Drakensberg Mountains

This one or two day tour takes you to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, a world heritage site that encompasses South Africa’s highest mountain range.

The Drakensberg mountain range is also known by its Zulu name of uKhahlamba, meaning ‘Barrier of Spears’, certainly an apt name. Formed millions of years ago by the slip in the continental shelf, these mountains rise up and peak at in excess 3400 metres above sea level. They extend for 100’s of kilometers from North to South and are again very evident in the Eastern part of our country in Mpumalanga.

Majestic Drakensberg Mountains Tour

Travelling inland from Durban we soon pass Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KZN and then head up the hill to Hilton. A bit further on we reach, Howick and the beginnings of the Midlands Meander. On our left we see the majestic Drakensberg Mountains

In the distance, we can spot the place where the Voortrekkers crossed over the ridge in the 1800’s with their wagons and cattle. It’s really hard to imagine how difficult these circumstances and conditions were . For 4,000 years or so the Drakensberg mountains was home to the indigenous San people. Many caves in the area attest to their simple lifestyle. Bushman (San) Caves containing fascinating bushman paintings, or rock art, are easily accessible after a 2.5 km walk from the main Giant’s Castle Camp.

Cave outlook — Outlook from the Bushman caves at Giants Castle

Mountains Champagne Valley.enhanced header — Champagne Castle, Cathkin Peak & Sterkhorn

A trip to the Drakensberg and back in the evening is a great day out. Spending a night here is even better, substantially increasing this fabulous experience.

These majestic mountains are so special to me, a tonic for the soul. These words come to mind…

‘Miles and miles of majestic mountains – range upon range. Standing tall – witness to many tragedies over the years, most unsolved. Furious storms erupt every afternoon in the summer months and freezing snow and ice in winter.

Gloriously green always.
Mysterious and many moods.’

Sani Pass

Consider turning your one day tour into a two day tour and including a visit to Sani Pass. A trip up Sani Pass takes you into Lesotho, the source of the mighy Tugela River. Here you can enjoy a drink in the highest pub in Africa!

There are so many possibilities so allow me to create a personalized Drakensberg Mountain Tour to suit your particular needs and time while visiting KwaZulu-Natal.

Contact me to find out more …

Iain Schouten
Tel: +27 31 716 8232
Cell: +27 79 649 3690

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Designer Tour

Design -A-Tour

Let me create a designer tour specifically for your needs. Some of my tours can be combined and if necessary we could stay overnight at any of the many guest houses that I can personally recommend. However long your stay in South Africa, I will tailor make a tour so that you, my client, will get the very best experience of KwaZulu-Natal. I will make sure that you return home with fantastic memories of your visit to our beautiful province.

Interested?

Iain Schouten
Tel:+27 (031) 716 8232
Cell:+27 (0) 82 841 3593

or fill in this Contact Form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal

Visit to the Historical Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal

On this Day Tour we focus on the famous battle sites of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift (1879).

Many famous battles were fought on the vast fields of KwaZulu-Natal. The history of these battles will be answered on this tour. Along the way we pass through other important sites and the ongoing commentary will give you a good overall history of what happened in these Anglo Boer, Anglo Zulu Wars.

The land of King Shaka!

battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal — King Shaka

Born the illegitimate son of a king Shaka became a military expert as a very young man. He was ruthless, feared by all and with a big chip on his shoulder he became king at the age of 16. He soon founded the Zulu nation incorporating tribe after tribe through force, while employing the skills of his warriors.

A warrior nation!
Murdered by a brother in 1828!
What a story!

The Battle of Isandlwana

The raging battle at Isandlwana (1879) was fought in extreme conditions when the Zulu claimed a famous victory. Never had the British suffered such an embarrassing defeat in all their battles around the world. On this Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal tour we walk those fields, which are really graveyards with cairns everywhere. Quiet and still, peaceful but eerie. From the vantage point of a hill nearby we are able to sit and gaze out in wonder and ponder the military genius of the Zulu army which was so efficient in victory.

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift

From Isandlwana we continue on to Rorke’s Drift where, on that very same day a party of some 3000/4000 Zulu’s broke away, anxious at being given an opportunity to”wash their spears” in the blood of the British. They defied the king’s orders and stormed over the Buffalo river into Natal to attack the small base at Rorke’s Drift, which was essentially a hospital.

How did those 139 brave souls at Rorke’s Drift manage to stay off that mad crowd of Zulus all night? Against all odds, they did. You will have plenty of time to step back into history, learn about this battle and have a look at its museum. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to British soldiers who fought here, the most ever awarded in a single battle.

For this one day tour we depart at 06h00 and enjoy breakfast on the way with a tea/coffee break. We return home some 13 hours later – a long but thoroughly enjoyable day out.

Fancy turning this into a two day tour and visiting other battle sites? This can be easily arranged as there are many very comfortable establishments in the area at which to overnight.

Interested?

Iain Schouten
Tel: +27 31 716 8232
Cell: +27 79 649 3690

…or contact me now through the Contact Page.

Spectacular Durban City Tour

This half-day Durban City Tour starts in the morning from 09h00 and in the afternoon from 13h00 and lasts for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Umhlanga Lighthouse.enhanced header — Umhlanga Lighthouse

Umhlanga Rocks

We start our Durban City Tour with a drive down towards the Indian Ocean from the Gateway shopping centre and take in the stunning expansive view of Umhlanga Rocks extending to the harbor of Durban. Durban Harbor is the busiest in Africa and one of the 10 busiest in the world. There are often 30 to 40 container ships waiting in line to access the harbor.

Umgeni River

We swing onto the M4 coastal highway and take a slow drive into Durban crossing the Umgeni River. This is where the famous and very popular 3 day annual Dusi canoe marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban ends.

Durban Promenade

Durban_Moses-Mabhida-stadium — Moses Mabhida Stadium

We continue our drive along the promenade of the Durban beach front area to the Durban harbor. We pass the well known Durban Country Golf club and the stadiums of the rugby Sharks team and the Moses Mahbida Stadium which was specifically built for the 2010 world cup soccer event. Later on in the day a trip in the cable car to the top of the stadium gives a spectacular view of Durban.

The Golden Mile

The ‘Golden Mile’, as the Durban beachfront is known, is home to many famous hotels and beaches. The warm and inviting Indian ocean is a popular and well known surfers paradise. A half hour stroll along the beach gives us a chance to stretch our legs and experience the vibe.

uShaka Marine World

We continue our Durban City tour by driving down to uShaka Marine world, a multi-cultural destination with a fabulous aquarium and dolphin show. And many tourist shops!

After having driven to the harbor mouth we turn back and pass the Vasco da Gama and Dick King memorial statues on the Esplanade. A full count of the reasons for being there is given on tour.

City Centre

Driving through Durban city along one of the main streets we enjoy the feeling of being in a vibrant, busy African city. In the distance on the hill we see the Durban university at which viewing point we will stop later for a few photo opportunities.

Kings House

We drive north along the ridge and take a look at ‘King’s house’ also known as John Dube House. Once again the story is told on tour. We head down the popular strip of Florida Road and then to the fabulous Botanical Gardens where we take a stroll around and also enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

Then off we head to the Moses Mahbida stadium and the sky car for those who wish to take in the spectacular 360 degree view and see exactly where we have been for the past few hours, looking down from ‘the top! A fantastic array of Shark and South African rugby and football memorabilia can be bought in the shop at the stadium or over the road at the Shark Cage.

After a full and thoroughly enjoying Durban City Tour, we head back along the Durban north ridge dropping you off at your accommodation.

Contact me to make the most of your time in Durban

Iain Schouten
Tel: +27 31 716 8232
Cell: +27 79 649 3690

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