Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Bush, Beach and Battlefields

Example holiday

Bush, Beach and Battlefields

We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.

The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.

Important travel information for visitors to South Africa is included at the back of this document.

All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.

All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.

Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Travel Butlers Team

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Bush, Beach and Battlefields

Example Itinerary

TB-1826-1 / 15315

Example Cost

Holiday Title: Bush, Beach and Battlefields

Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa for 12 nights

Passengers: 2 Adults

Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.

*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.

ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Section 6 of our booking conditions.

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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Summary Of The Itinerary

Printable Version

Holiday Title: Bush, Beach and Battlefields

Passengers: 2 Adults

Day 1

Arrive into Durban's King Shaka Airport. Collect your bags, then make your way to the Europcar Rental Office. Complete the necessary paperwork - you will need to present your driving licence, passport and credit card. The keys to your hire car will then be handed over to you.

9 Day Car Rental: Group R Standard SUV - Toyota Rav or similar (Classic Plus Cover GPS PACKAGE)

Set off for the drive to the Drakensberg (approx 150 km / 1 h 45 mins). Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse has earned global renown as a romantic gourmet getaway. Nestled in the heart of the Drakensberg, it is a luxury, gourmet lodge dedicated to sumptuous food and rustic luxury.


Day 4

Drive to The Battlefields (approx 240 km / 3 h 30 mins). Isandlwana Lodge, stylish and thought-provoking, is carved into the side of the Nyoni Rock just below where the Zulu commander stood during the Battle of Isandlwana on the 22nd of January 1879. Tours of the Zulu Battlefield sites of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift and other Anglo-Zulu/Anglo-Boer war sites are conducted by resident historians. Other activities include walking trails, horse riding, birding tours, photographic safaris, and the ever-popular visit to a Zulu village where guests can experience the life and customs of the Zulu people in an authentic setting.


Day 6

Drive to Nambiti Private Game Reserve (approx 110 km / 1 h 50 mins). Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge is situated on a prime sector of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve and offers visitors an unforgettable, personal retreat with all the indulgences. Prepare to be whisked away from the stresses of a routine lifestyle and be welcomed by the tranquil serenity of nature at its finest.


Day 9

Drive to the Oyster Box 260 km / 3 h 10 mins). Standing majestically on Umhlanga's beachfront overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse, the Oyster Box is the ultimate in colonial charm and style.

Once you have settled into your room, a representative from Europcar will arrive to take back the hire car from you.


Day 13

You will be collected and transferred back to King Shaka Airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight home.

 
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

The Drakensberg: 3 Nights

The first European settlers called them 'Dragon Mountains'; the Zulus call them 'Barrier of Spears' - whatever you know them as, the Drakensberg mountain range is one of the most spectacular natural features of Africa. It is also the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, and stretches the entire length of the western boundary of KwaZulu-Natal, forming a natural boundary between the province and Lesotho.

With over 200 kilometers of unspoiled escarpment awaiting the tourist, it is an ideal place for those who want to get away from it all for a few days. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, and nature lovers will enjoy the many hiking and walking trails available for all levels of ability. There are easier walks through lush meadows and across clear streams, or more strenuous hikes up and across rugged mountain terrain. In addition there are countless other activities including bird watching, horse riding, fly-fishing, and art-courses to be enjoyed.

The Drakensberg has between 35,000 and 40,000 works of bushman art, which is the largest collection of such work in the world. San rock art paintings found here date back thousands of years, and are still clearly visible on the walls and the ceilings in the caves.

Following a 3 year culinary odyssey through Europe, England and Ireland and working with renowned chefs, your hosts Richard and Mouse opened Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, creating a gourmet getaway which is intimate, personal and very welcoming.

Tucked away in the beautiful Kamberg Valley in the Drakensberg Mountains, only a short drive from Giant's Castle, guests can enjoy spectacular hiking and climbing in the Berg, across marked trails or wandering at will across the beautiful mountains. Expert guides can also be arranged to take guests on guided walks. There are also many private dams and rivers for trout fishing.

Dinner is a sumptuous 7 course affair with no effort or expense spared to give guests a truly memorable dining experience. An underground wine cellar is well-stocked with South African premier wines. Breakfasts are not the normal 'run of the mill' affairs either, but are unusual and exciting.

The superbly appointed rooms are all individually decorated and consist of 5 en-suite rooms, 5 luxury suites and 2 luxury cottages. Attention to detail is evident everywhere.

Example Details For Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Standard Room
Includes: Breakfast and dinner are included.

Location

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Isandlwana Lodge

The Battlefields: 2 Nights

Isandlwana Lodge is set high on the Nyoni Rock on which the Zulu commander stood during the Battle of Isandlwana. Here, the British Army faced one of its worst defeats on the morning of January 22 1879.

The lodge truly captures all the drama and texture of the area's rich history, whilst offering total relaxation, comfort and luxury for its guests.

The highlight of a stay here is one of the superb guided tours and stories behind the battles of the region, including nearby Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana itself.  The tours will enthral you and captivate your imagination, as your guide recounts the stories of the famous battles. Tours to other Anglo Zulu and Anglo Boer battle sites are also possible by prior arrangement.

But if walking, climbing, bird-watching or mountain biking are your preference, the options are endless. For those after peace and tranquility, a picnic at a nearby waterfall, reading on the outdoor verandah or in the library or lying at the pool are all yours for the taking.

The wonderfully stylish stone and thatch lodge offers superbly appointed and extremely comfortable accommodation. Twelve luxurious bedrooms open out onto their own private balcony with views across to the Isandlwana battlefield. Uniquely designed en-suite bathrooms all have a separate shower unit.

The decor is a mixture of ethnic and traditional styles with furniture made of African woods and hand-painted or silk screened fabrics. 

To end the day, unwind over sundowners and snacks at the intimate bar, or relax over a delicious home-cooked meal and a glass of South African wine in the thatched dining room and enjoy the sweeping panoramic views of the rural Zululand plains and the famous battlefield site of 1879.

Example Details For Isandlwana Lodge

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Lodge - Standard Room
Includes: All meals are included. PLEASE NOTE: Tours are an additional cost - rates on request.

Location

Isandlwana Lodge Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Isandlwana Lodge

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge

Nambiti Private Game Reserve: 3 Nights

If you want to be seduced by the romance of Africa, and see lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino up close in the sanctuary of a 10,000 hectare private game reserve, but also you want to experience understated luxury - then it is time you reserved your place at Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge.

A stay here will ensure you leave more relaxed and enriched than when you arrived.

The Nambiti Big 5 Game Reserve is 23 km east of Ladysmith in the extraordinarily beautiful and geographically diverse KwaZulu-Natal region. Daily game drives - one in the morning and one in the afternoon - depart from the lodge to get you close to Nambiti's nature and wildlife. Your extremely knowledgeable guide will plan a personal safari that takes into account your particular interests and requirements.

The reserve is also close to the famous battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War and various other historic sites, and is also not far from the spectacular Drakensberg mountains, making this the perfect stop over en-route to or from these other South African holiday highlights.

The 5* Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge offers intimate and luxurious accommodation. There are 8 luxury suites and one honeymoon suite, and each suite has a private viewing deck and an interior featuring a contemporary eclectic mix of local African design.

The main lodge's dining and lounge areas provide panoramic views of rolling hills and savannah by day, and thousands of stars in the clear night sky. There is also a pool deck with sun loungers around a refreshing swimming pool.

The spa offers a range of relaxing treatments for your 'downtime' in between game drives.

Example Details For Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Room
Includes: Brunch, high tea and dinner daily; tea/coffee; snacks; the Rhino Conservation Levy; and 2 game drives per day are included.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Oyster Box Hotel

Durban: 4 Nights

The Oyster Box Hotel is one of the region's longest established and most distinguished hotels. Renowned for generous hospitality, attentive service and exceptional cuisine, the hotel offers all the colonial charm and nostalgia of a bygone era, but with all the modern comfort and amenities.

This grand hotel is set on Umhlanga's prestigious beach front, with tropical landscaped gardens and direct beach access.

A host of meeting places such as the 'Chukka Bar', with its authentic character, the 'Lighthouse Bar' situated on the rooftop overlooking the famous lighthouse and the magnificent, marbled 'Oyster Bar', serving freshly plucked oysters from the hotel's own oyster beds, offers something for everyone. 

There are also 2 heated swimming pools, including an ocean-facing infinity pool - an ideal spot for relaxing and soaking up the African sunshine. The private fitness centre has 24 hour access.

The award-winning spa, with its superbly equipped treatment rooms, has a team of qualified therapists who offer treatments and spa journeys personalised to each guest. The 24 seater private cinema is ideal for a movie night. Each month a new schedule is set, running a new movie 5 times a day. 

The beautifully appointed 86 rooms, suites and villas all offer breathtaking views.  The varied accommodation options will suit the needs of every guest, from individuals to honeymoon couples and families. Meticulously furnished, each one is superbly designed to provide the utmost comfort and style.

All of the colonial charm has been lovingly preserved and the exquisite tiles, murals, paintings and antique furnishings have all been retained in their original glory.

The décor also makes excellent use of natural stone and timber, complemented by calming colours that reflect the soothing shades of the surrounding ocean and tropical vegetation.

Example Details For Oyster Box Hotel

Nights: 4 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Classic Garden-Facing Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

Oyster Box Hotel Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Oyster Box Hotel

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For South Africa

Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements

Latest Travel Updates

For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:

UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa

 

Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter South Africa when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days: United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Spain, Switzerland.

If you are a passport holder from another country, please contact your local South Africa High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as citizens of certain countries (including New Zealand) are required to obtain visas before travelling. Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel.

Children under 18 years of age who require a visa to enter South Africa may be required to provide additional information when applying for the visa including an unabridged birth certificate and affidavit if travelling with only one parent.  There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors and/or South African children - details available on request or via the SA Department of Home Affairs at http://www.dha.gov.za.

Please note that anyone travelling to South Africa should have a valid return ticket and a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa. However, some immigration officials still request that a passport should have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to South Africa so to avoid problems on arrival, we advise that your passport meets this requirement instead. The passport must also have sufficient pages for entry/exit stamps - AT LEAST 2 BLANK PAGES.

South Africa has implemented biometric capturing at all ports of entry. This may result in some delays at land borders so you should allow additional time for border crossings.

PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.

Medical

You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to South Africa.

To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.

Tap water is purified and safe to drink in major cities and towns, however, we do advise that you do not drink the water in more remote places such as the camps in the National Parks - the water may be safe to drink, but it simply is not worth the risk, as bottled water is widely available.

Whatever you do, do not drink water from any river lake without firstly purifying the water. Always take water with you when you go on a hike, and have a bottle in the car on a long journey to avoid dehydration.

There is a risk of malaria in and around the Kruger National Park/Mpumalanga Province, the Limpopo (Northern) Province, and the north-eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.

There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is South Africa. However, in accordance with International Health Reguations, South Africa requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya and Uganda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list here https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 10177 and ask for an ambulance.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For South Africa

Continued

Languages And Culture

The 11 official languages are Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele. Whilst many visitors will hear at least a couple of the tribal languages during the course of their stay, it is possible to travel extensively and comfortably with just English as a language.

The South African society is quite liberal, as gay marriage was legalised in 2006 nationwide and everyone’s rights are protected under the constitution. In some more rural areas, however, the local people may not be quite as liberal thinking, so whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship if travelling to a rural/remote area.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Book With Confidence

Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world.  In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.

Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel

Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:

The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:

We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.

If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.

You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19  to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.

Support whilst you are away

We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.

If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need.  You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.  Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.

Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday

All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19

You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:

Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance. 

You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.