Travel in Southern Africa (Home)
|
|
|
Back to Tours 2003 WEST COAST – KALAHARI TOUR A 16 day SELF DRIVE or GROUP TOUR including the singularly beautiful Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope, the West Coast with its quaint fishing villages, and spectacular floral carpet in spring, as well as the starkly beautiful Augrabies Falls, the Kgalagadi (formerly Kalahari-Gemsbok) National Park, the "roaring" white dunes of the Kalahari and the diamond city of Kimberley with its "big hole". Even though the wild flowers in spring are a special attraction, the whole area has so much else to offer, that it is definitely also worth a visit a other times of the year.
DAY 1 CAPE TOWN You land at the "Fairest Cape", take delivery of your hired vehicle and make your way to your hotel for the next 2 nights. In the afternoon you explore Cape Town with its uniquely beautiful setting at the foot of the 1000m high Table Mountain. If the weather is good, you could take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. AMBASSADOR HOTEL (Sea-facing) BB DAY 2 CAPE TOWN Today you drive to the Cape of Good Hope, via Simon’s Town, where you could visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. You return via Ou Kaapse Weg, Hout Bay and the scenic road along the Atlantic coast. If there is time, you could also visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and Groot Constantia, one of South Africa’s oldest wine estates. AMBASSADOR HOTEL (Sea-facing) BB
On this day you explore the wine route. First travel to Stellenbosch, where you can see fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture. From there the journey continues via Paarl to Wellington. From Wellington you travel to Ceres and over the Gydopas pass to the Swartruggens mountain range. Overnight at the place of the San (Bushman). KAGGA KAMMA FB & ACTIVITIES
Spend the whole day in this private game and nature reserve in the ruggedly beautiful Cederberg range, where you can participate in two activities (included), including a closer acquaintance with the fascinating
Continue to Lambert’s Bay on the Atlantic coast. A short detour into the town of Clanwilliam in the Cederberg Wilderness area is worth a visit. Near Clanwilliam you can also visit the Ramskop Nature
Reserve, where apart from smaller wild animals, you can see the magnificent wild flowers in bloom during spring (August/September) LAMBERT’S BAY HOTEL BB
Before leaving Lambert’s Bay you could visit Bird Island with its big Gannet colony. From Lambert’s Bay the journey then continues via Vanrhynsdorp, Garies and Springbok to Okiep. In spring you can enjoy the colourful flower carpet on the Knersvlakte between Vanrhynsdorp and Bitterfontein. If you have time, a detour from Vanrhynsdorp to Niewoudtville (Wild flower Reserve and Niewoudtville waterfall) would be well worth your while. Not too far beyond Kammieskroon you should make time to visit the Skilpad Nature Reserve – one of the best areas for the spectacular wild flower show in spring. OKIEP COUNTRY HOTEL BB
You could go on a 3 hour drive in an open safari vehicle in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok – an experiene that the wild flowers make especially worthwhile in spring, but at other times of the year there is also much to see, such as antelope and endangered mountain zebra. From Springbok the journey continues via Poffadder and Alheit to Kakamas near the Augrabies Falls National Park. KALAHARI GATEWAY HOTEL BB DAY 8 AUGRABIES FALLS Kakamas is also the gateway to the Augrabies Falls National Park, where you will spend the greater part of today. See the chasm worn into solid rock by the mighty Orange (Ghariep) River, and also enjoy the wildlife in the park, such as fish eagles, antelope, reptiles, the endangered black rhino and baboons. KALAHARI GATEWAY HOTEL BB
On your way to Upington you could make a detour (±160km) to the Kokerboom (Quiver Tree) Forest from Keimoes. This forest, approximately 8 km south of Kenhardt, is one of the largest concentrations of these strange tree aloes, from which the Bushmen (San people) used to make their arrows. In winter (July) when these trees are in flower, this detour is especially worthwhile. Between Keimoes and Upington you will pass many vinyards, made possible in this arid region by the waters of the Orange River. UPINGTON PROTEA HOTEL BB
Travel to the Kgalagadi National Park. As it is extremely difficult to find accommodation in the rest camps in the park, it is essential that bookings must be made in good time. This park in the remote north western corner of South Africa is home to a large variety of animals, such as Springbok, Gemsbok and Kalahari lions, the males of which have black manes – all animals which you would not see in the more famous Kruger Park. 
KGALAGADI REST CAMP - NO MEALS
The entire day is devoted to wild life spotting in the park. Who knows, maybe you will be able to take that once in a lifetime photo! KGALAGADI REST CAMP - NO MEALS
DAY 12 KGALAGADI NATIONAL PARK – WITSAND NATURE RESERVE 
After breakfast you leave the park and head back towards Upington, from where you continue to the Witsand Nature Reserve, near Groblershoop. Here you can marvel at the "roaring" white dunes rising above the surrounding red sand. From September to April the sand of these dunes makes a strange growling sound as you walk on them. WITSAND NATURE RESERVE BB
You spend the day exploring the Witsand Nature Reserve either on foot or in a 4x4 safari vehicle. One activity is included – optional extra activities can be booked at extra cost. WITSAND NATURE RESERVE BB
Continue to Kimberley, South Africa’s diamond capital. Here you can visit a diamond mine, as well as the biggest hole in the world (457m deep) dug by men with picks and shovels. Around the "Big Hole" a historic mining village from the time of the diamond rush has been reconstructed. HOLIDAY INN GARDEN COURT BB
From Kimberley you travel in the direction of Johannesburg via Warrenton and Vryburg. You spend the night in the posh suburb of Rosebank with its exclusive shops, where you could do some last minute shopping. ROSEBANK HOTEL BB 
If your flight only leaves Johannesburg in the evening, you still have ample time to visit South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria, before heading for the airport where you return your rented car, before checking in.
EXCLUDING CAR HIRE – excellent rates on request subject to chosen category Included: Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, excepting where otherwise stated Meet & assist at the airport when arriving in South Africa Info pack and road atlas
Excluded: All entrance fees Flights Meals not mentioned in itinerary Drinks and other extras Gratuities Personal expenses The above tour can also be done in the opposite direction without any change in the price. Group quotations on request.
|
|
|
