South Africa Self Drive Tour & Safari

Drakensberg Mountain in South Africa

What to expect on this itinerary

The Zulu Kingdom opens its heart on this evocative two week itinerary. Landscapes provide the drama as you self drive into dramatic mountains, pristine Indian Ocean beaches, immense natural water worlds, and untamed safari wildernesses. Then its residents lay on the charm, from thousands of white rhinos to traditionally dressed warriors, long-tusked elephants to hippos wading beside your canoe.

Countries Visited

South Africa

Places Visited

Durban, Natal Midlands, Isandlwana, Hluhluwe / Umfolozi National Park, Kosi Bay, St Lucia, Ballito, Dolphin Coast

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Natal Midlands - Drive Into the Lush Natal Midlands

After arriving in Johannesburg International Airport, you'll catch a connecting flight to Durban where your rental car awaits. A long ascent takes you away from the coast and into the fertile Natal Midlands, an area that almost resembles Italian Tuscany at first glance. Rich green hills are punctuated by vineyards and old farmhouses, while an unmistakably fresh smell filters through the car window. But you're in Africa. Zulu locals wave hello on winding country roads, dressed in inconceivably colorful clothes. Stunning rivers and lakes roll past as you keep driving uphill, glimpses of the dramatic scenery that will accompany your fourteen day trip. And then you ascend to the elegant boutique hotel, a living ode to old-world charm with sweeping views over the lush Natal Midlands.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Day 2 - 3

Ukhahlamaba Drakensberg Mountains - Rock Art and Dramatic Views

Day 4

The Evocative Battlefields of the Zulu Kingdom

Day 5 - 6

Safari Adventure in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park

Day 7 - 8

iSimangaliso Wetland Park - The Remote Beauty of Kosi Bay

Day 9 - 10

Tembe Elephant Park - Africa's Giants

Day 11 - 12

St Lucia - Exploring the Wetlands

Day 13

Ballito - Soaking up the Sun on the Dolphin Coast

Day 14

Ballito - Return to Durban

Trip Highlights

  • Come face to face with Africa's largest elephants, most of them frolicking in waterholes just meters from your face, tusks almost as long as their trunks. Tembe Elephant Park also offers the Big Five and a delightful supporting cast
  • Savor the dramatic scenery of the uKhahlamb Drakensberg Mountains, the peaks rising almost vertically and towering over a serene land of hiking trails and fascinating San rock art
  • Drive through the world's greatest white rhino habitat, almost 10% of the planet's population living in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park. They're not alone, and the full Big Five will keep you company on a spectacular two day South Africa safari experience
  • Lose yourself in the immense water world of iSimangaliso, a pristine habitat of lakes, hidden beaches, sandy forest, and hippo covered estuaries
  • Get guided through the evocative Zulu battlefields, listening to remarkable tales and sensing the secrets that fill ancient forts and eerie graveyards
  • Relax on the deserted beaches of St Lucia and Ballito on the Dolphin Coast, or wander into the nature reserves that surround this idyllic strip of Indian Ocean coastline

Starting Price

$9,100 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 1104 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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