KZN: A Tentative Plan for 8-10 days
 

After 10 days in the Kruger area concessions, we plan to fly to Durban, overnight and rent a car. Then we'd drive northwest to the northern Drakensbergs around Bergville (and stay in Craven Resort or Montusi) for two nights and just relax, go for gentle hikes. Then drive to Babanango and stay one or two nights. Then drive up to Leopard Mountain Lodge where we'd stay two maybe three nights (two may be enough since we'd have already done 8 or 9 safari nights) then drive to Thonga for a three night beach stay. After the beach, drive to Richard's Bay, dump car and fly to JoBerg and home to LA. Good maps are hard to come by and point to point directions from different sites have different interpretations of times and distances. We do not want to drive more than four hours in any one day. So how does this plan sound? Any better alternatives?
Thanks

Ask the resorts how far they are from Durban, and for directions.

We had better luck with times/distances using websites than asking S Africans. I think they drive much faster than we were comfortable with. Plus, the potholes (not really potholes, but really bad roads!!) slowed us down sometimes. And we were very cautious when there were children and/or livestock on the shoulder - very common - so just give yourself lots of extra time so you can drive at a pace you are comfortable with and during the day. And watch out for the speed bumps!! There were some doozies on the road from Leopard Mtn to the coast.

Have you considered visiting Hluhluwe National Park? It is beautiful, and is the sole reason why we still have rhinos. Hilltop Camp is very nice. Although the website is AWFUL, look into kznwild.com for info - they have great hikes available if you want something different!!

Have fun planning!!

Personally, with your time already spent on safari earlier in the trip, I may opt for 5 nights at Thonga and skipping Leopard Mountain...only do Leopard Mountain if you are willing to stay for 3 nights...2 nights seems pretty abrupt and 3 nights at Thonga seems pretty rushed.

I'll be doing 3 nights at Leopard Mountain arriving on June 04th but I don't know if I'd be doing KZN safaris had I aready done 9 nights in the Kruger area concessions.

Maybe in place of another pure safari, a place like Isibindi Zulu Lodge, mixing culture with safari (non-predator concession) would fit well? But, what I do like about Leopard Mountain are the different activities available including the "Touch An Elephant" activity, although two nights wouldn't offer much time for activities.

Back from a brief time away. Isibindi Zulu Lodge looks promising. I am writing to them. Does anyone know if weather is any different in early August to late August to early September?

Robbie,

Given each Isibindi Zulu Lodge and Thonga Beach lodge are the same company, you should be able to get a good deal. Maybe 7 nights for the price of 6, or at least some free options thrown in.