"Kalahari Explorer"

14 Days Augrabies & Kagligadi National Parks


The Northern Cape, east of the Atlantic Ocean, its surface area makes it one of South Africa’s largest provinces, but it carries the smallest population. Renowned for its Kalahari scenery and home to the ‘first people’ the San-Bushmen, it is undoubtedly South Africa’s most unusual tourist destination.
It boasts two of the countries biggest rivers. It is home to one of the biggest concentration of Vineyards in the Country, the sixth highest waterfall in the country. The KGALAGADI TRANFRONTIER PARK, at 3.7 million hectares is one of the largest conservation areas in the world, crossing the Countries of South Africa and Botswana. Home to countless species of antelope as well as the famous Black maned Lion, the largest concentration of raptors in South Africa and its famous red sand dunes the parks distinctiveness and character will endure in the memory forever. With endless vistas and wide-open spaces this area is rich in history and is sure to leave an impression that will bring you back!


The Orange River is the only prominent geomorphologic phenomenon – the landscape otherwise is very flat and because of the low rainfall the vegetation is very sparse.
Mining of diamonds, iron ore, copper, manganese, marble and semi-precious stones are the main economic activities. Sheep farming (including karakul) and marine farming take also place. The weather conditions are extreme. The rainfall is low and very unreliable.
This corner of the Cape Province is a remote land, with sand hills undulating like the waves of a dry ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. Despite unpromising appearances, life here is abundant in the realm of the toughest animals and plants that survive here. Environment provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest succulents, birds, reptiles to springbok, gemsbok (Oryx) and the endangered black rhinoceros
Augrabies Falls National park - " Place of the great noise" - referring to the Orange river thundering its way downwards for 60 meters in a spectacular waterfall in the park. These 28,000 hectares of unique
Augrabies Falls National Park lies 120 km west of Upington and 40 km Northwest of Kakamas on a tarred access route. National air links to Upington and a private airfield 5 km from the park. Internal roads are gravelled.
Climate. Hot summers and cold nights during winter. January to April is the rainy season. March to October is the most pleasant months in the park.
Where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camel thorn trees provide shade for huge black-mane lions and vantage points for leopard and many raptors... this is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Proclaimed in 1931 to protect migratory game, the original Kalahari Gemsbok National Park has joined with the adjacent Gemsbok National Park of Botswana to create the Transfrontier Park – an area of over 3.6 million hectares. There are few remaining conservation areas of this magnitude in the world, and the sparse vegetation, red dunes and dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob, show antelope and predator species off at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities. 3 days of relaxed game drives and optional night drives.

Day 1
Departing Knysna we head north driving via Oudthoorn, Beaufort-Wes, to Victoria West, built in 1843 when Diamonds was discovered in Hopetown
Lunch: En Route Excl
Accommodation: Britstown Transkaroo Counrty lodge - Britstown BB
Supper: Incl

Day 2
After breakfast the tour departs for Upington via Prieska, (Hottentot for the place where the goats was lost) also famous for its semi precious stones, Britstown (sheep, wool, karakul and skins)
Visiting the prosperous fruit and wine town of Upington situated on the banks of the Gariep River (previously named Orange River), Kanon eiland in the Kalahari Desert 894 kilometres from Cape Town, Upington is one of the few urban centres in the least populated province in the country. The Orange River meanders through the thirsty expanses of the Northern Cape providing the region's livelihood.
The Kalahari-Oranje Museum tells the story of the man largely responsible for kick-starting the fruit-producing industry of the Upington area. It was a nineteenth-century missionary named Reverend Schroder who dug the first canal to provide irrigation from the Orange River.
He built the church and mission station which is now the local museum in 1875. The history of Upington and the Lower Orange River is detailed and there is also a rather unexpected life-size monument to the humble donkey in tribute to its role in the development of the Orange River Valley.
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Islandview Guesthouse BB - Upington
Supper: Excl (alla carte)

Day 3
After breakfast we explore Upington, do some Orange River wine tasting, Date production
Vineyards line the Orange River hereabouts and all offer tastings. As they are part of the Orange River co-operative however, once you've visited one cellar you could well have sampled all the wine on offer.

There is a full range of sports facilities befitting the largest town of the region. These include an 18 hole golf course, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and tennis and squash amenities. Watersports take the form of fishing, speed boating or water-skiing and if the air is more your thing than water, there are microlighting.

13 kilometres north of Upington, the Spitskop Nature Reserve is small but well stocked with zebra and antelope, ostrich and, rather bizarrely, camel. With three walks laid out through the park, this is a good day's outing.
Lunch:Excl
Accommodation: Islandview Guesthouse BB - Upington
Supper: Excl (alla carte)

Day 4
After breakfast we drive via the R360, Askam, turn west 14 km to Andriesvale, turn north to through some spectacular scenery we arrive at the gate to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. We settle in to the Twee Rivieren Restcamp and after lunch go on a game drive. This park is home to the greatest concentration of raptors in South Africa and is also an excellent park to view lion and cheetah. We have a traditional "Braai" for dinner and overnight in the park Restcamp.
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Twee Rivieren Restcamp - Kalahari National Park
Supper: Excl

Day 5
After an orientation morning walk in the sand dunes at Twee Rivieren Camp we continue our safari for new discoveries along the dry Nossob- or Aub riverbeds. Your guide will explain to you the special plant and animal adaptations of the Kalahari Thirstland. As usual, don’t hesitate to ask him to stop whenever a good opportunity for photography occurs. We do a series of game drives, following the short Dune Road.
Dinner in the restaurant and overnight in the Restcamp
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Nossob Restcamp - Kalahari National Park
Supper:Excl

Day 6
The entire day is spent in the park game viewing and bird watching. Apart of antelopes we find here also many cheetah, lion and desert foxes.
A night safari will be conducted in vehicles of the park. Overnight at the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
Lunch:Excl
Accommodation: Mata Mata Restcamp Kalahari National Park
Supper:Excl

Day 7
After breakfast we game drive to Twee Rivieren and supply shopping at Twee Rivieren. Lunch at the saltpans at Loch Marie before driving along the Molopo River to Riemvasmaak
Stop off at Noenieput, Riemvasmaak depart via Kakamas, 80 kilometres south-west of Upington on the road to Springbok, makes a pleasant stopover on the way to Augrabies Falls National Park. A nineteenth century missionary improvised the canals driven by old-fashioned waterwheels, which promoted this obscure backwater to the foremost peach cultivar in the country. The waterwheels help also to irrigate the surrounding vineyards and cotton fields. Orange River Wine Cellars does the same for thirsty travellers. Cool cellars offer welcome shade and a tipple of frosty Chardonnay is just the thing to sluice the red dust of the desert off the back of the throat.
We visit Keimoes, the Quiver Tree Forest on the Kakamas gravel road, The Persian Water Wheels and we stop for wine tasting at the second largest co-operative wine cellars in the world the Orange River Wine Cellar.
We stop at a dried fruit stall, to sample the local products.
On arrival at “Akoerabis” – Place of the big noise- we take a walk to see the Orange River (7 th longest) plunging 67 meters into a 17km long ravine. It is 6 th highest waterfall in the world.
Few sights are as awesome or a sound as deafening as water thundering down the 56-m Augrabies Waterfall when the Orange River is in full flood. The Khoi people called it ‘Aukoerebis’, or place of Great Noise, as this powerful flow of water is unleashed from rocky surroundings characterised by the 18-km abyss of the Orange River Gorge. Picturesque names such as Moon Rock, Ararat and Echo Corner are descriptive of this rocky region. Klipspringer and kokerboom (quiver trees) stand in stark silhouette against the African sky, silent sentinels in a strangely unique environment where only those that are able to adapt ultimately survive. The 28 000 hectares on both the northern and southern sides of the Orange River provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest succulents, birds and reptiles to springbok, gemsbok and the endangered black rhino.
We overnight in the park Restcamp.
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Vergelegen Guesthouse – BB Augrabies Falls National Park.
Supper: incl

Day 8
We spend the day in the park, admiring the falls, going on short walks through some amazing rocky landscapes or taking short drives through the reserve. 120 kilometres west of Upington, the mighty Orange River flings itself suicidally over a granite chasm in a noisy affirmation of life in an arid landscape. The park provides an opportunity to get up close and personal to the explosive power of the cataract.
After a short rest, we depart on a game drive, to view the Giraffe, Dassie, Klipspringer, Chacma Baboons, Vervet monkeys and the rich bird – life (264 species) found here.

Later afternoon you can join the Night Game Drive (optional) to learn more about the stars of the Southern Hemisphere.
The early Stone Age

The ancestors of modern history have inhabited the area surrounding the Orange River since the Early Stone Age. During this time, there is evidence that early man had developed weapons for hunting animal like hippopotamus. They knew to establish themselves near good water sources like the Orange River. During the Middle Stone Age man had created more formal work tools and began to utilise fire. The Late Stone Age, which dates back 22 000 years, is characterised by tools that are smaller from the previous periods. The most prolific archaeological features are the stone cairns or graves from the later Stone Age. Excavations have shown that not all the cairns contain human skeletal remains.
Cultural

The Nama People who over the centuries have managed to adapt to the harsh conditions of the area inhabit the area.
Many delicacies unique to this area may be enjoyed here, like home-grown raisins and dried fruit. Traditional dishes like “puff adders” (named after the snake); are intestines with the fatty portion inward, stuffed with minced liver and skilpadje (tortoise) stomach net fat wrapped around a small piece of liver are always popular.
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Vergelegen Guesthouse – BB - Augrabies Falls National Park.
Supper: incl

Day 9
After breakfast we depart via Pofadder to Springbok, Springbok and visit a mission station at Pella where the Sister will take us on a guided tour through the Catholic Church and museum. After the tour we will have coffee or tea at the cultural coffee-house of "Ouma Toekoes". Sandveld and Namaqualand. Oukiep, Kammieskroon, Gharies, Nieuwoudtsville, Hebndrik van Zyl
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Niewoudtsville Smits winkel DBB
Supper: Incl

Day 10
Nieuwoudtsville, spend time in the hands of Hendrik van Zyl
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Nieuwoudtsville Smits winkel DBB
Supper: Inc.

Day 11
Depart via Calvinia for Sutherland - through the Bushmanland and Karoo. The drive takes us along long roads with endless horizons, here large farms dominate though one does not see the homesteads which are mainly hidden away behind hills are along distance tracks. We arrive in the small town of Calvina famous for its lamb, Hantam complex, which is a set of beautifully restored houses dating back to the 19th Century
A place of vast landscapes and brilliant blue skies which seem to stretch to eternity. The “Hantam” Karoo means, "Where red bulbs grow" in khoi - a name given because of the burst of colourful wild flowers which transform the landscape with the spring rains. The “Bo” Karoo is harsher and drier – a place of salt pans and heat hazes.
On to Sutherland and the World-renowned observatory. One of South Africa's a most unique travel destination
After lunch we join the 2:30 pm Tour at the Observatory, with its 1,9 Radcliffe Reflector
Is that its claimed to be the coldest town in SA at 1456 meters above sea level, founded in 1857, and named after the Reverend H Sutherland.
Join me at Kambro Guest House e and get a chance to use Ian’s personal 200mm Goto Telescope
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Kambrookind Guesthouse BB
Supper: Inc.

Day 12
Sutherland, Kruispad, Matjiesfontein, Verkeerdevlei, to Ceres shade in its Willow and Oak trees. Winter snow is common, known as the little Switzerland of SA
Established in 1854 in the centre of the Warnbokkeveld and named after Roman Goddess of Agriculture.
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Four Seasons - Ceres Guesthouse BB
Supper: Excl (alla carte)

Day 13
Today we drive to Tulbach. Tulbach Earth Quake in 29 Sept 1969, see Danie Theron Home, Riebeek Kasteel, Tulbach set in an exquisite mountain setting this lovely historical town is a star attraction. We visit Church Street, which has the greatest concentration of national monuments in the country, but where nearly completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1969. All were saved, however, by an exceptional restoration project. Paddagang (frog’s way) this establishment has served as a wine house and source of country cuisine since 1821.
walking through the town’s historical centre, the restaurant has a wine tasting area where one can sample wines from the area!
Through mountain passes and wheat fields to the small town of Riebeek Kasteel, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves is a hospitable mix of Potters, artists and farmers. We stop at the little Vineyard of Kloovenburg for some Olive tasting, one has the option to try their wines and maybe buy some of the olive by products.
Gydo Pass, Kragga Kamma, drive west to the West Coast Fossil Park, this park offers a fascinating glimpse into our distant past.
The Fossils date back to between 2and 10 Million years, here one can learn how life has changed in the area through time. The fossils on view are varied and plentiful due to mining activity in the area which has created this opportunity that would have otherwise been impossible
Ceres for overnight
Lunch: Excl
Accommodation: Four Seasons - Ceres Guesthouse BB
Supper: Excl (alla carte)

Day 14
Today we continue after breakfast to Knysna via Montaqu on the scenic Route 62 and Oudtshoorn
Lunch: Country Pumpkin EXCL

Included:


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