13 Days Freedom & Battlefields

The tour gets underway from Johannesburg heading to Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal. On 22 January 1879, Zulu warriors locked heads with the British settlers 11 days after the British commenced their invasion of Zululand. The Zulu impi(warriors), under the leadership of King Cetshwayo, conquered the British. That day marked the birth of the Battle of Isandlwana. We visit the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift sites and Tulana Museum, before returning to the lodge, and have some free time in the afternoon. 

Chief Bhambatha ka Manciza Zondi led the protest to oppose the introduction of the £1 poll tax on top of the existing hut and dog taxes in 1906. The Zulus began killing their white-coloured animals and destroying all European-made tools, Whites realised that an uprising was imminent, and more than 7 000 British troops were called to suppress the Zulus. A violent rebellion started, and 4 000 rebels lost their lives. We visit the Bhambatha Memorial and continue driving to Howick to visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. In Pietermaritzburg we visit the old prison where Mahatma Gandhi was detained for protesting the racial discrimination against Indians in South Africa. 

Durban is the second largest city in South Africa with the busiest harbour on the continent. The city is known as South Africa’s playground, with warm weather all year round and friendly people. We visit Umkhumbane, known as Cator Manor, the Victoria Market, Kwamuhle Museum, and Moses Mabhida Stadium. The next day is free: lie around the swimming pool or walk along the beach and taste the Indian dishes. 

Queen Nandi was the daughter of Chief Bhebhe from the small village of Eshowe. She later became the queen of the Zulus and gave birth to a son who later became King, Shaka. Shaka Zulu showed his leadership skills as a young boy and at the age of 29 he took over as Zulu king and formed one of the strongest tribes in history. We learn more about the origin of the dominating Zulu tribe during our stay at Shakaland. We have a Zulu dance in the evening where we will learn about the traditional courtship and how the Zulu dance started. 

Isimangaliso (place of wonders) Wetland Park is Africa’s largest estuary, with biodiversity and unique ecosystems. We have a sunset boat cruise on arrival and a half day drive through the park, visiting Cape Vidal, while the guide provides more information about the park. The rest of the day is free. Walk through the town and visit the vast craft market, which has a lot of locally-made handcrafted souvenirs. Hippos are often spotted grazing through the lodges in the mornings and in the evenings, so be cautious.

We drive towards Hluhluwe and make a stop in one of the villages. Nompondo village is 12km outside of Hluhluwe, and the village offers the real experience of the local people’s lifestyle. We have a short cultural tour and visit one of the local schools. We make a stop in Hluhluwe before driving to  Eswatini. We cross to  Eswatini and drive through the small villages, reaching our lodge just before sunset. Walk around the lodge, and enjoy the game (antelopes, zebras and warthogs) roaming freely through the lodge. 

The day starts with an early breakfast while enjoying some bird viewing on the pond just next to the restaurant deck. We leave Mlilwane just after breakfast, driving towards the border. We stamp out of  Eswatini and re-enter South Africa in Mpumalanga province. Our next stop is the southern part of Greater Kruger in Manyeleti Private Game Reserve. We have more chances of spotting the famous Big 5 while learning about the park, and we have a sunset game drive and one morning game drive. Night safaris are only arranged and conducted by the lodge. 

We have an early breakfast, and do a short game drive towards the exit, heading to the highveld region and the Blyde River Canyon. The third largest canyon in the world offers spectacular views of the landscape with its famous Three Rondavels. There are few regions in the world that can match the extraordinary beauty of the Lowveld and escarpment. We have a day visit to the canyon, God’s Window, Mac Mac Falls and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Our lodge is right at the edge of the escarpment near Graskop.

We leave Blyde River Canyon after breakfast, and head to Johannesburg. We drive through the famous panorama route with beautiful scenic views. We drop off clients late afternoon at the OR Tambo International Airport for departures. Tour ends at 16h00.