South Africa Bush & Beach Vacation: Durban, KwaZulu Natal & Thanda Private Game Reserve

Lions on the savanna in South Africa

What to expect on this itinerary

This is the ideal bush and beach vacation - paired with awe-inspiring seascapes, face-to-face encounters with popular marine mammals and the ultimate South Africa safari with wildlife’s renowned Big Five. Delight in unforgettable bush dinners enjoying majestic sunsets, and experience unique walks led by expert guides through the bushveld’s untouched spaces. Stay in award-winning hotels, taste ethnically inspired dishes, uncover the traditions of the Zulu culture, and hear harrowing stories of bravery and survival from South Africa’s past.

Countries Visited

South Africa

Places Visited

Umhlanga Beach, Rorke's Drift & Isandlwana Battlefields, Thanda Private Game Reserve

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Durban - Arrive in South Africa

Today, you arrive in the multi-cultural, seaside city of Durban. Sit back as we transfer you to a five-star hotel, in the nearby town of Umhlanga. This multi-award-winning luxury hotel is perfectly positioned on the beachfront and offers staggering views over the ocean and the iconic Umhlanga lighthouse. You can either hop into your rental car, conveniently parked at the hotel, or instead pamper yourself with a personalized individual treatment at the prize-winning spa. If a good movie is what you’re after, then visit the intimate cinema for your favorite Hollywood classic, complete with a box of complimentary popcorn. Tonight, tantalize your taste buds at a fine dining restaurant that offers seafood cuisine paired with local wines. After dinner, climb the 1950s wooden staircase onto the hotel’s rooftop bar, which offers magnificent panoramic scenes. The very location was used by Monaco’s Prince Albert and South African-born Princess Charlene for a private party during their visit to Umhlanga. The sublime setting offers the perfect way to end your day.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Day 2

Durban - Discover Durban’s Spellbinding Sites

Day 3

Kwa-Zulu Natal - Ride Horses on Fugitives Drift Game Reserve

Day 4

Kwa-Zulu Natal - Relive Famous Anglo-Zulu Battles

Day 5

Thanda Private Game Reserve - Photograph the Big Five in Thanda Private Game Reserve

Day 6

Thanda Private Game Reserve - Enjoy a Mouth-Watering Breakfast in the African Bush

Day 7

Thanda Private Game Reserve - Help Conserve Africa’s Wildlife

Day 8

Thanda Private Game Reserve - Time to Return Home

Trip Highlights

  • Come face-to-face with the Big Five and enjoy unique safari experiences in the bush
  • Experience fine dining in a whole new and unforgettable way – in the heart of the bushveld
  • Search the bush on foot for a unique perspective of the savannah’s diverse fauna and flora
  • Assist Thanda Private Game Reserve researchers with wildlife conservation (optional and subject to availability)
  • View wildlife on horseback in Fugitives Drift Game Reserve (optional)
  • Interact with dolphins and seals, swim with sharks or snorkel amidst sea-creatures (optional)
  • Vacation in award-winning hotels, like the 5-star Oyster Box – the entertainment destination of choice for the Prince and Princess of Monaco
  • Relive rich historical battles that have been immortalized in Hollywood films

Detailed Description

Does the thought of warm ocean waters, golden sands and big game make you tingle with excitement? Then read on, as this trip just might just be your dream vacation. Arrive in the Zulu Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal. Inhale exotic spices and salty ocean air in the city of Durban, home to a flourishing Indian community and South Africa’s largest ethnic group – the Zulu. Explore the beautiful beaches of Umhlanga (which means "Place of Reeds") where an iconic lighthouse looks out over the endless Indian Ocean. Swim with sharks, delight in memorable interactions with dolphins and seals, and follow in the footsteps of Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene for drinks at Umhlanga’s The Lighthouse Bar.

Travel to the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields Region where historic battles raged; here, blasts of gunfire echoed across the rolling hills, and assegais (spears) glinted in the sun. Hear how the great British army was brought to its knees by local Zulu warriors. Then, discover how courageous souls survived a 12-hour attack and went on to receive Victoria Crosses for their bravery.

Next, you’ll journey into the heart of the bush to meet the Big Five. This vacation provides the ultimate in escapism - packed with adventure for the bold, barrels of excitement for the eager, and the perfect blend of tranquility. To add on to your African safari, see what other travelers experienced in the reviews of South Africa safaris.

Starting Price

$5,200 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1106 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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Grace J.
South Africa Travel Review: Safaris, 1 Week

We had an awesome trip. Zicasso's travel expert was amazing. She accomplished everything.

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Nancy H.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Wine Tasting, Elephant Experience, River Cruise, Wildlife, Nature, Scenery, 13 Nights

Zicasso's trip planner arranged the most fabulous trip for my family. She knew exactly what I wanted and delivered a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa! She always answered my questions promptly. She chose memorable experiences for us, our lodgings were top-notch, and she "kept in touch, behind the scenes," to ensure all elements were going smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Africa!

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LESLIE W.
Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Trip Review: Gorilla Trek, Bush Camps, 3 Weeks

It was very well planned. Zicasso's travel specialist was responsive and flexible in the planning process and throughout the final details.

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Catherine R.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, 11 Nights

The trip was amazing. Zicasso's trip expert did an awesome job planning the trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and exceeded all of our expectations. The “in-country” travel was seamless. Our accommodations and tours were all top-notch. I can‘t thank her enough for planning this awesome experience.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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