South Africa
Zulu mountains, giant game reserves, and a UNESCO-listed wetland
South Africa
A lesser-known face of South Africa, far from Cape Town and Kruger: the Drakensberg's dramatic peaks, Zulu culture still alive in its villages, and the UNESCO-listed waters of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where hippos and crocodiles share the estuary with humpback whales offshore.
When
May to Sept
Price
From 5 200€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
7 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-2
The first chapter unfolds at the foot of the Drakensberg — literally "the dragon mountains" — whose basalt cliffs rise past 3,000 metres. UNESCO-listed for its landscapes as much as its thousands of San rock paintings, some several millennia old. Hikes wind through green valleys with the snow-capped range as a backdrop for much of the year.
Day 1
Hiking the foothills
Arrival in the Drakensberg region, settling into a mountain lodge. A first afternoon hike toward the natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Peak, with views over the surrounding summits.
Day 2
San rock art
A guided excursion to one of the region's best-preserved San rock art sites, with a local guide explaining the meaning behind these depictions, several thousand years old.
Days 1-2
On to the coast and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, where dune forests, lakes, and estuaries all meet. Boat safaris allow close encounters with hippos and Nile crocodiles in their natural habitat, while offshore, humpback whales migrate along the coast between June and November. A Zulu village visit rounds out the picture, with its traditional beehive-shaped huts and dancers in ceremonial dress.
Day 1
Transfer and boat safari
Transfer to the coast and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. An afternoon boat safari on Lake St Lucia, looking for hippos and Nile crocodiles.
Day 2
Zulu village and beach
A traditional Zulu village visit in the morning, with dance and local craft demonstrations. In the afternoon, free time on the wild beaches of Cape Vidal, with a chance of spotting humpback whales offshore in season.
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