Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
West Coast National Park & Elands Bay - Atlantic Ocean
West Coast National Park & Elands Bay - Atlantic Ocean
This morning depart Cape Town for the Atlantic Coast to the West Coast NP along the turquoise waters of the Langebaan Lagoon. In spring the dunes & wetlands explode into fields of multi-coloured wild flowers. The migratory birds and endemic animal species can be seen all year round.
The West Coast Fossil Park is known to palaeontologists world wide.
The exceptionally well-preserved fossil remains of giant bear, elephants, giraffe & lion date to circa 5m years are on show.
Continue along the coast from St Helena Bay to Eland’s Bay, the latter famous for surfing, cray fishing & archaeological discoveries, to your farm on the banks of Verloerenvlie, an important Ramsar Wetland.
Self-Drives - We meet & greet you at the airport, go through the itinerary in detail, hand you comprehensive maps, literature & vouchers. We are available 24/7 throughout your tour of Southern Africa.
Our range of 4x4 vehicles are equipped with everything you need for a true African safari camping experience.
- Main Destination:
- West Coast National Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Nieuwoudville, Wild flowers, Canyons & Waterfalls
Nieuwoudville, Wild flowers, Canyons & Waterfalls
After leaving Eland’s Bay you head to Lambert’s Bay, known for its diamond diving and crayfishing communities. Seafood barbecues are a tradition in summer.
From the harbour we walk along the seawall that leads to Bird Island the world’s largest gannet colony.
We head up the panoramic Vanrhyn’s pass to Nieuwoudtville in the Kouebokkeveld, the bulb capital of the world.
Farm stay accommodation.
- Main Destination:
- Nieuwoudtville (Town, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Augrabies Falls National Park
Augrabies Falls National Park
Leaving Nieuwoudtville drive through Bushman Land.
Drive through the Tankwa Karoo National Park towards the Augrabies Falls National Park. This waterfall is among the highest and most powerful in the world, the name is derived from the Khoi word meaning “place of great noise”.
What makes it so unique is that it feels surreal to encounter such a wonder of nature in this harsh arid environment.
The centrepiece of this park is the 66m-high waterfall created when the Orange River thunders through a ravine. The nearby Bridal Veil Falls drop 85m and most people simply follow the boardwalks past the falls and leave shortly afterwards, but there is plenty more to explore. Look out for dassies (cute, furry creatures that look like outsized gerbils) hopping across the rocks, tackle a day hike or take a wildlife drive deeper into the park.
Expect up-close encounters with giraffes, zebras and a number of antelope species. The falls are at their most impressive after the summer rains.
- Main Destination:
- Augrabies Falls National Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Augrabies Falls NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Kgalagadi Trans-Frontier National Park, self-drive safari
Kgalagadi Trans-Frontier National Park, self-drive safari
This morning follows the Orange River, driving through Upington, founded in 1869, the gateway to the Kalahari.
In 2000 the former Gemsbok NP was combined with South Africa’s former Kalahari Gemsbok NP to create the new Kgalagadi Trans frontier Park. The result is a 29000sq-km bi-national park that is one of the largest and most pristine arid wilderness area on the planet.
Kgalagadi is home to huge herds of springbok, gemsbok, eland and wildebeest, as well as a full complement of predators, including lions (official estimates put the lion population of the park at around 475), cheetahs (230), leopards (130), brown hyenas (650) and spotted hyenas (385). More than 290 bird species are present, including several endemic species of larks, bustards and raptors.
On arrival in the early afternoon commence your safari self-drive until sunset.
- Main Destination:
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Kgalagadi TP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - self-drive safari
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - self-drive safari
Early morning departure to see the the big cats, leopards, cheetahs including the unique black maned lions. Admire the Oryx which are the pride of the Kalahari Desert. Various antelope and other species are seen in this amazing National Park.
Breakfast in the desert.
Spend the day on your self drive safari, the camps have swimming pools, restaurants, shops with the necessary ammonites, relevant literature and maps.
It is a good idea to stock up with goods in Upington before entering the park, especially if you going to barbeque, which is highly recommended.
An optional sunrise, sunset and safari walks are available to you with the park rangers. Enquire at reception.
- Main Destination:
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Ai Ais camp & Hot Springs
Ai Ais camp & Hot Springs
Early morning game drive before leaving for Namibia.
From the Namibian border you drive through salt marshes, vast desert plains and arid mountains.
Lunch
By mid afternoon you arrive at our Ai Ais, which means “boiling” in Nama. This oasis forms the southern part of the Fish River Canyon.
The rest of the day relax and enjoy a swim in the hot springs of Ai Ais known to have healing properties for rheumatism and skin problems.
South Africa’s remotest national park presents a barren but undeniably striking landscape filled with weird rock formations and sandy moonscapes dotted with otherworldly trees. This transfrontier park, which straddles the South Africa-Namibia border, is not so much a place for wildlife viewing but for demanding hikes, adventurous drives and survivalist fun.
- Main Destination:
- |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
The Great Fish River Canyon - worlds 2nd largest
The Great Fish River Canyon - worlds 2nd largest
Today you spend time exploring the largest canyon in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (165 km) long, up to 29 km wide and in places almost 580 meters deep.
The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia. It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; the rest of the year it becomes a chain of long narrow pools. At the lower end of the Fish River Canyon, the hot springs resort of Ai-Ais is situated.
Public view points are near Hobas, a camp site 70 km north of Ai-Ais. This part of the canyon is part of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The other 90 km of this canyon are privately owned.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP, Namibia)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
The Mighty Orange River in the Richtersveld - UNESCO world heritage site
The Mighty Orange River in the Richtersveld - UNESCO world heritage site
Depart Ai-Ais driving through the Northern Richtersveld National Park to the Mighty Orange River on the Namibian - South African border.
The Richtersveld is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for it’s cultural heritage, precious stones and botanical diversity.
It conjures up a desolate and forbidding landscape, seemingly devoid of life, except for some people dotting along the horizon. Make a startling discovery upon closer inspection when the mirage dissolves into the human-like half-mens (half person) and the harsh environment prove to be a treasure-chest containing the world’s richest desert flora.
This afternoon spend time canoeing lazily down the mighty Orange River. The scenery along the river is just out of this world.
- Main Destination:
- Orange River (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Provenance Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Namaqualand to the Cederberg world heritage wilderness area
Namaqualand to the Cederberg world heritage wilderness area
This morning after a paddle or a hike along the Orange river you leave and head South to our next exciting destination.
You pass the towns of Springbok and Karies which are in the heart of the Namaqualand. In August/September (early spring) this arid region explodes with fields of multi colored flowers, a phenomena not to be missed.
You visit the historical town of Clanwilliam, home to the Rooibos tea. We visit the Co-op for a tea tasting.
In the late afternoon we arrive at our Wilderness lodge with enough time for a walk, swim or just relaxing beside the pool.
- Main Destination:
- Cederberg Wilderness Area (Mountain Range, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- Africamps at de Pakhuys, Cederberg
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Cederberg Mountains, Bushman paintings & spectacular Rock formations
Cederberg Mountains, Bushman paintings & spectacular Rock formations
After breakfast hike into the beautiful Cederberg mountains and visit the caves with magnificent paintings left by the “Bushmen”. Some of the best African rock art is found here!
There are populations of baboons, rheboks, klipspringers and grysbok's'; and predators such as caracals, Cape foxes, honey badgers and the elusive leopard.
As well as hiking, the Cederberg is popular with rock climbers, star-gazers and photographers, keen to capture the endlessly impressive landscapes.
Make your last stop at Bloubergstrand and enjoy a postcard view of the city of Cape Town, Robben Island and the famous Table Mountain.
Arrival in Cape Town late afternoon.
Our range of 4x4 vehicles are equipped with everything you need for a true African safari camping experience.
Optional activities are offered to you at our preferential rates, discounted at around 20%. They include: Helicopter flips, Guided safaris, Hot air ballooning, Paragliding, Shark cage diving, Whale cruises and more.
- Main Destination:
- Cederberg Wilderness Area (Mountain Range, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
