Coast Roads and Mountain Skies

This is an overland trip, so you travel with a group in a purpose-built vehicle. The truck does not have air conditioning, but it does have large sliding windows that bring in fresh air and help with wildlife viewing and photography.

Driving days can be long. Some days are mostly about covering distance, especially when moving between Durban, the Drakensberg, Lesotho, the Wild Coast and Addo. A flexible attitude makes the trip much more enjoyable.

Facilities vary from place to place. Wi-Fi is not always available, and campground bathrooms may be basic compared with what many travelers are used to in the United States.

Accommodation upgrades are sometimes available locally, but they depend on availability and cannot always be arranged in advance.

This itinerary may be combined with other Africa adventures, so some travelers in your group may have started their journey before Day 1.

Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a trusted third-party. The “Add connection” feature only shows transit visa requirements and does not cover full entry visas. U.S. citizens traveling to Italy for stays under 90 days typically do not need a tourist visa. Additional service fees may apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa. Always check official sources before traveling.

Accommodation includes 6 nights camping with facilities, 2 nights in backpacker-style lodges, 2 nights in basic huts with shared facilities and 3 hotel nights.

Most camping nights use two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. The exact mix of campsites and other lodging depends on the route and local conditions.

In towns and cities, hotel accommodation is used because camping is not always practical. On some nights, the group may stay on hotel grounds or at campsites that also have rooms or cabins available.

Local room upgrades may cost approximately USD40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards vary, so it is best to view the room before purchasing the upgrade.

If dormitory accommodation is used, travelers may share with others or be split into same-sex rooms. Campsite facilities are usually simple, and bathrooms may be basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and showers can be as simple as cold water from a hose-style setup. Wild camps, when used, have no facilities.

Spare tents may sometimes be carried in the vehicle, but they cannot be used unless a single supplement has been purchased. This helps keep tents clean and ready for travelers joining later sections of the route.

The joining hotel is Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge, Cnr Medigate and Hospital Road, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban 4321, South Africa. Phone: +27 31 580 7200.

Joining point: Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge, Cnr Medigate and Hospital Road, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban 4321, South Africa.

If this is your first time in Durban or you are arriving alone, a pre-booked arrival transfer is recommended. EurotourClub can help arrange this once your flight details are provided.

Durban's airport is King Shaka International Airport. If you are flying domestically into Durban, confirm your arrival terminal and share those details with your booking agent.

If you have a confirmed transfer, your driver will wait in the arrivals hall of the relevant domestic or international terminal holding a sign with your name. The arrivals area can be crowded, so check carefully.

Do not travel with anyone claiming to be your driver unless they represent ING Travel & Tours. If you cannot find your driver, call +27 (0) 31 305 0036 at any time, or call the ING Travel & Tours office at +27 73 916 9101.

If your flight is delayed, contact the local emergency number at +27 82 822 9407. If your phone is not roaming, you may prefer to buy a prepaid SIM card in the arrivals hall. MTN, Vodacom and Cell-C are common providers in South Africa.

The driver will wait for one hour after your scheduled arrival time. If you are delayed longer than one hour and cannot contact the transfer provider, please make your own way to the hotel.

If the driver does not have your transfer on record, show a voucher proving your booking. The airport representative will help make arrangements or advise you to take a cab. If you take a taxi, keep your receipt and tell your leader at the Day 1 welcome meeting.

Official metered airport taxis are available outside the departures terminal. The taxi to the hotel costs approximately ZAR350, payable to the driver. The journey can take 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.