KIMBURI SIGNATURE TOUR OF
KWA-ZULU NATAL
Journey around Kwa-Zulu Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa’s most diverse and captivating provinces, where wildlife, mountains, coastline, and vibrant cities converge in a single extraordinary journey. The Kimburi Signature Tour is designed as a complete exploration of the region’s highlights — blending iconic Big 5 safari experiences, the dramatic beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains, rich cultural encounters, and the relaxed charm of KZN’s coastal lifestyle. From thrilling game drives and breathtaking mountain passes to curated city discoveries and time to unwind at the beach, this journey offers a seamless balance of adventure, scenery, and indulgence. Crafted for travellers who want to experience the very best of KZN in one unforgettable itinerary, this tour captures the essence, diversity, and spirit of the province.
We will welcome you at King Shaka International Airport, where you will meet your dedicated guide and host before beginning an unforgettable journey through the very best of KwaZulu-Natal. Your adventure begins with beachfront accommodation in or around Durban, where ocean views and coastal relaxation set the tone for your experience.
Included in your journey:
- Discover Durban’s rich culture and history on a signature guided city tour, exploring the stories, heritage, and vibrant energy of this coastal metropolis.
- Experience Durban’s lifestyle — from authentic local flavours like bunny chow and shisanyama to time spent swimming in the warm Indian Ocean.
- Enjoy optional adventures such as shark cage diving, quad biking, or relaxed leisure time strolling through Umhlanga or Ballito.
- Travel toward the Drakensberg Mountains via the spectacular Midlands Meander, visiting the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, admiring rolling hill landscapes, and indulging in optional wine and/or craft beer tastings with curated artisan stops.
- In the Drakensberg, ascend the legendary Sani Pass, one of Africa’s most iconic mountain routes, and soak in breathtaking high-altitude scenery.
- Explore the region’s natural beauty, with opportunities for short hikes, panoramic viewpoints, and unforgettable mountain experiences.
- Continue to Kamberg for a guided excursion to ancient San rock art, offering a rare connection to South Africa’s earliest inhabitants.
- Experience authentic Zulu culture through a meaningful village visit, including a traditional home-prepared meal and personal cultural encounters.
- Journey onward to Northern KZN for a world-class safari experience, including Big 5 game drives, wildlife encounters, and an iSimangaliso estuary boat cruise.
This tour can be enjoyed over 6 nights / 7 days.
For a more relaxed pace and deeper immersion, we highly recommend adding two additional nights, particularly in the Drakensberg.
Optional Extensions
- Battlefields Extension: Add 1 night at Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift, where history comes alive through powerful storytelling and guided exploration.
• Coastal Wilderness Extension: Add 2 nights in Kosi Bay to explore pristine lakes, the ancient Thonga fish traps, and seasonal turtle nesting (in season).
All-Inclusive Experience: Tours include accommodation, professional guides, local guides, curated experiences, meals, and beverages. From the moment you step into the vehicle, all you need to do is relax and enjoy the journey.
Where Do We Go?
Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre
Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre is a rare and ethical opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the African wild cat, serval, caracal, and cheetah. The rehab centre makes remarkable contributions to the conservation of these revered cat species. Emdoneni provides a safe haven to cat species injured or orphaned in the wild. The project prides itself on a history of successful release.
ISimangaliso Wetland Park / Lake St. Lucia (2-hour boat cruise)
The miracle and wonder of ISimangaliso Wetland Park made it South Africa’s first world heritage site. While on a 2-hour cruise on the estuary system, there will be close encounter(s) with hippo, and possibly crocodile. The park’s birdlife is incredibly abundant and includes the African fish eagle. Lake St. Lucia is surrounded by reserves on either side – giraffe and elephant sightings on the banks are not uncommon.
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is the premier game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. It is Africa’s oldest conservation area, and is highly acclaimed for its remarkable save the rhino conservation project. This 96 000 hectare reserve is home to The Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) as well as cheetah, wild dog, hyena, and a wide variety of antelope, birds, reptiles, and plants. The game drive runs through what was once the royal hunting grounds of the Zulu King Shaka.
Underberg
On route from Durban to the Drakensberg peak, we stop in Underberg, a picture perfect town in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg. Here we visit a local store that sells the iconic traditional Basotho blankets that are worn in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
St. Lucia Community Market
St. Lucia Community Market is a beautiful thatched market in the holiday town of St. Lucia. There is a wide selection of African curios as well as locally produced fresh fruit and nuts available. It’s an opportunity to support sustainable tourism and to enjoy the magic of the local community.
St. Lucia Town
St. Lucia is a small holiday town in the middle of 3 wildlife reserves. With only one main road, wildlife sightings in the town of St. Lucia are common-place.
Kamberg Valley
Best described as heavenly, Kamberg Valley lies at the heart of the Drakensberg Mountains. An afternoon spent unguided in the peace and tranquillity of these valleys where wild flowers and sunset reflections in the river make the perfect place for clearing your head and rejuvenating the soul. Surrounded by mountains, this is one of the most scenic places in the country, and its where this mountain tour spends the night star gazing. The fresh Berg air and the breath-taking sunrise of the next morning make for the perfect start to the next adventure.
Kamberg Nature Reserve (moderate hike)
Kamberg Nature Reserve with its picturesque views, hills, and valleys is home to the Game Pass Shelter Cave. The region is known for its collection of mysterious ancient San Rock Art Paintings. The site is understated as it holds arguably the best preserved San Rock Art or Bushmen Cave Paintings in the Drakensberg region. To see the rock art, we take a moderate 8km return hike with the first 3kms increasing gradually in height while the last km is fairly steep, and the return trip is mostly downhill on the same path. A local guide interprets the cave paintings to impart wisdom and understanding of the ancient culture.
Sani Pass
A breath-taking experience that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world! Sani Pass, located on the western border of KwaZulu-Natal and the Kingdom of Lesotho, is the exclusive route that makes a spectacular drive up to the top of the Drakensberg possible. The summit of the Sani Pass crosses the peak of the Drakensberg reaching an altitude of 2876m (or 9400ft) above sea level. The gravel winding dirt roads permit only 4×4 vehicles to ascend the 9km pass. Lunch is served at the Highest Pub in Africa! The drive down the pass is full of beautifully captivating hills and valleys.
Local Traditional Healer
An authentic cultural opportunity to meet and talk with a local traditional healer who would be happy to share his experiences of life in the village in the past (apartheid) era, as well as in the current context.
Local Kamberg Village and Homestead
A visit with local villagers in their homestead just outside the Kamberg reserve adds context and cultural experience to the tour. It includes a traditional meal in the homestead in the company of people who call this beautiful mountain range home
Zamimpilo Community Market
Zamimpilo Community Market is sustainable tourism at its best. It’s an impressive market of more than 100 stalls, and it’s run with creative efficiency to provide a seamless experience where you can access hand-made African arts and crafts. It’s an ideal souvenir stop and an opportunity to support local communities. You can taste seasonal fruit and vegetable, and hear first-hand stories of how the art is created.
Howick Falls & Community Craft Market
Howick Falls or “Place of the Tall One” is a 95m waterfall, and is the second highest waterfall in South Africa. Legend has it that the rock pool at the bottom of this falls is home to a monster called the Inkanyamba. There is an informal community craft market with locally made crafts in the area.
Nelson Mandela Capture Site
The Nelson Mandela Capture site marks the beginning of Madiba’s historic 27 years in prison. The iconic world-renowned sculpture is a powerful symbol of the long walk to freedom that made this South African freedom fighter the first democratic President of South Africa, ending a long struggle against the apartheid era.
Durban
Experience a night in the vibrant, ethnically diverse city of Durban. Durban offers a rich mix of cultures and cuisine, some of the world’s best beaches, and great weather all-year-round. It has a fascinating history, is one of South Africa’s major cities, and is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal.
Eastern & Western Shores Game Reserves (Night Drive in an open vehicle)
The Eastern and Western Shores of Lake St. Lucia are a remarkable display of nature’s contrasting beauty. Feel the sea breeze, smell the coast, and experience immensely diverse forest wildlife behind the sand dunes. This “island” is utterly and beautifully surrounded by wildlife reserves, the ocean, and the estuary. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers biodiversity, scenery, and boardwalks that are world-renowned. Rehabilitated wildlands and timber plantations form part of the identity of a diverse story of nature’s survival. Sharing the reserve with immensely diverse species of land animals, birdlife, and marine life are the tsessebe antelope in the wildlands of the west, and KwaZulu-Natal’s highest concentration of leopard in the forest lined east, known as the Cape Vidal. The night drive offers a memorable atmosphere with the chance to spot the nocturnal leopard as well as owls and hyena.
Is this the tour for me?
- Yes, I have At Least 4 Full Days Available to tour (If you have less than 4 full days that’s okay – check out our other options or talk to us!)
- Yes, I want to visit a Big 5 Game Reserve
- Yes, I want to visit The Drakensberg Mountains
- Yes, I want to Experience a Bit of Everything that KZN has to offer:
- Yes, I like Wildlife, Nature, Conservation, Beautiful Scenery, and Wide Open Spaces
- Yes, I want Up-close-and-personal Experiences & Rare Photos of Myself with Wildlife
- Yes, I will enjoy a Boat Cruise (aboard a comfortable ferry) to view wetland wildlife
- Yes, I want to Experience a Night Drive in the Wild in an open vehicle
- Yes, I want to Reach the Peak of the Drakensberg Mountains in a 4×4 Adventure Experience
- Yes, I want to Hike in the Drakensberg Mountains
- Yes, I’m interested in Star Gazing
- Yes, I’m interested Birding
- Yes, I’m interested in Photography
- Yes, I want to support attractions with Local Community Participation
- Yes, I am interested in History, Culture, or Traditional Medicine
- Yes, I want to Meet Local People and have first-hand experiences in the community
- Yes, I’d like to see or purchase Handmade African Souvenirs and support Sustainable Tourism
What's included in the tour package?
- Pick up and drop off within the Durban metro area
- Entrance fees
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation x3 nights
- Private Luxury Tent / Private Luxury Lodge in Holiday Town of St. Lucia
- Boutique Hotel in Durban North or in Musgrave, Durban
- Private Luxury Farmhouse Lodge in a Mountain Valley
- Breakfast x4 days
- Morning coffee/tea & muffin
- Continental breakfast
- Full English breakfast / Packed Continental breakfast
- Morning coffee/tea & muffin + Brunch snacks
- Lunch x4 days
- Restaurant in holiday town of St. Lucia
- Restaurant in Game Reserve
- Restaurant – Highest Pub in Africa
- Traditional lunch with villagers in homestead
- Dinner x3 nights
- Traditional Braai (Barbeque) in holiday town of St. Lucia
- Restaurant or Café in the City of Durban
- Traditional South African Potjie in the mountains (a stew slow cooked in a cast iron pot on a fire)
- Limited Alcoholic Drinks
- Bottled water
- Local snacks
- Use of binoculars
- Fully attending experienced tour guide
How long will we need?
- 4 Days
What did others say?
What You Need To Know?
When Can We Leave?
We look forward to our pre-planning chat, so we can build in your preferences and requirements into your itinerary.
