uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The Drakensberg is part of the Great Escarpment and separates the extensive high plateaus of the South African interior from the lower lands along the coast. The Drakensberg, is the main mountain range of Southern Africa. The Drakensberg rises to more than 3,475 metres and extends roughly northeast to southwest for 1,125 km parallel to the southeastern coast of South Africa. Rock and cave art, several thousands of years old, can be seen in the caves and overhangs. Didima valley is a spectacular hiking area, with rolling green hills, 400+ bird species, horse riding, quad biking and trout fishing. Multiple species of antelope can be seen while hiking the mountain area from the camp.
The Elephant Coast borders Mozambique in the north, Swaziland and the Lubombo Mountains in the north west, the Indian Ocean to the east and ends roughly at the mouth of the Umfolozi River near St Lucia village in the south.
The region is a paradise of natural wonders with an incredible 21 different ecosystems. In fact, there are few areas in Africa with such an incredible diversity of freshwater ecosystems. It is largely due to this, and the incredible sense of place, that a large portion of the Elephant Coast was declared a World Heritage Site, and named iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Broadly translated from the Zulu language, iSimangaliso means ‘something miraculous’.
It is South Africa’s third largest park, spanning 280 kilometres of coastline and made up of around 328 000 hectares of pristine natural ecosystems including swamps, lake systems, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, second highest vegetated sand dunes in the world and coastal forests. Hluhluwe iMfolozi, the oldest recognised protected area in Africa and second in the world to YellowStone, is a short 45 minutes drive from St Lucia and offers magnificent scenery, 4×4 safaris and walking safaris in the iMfolozi wilderness.
Read our blog on St Lucia for more awesome info on this special place!
Arrival at Durban King Shaka International Airport. After collection of your luggage and your rental car you/we (depending if it is a guided tour or self-drive option) head directly to our accommodation and check in.
On the first day of arrival, depending on the time of your international flight, dinner will be in the local restaurant or you can provide your own meal as our camp has self catering facilities and private braai (bbq) area.
We will spend the next 4 nights at Didima valley ,and a private local hiking guide will take you on an adventure depending on your level of fitness. There are 4 main hikes from very easy to extremely difficult and loads of other adventures in the area. Our accommodation has a pool, tennis court, braai, self-catering, quad bikes, bicycles, horse riding and trout fishing available for the afternoons after adventuring in the mountains.
After the mountains it’s time to head to the next world heritage site and explore the tropical town of St Lucia where the hippos mow the grass lawns of your accommodation in the evening, REALLY, hippos can be seen at night in the streets and gardens of St Lucia along with the occasional leopard or honey badger. On day two you will explore the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Big 5 game reserved on safari in an open game viewer. Your professional guide will try to find the big 5, wild dogs and possibly a cheetah.
Although our packages are pre designed we customize them to each of our clients needs, contact us through this form and one of our professional guides will contact you to further discuss what you have in mind. We go above and beyond to give our clients the best experience possible.
View extra activities to add to your current itinerary when visiting KwaZulu Natal.
Some of our most commonly asked questions about this package.
Spring and Autumn Drakensberg weather is particularly pleasant. The days are warm and clear. Also, the nights are cool. Furthermore, Summer brings spectacular thunderstorms. It’s always advised to take a rain coat even if the weather is sunny. Temperature range from below 0 degrees in winter to mid 30s in summer.
In the Drakensberg you have two options of accommodation.
Cathedral Peak hotel 4* with loads of extra activities and great for families. Didima Ezemvelo KwaZulu Natal Parks accommodation, which is just 1km away from the hotel. Both accommodations consists of self catering and restaurant options.
St Lucia accommodation is 4* B&B and dinner will be at the local restaurants in walking distance and at own expense.
You will be on safari in Hluhluwe iMfolozi game reserve 96000 hectares big 5 reserve with wild dogs and cheetah. Your professional guide will do their best to find all the wildlife. This is not a zoo and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
World Heritage is the designation for place on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations. South Africa has 8 World Heritage Sites.
Please feel free to ask us anything and we will come straight back to you
Each travel package is custom designed and quoted for, please fill out the form below and a representative with be in contact with you shortly to discuss your Safari needs.
Whale Watching St Lucia is a magical 2 hour St Lucia tour taking you as close as 50 meters from the giants of the deep. Humpback whales are the most commonly spotted, but Minky’s, Right and Sperm whales are also seen. Whale Watching St Lucia begins with a high energy surf launch which requires decent “holding on strength”. For this reason, we accept only children 12 years or older.
The fishing adventure will start at 6 am in winter and 5h30 in summer (early bird catches the worm ). The trip will end at the St Lucia ski boat club at 15h00 and your catch is cleaned for you. We do a beach launch through high energy surf conditions. We supply bait and tackle. We also teach you how to fish if you are a novice.
You bring something to eat and drink, sunscreen, a hat and fishing licence.
Explore on foot with a focus on the ‘smaller things’ in the reserve; tracks, plants, insects but there is a possibility of coming across some of the big 5 wildlife. Walks are limited to 4 guest above the age of 16 due to the dangerous game in the reserve. Takes approximately 3 to 5 hours!
Zulu tour
A visit to Khula village to interact with the locals and experience the culture through food, dance and social interaction.The tour includes a visit kindergarten, Traditional healer (isaNgoma), Zulu homestead ( iqhugwane experience) and an optional traditional lunch at Theo and Mpume’s homestead.
