Combination : Gold Class

This itinerary is an excellent extension to a Kruger Park Safari.

From R 18 200 per person sharing

Day 1

On arrival at Durban International Airport, you will collect your hire car and drive 90 minutes to Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse in the Drakensberg.

2 x nights at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse offers beautiful country house accommodation in the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa. This popular Drakensberg Mountains lodge is also a haven for food lovers. Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse looks forward to welcoming you to the Drakensberg Mountains for that true country house experience.

We are tucked away in the beautiful Kamberg valley close to Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, and all the normal mountain pursuits such as swimming, walking and hiking are available.

Passion and dedication are the keywords in the Cleopatra kitchen - his speciality is sauces, a subject very close to his heart. He has long been obsessed with reduction techniques - which allow the full intense flavour of the food to shine through.

Fresh ingredients are essential, and being able to pick from the gardens minutes before serving is a real pleasure. For the more exotic tastes, Richard spends hours hunting down local and imported ingredients of the highest quality - flying in fresh salmon from Norway and procuring genuine Parma hams and cheeses from Italy.

Day 3

Following a final morning breakfast, you will depart Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse and drive a short 90 minutes to Three Tree Hill.

3 x nights at Three Tree Hill inclusive of all meals, teas and coffees

"Previous owners Andrew Ardington, and the late David Rattray (world-renowned Anglo-Zulu War historian and owner of Fugitives Drift) had a vision for Three Tree Hill Lodge similar to what David had for Fugitives Drift: bringing to vivid life the struggle between one of the largest Empires in history and one of the smallest nations in the world."

Proprietors Simon and Cheryl Blackburn (ex Singita Private Game Reserve and ex Kwando Safari Experience), highly experienced safari guides, both share and will continue with this vision. You are welcomed into their home, and invited to experience the warm hospitality in their family run lodge.

Surrounded by the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking a secluded valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve and in the lee of the famous hill, Spioenkop, lies Three Trees Lodge.

The lodge consists of 6 standard luxury twin suites (TGCSA four star graded), there is also a 2-bedroomed family suite, which is situated in close proximity to the main dining facility and in the opposite direction to the other guest suites. It has a master bedroom en-suite, a children’s room with a separate toilet and a small kitchenette.

Activities at the lodge include access to the battlefields, Drakensberg bushwalks, horse riding and mountain biking.

Day 6

Following a final morning breakfast, you will bid farewell to your hosts at Three Tree Hill and drive 150 minutes to Fugitives Drift Lodge.

2 x nights at Fugitives Drift Lodge inclusive of all meals, teas and coffees

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 Lieutenant Melville and Lieutenant Coghill lost their lives saving the Queen’s Colour of their regiment.

If one tried to dream up geography and topography for the clash between two great nations, one could hardly come up with a more fantastic scene than this one.
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. Walks and horse rides through the reserve to view abundant game and birdlife are offered as well as fishing the 20km frontage on the Buffalo River.

The reserve offers a choice of accommodation in either the Lodge or the Guest House, both owned by the Rattray's and both born out of their extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Evident in every corner of Fugitives’ Drift is the Rattray’s love of South Africa, its people and its unique history.

Both the Lodge and Guest House have spacious and luxurious en-suite cottages which all have private verandas and broad views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge. The Lodge and Guest House both have swimming pools set in their colourful, well established gardens which are home to innumerable bird species.

The Lodge is situated on the site of the original Rattray homestead where David’s parents Peter and Gillian came for their holidays and here the seeds of this unique operation took root in those early years.

Spacious, luxury en-suite cottages each have a private veranda affording views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge.

A feature of the Lodge is the beautiful, shady, well established garden, home to innumerable birds, and the most spectacular large swimming pool situated on a secluded spur on the lip of the Buffalo River gorge.

Enjoy superb cuisine, a unique fusion of home and modern flavours, in the splendid atmosphere of a veritable museum of Zulu War memorabilia.

Day 8

Following a final morning breakfast, you will depart Fugitives Drift and

2 x nights Thanda Private Game Reserve (tented camp) inclusive of all meals and game viewing activities

Open your mind to the spiritual culture of rhythmic dance, colourful beadwork and intricate reed creations as the descendants of King Shaka share ancient tales of the powerful Zulu people.

The Zulu nation rose to its most triumphant during the reign of Shaka kaSenzangakhona (Shaka, son of kaSenzangakhona) who gave his people the name ‘Zulu’. The word Zulu refers to sky, lightning or heaven, natural elements of the highest standing.

Thanda Private Game Reserve welcomes you to a first-hand experience of ‘heaven on earth’.

Situated 23-kilometres north of Hluhluwe in Zululand, South Africa, Thanda Private Game Reserve is a celebration of the Zulu nation and their vibrant cultural tapestry. Located in the heart of the Elephant Coast, Thanda offers guests the Big Seven game experience encasing the illustrious Big Five within its 6800 hectare borders. Its close proximity to the Indian Ocean ensures a balmy climate throughout the year and safely establishes Thanda as a utopian bush and beach luxury travel destination. Thanda, meaning ‘love’ in Zulu, embraces the philosophy ‘for the love of nature, wildlife and dear ones’. The only private game reserve to hold exclusive membership with The Leading Hotels of the World, Thanda’s superlative facilities include a decadent main lodge, authentic safari-style tented camp and award-winning wellness centre.

As Africa's leading five star luxury lodge, Thanda Private Game Reserve offers guests a choice between the opulence of the main lodge and the rugged refinement of the safari-style tented camp. Both options offer five-star accommodation and service in very private surroundings. Accommodation packages at both the main lodge and tented camp include all meals, game activities and local drinks served on game drives.

The non-electrified tented camp has been built in colonial safari-style structure best suited for guests who are searching for an authentic safari experience. The four beautifully furnished tents have four-poster beds, en-suite canvas bathrooms and magnificent views of the game reserve. Public facilities include an intimate dining tent, dramatic outdoor Boma, stylish outdoor lounge and plunge pool for cool relief on hot summer days.

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to stay in the tented camp for safety reasons as the camp is unfenced. The tented camp is suggested for the guest in search of a more authentic bush experience. Thanda's tented camp is an approximate 15-minute drive from the main lodge in an open Land Rover.

Early morning and late afternoon game drives in search of the elusive Big Five are conducted in open Land Rovers under the supervision of knowledgeable rangers and trackers. Other wildlife on Thanda's 7800-ha property include the very entertaining wild dog, cheetah, hyaena, warthog and plains game as well as an abundance of bird life.

Day 10

Following breakfast and a final morning, you will head back towards Durban for your 2 nights of relaxation on the beach.

2 x nights at Hotel Izulu on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

In a secluded tropical setting half an hour north of Durban, in Ballito on KwaZulu Natal’s North Coast, is a place where heaven has a name.

A five star property with luxury all suite accommodation, year round sunshine, excellent cuisine, immaculate yet personalized service, unashamed relaxation, a fully fledged spa, and facilities for conferences and weddings, Hotel Izulu is no ordinary hotel.

Very conveniently placed in Ballito for arrivals and departures at the new King Shaka international airport opening in March 2010, Hotel Izulu is where the discerning traveller calls for a heaven sent destination.

Hotel Izulu comprises five free standing Bali-Style villas flanking the main hotel which reflects contemporary Tuscan architecture - all set in sub tropical lush landscaped surrounds. Built using only local craftsmen and products from Ballito, Hotel Izulu has been awarded its rightful ‘Proudly South African’ status.

Boasting 19 suites and the finest accommodation in Ballito, the hotel’s five freestanding villas are spread out in manicured grounds with abundant bird life.

Each villa contains two executive suites and two deluxe suites, a private courtyard and an eight seat Jacuzzi. Luxurious living manifests itself in the Royal Suite with its own private Jacuzzi deck and spacious lounge, dining room area.

The Hotel has a highly sought after award winning Spa and is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the region. Complementing the facilities is our outstanding cuisine.
Hotel Izulu is situated some 40 km north of Durban in the beautiful and vibrant coastal holiday resort town of Ballito known as the jewel of the KwaZulu Natal north coast.
Nestled in a sub tropical forest Hotel Izulu is within the environs of some of the country’s most incredible coastline and abundant related activities are available to guests.
Four superb golf courses all within 20 minutes drive are available in this all year round climate.

Microlight flights, deep sea fishing, dolphin viewing, quad biking, surfing and many cultural explorations are available to visitors.

For those travelling on, Hotel Izulu is the perfect base for exploring the world heritage sites of the Drakensberg and Isimangaliso wetlands along with the Anglo Zulu battlefields and many other places of historic or natural interest including world class game reserves.

Day 12

Following a final morning breakfast, you will drop your car back off at Durban International Airport for your onward arrangements.

END OF SERVICES

Priced from: R 18 200 per person sharing

INCLUDED

2 x nights at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
3 x nights at Three Tree Hill inclusive of all meals, teas and coffees
2 x nights at Fugitives Drift Lodge inclusive of all meals, teas and coffees
2 x nights Thanda Private Game Reserve (tented camp) inclusive of all meals and game viewing activities
2 x nights at Hotel Izulu on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
12 Days Car hire (Toyota Yaris or similar)

NOT INCLUDED

Visa fees
Meals and activities not stipulated in the itinerary
Beverages
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature