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GT351 Kalahari Safari (18days)
Day 1: Saturday - Day of arrival
Meet and greet at O.R.Tambo International. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Sandton/Johannesburg (no meals included)
Day 2: Sunday – Egoli, place of gold
After a late breakfast we depart for Johannesburg. Experience the historical world of Gold Reef City Theme Park. This magical trip down memory lane will tell you all about how Johannesburg developed from a dusty gold-mining town to the economic engine room of Africa. How gold was discovered on a reef called the Witwatersrand and how the lives of men and women formed an integral part of a rich and fascinating heritage. Visit the Apartheid Museum and experience a political system that divided a nation for more than 48 years. Dinner at Moyos Restaurant.
Overnight Sandton/Johannesburg Hotel (DBB)
Distance: 50km
Day 3: Monday – Pretoria
After a late breakfast we depart for the city tour of Pretoria the Administrative Capital of South Africa. Visit the Voortrekker Monument built in 1938 as a tribute to the Afrikaner Voortrekkers who brought their culture to the interior of South Africa a century before. Visit the Union Buildings an acropolis on Meintjieskop overlooking the city of Pretoria built in 1910 by Sir Herbert Baker. Take a walk in Church Square surrounded by historical buildings and Pres. Paul Kruger. Dinner at hotel
Overnight Sandton/Johannesburg Hotel (DLBB)
Distance: 100km
Day 4: Tuesday – Sun City extravaganza
09h00 Depart Sandton for Pilanesberg and Sun City. Drive through the old Western Transvaal along the Hartbeespoortdam, favourite playing grounds of the people of Johannesburg and Gauteng. Lunch en route. Arrive at Sun City and explore South Africa’s first and biggest Casino and entertainment paradise. Sun City was built after Bophuthatswana was proclaimed an Independent Homeland in 1977. The complex includes the Superbowl, a huge concert arena, sporting and gambling facilities. It also includes The Palace of the Lost City. Evening of entertainment. Optional show on availability.
Overnight Sun City (DLBB)
Distance: 200km
Day 5: Wednesday – Pilanesberg game experience
After a late breakfast and a swim in the man-made Valley of the Waves we depart for Pilanesberg. This Nature Reserve was developed in 1979 on an extinct volcano 27km in diameter and edged by six rings of hills. It is one of our largest game sanctuaries with an area of 500 square km. The park offers good game-viewing with most of the Southern African mammals and 300 bird species. The central feature of the park is the man-made Mankwe Dam(the place of the Leopard). Do a self-drive through the park in search of the Big Five. Lunch at one of the picnic spots. Check into our chalets. Depart on an open vehicle sunset game drive through the park in search of game. Late dinner at camp.
Overnight Bakubung Bush Lodge Pilanesberg (DLBB)
Distance: 100km
Day 6: Thursday – Lesedi cultural experience
06h00 Early morning self-game drive in search of game around the Mankwe dam and the many loops around mountains and plains. Pilanesberg exists within the transitional zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter Lowveld vegetation (Bushveld). Animals like Springbok and Impala and many bird species overlap in this zone. Return to camp for breakfast. Depart for Lesedi Cultural Village 40min from Johannesburg. Check into Lesedi Protea Hotel
16h30 Join the Lesedi cultural experience in a cultural village with multi-cultural dance shows taking you back to the heartbeat of Africa. The different cultures can be experienced under one roof from the Pedi, Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Ndebele tribes. Opportunities for shopping African craft. Dinner at the Nyama Choma Restaurant.
Overnight Protea Hotel Lesedi (DLBB)
Distance: 250km
Day 7: Friday – Kimberley, the Big Hole
Early breakfast.Depart Lesedi for the Cradle of Humankind in Mogali City (formerly Krugersdorp). This is a 47 000ha valley where some of the oldest fossils of hominids were found. Visit the Sterkfontein Caves where Robert Broom found Mrs.Ples, a 2,5 million year old hominid fossil in 1947. Little Foot a 3,3million year ape man skeleton was found in 1995. Visit Maropeng Visitor and inter-active Centre in the heart of the Cradle of the Humankind World Heritage Site.
Depart from Maropeng on the long journey to Kimberley. Lunch en route. Drive south through the North West gold mining towns of Potchefstroom, oldest town in the old Transvaal, Klerksdorp and Bloemhof. Enter the Great Northern Cape and arrive in Kimberley late afternoon.
OvernightKimberley (DLBB)
Distance: 500km
Day 8: Saturday – Kimberley, the Big Hole
After a late breakfast we explore the historical town. Board the train in mid town for a short ride to the Kimberley Big Hole. In 1871 diamonds were found on a hill called Colesberg Koppie which attracted 50 000 diggers in months. Diggers continued digging the hill until the biggest crater in the world was excavated by pick and shovel, The Kimberley Big Hole. A tour of this historical site takes you back down memory lane in beautiful restored buildings in the diamond mining era. Lunch at the Museum.
Vist the Sol Plaatjie Museum and the Mcgregor Memorial Museum depicting the history of the Northwestern Cape. Explore the many monuments including the statues of Cecil John Rhodes who established De Beers Consolidated Diamond Mines.
Overnight Kimberley Hotel (DLBB)
Distance: 20km
Day 9: Sunday - Upington and the Green Kalahari
08h00 Depart Kimberley for Douglas. Arrive at Douglas a small agricultural town at the confluence of the Great Vaal and Orange Rivers, two of the most important rivers in the North-West of South Africa. This area was the battlefields between the San (Bushman) and the Griquas. Visit the small Mission Station of Campbell where the famous David Livingstone met his wife. Continue to Griekwastad (Griquatown) named after the local tribes and Groblershoop. Lunch en route. Enter the Green Kalahari a lush green belt of vineyards, wheat and fruits produced both sides of the Orange River, in contrast with the surrounding red sand dunes and deserts. The Orange River starts in the Drakensberg Mountains and flows westwards through the Kalahari and mouths at the Atlantic 2340km further. Arrive in Upington, capital of the Kalahari.
Overnight Upington Hotel (DLBB)
Distance:450km
Day 10: Monday - Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park
After a late breakfast we explore Upington and her monuments including a Donkey and a Camel Memorial. Depart Upington for the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Kalahari Gemsbok Park) the first of Africa’s Peace Parks. This unique park is situated on the border between South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. It was established in 1931 for the protection of the Gemsbok (Oryx). The Park is 9500 square km and extends since 1999 into the Gemsbok National Park (Botswana) totaling 28 400 square km. Cruise through the red dunes and small villages with beautiful descriptive Afrikaans names, Blou Pan (Blue Pan), Wit Pan(White Pan) Eensaamheid (loneliness). Possible opportunities to meet and interact with the indigenous San (Bushman) of the Kalahari. Arrive at the Kgalagadi and check in at Twee Rivieren. Lunch at the camp. Rest of the day at leisure.
17h45 Meet for a sunset drive into the desert on an open vehicle. Do a sunset drive along the one of the two main rivers, the Nossob and the Auob in search of the desert lions. Dinner at Main Camp.
Overnight Twee Rivieren Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park (DLBB)
Distance:300km
Day 11: Tuesday Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park
06h00 Leave camp for a self-drive in search of game. The park abounds with springbok, blue wildebeest, eland, leopard, hyena, wild dog and lion. Vegetation is very sparse and the main viewing is along the sandy river banks. Temperatures soars into the 40degrees in mid-day. Arrive at Mata Mata Camp on the Auob River on the Namibian Border. Rest of the day at leisure in shade. After lunch we return with the same road back to Twee Rivieren. Arrive late afternoon and enjoy the swimming pool.
Dinner at camp.
Overnight Twee Rivieren (DLBB)
Distance 150km
Day 12: Wednesday Augrabies Waterfalls
06h00 Leave early morning for a drive along the Nossob River on the border with Botswana. Rainfall in the park varies between 100-125 mm a year, the park has thus sunk many boreholes to provide water to man and beast. The animals supplement their water intake by eating tsama melons and wild cucumbers. Return back to Twee Rivieren and leave the Park. Lunch en route.
Return via Upington Augrabies Falls National Park named by the Koranna as ‘the water that thunders’.
Arrive Augrabies late afternoon and check into our chalets. Take a walk to the waterfalls for sunset views. The Park was established in 1966 on the Orange River and is 88 000ha. The waterfall plunges 65m into a pool, 130m deep and rushes through a ravine 15km below the falls. This is the second largest waterfall in Africa.
Overnight Augrabies Falls National Park Main Camp (DBB)
Distance: 400km
Day 13: Thursday Bushmanland
After breakfast we take a self-drive into the rest of the Park. The falls can be viewed from various viewpoints such as Arrow Head, Moon Rock and Oranjekom. The vegetation is different from the Kalahari and is typical Bushmanland and Southern Kalahari. There are a few antelope, monkeys and baboons on the route.
Depart from Augrabies via Kakamas to Pofadder small Namaqua town named after a Koranna chief. Arrive in Springbok late afternoon.
Overnight Springbok (DLBB)
Distance: 450km
Day 14: Friday Namaqualand flower splendour
09h00 Namaqualand is known for the greatest flower show on earth from middle August to middle September depending on good winter rains. Carpets of flowers spread from horizon to horizon forming a colourful tapestry. Explore the Namaqualand and follow the sun in search of the best floral sightings (in season). Visit the Namaqua National Park boasting with carpets of flowers, quiver trees, klipspringer antelope, black harriers and quartz patches. Alternatively we explore Springbok and the surrounding towns and villages in the rural areas.
Overnight Springbok DLBB
Distance: 150km
Day 15: Saturday The Cederberg and the Oliphants River Valley.
09h00 Leave Springbok and travel southwards on the N7 through the Namaqua towns of Kamieskroon, Kharkams and Garies. Visit the Skilpad Nature Reserve (in season) for the beautiful display of flowers. Visit Vanrhynsdorp established as a mission station. The town is in the Knersvlakte, an arid stony area with some of the most unique succulents and the largest nursery of its kind. Lunch en route. Enter the Oliphants River Valley late afternoon. Visit the Rooibos Tea Factory for a sampling of this healthy, nourishing indigenous tea of this region.
Overnight Clanwilliam (DLBB)
Distance: 400km
Day 16: Sunday Bushman Rock Art and Bird Island
08h00 Leave our hotel after breakfast. Enter the northern ranges of the Cederberg Mountains with its bizarre rock formations sculptured by erosion over many centuries. Cross Pakhuis Pass with scenic mountain views. Start the Sevilla trail to 10 of the most artistic Bushman rock art sightings. Take an easy two hour walk along a dry river bed and rocky path. Return to Clanwilliam and continue to Lamberts Bay on the West Coast. Visit the largest colony of Gannets and important breeding ground for penguins and other birds on Bird Island, a Provincial Nature Reserve in Lamberts Bay a fishing town.
Dinner at Muisbosskerm an open air restaurant on the beach.
Overnight Lamberts Bay (DLBB)
Distance: 120km
Day 17: Monday West Coast
08h00 After a late breakfast take a dip in the cold Atlantic Ocean. Cruise along the N7 Southward through the Rooibos tea plantations and citrus orchards of Citrusdal, one of the largest producers of citrus fruits. Arrive in Velddrift and Laaiplek fishing villages at the mouth of the Berg River. Watch leathered fishermen along the Berg River salting their herrings (bokkoms) a favourite delicacy of the fishermen. Lunch en route. Drive through pristine coastal towns like Paternoster, Saldanha Bay and Langebaan. In flower season drive through the West Coast National Park. Visit the West Coast Fossil Park at Langebaanweg. Fossils dating back 5 million years ago was found on this old phosphate mining site.
Arrive in Cape Town late afternoon.
Overnight Cape Town/Sea Point (DLBB)
Day 18: Tuesday Cape Town
Day of leisure in Cape Town and the Waterfront. (no meals)
Transfer from hotel to Cape Town International Airport.
END OF TOUR
Extended tours in Cape Town
Day 19 : Wednesday – The Cape Town Mother City
Wake up in Cape Town, the Mother City. Do a tour of the city from the Waterfront to the heart of Cape Town. Take a leisurely walk in the Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarters) with her colourful houses and cobbled stone roads. Opportunities for shopping at craft markets at Green Market Square in front of the Old City Hall and St.George’s Mall. Walk in our oldest gardens (established by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652), the Company Gardens with museums, monuments and statues.
11h45 Visit the Castle of Good Hope, oldest building in South Africa, in time for the handing over of the key ceremony and a tour of the museum. Lunch at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Afternoon visit and walk in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, flagship of the National Botanical Institute of South Africa. Explore the landscaped gardens, Braille trail for the visually impaired, indoor planetarium and visitor centre.
Overnight Cape Town/ Sea Point (DLBB)
Distance 60km
Day 20: Thursday –The Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula Tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through our floral kingdom, panoramic drives along the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. Drive through the rich coastal suburbs of Clifton and Camp’s Bay. Stop at Maidens Cove for views of Lions Head, Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles. Continue to Hout Bay Harbour for an optional boat ride to Seal Island. Drive along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive for stunning views of Hout Bay harbour, nestled amongst the mountains. Drive along the mystique Misty Cliffs with the mist hanging along the cliffs, pure white beaches and crystal blue waters. Enter The Cape Peninsula National Park and cruise to the tip of the Cape Peninsula. Walk to the Cape Point Lighthouse for spectacular views of The Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. Photo-stop at The Cape of Good Hope, South Westernmost tip of Africa (most photographed spot in the Peninsula). Enjoy the frolicking of our endangered African Jackass Penguins in the tranquil waters of Boulders. Visit Simon’s Town with its historical buildings and Naval Base. Stop at the monument of the famous World War Two naval dog, Able Seaman Just Nuisance at Jubilee Square. Cruise through Fish Hoek and Boyes Drive for aerial views of False Bay and Muizenberg, Riviera of The South. Arrive Cape Town late afternoon.
19h00 Dinner at Geometric Tours residence for a traditional dinner
Overnight Cape Town Sea Point (DLBB)
Distance = 180km
Day 21: Friday Robben Island and Table Mountain
08h15 Leave the hotel for the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront.
09h00 Depart on a half an hour boat trip to Robben Island, a place deeply engraved in our memories. Tour the prison with an ex-prisoner and visit the cell of former President Nelson Mandela. Guided bus tour of the Island and all the historical sites.
12h00 Return to mainland. Light lunch at the Waterfront. Visit Table Mountain, our World Heritage site and most popular mountain for a cable car ride to the top. Take a leisurely walk on top of the world. Enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the Mother City, Robben Island, the ocean and the Cape Flats.
Dinner at an African Restaurant
Overnight Cape Town/Sea Point (DLBB)
Distance = 120km
Day 22: Saturday The winelands of the Boland
09h00 Depart on a winelands tour. Taste and savour our wines at renowned wine cellars and estates in the Stellenbosch and Boland.
10h00 Wine-tasting and cellar tour at Bergkelder (cellar in the mountain) Visit the historical town of Stellenbosch, famous for its Museums, age-old Oak trees, Oom Samie se Winkel and the popular Afrikaans University of Stellenbosch, Pniel, a sleepy Mission Town. Wine tasting at Boschendal under the old Oak.
13h00 Light lunch at Boschendal Wine Estate. Continue to Franschhoek and stop at the French Huguenot Memorial. Last wine tasting at Fairview Goat Farm in Paarl. Last opportunities to stock your wine cabinets with award-winning wines of the Cape. Return to Cape Town International Airport. Depart and transfer to airport. Fly to O.R.Tambo International.
(LB)
Distance = 140km
END OF CAPE EXTENDED TOUR
This tour includes the following:
- Accommodation in 3 star hotels, Guest Houses or Bed and Breakfasts and chalets in National Parks on availability
- Porterage at hotels
- Breakfasts, light lunches and dinners where stipulated
- Transport in air-conditioned vehicles Mercedes Benz Sprinter (max.14)
- Tours conducted by professional guides
- All entries as clearly stipulated
- One 350ml water or beverage on first day on vehicle
- Tours are done according to the seasons and availability and opening times of venues
This tour excludes the following:
- All optional extra entries or tours
- Drinks and beverages
- Anything of a personal nature
- Airport taxes
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