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KwaZulu Natal-Reed Dance Tour

So you’ve been to KZN-but have you really been to KZN?

You see KZN is not only about the warm beaches,which are of course enticing,relaxing & beautiful-but is full of rich South African history & escarpments that will change the way you choose travel destinations.

You see,we all want souvenirs when travelling-but what better souvenir than that of educating oneself through indigenous hills, plantations and well preserved traditions.

Come travel with us to the Zulu Royalty,the Nortn Coast, the famous Zulu Reed dance ceremony and of course the Safari.

Itenerary

Day One

  • Enjoy an early drive in a well maintained, licenced kombi with your professional driver & tour guide to Zululand.
  • Pick up at 06:00 am and start your trip driving through the N17to Piet Retief & Ermelo.  On route enjoy the raw natural sites that the borders of Mpumalanga have to offer.  Make random stops between the towns,enjoying the difference between South African Metro cities and these small towns which are famous for their mixed farming, mining and timber backgrounds.  The town Piet Retief was named after a Boer (Retief) who was killed by Dingane wakaSenzangakhona during King Shaka’s era.
  • Enjoy the scenic views and the land once occupied by both the indigenous people of Zululand and the Boers from the Cape Colony.
  • Stop to take photos of the most beautiful town in Zululand called Pongola near the Lubombo Mountains.  It is a beautiful tranquil subtropical environment.  Have lunch of choice at uPhongola mall & stretch your legs before your next 2 hour drive to your first accommodation.
  • Get settled at the 4 star Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkuze situated just at the foot of the mountain itself.This hotel is a perfect location to explore wildlife & coastal reserves in Maputaland & the Elephant Coast.
  • Freshen up at the hotel preparing yourself for a spa treatment to relax you after a long day’s drive.
  • Enjoy dinner & relaxing sounds of birds and the warm African sun at the poolside.

Day Two

  • Prepare yourself for an adventurous day ahead.
  • Hop onto ranger vehicles just after breakfast for an everlasting experience.In your game drive you get to see the Black & White Rhino, Wild dog, Elephants, Wildebeest, Monkeys, Leopard, Giraffe, Buffalo, Cheetah, and Zebras.  You get to choose to go to either the Hluhluwe or Mkuze game reserves in the company of a highly experienced guide and ranger.
  • Your next adventure is a boat cruise on Lake Jozini,where you can get to view elephants swimming in the lake.
  • Enjoy lunch in your boat whilst relaxing,enjoying the serenity and beauty of the lake.
  • End you day with a gentle walk to the Mkuze river.  You get to see a large variety of birds,beautiful views of both the Ghost Mountain and the Lebombo Mountain range.  The walk is about 1-2hrs.
  • End your day with a number of facilities that the hotel offers to its guests like darts, tennis, mountain bikes or just relax in the garden,whilst your scrumptious dinner with traditional favourites is being prepared.

Day Three

  • After breakfast hop onto your kombi for another 2hour drive to Sodwana.  Drive through Hluhluwe which will be your first stop of your journey.
  • Drive to the beautiful well kept ,not populated part of Zululand called Mbazwana.  See the real beauty of Zululand with a small population of both Black & Whites living harmoniously in one village.Experience,smell and feel the freshnes, & simplicity that nature has to offer.
  • Enjoy the warm,clean beaches and their unique traditional way of fishing.  Have traditional fish dishes as your lunch before you get to drive to the homestead.
  • Spend your third night back at the Ghost Mountain Inn,ending your day with an evening leisurely drive to the Lebomobo mountain -3hours.
  • Have an early night as you prepare for a 3-4hr drive to the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma next day.

Day Four

  • An early morning drive to Nongoma, home to the Zulu monarchy King Goodwill Zwelithini.  Derived from a name ‘ngoma’ meaning a song, Nongoma was established in 1838.
  • Here you get to see the King’s Palace,though not inside for security reasons.
  • If you book travel during the Zulu Reed dance ceremony (September) you’ll get to attend this prestigious centuries old tradition,taking place at the royal palace.
  • The tradition consists of young virgin girls who spend months and months of preparation for the event.  A song filled ceremony,with each & every girl cutting and collecting her own reed.  They are led by Zulu princesses,dressed in colourful traditional attires and proceed to present their reeds to the King.  Laying the reeds on the King’s feet symbolizes respect for the Zulu culture.
  • The reed dance is an opportunity for young girls to learn how to behave as women,promoting celibacy until marriage & respect for their bodies.  The girls get an opportunity to discuss social issues such as HIV and teen pregnancy.
  • After the ceremony,you are then taken to your last night’s accommodation-Shakaland.
  • Shakaland is a hotel with beehive huts, each equipped with own bathroom.Here you get to relive the excitement and the romance of Shaka, King of Zulus.

Day Five

  • A morning drive back to Johannesburg on your last day in KZN cannot be one without activities,as we know you’ll be yearning for more of what Zululand has to offer.
  • End your tour with a three hour Nandi experience tour.This includes visiting King Shaka’s kraal, overlooking the gorgeous Phobane lake,with some time to buy weaved baskets, mats and craft.
  • Make your way back to Johannesburg on a different route-the N3 taking you to another exciting,thrilling drive through Kwa Zulu Natal.

It’s one tour-but you get to see and enjoy the North, East and Western Kwa Zulu Natal.