Discover South Africa’s historical battlefields, thrilling Big Five and spectacular beaches
Battlefields, Beach and Bush Safari
Rorkes Drift Battlefields, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Maputaland
Adventure
Wildlife
Culture
History
Beach
Big cats
Your journey at a glance
Explore Africa on a magnificent 8-day journey filled with spectacular scenery, fascinating history, thrilling Big Five safaris and the ultimate beach vacation.
Delve deep into the heart of KwaZulu-Natal’s picturesque Battlefields, with their poignant reminders of the dramatic conflicts of the war between the local Zulu tribe and British colonial forces.
After your step back in time, experience a true African safari at diverse &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, renowned for its excellent Big Five sightings, as well as close encounters with the elegant cheetah.
Your thrilling wildlife adventure culminates with the ultimate relaxation on the pristine beaches of the subtropical coastline, enjoying snorkelling and kayaking, as well as guided walks through the magnificent landscape and fascinating visits to the local community.
2 nights Rorke’s Drift Battlefields | 2 nights &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve | 3 nights Maputaland
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A taste of what to expect…
Day 1: Fugitive’s Drift
- Arrive in Durban and make your way to Fugitive’s Drift Lodge set on a hillside above the Buffalo River Gorge.
- Steeped in history, this celebrated lodge is situated on the site of the original Rattray homestead — home of the renowned Battlefields storyteller David Rattray.
- Spacious suites include comfortable rooms boasting spectacular views of the wide plains.
- A delicious fusion of local and contemporary meals are served in the elegant dining room, adorned with Zulu War memorabilia.
Day 2: Fugitive’s Drift
- After a delicious breakfast, the day is yours to embark on exciting activities and excursions.
- Fugitives Drift is renowned for delivering battlefield tours that bring the battles of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana to life.
- Choose to sink into the cool depths of the sparkling swimming pool, positioned on the lip of the Buffalo River Gorge
- Enjoy guided walk and mountain biking off the beaten track through the Fugitive’s Drift reserve, fly-fishing and visits to the Rorke’s Drift Arts and Crafts Centre and Talana Museum.
Day 3: &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
- This morning after breakfast you will be driven to &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, known for its abundant wildlife, diversity of habitats and a wide range of safari activities, where you will spend 2 nights.
- A landscape made up of seven distinct ecosystems &Beyond Phinda is often referred to as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder.’
- This fascinating variety of landscape and vegetation shelters an abundance of wildlife, including not only the Big Five but many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah or the scarce Black rhino.
- Enjoy exciting day and night game drives and interpretative walking safaris, gaining insight into the bush and discovering creatures you would not normally see on a game vehicle.
Day 4: &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
- Sink into one of the inviting sofas on the deck and indulge in a creamy cappuccino while you watch the sunrise. Relish a sumptuous breakfast and get ready for a day filled with thrilling activities, some of which are at an additional cost.
- A range of Phinda Adventures options includes black rhino tracking on foot, a Zulu Village Tour, Spending a night under the stars, rhino notching, turtle nesting trips (in season)
- Enjoy a Specialist Walking Safari or if booked ahead, experience a life-changing elephant or rhino conservation activity.
Day 5: Maputaland
- Today you drive to Thonga Beach Lodge where you will spend 3 nights.
- Set amongst the foliage of a lush coastal forest above a secluded bay, just metres from the beach, spacious suites are hidden in the dune forest and raised on wooden stilts.
- All have private balconies and ensuite bathrooms. Look forward to relaxing on the untouched beaches of the subtropical coastline, taking glorious walks into the sunset, and a variety of marine and cultural adventures.
Day 6: Maputaland
- Wake up this morning and bound into the ocean to explore some of the exquisite dive sites near the lodge.
- Enjoy a glorious day in the sun and swim, soak up the views from the sitting room or sip on cocktails at the “ocean” bar.
- Make a splash and go snorkelling and scuba diving, and meander through enchanting lush foliage on forest walks.
- Enjoy turtle tours (in season), fishing and bird watching or enjoy open-ocean adventures which include swimming with dolphins, and snorkelling with manta rays and giant turtles.
Day 7: Maputaland
- Enjoy a delicious breakfast, then visit the Mabibi Community. Interact and engage with the friendly locals and learn about their traditional plant medicines, and discover herbs for healing at a witch doctor.
- Chat to children at the community school and sip a chilled beer while learning local lingo at a festive shebeen.
- End off your day at Lake Sibaya, Southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Sip sundowners on its shores or explore beautiful scenery by guided kayak, with the great possibility of spotting hippo and crocodiles en route.
Day 8: Departure
- After breakfast, we wave a fond farewell before An andBeyond representative will collect you at Thonga Beach Lodge and drive you, and fellow guests, to Coastal Cashews pick up point for your onward arrangements.
Rates
per adult sharing for 7 nights
What's included
- Meet & Greet
- Medical Evacuation Insurance
- Munywana Conservancy Fee and Park Fee
- Costs include VAT, transfers to and from the lodge airstrip
- Car Rental for 8 days in Group B Vehicle on super cover including contract fee
- Super cover inclusions and exclusions apply for the car rental
- Scheduled pickup and drop off transfers at Coastal Cashews
- Personal Travel Journal
- Munyawana Conservancy Fee
- Bed Levy
- Park Fee
- Community Levy
- Administration Fee
What's not included
- Travel Insurance is not included. However, should you be interested, we can introduce you to our recommended partner, Global Rescue.
Conditions
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Please note that there may be a significant difference in the high season rate
- Rates subject to a minimum of 2 guests travelling
- The operator may reroute the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability
- Single traveller supplement will be quoted on request
- Child rates will be quoted on request
- Validity periods are as specified above in the downloadable detailed PDF - should a booking fall over two rate periods the rate will change and we reserve the right to re-quote
- The rates quoted are subject to change without prior warning if there are any increases in bed levies, park fees, fuel, ROE, sales tax or VAT, third-party services or any other circumstances beyond our control in the countries featured in this quote
- andBeyond Trading Terms apply
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