Bush and Beach, Self-Drive
5 Days Starting and ending in Durban, South Africa
Visiting: Durban, Zululand Rhino Reserve, Maputaland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
30324
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
10-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the "Bush and Beach, Self-Drive" tour in South Africa. This tour offers a perfect blend of wildlife and coastal experiences, starting with a stay at the luxurious Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in the Zululand Rhino Reserve, home to over 70 mammal species including the Big Five. Enjoy thrilling game drives and a unique wine and dine experience. Then, journey to the pristine Maputaland coastline, where you can indulge in swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving at Thonga Beach Lodge. During the turtle-tracking season from November to February, witness the incredible sight of sea turtles returning to their nesting grounds. This self-drive tour includes a Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4x4 rental with unlimited kilometers, ensuring you explore at your own pace. Enjoy superior accommodations, all meals, and a range of included activities for an immersive South African experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Durban – Zululand Rhino Reserve (280Km – 3.5 Hrs)
Location: Durban
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Leopard Mountain Game Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Welcome to beautiful South Africa! Upon arrival at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, please proceed to the Europcar counter to collect your rental car and start your South African experience driving to your accommodation. Zululand Rhino Reserve is situated between Hluhluwe and Mkuze and was established in 2004 as an initiative of 17 landowners dropping their internal fences to create a Big Five endangered species reserve. Check in to your lodge and have the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy the intimate Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, the perfect place for a luxury safari experience or even an exotic honeymoon. Lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Zululand Rhino Reserve
Day 2 : Zululand Rhino Reserve
Location: Zululand Rhino Reserve
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Leopard Mountain Game Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with an exciting game drive conducted in open safari vehicles, guided by experienced rangers, who know where and how to find the Big Five. The rhino reserve is home to a wide variety of animal species including the black and white rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, impala, kudu and others. Rare species occurring in the reserve are the hyena, suni and leopard. Return to the lodge, where at midday you can check out the lodge’s waterhole. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight Zululand Rhino Reserve .
Day 3 : Zululand Rhino Reserve – Maputaland Coastline (150Km – 2 Hrs)
Location: Maputaland
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Thonga Beach Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After another exhilarating early morning game drive, enjoy breakfast at the lodge before making your way to Maputaland’s finest coastline. Expect a small piece of paradise with the Indian Ocean waves calling you for a swim, a snorkelling or scuba diving adventure (not included). Enjoy the spectacular landscape en route and discover one of South Africa’s last stretches of untouched coastline with its many pristine beaches, home to a vast array of land-based and marine wildlife. Breakfast, lucnh and dinner included
Overnight in Maputaland.
Day 4 : Maputaland Coastline
Location: Maputaland
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Thonga Beach Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with a tasty breakfast. Leave behind stress and worries while nature’s beauty soothes and calms you. During the months of November to February, the lodge organizes low tide trips for turtle tracks. On your turtle-tracking safari, one question your guide cannot answer is how these creatures navigate thousands of sea miles and return each year, instinctively to the same beaches where they hatched. Patience and luck are required when tracking sea turtles. Tours commence in the late afternoon, or after sunset. Operators may only be on the beaches two hours before, and two hours after low tide, meaning tours can last from two to seven hours. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Maputaland
Day 5 : Maputaland Coastline – Depart Durban (380Km – 5 Hrs)
Location: Durban
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a tasty breakfast, travel back to the airport, where you drop off your rental car and check in for your flight back home or continue your South African journey with your next adventure.
Breakfast included.
What's Included
ACCOMMODATION:
- 4 nights accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Zululand Rhino Reserve:
Superior Hotel Category = Leopard Mountain Game Lodge or similar
Day 3-4 Maputaland Coast
Superior Hotel Category = Thonga Beach Lodge or similar
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
Car Group W = Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4X4 manual or similar
MEALS:
- 4 Breakfast, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
TRANSPORT:
- Five days car rental group W.
CAR HIRE
- Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4x4 with gearstick, air-condition, power steering, radio/CD, four-seater, luggage space for four medium suitcases
- Unlimited kilometers
- Full comprehensive insurance with nil excess
- PAI
- Third-party liability cover
- Windscreen & tire damages
- Fee Contract
- 1 Baby seat
- Young driver surcharge (driver must have valid unendorsed driver’s license for at least 2 years)
- VAT
- 1 additional driver
- Airport surcharge.
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All visits as indicated: scheduled safari activities at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, one exclusive wine & dine experience at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, non-motorized activities at Thonga Beach Lodge, one head and shoulder massage at Thonga Beach Lodge.
What's Not Included
- International or domestic flight tickets, airport taxes, or visa fees where applicable
- Park entrance fees, conservation levies and 4x4 transfer at Thonga Beach § (if you don't feel comfortable using your own 4x4)
- Beverages during meals
- Motorised activities at Thonga Beach
- Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance
- Optional excursions and activities
- Expenses of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
- Porterage
- Zululand Rhino Reserve park entrance fees be paid at the gate.
NOT INCLUDED IN CAR HIRE
- Fuel
- Bond deposit (from/to depot)
- Accident/Administration fee
- One way fee within South Africa between the following depots: Johannesburg, Nelspruit KMIA, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town
- Collection and delivery fees, Negligence, abuse, water and undercarriage damage to vehicle.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in South Africa. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
- It is compulsory to sign an indemnity form when entering South African National Parks. More information in the regulation and the parks can also be found on the official SANPARKS website: www.sanparks.org
- Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
RENTAL CAR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Minimum age of driver: 21 years, driver younger than 21 only with special permission
- The driver needs to be in possession of a valid International drivers licence and an international Credit Card
- Rental calculation is based on a 24-hour rate and kilometres driven calculated from depot to depot (07:00 – 07:00 = 1 day, 07:00 – 09:00 = 2 days)
- There is no refund for an early return of the vehicle.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Zululand Rhino Reserve:
- Superior Hotel Category = Leopard Mountain Game Lodge or similar
Day 3-4 Maputaland Coast
- Superior Hotel Category = Thonga Beach Lodge or similar
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
- Car Group W = Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4X4 manual or similar
Mode of Transport
This tour includes five days of car rental with a Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4x4, offering unlimited kilometers, full comprehensive insurance, and various additional benefits.
Accommodation
Enjoy 4 nights of superior accommodation with 2 nights at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in Zululand Rhino Reserve and 2 nights at Thonga Beach Lodge on the Maputaland Coast.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Zululand Rhino Reserve:
- Superior Hotel Category = Leopard Mountain Game Lodge or similar
Day 3-4 Maputaland Coast
- Superior Hotel Category = Thonga Beach Lodge or similar
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
- Car Group W = Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4X4 manual or similar
Check out our Q&As
-
What type of vehicle is included in the car rental for this tour?
The tour includes a five-day car rental with a Ford Ranger TDCI XL 4x4, which offers unlimited kilometers, full comprehensive insurance, and various additional benefits.
-
What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 4 nights of superior accommodation, with 2 nights at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in Zululand Rhino Reserve and 2 nights at Thonga Beach Lodge on the Maputaland Coast.
-
What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.
-
What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes scheduled safari activities at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, one exclusive wine and dine experience at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, non-motorized activities at Thonga Beach Lodge, and one head and shoulder massage at Thonga Beach Lodge.
-
Are there any special activities available during certain months?
Yes, during the months of November to February, the lodge organizes low tide trips for turtle tracking in Maputaland.
-
What is the minimum age requirement for the driver of the rental car?
The minimum age of the driver is 21 years, although drivers younger than 21 can drive with special permission.
-
What should I bring for the tour?
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended. Visitors should avoid sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious, or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
-
What is not included in the car hire?
Fuel, bond deposit (from/to depot), accident/administration fee, one-way fee within South Africa between certain depots, collection and delivery fees, negligence, abuse, water and undercarriage damage to the vehicle are not included in the car hire.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
What are travellers saying about Tourhub
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
ATC South Africa requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of atc south africa charges.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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