Durban

Diverse cultural influences from Asia, Africa and Europe have each contributed to Durban's development and unique character. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this sub-tropical city from the comfort of an air-conditioned motor coach.

Follow the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment, passing the Vasco Da Gama Clock, the Dick King Statue, the imposing Durban Club and the Yacht Club en-route, reaching Currie Hill, stopping briefly to take in the panoramic views of the City.

Continue onto the Durban Botanical Gardens to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens, which house a wide variety of local flora. Drive past the Old Market Square, which represent the City Hall in Belfast and serves as Durban's municipal offices. Glimpse the Natural History Museum and Post Office before continuing past the Old Inland Revenue Building and Reserve Bank, before driving to the Moses Mabhida Stadium for a photo stop.

Pass by the Juma Mosque, which is reputedly the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and is famous for its massive golden dome and turrets.

Tala Private Game Reserve spans more than 7,000 acres. Located 1¼ hours’ drive from Durban, Tala is where you may be lucky enough to catch sight of big game such as rhino, kudu, hippo, and giraffe. You will perhaps see some of the 16 species of antelope, including the rare Sable Antelope.

Relax with welcoming refreshments and soak up the views from the open veranda before your adventure begins.

During your game drive, travel in open vehicles with experienced game rangers, who will provide information on the animals and give you an insight into this exciting area.

Journey to the Valley of a Thousand Hills to see modern and olden day African tribal cultures in the traditional and spectacular homeland of the Zulu. First shaped by the flow of the great Mgeni River, then by the culture of the Zulu tribes, and finally by the coming of European man, the Zulu drum still beats in these hills.

Phezulu, a recreated Zulu village, is a ‘must-see’, where you can enjoy a small taste of Africa. Dancing and singing are important parts of the Zulu culture and you’ll get a feel for their power as you watch a spirited display of traditional tribal dancing, complete with beating drums and Zulu dress. Afterwards, explore the Zulu cultural huts and gain fascinating glimpses into African tribal culture.

Become introduced to Phezulu’s impressive reptile park. Take home vivid images of Africa’s most renowned snakes and learn more about the country’s crocodiles.

Tea, coffee and refreshments will be served during the tour and there will be time to browse through the curio shop for Zulu crafts and souvenirs.

Shakaland began life as a film set for the television epic ‘Shaka Zulu’ and is the largest operation where one can experience the traditional Zulu lifestyle, at a recreated Zulu village. Upon arrival at Shakaland, you are invited to join the Nandi experience. Re-live the excitement and romance of the days of King Shaka, the King of the Zulus, in this authentic recreation of the Great Kraal, overlooking the Umhlatuze Lake in the heart of Zululand.

Experience the fascinating rituals and the intriguing customs and beliefs that form the fabric of Zulu life. Walk through the village and see displays of Zulu women creating beadworks, weaving mats, sculpting pottery, baking bread and even brewing beer. Zulu men show you how to make spears and shields and build a hut. Zulu dancers perform rhythmic drum dances and tribal members recreate a ritual by the Sangoma traditional healer.

This tour will also include a short audio-visual presentation and time at leisure to visit the curio shop.

A traditional buffet lunch will be served in the Kwabonamanzi Restaurant overlooking the Umhlatuze Lake.

In the heart of the Natal Midlands is Howick, where you will find the magnificent Howick Falls, a fantastic display of over 300 feet, almost in the centre of the picturesque town itself. Known to the Zulu people as KwaNogqaza - Place of the Tall One - the Falls were first seen by European adventurers in the early 19th century.

Lunch will be served at the Granny Mouse Country House and includes a choice of house wine or a soft drink.

In 1985 Fèe Halsted-Berning lived on the farm, Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. Her first art student was Bonnie Ntshalintshali whose natural aptitude for ceramic art soon attracted other students. This led to the creation of Ardmore Lavendula, the largest ceramic art studio in South Africa, situated close to Nottingham Road and Mooi River. The large group of sculptors and painters who produce ceramics under the Ardmore label amply demonstrate the diversity of talents that has emerged under Fèe's tuition. There will be time to visit the ceramic shop to see some of the prestigious handcrafted designs.

Follow the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment and pass by the Juma Mosque, famous for its massive golden dome and turrets. Continue, north up the coast to Ballito, a small holiday town located 25 miles north of Durban, that was originally a sugarcane farm. This stretch of the North Coast shoreline is known as the Dolphin Coast and sightings are commonplace, but not guaranteed.

Umhlanga Rocks is situated just north of the vibrant city of Durban on the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and has the fantastic accommodation, up-market office parks and shopping centres. The golden sandy beaches stretch northwards for more than 125 miles, all the way to the spectacular world heritage site, Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Inland from Umhlanga, endless fields of sugarcane give way to the tumbling area of the 1000 Hills, the massive Inanda Dam and mystical hidden valleys of Zululand.

Visit a local hotel for high tea before departing back to Durban, stopping briefly at Currie Hill to take in the panoramic views of the city including the Old Market Square, representing the City Hall in Belfast and serving as Durban’s municipal offices. Glimpse the Natural History Museum and Post Office before continuing past the Old Inland Revenue Building and Reserve Bank.

The Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of indigenous raptors and is the base to ongoing research, breeding and rehabilitation projects for birds of prey. The majority of these projects run ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure that the integrity of the wild birds is not compromised and that a high release success rate is achieved.

The Sanctuary is also home to a wide selection of captive-bred or ‘non-releasable rehabilitation’ birds of prey. These raptors can be viewed in their ‘micro-environment’ enclosures by anyone who wishes to visit and learn about South Africa’s magnificent aerial predators. Education and awareness is paramount to the effective conservation of our environment and its creatures. To facilitate this, a specially trained group of raptors are flown in daily flight displays. These demonstrations allow the raptors themselves to become both teachers and ambassadors for their wild counterparts, so that members of the public can experience these normally rare and elusive birds first hand.

Before the return drive, enjoy refreshments of tea, coffee and scones in the Sanctuary coffee shop and time to browse the curio shop and art gallery.