Self-Drive KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is one of the most spectacular regions of South Africa and self-drive holidays are the perfect way to explore this beautiful area.

Beginning in Johannesburg, take a day to discover a city in transformation. Many visitors are put off from visiting Johannesburg but there are some great places to stay, and a visit to Soweto and the Nelson Mandela Museum can count amongst the highlights of a South Africa holiday.

Self-driving through Kwa-Zulu Natal is a great way to experience this region and the journey begins with a drive south to the battlefields region with stays at Spioenkop and Fugitives Drift.

It's not necessary to be a history buff to be moved by the stories and surroundings of these infamous battlefield sites - just be sure to check-out Michael Caine in Zulu before departure.

From the Battlefields head to a safari lodge in Zululand for two nights in this stunning Big 5 Game Reserve, with game activities included.

This self-drive South Africa holiday culminates on the Indian Ocean coast with 2 nights in a beachfront lodge in the iSimangaliso Wetlands.

Drop the car off at Richards Bay for your flight back to the UK.

Day 1: Fly UK to Johannesburg

Overnight flight UK to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Johannesburg

You will be met at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board, and your documents handed over to you.

From here you will be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs and shown to your onward private transfer to your chosen hotel in Johannesburg.

Overnight Johannesburg. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Johannesburg

Today enjoy a full day tour of Johannesburg including the Nelson Mandela Museum, Soweto and central Johannesburg.

Overnight Johannesburg. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Spioenkop - Battlefields

Your car will be delivered to your hotel today for the start of your self-drive KwaZulu-Natal journey. Full driving instructions are included for your journey.

Overnight Three Trees Spioenkop. All meals included.

Day 5: Spioenkop

Enjoy a half-day tour of the Battlefields at Spioenkop, an important event in the Anglo-Boer War and a battle in which Winston Churchill, Mahatma Ghandi and Louis Botha all played a part.

Overnight Three Trees Spioenkop. Breakfast included.

Day 6: Fugitives Drift

Today enjoy a leisurely drive from Spioenkop to Fugitives Drift, perhaps the most famous of all the Battlefield sites.

It is possible to join the afternoon tour of Rorke’s Drift today but we suggest doing the Battlefield Tours in chronological order, which means seeing Isandlwana first and Rorke’s Drift afterwards in a full day.

Overnight Fugitives Drift. All meals included.

The Battlefields

A visit to the battlefield sites of Kwazulu-Natal is a real highlight of a visit to this region of South Africa.

The iconic setting of Isandlwana was the scene of an infamous British defeat in 1879 when a Zulu force of 25,000 men annhilated the main body of British troops before the less catastrophic events at Rorke's Drift.

The 1979 film Zulu Dawn commemorated the events and is well worth a watch prior to a visit. The Isandlwana Battlefield is a moving site, with white stone cairns marking the sites of buried soldiers.

Immediately after Isandlwana, the Zulu warriors advanced to the main British Camp at Rorke's Drift where fewer than 100 British soldiers defended the camp until a relief force arrived.

Rorke's Drift was commemorated in the 1964 film Zulu starring Michael Caine.

A few km from Rorke's Drift is Fugitives' Drift, where 2 British soldiers died in an attempt to rescue the Queen's Colours.

Other famous battlefield sites of Kwazulu-Natal include Blood River, the site of a famous battle between the Voortrkkers and the Zulus and Spioenkop where the British and the Boers slogged it out.

View Holidays in Detail

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All of our South Africa Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.