|
|
||
|
Overland Safari Review
Many people never get to experience a safari because of the high cost. Fortunately, for the intrepid travelers, there are options if they not afraid to help out with the cooking and put up their own tent. By Venise Grossmann When a couple books an exclusive African safari, they can take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, snorkel off the coast of Zanzibar, and sip a Lion lager at sunset as they watch the elephant drink at the water hole. For those who have unlimited resources, staying at a luxury lodge is an ideal choice, but for those that can’t afford to spend $1,100 a night, there are other companies that offer African safaris where the cost conscious tourist can enjoy the same activities. Drifters Adventure Tours has been leading overland tours throughout eastern and southern Africa since 1983. Ranging from 5-30 days, the 14 trips that they offer are fully inclusive but inexpensive. Their typical clients are “adventure minded people from 18-55” and are primarily Europeans, Australians, and Americans. While I began with the most challenging trip, a 30-day tour from Johannesburg to Nairobi, in the two subsequent years, I combined two shorter trips—a 24-day Cape Town via Victoria Falls to Johannesburg tour with the 17-day Mozambique Tran frontier tour and then the 16-day Botswana tour with the 24-day Southern Circle tour. In most cases, the tours span several countries. Although participants spend several days at inns and lodges, they spend the majority of the nights in a tent, which they must put up themselves. As we lugged the tents from the vehicle, the Drifters’ motto, “Roughing it and loving it,” became very clear. The overland vehicle, in which we traveled, a green and white Mercedes Benz, seated 20 people and was well equipped. We could store our duffel bags in lockers in the back of the truck and our camping equipment in the compartments on the side of the vehicle. While there was no air conditioning, there was a roof seat for prime game viewing. During the Botswana and Mozambique tours, the travelers make their way through the African bush in a 4 x 4 vehicle. Registered with the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa and South African Tourism, Drifters’ guides not only lead the tour, but also serve as the driver and cook. Since it is a participation tour, the clients take part in the food preparation and work in teams to assist with the clean up. While the breakfasts are simple, and the lunches are sandwiches along the road, the dinner is always a hot meal. Although there is always plenty of food, clients may purchase snacks and drinks along the road. The land cost of the trips range from $600.00 for a five-day trip to Kruger National Park to $2,400 for a 30-day trip from Johannesburg to Nairobi. Although Drifters lists the prices on their Web site in euros, there is a link to a currency converter. The clients may also participate in optional excursions at their own expense such as bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, sand boarding in Namibia, or abseiling on the cliffs in Knysna. Since the participants visit the same game parks as the luxury tour companies yet aren’t paying hundreds of dollars extra a night for deluxe accommodations, the Drifters Tours are an excellent value. For those who want to experience a little luxury, like myself, you can plan some pre and post tour activities in the departure cities such as lunch at the five star Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg or a short visit to a private game lodge. In addition to camping, Drifters clients can also book self-drive tours and stay at a comfortable inn or they can reserve a room at their more upscale lodges, which are still reasonably priced. For those that need more convincing, Drifters offers two videos of their South Africa and Botswana trips on their Website. While the cost of airfare is still high (between $1,400 and $2,100 for an economy ticket), those that book a tour with Drifters will think the overall cost of the tour is well worth it while sitting around the campfire drinking the local lager as the hippos grunt in Mighty Zambezi River. Drifters Adventure Tours http://www.drifters.co.za P O Box 4712 Cresta, Johannesburg South Africa 2118 Tel: (+27 11) 888 1160 Fax: (+27 11) 888 1020
|
|
