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Day 1 - Johannesburg
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, catch the transfer to Drifters Johannesburg Inn. Situated in Northcliff, a well-established suburb of north-west Johannesburg, this beautifully renovated thatched house makes for an excellent overnight stop to recover from the long flight.
Drifters Johannesburg Inn Situated in Northcliff, a well-established suburb of northwest Johannesburg, this beautiful thatched Inn makes for the ideal stop-over before starting or at the end of your holiday. With close proximity to shops, restaurants, banks, cinemas, highways, public transport as well as the delightful Emmarentia Dam, this Inn has an idyllic setting. Accommodation is in twin-bedded rooms, all en-suite. A lovely garden, swimming pool, shop and restaurant areavailable for guests’ convenience. Transfers to and from the Airport and elsewhere are available on request, as well as luggage storage and parking. For self-drive clients we can have your car delivered here. Day tours can be booked on arrival.
Day 2 - Johannesburg - Bushveld Camp
We depart in the morning to travel the scenic road to Mpumalanga. Along
the way we visit Dullstroom, traverse Robbers Pass and spend time at the
quaint historic town of Pilgrim's Rest. We also visit Bourke's Luck Potholes
and the Blyde River Canyon. Thereafter we wind our way down the
escarpment to the Lowveld bushveld where we overnight in our well
appointed DRIFTERS BUSH CAMP. Being adjacent to the Kruger Park,
the tented Camp is tastefully designed, totally blends in with the
environment, and offers comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, a
refreshing swimming pool, and stunning views over the surrounding bush.
Dinner tonight is cooked on the open fire.
Day 3 - Bushveld Camp
We start the day with the customary coffee and rusks, before setting off
on a game walk. We walk for approximately 3 hours in search of game,
stopping regularly to learn more about the ways of the bush. A Drifters
guide and tracker lead all walks. Return to camp for a late morning
brunch after which it's time to relax around the pool and to enjoy the
camp. In the afternoon we conduct an open-vehicle game drive; which
develops into an extensive night drive. Being in the bush at night
provides us with the opportunity of viewing nocturnal animals, otherwise
not normally seen. This evening we enjoy a hearty bush "braai" and again
fall asleep to the sounds of the wild.
Day 4 - 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.
Day 5 - Kruger National Park
Leaving Hazyview early, we travel the short distance to the worldrenowned
Kruger National Park, here we spend the entire day viewing
animals from the high vantage point of our well-equipped vehicle. We
enjoy a picnic lunch and then a night in one of the park’s rest camps.
Day 6 - 7 - 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 scenery. 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 through Hluhluwe Game Reserve, We also visit a rural
Zulu school which Drifters sponsors through the benefits of tourism.
Day 8 - 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.
Day 9 - 10 - Drakensberg
After a visit to the holiday city of Durban, where we have the option of
visiting 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 and visiting a San rock art gallery. Pony trekking is also available.
Day 11 - Ladybrand
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. Those that wish to experience
white water rafting have the option here. This night will be spent on a
farm near the town of Ladybrand.
Day 12 - 13 - 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.
Day 14 - 16 - Garden Route
An early start, we head for the historic 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 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 sunkissed
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 17 - 19 - Cape Town
Leaving Knysna early, we travel to the renowned De Hoop Nature
Reserve, known for its towering white sand dunes, and unique animal
species. After exploring this fascinating reserve, we return to the coast to
follow the "Whale Route" and 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).
Please make note that this tour departs only on Tuesdays, Fridays, and some Sundays. |
