18 - Day South Africa Overland Explorer
Johannesburg to Cape
Town
The South Africa
overland explorer departs
from Johannesburg every Tuesday and every Friday.
TOUR COST
from €1295
For a 2010 Calendar CLICK HERE
Availability Check on the
South Africa Overland
Explorer
5 NIGHTS
INN
13
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
varied cultures, from the primitive Bushman to the most Western of
ways.
On the South Africa Overland Explorer
we visit the highlights, but leave the beaten track to explore the
great outdoors. Overnight stops are mostly at properties and reserves
where extensive conservation and game introduction projects have
created truly unique accommodation and surroundings.
The
South Africa Overland Explorer
requires a certain amount of flexibility and an adventurous mentality.
DAY 1: JHB -
BUSHVELD CAMP D
Departing early
from
Johannesburg, "City of
Gold", we head east to the
spectacular
Mpumalanga
province. 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 a luxury BUSHVELD
CAMP, within the Balule Nature Reserve, bordering the
Kruger
Park. Fall asleep
to the sounds of the wild.
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DAY 2: BUSHVELD CAMP
BRUNCH D
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 3: HAZYVIEW
B
L D
A
leisurely start, we travel through the rural Bushbuck Ridge area to
the sleepy settlement of Hazyview, and then on to the
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 4: KRUGER NATIONAL
PARK
B L D
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 vehicle. We enjoy a picnic
lunch and then a night in one of the park’s camps.
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DAY 5-6:
SWAZILAND/ZULULAND
B L D
Traveling 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. We then enter
Zululand, the area once ruled by the
famed Shaka Zulu, a region of Game Reserves, rural villages and
impressive cane fields.
We spend the next two nights at a privately
owned 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 the
renowned Hluhluwe Game Reserve, We also enjoy a Zulu cultural
experience.
DAY 7: DOLPHIN
COAST B
L D
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
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 8 - 9: DRAKENSBERG
B L D
After a visit to the holiday city of
Durban, where we have the
option of visiting Ushaka Marine World or exploring the Golden Mile,
we travel back inland to the majestic Drakensberg mountain range,
"Barrier of Spears".
On reaching the foothills we transfer to a 4X4
vehicle, and then enjoy an exciting drive on mountain tracks up to the
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.
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DAY 10: LADYBRAND
B
D
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. This night will be spent on a working dairy farm near the
town of
Ladybrand and we enjoy a
traditional "braai".
DAY 11 - 12: KAROO B L D
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
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, rare animal and bird life.
DAY 13 - 15: GARDEN
ROUTE B D
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 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 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.
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DAY 16 - 18:
CAPE
TOWN
B
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
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.
If arranging an onward flight on this day, please allow time for an
airport transfer and for check-in procedures (up to three hours).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
-
The South Africa
overland explorer
involves a fair amount of walking, so a small daypack is
advisable. Seasonal Malaria precautions may be necessary and can
be purchased locally.
-
Passports are
required for entry into
Swaziland.
-
The price
includes all transport, accommodation, food, coffee, tea, fruit
juice at breakfast etc, group equipment, permits and entry fees,
Knysna boat trip, optional pony ride and professional guides.
-
The price does not include alcohol and soft
drinks, meals where stipulated, curios, tips and optional
excursions.
DEPARTURES
The South Africa
overland explorer departs from Johannesburg every Tuesday and every
Friday.
Availability Check on the
South Africa Overland Explorer
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