Umgeni River

Depart from Durban and travel to the Natal Midlands. Stop at Howick Falls, a 95-meter waterfall that plunges into the Umgeni River below. The area is rich in natural beauty and local legends, making it a popular spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Proceed to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. A tour of the Nelson Mandela Capture Site offers a poignant journey into South Africa’s history, marking the spot where Mandela was arrested in 1962 before his 27 years of imprisonment. Located near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, the site features an impressive outdoor sculpture of Mandela's face, made from 50 steel columns that align to form his profile as you approach. The on-site museum tells the story of Mandela’s life, his fight for freedom, and the significance of his arrest in the larger struggle against apartheid. Head to the Drakensberg mountains for a hike. Hiking in the Drakensberg offers an unforgettable journey through South Africa’s most dramatic mountain range. With towering peaks, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls, the Drakensberg presents a hiker's paradise. Trails range from easy walks through wildflower-filled meadows to challenging routes that lead to breathtaking viewpoints. Along the way, encounter diverse wildlife, and stunning panoramic views, all while being immersed in the rugged beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After hiking, take a lunch break, own expense, before commencing with journey back to Durban arriving at around 6 PM.

Get picked up bright and early at your hotel at 6am and start your trip toward the mountains. Make your way to Kamberg, part of the Northern Drakensberg mountain range and home to the Rosetta Stone of SAN (Bushman) rock art. Upon arrival, meet your anthropologist guide, Dr Jeremy Hollmann, a specialist in early civilisation rock art in Southern Africa, and watch an introductory video to understand the context of the people who inhabited this area. Then, follow Dr. Hollmann through the rugged terrain all the way up to Game Pass Shelter where he will delve deeper into the anthropology of the San people. There are several spots along the way which he will bring to life with historical anecdotes and anthropological theories. At Game Pass Shelter, take in the mystery of Bushman rock art, and explore theories and beliefs that underpin the art and culture of the San/Bushmen of Southern Africa. Tuck into lunch at the Nottingham Road Brewery (at your own expense), and try out the local craft beer, if you like. Thereafter, continue along the Midlands Meander and visit the internationally acclaimed Ardmore Ceramics. Watch the ceramicists at work when the studios are open, and maybe even buy a keepsake. Your penultimate stop is at the iconic Nelson Mandela Capture Site for a peek into South Africa's notorious history and a bucket list photograph. Finish your tour witnessing the water gushing or trickling down (depending on the time of year) at Howick Falls as it flows into the Umgeni River. Finally, head back to Durban with your expected time of arrival set for 7pm.

The tour departs from Durban at 7am and head off to the small town of Howick to visit its waterfall. Howick Falls is approximately 95 m in height and lies on the Umgeni River. The local Zulu people named it the “Home of the Tall” referring to its height. Next to the falls lies a quaint old section of Howick which has a selection of historical museums and antique stores to visit. Next is the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Capture Site boasts a large sculpture of Nelson Mandela made up of multiple steel columns which stand between 6 and 9 meters tall. The approach to the site leads one down a path towards the sculpture where, at 35 meters away, a portrait of Nelson Mandela, looking west, comes into focus. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid government. From Nelson Mandela Capture Site we visit Phezulu Safari Park to experience a 4x4 Game Drive. We get to see a large number of animals including the giraffes, zebras, kudus, impalas, and many more.

Your tour starts off with a visit to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal. There you will stop at Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, which claims to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere. Visit the Gandhi statue before heading towards the Drakensberg mountains. Your main stop is Kamberg Nature Reserve which forms part of the Maloti- Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site and is situated centrally in the foothills of the mountains. The reserve was proclaimed in 1951 and is 6,300 ha in extent. This reserve is particularly scenic, with many walks throughout the area. The natural landscape has many rock shelters, containing San rock paintings. These were created by the San people over a period of at least 4,000 years. The rock paintings are outstanding in quality and diversity representing the spiritual life of the San people who no longer live in the region. From there, head to the small town of Howick and visit its waterfall. Howick Falls is approximately 95m high and lies on the Umgeni River. The Zulu people called the falls KwaNogqaza, which means "Place of the Tall One".   We visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Nelson Mandela sculpture comprises of 50 steel column constructions – each between 6.5m and 9.5m tall – set into the Midlands landscape. The approach to the site leads you down a path towards the sculpture where, at 35 meters, a portrait of Nelson Mandela, looking west, comes into focus. The 50 linear vertical units, line up to create the illusion of a flat image. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid.

The tour starts off with a visit to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal. Stop at Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, which claims to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere. Visit the Gandhi statue also before heading towards the Drakensberg mountains and Giants Castle Reserve. Giant's Castle is situated on a grassy plateau among the deep valleys running down from the face of the High Drakensberg, offering glorious views. At Giants Castle reserve, there is a large sandstone cave containing prehistoric San rock art. The San and Khoekhoe people were hunters and gatherers who roamed South Africa for thousands of years. This cave is one of the biggest and best-preserved painted sites in southern Africa. This cave is an easy 30 minutes’ walk from the camp office and regular guided tours are taken through this unique exhibition. A visit to Giant's Castle offers the privilege of entering the world of the San as well as the opportunity to study a varied and exciting range of habitats. From there, head to the small town of Howick and visit its waterfall. Howick Falls is approximately 95m in height and lies on the Umgeni River. The Zulu people called the falls KwaNogqaza, which means "Place of the Tall One".   Then visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Nelson Mandela sculpture comprises of 50 steel column constructions, each between 6.5m and 9.5m tall, set into the Midlands landscape. The approach to the site leads you down a path towards the sculpture where, at 35 meters, a portrait of Nelson Mandela, looking west, comes into focus. The 50 linear vertical units, line up to create the illusion of a flat image. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid. After the tour, head back to Durban by late afternoon.

Depart from Durban at 7.30am and head off to Howick Falls, then to Mandela Capture Site. Finally we go to the Drakensberg where we also do some hiking. Drakensberg Mountains A full-day tour of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa offers a stunning adventure with breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. The Drakensberg, also known as the Dragon Mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and diverse flora and fauna. You will go hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains. Nelson Mandela Capture Site The site features an exhibition center that provides information about Mandela's life, the history of apartheid, and the struggle for freedom in South Africa. The Nelson Mandela Capture Site is an important historical and cultural landmark, attracting visitors interested in learning more about South Africa's journey to democracy and Mandela's role in that process. The capture site is marked by a sculpture known as "Release," which was unveiled on August 5, 2012, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Mandela's capture. The sculpture is a representation of Mandela's face, created by artist Marco Cianfanelli. The unique aspect of the sculpture is that it appears as a collection of vertical bars from a distance, but as you approach, the features of Mandela's face become visible. Howick Falls Howick Falls is a waterfall located in the town of Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The falls are situated on the Umgeni River and are approximately 95 meters (311 feet) in height. Howick Falls is a popular natural attraction and is known for its scenic beauty. The falls are surrounded by lush greenery and provide a picturesque setting. The area around Howick Falls also has cultural and historical significance.