Customisable KZN Tours

KwaZulu Natal or "KZN" as the locals call it is one of South Africa's most diverse provinces offering all that Africa is famous for:  beautiful scenery including Big-Five game reserves, a fascinating history and a melting pot of cultures, endless beaches and a great climate all year round. The tours, safaris and holidays that are available in KZN are equally as diverse.

KZN has one of Africa's most stunning mountain landscapes which runs all along the KZN border with Lesotho. The Drakensberg escarpment should be included in any KZN tour no matter how short the tour may be. The KZN coast was first sighted by the Portuguese discoverer Vasco da Gama on Christmas Day 1497, during the journey which took him to India. As Christmas is translated in Portuguese as Natal, this gave the original name to the KZN region. And there is little doubt these beaches are the perfect setting for that special beach holiday. Some of Africa's most famous game and nature reserves are found in KZN. This province offers more than any other province as far as wildlife goes. The parks and game reserves are very different from each other and also more scenic than some of the better known game reserves in South Africa. 

Selected Tours offered in KZN

• There are numerous wonderful day tours and sightseeing trips to be done in and around KZN.  Should you need a travel agent to assist you with any arrangements whilst you are visiting the province then contact Merle at Amakhulu Central Reservations. She is passionate about KZN and thinks everyone should be visiting and exploring this province. She also believes it should be an affordable experience and over the years She has researched many rural retreats, farm stays, and all kinds of adventure holidays in KZN. She specializes in the Drakensberg and Zululand regions and I cannot imagine a tourist being in better hands when planning a vacation.

• KZN South Coast Forest & Birding Tour
  The first destination of this KZN South Coast birding safari tour is the Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve. This excellent patch of KZN coastal grassland and forest is easily accessible in a day trip from Durban. Over 300 birds have been recorded here and there is a range of antelope and smaller mammals to boot. In winter it is a great place to find altitudinal migrants that have moved down to escape the cold and to find food. Lunch is in a small coastal town before you make our way to Umdoni Park. This is another great patch of coastal forest and it is surrounded by a well-kept  golf course. You will make an important stop at a nearby garden in an attempt to tick Magpie Mannikin. You can expect about 90 species comprising 6 endemics. Enquire about this KZN birding tour

• KZN Off-Road Adventures ( 4x4 & Motorcycle tour )
  The Drakensberg of KZN, South Africa offers possibly the most stunning destination for a off-road motorcyle tour in the world. Off-Road Adventures and Thaba Tours (mountain tours) are offering motorbike and 4x4 overland tours in Lesotho and South Africa with Suzuki DRZ400E or with a Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol. They are the ONLY Tour Operator who offers motorcycle tours into Lesotho. High up in the mountains of Southern Africa is the unique kingdom of Lesotho (the Nepal of Southern Africa), a country a little larger than Belgium, that provides spectacular scenery and offers a chance to enjoy Africa's majestic beauty, the simplicity of the mountain people and a gentle way of life. Enquire about this KZN 4x4 and off-road motorcycle tour

• KZN North Coast Forest Day Tour ( Durban birding day tour )
  This KZN tour focuses on the beautiful forests of the coast north of Durban. The small town of Eshowe is situated just inland of the coast and can be reached in 1 ˝ hours from Durban. The area is synonymous with forest and a total of 5 major forests are accessible in the area. The two most accessible forests are Dhlinza and Entumeni forests. Dhilnza is located in the town itself and boasts a fantastic canopy walkway and platform and a network of trails. Entumeni is larger and only a few minutes drive away. It harbours a few species not found in Dhlinza. An early start is essential in order to reach Dhlinza forest. The canopy walkway eases the job of finding specials. We will then head to the nearby Entumeni forest to search for more forest birds. The journey back to Durban will be interrupted by stop offs at ‘hotspots’ on the way. These may include a productive wetland and an excellent patch of coastal grassland. We may expect about 90 birds with a possible 6 endemics.
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• MONTANE FOREST AND DRAKENSBERG ( Birding Tour of Kwazulu Natal Forest and Mountains )
  This tour combines the majestic montane and coastal forests of Southern Kwazulu-Natal with the endemic-rich Drakensberg Moutains.. A more complete experience can be tailor-made by extending this tour to 5 or 6 days
  Our first destination of the day is Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, about 45 minutes south of Durban. Patches of protected coastal grassland and coastal forest form the bulk of the habitat here. Vernon Crookes is an important protected area with a staggering 307 recorded species. After birding this coastal gem, we will make a short stop at Umdoni Park. This is a productive and easy patch of forest to bird and we are bound to see some exciting species. We will then make our way inland. A steep climb in altitude reveals a region of rolling grassland, agricultural pastures and pockets of tall evergreen forest. Our guesthouse is set in this region near the small town of Creighton. Once settled in we may have time to visit a nearby vlei (seasonal waterbody) and perhaps do a bit of grassland birding.
  
  Top Birds - Knysna Turaco, Cape Batis, Olive Woodpecker, Lesser and Greater Doublecollared Sunbirds, Crowned Hornbill, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Palecrowned and Ayres Cisticolas, Dark-backed Weaver, Broadtailed Warbler, Crowned Eagle, Red-backed Manninkin, Brown Scrub-Robin, Green Malkoha, Gorgeous and Grey-headed Bushshrikes, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Grey-crowned Crane and African Rail.
  
  Day 2
  In the morning we will enjoy the morning chorus of the spectacular Hlabeni mistbelt forest. There are loads of exciting and special birds to be found here and the morning will be dedicated to the task of finding these birds. Forest birding can be tough but the rewards are often high. One of our main targets is the extremely rare Cape Parrot and, with a little luck, we should encounter a flock of these impressive birds. We may have time to bird a little more grassland and perhaps another vlei but our main destination must be reached by late afternoon. A short drive after lunch will get us there with time to spare and we will settle into our accommodation at the base of the famed Sani Pass.
  
  Top Birds – Olive Pigeon, Cape Parrot, Blue Swallow, Yellow and Barrats Warblers, Grassbird, Pied starling, Yellow-rumped and White-winged Widows, Yellow-throated Wood-warbler, Grey Cuckooshrike, White – starred Robin and Bully and Streaky-headed Canaries.
  
  Day 3
  At dawn we will make our way up the magnificent Sani Pass towards Lesotho. There is excellent birding en route. Patches of woodland, rocky slopes, grassland and mountain streams are some of the exciting habitat types that we will encounter. Endemics and regional 'specials' will be targeted. We will have lunch on the top of the pass and will spend some time exploring the rolling hills above the pass. In the late afternoon we will descend the pass to our accommodation.
  
  Top Birds – Barrats Warbler, Orange-breasted Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin, Buff-streaked Chat, Ground Woodpecker, Thick-billed Lark, Bearded and Cape Vultures, Fairy Flycatcher, Southern Grey Tit, Layards Titbabbler, Yellow Canary, Jackal Buzzard, Verreauxs Eagle and SA Rock Pipit.
  
  Day4
  We will do some early morning birding in the vicinity of our accommodation and visit some nearby areas of grassland before we decide to set off. We will head back towards Durban by a different route. We have the opportunity of accessing good patches of forest, grassland and bushveld on this route and our destinations will be decided upon according to what birds are still needed. We will return to Durban in the late afternoon.
  
  • For those with more time available, Mkuzi and Mtunzini can be added to this itinerary to create a 7 day experience (see Blazing the East Coast Tour).
  
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• Shop Zulu Tours ( Day Trips ) 
  To the Witch Doctor and Medicine Maker
  
  As a criminal lawyer in Zululand for the past 10 years, Peter has become fascinated with the role that the unwavering belief in witchcraft plays amongst the locals who are charged with Murder, Arson and other serious crimes. Peter will share with you his personal experiences and (if you wish) the gory details from factual cases and also introduce you to clients who are Medicine Makers or who were accused of being Witches or Wizards (a crime in South Africa). The tour will include a visit to their kraal (where they live and practice their craft) and a consultation and/or treatment, if required, where the mysteries and magic of this ancient craft will be revealed. You will be enthralled by a Zulu Choir and traditional Zulu Dance.
  
  For the brave, (facilities are very primitive), overnight accommodation in the kraal of the Medicine Maker can also be arranged. This will be a unique and rare experience with traditional African food. Rates available on request.
  
  Have a look at our accommodation on offer
  www.safarinow.com/go/shopzuluaccommodation
  
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• African Dive Safaris ( Discover our wonderful country with a combination of scuba diving and game reserve experiences )
   Here in South Africa, we have an abundance of wild life - both above and below water.
  One scuba safari option is:
  DIVE TWO COUNTRIES
  This 14 day dive safari offers tropical diving at Sodwana, one of the top 5 dive sites in the world and on the pristine reefs
  of Mozambique, as well as African wildlife.
  All level of certified sports divers are accepted. If your travelling companion is not qualified we will certify him/her as a CMAS one star diver - at no additional cost - weather permitting.
  Bring:
  - wet suit
  - equipment
  - regulator, BCD, mask and fins can be hired or bring your own.
  Destination : Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Here in South Africa, we have an abundance of wild life - both above and below water. One scuba safari option is: DIVE TWO COUNTRIES This 14 day di ENQUIRE NOW

• BLAZING THE EAST COAST ( South Africa East Coast Birding Trip )
     On this tour we will visit some of the finest ‘hotspots’ on the East Coast of Kwazulu/Natal. Great habitat diversity and a large number of ‘specials’ make this a great tour for those who want to see as many species as possible in just a few days. This tour offers a combination of great coastal and wetland birding plus visits to two of the regions most famous birding ‘hotspots’. Each habitat has its own selection of specials and endemic birds. Rare trees, orchids and some really exciting large and small mammals will also be encountered, enriching your birding experience. The flexibility of this tour allows for a 4-day, 6-day or 7-day experience
  
• Destination : St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa On this tour we will visit some of the finest ‘hotspots’ on the East Coast of Kwazulu/Natal. Great habitat diversity and a large number of ‘specials’ .ENQUIRE NOW

• Wildlife and Zulu Culture ( Overland Safari ) 
  Northern KwaZulu-Natal has arguably the greatest diversity of habitats in South Africa. These include open bushveld, coastal dune forests, lakes, rivers, mangrove forests, subtropical marsh-lands and a magnificent coastline with endless, and in some areas completely deserted, sandy beaches. The animals found here range from the 'Big Five' to the shy nyala and the tiny suni as well as prolific bird life. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but also the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction. Today the park is the third largest in South Africa and the only reserve where you are virtually assured of good rhino sightings. The region is also the home of the mighty Zulus and we get some insight into their age-old culture when we visit an authentic Zulu village. ENQUIRE NOW