees, orchids and palms. In addition, these lush tropical gardens are known for an Orchid House, Rare Cycads, and a special garden for the blind. A leisurely stroll around these magnificent gardens is well worth the visit - if its sheer beauty and peace you are looking for. Birdwatchers bring your binoculars! There is a shop where Curios and refreshements can be purchased.

ISITHUMBA - An authentic African adventure

Pictures courtesy 1000 Hills Tourism

ISITHUMBA Adventure and Tourism Centre is an exciting destination in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Hills, offering accommodation in traditional Zulu beehive huts, facilities for conferences and thrilling outdoor adventure activities like skateboarding and rockclimbing.

The centre is situated near the foot of Isithumba mountain, an imposing dome of rock that overlooks a tranquil stretch of the Umgeni River. It is a unique community tourism initiative that provides people from the surrounding community with an opportunity to earn some much-needed income.

It includes four double-room chalets with bathrooms en suite, a spacious conference centre which accommodates 60 people, dining hall and outdoor boma where guests can be treated to traditional Zulu dancing under the African sky (by arrangement).

Isithumba’s location in the midst of the KwaXimba tribal lands makes it a perfect place to show people the traditional Zulu way of life. Guests can visit an authentic Zulu homestead, enjoy a traditional meal or watch a sangoma (traditional healer) in action. The Zulu people have an ancient culture which involves communication with the ancestors, elaborate courtship rituals and vibrant ceremonies.

They are also master crafters specialising in wood carvings, intricate beadwork and clay pots. These items are made in the valley, and make wonderful gifts to take back home. Activities available include hiking trails through the bush or along the river. Isithumba mountain is also a well known rock climbing site with challenging crags for experienced climbers.

The beauty of Isithumba is that, although it is only 45 minutes drive from the centre of Durban, you are deep in traditional Africa where time seems to slow down and the pace of life is measured only by the changing of the seasons.

THE VALLEY OF 1000 HILLS: Day tour - Lunch Included (Cash Bar)

The Valley of 1000 Hills is one of Kwa Zulu Natals best known natural landmarks, and the route follows closely the Ox Wagons of old, carrying goods for the early traders and passengers, between the Port of Durban and Pietermaritzburg during the 1800's. It is also the route followed by the old railway line to Johannesburg, and last but not least, it is the route of the world famous Comrades Marathon and the Dusi Canoe Marathon. The Valley of 1000 Hills is only 35kms from Durban inland, offering authentic Zulu culture, colonial shops/crafts, Zulu dancers, Nature trails, Raptor displays, Paragliding, and even a Steam Train - 1000 Hills Choo Choo. This area, with its breathtaking scenery,is known for Craft Making and Markets and Zulu Cultural Villages, and was home to African hunters, where Buffalo end Elephant used to roam on lush grassy slopes, that tumble down to the banks of the Umgeni River. The lower slopes of the Umgeni Valley, are traditional Zulu tribal lands where people live in much the same way as they have always done. There are many colourful ceremonies and rituals to mark important occasions, and Zulu people are famous for their fine craftwork, particularly beadwork, carvings,pottery and weaving. Browse around the many interesting shops scattered around the Thousand Hills area, there is something for everyone.

SANI PASS: Day / overnight Tour - Meals Included (Cash Bar)

SANI PASS is an old mule track, that takes the travellers from the Southern Drakensberg Mountain Range - a World Heritage Site, to the top of the escarpment and into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, also known as The Roof of Africa, (where the people are one of the poorest in the world). Sani Pass was named after Rafolatsani, known as Tsani. In 1948, the first vehicle a Jeep, made an arduous 12 hour trip to the top of the Pass, driven by ex RAF pilot Godfrey Edmonds, who undertook this huge challenge. Today, the climb to the top takes 2 - 2 and a half hours, in a 4x4 vehicle, where colourful alpine flora, wild animals and endemic birds will be seen.

2874m above sea level, there is a comfortable lodge, where one can stay overnight and enjoy a meal and a drink in "the highest Pub on the African Continent", which was originally a shelter for hikers, and a half-way house for the people transporting goods. The views are breathtaking, making one feel literally "on top of the world"

Meet the remote mountain tribe - the Basutho people, their music and customs,and taste M'me Mathusos' delicious home-made bread and home-brewed beer, together with the history of the San people, who lived and hunted here. For serious birdwatchers, keep a lookout for Ground Woodpecker, Bearded Vulture,Gurney's Sugarbird and the Orange-breasted Rockjumper, to name but a few.

Passports are required and a very warm jacket!

GIANTS CASTLE: Day Tour Or Longer - Meals included (Cash Bar)

Historic Giants Castle is part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. A World Heritage Site, established in 1903, and home to herds of Eland, Black Eagle, Cape Vulture, Jackal Buzzard, Lanner Falcon and Lammergeyers, and the many indigenous plants. The Camp is situated on a towering grassy plateau, surrounded by deep valleys, offering spectacular views for animal viewing, mountain climbers, hikers and birdwatchers (170 known species of birds), or for those who are less energetic, and merely want to relax and breathe in the refreshing mountain air. A host of other pastimes include camping, trout fishing, swimming, horse-riding, photography and even painting.

This Park is well known for its caves and shelters, rich in Bushman paintings on the sandstone cliffs and cave walls, depicting the past lifestyle of the San people (Bushman). An easy 30min walk from the Camp, takes you to the Main Caves Museum, where a large sandstone cave contains prehistoric San Rock Art, which is one of the biggest and best preserved painted sites in South Africa.

Accommodation can either be in the relaxed setting of the Hutted Camp (Rondavels), where these chalets do vary in size, or the luxury Lodge which accommodates 6 people, or for the adventureous type, a Mountain Hut, there are 4 of these, and each can accommodate 8 people.

A licensed restuarant caters for all meals (excluding the Mountain Huts)..

SHAKALAND: Day Or Overnight Tour - Meals included (Cash Bar)

Shakaland - a unique resort built on the set of the movies, Shaka Zulu and John Ross, is situated North of Durban in the heart of Zululand on the top of the Entombeni Hills, overlooking the Umhlatuze Lake.

Experience the Assegaai-wielding warriors, the secrets of the Sangomas (Witchdoctors), tribal dancing,spear making, beer-drinking ceremonies, and feel the pulsating rhythm of the mysterious magical Africa and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Drink Zulu beer with the Chief and his wives, and watch basket-weaving, bread-making and pottery, while African women sit patiently trying to sell their traditionals crafts.

A sparkling swimming pool is a must to cool off in, on those very hot and humid days.

For those that wish to enjoy an overnight stay, accommodation is traditional first-class beehive thatched huts, equipped with modern conveniences and superb views. The spectacular Kwabonamanzi Restuarant and the U Kamba Bar, offers tasty meals and also magnificent views, with excellent service to everyone.

This has to be the Greatest Zulu Experience in Africa!

UMFOLOZI-HLUHLUWE GAME PARK: Day Tour Or Longer - (2 nights min.recommended) - Meals included (Cash Bar)

Established in 1895, the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Park is the oldest park in Africa, and was once the exclusive Royal hunting grounds for the Zulu Kings. In the 1950's and 1960's the park became world renowned for its Rhino Conservation, which saved the White Rhino from extinction. This 96,000ha scenic park of rugged hills, river valleys, savannah and woodland, has the largest concentration of Black Rhino per square kilometer in the world, and also boasts 80 species of mammal, and in excess of 300 species of birds - a birdwatchers paradise. Animal and bird viewing hides over-looking waterholes, allows close-range viewing in comfort, where one can sit for hours!

Besides the BIG FIVE (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino), there are Wild Dog, Cheetah, Hyena, Nyala and Hippo with many other bushveld species, offering visitors an excellent safari experience.

Enjoy a self-guided walk or for the less adventureous, a field Ranger will accompany you. Conducted night/day drives in open game-viewing vehicles is an absolute must, or enjoy a leisurely drive around the game park with your Tour Guide, taking a break at some of the picnic spots en route, and begin to get the "feel of Africa".

We recommend a minimum of 2 nights accommodation, to really experience the stillness of the African Bush, and to hear the sounds of the night. Catering is from Luxury Lodges/Chalets to Rustic Huts, or try the superb Tented Camp, or even the comfortable Bush Camps.

This magnificent Safari Park caters for everyone, and the popular Hilltop Camp at Hluhluwe, has a relaxing Bar "Uzavolo", and a buffet Restuarant "Mpunyane", boasting breathtaking views of the forested hills. Keep a look out while having breakfast and lunch for Buffalo and Rhino which seem to enjoy feeding close to the restuarant.

LAKE ST.LUCIA: Day Tour Or Longer - Meals Included (Cash Bar)

This tour takes us to The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park - A World Heritage Site, North of Durban,offering some of the most diverse wildlife and outdoor experiences imaginable. An 85km Estuarine Lake,is filled with Hippos, Crocodiles, Black Rhino, Buffalo and Water Buck. The Park is well known for the abundant birdlife, including the African Fish Eagle, Flamingoes, Pelicans, Herons, as well as many other rare species. It boasts over 500 species of birds - a magnificent birdwatchers paradise.

Watch the Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs once a year on the beach.

Impressive Sand-Dunes exceeding 180m in height, are the highest vegetated dunes in the world.

Diving on coral reefs, Whale and Dolphin watching, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, or a relaxing 2 hour boat cruise on the Lake, or just a leisurely stroll on the golden beaches and in the coastal forests - there is something for everyone to indulge in.

There is a wide variety of accommodation to suit all needs (including the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Park), plus restuarants, arts and crafts shops, and a Golf Course only 16kms away.

TALA PRIVATE GAME PARK: Day Or Overnight Tour - Lunch Included (Cash Bar)

Enjoy the ultimate African Bush in style, less than an hours drive from Durban, Tala Private Game Park, is a wildlife conservancy, malaria free, which offers a mixture of Acacia thornveld, open grasslands and wetlands, providing superb game viewing and bird-watching. Enjoy and sit back in an open Safari 4x4 vehicle, and get up close to the animals i.e. Buffalo, Rhino, Hippo, Giraffe, Kudu and the rare Sable Antelope, or view from horse-back - a very exciting way to see this 3000ha safari park.

For the Birdwatchers, Tala boasts over 300 species of birds, and for the Businessman, what a better way to conduct a conference in the solitude of the African Bush. In the summer months, guests can cool off in a sparkling rock pool.

Accommodation is first-class, and La Tala Restuarant offers mouth-watering continental and local cuisine,or enjoy a Bush Braai (BBQ) and relax around a camp fire under the African stars and listen to the sounds of the night..

GOLF TOURS/SAFARIS:

Tee - off in some of the best Golf Courses in the world. South Africa boasting over 500, and Kwa Zulu Natal no less than 80 registered courses, all offering excellent facilities, with many of them positioned close to exciting tourist attractions.

Durban, situated in the lush tropical Province of Kwa Zulu Natal, is a premier golfing destination - wonderful weather through out the year, making this a superb golfers' winter/summer playground.

Whether it is for a social game or a business game, there are golf courses to suit everyones needs. Magnificent scenery, situated in natural settings, varying from coastal courses with stunning sea views, to indigenous bush and mountain back drops. Some courses even have a little wildlife roaming freely in the bush alongside the fairways i.e. Vervet monkeys, small buck and even Zebra.

The well know courses are The Durban Country Club, rated internationally as South Africa's top golf course, and known to have the best third hole in the world, Mt.Edgecombe Country Club Estate, Beachwood Country Club and Kloof Country Club, to name but a few.

Take a break in between games, and enjoy some pure relaxation on our sun-drenched beaches, snorkelling, surfing, dolphin, whale and shark watching, deep sea fishing, or visit the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game/Safari Park, north of Durban in Zululand, and see the "BIG FIVE".(recommended a min of 2 nights) Learn all about the Zulu nation by spending the day in a Cultural Village, or a day/overnight trip to Lake St.Lucia, part of the Greater St.Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, well known for its abundant Birdlife, Hippos, Crocodiles, Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles. A two hour cruise on the lake is well worth it.

For the partners who won't be on the golf course, we can shop until we drop!

B&B accommodation(4star rating), transfers from the airport and golf courses, can be arranged if required.

Durban City Tour | Isithumba |The Valley Of 1000 Hills | Sani Pass | Giants Castle | Shakaland
Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Park | Lake St. Lucia | Tala Private Game Park
Transkei Wild Coast | Golf Tours / safaris