Full Day-Drakensberg-MandelaCaptureSite-HowickFalls-MidlandsMeander from Durban
Description
Travel through the gentle pastoral beauty of the Natal Midlands. Pass through grassy plains scattered with villages and lush farmlands and see plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze. Take in the endless vistas and incredible scenery. Explore the magnificent Drakensberg. The day's highlights are: • See the Howick Falls • See the site where former SA President Nelson Mandela was captured in 1962 and went on to spend 27 yers in prison • Enjoy the Drakensberg *All this in one day. * Hiking in Drakensberg
Tour Options
Itinerary
We set off on our tour towards Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Kwa Zulu Natal at around 8:00am. From Pietermaritzburg we continue to Howick where we visit the 100m high Howick Falls.
We continue our tour, with our next stop at the monument erected on the spot where police arrested Nelson Mandela in 1961 as a result of his resistance to the former Apartheid government, The Nelson Mandela Capture Site.
From the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, our tour takes us through an area of gentle pastoral beauty called the Midlands Meander. We pass through grassy plains scattered with villages and lush farmlands where plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze. Experience the Midlands Meander - Routes span more than 50 miles between Pietermaritzburg and the uKhahlamba-Drakensburg World Heritage Site including many back roads. The Midlands Meander isn’t a single attraction at all, but rather a network of more than 150 artisans, activities, restaurants, lodging and tours that have banded together to promote the rural but creative Midlands Region of KwaZulu-Natal.
We eventually arrive at the Drakensberg Mountains. It is very peaceful. Enjoy the mountains, the valleys, the scenery, all beyond description.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from all over Durban, 50km radius
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(11)
Hiking at Dragons Peak was the highlight.Spectacular views and our guide Mzwe was very attentive.Was great to have hotel pick up even though our hotel was in Kloof so full marks to the company there.Did another tour with African Sun safaris and unfortunately they use very old vehicles.My daughter has lived in South Africa for awhile so was prepared for this however the vehicles would be unacceptable to many International tourists.
We were met at the port and taken to an old very small car and advised that the air conditioning was broken, the back seatbelts did work and it will take three hours to get to Drakensberg. It was a hot day so we had to make the decision to cut our tour and only do the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Howick Falls and a short drive around Durban. Our guide was very apologetic and did his best but it was so hot and uncomfortable in the car and to make matters worse, it wouldn't go over 80kph on the freeway. I did email the company asking for a partial refund but they never replied.
Our guide, Kudzi was a lovely young man but turned up in a very small old car with broken air conditioning and non-working back seatbelts and the car struggled to go more than 80kph. We had to drive 3 hours to the first stop so we decided that we would have to forego the first half of the tour as it was a really hot day and would have been too hot and uncomfortable to go that far. We ended up only doing Howick Falls and Nelson Mandela Capture Site and a short drive around Durban because of the heat. Kudzi was a good guide and very apologetic but the condition of the vehicle was unacceptable as a tour vehicle. I emailed the company about this but they have not replied. Not happy.
The tour kicked off late as the ship arrived late. The vehicle was in good condition and has a perfectly working aircon. The guides are under instruction to not exceed 100km per hour. We apologise that you did not have a good experience
Great experience with a very caring guide in a fantastic and very diverse Kwazulu Natal. Really worth it!
The vehicle used for the tour was an old Datsun, which was wholly unsatisfactory for a full day's driving tour owing to very cramped conditions in the rear for 2 adults, as well as being unsafe, because the rear seat belts were unavailable for usage due to a seat cover. The tour driver's driving skills were at times reckless with speed limits and road markings ignored. We were very relieved to return to our hotel without a major incident occurring. Howick Falls was nice to see, albeit the approach and viewing areas are in dire need of update and maintenance. The Mandela Capture Site & Museum was excellent. The Museum's memorabilia is comprehensive and the Mandela sculpture must rank as one of the best in the world and is highly recommended to go view. The 'Midlands Meander' drive towards the Drakensberg was very uninteresting. The roads are in large parts in very poor condition and the towns passed were very run-down. Eventually, the road towards Champagne Castle provided good viewing of part of the mountain range. We were very disappointed that this tour does not go into or amongst the Drakensberg mountains, unlike the headline picture shows, which is somewhat misleading. Nor does the tour have fixed stops for drinks/lunch/toilet; the driver stops for viewing/photos only if requested. Having engaged with several Viator tours in the past in various countries, I have found them to be generally very good: however, this tour ranks by far the worst I have done.
We are sorry that Lawrie did not find this tour to be confortable. The tour does take travellers to Howick Falls, Nelson Mandela Capture Site and the Drakensberg Mountains. The tour ends where the Drakensberg Road ends and it not possible to go beyond this point into the mountains except by foot. This again is not possible on a day tour.
The falls and the capture site were nice. We were expecting to reach the mountains but we were far from them. It was a long drive.
Dear Shawqi Thank you for choosing African Sun Safaris and also for your feedback. We really appreciate and look forward to doing even better the next time. Note that the 1 day tour does not go up the mountain as this is only done via the foot trails which is only available on the 2 day or 3 day tour.
The visit all the Howick falls and the Mandela museum were really interesting to do. We had a great time there! Although, the Drakensberg part is quite limited.. A long road for a small view of the moutain. Not what we were expecting with the price of that tour.
Thank you for choosing African Sun Safaris and also for your feedback. We really appreciate and look forward to doing even better the next time.
Beautifull and interesting tour. Tour guide was very polit and helpfull. Would have expected more Information dringend the ride from him.
Dear Anita Thank you for choosing African Sun Safaris and also for your feedback. We really appreciate and look forward to doing even better the next time.
This tour -The Magnificent Drakensberg 1 Day Tour From Durban was the best part of our holiday. Heads up to these guys. So much fun. Next time we will take the 2 or 3 day tour. The guide was super
The Drakensberg is a great place to be. However, the trip was rushed as there was not enough time. Is should maybe cover 2 days
