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Kwazulu-Natal Beer & Big 5

Experience the scenic splendour of the Zulu Kingdom, its wildlife abundance, its rich cultural heritage and its warm hospitality by way of the congenial micro breweries.

 

Durban/Beach/Drakensberg/Zululand &Game Reserves

 

 

9 day/ 8 night Group or Self Drive Hotel Tour

 

DAY 1 DURBAN

 

Arrive in Durban, gateway to the Kingdom of the Zulu – a region rich in culture, history, scenery, and wildlife. If a group tour, your guide will meet you at the airport, and after checking into your hotel – some time to refresh and relax, a short city tour of this subtropical melting pot of African, Indian and European cultures washed by the warm waters of the Indian ocean. South Africa’s largest harbour city, Durban is also its premier coastal resort. After the tour we proceed directly to the Pavillion shopping centre in a suburb known as Westville, where the Firkin Hophouse Brewery and Pub is located. Besides the famous local brands such as Castle, Lion or Carling Black Label produced by South Africa’s largest national brewery, you can taste up to 4 different types of Firkin beer brewed right on the premises.

 

A full tour of the brewing process is available – the kettles being part of the pub – and then a hearty dinner (optional extra is eaten right there. The Firkin brewery has an excellent pub menu. Afterwards, we return to your hotel. Overnight at the TROPICANA Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis situated in the heart of Durban’s golden mile on the beachfront.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 2 DURBAN to WARTBURG

After breakfast we proceed to either the National Sorghum Brewers in Durban, the largest sorghum brewery in the southern hemisphere.(Here the traditional African wheat/maize beer (UTSHWALA) is brewed and distributed throughout the city. It only has a short shelf life, fermenting in the containers during distribution and retailing, though a "long life" brand has recently also been launched.) – Alternatively we visit South African breweries, one of the largest brewers in the world!

Thereafter we depart Durban and continue to Wartburg, a small farming town about an hour’s drive outside of Durban, heading towards the Drakensberg mountains.

 

 

Wartburg, named after the famous German castle in Eisenbach where Dr Martin Luther translated the bible into German, was founded by German settlers, and our hotel for the night is reminiscent of a small piece of Bavaria in Africa! Even the owner and brewer is a German, who takes great pride is his hospitality, cuisine, and of course brew – fully compliant with the strict German Reinheitsgebot for purity in beers!

Overnight at the congenial WARTBURGER HOF HOTEL on a bed and breakfast basis.

 

 

DAY 3 WARTBURG to DRAKENSBERG

 

After breakfast we depart Wartburg and travel through the Midlands to Howick Falls for a brief stop. Here the Umgeni river tumbles nearly 100 metres down the gorge Then it is on to the Southern Drakensberg mountains, and after about 2 hours we reach the DRAKENSBERG GARDENS HOTEL, where we overnight on a bed and breakfast basis. The area is renowned for golf, its trout dams , fishing, hiking ,horse riding and the famous Sani Pass into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho nearby. Relax in the tranquil mountain scenery.

 

After breakfast we depart for a steep incline 4x4 tour of Sani Pass, the gateway to the roof of Africa and home to the Basotho people. Thankfully, on the summit, the highest pub in Africa offers cold beers with a light lunch (lunch included), whereafter we return to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery, and sampling other local beers, like Windhoek Lager or Hansa Beer from the desert based Namibian breweries. Overnight again DRAKENSBERG GARDENS Hotel, bed & breakfast.

 

Following a leisurely breakfast we continue to Rawdons Estate after a brief stop at the spot where Nelson Mandela was captured prior to his 27 year imprisonment. There are also other worthwhile stops along what has become known as the Midlands Meander – a cottage craft experience. Once at Rawdons, we check into this quaint country Inn, home of the famous Nottingham Road Brewery – typical of the English tradition and influence in South Africa, offering visitors a wide range of lagers and traditional ales. A short tour of the Brewery includes the excellent souvenir shop where all sorts of Beer kit can be purchased. Close to the hotel is also a typically Austrian pub, the Bierfassl, which would make a great optional lunch stop for the energetic. Alternatively enjoy the tranquillity of the trout dams and scenic rolling hills while enjoying a couple of great pints of Nottingham brew in the character Boar’s Head hotel pub. Relax in the afternoon at the Rawdon Estate, going on to a delectable dinner in their excellent restaurant (not included).

Overnight at RAWDONS ESTATE on a bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast we depart for a leisurely drive along the Midlands Meander visiting the local arts and crafts including cheese, leather and other handicraft centres

After breakfast continue through towards Mooi River, and then on to Dundee, where we visit another sorghum brewer to view the plant. If possible, a visit to a local eating & drinking house can sometimes be undertaken, sharing the traditional drink with local Zulu’s. Thereafter continue to the Farmers Brewery near Hattingspruit, where a local farmer and industrialist has built a huge brewery and restaurant in the middle of nowhere! The present Zulu brew master mastered the art of brewing beer in Germany. After checking into our nearby accommodation for the night, we return for dinner (not included) with a traditional German menu, sampling beers like "Octoberfest". They also brew a double strong traditional German black beer known as "BOCK BIER". We overnight at the OLD SCHOOL GUEST HOUSE on a bed and breakfast basis.

 

After an early breakfast we travel back towards the north coast. (An OPTIONAL ADD ON DAY can be included here for a night visiting the Anglo Boer/ Anglo Zulu battlefields sights such as Rorkes Drift and Isandhlwana.) A 4 hour journey takes us to the region of Eshowe, where we first visit the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk, a scenic viewing platform high up in the trees. We then proceed to the old British Fort with its colonial era museum, before having lunch (not included) at the local Hotel, home of the Zululand Brewing company. We sample their beers, thereafter proceeding to the nearby harbour town of Richards bay for overnight at the RICHARDS Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis, with a visit to the Tuzi-Gazi Waterfront where congenial local pubs and restaurants offer another chance to taste the local brew – why not Bavaria or DAS Pilsener for a change?

 

After breakfast we depart for an hours trip to the southern gate of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, well known for its White Rhino’s, but also other abundance of game. We visit the Centenary and Game Capture Centre, and then spend the rest of the day game viewing in search of the Big 5! Lunch (extra) is at Hilltop Camp where we also have a chance to purchase souvenirs, and late in the afternoon we then depart through the northern Memorial gate to proceed to BUSHLANDS GAME LODGE with its boardwalk linked rooms on stilts set in a sub-tropical forest, where our farewell dinner awaits us around the fireside in an open African Boma.

DAY 9 ZULULAND to DURBAN

 

After early morning coffee at the lodge will take you on an open vehicle safari game drive back to Hluhluwe Game Reserve, a second chance to spot the BIG FIVE ! Thereafter we return for brunch at the lodge, before proceeding to enjoy a Zulu Cultural experience at DUMAZULU. We then return to Durban in the afternoon, arriving approximately 3 hours later around 5 pm.

Porterage

Bed and breakfast throughout except for the last night at Bushlands where it also includes dinner, as well as a light lunch on day 4 on top of Sani Pass

Bilingual guide (English & German) throughout on the Group Tour

1 Beer tasting per Microbrewery stop

The tour of, and lunch at Sani Pass

Entrance fee for the Aerial Boardwalk

Open vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe.

Game reserve entrance fees

Dumazulu cultural experience

In the case of a group tour, transport in airconditioned microbuses

In the case of a self drive, car hire Group B on an unlimited kms basis with super cover

 

Meals and serviced not indicated in the itinerary

Drinks and items of a personal nature

Guide and drivers gratuities.