From Bush to Beach: A KZN Wildlife Road Adventure

On arrival at either King Shaka International Airport or Richard’s Bay Airport, collect your rental car and drive up to Kosi Forest Lodge. Enjoy all the amazing guided activities on offer here such as:

Guided Canoe Trips on the Lake and Waterways of the Park

Rapha Forest Walk

4 x 4 Trip to Kosi Bay Mouth

Turtle Walks (15 Nov – 15 Jan)

Kosi Forest Lodge Dining

Two nights here on a full board basis plus select activities.

Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Flora, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Watersports, Wildlife

Kosi Forest Lodge is an intimate lodge situated under a canopy of magnificent trees within a tranquil sand forest alongside the Kosi Lakes System, an unspoilt wilderness area that is part of the iSimangaliso World Heritage Park.

This 20 bed lodge offers comfortable accommodation in wooden, canvas & thatch cabins, great home cooking and caters for a host of estuarine, beach and wilderness activities. Glamping at its best.

A lovely sweeping pool overlooks Lake Shengeza where one can relax on the viewing deck in the shade of Umdoni trees while watching hippos & flamingos in the lake.

Daily guided canoe trips and walks through ancient Raphia Palm Forests are offered at no additional cost.

Additional activities are a boat trip exploring this unique system of lakes and channels where one can see hippo, crocodile, rare birds like the Pels Fishing Owl and Palm Nut Vulture, included in this day trip is a picnic on the unspoilt shores of Bhanga Nek beach.

Another additional activity is to join a 4×4 excursion to Kosi Bay Mouth viewing ancient Thonga Fish Traps and exceptional snorkeling in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Discover one of South Africa’s best ecotourist destinations.

Kosi Bay

Situated just north of Durban along South Africa’s scenic coast, Kosi Bay lies only two kilometres from the Mozambique border.

It encompasses a pristine system of four lakes that form part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and eventually drain via a sandy estuary into the Indian Ocean.

Beachgoers can enjoy a calm, quiet beach and a river mouth with exceptionally clear water, home to an abundance of fish species. Other faunas in the area include duikers, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, bull sharks, loggerheads, and leatherback sea turtles – which lay their eggs on the beach – and diverse birdlife.

An interesting fact about Kosi Bay is that it is home to the Kosi Palm, which has the largest leaf of any plant in the floral kingdom.

Drive from Kosi Bay to Thonga Beach Lodge where you will be able to enjoy a variety of exciting activities, many of which are included.

Thonga Beach Lodge is set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland Coast, KwaZulu-Natal. This 24 bed luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of Africa’s last unspoilt wilderness beaches.

It is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkelling and excellent off-shore SCUBA diving and excellent birding opportunities.

Guided birding, scorpion & spider walks & Turtle Tracking are offered in season.

The 12 thatched bush suites offer either Ocean or Forest Views with Deluxe Ocean Views room sporting private plunge pools. The suites are positioned to afford maximum privacy & minimal environmental impact.

Excellent cuisine is enjoyed al fresco on the dining deck or beach deck overlooking the sea.

This is an ideal choice for honeymooners, families, SCUBA divers or anyone who wants to simply relax. A civilized distance from civilization.

2 nights here on a full board basis plus select activities.

Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Flora, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Watersports, Wildlife

Maputaland Marine Protected Area

Days 3 – 6

Set on South Africa’s northeastern coast, the UNESCO-listed Maputaland Marine Protected Area falls within the awe-inspiring iSimangaliso Wetland Park and comprises three protected areas: Lake Sibaya Nature Reserve, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, and Rocktail Bay.

Extending all the way from the northern Mozambican border to Sodwana Bay in the south, it encompasses forests, wetlands, lakes, marshes, and coral reefs near glorious, deserted golden-sand beaches.

Local wildlife includes large numbers of leatherback turtles, numerous bird species, and many species of freshwater fish – also look out for Nile crocodiles and hippos at Lake Sibaya.

A superb dive site (arguably one of the best in the world) can be found at Sodwana Bay, with its magnificent 50 kilometre-long reef complex.

Included or optional activities, or just relax.

Time to move from the beach for your Big Five Safari Experience in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge | Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park

Established to protect the previously endangered white rhino, , Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve is a triumph of conservation efforts.

Celebrate this legacy in exclusive luxury at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge – the only private lodge in the reserve – offering exceptional safari experiences in the heart of Big 5 territory.

18 well appointed, air-conditioned rooms nestle on a ridge, each with their own private deck giving expansive and uninterrupted views of the reserve. The lodge, built in 2015, is designed in a contemporary style with overtones of organic forms utilising natural finishes and materials.

Spend 3 nights here on a full board basis including guided game viewing activities

Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is the jewel in the crown of the KwaZulu Natal game reserves. Proclaimed in 1895, it is also the oldest game reserve in Africa. Initially two separate reserves, they were joined to create a single 94 000 hectare reserve which is home to one-fifth of the world’s black and white rhino population.

It was here that the internationally acclaimed Operation Rhino started in the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad.

The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park was the first reserve to introduce walking safaris and its Wilderness Trails are internationally renowned. Visitors can also look forward to visiting a traditional Zulu village, enjoying a horse riding safari, and spotting the world-renowned Big Five as well as a wide variety of bird species.

Next on the agenda are the histoical Battlefields and the best place to experience and learn about these is at world-renowned Fugitive’s Drift Lodge.

The Zulu War of 1879 is famous throughout the English-speaking world for the great battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. The spectacular Fugitives’ Drift property, a Natural Heritage Site, overlooks both Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, and includes the site where Lts. Melvill and Coghill lost their lives attempting to save the Queen’s Colour of the 1/24th.

It was here that David and Nicky Rattray pioneered Heritage Tourism in South Africa and created an award winning lodge for visitors to savour this extraordinary saga.

Led by the finest guides in South Africa, thought-provoking and often emotionally charged tours are conducted daily to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Guests can also go on nature walks- either guided or unguided- to see the abundant wildlife and birdlife on the reserve.

The lodge is the most luxurious accommodation offered at Fugitives’ Drift, and was fully renovated in 2017. Spacious and luxurious en-suite rooms have private verandahs, air-conditioning, and both inside and outside showers. The lodge has a swimming pool, library, and excellent museum.

The Guest House has en suite rooms with air conditioning plus a swimming pool in the garden.

Finally Umzinyathi Farmhouse is our self catering option, it has three en suite rooms, sitting and dining rooms and kitchen.

Spend 2 nights here on a bed and breakfast basis including an Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift Guided Tour.

Special Interests: Battlefields, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife, Wine

We suggest you do one of the battlefield tours on the afternoon on which you arrive and the second the following morning.

In addition you can go on nature walks and mountain biking in the nature reserve (there are no big predators here) or a guided walk o the graves of Melvill and Coghill.

Your final destination is another World Heritage Site – the Drakensberg Mountains.

Moorcroft Manor Hotel | Himeville

Moorcroft Manor Hotel is located at the foot of the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, a World Heritage Site, 2km from the village of Himeville. It is perfectly situated to provide rest for the weary but at the same is surrounded with nature, offering activities that suit young and old. Whilst indoors, guests experience warm luxury and a mere step to the verandah – the beauty of a rugged countryside awaits.

The intimate country hotel offers accommodation in eight bedrooms and four suites. Each room has a private patio with a view of Hodgsons Peaks. The executive suite has its own private garden and atrium.

Sheer comfort is provided with kingsize beds, while offering underfloor heating in both the bath- and bedrooms to keep away the midnight chill during winter. There are two executive suites, beautifully furnished providing thoughtful touches.

Coffee and tea can be enjoyed whilst marvelling at the uninterrupted views of the Giants Cup from the private patios which adjoin each room.

The Moorcroft Manor restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and an a la carte dinner is served every evening.

3 nights here on a b & b basis.

On Day 2, explore the beautiful Drakensberg.

Resting in the foothills of the beautiful Southern Drakensberg, within in the South African province of KwaZulu-Nata, Himeville serves as an excellent stopover for visitors en route to the world-famous Sani Pass and the enthralling landscapes of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.

It offers excellent fly-fishing and river rafting opportunities in its vast network of sparkling rivers and dams, as well as a variety of stunning mountain trails (such as the Giant’s Cup Hiking Trail) and incredible birdlife along the Sani Pass.

Other reasons to visit include three pristine golf courses, horse riding, polo, and a fascinating museum.

The annual Splashy Fen Music Festival (usually in April) is one of South Africa’s biggest music festivals.

Return your hire car to Durban or Richard’s Bay Airport in time for your onward flight.