A Day By Day of our Battlefields Beach & Bush safari

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Self Drive Safari 7 Days / 6 Nights

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Start anticipating your African adventure with a short summary of what you can expect each day on safari to bring.

Phinda Mountain Lodge's Private Plunge Pool

This safari begins and ends at King Shaka (Durban) International Airport.

DAY 1 & 2: BATTLEFIELDS

On arrival at King Shaka International Airport you will be met by a member of the &Beyond team, who will assist you through passport control and baggage claim, as well as help you with the collection of your rental vehicle.

Once a place of bitter warfare between Zulu and Boer, British and Zulu, and British and Boer, today you'd be hard pressed to find a place more tranquil than the area known as the Battlefields. With the many wars that were fought here, the region is rich in historical memorabilia, fascinating museums, monuments and artefacts, right down to inscriptions carved into rocks by army cooks. One of the most terrible battles ever waged was between 470 Boers and 12 500 Zulu warriors. While only three Boer soldiers sustained injuries, 3 000 Zulu warriors died. As a result of a nearby river literally turning red from the flow of their blood, the terrible clash became known as the Battle of Blood River.

Enjoy two nights in an ensuite room at Fugitives’ Drift Lodge. Your stay includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and coffee, as well as battlefield tours of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana.

Day 3 & 4: Natal Coast

After a scrumptious breakfast, take a scenic drive to the Natal Coast.

The Natal Coast, known as the 'Coast of Dreams' has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in South Africa. With wide, golden beaches, a beautiful coastline lined with dense green forests and hundreds of lagoons, there's probably not a kilometre here where a river or stream doesn't run into the sea. Home to vervet monkeys and wild pigs, the forests are alive with birdsong, although they are so lush and thick that it takes some effort to spot any of the species.

Spend two nights in a standard room at Thonga Beach Lodge. Your stay includes three meals per day, tea and coffee, use of snorkelling equipment, guided walks, canoeing and sundowners on Lake Sibaya.

Day 5 & 6: &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve

Take a leisurely drive along the coast to &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve.

Set within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline and the famous iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is known for its abundant wildlife, diversity of habitats and wide range of safari activities. Thanks to its coastal rainfall pattern, the Reserve enjoys a lush, green environment that contains seven distinct ecosystems, often referred to as 'Seven Worlds of Wonder'. This fascinating variety of landscape and vegetation shelters an abundance of wildlife, including not only the Big Five, but many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah or scarce black rhino. The marine diversity of nearby Sodwana Bay on the coast is easily accessible, with scuba diving, fishing and even turtle watching only some of the adventures available.

Indulge in two nights in an air conditioned suite with plunge pool and romantic al fresco shower at Mountain Lodge. Adventures include twice-daily gamed rives, nature walks and riverboat cruises.