9 - Day Overland Safari - Cape Town to Durban

Included Highlights:

1 Night; Inn 8 Nights; Cabin From the Cold Atlantic currents, storm battered rocks, and pristine white beaches around Cape Town, we will move northward through to the crystal clear, warm Indian Ocean and unspoiled sandy beaches of Durban. On this tour we endeavour to explore the area thoroughly and to enjoy the many nature reserves and activities encountered en-route. The tour is designed for active participants who wish to make the most of the time available; we cover vast distance, but also include walks and other activities. Bungalows, Inns and Hotels are used, some basic but always comfortable, all are chosen for their location. A certain amount of fitness and flexibility will be required; more suitable for those looking for adventure

Southern Tip of Africa De Hoop Game Reserve Route 62 Seasonal Whale Watching Tsitsikamma National Park Otter Trail Hike Addo Elephant Reserve Wild Coast Beaches Ostrich Farm Cango Caves Knysna Boat Trip Nelson Mandela's Birth Place   Optional Activities: Sea Kayaking Bungi Jump Quad Biking

Day 1: Cape Town - De Hoop Nature Reserve

Dinner

Departing from the DRIFTERS CAPE TOWN INN at 08h30, we follow the rugged coastline through the numerous fishing villages to Hermanus, well known for offering the finest land base whale watching in season. Our next stop is the southern-most tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the warm Indian and cold Atlantic oceans meet. This afternoon we will spend time game watching in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, acclaimed for its unique fauna and flora and spectacular scenery. We spend the night in bungalows.

Day 2: Oudtshoorn - Knysna Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner An early start, we leave the coast, crossing the mighty Outeniqua Mountains and entering the dry Karoo interior. We follow the famed Route 62 towards Oudtshoorn where we visit the Cango Caves, one of the world's great wonders. We will also visit a commercial Ostrich farm to learn more about these huge flightless birds. Late this afternoon we traverse the Outeniqua Pass and then travel through the Lake District en-route to our Log Cabins hidden in the heart of the Knysna forest. Our home for the next two night will be the DRIFTERS KNYSNA INN.

Day 3 Garden Route

Breakfast

This day 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 visit sun-kissed beaches, 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). Tonight we dine at a restaurant in the vibrant woodcutter town of Knysna. (Lunch and dinner are own expense).

Day 4: Port Elizabeth - Addo

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will travel the “Old Passes Road” to the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park where we will walk part of the acclaimed “Otter Trail”. Continuing along the coast, we will pass through Port Elizabeth en-route to our camp near the Addo Elephant Reserve, where we stay in comfortable cabins.

Day 5: Addo Elephant Park Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner This day will be spent exploring the Park.  Renowned for its herds of African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, Dung Beetle's, and other interesting species, this Park is one of Africa's conservation success stories. We return to our cabins for the night.

Day 6: East London

Breakfast, Lunch

Back to the coast today, we wind through the frontier area first settled by the 1820 settlers. We will pass through numerous towns that were once the epitome of colonial Africa before making for East London. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided township tour before heading to a local shebeen where we will try the local dishes whilst listening to traditional Jazz music.  Dinner own expense.

Day 7 - 8: Wild Coast

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we travel into an area once designated as a Tribal Homeland during the apartheid era (Transkei). Nelson Mandela was born here, and our route takes us past both his birthplace and the holiday house that he had built to replicate his prison house. This afternoon we arrive at our remote, secluded resort where we spend two nights. A full day is spent here with time on the beach and enjoying the surf. To stretch our legs we will conduct a hike along the Wild Coast. Accommodation on these nights is part of a rural community project and is rustic - clients may be expected to share more than 2 per bungalow.

Day 9: Durban

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A reasonably long drive today, but well rested, we pass through the scenic hill's of the Eastern Cape, dotted with rural villages where women work in the fields and men tend their cows as they have for centuries. Our journey then takes us past the many resorts of the Kwazulu - Natal South Coast before we enter Durban - South Africa's holiday city and home to Africa's busiest harbour. Our stop tonight is just north of Durban at the DRIFTERS DOLPHIN COAST INN, situated literally on the beach, this is the perfect place to unwind after the many days of traveling. Tonight we enjoy a "braai" on the patio before falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves.

Day 10: Tour Ends

Breakfast

The tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Clients wishing to stay on at the DRIFTERS DOLPHIN COAST INN may book extra nights in order to enjoy this superb stretch of unspoiled beach before flying out of Durban. Clients wishing to travel to Johannesburg may join the guide today at a cost of R300-00 (payable directly to the guide). We intend to be back in Johannesburg by 18h00 but cannot always guarantee this.