Holiday Overview
This holiday delivers a wide range of contrasts and experiences over a relatively short time and distance. Commence in the province’s costal capital of Durban. Travel inland to the beautiful Drakensburg Mountains and visit the historically and culturally significant Zulu battlefields. Enjoy a malaria free Big 5 safari in Hluhluwe before returning to Durban via the pretty coastal towns of Ballito and Umhalanga.
12 Days / 11 Nights.
Start / End - Durban
The Best of KwaZulu-Natal includes:
- International Flights
- 1 Night accommodation Durban
- Inclusive Car Hire
- 2 Nights accommodation Drakensberg Area
- 2 Nights accommodation Battlefields Area
- 2 Nights on Safari Hluhluwe Area
- 2 Nights accommodation Ballito Area
- 2 Nights accommodation Umhlanga Area
Day 1 - Durban
Arrive in Durban, collect your hire car and check into your chosen hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure
Featured accommodation
Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani
Day 2 - Durban - Drakensberg
Leave the city behind and take the drive to the spectacular world heritage site of the Drakensberg Mountains.
Featured accommodation
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Enhance your experience
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Day 3 - The Drakensberg
Take a full day to explore the Drakensberg, enjoy the mountain air and rugged scenery.
Featured accommodation
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Enhance your experience
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Day 4 - Drakensberg - Battlefields
Turn Eastwards to the famed Zulu Battlefields, the battles fought here changed the history of South Africa
Featured accommodation
Fugitives Drift Lodge & Guesthouse
Day 5 - Zulu Battlefields
Spend the full day immersing in the abundant history of the area. Speak to your consultant for information on bookable excursions and tours. Options include tours of Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Zulu Villages & Guided Trail Walks
Featured accommodation
Fugitives Drift Lodge & Guesthouse
Day 6 - Battlefields - Hluhluwe
Contrasting from the rich history of the area, continue onwards to Hluhluwe and discover rich and abundant wildlife on an African Safari. Accommodation is on a full board basis with two game drives per day.
Featured accommodation
Thanda Safari
Day 7 - on Safari
Spend a full day enjoying the wildlife and facilities of your safari lodge. Full board and 2 game drives are included.
Featured accommodation
Thanda Safari
Day 8 - Ballito
After your final morning game drive and breakfast, check out from your safari lodge and drive to the Indian Ocean coastal town of Ballito, located on the Dolphin Coast. Golden sands and great seafood await.
Featured accommodation
The Boathouse
Enhance your experience
Canelands Beach Club
Day 9 - Ballito
Enjoy a full day of leisure in the coastal resort of Ballito
Featured accommodation
The Boathouse
Enhance your experience
Canelands Beach Club
Day 10 - Ballito - Umhlanga
Today take the short drive down the coat to Umhlanga, an upmarket resort featuring a beach promenade and punctuated by its iconic lighthouse.
Featured accommodation
Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Oyster Box
Day 11 - Umhlanga
Spend your last full day relaxing in bohemian Umhlanga.
Featured accommodation
Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Oyster Box
Day 12 - Durban
Take the short drive back to Durban and return your hire car. The tour concludes in Durban
Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani
An iconic hotel in Durban, the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani invites guests to experience a modern full-service stay on Durban’s sun-kissed beachfront. Sweeping Indian Ocean views along the 7km promenade have set the scene for memorable holidays and exceptional events for nearly five decades. Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani promises an unforgettable stay in a contemporary classic. Sleep in comfort & dine with variety.
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
The Cavern Resort & Spa, named after the infamous Cannibal Cavern, is nestled in the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg in the Amphitheatre World Heritage Site area. A place of captivating beauty, it is surrounded by majestic, lush indigenous forests and clear 'berg streams. Once a humble homestead, rustic and simple, today The Cavern is a comfortable home-from-home for many tourists who holiday in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains.
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
You will find the romantic Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse in the beautiful Kamberg Valley, located in the Drakensberg Mountains. Adjacent to the Highmoor Nature Reserve and a short drive away from Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve, this exclusive 5-Star hotel offers a romantic gourmet getaway. Guests can look forward to luxury accommodation, all with log fires, antiques and fine furnishings.
Fugitives Drift Lodge & Guesthouse
The Anglo-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 5000 acre Natural Heritage Site, overlooks both Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, and includes the site where Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill lost their lives attempting to save the Queen’s Colour of their regiment.
Thanda Safari
Thanda Safari is a world of wilderness and wildlife, matched with a deep commitment to Zulu culture and environmental conservation. Thanda means ‘Love’ in the language of the Zulu people, and Thanda Safari lives this ethos in the management of its 14 000-hectare reserve, its three unique properties, and its community partnerships. Experience the ultimate safari and game lodge experience with Thanda Safari, which has repeatedly been named the World’s Leading Luxury Lodge.
The Boathouse
The Boathouse offers accommodation right on the beach in Ballito’s Salmon Bay. There is a distinct nautical theme that extends to the rooms named after famous captains and the rich blue, burgundy and gold used in the decor. The on-site restaurant is Thava Continental and you can indulge in a range of excellent Indian cuisine, enjoyed indoors or out on the deck overlooking the ocean.
Canelands Beach Club
With 180 degree views over the ocean and the sound of waves crashing meters away you enter a world of utter tranquility, when you escape to Canelands.
Image Gallery
Sandlwana hil
Drakensberg Mountains
Sunrise
Safari
Zulu Culture
Drakensberg Mountains
Isandlwana
Ballito
Rorkes Drift
Umhlanga Lighthouse
Umhlanga Pier
Safari
Hluhluwe Landscape
Drakensberg Mountains
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Namibia Holidays
Classic Namibia
- 7 Nights
- Windhoek
- Damaraland
- Etosha National Park
- Swakopmund
- Sossusvlei
South Africa Holidays
Western Cape Adventure
- 10 Nights
- Cape Town
- Cape Winelands
- Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
- Hermanus
Kenya Holidays
Kenya Classic Serena Safari
- 6 Nights
- Nairobi
- Masai Mara National Game Reserve
- Lake Elmenteita
- Amboseli National Park
South Africa Holidays
The Blue Train, Cape Town & Safari
- 10 Nights
- Johannesburg
- Pilanesberg National Park
- Pretoria
- The Blue Train
- Cape Town
South Africa Holidays
The Best of KwaZulu-Natal
- 11 Nights
- Durban
- Drakensberg Mountains
- Zulu Battlefields
- Hluhluwe
- Ballito
- Umhlanga
South Africa Fly Drive Holidays
Route 62 & Safari Fly Drive Holiday
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- Cape Town
- Cape Winelands
- Oudtshoorn
- George and Wilderness
- Plettenberg Bay
- Eastern Cape Safari
Tanzania Holidays
Tanzania Simba Safari
- 7 Nights
- Arusha
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Tarangire National Park
South Africa Holidays
Rovos Rail with Kruger Safari & Cape Town
- 10 Nights
- Johannesburg
- Kruger National Park
- Pretoria
- Rovos Rail
- Cape Town
South Africa Holidays
The Garden Route & East Cape Safari
- 14 Nights
- Cape Town
- Cape Winelands
- Hermanus
- Knysna
- Port Elizabeth
- Eastern Cape Safari