| |
|
|
The Maputaland coast stretches from Lake St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay. The Kosi Forest coastal reserve is an unspoilt wilderness region of pristine golden beaches backed by forested dunes and captivating freshwater lakes. This truly is a magical area, untouched by large-scale tourism development. Lodge activities mostly revolve around the ocean and the lakeland system with snorkelling for tropical fish, canoeing and evening excursions in the summer to view the rare giant leatherback turtles as they lay and hatch their eggs (Oct to Feb). Nearby reserves, the charming Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumo wilderness reserve, offer some of the finest birding in Southern Africa. To the south lies Sodwana Bay, a mecca for keen divers.
Accommodation in Coastal Maputaland |
 |
 |
|
|
The Drakensberg offers walkers everything from serious hiking to gentle rambles beside crystal streams. Other delights are its ancient San rock paintings, the 4x4 ascent to the top of Sani Pass in Lesotho, the world-class Drakensberg Boys Choir and the arts and craft studios along the Champagne valley. The gentle beauty of the Natal Midlands in the ‘berg’ foothills also affords visits to unusual craft studios, art galleries and charming country pubs as well as some first-class country house lodges.
Accommodation in Drakensberg Mountains |
 |
| Durban and the North Coast |
The Indian Ocean resorts, north of Durban, are made for swimming, relaxing and enjoying alfresco seafood cuisine. Here you are away from the bustle of the city and yet easily within reach of its attractions such as the lush botanical gardens and enticing Indian spice markets. The Dolphin Coast is famous for its bottle-nosed dolphins – take a boat cruise to view them at close range, whilst the golf courses at Zimbali, Prince’s Grant, Mount Edgecombe and the Royal Durban rival the best in South Africa.
Accommodation in Durban and the North Coast |
 |
|
|
|
|
Hluhluwe Game Reserve is particularly famed for its concentrations of rare white rhino, as well as elephant, black rhino, buffalo and predators, as well as its five-day game trails guided by park rangers, where you eat out under the stars and sleep in simple trail camps. You can stay in the simple Park accommodation within Hluhluwe, or at a nearby private lodge alongside the St Lucia Wetlands reserve, a World Heritage site.
Accommodation in Hluhluwe and St Lucia |
 |
|
|
|
|
Maputaland has seen the recent restoration of vast tracts of land to wildlife conservation. It began with the superb Phinda Reserve. Rich both in game and in stunning scenery, Phinda boats the diversity of seven contrasting ecosystems, including sand forest, mountain bushveld and wetlands. The AmaZulu game reserve, further to the north, now joins Phinda in offering the Big Five. This reserve covers mountain grasslands, wetlands and valley bushveld and has spectacular birding. At the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, overlooking the beautiful Lake Jozini lies Pongola game reserve. Here you encounter a variety of antelope, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and elephant, and loads of activities - not just open top game drives but sunset boat cruises, Tiger fishing and unique excursions to track rhino or elephant.
Accommodation in Maputaland |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Battlefields is the collective name for an area of rolling cattle country in rural Zululand where many of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles were fought - an enduring story of courage and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and tragedy. To give you a unique perspective on this area’s passionate history, we recommend at least a two night stay with a fascinating guided tour to sites such as Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.
Accommodation in Natal Battlefields |
 |
|
|
