Enjoy a glimpse into some of Durban’s multi-cultural past and present. Visit the Gandhi Settlement, where one of the twentieth century’s major leaders, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, once lived. Gandhi arrived in Durban in 1893, as a legal adviser.
Initially unaware of the racial inequalities of colour in the colony – he threw himself into the struggle for elementary rights for Indians.
He helped to establish the Indian Opinion newspaper and the Phoenix Settlement, an experiment in communal living. It was here that his notion of Satyagraha of passive resistance emerged – a philosophy that became world recognised and helped win freedom from oppression.
See Gandhi’s original home as well as the wood and iron shed from where he published the Gujarati—English Newspaper. Then on to the Ohlange Institute, the first African-run and African-funded educational institution in Southern Africa, founded by Rev Dr John Langalibalele Dube in 1901. John Dube founded Natal’s first African newspaper Illange Lase Natal in 1903. Absorb the sounds, sights and smells of the Victoria Street Market, in the city’s old Indian Section of town. The Indian influence is still easily recognisable in the architecture of the area.
Travel through the picturesque Valley of 1000 Hills to visit a reconstructed Zulu village and learn about some of the cultural beliefs, rituals and customs of the Zulu people. Watch Zulu theatre and dancing and visit a crocodile and snake park to see and learn about these fascinating reptiles up close.
Enjoy an informative drive through the city of Durban and visit some of the major sites of interest such as the Kwa Muhle Museum, Botanical Gardens, Durban Harbour, Victoria Embankment, Golden Mile, Point Development Are, the City Hall and Victoria Street Market.
This tour departs Durban at 7am for a full day tour to the heart of Zululand to visit the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift, possibly Kwa-Zulu Natal’s most famous battle sites, where thousands of British and Zulu soldiers were killed in 1879 and 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for bravery and valour.
Leaving Durban we travel north to visit Shakaland – experience an authentic introduction to Zulu Culture – the customs, beliefs and traditions of “the people of heaven”. See traditional beadwork and wood carving demonstrations, watch Zulu maidens and warriors performing the traditional dances and enjoy traditional Zulu beer and a traditional buffet lunch.
A day trip into the scenic Natal Midlands offers visitors time waking in the mountains and absorbing the spectacular scenery and fresh air of the Ukhulamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site. View and learn about San Bushman Rock Art with a visit to Main Cave.
Established in 1895 this is one of Africa’s oldest and well known game reserves, famous for the part it played in saving the White Rhino from extinction. Enjoy a full day’s game viewing with the possibility of not only sighting the Big 5 – Lion, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant and Leopard – but also giraffe, zebra, warthog, impala, kudu, baboon and wild dog amongst others. August is the ideal time for game viewing in South Africa as the grass is short and the days not too hot yet.
