Guided Trekking in the Drakensberg & Zululand

Walks are part-day and full day with opportunities to walk direct from the hotels. Distances are from 1 to 11 miles. Ascents range from virtually nil to 2,100 feet with some rough terrain and steep ascents. In the Drakensberg there are opportunities to do challenging hikes including the ascents to the spectacular Amphitheatre summit.

Day 1: To Durban - Overnight flight from London to Durban via Johannesburg.

Day 2: To Ghost Mountain - Morning arrival and drive up the Elephant Coast to the Ghost Mountain Inn where we stay for 2 nights. This luxurious hotel is located in a lovely relaxing location in a traditional area, close to a number of game reserves and in the shadow of Ghost Mountain. Afternoon walk to Ghost Mountain, a sacred place for local tribes, which is said to be haunted.

Day 3: Mkuze Game Reserve - Enjoy a morning game drive in the Mkuze reserve, a great place to see elephant, giraffe and possibly white rhino as well as lovely bird life. This afternoon we take a guided naturalist walk through the reserve’s Fig Forest.

Day 4: To Battlefields - Morning cruise on Lake Jozini, for wonderful scenery and hippo, crocodile and other wildlife as well as lovely tropical birds. Continue inland into the heart of Zululand, through rolling countryside with small traditional villages. Arrive at the lovely Isandlwana Lodge for a stay of 2 nights.

Day 5: Rorke’s Drift & Isandlwana - In the company of an expert historian guide explore the battlefields of the Anglo Zulu wars, the haunting fields of Isandlwana and the famous siege at Rorke’s Drift. Your guide will bring to life the history, events and personal stories surrounding the battles in this area as we walk through where they took place.

Day 6: To Cathedral Peak - Morning drive across the countryside of KwaZulu-Natal, rich in history, until the Drakensberg mountains come into view and we climb into the central part of the range to the famous Cathedral Peak Hotel where we stay for 3 nights. The hotel is a first class mountain retreat with an unbeatable location for walking and offering a splendid place to relax and enjoy the surroundings. This afternoon we take a walk to see San bushman paintings.

Day 7: Drakensberg walks - Enjoy excellent full or part day walks in the stunning mountains. Walk options include the dramatic Rainbow Gorge or the popular Contour Path.

Day 8: Drakensberg walks - Another great day of walking, with a variety of routes available direct from the hotel.

Day 9: To the Royal Natal National Park - Morning at leisure at Cathedral Peak, followed by the short drive to the northern area of the main Drakensberg range and the Royal Natal National Park, where it is easy to see why the Zulus named it the Barrier of Spears. We stay in the heart of the park at The Cavern resort.

Day 10: Tugela Gorge - A full day’s walking, with harder and easier options, in the stunning Tugela River gorge, through valleys of yellowwood trees and protea savannah, unusual geological formations with names like Devil’s Tooth and Toothpick and great mountain views.

Day 11: The Amphitheatre - A fantastic full day’s walk to the summit of the Amphitheatre, the symbol of the Drakensberg and close to the highest point in South Africa. Drive to a well marked trail with a zig-zag path leading onto an undulating contour path which then leads to the summit. A less challenging shorter walk in the area is available.

Day 12: To Johannesburg - Enjoy a relaxing final morning in the mountains. Afternoon drive to Johannesburg for our flight home (airport lounge entry included)

Day 13: London - Early morning arrival.