18 - Day Overland Explorer - Johannesburg to Cape Town

Included Highlights:

6 Nights; Inn 11 Nights; Cabin 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 kilometers of unspoiled coastline, boasting climatic differences from searing hot desert to snow-capped peaks, and the 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. Overnight stops are mostly at Drifters owned properties and reserves where extensive conservation and game introduction projects have created truly unique accommodations and surroundings. This tour requires a certain amount of flexibility and an adventurous mentality.

"Big Five" Game Walks Open Vehicle Game Drives Kruger National Park Hluhluwe Game Reserve Drakensberg Mountains Swaziland Kingdom Wine Farm and Tasting Karoo Desert Farm Stay African Culture Pony Trekking Otter Trail Walk Knysna Boat Trip Table Mountain Hike Unspoiled Beaches   Optional Activities: Sea Kayaking Bungi Jump Quad Biking Ushaka Marine World Robben Island

Day 1: Johannesburg - Bushveld Camp

Dinner

Departing early from Johannesburg, "City of Gold", we head east to the spectacular Mpumalanga area. 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 luxury DRIFTERS BUSHVELD CAMP, within the Balule Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger Park. Fall asleep to the sounds of the wild.

Day 2: Bushveld Camp Brunch, Dinner Being privately owned, our bush camp allows us the freedom of walking amongst the game and of viewing the animals from an open vehicle with both day and night drives. All major game species are prevalent, including the renowned "Big Five".

Day 3: Hazyview

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 spectacularly situated log cabin 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.

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Hazyview early, we travel the short distance to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, here we spend the entire day viewing animals in their natural environment 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 5 - 6: Swaziland / Zululand Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 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. On entering Zululand, the area once ruled by the famed Shaka Zulu, we are surrounded by a region of Game Reserves and impressive fields of sugar cane. We spend the next two nights at the DRIFTERS ZULULAND CAMP, a rustic camp situated in the sand forest on our private game reserve near Hluhluwe. During our stay we will hike through the forest along the banks of Lake St Lucia, do a game drive in the renowned Hluhluwe Game Reserve, and enjoy a traditional Zulu experience.

Day 7: Dolphin Coast

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short drive today, we travel to one of the worlds 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 exploring the nearby lagoon and simply enjoying the beach and warm ocean. Tonight we enjoy a traditional fish braai.

Day 8 - 9: Drakensberg

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 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 Lesotho border and the DRIFTERS DRAKENSBURG INN where we spend two nights. We will stay in log cabins and will spend time hiking and exploring the wonders of this National Heritage Site. Pony trekking is also available.

Day 10: Ladybrand

Breakfast, Dinner

After a 4 x 4 transfer back to our vehicle, we climb the Oliviershoek Pass to view the turquoise waters of Sterkfontein Dam, then on to the Golden Gate National Park, well known for its towering sandstone cliffs and wealth of unique wildlife. This night will be spent on a working dairy farm near the little town of Ladybrand. Tonight we enjoy a traditional braai.

Day 11 - 12: Karoo Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 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 original stone cottages on a traditional farmstead nestled against the Sneeuberg. 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.

Day 13 - 14: Garden Route

Breakfast, Dinner

An early start, we head for the pioneer town of Graaff-Reinett where we spend time visiting the various museums and 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 cosy log cabins hidden 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 Tsitsikama Coastal National Park where we will walk part of the acclaimed "Otter Trail". On our return journey, those with suicidal instincts may try the world's highest bungi jump at 216 metres (own expense). 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. Two lunches will be own expense and one night we will enjoy a meal in the vibrant woodcutter town of Knysna (Own Expense).

Day 16 - 18: Cape Town Breakfast 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, however clients are welcome to extend their stay by booking post-tour nights at the DRIFTERS CAPE TOWN INN. If arranging an onward flight on this day, please allow time for an airport transfer and for check-in procedures (up to three hours).