Jo'Burg to Cape Town

Johannesburg to Cape Town Escorted Tour €1395 
Departs from Johannesburg every Tuesday and Friday in 2008

South Africa is a haven of spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, diverse cultures and first world norms, topped with a healthy and invigorating climate. These qualities, as well as a relatively cheap currency, make it an adventure destination not to be missed. A country virtually the size of Europe with over 3,000 kilometres of unspoiled coastline, boasting climatic differences from searing hot desert to snow-capped peaks, and varied cultures, from the primitive Bushman to the most Western of ways.

Travelling overland with a small group, in specialist safari vehicles and staying in bushcamp cabins and inns, this is your chance to experience “the real South Africa”.  Begin in Johannesburg and continue on to Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Hazyview, Swaziland, Zululand, Dolphin Coast, Drakensberg, Ladybrand, Karoo, The Garden Route, Knysna and finish up in Cape Town. Leave the beaten track and indulge your sense of adventure without roughing it too much! With plenty hiking on offer this is an ideal opportunity to explore the great South African outdoors. Experience day and night game drives, eat under the stars and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild.

HIGHLIGHTS: · "Big Five" Game Walks  · Open Vehicle Game Drives  ·  Game Reserves/National Parks · Drakensberg Mountains · Swaziland Kingdom ·  Wine Farm & Tasting · Karoo Desert Farm Stay ·  African Culture · Pony Trekking · Otter Trail Walk · Knysna Boat Trip ·  Table Mountain Hike · Unspoiled Beaches OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: · Sea Kayaking · Quad Biking · Ushaka Marine World · Robben Island

Jo'Burg to Cape Town Overland Escorted Tour 2008

DAY 1:  JHB - BUSHVELD CAMP (D) Departing early from Johannesburg, "City of Gold", we head east to the spectacular Mpumalanga province. We visit an awesome waterfall as well as the quaint gold-mining pioneer village of Pilgrims Rest, the intriguing Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels, towering above the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Finally we descend from the escarpment in the steps of the early explorers to the Lowveld bushveld where we overnight in the DRIFTERS BUSHVELD CAMP, within the Balule Nature Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. DAY 2:  BUSHVELD CAMP BRUNCH (D) Being a privately owned property, our bush camp allows us the freedom of walking amongst the game and of viewing the animals in their natural habitat from an open vehicle with both day and night drives. All major game species are prevalent, including the renowned "Big Five".    DAY 3:  KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (B L D ) We leave our bush camp in the morning to travel the short distance to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, here we spend the entire day viewing animals from the high vantage point of our well-equipped truck. We enjoy a picnic lunch and then a night in one of the park's rest camps.   DAY 4:  HAZYVIEW (B L D ) Leave the park after an extensive morning's game drive, we wind our way to the sleepy settlement of Hazyview, and then on to the DRIFTERS HAZYVIEW INN, a log cabin spectacularly situated on stilts in indigenous subtropical forest on the banks of the Sabie River. Relax at the bird hide, or enjoy swimming and forest walks.   DAY 5-6:  SWAZILAND/ZULULAND   (B L D ) Travelling south through the Kingdom of the Swazi, our journey takes us into an area of spectacular scenery, and past numerous traditional homesteads and curio markets. We then enter Zululand, the area once ruled by the famed Shaka Zulu, a region of Game Reserves, rural villages and impressive cane fields. We spend the next two nights at the DRIFTERS ZULULAND CAMP, a rustic camp situated in the sand forest on our private game reserve adjoining the World Heritage Site of St Lucia. During our stay we will do a game walk on the reserve and will conduct a game drive in the renowned Hluhluwe Game Reserve, We also enjoy a Zulu cultural experience.   DAY 7:  DOLPHIN COAST   (B L D ) A short drive today, we travel to one of the world's finest coastlines, where the unrelenting waves of the Indian Ocean continuously pound deserted beaches. Our next night will be at the DRIFTERS DOLPHIN COAST INN, situated literally on the beach. Our time here will be spent soaking up the sun and simply enjoying the beach and warm ocean. Tonight we enjoy a traditional fish braai on the Inn's patio.   DAY 8 - 9:  DRAKENSBERG  (B L D ) After a visit to the holiday city of Durban, where we have the option of visiting Ushaka Marine World or exploring the Golden Mile, we travel back inland to the majestic Drakensberg mountain range, "Barrier of Spears". On reaching the foothills we transfer to a 4X4 vehicle, and then enjoy an exciting drive on mountain tracks up to the DRIFTERS DRAKENSBERG INN where we spend two nights in cosy log cabins. We will spend time hiking and exploring the wonders of this National Heritage Site. Pony trekking is also available.   DAY 10:  LADYBRAND  (B D) After a 4x4 transfer back to our vehicle, we cross the Oliviershoek Pass to view the turquoise waters of Sterkfontein Dam, then on through the Golden Gate National Park, well known for its towering sandstone cliffs and wealth of unique wildlife. Lunch today will be own expense in the artful little village of Clarens - clients will have time to explore the art galleries and other unique attractions. This night will be spent on a working dairy farm near the town of Ladybrand and we enjoy a traditional "braai".   DAY 11 - 12:  KAROO  (B L D) Exploring lesser-known gravel roads, we head into the dry Karoo interior. We will travel via quaint and remote farming villages including Nieu Bethesda to the DRIFTERS KAROO INN. Our home for the next two nights will be in stone cottages on a traditional farmstead nestled against the Sneeuberg Mountains. During our stay here, we will enjoy an extensive walk in the mountainous terrain, home to a variety of interesting plants, rare animal and bird life.   DAY 13 - 15:  GARDEN ROUTE  (B D) An early start, we head for the pioneer town of Graaff-Reinet where we spend time visiting the various museums, strolling around the town, meeting the locals and admiring the unique architecture. We then cross the mighty Outeniqua Mountains, barrier between the dry interior and the lush coastal Garden Route area. We arrive at the secluded DRIFTERS KNYSNA INN where we will spend the next three nights in log cabins hidden deep in the heart of the forest. Our days here will be spent exploring this renowned region and its many attractions. We will walk in the forest in search of the elusive Knysna Lourie, we will travel the “old passes road” to the Tsitsikamma coastal National Park where we will walk part of the acclaimed “Otter Trail”. On our return journey, those with suicidal tendencies may try the world's highest bungi jump at 216 meters or clients may choose a sea kayak trip. (Own expense). We will visit sun-kissed beaches, spend time in the old woodcutter town of Knysna and will enjoy a boat trip on the DRIFTERS SKI BOAT around the Knysna Lagoon and through the Heads in search of dolphins and whales (weather permitting). One lunch and one dinner will be own expense.   DAY 16 - 18: CAPE TOWN (B) This morning we will visit the magnificent Lake District, then travel through the farming region of Swellendam before heading to the coast where we follow the “Whale Route” around the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Arriving in the “Mother City” of Cape Town in the late afternoon, we check into the DRIFTERS CAPE TOWN INN, which is situated on the Sea Point beachfront. Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and we will spend two days visiting Cape Point, Hout Bay, the Waterfront, secluded beaches, a wine farm and many more highlights. We will also hike up Table Mountain. (Lunches and dinners in Cape Town are own expense). This tour ends at 16h00 on day 18. Optional Actvities:- ·  Sea Kayaking ·  Bungi Jump ·  Quad Biking ·  Ushaka Marine World ·  Robben Island Please note:  · This price does not include international flights. Contact us today on (01) 241 888 for the most competitive airfare to match departure dates for this overland adventure. · We can arrange additional nights before or after the tour if you would like to extend your stay. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Included: ·  18 day overland professionally guided tour ·  17 nights accommodation in Drifters Cabins and Inns ·  15 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 14 dinners ·  All permits, entry fees and Knysna Boat Trip. Additional information: ·  This tour involves a fair amount of walking, so a small daypack is advisable. Seasonal Malaria precautions may be necessary and can be purchased locally. ·  Passports are required for entry into Swaziland. ·  The price does not include alcohol and soft drinks, meals where stipulated, curios, tips and optional excursions.

Price listings These prices do not include flights - please contact us for the best available airfare on your preferred dates. Cape Town to Johannesburg Escorted Tour 2008 This tour departs from Johannesburg every Tuesday and Friday in 2008 Please Note: This tour is geared towards 18-55 year age group. Please contact us for details of dates catering for passengers of up to 70 years of age.      Click on the icon below to view a short movie of the Drifters experience