Journey from Durban’s coast through the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains, historic Spioenkop, and into Big Five territory at Nambiti Game Reserve. This self-drive adventure offers cultural depth, wildlife, and scenic beauty at your own pace. With expert planning and on-call support, enjoy the freedom of the road with none of the stress. Finish in vibrant Johannesburg. Request a quote to begin your journey.
Day 1
Arrival in Durban
Upon arrival in Durban, you will be met by a company representative. You will collect your hire car and use the detailed driving instructions we provide: satellite navigation is available on request but often lodges are easier to find using the details we give, which is why we do! You’ll then drive for one hour to your superb accommodation in Umhlanga Rocks on KwaZulu Natal’s North Coast.
Day 2
Exploring Durban
Today you’ll have a full day to explore Umhlanga Rocks and this wonderful stretch of coastline. We recommend the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Trail. This 90-minute walk takes you through pristine coastal forest and you can expect to see Vervet monkeys, blue Duiker antelope, and colorful butterflies and birds.
Day 3
Umhlanga Rocks to Drakensberg
After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive toward the Drakensberg Mountains. En route, we highly recommend that you stop to see the spectacular Howick Falls on the Umgeni River.
Your home for the next two nights is a charming lodge in the beautiful Kamberg Valley in the heart of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. This rustic, yet luxurious lodge is one of South Africa’s best culinary retreats and you can expect an incredible dining experience during your stay here.
Day 4
Activities in Drakensberg
Today you can explore Giants Castle Nature Reserve and Little ‘Berg with its waterfalls, pools, and lush, forested gorges, and discover the bushman rock art sites within the Kamberg Nature Reserve. You can also hike on the endless scenic trails of the Drakensberg Mountains, before returning to your lodge for a sumptuous seven-course dinner prepared by an award-winning chef, which is all part of your tour fees.
Day 5
Drakensberg to Spioenkop Game Reserve
After a delicious breakfast, you’ll continue your South African adventure with a short drive to Spioenkop. The lodge where you’ll stay for the next two nights is set against the backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains, overlooking the infamous battlefield of Spioenkop.
Day 6
Battlefields and Rhino Tracking
Today, you have a full day to enjoy Spioenkop and the surrounding area. You may wish to explore the battlefields region further with a knowledgeable guide, or you may prefer to join a game walk in the Spioenkop Game Reserve or a guided mountain biking excursion into the foothills of the Drakensberg.
Game walks around the reserve are also brilliant and rhino tracking is possible with an experienced guide.
Day 7
Spioenkop to Nambiti Private Game Reserve
This morning you can enjoy an early morning activity, such as a guided walk or horse riding, before a 2-hour drive to Nambiti Private Game Reserve, near Ladysmith, in the heart of the area of the battlefield (approximately three hours from two and a half hours from Durban).
A guide will meet you at the entrance of the reserve. You’ll transfer from your rental vehicle to the lodge’s 4×4 Land Cruiser. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive with sundowners overlooking Nambiti’s spectacular landscape, before returning to the lodge for a delicious dinner.
Day 8-9
On Safari
You’ll have two full days in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve.
You can enjoy two daily game drives, at sunrise and in the late afternoon, where you’re likely to spot an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five, hippos, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, impalas, elands, and zebras. The birdlife here is prolific too as the reserve’s natural water, perennial rivers, and spectacular 40-metre waterfalls on the Sundays River attract several rare bird species.
