DURBAN CITY TOURS 2005 HALF DAY EXCURIONS:

DURBAN CITY TOUR Durban is an intriguing cultural blend of East, West and Africa which with its endless summer climate, effervescent and luke warm ocean lined with golden beaches, offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere all year round. Our tour of this bustling metropolis, often called the 'Cultural Melting Pot' of South Africa, includes the Marine Parade (Golden Mile), the rickshaw pullers, Durban Harbour, Botanical Gardens and a glimpse into the Indian culture at the Indian market. A drive through the city centre with a final stop at one of our outstanding shopping malls completes our tour. DEPARTURE: Monday to Saturday at 09h00 DURATION: 4 Hours COSTS PPS: R260.00 INCLUDES: Luxury Microbus vehicle, fuel, registered Tour Guide, entrance fees as per the itinerary & return road transfers Excludes: Lunch


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VALLEY OF A THOUSAND HILLS

The Valley of a Thousand Hills is an exceptionally scenic hilly area west of Durban. This tour includes a drive through the wealthy Kloof area to the impressive Valley of a 1000 Hills where we introduce you to the age old Zulu traditions. Visit the Sangoma and enjoy the Zulu dancing and cutural demonstrations. We also visit a crocodile farm and snake park before returning to Durban. DEPARTURE: Daily at 09h00 DURATION: 4 Hours COSTS PPS: R280.00 INCLUDES: Luxury Microbus vehicle, fuel, registered Tour Guide, entrance fees as per the itinerary & return road transfers Excludes: Lunch

FULL DAY EXCURIONS:

SHAKALAND ZULU VILLAGE When Shaka Zulu became king of the Zulus in 1816, he created a highly efficient fighting force and through brilliant military strategy and leadership, he forged a great nation. Today the Zulus are the largest of South Africa's ethnic groups and with this tour, we give you an insight into their culture. We drive north past the sub-tropical coast and bushveld of Zululand. After a short stop in Eshowe, we depart for Shakaland where we have lunch and a demonstration of traditional dance styles and the Zulu social system. DEPARTURE: Daily at 09h00 DURATION: 8 Hours COSTS PPS: R650.00 INCLUDES: Lunch, Luxury Microbus vehicle, fuel, registered Tour Guide, entrance fees as per the itinerary & return road transfers

WILDLIFE DAY TOUR We travel westwards past Pietermaritzburg to the famous and awe-inspiring battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana. Then travel via Babanongo to Ulundi where our last stop is at Chetswayo's Kraal, Ondini, where the British army revenged the battle of Isandlwana. We return to Durban via Melmoth and Eshowe and arrive in the evening. MEALS INCLUDED: Light Lunch DEPARTURE: Daily at 06:30 DURATION: 1 Day ROUTING: Durban - Isandlwana - Rorke's Drift - Ondini - Durban SPECIAL NOTES: Bring sun block along DRESS REQUIREMENTS: Casual clothing, walking shoes and warmer clothing from April to September COSTS: R744.00

BATTLEFIELD OF NATAL We travel north through sugar cane fields towards the sub?tropical coast and bushveld of Zululand and arrive at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve to start our game viewing with the chance of finding the "Big Five" plus zebra, giraffe and many species of antelope. Lunch at Hilltop camp and another game drive before returning to Durban late afternoon. MEALS INCLUDED: Light Lunch DEPARTURE: SUN- &-THURSDAY @ 06h30 DURATION: 1 Day ROUTING: Durban - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park - Durban SPECIAL NOTES: Bring insect repellent and sun-block along MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: An anti-malaria drug is highly recommended DRESS REQUIREMENTS: Casual clothing, walking shoes, warm jackets in winter COSTS: R1160.00

BANANA EXPRESS STEAM TRAIN The Banana Express is a vintage narrow gauge train pulled by a Garrat type steam engine and was used early this century to transport passengers, goods and farm produce from the South Coast to Durban and back. It had been restored and today it primarily runs as a tourist attraction for steam train lovers and others alike. DEPARTURE: On request 08h00 DURATION: Full day COSTS PPS: On Request

OVERNIGHT EXCURIONS:

DRAKENSBERG HIGHLIGHTS

The Drakensberg is the country's grandest mountain range and at its highest where it forms the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. The name literally means 'Dragon' and it is derived from the breathtaking high jagged basalt cliffs bearing a similarity to the back of a dragon. The Zulu people call it the 'Ukhuhlamba', (Barrier of Spears). We explore this part of the mountain and drive up the Sani Pass, the highest and most challanging mountain pass in the country, with four wheel drive vehicles. We enter Lesotho, meet the local people and have lunch and drinks in the highest pub in Africa. This tour is designed for the person who has little time, but wishes to have an unforgettable experience of these mountains.

DAY ONE: Drive inland past Pietermaritzburg and the Howick Falls to the area of gentle pastoral beauty called the Natal Midlands. We pass through grassy plains scattered with villages and lush farmlands where plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze. Then further through Underberg, a picturesque little village situated in the foothills of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Our hotel is in the lap of the mountain with peaks towering up to 3400m above sea level. The afternoon is at your leisure to participate in some of the organized hikes into the mountain or explore the area on your own. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel.

DAY TWO: After breakfast we set off to Sani Pass, named after the primitive people who lived in the area millennia ago, for a four-wheel drive with hair raising bends and breathtaking views to the top of the mountain. Lunch is served at the top in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho some 3000m above sea level. We return early afternoon, change vehicles and drive back to Durban MEALS: Dinners, Breakfasts and Lunch on the second day DEPARTURE: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 09:00 DURATION: 2 Days ROUTING: Durban - Pietermaritzburg - Bulwer - Sani Pass - Durban SPECIAL NOTES: Please take your passport with as we enter Lesotho.Ensure you have a multi entry visa into South Africa if you need a visa to enter into South Africa. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: None DRESS REQUIREMENTS: Casual, walking shoes, a warm jacket and a rain coat. RATE: R2350.00 per person sharing, R250.00 single supplement

WILDLIFE AND ZULU CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

Northern KwaZulu-Natal has arguably the greatest diversity of habitats in South Africa. These include open bushveld, coastal dune forests, lakes, rivers, mangrove forests, subtropical marsh-lands and a magnificent coastline with endless, and in some areas completely deserted, sandy beaches. The animals found here range from the 'Big Five' to the shy nyala and the tiny suni as well as a prolific birdlife. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but also the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction. Today the park is the third largest in South Africa and the only reserve where you are virtually assured of good rhino sightings. We visit an authentic Zulu village for an insight into their culture and enjoy the energy of some tribal dancing. The second morning we join a boat cruise on the Hluhluwe river where we see prolific birdlife and maybe even crocodile and hippo. After a final game drive we depart for Durban where we arrive late afternoon.

DAY ONE: We travel north through sugar cane fields towards the subtropical coast and bushveld of Zululand. We visit a Zulu village for a cultural experience. We are taken to the Sangoma (diviner also erroneously called the 'Witch doctor') and treated to some authentic tribal dancing. After lunch we depart for Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park where our close encounter with the African wildlife begins. After and early dinner we depart in an open vehicle on a night game drive using powerful spotlights to find the elusive nocturnal animals. We return late evening, after an unforgettable experience, for a well-deserved rest at Hilltop Camp in the reserve.

DAY TWO: Today we spend most of the day viewing the wildlife of Africa in the park and return mid-afternoon to Durban MEALS: Dinner and Breakfast DEPARTURE: Daily at 08:00 DURATION: 2 Days ROUTING: Durban - Zulu Village - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park - St Lucia - Durban SPECIAL NOTES: Bring insect repellant and sun block along. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: An anti-malaria drug is highly recommended DRESS REQUIREMENTS: Casual safari clothing and a warm jacket for the night drives. COSTS: R2730.00 per person sharing, R285.00 single supplement

BATTLEFIELDS OF NATAL

South Africa has a relatively short, volatile recorded history. The reasons for these battles were no different from any other wars which took place throughout the world then and even now; retaining or gaining of land ownership, fear of the enemy, greed, etc. Some fierce battles were fought such as the battle of Isandlwana where Great Britain probably suffered its greatest defeat against indigenous army in its military history, Rorke's Drift where the most Victoria Cross medals for bravery were awarded, and the Battle of Spioenkop where the morning fog and a few miscalculations cost many of lives. This tour covers the scenes a few of these famous battles fought between Zulu, Boer and British. Stories of exceptional bravery and wholesale slaughter are softly told in emotional voices. The eeriness one experiences at some battlefields are quite real and unnerving, turning the tour into an extraordinary event.

DAY ONE We travel westwards to Pietermaritzburg to visit the Church of the Vow and then onwards to the Spioenkop hill where the Battle of Spioenkop took place. Standing on the spot, the terrible incident unfolds in front of you again. At Ladysmith we visit the war museum for an insight into the siege of Ladysmith and stories of suffering and heroism. Our overnight stop is outside Dundee after we visited the Talana war museum and Battlefield.

DAY TWO This morning we cover the famous and awe inspiring battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana. Our last stop is at Chetswayo's Kraal, Ondini, where the British army revenged the battle of Isandlwana. We return to Durban via Melmoth and Eshowe and arrive in the evening. MEALS: Dinner and breakfast DEPARTURE: Tuesdays at 08:00 DURATION: 2 Days ROUTING: Durban - Pietermaritzburg - Spioenkop - Ladysmith - Dundee - Talana - Isandlwana - Rorke's Drift - Ondini - Durban SPECIAL NOTES: Bring sun block along MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: An anti malaria drug is recommended. DRESS REQUIREMENTS: Casual clothing, walking shoes and warmer clothing from April to September COSTS: R2100.00 per person sharing, R150.00 single supplement

WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS

Northern KwaZulu-Natal has arguably the greatest diversity of habitats in South Africa. These include open bushveld, coastal dune forests, lakes, rivers, mangrove forests, subtropical marsh-lands and a magnificent coastline with endless, and in some areas completely deserted, sandy beaches. The animals found here range from the 'Big Five' to the shy nyala and the tiny suni as well as a prolific birdlife. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but also the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction. Today the park is the third largest in South Africa and the only reserve where you are virtually assured of good rhino sightings. The region is also the home of the mighty Zulu's and tours SCDE and SCDW offer some insight into their age-old culture. These tours are designed for the person who do not have much time, but would like to experience a part of the untamed African wilderness.

DAY ONE We travel north through sugar cane fields towards the sub-tropical coast and bushveld of Zululand and arrive at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park game reserve to start our game viewing. Tonight we sleep at Hilltop Camp in the reserve - listen to the sounds of Africa before you fall asleep.

DAY TWO Today we spend the entire morning game viewing in the reserve. You may want to do the game viewing in an open vehicle (optional) or even on foot with one of the game guards (optional) before returning to Durban. MEALS: Dinner and Breakfast. DEPARTURE: Daily at 08:30 DURATION: 2 Days. ROUTING: Durban - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park - Durban. SPECIAL NOTES: Bring insect repellent and sunblock along. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: An anti-malaria drug is highly recommended. DRESS REQUIREMENTS: Casual clothing, walking shoes, warm jackets in winter. RATE: R2730.00 per person sharing, R285.00 single supplement.

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