| Durban
and its surroundings:
Our local province of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN)
has much to offer. Everything is accessible within 3-4 hours
drive. Durban is an active and interesting historical port
city (a mixture of Africa and Europe).
In KZN all the way up the coast to Mozambique
are sandy beaches washed by the warm Indian ocean (swimmable
all year round) offering swimming, diving & snorkelling.
There are game reserves and mountains; and naturally our Zulu
culture and the famous history of the Zulu people and the
battles against the British in the 19th century. Visit these
places at your pace and choice by hiring your own car. We
can advise you what might be best. Photos taken by David Humphrey.
Zulu
culture:
The
Zulu nation is famous for its warrior tradition. There are
several places where the tourist can visit traditional kraals
(homesteads) which give a typical flavour of rural Zulu life
with dancing and the African drumbeat. Off the tourist route
this still exists.
Zulu-British
history:
The
famous battlefield of Isandlawana in 1873 and the defence
of Rorke’s drift seen in the film “ZULU”
make a memorable sight-seeing trip from our guest lodge. The
sites are about 3-4 hours drive through the heart of Zululand
with its own special botanical scene of aloes, most spectacular
in June/July. The history of Zululand made alive by David
Rattery’s legendary trips (sadly missed following his
death) lives on at Fugitives Drift.
Game
reserves in our area:
You
don’t have to go to the Kruger Park to see all the game
you want. From our guest lodge there are 3 game reserves Umfolozi,
Hluhluwe (my favourite) and Mkuzi all just 3-4 hours drive
away and you leave the mass tourist buses and drive on natural
dirt roads in the bush. These are my own photos taken in one
day. The herds of elephant are impressive! Walking trails
(with a guard) can be booked. Just turn the engine and stop
– the game - and the birds, then come to you. At the
end of the day just relax in the African sunset.
Beaches,
diving snorkelling at Sodwana Bay
Again
just 3-4 hours away up the coast from our lodge towards Mozambique
is the protected area of Sodwana Bay, a marine reserve in
the warm sea of the Indian Ocean with mile after mile of sandy
beaches with rock pools that are tropical aquariums in themselves.
Sodwana has the best diving in South Africa and is reached
in a short boat trip. Operators offer all equipment required
and run NAUWI courses for beginners. Have fun horse riding
or quad biking too. My favourite beach.
The
Drakensberg Mountains (3000m -10,000 ft)
As
a world heritage site the Drakensberg mountains are quite
spectacular. Hike for a day or follow a 5 day trail –
or just relax! There’s snow in winter to make it an
Alpine scene. Another of my favourite places with many hotels
& B&B’s + backpackers to stay in. The Drakensburg
Boys Choir gives weekly concerts at high standards. Just 2
½ hours away from ARL
Cape
Town
There
is so much to do in this city and its surroundings. It’s
a beautiful place and much more European and quite different
from Durban. Just type Cape Town in Google to see what’s
available! |
