Visit the best game viewing spots in South Africa, the beautiful beaches of Mozambique and get to know the diverse local people and cultures along the way.
Game drives
Snorkelling
Beach walks
Kruger National Park
Dhow trip
Hluhluwe Game Reserve
A crossroads of civilizations, cultures and landscapes, influenced from the early days by nomadic tribes, Arab traders, British sailors and Portuguese colonials, then torn apart by over 20 years of civil war. With newfound peace, and a fast growing economy recently reopened for tourism, Mozambique offers the explorer a wealth of treasures in the form of untouched wilderness areas, natural beauty, deserted beaches, and unique cultural heritage. This tour combines the well-known attractions of Kruger and Hluhluwe Game Reserves - where animals abound, living in their natural environment, with the recently initiated Transfrontier Peace Park, Banhine / Zinave wilderness and Maputo Elephant Reserves in Mozambique. The Transfrontier Park incorporates the existing Kruger Park as well large adjoining parts of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We will traverse the Mozambique section, using rough bush tracks, and camping wild at a remote, unspoiled, yet incredibly scenic bush camp. The tour will also visit scenic and cultural attractions, and will spend time at deserted Indian Ocean beaches, including the Bazaruto archipelago. We enjoy a night in the capital Maputo, where we experience the almost Latino culture, and enjoy the nightlife before crossing the bay by ferry and then exploring the southern coastline and Maputo Elephant Reserve. A 4x4 expedition vehicle is used for this tour, but clients must expect delays, or inconvenience associated with exploring such rough terrain. Bad roads, flooding rivers and other factors beyond our control may necessitate long detours etc. An open mind-set is essential. Group size usually numbers between 6 and 17 clients. We may run this tour in the reverse direction on occasion.
Start: Johannesburg Scheduled flights: Johannesburg International Airport
Day 1 Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrims Rest, Balule Nature Reserve Departing at 06h30 from Johannesburg, 'City of Gold', head for the spectacular scenery of the Mpumalanga area. You will visit numerous sights including the pioneer gold mining village of Pilgrims Rest and the Three rondawels that tower over the Blyde River Canyon. Late in the afternoon, descend from the escarpment to the Kruger area where you overnight in the comfortable Drifters Bushveld Camp within the Balule Game reserve adjoining Kruger National Park. After dinner enjoy an open vehicle night game drive. Dinner included.
Day 2 Northern Kruger Arising with the African sun, we set out on foot in this "Big 5" reserve for a lengthy walk. The tracker will attempt to show the animals in their natural habitat, and to give you some insight into the art of tracking. Return to camp for a healthy brunch and a little rest time before packing up and moving on to the world-renowned Kruger National Park that is widely acclaimed as being Africa's most successful Nature Reserve. Time here is spent driving in search of the many animal and bird species that inhabit the area, and you will camp the two nights in the parks rest camps. Brunch and dinner included.
Day 3 Northern Kruger This entire day is for viewing animals in the Kruger from the well-equipped vehicle. Search for the "Big 5" today, heading north in the park. Camp the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 & 5 Mozambique Transfrontier Peace Park This morning, after a visit to Crook's corner, the point marking the border between South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe and renowned as a hideout for poachers in the colonial days, you cross the border into Mozambique. At this point the road becomes a bush track, and you will follow the path of the Limpopo River toward Mapai before venturing into the heart of the wilderness. The area that is traversed over the next days is what forms the Mozambique side of the Transfrontier Peace Park and is privileged to have remained virtually unexplored by humans. The bush is exceptional, and offers areas of exquisite natural beauty and wildlife. The diversity of the flora ensures some of the finest birding in Africa. We will spend two nights camping wild, exploring both on foot and by vehicle, and enjoying the serenity of the wilderness. Road conditions are rough and river crossings numerous, clients will be expected to assist in difficult sections, but for those seeking true adventure and unspoiled Africa, there are few areas that compare with this. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.
Day 6 & 7 Banhine / Zinave Leaving the Transfrontier Park, make your way across the Limpopo River and into the heart of the Banhine / Zinave wilderness region where you will spend two nights wild bush camping. There will be an attempt to traverse some of the Zinave Park, once renowned for its abundant wildlife. Few people have visited these areas in the last two decades. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 & 9 Vilanculos Leaving the wilderness behind, today you pass through the many vibrant and bustling villages en route to the coast. Next stop is Vilanculos - on the shores of the warm azure Indian Ocean, overlooking the Idyllic Bazaruto Archipelago. Spend two nights here in casitas, situated literally on the beach. Enjoy a traditional Dhow trip to the islands and you may have the opportunity to snorkel along a reef in this marine reserve (this trip is dependant on weather conditions). One night you will enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. (Own expense) Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10 - 12 Inhambane Moving south along the coast, your next stop is the ancient trading port of Inhambane. Clients will enjoy a trip across the bay on a traditional Dhow while the guide drives around to meet in town. Spend some time exploring and visiting the bustling local market before continuing to the Drifters Barra Beach Camp under the Coconut Palms on the beach. Enjoy three nights in relative comfort, staying in Casitas at this camp and during your time here you can relax, snorkel, and soak up the sun whilst exploring the deserted beaches that Mozambique is so well known for. On the last night, enjoy a catered meal (own expense). Those who wish to have the options of scuba diving or horse riding on the beach (own expense). Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 13 Maputo Well relaxed and sun-drenched, continue down the coast to the capital Maputo where you spend some time driving around and exploring this once grandiose city. Maputo boasts a Latino culture of street cafés, music and bustling markets. Cross the bay on the Catembe Ferry to your overnight stay in a comfortable hotel. Tonight you will eat in a local restaurant, sampling some of the local seafood (own expense). For the brave, Peri-Peri is a must. Breakfast & lunch included.
Day 14 Elephant Reserve Venture back into the bush. Driving on sandy tracks, you wind your way south to the Elephant Reserve where you will spend the entire afternoon exploring the coastal flood plains and surrounding forests in search of these larger than average African elephants. Somehow, during the war years these elephants survived by moving down the Futi channel into South Africa, it is one of nature's miracles that they have now returned in large numbers. Camp the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 15 & 16 Greater St. Lucia Returning to South Africa today via the Ponta do Ouro border post, enter the area once ruled by the famed Shaka Zulu. Spend two nights at the Drifters Zululand Camp, a rustic camp in the sand forest on our private reserve adjoining Lake St Lucia near Hluhluwe. During our stay we will enjoy game walks through the forest, experience an open vehicle game drive in The Game Reserve and will visit a rural Zulu school which Drifters sponsors through the benefits of tourism. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 17 The journey today takes you through the heart of Kwazulu Natal, where you will pass many rural Zulu villages and some spectacular scenery en-route back to Johannesburg. Arrive back to Johannesburg Inn in the late afternoon. Breakfast included.
End: Johannesburg Scheduled flights: Johannesburg International Airport
Notes This tour covers areas of Mozambique that are virtually unexplored and as such, have little or no road and other infrastructure. A 4x4 expedition vehicle is used but even this is no guarantee that we will always be able to stick to our planned route. Road conditions, rising rivers or other factors beyond our control may necessitate major detours and convenience - particularly after heavy rains. Due to the extreme nature of this tour we insist that clients travel with an open and flexible attitude, and are prepared to accept inconvenience and discomfort if necessary. We do not recommend this tour for clients over 55 years of age. For those that are looking for true adventure this is the ultimate journey, and on parts of the tour clients will be rewarded with experiencing unspoiled wilderness seldom visited by other humans. Besides an adventurous spirit, visas are required by most nationalities for Mozambique, these are the client's responsibility and must be obtained in advance. Malaria precautions are advised. If available, bring a mask and fins for snorkeling. Scuba diving will be available at some of the beach resorts - clients wishing to partake must bring the necessary certification. The recommended currency for this tour is the South African Rand, and this can be purchased at Johannesburg airport.
Rate includes All transport, accommodation, meals as specified, entry fees, and permits, group equipment, and professional guide.
Rate excludes Alcohol, soft drinks, curios, tips, visas, taxes, optional excursions and items of personal nature.
Conservation & community Over the last few years a large percentage of the fee charged to clients has contributed to numerous noteworthy causes. The contributions have included the following and support of these and new projects will continue in the future: - The reclamation of 3000 hectares of sensitive sub-alpine grassland from established Black Wattle infestation in the Drakensberg. (Now declared a National Heritage site.) - The ongoing protection of a colony of endangered Cape Vultures in the Drakensberg. - The re-introduction of the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra and other rare species after painstakingly restoring a 3000 ha nature reserve in the Karoo. - The ongoing sponsorship and structural improvement of a rural Zulu school. - The creation of the 35 000 ha Balule Game Reserve adjoining the Kruger National Park. - The ongoing planting of indigenous vegetation on all Drifters properties. 4000 trees, shrubs, and plants, including 4 Baobab trees in Hazyview alone. - Erosion prevention and control measures implemented at numerous sites including the building of gabions and ongoing prevention of soil depletion. - Bat houses and other measures provided to ensure the survival of numerous animal species on our properties. - Solar power systems installed at great expense to avoid unsightly and ecologically destructive overhead power lines. - Education of locals as to the value of indigenous fauna and flora.
