It’s always been a popular tour package for visitors to South Africa, and as explorers and adventurers and sun seekers being travelling again, we thought we’d re-lauunch this amazing Rorkes Drift and Safari Tour package once again, only this time we’ll include the side trips at no cost to you!
The Tour Package at a Glance
Think about this, 2 nights at the amazing Rorkes Drift hotel whihc overlooks the very site at which the British forces crossed over into Zulu during the Anglo Zulu War, followed by 3 nights at the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve – Africa’s oldest proclaimed Big 5 reserve!
Over the first two night you’ll get to explore one of the most historic battlefields in South Africa, the battlefield of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana. Included is a private guided tour of both sites as well as a visit to Fugitives Drift.
Over the next 3 nights you’ll get to experience the Big 5 on game drives, enjoy a 2 hour cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Lucia. You’ll also get to visit a Elephant interaction and enjoy a tour of the cheetah rehabilitation centre nearby. All of this with your own private guide.
Getting There and Back
Included in the Rorkes Drift and Safari package is our complete guided tour experience – we’ll collect you from your hotel and drop you off again 6 days later. You will have your own private guide throughout.
On top of that all the vehicles we use are well maintained and have all reuqired permits and your guides (including me) are all licensed to carry tourists meaning you’re in the safest of hands.
Where You Will Be Staying
You will be staying at the Rorkes Drift Hotel for 2 nights followed by a stay at Hilltop Camp for 3 nights.
Rorkes Drift Hotel
The Rorkes Drift Hotel has is a fantastic hotel on the Natal bank of the Buffalo River. The hotel is unique in that it’s built in the same circular fashion as the traditional Zulu homes in the area. The rooms and clean and so comfortable and the meals there are homely and delicious.
The best of staying at the Rorkes Drift Hotel is that you are a stones throw for Rorkes Drift (literally) and just 20 minutes from Isandlwana. It’s just a 4 hour drive from King Shaka International Airport and nearby are loads of other battlefields to explore.
Hilltop Camp
Hilltop Camp is situated on a the top of a prominent hill (as you would expect) in the Hluhluwe section of the Big 5 Game Reserve, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. The rooms are air-conditioned with en suite bathrooms and comfortable bedrooms.
Nearby is the Boma Restaurant and Bar which serves great comfort food and is within walking distance of the rooms. There are laundry services available, a swimming pool for those hot days and the camp offers game walks and open vehicle game drives.
What You’ll See
The Battlefields
The battles of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana are still popular tour destinations to visit today thanks to the films “Zulu” and “Zulu Dawn”. Of course the original battlefields are protected historical sites and so the films were created elsewhere.
On this tour you will get to walk the very same ground that the British, Colonials and Zulu fought over all those years ago!
In the case of iSandlwana, there are guided trails you can follow, a lovely little museum and of course the battlefield itself with the stone cairns painted white to mark the remains of British and other participants.
At Rorkes Drift the makeshift hospital building still stands having been rebuilt after the fight, as well as the barn which was converted into a church many years later (rather fitting I think).
The nearby British cemetery still stands as does the mass burial site of the Zulu. Of course there is a small but fascinating museum at Rorkes Drift as well as a tiny but excellent cafe.
The Safari
The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa – and at 960 km2, is home to a plethora of animals including the big 5.
The park has a mixed variety of vegetation from the grasslands and acacia savannah of the southern section to the forrested hilly sections of the north.
There are two bird hides that cover popular water holes that you can chill at and a number of view points where you can take amazing photo’s of the landscapes.
Of course it’s all about the animals so everything from lions and elephants and rhino to dung beetle and chameleon and blister bugs can be seen.
Apart from the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, you’ll also get treated to a 2 hour cruise on the St Lucia estuary, a visit to Emdoneni and a amazing elephant experience at Bayete Zulu.
St Lucia
St Lucia is situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso (place of wonder) and is probably the best place through out South Africa that you can enjoy viewing hippo, crocodiles, abundant bird life and other wildlife while cruising on an estuary.
Emdoneni
Emdoneni was established to assist and rehabilitate 4 of the African cat species; cheetah, African wild cat, caracal and serval. You can enjoy a guided tour through the centre where you can learn more about these amazing animals first hand and up close while at the same contributing to their well being.
Bayete Zulu
There are not many places left in the world where you get to see and touch a wild African elephant. At Bayete Zulu, Rachel and Rambo are two wild elephants there were orphaned when their herd was culled and now live on a huge tract of land north of Durban.
Both elephants spend their days strolling about the reserve and when in the mood, they’ll head up to the boma for some specials treats where you’ll get to interact with them, it’s a life changing experience for sure!
Optional Extras
There is even more to do in the area than you would imagine. If you love the ocean as much as we do, then add an extra day to your itinerary and gi diving for snorkelling and Sodwana Bay.
If hiking is more your thing, spend you extra day walking through the natural reserve of False Bay or enjoy an early morning or late afternoon game walk at Hilltop.
Reserve Your Spot or Get More Information
If you are a battlefields fan or just want to walk the ground made famous by the films then get in touch with me and I’ll be able to help plan the perfect battlefield and safari vacation!
- Call or WhatsApp on +27 (0) 74 995 6669
- Email us: info@durbansafarisandtours.com
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