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» SPECIAL TRIP :





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.

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

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

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

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

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'.


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.



View a Video Presentation of this trip.
 
 
 
 
Africa