MIDMAR / SPIOENKOP / INJISUTHI ROUTE

Type of Safari: Self Catering/ Self Drive

Activities: Hiking , Birding, Horse Riding, Game Viewing, Battlefields at Spioenkop, water sports at Spioenkop, Rock Art

Region: This camping safari first takes you to the Midmar Game Reserve, then Spioenkop Game Reserve followed by Injisuthi in the Drakensberg.

How to get there tips:
International Tourists:
Fly in from Johannesburg International airport to Durban airport. Then hire a car or other suitable vehicle. The Midlands Region is suitable for cars. If you wish to camp, you will need to hire camping equipment in Durban.Self catering accommodation is available at Weenen, Midmar and Injisuthi.

It is recommended that you stock up with supplies either in Durban, Pietermaritzburg or Howick .  Petrol and diesel is available.

MIDMAR/SPIOENKOP/INJISUTHI
7 DAY SELF CATERING MIDLANDS AND MOUNTAIN MEANDER
DAY ONE
MIDMAR
Arriving at Midmar, book into your comfortable chalet overlooking Munro Bay and while at the office collect a Midlands Meander map.

Midmar itself offers a wide range of fun activities from game viewing, water sports, angling and cycling. Sailing, skiing, kite boarding and jet boating are all catered for on various sections of the dam.

Midmar is also the heart of the Midlands Meander, a selection of crafters, artists, potters, furniture makers and some excellent restaurants.

Drive into Howick village in the afternoon and visit the Falls area where you can find a wonderful selection of craft and curio shops and stunning views over the falls.

DAY TWO
MIDMAR
Rising early drive around to the Thurlow entrance to Midmar on the Boston road and drive through to the Game Park where, as the early morning mist rises off the water,you will see herds of red hartebeest, blesbok and zebra. There are also many grassland birds and waterfowl.

Back to your chalet for breakfast and then, using the meander map, do one or two of the four available meander routes stopping at a suitable venue for lunch. All the routes are circular so you will arrive back at Midmar in the evening.

DAYS THREE AND FOUR
SPIOENKOP GAME RESERVE
After breakfast pack and head up theN3 to Spioenkop. This is a bushveld reserve wrapped around a very scenic dam, overlooked by the historic Spioenkop Mountain, the scene of a fierce battle between the Boer forces and the British who were trying to relieve the siege of Ladysmith.

During your two day stay at Spioenkop plan to drive around the dam and up the mountain to the battle site where 390 soldiers tragically lost their lives during two days of desperate fighting.

The reserve has an excellent range of wildlife including white rhino and giraffe plus a host of antelope species so game viewing drives and walks along the Discovery Trail are very rewarding.

Horse riding is available and seeing game from horse back is an exciting experience as you get very close to the animals.

Your comfortable 3 bedroom unit has all the facilities to make your stay enjoyable and act as a base while you explore nearby Anglo Boer War sites such as Colenso, Vaalkrans and Pieter`s Hill.

DAY FIVE
INJISUTHI CAMP
UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG PARK
Drive up to Injisuthi via the Amangwane Tribal area. As you top the last rise before entering the reserve you get a wonderful view of the Injisuthi valley with the Triplets, Cathkin Peak and Monks Cowl brooding in the background.

Your comfortable chalet acts as a base for some wonderful hikes in a very beautiful part of the Berg.

Use the afternoon to explore the camp and the river area and to organise your hiking gear.

DAY SIX
INJISUTHI CAMP
UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG PARK
Rise early and taking suitable supplies for breakfast and lunch, set off up the Injisuthi valley to Junction Cave. This walk takes you through grasslands and forests, across mountain streams and up boulder beds. In the spring and summer the wild flowers will dazzle you as will the bird life as a bearded vulture (lammergeyer) floats overhead. There are wonderful spots to breakfast and lunch at and rock pools aplenty for a refreshing swim.

DAY SEVEN
INJISUTHI CAMP
UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG PARK
Another early rise and again packing breakfast and lunch, head for Van Heyningen`s Pass and climb up towards the escarpment and Monks Cowl. Outstanding views and again flowers, birds and streams.