Garsons Day Trips

A Wildlife Treasure Trove!
Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve

This is a great day safari! One of the largest and the oldest Game Reserves in South Africa, the Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Park is renowned for its huge variety of bird and animal life. The ‘Big Five’, elusive cheetah, endangered wild dog, and many other bushveld species inhabit this beautiful park.

Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park

This breathtakingly beautiful, 260 000 hectare park is home to the greatest concentration of hippo and Nile crocodile in South Africa. We will undertake a two-hour boat trip to view these amazing creatures on this unique, narrow, saline estuary. The birdlife is prolific whilst the white and black mangroves provide habitat for a host of life forms in these salinated waters. A water paradise!

Best of Bush & Estuary

On this tour we combine the best of both worlds - morning game viewing on Hluhluwe Game Reserve, followed by lunch and a two-hour boat cruise on the unique St. Lucia Estuary. Full day with lunch included.
Given enough time, we are able to take visitors to any game or nature reserve, private or otherwise throughout KwaZulu Natal or indeed, Southern Africa!

Sani Pass - Lured to Lesotho

On a journey to the very roof of Africa we will travel via the stunning Sani Pass into Lesotho, encountering Sotho tribesmen along the way, you will discover a great deal of Sotho history and culture, learning of the impact of Zulu military expansionism and the Sotho Nation’s adherence to spectacular initiation ceremonies. We will experience the lonely yet majestic solitude of these Eastern Highlands. Southern Africa’s highest pass is also the world’s third highest - and easily one of the most magnificent! Lunch included.

A valid passport is essential for this tour - you must bring your passport with you!

Also view - www.thabatours.co.za

Zulu Traditional Healing - The Call of the Ancestors

So called “witch-doctors” or more correctly, traditional healers, form an integral part of Zulu society. Both men and women may become traditional healers. They are divided into two major disciplines iziNyanga and iSangoma. The iziNyanga are the medicine makers of the tribe, specializing in herbal remedies. The iSangoma is credited with the power to communicate directly with the spirits. GARSONS Expeditions’ guides are well versed in the ways of the healer and you can anticipate a fascinating day with an authentic Zulu healer.

Stone Age Rock Art of the Drakensberg

The rock art of the Natal Drakensberg is unique and is a ‘must see’ for discerning visitors. We visit a world renowned rock art site in the Drakensberg where we are able to observe very distinctive aspects of Khoi San Rock Art. The various rock art panels allow one to look at all these images through the separate components of realism, symbolism and non-realism. Our guide takes through the various interpretive stages in easy to understand layman’s language.
The Traditional Healer & Rock Art Tours can be combined.

Shakaland - A cultural Journey

On this intriguing and fun experience we will step back in time to enter the world of legendary Zulu King: Shaka. On our drive into Zululand our guide will give an absorbing presentation on Shaka’s life before we enjoy a guided tour through this military genius’ Royal Kraal (homestead). We learn of the traditions and customs of the great Zulu nation. A traditional Zulu luncheon included.

Valley of a Thousand Hills - The Zulu Saga

Majestic valleys, gorges, forests, rivers and scenic dams - all will unfold at every turn as we travel through the pristine and tranquil Valley of a Thousand Hills. We will also gain a fascinating insight into the culture and traditions of the proud Zulu people, capturing the spirit and essence of a changing society. Zulu dancing is a highlight!
A four hour tour, or combine with Durban City for a full day.

Durban City Tour - A Cultural Kaleidoscope

This tour can either be undertaken as a four-hour excursion through the city of Durban and it’s important sites, including a visit to the Mahatma Gandhi’s home in historic Inanda, or it can be combined with the Valley of a Thousand Hills trip for a full day excursion ensuring an historical and colourful journey through colonial and contemporary Greater Durban.

The Inanda Story - Gandhi's 21 Years in South Africa

The valley of Inanda is rich in meaning and right on Durban’s doorstep. According to former President Nelson Mandela, Inanda is one of the most historically important areas in South Africa. Because of this he chose to vote in this unique corner of Greater Durban. We learn of Gandhi’s 21 years in South Africa, visit the Inanda Seminary for Girls and much more. Inanda is history personified!
This tour can be combined with either the Valley of a Thousand Hills or the Durban City tour for a full-day excursion.

Isandlwana & Rork's Drift
Anglo Zulu War (1879)

“In 1879, armed only with their rawhide shields, spears and their incredible courage, the Zulus challenged the might of Victorian England and initially, inflicted on the British the worst defeat a modern army has ever suffered at the hands of men without guns.” Donald R. Morris -The Washing of the Spears.
From the eMakhosini Valley we ascend onto the escarpment and the battle site of Isandlwana. At this battle, a huge Zulu army totally destroyed Lord Chelmsford’s temporary camp with the loss of over 1500 Imperial and Colonial Troops. This was not to be seen as an Imperial defeat but rather, a great yet pyrrhic Zulu victory. We walk the battlefield and relive the events of that day under the partial eclipse of the sun. Hollywood could not have scripted this battle any better.
After lunch, we visit the mission station at Rorke’s Drift, where on the same day a handful of able-bodied Imperial Troops held off 4500 Zulu warriors for over 12 hours resulting in the awarding of eleven Victoria Crosses: the greatest number ever awarded for a single action.

Spioenkop
Anglo Boer War (1899 - 1902)

It was early 1900: war had been declared in South Africa between Boer and Brit.
On 9th October 1899 the Boers gave the British an ultimatum that they withdraw their troops from the borders of the Boer Republics. The British refused and two days later the Anglo Boer War commenced. The carnage on the summit of Spioenkop was the result of one of the bloodiest and most futile battles of the War. We will walk the Spioenkop battlefield, treading the ‘acre of massacre’ to re-live one of the most important and vicious of the Boer War battles. Our guide will paint a vivid picture of how events unfolded. We will also learn of how three great historical figures; General Louis Botha, Winston Churchill and the Mahatma Gandhi were on Spioenkop that fateful day.

Images provided by D. Boyd, G.Garson, J. Schindler-Horvath, S. Scourfield & M. Carlin/
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