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| Guided Safaris is Independently Marketed by Far and Wild Safaris cc | |
4-Day Sani Pass and Luxury Wildlife Safari
Durban to Durban
Tailor-made South African Guided Safaris Tours
Day 1: Durban - Himeville
We will collect you from your overnight accommodation or from the King Shaka International Airport in Durban and travel on the edge of the "Valley of 1000 Hills" and then past the capital city of Pietermaritzburg onto the “Midlands Meander”. The Midlands Meander is what weavers, potters, woodcrafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and pianos have in common. You will find them all, and a great deal more on the Midlands Meander map - South Africa's first, largest and most popular art and crafts route. From a very small beginning, the Midlands Meander has grown to well over a hundred stops on four routes. Originating with the arrival of the first settlers in the early 1800’s the area boasts many wonderful homes and barns, an attraction to lovers of architecture. As you tour the Midlands Meander you will also notice that this area is home to a number of the country’s most famous schools.
From here we travel inland, to the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains on the scenic route through the frontier towns of Bulwer, Underberg and Himeville, where we overnight at Moorcroft Manor. Moorcroft Manor offers classically decorated rooms all with bathrooms en suite. Selected satellite television, ceiling fans, hairdryers and robes are available in all their rooms. The remainder of the afternoon you are at leisure.
Day 2: Himeville - Sani Pass
This morning we transfer to our 4X4 vehicles for the ascent up the Sani Pass and into Lesotho. Breathtaking scenery and alpine conditions dominate this truly magnificent corner of this province. The Sani Pass is a spectacular mountain road that is a well-known entry point into Lesotho from South Africa’s Natal Drakensberg Park. It is the gateway to the ‘Roof of Africa’ scenic route that links the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg with the mountains of northern Lesotho. The Sani Pass is the only border post between Kwazulu-Natal and Lesotho. The Sani Pass was once a rough mule trail descending the Eastern Highlands of old Basutoland into Natal. Tough drovers brought wool and mohair down the Pass on donkeys and mules to be exchanged for blankets … clothing … maize meal … the essentials for life in a remote, impoverished country. And a young man had a dream … of operating a motor vehicle service up this fantastic Pass, using the 4-wheel drive vehicles he had seen on service in World War II. The Sani Pass was born. Once we have entered Lesotho we will stop off at a Basutho village where one can learn more about the life of these very friendly people, in this, one of the world’s poorest countries. Lunch will be at the “highest pub in Africa”, the Sani Top Chalet, for your own account. We will also have some time here to walk along the edge of the escarpment for stunning views into KwaZulu Natal, before descending the pass to Moorcroft Manor. *NB. Warm clothing is a must, no matter the season of the year! You will also need valid passports for the crossing into Lesotho. The ascent of the pass is subject to the prevailing weather conditions.
Day 3: Nambiti Private Game Reserve
After breakfast we make our way to Ladysmith and then to the extraordinarily beautiful and geographically diverse Nambiti Private Game Reserve, home to elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino (including the rare and endangered Black Rhino), as well as over 30 other animal species. It is also rich in birdlife and indigenous flora. Unlike most other game reserves, the Nambiti Private Game Reserve has the carrying capacity of almost twice that of wildlife regions such as Botswana, thus being able to carry more game per hectare than many other game reserves. Knowledgeable guides will plan a safari that takes into account your particular interests and requirements.
Over afternoon tea, our ranger will discuss what you hope to see during the afternoon game drive. This game drive begins in the afternoon and lasts until after dark, when spotlights are used for a glimpse into the nocturnal bush life. Listen to lion’s roar in the dark or admire the small nocturnal animals. We may enjoy sundowners in a scenic location as the sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon.
Dinner is waiting for you at your lodge's boma or the dining room upon your return.
Day 4: Nambiti Private Game Reserve - Durban
After our morning game drive and breakfast in this very productive private game reserve, we leave and head for Durban, arriving in the early afternoon.
If time permits, we may also visit the Durban Botanic Gardens. The Durban Botanic Gardens traces its origins to colonial times, when it was founded in 1849 for the introduction and trial of potentially useful commercial crops. The gardens later developed collections of sub-tropical trees, palms and orchids. The Durban Botanic Gardens remains a classic botanic garden, reflecting the universality of the plant kingdom. It has, for over 100 years, had a fine mixed arboretum of African, Asian and American trees.
After our visit here we will drop you off at your overnight accommodation or at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban in time for your return flight.
| Nambiti Private Game Reserve – List of Game Lodges to select | |
| Cheetah Ridge – Nambiti Private Game Reserve Cheetah Ridge Manor House has a 2 roomed family suite in the main lodge, with 10 x free-standing rooms overlooking a waterhole in the Nambiti Game Reserve. Child friendly, securely fenced grounds with swimming pool, tennis court and games room. Cheetah Ridge Manor House is fully hosted and catered for with guided game drives in ‘open’ safari vehicles, late afternoons into the evening and early mornings. Read more information about Cheetah Ridge |
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| Elephant Rock Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Elephant Rock Lodge is a charming boutique safari lodge overlooking a waterhole, set high on the sides of a hill in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, offering luxury accommodation for up to 10 guests. One of the units is suitable for a family, with the two rooms adjacent and interleading. Swimming pool, view decks with daily guided game drives in the mornings and afternoons into the evenings in the excellent Nambiti Game Reserve. Read more information about Elephant Rock Lodge |
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| Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Esiweni Lodge, a 4 star game lodge in the Nambiti Game Reserve, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, Esiweni has a unique cliff top position offering guests a dramatic view over the Sundays River. Esiweni is located in the northern sector of the Nambiti Game Reserve offering guided game drives, it is a fully catered for venue. Read more information about Esiweni Lodge |
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| Lions Valley Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve The five star Lions Valley Lodge is situated in the central sector of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, the main lodge offers numerous public rooms for guests, a variety of dining venues, an integrated covered Boma, a large rim-flow swimming pool which looks out over a large water-hole. The Main Lions Valley Lodge and its 10 scattered suites are all brick under thatch. Guests are taken in golf carts to the more distant rooms. All meals and a full guided game viewing program is included. Read more information about Lions Valley Lodge |
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| Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge offers Five Star accommodation and is located within the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Nambiti Hills is an ideal venue for guests seeking privacy, romance or a luxurious base from which to searching for the Big Five on the guided open vehicle game drives. Located on a hill-top in the southern sector of the Nambiti Game Reserve the Lodge and rooms have elevated views out over the rolling hills of the Nambiti Game Reserve. Read more information about Nambiti Hills Lodge |
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| Nambiti Plains Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Nambiti Plains Lodge is situated amongst the indigenous bushveld within the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, which is located close to Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal. The panoramic outlook and nearby water-hole offer guests excellent game viewing from the comfort of the lodge deck. The rooms all have private decks looking out into the game reserve. The guided game drives from the Lodge are included in the lodges daily program. Read more information about Nambiti Plains Lodge |
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| Ndaka Safari Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Ndaka Safari Lodge has 6 super Luxury Safari Tents with views out over the Nambiti Plain in front of the Lodge, each tent with an entrance foyer, large lounge, a double bedroom, private bathroom with bath and large shower and separate toilet en suite. The tents are air-conditioned. Guided game-drives on Nambiti Game Reserve are included. Read more information about Ndaka Safari Lodge |
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| Springbok Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Springbok Lodge in the Nambiti Game Reserve, offers beautifully appointed air-conditioned tented suites, excellent service, superb cuisine and prolific wildlife. Views from each tent allows guests expansive views of the bushveld and often a passing parade of wildlife beyond the fenced boundary. Guided game drives in open safari game viewers are conducted each morning and afternoons into the evening. Meals are enjoyed on the deck, in the dining room or alfresco in the Boma. Read more information about Springbok Lodge |
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| Umzolozolo Private Safari Lodge –
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Umzolozolo Private Safari Lodge is a five star venue situated in Nambiti Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. This reserve is close to Ladysmith and easily accessed when travelling from Johannesburg or Durban. Umzolozolo has a variety of room types from the impressive Presidential suite, the Honeymoon suite to the Luxury rooms and family suite. Delightful cuisine, excellent staff and interesting guided game drives make Umzolozolo a popular venue within the Nambiti Game Reserve. Read more information about Umzolozolo Lodge |