Budget Lesotho, Battlefields and Zululand Tour

A 6-day budget lodge safari through South Africa and Lesotho departing from Johannesburg and heading into the mountains of Lesotho - the Kingdom in the Sky.

Explore rural Lesotho and meet the friendly Basotho people, with the option of pony trekking or walking in its scenic hills. From Lesotho it's on to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and scenic Royal Natal National Park. Next this accommodated adventure takes you to the historic battlefields of Blood River, Rorke’s Drift and Talana Hill near Dundee in Natal.

Lastly this affordable Southern African tour travels via the Valley of a Thousand Hills and its Zulu villages to Durban, where this exciting budget lodge tour comes to an end.

Tour Highlights:

• Explore the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho and meet the friendly Basotho people.
• Walk in the forests of the Drakensberg Mountains and visit the scenic Royal Natal National Park.
• Visit the historic South African battlefields of Blood River, Rorke’s Drift and Talana Hill.
• Travel through the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills and visit Zulu villages.

DAY 1 & 2: Johannesburg to Lesotho (Breakfast x 1, Dinner x 1)

Departing from Johannesburg, the economic powerhouse of Africa, we travel south into the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa and on into Lesotho, known as the Kingdom of the Sky. We spend the next two days exploring this beautiful landlocked country, rich in culture and tradition. 

In mountainous Lesotho we head into rural Africa to visit local villages and meet the friendly Basotho people. Here we experience the colourful local culture of Lesotho’s proud people, gaining insight into their traditions and way of life. Traditionally the Basotho people wear straw hats and wrap themselves in blankets to keep warm at high altitudes, in a country that lies entirely above 1000m. Lesotho is best known for its Basotho pony trekking and during our stay we have the opportunity of going on a scenic pony trek through the hills and villages. There is also the option of taking a guided walk to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and get away from it all.

Twin Share: Share Facilities

DAY 3: Lesotho to the Drakensberg Mountains (Breakfast & Dinner)

Crossing back into South Africa today we leave the rugged landscapes of the Kingdom of Lesotho. We make our way to South Africa’s highest mountains, the Drakensberg Mountain (Dragon mountain) range. This UNESCO World Heritage sight, also known as uKhahlamba, meaning the Barrier of Spears in Zulu, stretches 200km’s in length separating Lesotho and the Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa. Today we explore the magnificent mountains of Drakensberg, visiting bushman rock paintings and walking on nature trails in the forests and lush bush. After the peaceful waterfalls, cliffs and spectacular mountain views of the Drakensberg we travel to our next overnight lodge near the Royal National Park.

Twin Share: Share Facilities 

DAY 4 & 5: Royal Natal National Park & Battlefields of Dundee (Breakfast x 2 & Dinner x 2)

Early in the morning we enter the Royal National Park a wilderness area of the spectacular natural beauty offering breathtaking views. The Royal Natal Park’s most famous feature is the Amphitheatre, a 5km long and 500m high rock wall. Towering over the Amphitheatre is Mont-aux-Sources peak, where the source of the Orange River is found and cascading over the rock face is one of the world’s highest waterfalls, the Tuglea Falls.

Next our journey takes us to Dundee, the gateway to colonial-era battlefield sites where the English, Zulu and Afrikaner settlers fought some of South Africa’s most famous battles. This area has the highest concentration of battlefields in South Africa, including Blood River (Zulu/Afrikaner), Talana Hill (British/Afrikaner), and Rorke’s Drift (British/Zulu).

Twin Share: Share Facilities 

DAY 6: Valley of a Thousand Hills & Durban (Breakfast)

Today we travel through the dramatic landscapes of the majestic ‘Valley of a 1000 Hills’, formed by the Mngeni River and it's tributaries. This tranquil valley is a Zulu stronghold dotted with villages that we visit to learn about the proud Zulu warrior culture.

From the Valley of a Thousand Hills we continue to Durban, our final stop located on the east coast of South Africa, where we meet the warm Indian Ocean and inviting sandy beaches.

Tour Accommodation:

On this tour accommodation is mostly in shared rooms with twin beds in chalets, bungalows or cabins, or in guesthouses with shared facilities. Many of the places that we stay at are located in picturesque settings with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Some of the accommodation is a little more basic but still comfortable, clean and secure. You do not need to bring a sleeping bag on this tour.

Tour Transport:

Transport on this tour will be in a comfortable mini-bus or microbus. Maximum group size: 14 passengers

Participation on this Tour:

This is an active participation tour; which means everybody helps out with the daily chores. The chores are usually shared on a roster basis and include tasks like shopping and cooking. 

The active participation on this tour provides good opportunities to meet local people and get to know your fellow travellers. Your contribution helps to make sure that your trip is successful and enjoyable for everyone. On past tours most people have found that the more they get involved, the more they enjoy themselves. With a sense of adventure and a flexible attitude you will be sure to have a wonderful trip.

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