7 N / 8 D - The 3x Bs - Bush - Berg And Beach Tour

(7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS-ALL IN ONE)

The 3x Bs-BUSH-BERG AND BEACH

N/3D Hluhluwe-Umfolozi

Kwa Zulu Natal-North Coast

Day 1: Arrival - All Meals at Own Cost!

Depart from Durban International Airport and arrive at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, just before lunch, lunch at the lodge, then depart for whichever activity you have chosen from the below listing or have a late afternoon for a sundowner at the Lodge. Viewing the most amazing African Sunset. Depending on flight arrival times. (Please read additional activities below, this needs to be booked in advance and is an additional cost).

Overnight at Lodge.

Day 2 - Umfolozi National Park - Breakfast Included.

After breakfast at 08H00, depart for a game drive in the Umfolozi National Park. Return to the Lodge for lunch and in the

Afternoon departs for a boat cruise on the St Lucia river-viewing of hippos, bird life, and crocodiles.

Overnight at Lodge.

Possible Activities

Birding

Cheetah Encounter

Cultural Tours –own cost

Deep-Sea Fishing –own cost

Elephant Interaction

False Bay Park

Frogging Tours –own cost

Golfing –own cost

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

Ilala Weavers

Kayaking –own cost

Kosi Bay Trip

Mkuzi Game Drive

Muzi Pan

Ndumo Game Drive

Night Drive

Rhino Tracking

Scenic Flights –own cost

St Lucia Boat Cruise

Tembe Reserve

Zulu Croc

We offer comfortable accommodation in spacious air-conditioned rooms. We have 12 air-conditioned rooms, all nestled in an unspoiled natural Sand Forest. High ceilings and air-conditioning ensure a comfortable space for all our guests. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms - and are fitted with a fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities to enjoy as you look out into the tranquil Sand Forest from your private veranda. The family rooms have an inter-leading door making these units perfect.

For families, kids can easily sleep close by while you still enjoy your privacy.

Location

Umkhumbi Lodge is superbly located close to Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with easy access to the wildlife areas of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Mkhuze National Parks, the endless sandy beaches of Sodwana & Kosi Bay, and one of South Africa's World heritage sites, Isimangaliso Wetland Park. There is the opportunity to spot all of the Big Five, abundant birdlife, and on the beaches, Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles. The nearest airports are Durban King

Shaka International and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa.

Overnight at Umkhumbi Lodge, is situated just 15 minutes outside the town of Hluhluwe towards Sodwana Bay.

Onsite Facilities

Splash pool

Laundry service

WiFi Internet at the office

Safe for locking away valuables

Private Restaurant and Bar for guests

Walking trails

Travel information

Shuttle service to and from any location

Visa and MasterCard facility

Additional Notes

Umkhumbi’s rates will include meals DB&B.

We suggest bringing your binoculars and walking shoes with you!

Day 3- Southern Drakensberg - Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Depart after breakfast at 08H00 for the Southern Drakensberg and afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Underberg at Hotel.

Lesotho Overland Tour: 2 nights / 3 days – Lesotho Hotel

Day 4- Underberg/Himeville

Breakfast. Departure at 08h30 from Underberg/Himeville and travel to the World Heritage Site. Ascending the legendary Sani Pass with its hairpin bends offering unparalleled vistas of the Sani Valley and Drakensberg Escarpment situated within the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, one of our world's Heritage Sites.

Proteas along the road, proceed to view of 12 Apostles. These geological structures are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Our Guide is taking care of the border formalities. At the summit at 2.874m, we stop for refreshment at the Sani Mountain Lodge.

Thereafter we proceed to the village and the Basotho culture will be explained. Ascending the Black Mountain Pass up to 3.280m, following the Senqu River. Nearby the highest mountain in Southern Africa, Thabana Ntlenyana with 3.482m, meaning “the little mountain which is a little nice”. Picnic lunch on route. Our guide will explain about the Letseng Diamond Mine while passing, It is the highest mine in the world (3.250m). Our journey takes us on a tar road onto the summit of the highest road in Africa, the Tlaeeng Pass (3.255m).

The Roof of Africa. Slightly lower is the Pass of Guns with 3.240m, passing the Mahlasela Ski Slope to Oxbow within a Ski Resort. All mountains are covered in snow in winter. Stop for refreshment, then continue our journey, on the twisting tar road to the summit of the Moteng Pass, with 2.840m one of the highest roads attained by normal two-wheel-drive vehicles in Southern Africa.

This is the basalt roof of Southern Africa, a world of winter snows, frozen waterfalls, crisp clear air, and crystal streams with fat trout. Descending into the Holola Valley (River of the Blue Crane), pass spectacular sandstone overhangs and rugged countryside to Butha-Buthe. This little town was named after King Moshoeshoe’s old mountain stronghold, Butha-Buthe, the Gatherer.

Overnight: Oxbow Lodge.

Day 5- Katse Dam

Breakfast. After breakfast we continue our journey to Katse Dam, via Hlotse strange, richly colored rock shapes may be seen on all sides, creating the effect of a vast assembly of weird, petrified figures. After passing a few missions and several rock shelters, the main road passes the Leribe Farmers Training Center to the town of Hlotse.

It is the administrative center of the Leribe district and originated in 1876 when a Mission outpost was established here. Picnic lunch on route. Continue on the Nelson Mandela Road, crossing the Malibamatso River (River of Dark Pools) where the great Katse Dam was constructed from 1991 to 1997.

Our Guide is taking care of the security checkpoint. The Katse Dam is one of the largest dams in the world and supplies water to Witwatersrand (Gauteng, Soweto), Farming, and Mining in South Africa, and irrigates the lowlands in Lesotho. A guided tour into the dam wall. Dinner at the lodge.

Overnight: Katse Dam Lodge.

Day 6: St. James Mission

After breakfast at the Hotel, proceed via ST. James Mission viewing of the mission, then we will double back the route from day one, refreshment stops at Sani Stone Lodge for a refreshment stop. Our guide will take care of border formalities, and descend the Sani Pass. At Sani Pass Hotel 12h00.Lunch at a local restaurant in Himeville.

After lunch, we depart via the picturesque Donnybrook and Ixopo farmlands and Zulu villages in the rural areas on our journey to the Dive Resort. This will be a very long day=+-10 hours

Overnight: Aliwal Shoal Dive Resort.

Day 7: Dive Resort

Depart after breakfast at 08H00 and get transported down to the beach for a morning dive session. Arrive back at the Dive Resort for lunch. After lunch, we go for an afternoon dive session.

Overnight: Dive Resort.

Day 8: Departure

Depart after breakfast at 08H00 for Durban International Airport.

Included:

All accommodations and Meals Indicated
Airport transfers x 2
Transport in 4x4 vehicle
Mineral Water

Excluded:

Personal Expenses & Insurance
Beverages & Alcohol
Entry Fees

General Information - Lesotho Overland Tours

Every guest on tour is entering a rural and unspoiled African terrain. Therefore it is necessary to travel with a flexible and tolerant mind.

Accommodations, bathroom facilities, and meals are in most places very basic, simple, and rustic.

Most lunch stops are based on packed lunches or picnic meals. There are no toilet facilities on route or very seldom.

We reserve the right to alter any routes or itineraries should circumstances, like weather, road conditions, unforeseen obstacles, etc. so demand. Some accommodations use generators for the

Please bring soft bags only, no big suitcases.

1N/2D Umkomaas

Kwa Zulu Natal –South Coast

Overview

DIVE RESORT is located in the quaint little diving village of Umkomaas on the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast. Aliwal Shoal is a rocky reef that is the remains of an ancient fossilized dune approximately 5 km off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The reef plays host to many kinds of hard and soft corals and an estimated 1200 species of tropical and subtropical fish. Aliwal Shoal was named after the near-sinking of the 3 Masted vessels "Aliwal", Captained by James Anderson in 1849.

Two wrecks near the reef are prime sites for divers. The Norwegian bulk carrier called the "Produce" sank in 1974 and the Nebo sank in 1884. The 20th of May 2014 is the 130th anniversary of the sinking of the Nebo. Due to the Nebo being a wooden galleon, it will not be there forever, this would be a wonderful opportunity to explore her hidden wonders before they disappear forever.

There is a fantastic variety of sharks to be seen, with smaller White Tip Reef Sharks patrolling the reef top and larger species such as Oceanic Black Tips, Dusky Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Zambezi / Bull Sharks, Hammerheads, and even the odd sighting of a Great White is not unheard of. Umkomaas is a small coastal diving village on the sub-tropical south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The town is located 48 km south of central Durban. It was formed when a harbor was built in 1861 to export sugar. The town rests beside the mouth of the navigable Umkomazi River, also known as the Mkhomazi or Umkomaas. With the successful dredging of Durban harbor's sandbar and the arrival of the railway, the town suffered and like Port Shepstone, the harbor fell into disuse.

The property is security fenced and has an automated gate with secure parking, coupled with the added security of staff being onsite 24/7. As with all our trips, we have focused on comfort, convenience, and price to make your getaway as pleasurable as possible. DIVE RESORT is set on beautiful grounds with magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and Umkomaas Golf Course. Built in 1930 this grand old building is a colonial-styled icon of Umkomaas and the KZN South Coast.

During our renovations, we have been very careful to maintain the old colonial-style architecture. Even with the construction of our new dive center, we have gone “Old School”. You won’t find any posters of models in wetsuits showing off their Colgate smiles; instead, it is like walking into the Titanic.

Dive Resort offers

40 spacious newly renovated rooms.

You do not need to move your car until you leave.

Suites, Family Rooms, Double Rooms, and Single Rooms - ALL EN-SUITE.

Buffet breakfast is served on our deck with a magnificent view of the ocean.

Fully licensed Restaurant and Bar for your convenience.

Kid’s play and entertainment room.

We offer our guests wonderful pool facilities.

When Daily Diving – Requirements

Ensure that you have the following items with you:

Certification card

Logbook (showing proof of min. 1 logged dive within the last year)

Marine Protected Area Permit

Dive Equipment (unless renting)

Swimsuit(unless renting), Towel & Suntan Lotion

Money for, drinks and sundries –tips

Children

Children are most welcome at the Dive Resort!!! Should they be divers younger than 15 years of age we will buddy them up with a qualified and experienced Dive Master or Instructor at no extra cost should the parents request this.

End of Tour!

The cost is for a minimum of 2 people, at a per-person rate!

Valid Passports Essential

Please advise your Nationality, as Lesotho has visa restrictions on certain countries.

This is True, unspoiled Africa –at its Best!