South Africa - 9-day KwaZulu Natal Safari Drakensberg, Nambiti & Babanango - Tailored Driven

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South Africa – 9-day KwaZulu Natal Safari Drakensberg, Nambiti & Babanango- Tailored Driven

9 days / 8 nights
KwaZulu Natal Midlands • Nambiti Game Reserve • Babanango Game Reserve

Country

South Africa

Duration

9 days

Highlights

KwaZulu Natal Midlands

Nambiti Game Reserve

Babanango Game Reserve

Rated 4.9/5

See reviews

South Africa – 9-day KwaZulu Natal Safari Drakensberg, Nambiti & Babanango- Tailored Driven

From $1,925
The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Valley Lodge
The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
Babanango Valley Lodge
Babanango Valley Lodge

Includes

Airport transfers and interlodge transfers
8 nights' accommodation on meal basis mentioned
2 daily, shared game drives at Springbok Lodge & Babanango Valley
Park fees

Excludes

Flights
Drinks
Activities at Antbear
Gratuities - we recommend ZAR 180 per person/day per guide and for lodge staff
Entry visa
Travel insurance
Increase in government tax, park fees and forced fuel supplements

Itinerary

KwaZulu Natal Midlands, South Africa

Located in the heart of the South African Province of KwaZulu Natal, the Midlands form the temperate zone between the subtropical coast and the Drakensberg Mountains. A favourite destination of the early colonial settlers, their mark still remains in the names and the area’s agricultural legacy. A popular tourist route,’The Midlands Meander’ traverses this spectacularly scenic region. Visitors can choose from a range of accommodation options, sample incredible cuisine, explore the famed battlefields and historic landmarks, enjoy a variety of thrilling adventure activities and visit numerous arts and crafts shops which sell locally-made goods. Highlights include the impressive Howick Falls, the Zulu Mpophomeni Township Experience, and the majestic Drakensberg Mountains.
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
  • Antbear Eco Lodge

    Day 1 - 4

    Antbear Eco Lodge offers affordable accommodation in the Drakensberg Mountains. The property's cottages are smartly appointed and individually designed. Each of the accommodation units are different and decorated with uniquely eccentric and artistic wooden furniture. All guest rooms are comfortable and equipped with fireplaces, hairdryers, tea and coffee trays, and mini-fridges. The lodge is artistic in style and offers two lounges, a wine cellar, a small bar and a dining room.
    Antbear Eco Lodge
    Antbear Eco Lodge
    Antbear Eco Lodge
    Antbear Eco Lodge

Day 1

Day Notes:

Upon landing at Durban Airport, you will be met and transferred to Antbear Eco Lodge in Kwazulu Natal Midlands, where you will stay for the next 3 nights. Settle in and take in your new surroundings before enjoying dinner.

  • Meet & Greet

  • Transfer from King Shaka International Airport [DUR] to Antbear Eco Lodge

  • Check-in to Antbear Eco Lodge

Day 2 - 3

Day Notes:

Kwazulu Natal Midlands is situated at the confluence of the Bushmans and Little Bushmans Rivers, and is known as a gateway to the Giant's Castle region of the Drakensberg and the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields. There are many activities that you can partake in, and guided tours are highly recommended. Options include visiting  the Wagendrift Nature Reserve, and the Thukela Biosphere.

  • KwaZulu Natal Battlefields

  • Thukela Heights Battlefield (1900)

Nambiti Game Reserve, South Africa

Located between the cities of Johannesburg and Durban in northeastern South Africa, the Nambiti Private Game Reserve is the ultimate escape, offering the Big 5 in a malaria-free region in the heart of KwaZulu Natal. The world-famous elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino and over 40 other animal species roam these reclaimed farms in the heart of the Battlefields area. The reserve boasts a biodiverse landscape featuring riverine scrub, vast savannah, grasslands and thornveld. Visitors can look forward to excellent wildlife viewing, bird watching, swimming, game drives and stargazing in the beautiful African night sky.
Nambiti Game Reserve
Nambiti Game Reserve
Nambiti Game Reserve
Nambiti Game Reserve
Nambiti Game Reserve
Nambiti Game Reserve
  • The Springbok Lodge Nambiti

    Day 4 - 7

    Our Lodge is situated in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve in KZN, a private conservancy offering 22 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld. The Reserve is home to the Big 5, incl Cheetah, Hippo and over 30 species of plains game. Nature lovers will enjoy the area's biodiversity, Thornveld and majestic Acacia trees complementing grasslands which mirror the plains of Central Africa. The perennial rivers, beautiful waterfall and cascades on the Sundays River makes for a unique sanctuary, attracting several rare bird species and an enviable array of raptors and vultures.
    The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
    The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
    The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
    The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
    The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
    The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
    +2

Day 4

Day Notes:

After breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to Springbok Lodge in the Nambiti Game Reserve, where you will spend the next 3 nights on safari. Once you have settled in, you will go on a shared afternoon game drive.

  • Check-out from Antbear Eco Lodge

  • Transfer from Antbear Eco Lodge to The Springbok Lodge Nambiti

  • Check-in to The Springbok Lodge Nambiti

  • Shared afternoon game drive

Day 5 - 6

Day Notes:

The morning game drive starts at sunrise. You will be woken up before sunrise for tea and coffee before the game drive starts. Then you are off for 3 hours to find as many animals as possible before they all find trees to hide under in the heat of the day.

When the game drive returns to the lodge, you will be served a big cooked breakfast and have time to relax. You can sit by the pool, read a book, take a nap and just absorb being out in the bush.

The afternoon game drive will start around 16:00, after high tea. It will last for +-3 hours, with a stop somewhere for sundowners. You will return to the lodge in the dark, with a spotlight to look for nocturnal animal.

  • Shared morning and afternoon game drive

Babanango Game Reserve, South Africa

Set on the White Umfolozi River in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, Babanango Game Reserve is a malaria-free game reserve home to an array of African wildlife. The reserve stretches for 22 hectares over the beautiful Babanango Valley in Zululand and featuring pristine coastline, grasslands, rolling hills, lush forests, rivers, and mangrove swamps. It is home to three lodges: the Valley Lodge, the Zulu Rock Lodge and the Matatane Camp, all of which offer incredible accommodation options for visitors. This bush lover’s paradise allows visitors the opportunity to spot a variety of free-roaming game species including buffalo, giraffe, hyena and zebra, rhino and over 283 bird species. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities such as birding, game drives, hiking and mountain biking.
Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Game Reserve
+18
  • Babanango Valley Lodge

    Day 7 - 9

    Nestled in the southern reaches of Babanango Game Reserve, Valley Lodge offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by the beauty of a restored wilderness. Set within indigenous gardens designed by renowned horticulturalist Chris Dalzell, the lodge combines contemporary comfort with the charm of a traditional homestead setting.
    Babanango Valley Lodge
    Babanango Valley Lodge
    Babanango Valley Lodge
    Babanango Valley Lodge
    Babanango Valley Lodge
    Babanango Valley Lodge
    +36

Day 7

Day Notes:

After your shared morning game drive and breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to Babanango Valley Lodge, situated in Babanango Game Reserve. Once you have checked in, you will enjoy a shared afternoon game drive looking for animals in this new area.

  • Shared morning game drive

  • Check-out from The Springbok Lodge Nambiti

  • Transfer from The Springbok Lodge Nambiti to Babanango Valley Lodge

  • Check-in to Babanango Valley Lodge

  • Shared afternoon game drive

Day 8

Day Notes:

You will go out on a shared morning game drive for approximately 3 hour. 

When you return to the lodge, you will be served a big cooked breakfast and have time to relax. You can sit by the pool, read a book, take a nap and just absorb being out in the bush, after which the afternoon game drive will start with a stop somewhere for sundowners. You will return to the lodge for dinner.

  • Shared morning and afternoon game drive

Day 9

  • Shared morning game drive

  • Check-out from Babanango Valley Lodge

  • Transfer from Babanango Valley Lodge to King Shaka International Airport [DUR]

End of Itinerary

Destinations

KwaZulu Natal Midlands
South Africa
Day 1-2

KwaZulu Natal Midlands

Located in the heart of the South African Province of KwaZulu Natal, the Midlands form the temperate zone between the subtropical coast and the Drakensberg Mountains.
Nambiti Game Reserve
South Africa
Day 4-5

Nambiti Game Reserve

Located between the cities of Johannesburg and Durban in northeastern South Africa, the Nambiti Private Game Reserve is the ultimate escape, offering the Big 5 in a malaria-free region in the heart of KwaZulu Natal.
Babanango Game Reserve
South Africa
Day 7-8

Babanango Game Reserve

Set on the White Umfolozi River in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, Babanango Game Reserve is a malaria-free game reserve home to an array of African wildlife.

Accommodations

Antbear Eco Lodge
KwaZulu Natal Midlands
Day 1-4

Antbear Eco Lodge

Antbear Eco Lodge offers affordable accommodation in the Drakensberg Mountains.
The Springbok Lodge Nambiti
Nambiti Game Reserve
Day 4-7

The Springbok Lodge Nambiti

Our Lodge is situated in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve in KZN, a private conservancy offering 22 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld.
Babanango Valley Lodge
Babanango Game Reserve
Day 7-9

Babanango Valley Lodge

Nestled in the southern reaches of Babanango Game Reserve, Valley Lodge offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by the beauty of a restored wilderness.

7-22 April, 27-29 April, 3 May-11 June, 16-25 June, 20 July-6 August, 10 August-22 September, 27 September-1 October, 12-30 October-8 December 2026

INCLUDES 50% OFF ON 3RD NIGHT AT SPRINGBOK LODGE

  • Per person sharing: ZAR 40,850
  • Single traveller: ZAR 50,500
  • Solo traveller: ZAR 59,810
  • Per child 4-11 years, sharing with two adults: ZAR 30,905

  • Supplement for Zulu Rock Lodge at Babanango: ZAR 500

  • Supplement for Mountain Suite/Cave at Antbear: ZAR 2,350

23-26 April, 30 April - 2 May, 12-15 June, 26 June - 19 July, 7-9 August, 23-26 September, 2-11 October 2026

  • Per person sharing: ZAR 42,740
  • Single traveller: ZAR 53,565
  • Solo traveller: ZAR 63,010
  • Per child 4-11 years, sharing with two adults: ZAR 31,805

  • Supplement for Zulu Rock Lodge at Babanango: ZAR 500

  • Supplement for Mountain Suite/Cave at Antbear: ZAR 2,250

 

South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal Bush and Beach

There are only positive things to say about our trip to Rhino lodge and St Lucia: the accommodation was top quality, great food, a very well organised trip and the staff were very helpful.
We saw rhinos, some lions, wild dogs, plenty of different antelope. Plus giraffes, which we got to walk amongst in the veld.
Overall, it was a very special experience for my companions and myself.

Mark Harmer
Only Positives

South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal Safari

There are only positive things to say about our trip to Rhino lodge and St Lucia: the accommodation was top quality, great food, a very well organised trip and the staff were very helpful.
We saw rhinos, some lions, wild dogs, plenty of different antelope. Plus giraffes, which we got to walk amongst in the veld.
Overall, it was a very special experience for my companions and myself.

Mark Harmer
Amazing trip

Tailor Made Packages

I was impressed by how Indigo Safaris tailored our itinerary to match our interests. The guides were knowledgeable, and the wildlife sightings were phenomenal!

Manuel D.
Spain

Natasha Falcao Personalised Approach

Michele provided an exceptional safari experience, accommodating our needs and schedule perfectly.

I cannot recommend this operator highly enough. From the very beginning, Michele was extremely accommodating to our needs, ensuring that the program was tailored perfectly to our schedule and wishes. This personalized approach made our safari experience truly unforgettable.
The richness of background materials provided enhanced our understanding and enjoyment of the tour. We were well-informed about the places we would visit, transportation, and lodging.
Moreover, Michele was always within reach to clarify any questions or concerns we had. This level of accessibility and responsiveness made us feel supported and confident throughout the tour.

Natasha Falcao
Angola

Nicolaas van den Berg Custom Experience

The best ever

I contacted indigo safari about having a few days in safari and they definitely didn't waist any time got right to work 😑
Shannon is amazing and she really did great a wonderful experience custom made just for us because I have a few medical issues she worked around it and she delivered the best experience for me and my wife...Needless to say we are already booking with her again and can't wait to see what she comes up with next a big thanks to Shannon

Guests standing with Elephant on a sandy patch, sun shining from the left of them.
Nicolaas van den Berg
Canada

Peter L. Highly Recommended

From the moment we booked to the final day of our trip, everything was taken care of. The lodges were superb, and the safaris were out of this world. Highly recommended!

Peter L. United Kingdom
Supern Lodges