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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 3000 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. We visit the highlights,
but leave the beaten track to explore
the great outdoors, often walking
or hiking. This tour demands a certain
amount of flexibility and is not for
the 5 star luxury safari folk. |
2007/8
Itinerary:
DAY 1: FLY TO LONDON, PARIS, ZURICH OR FRANKFURT
Fly from your home city to Europe on Air
Canada.
Stopover available. Note: Stopover
may increase the price of this tour.
Routing via the USA is possible and preferred for Toronto & Montreal passengers.
DAY 2:
FLY EUROPE TO JOHANNESBURG
Depart Europe gateway for Johannesburg on
South African Airways.
DAY 3: JOHANNESBURG
Arrive Johannesburg. Day at leisure in Johannesburg
to rest before starting tour.
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Johannesburg
Inn |
Leopard
in Kruger |
DAY
4: JOHANNESBURG – BUSHVELD CAMP
Departing early from Johannesburg, “City
of Gold”, we head east to the spectacular
Mpumalanga province. We visit 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 luxury DRIFTERS BUSHVELD
CAMP, within the Balule Nature Reserve, bordering
the Kruger Park. Fall asleep to the sounds
of the wild. D
DAY 5: BUSHVELD
CAMP
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”. BRUNCH D
DAY 6: HAZYVIEW
A leisurely start, we travel through the rural
Bushbuck ridge area 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. This afternoon
we will have time to relax at the bird hide,
or enjoy swimming and forest walks. B L D
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Hazyview
Inn |
Zululand
Huts |
DAY
7: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Leaving Hazyview early, we 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. B L D
DAY 8 -
9: SWAZILAND/ZULULAND
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, then we enter
Zululand, the area once ruled by the famed
Shaka Zulu, a region of Game Reserves and
impressive sugar 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 open vehicles,
We also enjoy a Zulu cultural experience.
B L D
DAY 10:
DOLPHIN COAST
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. B L D
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Dolphin
Coast Inn |
Drakensberg
Chalets |
DAY
11 - 12: DRAKENSBERG
After a visit to the holiday city of Durban,
where we have the option of visiting the Ushaka
Marine World or exploring the Golden Mile
and the traditional market, we travel back
inland to the majestic Drakensberg mountain
range, “Barrier of Spears”. Lunch
today will be own expense in Durban. 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. B L D (one lunch
Own expense)
DAY
13: LADYBRAND
After a 4 x 4 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”.
B D
DAY
14 - 15: KAROO
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 animal and bird life.
B L D
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Knysna
Inn |
Ski
boat on the Knysna Lagoon |
DAY
16 - 18: GARDEN ROUTE
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).
Two lunches and two dinners will be own expense.
B D
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Cape
Town Inn |
Group
at Cape Point |
DAY 19- 21: DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE / CAPE
TOWN
Leaving Knysna we travel to the renowned De
Hoop Nature Reserve, known for its towering
white sand dunes and unique animal species.
After exploring this unique area, we return
to the coast to 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). B
* 2008 Itinerary will not be visiting the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
This tour portion ends on day 21, however
clients are welcome to extend their stay by
booking post-tour nights at the DRIFTERS CAPE
TOWN INN.
DAY
22: DEPART CAPE TOWN
Fly Cape Town to Europe via Johannesburg.
DAY
23: ARRIVE CANADA
Connection in Europe before
flight home to Canada.
The itinerary will depend on local conditions.
This tour involves a certain amount of walking,
so a small daypack is advisable. Malaria precautions
are advisable for the bushveld section of
the tour.
NOTE:
Because of the active nature of this tour
the age limit is normally 18-58.
However, departures in RED below are aimed at 'the young at heart' for
clients up to age 70.
2007
Departures |
Toronto
Ottawa
Montreal |
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton
Saskatoon
Regina
Winnipeg
Quebec City
Halifax |
Victoria |
Aug 21, 23, 25, 28 |
$4599 |
$4799 |
$4899 |
Sep 1,
4, 8 |
$4599 |
$4799 |
$4899 |
Sep 11,
15, 18, 20, 22,
25 |
$4199 |
$4499 |
$4599 |
Sep 29 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
$4199 |
Oct 2,
6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23,
25, 27, 30 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
$4199 |
Nov 3,
6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
$4199 |
Dec 1,
4 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
$4199 |
Dec 8, 11,
15, 18, 22 |
$4599 |
$4799 |
$4899 |
Dec 25 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
$4199 |
2008
Departures |
Toronto
Ottawa
Montreal |
Vancouver / Calgary
Edmonton / Saskatoon
Regina / Winnipeg
Quebec City / Halifax
Victoria |
Jan 1, 5, 8, 11, 19, 22, 29 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Feb 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Mar 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Apr 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
May 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Jun 3, 7, 10, 14 |
$4199 |
$4499 |
Jun 17, 21, 24, 28 |
$4499 |
$4799 |
Jul 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 |
$4499 |
$4799 |
Aug 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 30 |
$4499 |
$4799 |
Sep 2, 4, 6, 9 |
$4499 |
$4799 |
Sep 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 27, 30 |
$4199 |
$4499 |
Oct 2, 4, 7, 11, 13, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Nov 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 22, 25, 27, 29 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Dec 2, 6 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Dec 9, 11, 13, 16, 20, 23 |
$4499 |
$4799 |
Dec 25, 27 |
$3899 |
$4099 |
Departures
are limited numbers and are subject
to availability.
GREEN departures are for the age
group 18-58 only.
RED are for ages 40-70 aimed at
the 'young at heart'.
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PRICE INCLUDES AIRFARE. Other Canadian cities
available upon request.
INCLUDES: International Airfare, one night
hotel on arrival in Johannesbyurg, airport
transfers in destination, 18 day tour in special
overland vehicle, meals as per itinerary,
entrances to national parks, game reserves
where specified, and activities where specified.
EXCLUDES: Air Taxes, local transfers, drinks,
optional excursions en route/in Cape Town,
travel insurance, gratuities and items of
a personal nature.
Guide is English speaking. Subject to Changes.
Airfares subject to change.
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View
a Video Presentation of this trip.
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