Drifters
Quality Overland Advenuture Safaris

Botswana South Africa
Namibia Zambia Mozambique
Tanzania Kenya


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We at Cape to Cairo first encountered DRIFTER's  safaris while we ourselves were on safari in Botswana, 25 years ago, and were impressed with how favorably clients spoke of their  tours. After decades of  active adventure tour operating, DRIFTERS has built a reptutation as the specialist for high quality affordable adventure safaris.
 

 
 


Botswana vehicle for up to 13 passengers

All the equipment for enjoyment in the African bush

Concentrating on camping and active participation tours, DRlFTERS tours are run with an air of flexibility and casualness, so that at no time does one feel like you're in a processing plant, The groups are small, very cosmopolitan, comprised of active people.  Clients are international, up to the age of  55, who don't mind roughing it, and who enjoy contributing to the smooth running of the tour.  Our U.S. clients have typically recently completed professional education - so they are traveling with a budget constraint, but with high expectations of adventure and individual treatment.  These safaris are neither the really cheap "pile into the back of a truck with your backpack" overland tour, nor the fancy, very costly 5 star concept.  They are designed for the person desiring a professionally run tour with a degree of privacy and individual attention, and a good deal of fun and adventure at a value for money price. You are paying for a well-planned and well-equipped erfort, but you are not paying for frills and you are saving staffing costs by doing some of the campsite chores yourself.
 
DRIFTERS operate with a variety of specially designed vehicles, depending on the terrain, transporting from 8 to 18 clients. The guiding staff  of 45 permanent are  well trained young people  specifically chosen for their knowledge of  fauna and flora  and for their pleasant dispositions.   All are registered with the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa and SATOUR. Over the years we have been able to perfect our operation in terms of itineraries, vehicles and equipment, and pride ourselves on excellent food, served in the middle of nowhere against all odds. Our vehicles are widely recognized as being the best on the road, an important factor in overland travel.

   


A pod of hippo in the Okavango

Flamingo's in Ngorongoro Crater Lake


Zanzibar


Elephant on the Zambezi


Ruwenzori Mountains - Uganda


  
 
 
The most popular Drifters safari itineraries for Americans include:
    Botswana - 16 day Overland Camping Safari Johannesburg to Johannesburg (13 day fly in Maun, fly out Vic Falls also available) from   - see the best of Botswana affordably.
    Southern Circle - 24 day Southern Circle
    East Africa - 12 Day Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Drifters Game Lodge is an excellent choice for a private tented camp in the Balule Game Reserve bordering Kruger National Park.

Single: €195.00
Sharing: €165.00

Drifters Desert Lodge an affordable facility in its on private concession in the hauntingly beautiful Namibian desert of the Namibrand Nature Reserve.

Sharing : € 100.00 per person
Single : € 120.00 per person

 

 

Drifters Standard Departure 2012 Tours and Prices

Southern Circle

24 Day Overland Explorer Johannesburg to Johannesburg

Camping/Inn Overland Explorer, departs every second Sunday from €`1545

Nata, Chobe, Vic Falls, Kafue, Zambezi Canoe, Luwangwa, Lake Malawi, Villanculos, Inhambane, Mabutuo, Kruger

Botswana

16 Day Overland Safari Johannesburg to Johannesburg from €1795 departs every Saturday

13 Day Fly-in Safari Maun to Victoria Falls from €1715 departs every Monday

Makgadikgadi Pans, Okavango Delta, Moremi, Savuti, Chobe, Vic Falls

 

Uganda

12 Day Overland Safari

Camping/Inn Overland Safari departs every second Sunday   €1495 + US$500 gorilla permit

Gorillas, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls, Rwenzori Mountains

Cape Town via Victoria Falls to Johannesburg

24 Day Overland SafariCape Town to Johannesburg

Camping/Inn Overland Safari departs every Saturday from €1895

Cape Town, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Soussusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Brandberg, Etosha, Caprivi, Okavango Delta, Kasane, Vic Falls, Hwange, Matobo

South Africa

18 Day Overland Explorer Johannesburg to Cape Town

Accommodated Safari departs every Tuesday and Friday from €1295

Drifters Bushveld Camp, Hazyview, Kruger,  Swaziland, Dolphin Coast, Drankensberg, Ladybrand, Karoo, Knysna, Cape Town

Mozambique Transfrontier

17 Day 4X4 Explorer Johannesburg to Johannesburg

Camping/Inn Adventure Safari, departs every third Thursday from €1795

Kruger, Mozambique Transfrontier Park, Villancoulos, Inhambane, Mabuto, Elephant Reserve, Zululand

East Africa

12 Day Overland Safari Nairobi to Nairobi

Camping/Inn East Africa Highlights overland explorer, departs fortnightly on Saturdays €1695

Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Lake  Victoria, Serengetti, Nogorongoro, Masai Mara

 

Kruger Park

5 Day Bushveld Safari Johannesburg to Johannesburg

Overland Safari, Private Game Reserve and Kruger Park. Departs every Sunday from €525

 

Namibia

12 Day Safari Windhoek to Windhoek

Camping/Inn Safari departs every Tuesday  from €1195

Windhoek, Namibrand, Soussusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton Cost, Twyfelfontein, Epupa Falls, Etosha

Zimbabwe 16 Day Safari Windhoek to Windhoek

Camping/Inn Safari departs every Tuesday  from €1125

Windhoek, Namibrand, Soussusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton Cost, Twyfelfontein, Epupa Falls, Etosha

Terms and Conditions
PRICE INCLUDES

We attempt to make every effort to ensure that our clients are fully aware of what costs are involved on each trip, and to avoid the situation of any surprise hidden costs. Our prices include transport for the duration of the tour, accommodation, group equipment (tents, pots etc.) advice on equipment, hire costs (boats, polers,etc.), permits and entry fees, a competent professional guide and all food for the duration of the trip (restaurants excluded).The food is healthy and every endeavour is made to suit all tastes, and we make as much use of local produce as possible. We include coffee and tea, as well as fruit juice at breakfast, but all alcohol and soft drinks are for your own expense. DRIFTERS do not operate the food kitty system because this causes delays during the journey while the passengers shop, and is open to misuse. All braais and breakfasts are provided by us but not meals en route to and from the area of the tour. As our programme must be projected so far ahead and our prices are therefore subject to exchange rate fluctuations, we reserve the right to surcharge without notice, although this is against our intentions. Any special extra excursions are for the client's expense. 

BOOKING PROCEDURE

If you wish to make a reservation it is advisable first to contact DRIFTERS to ensure that there is still space available on the particular venture or tour. If so then complete the booking form and send it along with a 10% NON- REFUNDABLE deposit to confirm your reservation. IF THE FULL AMOUNT IS NOT PAID 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE DATE OF SUCH TOUR IVENTURE, DRIFTERS may, at our own discretion and without notice, be entitled to regard the booking as cancelled and to re-book the vacancy. Late applicants may join tours/ventures on an accommodation available basis.

INSURANCE 
Travel insurance is compulsory and you should arrange such in your country of origin. You should be overed in the event of cancellation or curtailment, death, any medical or rescue expenses, as well as  for any loss of baggage, money or personal items. You may contact our office in this regard.

AIRFARES  Cape to Cairo can book all inernational and domestic flights
 

CANCELLATION PROCEDURE
Cancellation of any booking must be received in writing by DRIFTERS. If a booking is cancelled with the consent of DRIFTERS, the latter shall retain the full deposit. Should a person cancel a tour/venture and  cannot find an immediate replacement, they will:
a) If DRIFTERS have 4 weeks or more notice, only the deposit is forfeited.
b) If DRIFTERS have less than 4 weeks notice, the deposit and in addition a cancellation fee will be payable by the client as follows:
27-21 days 40% of total fare
20-14 days 60% of total fare
13-0 days 100% of total fare
c) If you fail to join a tour/venture or join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no reimbursement whatsoever will be made.

TRANSPORT

DRIFTERS operate with Mercedes trucks, Mercedes vans, Landcruisers, Samils and Unimogs, all chosen for their practicality and reliability. They seat up to 20 clients depending on the application. 

GROUP SIZE AND AGE
Our group size usually numbers between 6 and 20 pax. By travelling in small groups it means that we don't invade campsites and can avoid wasting time in constantly having to wait for people. It also enables us to 
maintain a far more personal service for our clients. From our experience our groups are normally made up of individuals, couples and sometimes groups of friends aged between 18 and 55 years. The more physical and youthful mentality which prevails on these tours make them generally unsuited to anybody 
over the age of 55 years. The minimum size of a group for a guaranteed
departure must be 6 people, although we may run with less.

CHANGE OF BOOKING
If, after confirming your booking, you wish to change to an alternative departure date, you may do so subject to availability and by agreement with our booking office. Should we not be able to accommodate your request and you therefore must cancel, our usual cancellation procedure will apply.

EXCHANGE CONTROL REGULATIONS

Clients must realize that most African countries have certain currency restrictions with which they must familiarize themselves before travelling.

RESCUE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
In the unlikely event of rescue and medical assistance being needed, other than that provided by DRIFTERS, the participant shall be liable for the entire cost thereof, unless covered by insurance.

PARTICIPATION
The degree of satisfaction and enjoyment you feel at the end of each day and the end of the trip will depend on you and your capacity to enjoy yourself. This capacity, combined with an active and enquiring  mind and a willingness to participate, is essential for any of our tours. If you wish to be pampered and amused with minimal effort on your part, then our tours are not for you. Participation is essential on all trips and everyone is expected to help with chores to ensure the smooth running of the tour. A degree of flexibility is also essential because of the mere nature of the parameters in which we have to operate.

GUIDES
Our guides are mature adults who are young at heart and enjoy their work. They are chosen for their personalities, their interest in their environment, their experience and their ability to handle people. We have a hard core of full-time guides as well as a pool of good reliable part-timers, all registered with the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa and Satour.

SLEEPING
Usually in tents accommodating two adults. Alternatively we utilize Inns, log cabins, bungalows and rondavels, even under the stars if desired. Thin sleeping mats are provided, but clients may bring inflatable mattresses for further comfort. Single clients may share accommodation with other clients.

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Baggage on all our tours will be strictly limited to one large bag, (barrel bag or internal framed backpack, weighing a maximum of l5kgs. We will also allow a smaller hand luggage bag or camera bag per person. In order to prevent complications on vehicles, aeroplanes and boats, this allowance must be adhered to. SUITCASES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

EQUIPMENT HIRE
We hire out sleeping bags if required. 

SPENDING MONEY
Each trip will require differing amounts of pocket money depending on the length of the journey, the individual's needs and the specific conditions of each tour. Money is needed for meals en route on the first and last day of travelling, curios, alcohol and soft drinks, specified restaurant meals, visas, airport taxes and transfers and additional excursions not included in the tour price. Tipping is a customary practice in Southern Africa.

CONDITIONS

Due to the nature of hiking, camping, touring, driving and the general third-world conditions on our our/ventures, DRIFTERS, their employees, guides and affiliates, do not accept responsibility for any client or dependant thereof in respect of any loss, injury, illness, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced from time of departure to time of return, or subsequent to date of return, such loss, injury, etc. arising out of any such tour/venture organised by DRIFTERS. Should a tour/venture be cancelled by DRIFTERS due to weather conditions or other reasons, it shall either refund full payment or offer a substitute tour/venture. Should DRIFTERS have to curtail a tour/venture for any reason due to weather conditions or other factors after the time of departure, DRIFTERS will not be liable for any form of refund whatsoever, although everything will be done to complete a tour/venture or to utilize an alternative arrangement or venue. All tours are subject to a minimum of 6 pax travelling, although a tour may still run with fewer, at the discretion of DRIFTERS. Should a client decide to curtail a tour for any reason whatsoever DRIFTERS will not be liable for any refund whatsoever.

For additional informations see What to Take


   
Contact:

Cape to Cairo
Barbara Levedahl
2761 Unicorn Ln NW
Washington DC 20015
800-356-4433 / 202-244-5954
e-mail: safari@capetocairo.travel