S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com The reserve is generally hilly and is noted for its wonderful variety of birds and mammals including both Black, and White Rhino, giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo and Elephant. Day 8. Durban [B,L] After driving through the sugar cane plantations on the Indian Ocean seaboard and lunch at a traditional Zulu village, you arrive in the bustling city of Durban and the Ridgeview Lodge where you spend the night. Days 9 to 11. Port Elizabeth [B] This morning you may choose to go on an early morning boat trip with the Natal Shark’s Board to check their off-shore shark nets as the city is gradually waking up. Later, transfer to the airport and fly to Cape Town where you spend three nights at the Portswood Hotel. You will have plenty of time to explore Cape Town, soak up the amazing view from the top of Table Mountain, visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for so many years and dine at any of the mouth-watering restaurants. A full day trip to Cape Point can be arranged during your stay (at extra cost) – highlights include the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve with over 250 species of birds, African Penguins at Simon’s Town and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Day 12. Montagu [B] Today you travel via the Cape Winelands to Stellenbosch where you have the opportunity to go wine tasting and visit the museum. Continue via Worcester and Robertson to Montagu where you will spend the night. Day 13. Oudtshoorn [B,L] Following breakfast, transfer to Oudtshoorn via Barrydale and Ladysmith. Oudtshoorn is the Ostrich capital of the world and you will have the opportunity to visit an Ostrich Farm as well as visit the vast limestone Cango Caves. Spend the night in Oudtshoorn. Day 14. Knysna [B,L] Continue by road over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to George. You then have the option to board the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train to Knysna (payable locally) or continue by road. Transfer by ferry across Knysna Lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy a trailer ride to the top of Western Head and a walk back to the restaurant for lunch under the Milkwood trees. Cruise back to Knysna where you spend the next two nights. Day 15. Tsitsikamma Forest [B] Head for Paul Sauer Bridge for beautiful views (130 metres above Storms River Gorge) before visiting Tsitsikamma Forest and Nature’s Valley. Return to Knysna via Plettenberg Bay. Day 16. Hermanus [B,L] After breakfast you transfer via George and Mossel Bay to Swellendam for lunch. Continue to Hermanus, a scenic seaside town, in the late afternoon for your overnight stay. Between August and early November, Hermanus is one of the world’s finest locations for shore-based whale-watching with Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales seen almost daily. Days 17. Homeward [B (day 17 only)] Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to Heathrow, arriving in the early hours of Day 18. 69 Africa / South Africa Extension ideas Why not extend your holiday and visit the Kalahari Desert? Day 15. Upington [B ] Fly from Cape Town to Upington where you spend the night at the Protea Hotel Upington. Day 16. Augrabies Falls [B, D] This morning you visit a local winery and in the afternoon visit Augrabies Falls National Park to see the 56 metre high waterfall on this beautiful stretch of the rugged Orange River Gorge. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before transferring to Augrabies Rest Camp for the night. Days 17 & 18. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park [B, D] Take a scenic drive north to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This is the most remote and least visited of South Africa's parks but is a haven for wildlife. There are good populations of Springbok, Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok and the endearing Meerkats, while black-maned Lions are perhaps the most thrilling of its residents. The birdwatching is excellent too. Spend at night at each of Kalahari Tented Camp and Twee Rivieren Camp. Days 19 & 20. Homeward [B (day 19 only)] Transfer via a Bushman village and craft market to Upington. Connect with your flight via Cape Town, overnight to Heathrow where you arrive on the morning of Day 20. Ground Squirrel Cape Town Cost per person: Jan & Feb, Apr, 19 to 31 Aug £2,995 1 to 20 Mar, Nov £3,095 21 to 31 Mar, 1 to 14 Dec £3,295 May & Jun, 1 to 18 Jul £2,895 19 Jul to 18 Aug, Sep & Oct, 25 to 31 Dec £3,195 15 to 24 Dec £3,695 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodge & hotels Departure dates: Saturdays, throughout the year Cost per person: Jan to Dec £795

70 F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Zulu Kingdom Self-drive 11 days London to London Days 1 to 3. Drakensberg Mountains [B (day 3 only)] Fly overnight via Johannesburg to Durban and collect your hire car before driving off to the Drakensberg Mountains for a 2-night stop. Classic Lodge Option: Didima Camp evokes the atmosphere of Bushman culture within the magnificent mountain setting of Cathedral Peak valley. Enjoy walks and drives in this mountain paradise with its sparkling rivers, cascading waterfalls, caves, grasslands, forests and wide variety of bird and animal life. Premier Lodge Option: Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, a gourmet getaway, is surrounded by Giants Castle Nature Reserve, on the edge of a trout filled dam, aside Little Mooi River. Walking, swimming in mountain streams, trout fishing, birdwatching, horse riding and excursions to local bushman paintings are just some of the activities enjoyed on the farm and in the area. Days 4 & 5. Zululand Battlefields [B, D (L on day 5)] Today you head into the interior of KwaZulu Natal, passing through some magnificent scenery to the site of the Zulu battlefields. On your full day battlefields tour you will learn in gripping detail of the bravery and mobility of the Zulu army that defeated the British, on the ‘Day of the Dead Moon’. Listen at sunset to the famous story of Rorke’s Drift, where 100 British soldiers were attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriors, winning more Victoria Crosses than in any other battle in history. Classic Lodge Option: Babanango Valley Lodge and its nine luxury rooms is set in a 4,000 hectares near Rorke's Drift surrounded by mountains. Premier Lodge Option: Fugitive’s Drift Lodge has luxury en-suite cottages with private verandas affording views over the plains flanking Buffalo River Gorge. It has shady well established gardens and a spectacular swimming pool. Fishing, horse riding and guided walks are all available. Days 6 & 7. KwaZulu Natal [B, D] Continue on to either Hluhluwe Game Reserve or Phinda Private Game Reserve where you spend two nights. Classic Lodge Option: Hilltop Camp which has commanding views of the surrounding reserve, has twenty twin rooms under thatch, together with a restaurant, bar and lounge. The reserve is hilly and is noted for its wonderful variety of birds and mammals including both Black, and White Rhino, giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo and Elephant. Whilst it is a wonderful reserve in which to enjoy selfdriven game-viewing, there are resident naturalists who take morning and afternoon game drives. Walking safaris are also available. Premier Lodge Option: Phinda Forest Lodge or Phinda Mountain Lodge offer game-viewing in open 4-wheel drives, tracking Black Rhino on foot, scuba diving on the world's southernmost coral reefs and perhaps seeing Whale Sharks from the air. Phinda has an extraordinary range of wildlife and no less than seven ecosytems. Giant Leatherback, and Loggerhead Turtles lay their eggs on the pristine beaches, freshwater lakes and river floodplains are the domain of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos, pelicans and flamingos, whilst the savannah is home to Africa's 'Big Five' and a host of magnificent birds. You may like to consider upgrading your stay to Rock Lodge or Vlei Lodge where each suite has its own private plunge pool. Ask us for details! Driving in South Africa Self-driving in South Africa couldn’t be easier. The spacious roads are in good condition, sign-posting is good, and most importantly you drive on the left! Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore South Africa’s nooks and crannies as you please. You can stop off for great photo opportunities, or stretch your legs along the way. The vehicles We offer a full range of vehicles from comfortable sedans to spacious people carriers and 4-wheel drives. There is always plenty of room for your luggage, the cars are modern, generally have powered steering and air-conditioning and all are in tip-top condition. Insurance Fully comprehensive insurance is always included with your hire car, as is a detailed ‘Route Digest’ which contains daily point-by-point directions, points of interest along the way, and useful tips. Your peace of mind When you arrive to pick-up your vehicle we can arrange for one of our local representatives to discuss your holiday route and answer any questions that you may have. We always make sure that you have plenty of time to drive from one destination to your next (with plenty of time to see things along the way!) and that you will never have to drive at night. Roadside support We provide roadside support but can arrange for you to have free mobile phone rental – all you do is pay for calls you may make. Sunrise in the Drakensberg Rocktail Bay Lodge, Maputaland