Incredible KwaZulu Natal Collage

Fly from Johannesburg to Durban, pick up your hire car and drive yourself to the scenic foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains and The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse.

Enjoy two nights in this charming and cosy accommodation, situated next to the Giants Castle Nature Reserve. Take a hike or go horseback riding in this dramatic mountain region and keep your eyes peeled if you're a birder: the area is a good birdwatching destination.

There'll be plenty of time to relax at the farmhouse: settle into a hammock in the garden with a book or take a cooking class - Cleopatra is well-known for excellent cuisine and award-winning chefs.

Drive to northern KwaZulu Natal and into the evocative Battlefields Region - your accommodation is the simple yet elegant Fugitives' Drift Lodge. Set on a hillside, the lodge has stunning views of the Buffalo River Gorge and the plains beyond.

Re-live the past during a tour of the local battlefields: events from the Anglo-Zulu War are narrated to you in gripping, emotional detail. Hear the famous story of Rorke's Drift, as you stand on the very ground where the fierce battle took place.

You'll also get a chance to explore the nearby Buffalo River where the birdlife is particularly good and a variety of animals such as giraffe and zebra have been reintroduced into a local nature reserve.

Today you'll head to Rocktail Beach Camp, a tranquil lodge on a remote beach tucked away in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve.

Explore the marine reserve on diving and snorkelling excursions - you'll even have the chance to spot turtles, sharks and manta rays besides all the other colourful fish. Back on dry land you can relax and socialise with the other guests by the large swimming pool or embark on a trip to Black Rock, a 60-foot fossilised sand dune.

Make your way after breakfast on the coast to the stunningly scenic Phinda Forest Lodge, located in the extraordinary Phinda Resource Reserve. Set off on exciting game drives in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle and an experienced ranger - it's a reserve packed with wildlife and you have a good chance of spotting Africa's Big 5 as well as many other classic African animals.

You can also go on guided nature walks and learn about local folklore and the traditional uses of indigenous plants. The walks are led by an armed ranger and tracker who will help you identify animal spoor and rare birds. Birders should also note that Phinda is one of South Africa's top bird watching destinations.

Say goodbye to the Phinda Game Reserve after one final safari activity and drive down the coast to Durban. Your tour ends once you drop off your hire car at the airport.