KwaZulu- Natal The rolling hills of the Zulu homelands are covered with bright green sugar- cane plantations and interspersed with some great game reserves, including Hluhluwe- Umfolozi Nature Game Reserve and Phinda. The turbulent history of the Zulus is entwined with the arrival of the Dutch and British settlers and few people remain untouched by the tales of bravery shown in the battles throughout the region. A highlight for many British visitors is the site of the infamous Battle of Rourke's Drift. Along the coast are white sand beaches, wetlands, mangrove swamps and coral reefs, epitomised by the wild and totally unspoilt Maputaland Coast in the north. Hluhluwe- Umfolozi Hluhluwe- Umfolozi Nature Game Reserve is home to both black and white rhino and all the major plains game. It is a wonderful reserve in which to enjoy self- driven game- viewing, and there are resident naturalists who ( at additional cost) accompany morning and afternoon game drives. Walking safaris are also available and the birdlife is superb. Hilltop Camp MID This is the only camp within the park itself. It is comfortable with 20 twin rooms under thatch and has commanding views of the surrounding reserve. Kosi Forest Lodge MID The lodge is set in a beautiful sand forest on the banks of Kosi Lake. The thatched bush suites, some with open- air bathrooms, are carefully positioned for privacy and intimacy. The lodge accommodates 16 people, offers fi ne cuisine and caters for a host of estuarine, beach and wilderness activities. Phinda Private Game Reserve Phinda is a private reserve located in the lush rolling hills of northern KwaZulu- Natal, bordering the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. It shelters an extraordinary diversity of wildlife within no less than seven ecosystems. Giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the pristine beaches, whilst freshwater lakes and river fl oodplains are the domain of Nile crocodiles, hippos, pelicans and fl amingos. The savannah is home to over 380 bird species and much of Africa's plains game. Meanwhile, the marine diversity off the Sodwana coast is said to rival Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Phinda properties HIGH Accommodation at Phinda is in four private and exclusive lodges - Forest Lodge, Mountain Lodge, Rock Lodge, Zuka Lodge and Vlei Lodge. All the lodges have experienced rangers and Zulu trackers who offer excellent game- viewing in open four- wheel drives. You can also experience the thrill of tracking black rhino on foot, scuba diving on the world's southern- most coral reefs and perhaps seeing whale sharks from the air. Drakensberg Mountains The Drakensberg Mountains World Heritage Site is known locally as uKhahlamba ( the Barrier of Spears). This mountain fortress comprises massive basalt cliffs and soaring sandstone buttresses which separate KwaZulu- Natal from the tiny Kingdom of Lesotho. It is a beautiful area of endemic and threatened species and around 35,000 San rock art images. It is great for birdwatching, wildlife viewing and hiking too! Didima Camp MID Didima has been themed around the art of the San people. Surrounded by mountains, the camp is sheltered by the Cathedral Peak valley. There is a central restaurant, bar and lounge area, pool and tennis courts. Activities include local walking trails, swimming in mountain streams and, of course, enjoying the beautiful scenery. AFRICA | SOUTH AFRICA Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com45 SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Cape Town Day 2 Cape Town, 2- nights, Portswood Hotel. Soak up the bustling and vibrant atmosphere, and perhaps visit Robben Island ( B) Day 4 Oudtshoorn, 1- night. Queens Hotel. Drive through the mountains or through the winelands to this Karoo town ( B) Day 5 Knysna, 3- nights. Knysna Log Inn. Walk in the forests and past mountain streams, and enjoy wonderful sea vistas ( B) Day 8 Lalibela Game Reserve, 2- nights. Tree Top Lodge. Game- viewing in open vehicles to look for the Cape's wildlife ( BLD) Day 10 Depart for the UK ( B) Day 11 Arrive home Departure dates Daily, throughout the year Cost per person From £ 2295 ( Jan - Mar), £ 1999 ( Apr), £ 1899 ( May - Aug), £ 2095 ( Sept), £ 2249 ( Oct - Dec), £ 2649 ( mid - end Dec) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, eight nights hotel accommodation, guided activities Departure dates Daily, throughout the year CAPE TOWN & GARDEN ROUTE SELF- DRIVE This is a classic self- drive itinerary through some of South Africa's most beautiful scenery and staying in some lovely places. There is plenty of opportunity to see wildlife and birds, and even, at the right time of year, whales. TAILOR- MADE

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse HIGH This luxury retreat is surrounded by Giants Castle Nature Reserve, on the edge of a trout fi lled dam beside Little Mooi River. Walking, swimming in mountain streams, trout fi shing, birdwatching, horse riding and excursions to local bushman paintings are just some of the activities to enjoy here. Maputaland Coast Maputaland encompasses the remote north coast of KwaZulu- Natal, where it meets the Mozambique border, and is home to a string of unique game reserves stretching from the Kosi Bay Marine Reserve in the north to Cape Vidal in the south. Some fabulous lodges in the region offer luxury accommodation and access to a totally unspoilt, pristine coastline, where it is possible to walk for hours without meeting another soul. In the summer there are nightly excursions to record turtle nesting activity and the crystal clear warm waters make this one of the world's top scuba diving destinations. Rocktail Bay Lodge HIGH This intimate lodge comprises 11 tree- house chalets nestled into the forest canopy of the Coastal Forest Reserve, between Sodwana Bay and Kosi Bay. From the main dining area and adjacent swimming pool a boardwalk winds through the dune forest to an endless white sandy beach. Turtle observation ( in summer), fi shing, birdwatching and scuba diving are all possible here. Thonga Beach Lodge HIGH Thonga Beach Lodge sits in the heart of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. It offers 12 air- conditioned suites overlooking a secluded bay with sweeping views of the pristine beach below. Activities here include snorkelling and diving, turtle tracking ( in summer), whale and dolphin safaris, kayaking on Lake Sibaya, birdwatching, hiking and of course, relaxing on the beach or beside the pool. Mashatu Game Reserve Mashatu Game Reserve is located in Botswana's Tuli Block, a remote eastern corner of Botswana at the confl uence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers. It is most easily accessed from South Africa. This huge wilderness area offers some fabulous game- viewing by vehicle, foot, horseback or mountain bike - all with expert guides. It is home to large herds of elephant, giraffe and eland, as well as lion, cheetah, ostrich, kori bustard and over 350 species of birds. Along the river courses, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for impala, wildebeest and zebra, whilst at night, bat- eared fox, African wildcat and leopard search for prey. Mashatu Camps HIGH There are two properties at Mashatu; Main Camp and Tented Camp. Main Camp has 14 luxurious air- conditioned suites, a waterhole, pool, lounge and dining room, whereas if you really want to get away from it all Mashatu Tented Camp is an idyllic hideaway nestled in the remote northern area of the reserve, with eight luxurious twin tents and a camp plunge pool. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park This is the most remote and least visited of South Africa's parks but is a haven for wildlife that congregates around the large pans in the Mabuasehube area. There are good populations of springbok, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, eland, red hartebeest and the endearing meerkats. A large variety of supporting predators include the area's famous black- maned lions, leopard, brown and spotted hyena, and cheetah. There are occasional sightings of threatened species such as wild dog, pangolin and honey badger. Kalahari Tented Camp MID Kalahari Tented Camp is tranquil and overlooks a waterhole in the dry bed of the ancient Auob River. The camp boasts 15 elegantly decorated safari tents with rustic touches. Each self- contained tent contains a bedroom with ceiling fan, bathroom and kitchen. There is also a camp swimming pool to help you cool off on those really hot days! Cape Town Cape Town has one of the world's most dramatic backdrops, with the vast bulk of Table Mountain dominating the skyline for miles around. Travel to the top to soak up the amazing views, or take a harbour cruise to look for seals, whales and seabirds, and visit infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for so many years. Then of course there is Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, the African Penguins at Simon's Town and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. there is just not enough time for it all! The Cape Grace Hotel HIGH The Cape Grace is one of the world's premier small luxury hotels. With a classically inspired exterior and graceful elegant interior, it sits on its own private quay at Cape Town's vibrant Victoria & 46 Fact! Did you know that the largest population of Clawless Otters in South Africa is in the Drakensberg Mountains? Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982