1

drifters http://www.drifters.co.za/ is south african company that does a good 18 days trip thrue south africa. accommodation is simple, but clean and not "08/15".

i dont think that there is a company that offers 4-6 weeks tours in south africa - unless of course you dont mind paying for a private tour. the "normal" tour length for south africa is 2-3 weeks. cape town and surroundings is worth at least 5 days (not included in the tour).

what i would do, with your plans and time: fly via joburg to hoedspruit or kruger mpumalanga, spend 2-3 nights in a private game reserve in the timbavati or sabi sand area (in timbavati for example honeyguide mantobeni, motswari or timbavati / in sabi sand for example chitwa chitwa, arathusa, savanna, sabi sabi or mala mala). either fly back to joburg and start the drifters tour there, or - if possible - join the drifters tour in hazyview. travel on the tour to cape town. from cape town, if you are travelling in "whale season", you might consider a 2-3 days "side trip" to the "whale coast" (hermanus is most famous, but i prefer de kelders near gaans bai). and then at least 5 days in and around cape town. robben island, table mountain, kirstenbosch gardens, at least a day on the peninsula, the winelands and a lot more.

2

Try Jenman Safaris http://www.jenmansafaris.com/tours/world-in-one-country-accommodated.html
They have a 19 day tour across SA and most of their travellers are between 40-65yrs old.
It's also only about 4/5 nights on the Garden Route though which is quite standard as most people don't want to spend more than that there on a tour.

Instead of doing a tour, you could also do a self-drive, that way you can decide how long you want to stay in each place...I don't know of any tour that only travels in SA that is longer than 3 weeks...
Self-driving is really easy along this route, I did it myself, the roads are great, views are lovely, if you really want to take your time, I think this is your best option...but I would combine it with a tour for the rest of the time if you are travelling on your own, just so you have some company along the way.

Happy Travels!

3

Impi safaris do self drive or guided tours and are based in Johannesburg, maybe they could do a tailor made trip for you?!

4

Again, all of the abvoe are good comments, but here is just one other option. I see Panorama Tours does a 22 day scheduled tour JNB to CPT or vice versa, www.panoramatours.co.za or email info@panoramatours.co.za.
Another option, because you are well-travelled and adventurous, is the Baz Bus www.bazbus.com, which is a hop-on hop-off system for backpackers, going from JNB via Swaziland down the Gdn Rte to CPT (about R3500 + fuel levy of R600), or via the Drakensberg down to CPT (R2900 + R600) or vice versa, with a host of stopping points. This excludes accomm and food, of course. You can then catch the next one. There's a booking hotline 27-(0)21- 4225202. Check current prices, of course, as these are the latest I have without going into the website.
Happy planning

5

Hi everyone
The originator here ....

.thanks you all for your comments and suggestions, all read and considered! I have booked a tour with Drifters.co.za....as I remember seeing them on the road when I overlanded Africa for a year in 1998 ...and they are still going strong! (I couldnt remember their name until Natalie2 reminded me of it!) It goes approx where I wanted to go!!
I fly out in 2 weeks and will post my comments on the company in about a month!!

6

@pilgrimjmp, Any chance for a quick review of your trip with the Drifters?

We are considering the Cape town, Namibia, Bostwana, Vic Falls to JoBurg tour

Thanks