13N Northern Cape Diamonds and Dune is a participation accommodated group tour.It means that everyone works together to help on the trip.This helps create a communal and cohesive trip experience.
I have included his 13N Northern Cape Diamonds and Dunes accommodated tour as it has a fantastic itinerary,and will give you a different experience of South Africa,than what is found on the normal escorted tours.
Highlights of this 13N Northern Cape Diamonds and Dunes Tour:
Kimberley – guided tour of “The Big Hole”
Kgalagadi NP – morning & afternoon game drives**Biggest Safari Park in South Africa, bigger than Kruger National Park.
Gariep River – half day canoe safari
Augrabies Falls – view the 60metre water fall
Namaqualand – see the amazing spring flowers (in season)
Lamberts Bay – Cape Gannet Colony & excellent seafood
Cedarberg – mountain walking
West Coast NP – visit an amazing fossil site
Cape Town – climb Table Mountain
Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to KIMBERLEY
Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30, we head west through a slowly changing landscape towards the arid Northern Cape Province.
We visit the town of Kimberley, famous for its open cast diamond mine known as “The Big Hole”, the largest hand excavated hole in the world.[chalet -LD] (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Day 2 – 4 KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park spans over 3,6 million hectares of both South Africa and Botswana.
The park has abundant game including, gemsbok (oryx), springbok, meerkat and of course the famous black-maned Kalahari lions.
The desert environment is varied with red sand dunes, sparse vegetation intersected by dry river beds with frequent waterholes. [chalet BLD]
Day 5 AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK
The Gariep River plunges 60 meters over the Augrabies Falls into a gorge which averages 240m in depth and runs for 18 kilometres.
The original San people named the waterfall Ankoerebis, meaning the “place of great noise”.
We view the falls from the various lookout points and enjoy a sunset on the edge of gorge. [chalet BLD]
Day 6 GARIEP RIVER
The Gariep River is the longest river in South Africa.
It rises in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho.
Flowing westwards to the Atlantic Ocean and it marks the border between South Africa and Namibia.
We take a canoe safari through the magnificent scenery – a harsh environment dominated by rugged ravines, high mountains and dramatic landscapes.[lodge BLD]
Day 7 NAMAQUALAND
Namaqualand is home to the richest bulb flora of any arid region in the world and famous for the flowers that blanket the area in spring time (approximately August – September).
This is a land of contrast. Fields of flowers, star filled skies, quiver trees and granite outcrops make up a rich environment.[chalet BLD]
Day 8 LAMBERTS BAY
Lamberts Bay is a small fishing village situated on the Cape west coast, and is known for its excellent seafood, particularly crayfish.
We visit “Bird Island” which is an important breeding colony of the Cape Gannet, enjoy a lunch (own expense) at one of the excellent seafood restaurants and explore this quaint town on foot. [guest house B-D]
Day 9 – 10 CEDARBERG MOUNTAINS
Heading inland again, we visit the Cedarberg Nature Reserve. Renowned for its dramatic rock formations and excellent mountain walking trails.
The mountain range is named after the endangered Clanwilliam Cedar tree (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) which is endemic to the area. We explore the mountains and ravines on foot and enjoy the magnificent scenery. [chalet BLD]
Day 11 WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK
The West Coast National Park is a nature lovers paradise.
The focal point of the park is the crystal clear Langebaan Lagoon and we enjoy the parks abundant wildlife, birds and flora on a walk that takes in the amazing beauty of this national park.
A highlight of our trip is a visit to the Fossil Park. A rich excavation site with over 200 different species found including fossils of bears, sabre-tooth cats, short-necked giraffes and the many other prehistoric animals which inhabited the area some 5 million years ago.[chalet B-D]
DAY 12 CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus.
We climb Table Mountain offering panoramic views of Cape Town and enjoy an evening meal (own expense) at a local restaurant. [guest house B–]
DAY 13 CAPE TOWN – TOUR ENDS
The morning is free to catch up on last minute curio shopping, or you can take an optional Robben Island excursion (own expense), before the tour ends at 14:00. [guest house B–]
Includes
Small Group Safari: Max 12 people
Professional Safari Guides
Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
Incl Meals: Bx11 Lx8 Dx10
Entrance Fees
12 nights lodges / tented lodge or chalets.
Safari Grade:
guesthouse A comfort adventure participation tour staying in chalets, tented lodges and guesthouses. 7 nights en suite facilities.
chalet 5 nights where two rooms share facilities
Tour leader prepare the meals and we eat around the camp fire or in a cammunal dining “lapa”. Group participation in camp chores is required.