Durban is an intriguing cultural blend of East, West and Africa which with its endless summer climate, effervescent and luke warm ocean lined with golden beaches, offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere all year round. Our tour of this bustling metropolis, often called the 'Cultural Melting Pot' of South Africa, includes the Marine Parade (Golden Mile), the rickshaw pullers, Durban Harbour, Botanical Gardens and a glimpse into the Indian culture at the Indian market. A drive through the city centre with a final stop at one of our outstanding shopping malls completes our tour.

The Drakensberg is the country's grandest mountain range and at its highest where it forms the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. The name literally means 'Dragon' and it is derived from the breathtaking high jagged basalt cliffs bearing a similarity to the back of a dragon. The Zulu people call it the 'Ukhuhlamba', (Barrier of Spears). We explore this part of the mountain and drive up the Sani Pass, the highest and most challanging mountain pass in the country, with four wheel drive vehicles. We enter Lesotho, meet the local people and have lunch and drinks in the highest pub in Africa. This tour is designed for the person who has little time, but wishes to have an unforgettable experience of these mountains.

The Valley of a Thousand Hills is an exceptionally scenic hilly area west of Durban. This tour includes a drive through the wealthy Kloof area to the impressive Valley of a 1000 Hills where we introduce you to the age old Zulu traditions. Visit the Sangoma and enjoy the Zulu dancing and cutural demonstrations. We also visit a crocodile farm and snake park before returning to Durban.

The Banana Express is a vintage narrow gauge train pulled by a Garrat type steam engine and was used early this century to transport passengers, goods and farm produce from the South Coast to Durban and back. It had been restored and today it primarily runs as a tourist attraction for steam train lovers and others alike.

When Shaka Zulu became king of the Zulus in 1816, he created a highly efficient fighting force and through brilliant military strategy and leadership, he forged a great nation. Today the Zulus are the largest of South Africa's ethnic groups and with this tour, we give you an insight into their culture. We drive north past the sub-tropical coast and bushveld of Zululand. After a short stop in Eshowe, we depart for Shakaland where we have lunch and a demonstration of traditional dance styles and the Zulu social system.

The Drakensberg is the country's grandest mountain range and at its highest where it runs through KwaZulu-Natal. The name literally means 'Dragon' and it is derived from the breathtaking high jagged basalt cliffs bearing a similarity to the back of a dragon. The local Zulu people call it the 'Ukhulhamba' (Barrier of the Spears). In this tour we blend the sights of the mountain with a game park to see some of the wild animals found here when wildlife still roamed freely in the area. The tour is also designed for the person who wants the opportunity to explore the mountain on foot. We visit a cave with some of the best preserved ancient rock art in the country. We take leisurely walks around the Sentinel area and enjoy breathtaking views into the Amphitheatre. For those very energetic souls, a stiff walk and 100 metre chain ladder leads to the top of the mountain where you can watch the kilometre long Tugela Falls plummeting over basalt cliffs.

Northern KwaZulu-Natal has arguably the greatest diversity of habitats in South Africa. These include open bushveld, coastal dune forests, lakes, rivers, mangrove forests, subtropical marsh-lands and a magnificent coastline with endless, and in some areas completely deserted, sandy beaches. The animals found here range from the 'Big Five' to the shy nyala and the tiny suni as well as a prolific birdlife. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but also the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction. Today the park is the third largest in South Africa and the only reserve where you are virtually assured of good rhino sightings. We visit an authentic Zulu village for an insight into their culture and enjoy the energy of some tribal dancing.

The second morning we join a boat cruise on the Hluhluwe river where we see prolific birdlife and maybe even crocodile and hippo. After a final game drive we depart for Durban where we arrive late afternoon.

South Africa has a relatively short, volatile recorded history. The reasons for these battles were no different from any other wars which took place throughout the world then and even now; retaining or gaining of land ownership, fear of the enemy, greed, etc.

Some fierce battles were fought such as the battle of Isandlwana where Great Britain probably suffered its greatest defeat against indigenous army in its military history, Rorke's Drift where the most Victoria Cross medals for bravery were awarded, and the Battle of Spioenkop where the morning fog and a few miscalculations cost many of lives.

This tour covers the scenes a few of these famous battles fought between Zulu, Boer and British. Stories of exceptional bravery and wholesale slaughter are softly told in emotional voices. The eeriness one experiences at some battlefields are quite real and unnerving, turning the tour into an extraordinary event.

Northern KwaZulu-Natal has arguably the greatest diversity of habitats in South Africa. These include open bushveld, coastal dune forests, lakes, rivers, mangrove forests, subtropical marsh-lands and a magnificent coastline with endless, and in some areas completely deserted, sandy beaches. The animals found here range from the 'Big Five' to the shy nyala and the tiny suni as well as a prolific birdlife. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but also the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction. Today the park is the third largest in South Africa and the only reserve where you are virtually assured of good rhino sightings.

The region is also the home of the mighty Zulu's and tours SCDE and SCDW offer some insight into their age-old culture.

These tours are designed for the person who do not have much time, but would like to experience a part of the untamed African wilderness.

This tour combines the best wildlife and wilderness areas of South Africa blended with the rugged beauty so synonymous with the African continent. It incorporates the areas from the diverse KwaZulu-Natal with habitats such as lakes, rivers, dune forests, beaches, mangrove forests and subtropical vegetation to the Kingdom of Swaziland, one of only three sovereign Kingdoms in Africa, and Mpumalanga with mountains, valleys, waterfalls, pockets of primal forests. The famous Kruger National Park, covering around two million ha of African bushveld, is also situated here.

We visit The Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, as well as the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi park in KwaZulu-Natal which complement each other splendidly in terms of habitat and wildlife. Once you have been on this tour, you will return home with those memories of mystical Africa you came here for.

This tour offers a unique, unmatched wildlife experience and is designed for those who want to experience the real Africa. It includes three days of walking along the Eastern Shores of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (now proclaimed a world heritage site), and will take you through pristine wilderness areas, past the shores of Lake St Lucia. Our route takes us over some of the highest forested dunes in the world, on to vast stretches of deserted golden sandy beaches and real close to some of Africa's wild animals. You will discover the untouched, the primitive, the original wilderness in its awesome beauty and grandeur. The possibility of an unexpected encounter with a rhino, hippo or other big game adds to the adventure and excitement of exploring the wilderness on foot. After this great experience, our stop is a one day visit to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park to enjoy first world luxury again, then return to Durban after an unforgettable African experience.

The coastline between Durban and Cape Town encompasses a huge diversity of habitats. From the hilly grasslands with Xhosa huts dotted around the ridges, green valleys, crystal clear streams and wild unspoilt coastline of the Eastern Cape (the former homeland of Transkei), to the mountains, lakes, cliffs and dense indigenous forests of the Cape South Coast, aptly called the Garden Route, the natural beauty and lush vegetation will captivate even the well travelled.

The Art Capital of South Africa, Grahamstown, and the Addo National Elephant Park, a 50000 ha piece of evergreen bushveld supporting some 200 elephants, Cape buffalo and black rhino amongst other animals, are two highlights in the Eastern Region.

We also visit the semi-arid valley, called the Little Karoo. This region in turn offers natural wonders such as the Cango Caves and its ideal habitat for ostrich farming makes it the ostrich Mecca of the world. The tour ends in Cape Town.

Northern KwaZulu-Natal has arguably the greatest diversity of habitats in South Africa. These include open bushveld, coastal dune forests, lakes, rivers, mangrove forests, subtropical marsh-lands and a magnificent coastline with endless, and in some areas completely deserted, sandy beaches. The animals found here range from the 'Big Five' to the shy nyala and the tiny suni as well as prolific bird life. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is not only the oldest reserve in Africa, but also the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction. Today the park is the third largest in South Africa and the only reserve where you are virtually assured of good rhino sightings. The region is also the home of the mighty Zulus and we get some insight into their age-old culture when we visit an authentic Zulu village.

The last day, after a final game drive, we visit the famous lake St Lucia, now proclaimed a world heritage site. We join a boat cruise on the lake and see a proliferation of birdlife, crocodile and hippo in their natural habitat. We return to Durban with fond memories of ancient Africa.