This seven-day trip includes everything from Big Five game to marine adventures to soaring mountains and great outdoor adventure options. Consider hiring a camper – there are great campsites all over KZN. Take warm clothes – it gets cold inland on winter nights.
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Head south along the N2 down the Hibiscus Coast and enjoy the green surrounds and sparkling Indian Ocean on the way. Make for Pennington, where you can chill out at Rocky Bay Lodge right on the beach, spoil yourself at the luxurious Lynton Hall with its exquisite food or visit Selborne Hotel Spa & Golf Estate to play golf and have a spa treatment.
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Early on day two it’s off to Ramsgate and Bill’s Best Adventure Centre for the spectacle of the world famous Sardine Run which usually occurs at this time of year. It’s known as “The Greatest Shoal on Earth” for good reason – hoards of sea and air predators feed on massive shoals of sardines, often driving them onto the beach.
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Afterwards get your fill at the Waffle House in Ramsgate, which offers every imaginable sweet and savoury topping. Explore the holiday town of Margate next door – it’s packed full of pubs, curio and gift shops.
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In the afternoon drive via Harding, Ixopo and Underberg to the foot of Sani Pass. You’ll find inexpensive accommodation at the Sani Pass Hotel, or treat yourself to the five star Moorcroft Manor. Watch the sun set over Sani Pass.
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The pass is our adventure destination for day three. Take a 4x4 trip to the summit - the spectacular views are worth it. There’s lunch, and possibly snow at the Highest Pub in Africa at 2 865 metres. Passports are needed to enter the neighbouring Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
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On day four you drive north via Greytown heading for the Elephant Coast and a Big Five experience. There are two routes from Sani Pass to Greytown. Take the tar road via Underberg and Bulwer and through Pietermaritzburg, or the more adventurous dirt route along the foothills of the Drakensberg, via Lower Loteni to Nottingham Road, and through Mooi River.
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At Greytown take the R74 via Kranskop to join the N2 north at KwaDukuza (formerly Stanger). Your destination is Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, once the hunting ground of Zulu King Shaka and renowned for its role in saving the white rhino. This game reserve offers accommodation to suit all pockets. Be careful outside after sundown - don’t mistake that dark shape for a tree trunk and end up annoying an elephant!
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Up early on day five for an exhilarating morning game walk with an experienced guide. There’s no thrill like rounding a bush on foot to see rhino or elephant 50 metres ahead of you. Spend the day relaxing with your mates, swapping adventure stories, and have a lazy braai before another Big Five game drive.
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On day six you leave for *iSimangaliso (previously Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park for two days of fun. This World Heritage Site is packed with tourist attractions and marine and land wildlife. Base yourself in the village of St Lucia with a variety of places to stay. Take a boat ride on the Santa Lucia up the 64km long estuary to see the largest concentration of crocodile and hippo in Africa and a shoreline full of fish eagles and other bird life.
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The coast offers some of the best fishing anywhere from deep sea to salt water fly-fishing, to surf or spear fishing. See locals making fine examples of Zulu beadwork, carvings and weaving – great mementos of your weeklong KZN adventure.