Explorers World Travel
Drumbeat Tour 16 Days
Next departure dates: October 25, 2010 ($3,075)
Price Range: $3,075 - $3,075
view all rates and dates
Departures Weekly on Sundays


A 16 day tour between Cape Town and Johannesburg featuring the highlights of South Africa, including the cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, the Klein Karoo, Garden Route and Panorama Route scenic drives, traditional cultures in KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland and opportunities for game drives in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. The ultimate tour of South Africa with splendid scenery, exciting wildlife and ethnic diversity, at a leisurely pace, with leisure time at the start and end.


The prices include:
** A mixture of independent and guided touring;
** Transportation via modern motorcoach;
** Professionally-trained, English-speaking drivers;
** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below;
** All park entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes;
** Comprehensive pre-trip material with discount coupons for travel gear and equipment.

Additional expenses not included:
- Meals not included;
- All beverages;
- Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations;
- Flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban (PLZ/DUR);
- Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.
Day 1: CAPE TOWN
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure in Cape Town.  [no meals]
Day 2: CAPE TOWN
Full day at leisure. Renowned for its pleasant climate and picturesque setting that includes landmarks such as Cape Point and Table Mountain, Cape Town is is one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations. Become acquainted with this lively city and its environs on an optional day excursion or explore on your own. Overnight Cape Town.   [b- - ]
Day 3: CAPE TOWN
Another full day on your own. Be sure to take in the V & A Waterfront with its many shops and the Two Oceans Aquarium. From here you can take a ferry to Robben Island where you can learn about Nelson Mandela's struggle to end apartheid. Nature lovers can enjoy whale or penguin watching excursions or a stroll on one of the many beaches. There is much to see and do in and around Cape Town!  [b- - ]
Day 4: OUDTSHOORN
Depart Cape Town and travel to Montagu, famous for its awe inspiring rock formations and then follow the 'Klein Karoo' wine route through scenic vineyards to Oudtshoorn, ostrich capital of the world. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.   [b- -d]
Day 5: KNYSNA
After breakfast tour the vast halls and towering limestone formations of Cango Caves and then learn about the world's largest bird on a guided tour of the Ostrich Show Farm. Later this afternoon, travel to quaint Knysna situated in a picturesque setting between lush forests and the shores of a peaceful lagoon. Time here to do some shopping for native arts and crafts before settling in for overnight.   [b- -]
Day 6: KNYSNA
A leisurely start this morning before taking a cruise to the Knysna Heads; two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. The Western Head is the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve. On disembarking here, take a trailer ride to the top of Western Head, and walk back through milkwood trees for an included lunch. Return to Knysa where your afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight in Knysna.   [b-l-]
Day 7: PORT ELIZABETH
Follow the southern coast today via the Tsitsikamma Forest, the "Garden of the Garden Route". This beautiful indigenous forest is home to centuries old trees and much wildlife and birds. Over the millennia, rivers have cut awesome gorges through the coastal plateau as they flow down to the spectacular coastline. Later, check into your overnight accommodations in Port Elizabeth.  [b- -d]
Day 8: DURBAN
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Durban and accommodations for the next two nights. Afternoon and evening on your own in Durban.  [b- -]
Day 9: DURBAN
A full day at leisure in Durban, a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city on the Indian Ocean. Take an optional day excursion, shop or relax, then enjoy your choice of regional or fine dining in one of Durban's many restaurants.  [b- -]
Day 10: KWAZULU-NATAL
Travel to Kwazulu-Natal this morning where a visit to the Zulu cultural village includes a show & lunch. On to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region for overnight.  [b-l-]
Day 11: SWAZILAND
Begin today with early morning, open vehicle game viewing in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for its rhino conservation as well as home to the 'Big Five' (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and hippo). Later, travel to Swaziland and visit a craft market. A complimentary (optional) afternoon excursion to a Swazi candle factory is also included before overnighting in Swaziland.  [b- - ]
Day 12: MPUMALANGA
Although the Swazi economy is primarily based on agriculture, especially the production of sugar cane, there is growing industrial sector. A visit to a glass factory that produces lovely art glass is included this morning before traveling to Kruger National Park. Now the size of Wales, Kruger National Park has protected South African wildlife since 1898. Renowned for its research studies of Southern Africa's native flora and fauna, the park offers one of the best wildlife experiences on the continent. Optional late afternoon or night open-vehicle game drives are available here at an additional charge. Overnight in Mpumalanga.  [b- - ]
Day 12: KRUGER
Begin the day with early morning coffee or tea, then enjoy a morning in the park on an open vehicle game drive. Thanks to Kruger's wide variety of ecosystems, you are likely to come across vast herds of impala, zebra, giraffe and wildebeest, and if lucky, may spot some of the endangered wild dogs that call the park their home. Stop for a picnic breakfast later in the morning. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure or optional late afternoon or night open-vehicle game drives. Overnight at your hotel.  [b- -]

PRIVATE GAME LODGE OPTION
For Days 13 & 14 you may elect to stay at a private luxurious safari reserve adjacent Kruger. Call for the current additional cost and click here to learn more about SabiSabi.

Day 13: MPUMALANGA
Drive along the scenic Panorama Route today. See the Blyde River Canyon, the third deepest in the world, and God's Window where sheer cliffs plunge 700 meters to the lowveld. Return to Mpumalanga for your last overnight.   [b- -]
Day 14: JOHANNESBURG
After a leisurely breakfast, travel to Johannesburg where your African adventure concludes. Overnight in Sandton, the commercial and residential district of Johannesburg known as the financial hub of South Africa.   [b- - ]
Day 15: DEPART
Day at leisure in the economic and cultural center of South Africa until your private transfer to the airport for your flight home.  [b- - ]
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