Half & Full Day Tours – Durban (updated 19 September, 2015) Durban City Tour Operates: Duration: Includes: Notes: Daily from Durban 09.00 & 13.00 3 - 4 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing as per itinerary. Minimum 2 passengers Durban, once known as the last British Bastion and renowned for its old Colonial homes and architecture, has become a veritable melting pot of culture and intrigue. A melding of history, traditions and beliefs, which totally encompass South Africa’s policy of tolerance and equality for all! This is the true ‘Heart’ of our Rainbow Nation. Allow us to take you on a journey of sight, smell and sound as you drive along the well-known Golden Mile, wander through lush tropical Botanical Gardens, savor amazing Panoramic Views and interact with Local Traders at the famous Victoria Street Indian Market. 1 Inanda Heritage Route – Township Tour: Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Departs daily 09.00 from Durban 3 - 4 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Minimum 2 passengers A short distance inland from the city we find the local settlements of Kwamashu and Inanda, which is steeped in history and culture. We visit one of the sections in Kwamashu, to take a short walk and interact with the locals and stop at a local shebeen. Time permitting, we visit the Ohlange Institute, where President Mandela cast his vote in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994; the Phoenix settlement where Mahatma Gandhi developed his philosophy of passive resistance and the Inanda Seminary, one of the oldest African private schools for girls, established in 1869. uShaka Marine World Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 09.00 from Durban 3 - 4 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Minimum 2 passengers Have you ever wondered what it would be like under the surface of the Ocean; to be within inches of a Ragged tooth shark or look a majestic Leatherback Turtle in the eye? Allow us to take you into the bowels of a sunken ship where you almost become one with this fascinating world and its incredible creatures. uShaka Marine world was designed under direction from the Disney Theme Parks team, so your enjoyment is guaranteed! It is possible to arrange a Dolphin Encounter at uShaka Marine World! Touch, swim, and interact with a dolphin – rates include photographs by way of souvenirs. Note: Dolphin Encounters are subject to limited numbers on a prebooked basis. 2 Durban City Tour & uShaka Marine World Operates: Duration: Includes: Notes: Daily from Durban 09.00 7 - 8 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Minimum 2 passengers Durban, once known as the last British Bastion and renowned for its old Colonial homes and architecture, has become a veritable melting pot of culture and intrigue. A melding of history, traditions and beliefs, which totally encompass South Africa’s policy of tolerance and equality for all! This is the true ‘Heart’ of our Rainbow Nation. Allow us to take you on a journey of sight, smell and sound as you drive along the well-known Golden Mile, wander through lush tropical Botanical Gardens, savor amazing Panoramic Views and interact with Local Traders at the famous Victoria Street Indian Market. uShaka Marine world is an Aquatic Theme Park that was designed under direction from the Disney Theme Parks team, so your enjoyment is guaranteed! The Shipwreck Theme adds something special to this experience! Durban City Tour & Valley of 1000 Hills Operates: Duration: Includes: Notes: Daily from Durban 09.00 7 - 8 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Minimum 2 passengers Durban, once known as the last British Bastion and renowned for its old Colonial homes and architecture, has become a veritable melting pot of culture and intrigue. A melding of history, traditions and beliefs, which totally encompass South Africa’s policy of tolerance and equality for all! This is the true ‘Heart’ of our Rainbow Nation. Allow us to take you on a journey of sight, smell and sound as you drive along the well-known Golden Mile, wander through lush tropical Botanical Gardens, savor amazing Panoramic Views and interact with Local Traders at the famous Victoria Street Indian Market. We then escape from civilization and journey inland through small villages and gentle rolling countryside which give way to the most spectacular vista, known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Here you will be immersed in the fascinating culture and traditions of a proud Zulu Nation; have the opportunity to interact with the villagers and purchase traditional and modern souvenirs. A visit to the on-site Crocodile park is also included. 3 Anglo-Zulu War Battlefields Tour Operates: Duration: Included: Notes Daily 06.00 from Durban 12 + hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing as per itinerary. Lunch. Minimum 2 passengers Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift – two of the sites where the British and Zulu Nations clashed in bloody battle. Be transported back in time by your guide who will explain some of the challenges, heroic tales and cunningly intricate strategies used by both armies in these historic massacres. The Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Eleven days after the British commenced their invasion a 20,000 strong Zulu army attacked a portion of the British main column consisting of 1,700 to 2,000 mixed British and colonial forces. The Zulus were equipped mainly with traditional iron spears and cow hide shields, but also had a number of muskets and old rifles though they were not formally trained in their use. The British and colonial troops were armed with the then state of the art weaponry. Despite a vast disadvantage in weapons technology, the numerically superior Zulus ultimately overwhelmed the poorly led and badly deployed British, killing over 1300 troops, including all those out on the firing line. The Zulu army suffered around a thousand killed. The battle was a decisive victory for the Zulus and caused the defeat of the first British invasion. The British army had received its worst defeat ever, fighting against a technologically inferior indigenous force. (L) Safari: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Wildlife Reserve Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 05.30 from Durban 12 - 14 hrs Transportation & safari guiding in closed vehicle. Park entrance fees. Lunch. Recommended to bring binoculars. This is a ‘seat-in-coach’ tour. Minimum 2 passengers. This tour is also available on a private basis, details on request. Enjoy a full day of game viewing in a 96’000 hectare wildlife sanctuary for the opportunity of spotting animals including the Big Five. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for its conservation efforts in saving the white rhino from extinction. Early morning departure from Durban, and we travel approximately 3 hours to the HluhluweImfolozi Game Reserve. Spend the day searching for the Big Five and various other game species. Stop for lunch (included). Depart the park by to return to Durban in the late afternoon. (L) 4 Inanda Heritage & Gandhi Settlement Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Departs daily 09.00 from Durban 6 - 8 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Light lunch. Minimum 2 passengers Start with a visit to Cato Manor, the first area from which Africans and Indians where forcibly removed and relocated to “Townships” in the early 1960s. We continue towards KwaMashu, Durban’s oldest township that was created to accommodate the mass resettlement of Africans from Cato Manor. We visit the Men’s hostel area, originally created to accommodate single migrant workers but nowadays home to families in newly constructed flats amongst the older buildings. One of the Royal residences of the Zulu King is also situated here. We stop in one of the other Township sections and take a short walk. We also stop at a local shebeen for a traditional shisanyama lunch. Our journey continues inland to the local settlement of Inanda, which is steeped in history and culture. Time permitting, we visit the Ohlange Institute, where President Mandela cast his vote in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994; the Phoenix settlement where Mahatma Gandhi developed his philosophy of passive resistance and the Inanda Seminary, one of the oldest African private schools for girls, established in 1869. We end the day with a visit to Ebuhleni for a brief introduction to the religious world and the theosophy of the Shembe Church. Time permitting, we also stop at a local orphanages, for an interaction with the children. (L) Valley of 1000 Hills Operates: Duration: Includes: Notes: Daily from Durban 08.30 3 - 4 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Minimum 2 passengers Escape from civilization and allow us to heighten your senses and increase your awe at the true splendor of Mother Nature’s canvas and palette. We journey inland through small villages and gentle rolling countryside which give way to the most spectacular vista, known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Here you will be immersed in the fascinating culture and traditions of a proud Zulu Nation; have the opportunity to interact with the villagers and purchase traditional and modern souvenirs. A visit to the on-site crocodile park is also included. 5 Drakensberg - Sani Pass – Lesotho Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 06.00 from Durban 10 – 12 hrs Transportation and sightseeing as per itinerary. Light lunch Minimum 2 passengers. Passengers must have valid passports and visa if this is required (depending on nationality). Experience the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains and the spectacular scenery as you wind your way up the historic Sani Pass and into Lesotho – land of the ‘People of the Blanket’. After an early morning collection from your hotel, travel inland past Pietermaritzburg and through the Natal Midlands. Arrive at the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg and board a 4x4 vehicle. Travel up the steep and spectacular Sani Pass, up into the ‘Roof of Africa’. As you rise over the escarpment you cross over into the Mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho. Enjoy the opportunity of visiting a traditional Basotho village and learn about the local people’s traditions and way of life. Taste some local beer and bread before having lunch at the highest pub in Africa. Descend the Sani Pass and back into South Africa for your trip back to Durban. You will arrive back at your hotel in the early evening. (L) Midlands Meander Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 08.30 from Durban 7 - 8 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing as per itinerary. Light lunch. Minimum 2 passengers As we make our way out of the city into the gently rolling countryside towards Pietermaritzburg and Howick, you will be handed an informative brochure detailing all the places of interest along the Meander – It will be your choice to decide which places you wish to visit today. The Midlands Meander is South Africa’s premier Country Route, situated in an area called the uMgungundlovu District. The Meander was the dream-child of a group of crafters living in the area in the 1970’s, whose vision was to provide a different perspective for the visitor to the “Zulu Kingdom” by offering a diverse range of experiences to suite the most discerning traveler and promote their cottage industries. They are an Eco-Sensitive, creative group of people who have successfully chosen to make a living at a gentler pace. Their creations include Ethnic Art, Weaving, Leather Work, Pottery, Wind Chimes, Hand Crafted Furniture and a host of other intriguing skills and crafts! Lunch will be taken at one of the excellent restaurants in the area. After an incredible day filled with sunshine, fresh air and wonderful experiences, we return to Durban in the late afternoon. (L) 6 Shakaland – Zulu Cultural Village Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 08.30 from Durban 8 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and Cultural Experience as per itinerary. Light lunch. Minimum 2 passengers Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. You will be collected early for your tour to Shakaland. Enjoy a two hour drive from Durban along the Dolphin Coast via Sibaya inland to the rural Zululand area. Visit Shakaland, a Zulu Kraal near Eshowe in the Nkwalini Valley. Participate in and experience a cultural programme of Zulu traditions which includes spear making, hut building, pottery and weaving. You will be enthralled and dazzled by the spectacular Zulu dance show and enjoy a taste of Zulu beer. Enjoy a typical Zulu meal, buffet style, while being entertained by traditional singing and dancing before returning to Durban. (L) Indian Cultural Tour Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 08.30 from Durban 8 hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. Light lunch. Minimum 2 passengers In the mid 19th Century, Indians came to South Africa to work as labourers on the sugar plantations of KwaZulu-Natal. Since then the Indians share a long history and are part of the South African Nation. Experience and enjoy their traditions, culture and history on this interesting tour. Start in Durban’s city centre where we learn about Gandhi’s train journey in Durban 1893. Visit the Old Court House Museum presenting replicas of Durban's early settlements, and among its collections are photos, artifacts and documents that relate to Mahatma Gandhi. On to Cato Manor, the first area from which African’s and Indians were forcibly removed and relocated to “Townships” in the early 1960’s. Visit the Gandhi Settlement Centre in Inanda. Gandhi founded a small ashram at Phoenix in 1904 and began printing the Indian Opinion newspaper there. We visit “Blue Lagoon”, here you can enjoy a traditional “Bunny Chow”. Continue to Chatsworth, visiting the Hari Krishna Temple (The Temple of Understanding) and a shopping centre, where you can see and buy typical Indian spices, costumes and goods. (L) 7 St Lucia Wetland Park Operates: Duration: Included: Notes: Daily 07.00 from Durban 10+ hrs Transportation & guiding in private vehicle, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary. St Lucia River Safari. Excursion on Eastern Shores. Light lunch. Please note that subject to River Safari availability, the sequence of events may be changed around. Minimum 2 passengers We depart early from Durban and drive north to St. Lucia village. Enjoy a 2-hour River Safari on Lake St Lucia, one of South Africa’s 8 World Heritage sites. Here we will have the opportunity to view crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat. After a light lunch, we depart on a visit to Cape Vidal. Cape Vidal falls within the St Lucia Marine Reserve and is situated north-east of St Lucia. It has the best of both worlds with access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where there is a variety of game including reedbuck, other antelope, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo, spectacular water, forest and grassland birds and the wonderful Indian Ocean shore line with its startling array of marine animals. We return to Durban, cameras filled with footage of Africa’s wildlife at its best! (L) Inspirations Travel & Tours Email: info@inspirations-travel.co.za l Tel: +27(0)31 266 0030 | Fax: +27(0) 31 266 0255 Inbound: www.africaninspirations.co.za l Outbound: www.inspirations-travel.co.za 9 Kensington Drive, Westville, 3629 l PO Box 1166, Westville, Durban, 3629 South Africa 8