A Picture Travel Report
I love guiding guests from all over the world through KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), my incredibly diverse home province, and I try to show them the best it has to offer. This is a report of my most recent trip.
As part of my service, my guests received a link to a download library of 850 full-resolution images, which I took with Canon camera equipment and iPhones during our travels.
This is a report with pictures of this 20 days Custom Luxury Tour.
Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments or via direct message on WhatsApp (+27633294323).
For more info about my Custom Luxury Tours go to http://www.sperka.info.
Day 1 – Arrival …
My guests arrived in the late afternoon, and we had an excellent welcome dinner next to the Indian Ocean at Bel Punto, my favorite Italian restaurant in the Durban area. We stayed one night at Lavender Moon Guest House in Umhlanga before we headed off on our tour through KZN.
Day 2 – Into the Mountains …
On our way from Durban into the Drakensberg mountains we stopped at the impressive Howick Falls, the fascinating Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum, and had lunch at the famous Piggly Wiggly coffee shop in the Midlands. We stayed for two nights at the Dragonview Lodge in the Champagne Valley.
Day 3 – Raptors and Music …
My two favorite activities in the Drakensberg were on the program: The raptor show at Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre show and the Wednesday concert of the world renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir.
Day 4 – Art and Gourmet Cuisine …
While traveling South to enjoy the beautiful setting and excellent cuisine of Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, where we stayed the next three days, we visited The Platform Gallery with contemporary South African art, and Ardmore Ceramic Art. It was most interesting to observe the local Zulu artists creating incredible ceramic art.
Day 5 – A Walk and A Rest …
This was the first day where my guests got some good rest in a most relaxing and scenic environment. We just went for a short walk on the Highmoor Nature Reserve on a mountain plateau nearby.
Day 6 – A Steep Ascent and an Extra Country…
We went for a full day excursion up the incredibly steep and stony Sani Pass into the Kingdom of Lesotho, and we had a surprisingly good lunch at the ‘Highest Pub in Africa’. My first trip ever into Lesotho!
Day 7 – Into the Battlefields …
We visited the Blood River Battlefield (1838 – Zulu-Boer War). It is a most significant site playing a big role in South African history and in defining the identity of many Afrikaans people. Our battlefield guide was excellent! For the next three nights we stayed at my favorite place in the battlefields, called Fugitives Drift Lodge.
Day 8 – British defeat …
At the battle of Isandlwana (1879 Anglo-Zulu War) the British army suffered the worst single battle defeat in the colonial history of the country. Bryan, our battlefield guide, narrated the visit superbly.
Day 9 – The most Victoria Crosses …
The battle of Rorke’s Drift commenced in the afternoon of the same days as the battle of Isandlwana, and lasted into the early hours of the next day. The most Victoria Crosses for a single battle where awarded to the heroic men who won this battle. Douglas Rattray was our guide to this battle ground and his narration was superb!
Day 10 – Into the Wetlands …
The next two days we spent at Makakatana Bay Lodge in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. I love the environment around Lake St. Lucia with its stark contrast to the Forest Savanna at Thanda Safari.
Day 11 – On the Lake …
Today a Hippo Cruise on Lake St.Lucia was on the program. We had very good hippo and croc sightings and even more impressive bird encounters.
Day 12 – Coming home …
On our way to my ‘home ground’ at Thanda Safari we visited the Crocodile Centre in St. Lucia. The next five nights my guests spent at the Thanda Safari Lodge with Bheki (my tracker) and I introducing them to the Big Five!
Day 13 – Elephants and Cheetah …
… on two game drives at Thanda Safari!
Day 14 – Rhino and Giraffe …
… and many more species during two more game drives.
Day 15 – Lion and Buffalo …
… during two more drives.
Day 16 – Zulu Community …
We visited a Zulu family in a local community. Not a tourist show, just a visit of people from different counties chatting about their respective lives.
Day 17 – The Last Game Drive …
A last game drive in the morning and then we were off back towards Durban/Umhlanga, where we stayed at the unique Oysterbox Hotel for the last three nights of this KZN tour.
Day 18 – Sharks and Co …
The uShaka Marine World aquarium was well worth a visit. We also had a look at the Durban harbour and a short walk along the Indian Ocean beach.
Day 19 – Not the Usual Tour …
The Culture Shock Tour of Durban is a walking tour of downtown Durban. Together with Johnny, a local guide for this adventure, one explores all the local markets and areas where tourists usually do not go.
Day 20 – Goodbye …
A last view of the Indian Ocean
My guests called it a ‘trip of a lifetime’. It is incredible what KwaZulu Natal has to offer!
Here are few trip stats, for the ones of you who like details:
- 20 Day road trip (using a Toyota Fortuner SUV)
- 7 Overnight locations
- 20 activities/excursions (w/o game drives)
- 11 game drives with > 25 large mammal species, > 80 bird species, and many ectotherm species
- Route: Durban – Drakensberg – Lesotho – Battlefields – Wetlands – Thanda Safari – Durban – over 2,500 km (1,600 miles) of exploring the province in easy stages absorbing the varying country side
- My services include organizing all accommodations, meals, and activities, hosting and guiding throughout the trip, driving the vehicle, taking pictures of everything on the trip for the guest, and taking care of any issues which might arise during travel
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 