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Sandy Beaches and Drakensberg Mountains Hiking in South Africa This module is a perfect addition after a visit to St. Lucia and before continuing on to Durban. Naturally you could also travel this module in reverse on your way to Johannesburg. The Drakensberg is a beautiful natural environment where you can go on some of the most breathtaking hiking in South Africa. There are several different routes you can follow through this area. Aside from hiking, you could also go for mountain bike rides or horseback rides. These are the best ways to explore this incredible area. Keep your camera at hand; you'll surely need it to take pictures of all the wonderful sights. North of the Drakensberg you'll find various natural parks that are home to black rhinos, giraffes, ostriches and many other types of animals. On your way to the coast you'll spend the night in Underberg. This village lies on a plateau and looks out over the Umzimkulu River. The area is known for fly fishing, but it's also a great place to go for a pick nick. Once you reach Umhlanga you'll have time to relax on the beach. With your feet in the sand and a drink in your hand, you'll be able to think back on all of the exciting moments you've experienced so far. |
| Duration | 4 days, 3 nights | Departure | Daily |
| Comfort (1-5) | 3 and 2 See accommodation | Accommodation | Double occupancy rooms with shower / WC: 2 nights at Champagne Valley and 1 night at Umhlanga |
| Price | £134 per person - based on 2 people | Includes | Overnight stays with breakfast and trail information |
| Transportation | Rental car | Excludes | Car rental and park entrance fees |
Day 1: St Lucia/Hluhluwe - Champagne Valley (Drakensberg)From St. Lucia or Hluhluwe you'll drive straight through KwaZulu Natal on to Champagne Valley, ideally located between 'Central Berg (Mountain)' and 'Royal Natal'. Flowing fields will gradually make way for a increasingly hilly landscape and in the distance you'll see the peaks of the Drakensberg. You'll spend the night at Champagne Farm, located in a beautifully green area with a view of mountain tops. Once you reach your accommodation you'll have time to go for a walk through the area or to relax by the pool. In the evening you'll be able have a wonderful meal at the guest house. |
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Day 2: Champagne Valley - DrakensbergFrom Champagne Valley you'll easily be able to reach the 'Central Berg (Mountain)' and 'Royal Natal'. You'll be able to go on hikes through both of these spectacular areas for 1 to 6 hours. The Drakensberg massive has peaks ranging from 1700 to 3500 metres and they are made up of overgrown basalt mountains which countless mountain streams run through. You'll find a very wide variety of fauna in this area. If you look closely you'll see the black eagle, the bearded vulture, badgers, different types of gnus and much more. |
Day 3: Drakensberg - Umhlanga RocksToday you'll drive from the mountains to the coast. If you have enough time available, you could take a detour and visit the historic town of Pietermaritzburg. Afterwards it's not far to Durban and nearby coastal town Umhlanga. This is where you'll stay in a cosy guest house only 30 metres from the Indian Ocean. The average temperature here is approximately 25°C. During the winter it may be too cold to dive into the sea - however the temperature will still be ideal for a walk on the beach or to have a drink on a terrace. The town centre of Umhlanga is only a 5 minute drive from your accommodation. It's a very lively area with bars, restaurants and stores where you can buy fun souvenirs. This is a great place to have dinner in the evening, although you could also drive down to Durban Boulevard for more options. |
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Day 4: Umhlanga Rocks - End of module
Your hiking in South Africa module ends after breakfast this morning, and you'll continue your trip across South Africa. From Umhlanga, it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Durban airport. Depending on how much time you have available, you'll can either fly directly back to the UK or continue your trip through the West Cape of South Africa. We often plan domestic flights from Durban to Port Elizabeth for customers to begin driving along the world famous Garden Route. However, if you have a few days to spare, you could travel by land and experience a completely different side of South Africa with our Transkei Wild Coast Drive. If you fly back home from Johannesburg then you'll start off this module in Umhlanga and end in Drakensberg. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Drakensberg to Johannesburg. Which is fine if you're flying home in the evening.
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 Guest house in Drakensberg |  Your room in Underberg |  Guest house in Umhlanga |  Umhlanga guest house interior |