KWA-ZULU NATAL Self Guided Tour
Durban – KwaZulu Natal Midlands – Port Shepstone – Port Edward - Southern Drakensberg –Kokstad – Sani Pass – Howick – Ladysmith – Dundee – Greytown - Umhlanga
7 Days / 6 Nights This is a Self-Guided Tour
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Day 1: Protea Hotel by Marriott, Umhlanga
Arrive into Durban airport (own arrangements or book through Open Road Safaris at additional cost).
You will be met by your tour guide from Open Road Safaris/Harley Safaris and transferred to the Protea Hotel by Marriott, near the Indian Ocean. Centrally located in the heart of Umhlanga Rocks, the hotel is 18 km from King Shaka International Airport and conveniently situated minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from Durban.
At 2:00pm your guide will return to the Protea to collect you for an afternoon tour of the Durban beachfront and Golden Mile. See the Colonial architecture of Durban and buildings of historical significance, including the Natal Museum, Victoria Embankment and the Edwardian City Hall. Shop in craft markets and Victoria Street Market, filled with the aromas of Indian spices.
Return to your hotel to freshen up. Meet your tour guide in the hotel restaurant at 7:00pm for a welcome dinner and introduction to the tour, as well as meeting you’re travelling companions.
Umhlanga
Just outside of Durban is the seaside resort town of Umhlanga Rocks. The tropical weather and lush vegetation make this an enticing holiday destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. It is the perfect location for ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike, with great opportunities for diving, swimming, scuba diving, whale watching, dolphin viewing, deep sea fishing and kite boarding. Umhlanga Rocks also offers some excellent golf courses for the avid golfer.
Activity
A tour of one of South Africa's most popular city's, Durban. This tour encompasses a visit to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Victoria Market, the City Hall, the Golden Mile and other attractions. We also enjoy a walk through the bustling Zulu Muthi (medicine) markets, the early morning market, the cow's head and Station markets. Lunch, at your own cost, is included at one of Durban's most enjoyable outdoor restaurants, Blue Zoo near Mitchels Park; or if you prefer we can get a "bunny chow", Durban's iconic street food delight! You will also learn about the history of the people of South Africa, including the Indian people and of course the Zulu people.
Overnight: Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Umhlanga
Included
Breakfast, dinner and accommodation. Durban Tour.
Excluded
Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.
Day 2: The Old Orchard, Kokstad
Today is the official start of your bike journey. Our journey takes us along the coastal road for a sedate ride, then through the Drakensberg when we head to Kokstad, where there are many attractions and interesting sites for us to explore. Museums display the history of the town and the Griqua people. Kokstad is a town filled with natural wonders and a proud and exciting heritage that is most definitely worth the visit.
Stopping for lunch at Mac Banana in Port Edward we relax a while, soaking in the scenery, fresh sea air and coastal sounds before we head inland. We spend a soothing afternoon at The Old Orchard hotel, which is nestled at the feet of the Mount Currie Mountains just outside Kokstad ready, for a really early start.
Port Edward
Port Edward is a small resort town situated on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, near the Eastern Cape Province border. The coastline between here and Port Shepstone to the north is popularly known as the Hibiscus Coast because of its lush sub-tropical gardens. There is a natural phenomenon here called the Sardine run between May to July. Another big attraction is Port Edward’s Red Desert is the world’s smallest desert. Bordered by the dramatic Umtamvuna River gorge, Port Edward is the southernmost town on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast.
Activities
The Mac Banana Estate welcomes Bikers all year round for that perfect “PitStop” Lots to do and various restaurants to choose from including a great Sports Bar in Fazenda Restaurante.
Overnight: The Old orchard, Kokstad
DISTANCE 122KM
Included
Breakfast and accommodation.
Excluded
Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.
Day 3: Moorcroft Manor Hotel, Southern Drakensberg
This morning we rise early for a whole exciting day on the Sani Pass and the highest pub in Africa. Be sure to bring your passports. Our direction through the beautiful Khomazana river valley steepens as the road gains altitude and the views become expansive. The Sani Pass is the third steepest pass in the world, which is why we are going to use 4X4s through beautiful mountain scenery into Lesotho, where you can meet some of the Basotho people and experience their culture and way of living. The route, called the ‘Roof of Africa’ has a nerve wrecking final climb of over 800 metres in just 8 kilometres.
Bumping our way over a short, but very poor quality road to the Sani Mountain Lodge we can enjoy a rest at the highest pub in Africa. With a roaring fire and walls adorned with history and graffiti, where you will have lunch. The Highest Pub in Africa lives up to its name at 2873 meters above sea level. The Pub is situated at the top of the Sani Pass, a steep 4x4 trail with 27 corners and a number of them are tight switchbacks. Only 4x4 vehicles are permitted to use the pass.
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Southern Drakensberg
The Southern Drakensburg is a wonderland of woodlands, forests, lakes and rivers, all set against the dramatic backdrop of this spectacular mountain range. Several nature reserves fall into the area and protect a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some rare antelope species and, at Kamberg, a network of beautiful hiking trails lead to caves decorated with ancient Khoisan art. Trout thrive in the region’s reservoirs and waterways, making it a magnet for fly-fishermen, while horse riding and mountain biking are also popular pursuits in this scenic part of the world. The ultimate highlight of the Southern Drakensberg, however, is the Sani Pass, which – at almost 3,000 metres above sea level – is South Africa’s highest pass, leading all the way to the Lesotho border and offering magnificent vistas along the way.
Activities
Sani Pass 4x4 Trails
Sani Pass is the mother of all South African mountain passes. Statistically and in every sense, it out distances, out climbs, and out performs all its competitors with consummate ease to have become the most iconic gravel pass in SA. Situated between KZN and Lesotho the pass was built circa 1950 and remains a challenging drive in 4x4 vehicles with all the drama, scenery, bad weather and treacherous conditions expected of a pass with a summit altitude of 2876m ASL
The route to Underberg and Himeville may be subject to change subject to weather conditions.
Overnight: Moorcroft Manor Hotel
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DISTANCE - 188 KMS
Included
Breakfast and accommodation. Sani Pass tour.
Excluded
Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.
Day 4: Howick Falls Hotel, Howick
After really exciting day we slow the pace as we ride to The Midlands and the little village of Howick which is a great place to find antiques, arts and crafts, being part of the Midlands Meander. We will see the many attractions such as Terbodore Coffee Roasters, Howick Falls and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. The monument is in honour of his efforts and multi-faceted influences and the nature of a single human being that had an enormous effect on the identity of a nation.
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
The KwaZulu Natal Midlands form the temperate zone between the subtropical coast and the Drakensberg Mountains. A favourite of the early colonial settlers their mark still remains in the names and the areas agricultural legacy. Many parts of the Midlands Meander resemble the Northern European countryside as there are lush green pastures for cattle to graze on, in order to produce milk and cheese and many species of European trees and bushes planted by the English and Dutch farmers.
Activates
Guaranteed to take your breath away with its beauty, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander is one of the country’s most famous routes. It’s also known as the ‘arts and crafts route’ and this piece of the world is nothing short of majestic so at this stop enjoy the attractions.
Overnight: Howick Falls Hotel
DISTANCE - 188 KMS
Included
Breakfast and accommodation.
Excluded
Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.
Day 5: Royal Country Inn, Dundee
This ride is takes us to Dundee. As we travel on the N3 linking Durban and Johannesburg, only 8 km off the motorway near Ladysmith, we arrive at the famous Battlefield of Spion Kop. Over a century ago on the 24th January 1900, Spion Kop was the scene of a bloody and futile battle fought between South Africans and British forces during the South African War, 1899 to 1902. Raymond Heron, a renowned historian, has a fascinating presentation on the war and the far-reaching effects it had on Britain and South Africa. During Raymond’s vivid presentation, one is able to relive memories of the war and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders – General Louis Botha, later to become the Union of South Africa’s first prime minister, and Mohandas (later the “Mahatma”) Gandhi, as well as Winston Churchill.
After an interesting afternoon we continue on to Dundee.
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Ladysmith
Ladysmith is a quiet rural town surrounded by cattle and sheep ranches, with little more than a run-down shopping complex, a handful of Victorian buildings and the Siege Museum - a good place from which to start a visit to the Battlefields Route. In recent years, the town centre has undergone something of a transformation, and today has a vibrant African feel to it, although it remains an unattractive place to stay. The siege aside, Ladysmith is perhaps best known as being home to Ladysmith Black Mambazo band, the phenomenally popular South Africa band. The region lying to the south of Ladysmith is where many of the Boer War Battlefields are located. The Siege Museum in Ladysmith will help to arrange tours or provide a detailed map of the battle sites. One of Ladysmith's first industries was a lard factory set up by two Scotsmen who culled the region's vast herds of zebra and melted down their fat. Yuk!
Activites
Ladysmith's historical monuments are on the main square by the town hall on Murchison Street. The town hall, on the corner of Murchison and Queen Streets, is a classic Victorian municipal building which was completed in 1893. During the siege, it was converted into a hospital until the clock tower was hit by a six-inch shell. The town hall was repaired in 1901. There is a small museum, with a gallery of photographs illustrating Ladysmith's history up to the present day.
The Siege Museum is next to the town hall. This is a fascinating museum, with one of the country's largest collections of South African military memorabilia, including reconstructions of scenes from the Siege of Ladysmith and the Boer War. There are displays of weapons, uniforms and household goods that were used during the siege, with explanations in English, Afrikaans and Zulu.
There are four field guns on Murchison Street just outside the museum: Castor and Pollux are the two guns sent from Cape Town at the outbreak of the Boer War for the defence of the town; Long Tom is a replica of the Creussot Fortress Guns, which were used by the Transvaal Republic to bombard Ladysmith from the surrounding hills. The Boers destroyed the original gun at Haenertsburg when Kitchener's Fighting Scouts threatened to capture it. The last gun is a German Feldkanonne, which was captured in German Southwest Africa and sent back as a war trophy.
Walking south down Murchison Street will take you past two historical hotels which are still in use. The Royal Hotel was built before the siege during the gold and diamond rushes of the interior. During the siege it was used by the press corps as a base. The Crown Hotel is the site of Ladysmith's first hotel, built of wattle and daub. The earliest battlefield tours, on horse- back, could be booked here in 1904. Further down Murchison Street, on the corner with Princess Street, is the Old Toll House where wagon drivers paid a toll before entering town.
A refreshingly non-historical site is the Cultural Centre. There is a collection of cultural and natural history exhibits, a township shack and a tribute to the Drakensberg Boys' Choir. There is also a hall dedicated to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the world- renowned group that became South Africa's most successful band. The music-filled hall contains the footprints of the members of the band eternalized in concrete and life-size cut outs of the band on a mock-up stage. The curio shops sell the band's CDs. Further along Murchison Street is the Central Mosque, which was completed in 1922, and has a beautiful fountain and courtyard, surrounded by palm trees.
Overnight: Royal Country Inn
DISTANCE - 155kms
Included
Breakfast and accommodation.
Excluded
Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.
Day 6: Protea Hotel by Marriott, Umhlanga
As we return south to the coast we stop for lunch in Greytown, at the Tranquil-Tea restaurant. Our route takes us through The Valley of a Thousand Hills, fertile sugar farms, into the rolling hills of timberland around Greytown and the through the magnificent scenery of The Tugela Basin, South Africa's largest river. We spend some time in the Valley of 1000 Hills enjoying the scenery of the rolling hills and the rushing Umgeni River as we drive along the valley edge, or, if we happen to be there on the last Sunday of the month, take a scenic ride on the steam train. Paying a visit to one of the traditional Zulu villages, we will find an abundance of arts and crafts, we get to try out local delicacies, and experience ancient rituals.
This is our last evening together and dinner is a great opportunity to exchange photos, addresses and numbers.
Greytown
Often referred to as the ‘jewel of KwaZulu Natal, Greytown lies in the forest-clad, rolling hills of the Natal Midlands, a picturesque little town originally settled during the 1850s and subsequently awash with buildings of note, scenic drives and Boer history. Louis Botha, the country’s first Prime Minister and a famous Boer leader, was born on a farm just outside of Greytown, and some believe that the Liberation Struggle for a democratic South Africa began in Greytown, almost a century ago, with the Bambatha Rebellion. This uprising against white authority by a local Zulu chief forced white residents to shelter in the town hall, built in 1897 and worth a visit when in Greytown.
Activities
Phezulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park
Enjoy Zulu culture and their way of leaving, relax and watch Zulu dancing. Take a traditional seat in the hut where Zulu culture will be told. You will also visit the Reptile Park where you see crocodiles, anacondas and many more. Overlooking the world-famous Valley of 1000 Hills is the living Zulu museum and many other cultural and natural attractions. The Outer West area of the city of Durban extends from Kloof inland and includes the beautiful Valley of 1000 Hills, up the winding and picturesque Botha's Hill. Botha's Hill, named after Carolina Botha who opened the first inn there in 1849 to cater to wagoners, Botha's Hill has maintained this spirit of hospitality, enjoys the most commanding views on the coastal side of the Drakensberg. At about 800m above sea level, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the berg and the ships on the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Protea Hotel by Marriott
Included
Breakfast, accommodation and Zulu Village.
Excluded
Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.
Day 7: Departure
Say farewell to sunny South Africa. We will be collected from our hotel and transferred to Durban airport for our flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at Johannesburg we connect with our international flight, travelling under our own flight arrangements If you wish to extend your journey Harleys Safaris are able to assist you at additional cost.
Included
Arrival and departure transfers, Harley Davidson rental with full road insurance (Riders must leave a deposit to cover any excess), shared accommodation for seven nights, seven breakfasts, two dinners, entry fees throughout tour, excursions and activities as per itinerary, guided game drives and cultural experiences. Total Tour 2181 KM
Excluded
International flights and internal flight from Durban to Johannesburg, visas, personal travel insurance, gratuities, all other meals not listed in the itinerary, all drinks, fuel, toll fees, refundable deposit for motorcycle, curios and any other activities and services not listed.
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