Drakensberg Rejuvenate your soul - 3 days

"  Great things are done when Men and Mountains meet"  ( William Blake)

2006 Price pp: R 2000 Departures: From Durban every Saturday.   Min pax to run: 2 Prices only valid 2006

DETAILED ITINERARY:

• Day 1: Leaving Durban early we head west towards old country roads that will take us through many forgotten farming villages and rural Zulu Kraals with traditional homesteads nearby. We recommend guests to have breakfast as we do not do breakfast on the morning of departure but snacks are available on the vehicle. {Snacks provided are muffins, chips and fruit} The drive climbs almost a mile in altitude and as we head towards the Drakensberg peaks we will eventually come to a stop on a working farm in the Little Berg.


A horse ride is available to all and opens up great opportunities for photographs from the top of the mountain. Lunch is served during the ride when we take a break to breathe in the mountain air and marvel at the 3000 meter Drakensberg escarpment. If you don’t fancy a horse ride the guide will be more than happy to arrange a walk to explore the surrounding areas.

Having arranged our accommodation we will settle down late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the western peaks of the Drakensberg. A campfire lights up the night as we enjoy the evening of stars and a hearty meal. The accommodation is done in rondavels {round hut} boasting all the facilities necessary for catering and hot showers. Linen is supplied but we do suggest a sleeping bag for cold nights as the temperatures can drop below zero degrees.
* Lunch and Dinner provided

• Day 2: Breakfast as they say is the most important meal of the day and will definitely boost our energy for the days hiking ahead. The aim of the hike is to reach the escarpment where many sites of San Rock Panels can be found. Once on top of the mountain we will visit some of the best examples of the rock art that was done centuries ago. The San Panels are national monuments and guests are asked to please follow the instructions given to them by their guide. A daypack lunch is provided as we look in wonder at the 300 000 year old setting.


The walk will depend on the ability and motivation of the group. The walk is considered to require a certain degree of fitness but can be done at a reasonable pace for all walkers. Paths are clearly marked and allows for guests to rest or move back down the mountain to just sit by the river, soak in some sun and view the mighty Drakensberg escarpment.

No matter what you choose to do your senses will always be in overdrive as the Drakensberg is recognized not only as a world heritage sight but a botanical hotspot and is alive with colour in all seasons. Eagles are often spotted in the clear skies and the surrounding grasslands are home to Eland, Baboons, Common Reedbuck and more.
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
 

• Day 3: Heading out to Underberg we pick up our 4 by 4 and leave to start our journey up the spectacular Sani Pass into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The road to Lesotho climbs up 1200 m in a space of 20 km and is only accessible by 4 by 4. PLEASE NOTE PASSPORTS ARE NEEDED FOR BORDER CONTROL PURPOSES AND TO COMPLETE THE DAYTRIP TO BASOTHO VILLAGES

Photographic opportunities are endless as the views from every angle are spectacular. Once at the top we visit a local community village giving us insight into the daily life of the Basotho people. If we are lucky we may even have a chance to sample the bread, which in my opinion compares with some of the top bakeries in the world.

Lunch is served at the highest pub in Africa before we start our descent of the Drakensberg Mountains and head for home arriving in Durban at approximately 7:30 pm.
*Breakfast and picnic lunch is provided
Buffet lunch at the Sani Top Chalet is optional at own cost

THIS INCLUDES:

· Pick-up and drop off at any accommodation in Durban city
· Lunch and dinner on day of departure
· Breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 2
· Breakfast and picnic lunch on day 3
· Services of Tekweni guide
· The 4 by 4 daytrip
· Entrance fees for hiking and toll fees
· Accommodation in comfortable chalets
· Horse riding and river tubing if water conditions are right

WHAT TO BRING:

· Good walking shoes or hiking boots
· PASSPORT for entry into Lesotho
· Rainproof jacket or poncho’s are supplied
· Warm clothes for cold evenings
· Camera and plenty of film
· A hat and sun block
· Water bottle
· Sleeping bag if you have but not essential linen provided
· Swimming costume and towel
· Spending money for personal items such as curios, water and drinks.

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:

· Cameras are acceptable but the guide may request certain scenes not be photographed. Please respect this
· Times given are merely guidelines and can alter based on weather conditions
· Credit card payments are subject to a 5% surcharge
· Travelers cheques and foreign currency are subject to a 5% surcharge
· Travel insurance is not included and full coverage is recommended
· Tour prices are subject to change at any time but usually annual increases are applied
· This tour has a one day, two day and three day option available.
· Tekweni Ecotours cannot be held responsible for passport left behind but will endeavor to ensure all passengers have not forgotten your passports.
· Please note unless you have made prior arrangements guests will be returned to the accommodation establishment they were collected from.
· River tubing is seasonal

Soweto, Pilanesberg, Kruger National Park, Lesedi, Backpackers,Groups

Adventure Travel Africa Car Rental, 430 Reitz Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0002, ZA
Word of  Mouth  Rules - Updated Jan 2006