List of suggested over night excursions on your way to Durban or on the way back to Joburg:

Self drive for 2 nites to the Battlefields

2 night self drive to the Battlefields of Dundee – Rorkes Drift, Isandlwana, Fugitives Drift and Blood River all with in easy access.

Your hosts are former Spring Bok Dirk Froneman and his wife Salome at their working farm Guest House situated at the foot of Lennox Hill, the site where the Boers hid their horses during the Battle of Talana Hill, the first engagement of the Anglo Boer war.

The property offers luxury accommodation in 12 rooms at a really affordable rate, the cuisine is typically South African farm style and very lekker ( mooshie sterik )! Warmth and spontaneity gathers everyone around whether it be breakfast, dinner or tea beside the pool.

Amenities/ activities include:

· a huge pool,

· snooker table,

· game drives with eland, blesbok, red hartebeest, impala, kudu and duiker,

· battlefield visits with local historian Pat Rundgren,

· bass and trout fishing within easy distance - dams and rivers,

· hiking,

· tours conducted around the working aspect of the farm : beef cattle, maize and soya production.

· Private game reserves surround the farm.

Rates:

NB: These rates are only offered to Rhodesian / Zimbabwean Reunion delegates!

Pre-booking essential!!

Self catered – R220.00 per person

Bed and Breakfast – R330.00 per person

Dinner bed and breakfast – R440 per person per day sharing.

Transfer rates on request

Suggested itinerary

Depart JHB / DBN half way between. Only 350kms either way

Take the N2 JHB-DBN, via Ladysmith to Dundee and follow the signs.

Day 1 Arrival for +/- 2.30pm. Check in relax and take the afternoon game

drive on the property, on return freshen up and head for the dining room!

Day 2 Early morning take a refreshing walk or go fishing and return for a

sumptuous breakfast before departing to the battlefields under the expert guidance of Pat. Take a picnic basket with you and revel in the history surrounding you.

Return for dinner and over nite.

Day 3 - Depart after breakfast for either JHB or DBN.

The Royal Hotel with its imposing architecture is situated in the main street of Ladysmith. This 3 star hotel is frequently used by tourists and travelers. There are three restaurants and two bars. There are four function rooms available for conference and banqueting of a very high standard. Our motto is `Headers in Friendliness and Service`.

Ladysmith is located on the banks of KwaZulu-Natal's Klip River. Proclaimed in 1850, it was named after the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith. It became a prosperous staging- post for fortune-hunters en route to the Transvaal gold- fields and diamond discoveries at Kimberley .

Ladysmith made world headlines at the turn of the previous century when it was besieged for 118 days during the most crucial stage of the Anglo-Boer War. Today a commercial centre for surrounding communities, Ladysmith is a natural gateway to the tourist delights of the Central and Northern reaches of the Drakensberg range. Snowcapped peaks during winter form a breathtaking backdrop.

Self drive for 2 or 3 nites to Lake Jozini

Suggested itinerary and accommodation options :

Lake Jozini - Home to tiger fishing and the big 4

Prebooking for any option is essential to avoid disappointment.

OPTION 1 . – self Drive, R585.00 per person per day sharing, , R750.00 single

Dinner brunch and bed, teas, coffees, cakes, snacks.

Activities extra:

Game Drives: R150.00 per person , Canoeing: R150.00 per person , Guided Walks: R95.00 per person , Rhino Tracking: R150.00 per person , Boat Cruises: R150.00 per person for game viewing.

Fishing Boat Hire
Includes Skipper and 1 Tank of fuel per day.

Osprey 8m Double Decker Pontoon Boat, with onboard portable chemical toilet. Maximum of 20 Passengers
R 900-00 - 1/2 day for 8 Passengers + R50.00 per extra passenger.
R1200.00 - full day for 8 Passengers + R50.00 per extra passenger.


4 Seater Boat - 1/2 day R 380-00 6 Seater Boat - 1/2 day R 500-00
4 Seater Boat - full day R 550-00 6 Seater Boat - full day R 750-00
Fishing Tackle Hire - R 40-00 per rod per day.
(Lost or damaged tackle will be charged for)

Rate excludes : Other beverages, telephone & fax, laundry service, personal purchases, additional activities ( Rod hire and live bait.) Transfers

Rate excludes : Other beverages, telephone & fax, laundry service, personal purchases, additional activities, Rod hire and live bait.

  SPA available from November

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1:Depart Johannesburg ( +/- five hour drive) / Durban ( +/- 4 hrs) for arrival

at the Lodge just after  lunch for check in and a sundowner cruise on Pongola river

The boat meanders down the Pongola river to just prior to the confluence with the lake, it is the most amazing game viewing experience. View giraffe, buffalo, elephant, rhino, wildebeest  zebra and most antelope species, as well as hippo and crocodiles. 

Return to the lodge at 6.30pm freshen up for dinner in the Boma.

Overnight - fall asleep to the sounds of grunting hippo, the occasional call of hyena and the rustle of browsers around the chalets.

Day 2 -

Early morning wake up, coffee and biscuits on the deck before departing for the early morning game drive up to the viewing point behind the lodge and watch the sun peep over the Lebombo Mountains and spread its shimmering light on the Lake and river below you. 10.00am back to the lodge for a spectacular brunch that no dieter can refuse. 

Tiger fishing - From 3.00pm

Those not wishing to fish, Rhino tracking on foot.

Return to the lodge for freshen up, sundowner drinks on the deck and dinner in the boma and over night. ( weather dependent – other wise on the thatch covered deck.)

Day 4 Lie in. Breakfast at 8.30am

Check out and Departure for Johannesberg / Durban. 4hrs

Added activities :

Elephanting – R350.00 ppp.

Excludes, items of a personal nature, personal bar accounts, curios, telephone calls.

OPTION 2 Elegant luxury 5 Star tented safari Lodge

Cost

Safari Lodge: take advantage of our summer specials

R 4 000.00 per person sharing for a 3-night stay.
(All meals and 2 eco-activities per day included in package.)

R5600.00 single for a 3 night stay
(All meals and 2 eco-activities per day included in package.)

Inclusive of : Accommodation, dinner, pre-activity continental breakfast, brunch (late breakfast), afternoon tea (high tea), daily coffees, teas, juices, cakes, etc, V.A.T and two of the following eco-activities per day – game drive, boat cruise, guided game walk, elephanting, rhino walks and night drives only or fishing.

Rate excludes : Other beverages, telephone & fax, laundry service, personal purchases, additional activities (marked * below), R20.00 gate entrance fee (per vehicle) and transfers to and from the Lodge.

Rod hire and live bait.

Option 3 : Bush Camp: Take advantage of our summer specials
R 1 900.00 per person sharing for a 3-night stay.

R2772.00 single for a three nite stay

Inclusive of : Accommodation, dinner, pre-activity continental breakfast, brunch (late breakfast), afternoon tea (high tea), daily coffees, teas, juices, cakes, etc, V.A.T and one of the following eco-activities per day – game drive, boat cruise, guided game walk, elephanting, rhino walks and night drives only or fishing.

Rate excludes : Other beverages, telephone & fax, laundry service, personal purchases, additional activities (marked * below), R20.00 gate entrance fee (per vehicle) and transfers to and from the Lodge.

Rod hire and live bait.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY for both option 2 and 3

Day 1 : Depart Johannesburg ( +/- five hour drive) / Durban ( +/- 4 hrs) for arrival at this 5 star luxury colonial Lodge just after  lunch for check in, relax on the wide verandah or by the pool, partake in a delicious spread of high tea before the afternoon game drive or boat cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and over night - fall asleep to the night sounds of the bush in your luxury tented accommodation, the occasional call of hyena and the rustle of browsers around the tents.

Day 2 -

06h00 Early morning wake up, coffee and biscuits on the verandah before departing for the early morning game drive in search of the elephant whilst watching the sun peep over the Lebombo Mountains and spread its shimmering light on the Lake in front of you.

10h00 Bush brunch that no dieter can refuse.( weather dependant- if weather is inclement the breakfast will be at the lodge)

15h00 Afternoon sundowner game viewing boat cruise and fishing.

Giraffe buffalo, elephant, rhino, wildebeest  zebra and most antelope species can be seen, as well as hippo and crocodiles. Return to the lodge

19h00 Dinner in the boma. Or on the spacious verandah

Overnight - fall asleep to the night sounds of the bush in your luxury tented accommodation, the occasional call of hyena and the rustle of browsers around the tents.

Day 3 Lie in. Breakfast at 8.30am

Check out and Departure for Johannesburg./ Durban

Added extras : Rod hire at R75.00 per rod with tackle. Live bait @ R3.50 per fish. Cash bar.

Rate excludes: Other beverages, telephone & fax, laundry service, personal purchases, additional activities (marked * below) and transfers to and from the Camp.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES / OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

Game Drive R300.00

Boat cruise R300.00

Guided game walk R100.00

*Elephanting R300.00 (no children under the ages of 16 years)

*Rhino walks R300.00 (no children under the ages of 16 years)

*Canoeing R300.00 (no children under the ages of 12 years)

*Lebombo Gem Stone Trail R300.00

*Space For Elephant Participation

Participate on Elephant monitoring & research with resident researcher and experience first hand the challenges of Elephant management and the reserves Space For Elephants initiative. All the proceeds for Elephant Participation go to the Space For Elephant Foundation, the reserves not for profit conservation trust.

Air and or road transfers from major centres on request.

Lake Jozini lies in Northern Zululand , at the foot of the Lebombo mountains fed by the Pongola river which enters from the north western reaches. Enjoy good game viewing: elephant, buffalo, white rhino, giraffe, kudu and plains game come to the water's edge to drink. Bird life is prolific, especially aquatic species. During the summer months, tiger fishing is very popular.

With Option 1 -

The 21 metre luxury day cruise boat with sun deck, bar, kitchen, braai and toilets is ideal for a relaxed trip meandering up and down the Pongola river. Minimum 6 pax.

Enjoy the brunch cruise while viewing the game grazing along the shores of the lake. Fish for tiger fish and bream, take a canoe out or simply relax while the friendly crew look after you.

The Safari boat with option 1

GROUND TRANSFER EXCURSIONS

Day trips

• Zulu prawn braai on the beach at Amatikulu - This is not just a meal - its an experience' - enjoy our wonderful Zulu Prawns

A unique beach restaurant r ight next to the Amatikulu Prawn Farm and overlooking one of KZN's most beautiful beaches .

Enjoy a 7 course meal amongst the sand dunes, far from the maddening crowd...

Just over 110km North of Durban, its a great pit stop for tour groups, coporate function, team building events or just long lazy lunches. Saunter along the prawn trail, do coctails on the dunes or just explore the area. The scenery is awesome!

Rules of the Beach!

•  Shack: Def: VERY Rustic!

•  WARNING! - You will be leaving your comfort zone

•  Caiparinhia's are a gift of nature (roughly R5 to you). Pay homage and you will be at one with nature.

•  The strength and the price is dependant on the attitude of the barman

•  The style of eating is conducted like a food tasting (Not eat as much as you can!)

•  There are NO plates or cutlery. The menu is designed so you eat slowly tasting a variety of food and an even bigger variety of sauces.

•  The chefs are pretty laid back (They also carry big knives) but if you want a little extra something I'm sure they will oblige.

•  SLOW DOWN! Savour the tastes, textures and combinations.

•  All our food is low in cholesterol - Except the sauces. But don't let that frighten you!

•  The meals are cooked over an extended period so it is fresh and hot, - relax, snack and socialize

•  The loo's are at the bottom of the sand dune, ‘carefully planned' to burn off you added calorie intake: Your health is our concern!

• Day trips to Ushaka Marine World

At the end of Durban's Golden Mile is the beginning of a new world of fun, entertainment and excitement. uShaka MARINE WORLD, spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, is Africa 's largest Marine Theme Park . uShaka incorporates fresh and sea water, lush vegetation, natural materials and the recreation of a 1920's cargo ship wreck into a magical world of sea and marine life.

The marine park is tastefully themed with African imagery and exudes an air of fun and excitement. No matter what the occasion, you will always find something to do at uShaka MARINE WORLD, from sizzling entertainment at Sea World, to restaurants offering excellent cuisine to cater for all food passions, an unforgettable shopping experience in uShaka Village Walk retail village, to fun-filled water slides in Wet ‘n Wild or simply a lazy day spent sunbathing on uShaka Beach.

uShaka MARINE WORLD boasts unique function venues, each as multi-faceted as the park itself and offering superbly themed backgrounds that will add a sparkle to any event or function.

uShaka MARINE WORLD welcomes you, the national and international tourist, to experience the best that the world has to offer on South African soil.

• Day trip to Sibaya Casino – north coast, casino, restaurants and theatre

ZULU FIRE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Certainly the major draw card is uMlilo kaZulu, Circles of Fire (A Zulu Village Encounter).  Here visitors will experience an interactive interplay of nature, culture and wildlife.  Circles of Fire is authenticated by the “Biyela” people, a branch of the Royal Zulu House who are hosts and co-owners of the village.   A fine art gallery, tavern and restaurant complete the Circles of Fire encounter.

The climax of the visit takes place in the ‘Great Hut' where the focus is on dramatic depictions of historic events infused with animal mythology and given a thrilling, up-close visceral edge with dynamic dance routines and vivid props.

The village's facilities also include:

•  Cultural shows – a broad range of various Southern African cultures.

•  Traditional Zulu Dancing

•  Story telling

•  Spear-making and throwing

•  Nyanga / Sangoma

•  An art gallery - displaying paintings, sculpture and other original art works

•  There is a themed Zulu restaurant called the Sondela Tavern with serves contemporary Zulu culture with a classic touch.

•  A function room is available for hiring, for private parties, conferences or weddings.

AT FULL TILT – A MAN WITH A MISSION, A PEOPLE WITH A CAUSE
Interviewing Zulu cultural supremo Barry Leitch about his latest creative offspring, the cultural village entitled uMlilo KaZulu, adjoining AfriSun's Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom near Umdloti, you quickly realize this new project has fully sparked his imaginative machinery.  

The Zulu Fire Village is open 7 days per week from 11am – 8pm.

Zulu Fire Cultural guided tour includes:
The untold story of the Biyela clan and the ‘Circle of Fire', a courtship scene; spear – making, beer – making, carving and pottery; visit a Nyanga and Sangoma; play Zulu sports and games.

Zulu Dances:

The Big Hut Spectacular:
Live and ‘interactive' dance interpretation with story telling, narration and a cast of 35 dancers

While the entertainment is admittedly fast and fabulous, the many restaurants alone warrant an outing and should get your juices flowing.

• Day trip to Suncoast Casino – Battery Beach, casino, restaurants and movie theatre complex

Discounted meal vouchers and movie tickets, entry on to private beach R5.00

Come down and revel at one of Durban's great attrractions.

Picnic baskets available on request. SUNCOAST Beach is regarded as one of the best in SA and is rated alongside Clifton and Camps Bay in the Cape. The SUNCOAST SUNdeck, a grassed embankment bordered by layers of indigenous vegetated dunes looks onto an Indian Ocean that can be swum in all year round.

If that's not all, the facility hosts the city's most popular steakhouse, Havana Grill, visited by amongst other celebs, the Springboks and Prince Harry! Its 8-cinema complex is one of the busiest in SA and, apart from screening the latest blockbusters, offers locals an array of hot Bollywood movies.

There are also a host of other popular restaurants like John Dory's Fish & Grill, Cape Town Fish Market (both seafood specialists), the Centre Court Buffet, Circus Circus and popular trendy brands like News Café and Mugg & Bean. Add popular take-aways like Nandos, Wimpy, KFC, Anant, Steers, Mozart Ice Cream and celebrity haunt nite spot, Café Vacca Matta, and you soon realise why SUNCOAST is known as The Place to Be! Come visit.

SUNCOAST is proud to boast its own 8 screen movie complex. The state-of-the-art NuMetro CineCentre offers 1500 seats featuring the latest blockbusters as well as Bollywood movies.

Supernova is one of the most versatile cinemas in KwaZulu-Natal, boasting an 18m wide screen and 491 seats. It has a satellite conferencing facility and can be converted into a conference centre, a presentation venue or launch theatre.

• Day trips to the Midlands meander

The famous Midlands Meander in KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa , is a unique mix of more than 160 places to eat, drink, sleep, shop, play and generally have fun. Started many years ago as a voluntary collection of crafters, who wondered if they could attract visitors to leave the beaten track and explore their studios and galleries, the Midlands Meander has grown into an eclectic and fascinating mix of arts and crafts, world-class restaurants and homely comforts, with a wide range of sporting, environmental and historical pursuits thrown in too. Physical, culinary or cerebral, there is no limit to the experiences you'll find here.

PRE & POST EVENT - For visitors who would like to spend more time exploring the province please contact us and we will assist in tailor making your experience

( guided, or self-drive) whilst in KwaZulu-Natal)

Game reserves – drive time +/- 2hrs

1 day 1 nite – Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Hilltop d/ b/b

Set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, where today the "big five" of African legend stalk the verdant savannah.
Established in 1895 game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range.

As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which origionated in Imfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa .
The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora.

Hluhluwe is characterised by hilly topography, and this northern section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life.
Apart from game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided auto trails which provide information on both the management and natural history of the reserve.
Guided walks are also available, particularly rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon.

There is a 40 seater boat on Hluhluwe dam(water levels dependent) which takes visitors on guided trips twice a day. The trips are conducted by an experienced community guide and visitors can see an excellent range of birds and animals within the park while the Zulu culture is covered in the community areas outside.

PRE & POST EVENT - For visitors who would like to spend more time exploring the province please contact us and we will assist in tailor making your experience

( guided, or self-drive) whilst in KwaZulu-Natal)

Midlands

1 day 1 night hot air ballooning

Max of 8 pax per day

Nottingham Road

Self Drive or scheduled transfer

Flights take place over the scenic Kamberg valley West of Rosetta and close to Nottingham road. The valley is home to some of the finest bushman rock paintings in South Africa

We operate balloons manufactured in the United Kingdom, capable of carrying eight passengers.

During the flight the air inside the balloon is heated to a temperature of 100 C and there is enough pressure to enable you stand on the top. A little of that heat comes back so if you are tall or thinning then it's probably a good idea to wear a hat!

Once airborne our retrieve crew in touch by radio follows and on landing they help us all pack the balloon and then we will return to our departure point for an alfresco Champagne breakfast.

The original stone fort is now the Fort Nottingham Museum , It is the third oldest fort in KwaZulu-Natal and was built in 1856 from local sandstone by the 45th Regiment of Foot, the Sherwood Foresters from Nottingham in England . The Regiment was garrisoned there in response to a letter addressed by the local farmers, complaining about the high incidence of stock theft by the Bushmen of the area. In 1856 the Colonial Government decided to establish a buffer zone by developing a small military post and a village, which was proclaimed in the same year.

Nottingham Road is an important component of the Midlands Meander. This is a popular self-drive arts and craft route that is fun to explore, and allows you to shop for handmade goods from woven rugs, leatherwork and ceramics to wooden furniture.

Rawdons Country Inn and the famous English-style Nottingham Road Brewery – home of the Pickled Pig, the Pie-Eyed Possum, the Wall-Flower Warbler and the Horizontal Howler (the first two are beers, the last two are beer-drinkers). Close to the hotel is also a typically Austrian pub, the Bierfassl . Now you know why we are offering a scheduled transfer!!!

Brookdale hydro across the road for pampering the ladies

PRE & POST EVENT - For visitors who would like to spend more time exploring the province please contact us and we will assist in tailor making your experience

( guided, or self-drive) whilst in KwaZulu-Natal)

Adventure

1 day 1 nite south coast Oribi Gorge

Ecologically renowned Oribi Gorge with magnificent views of the famous Overhanging Rock, baboons Castle, Waterfall and other breathtaking rock formations. Contains leopards, baboons, small antelope and a prolific bird life, including five kingfisher and seven eagle species.

It is the home to “The Gorge Swing” – a swing down the sheer side of the Oribi Gorge.

The previous record for the number of ‘swingers' in a day was 54. The youngest swinger was a boy of seven and our oldest was a lady of 80!”

The swing is not a bungee jump and is a suitable activity for anyone. It's just a gentle swing down a spectacular cliff-face and is a completely memorable experience. There is also a foofie- slide over the Gorge – and our youngest slider to date has been a little boy of 2!”

For visitors who would like to spend more time exploring the province please contact us and we will assist in tailor making your experience ( guided, or self-drive) whilst in KwaZulu-Natal .