EXQUISITE I NATURAL I CULTURAL
Rock Art, Iron & Stone Age Sites

6 Days / 5 Nights
Valid August ’22 – May ’23

The Waterberg (or Thaba Meetse, which in the Northern Sotho language means the ‘water mountain’) is an area of dramatic mountains, hills, gorges and cliff-face landscapes.  Over many hundreds of millions of years, this red sandstone environment has been carved out by rivers that run through it.  The Waterberg derives its name from the way in which newly-fallen rain water quickly seeps out of the rock through cracks and joints, running into and feeding the many perennial rivers which have their source on the Waterberg plateau.  It is a place untouched and exquisite, a complete natural showcase and a cultural experience for those who seek to satisfy a curiosity for knowledge.

Human occupation of The Waterberg goes all the way back to the middle & late stone ages (the San Bushmen & Khoi Khoi) and the iron age (Bantu).  San rock art dating back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, have been found throughout the greater Waterberg area.  More recently the San were followed by the arrival of a variety of Bantu speaking tribes, originally descending out of Central Africa.  Migratory behaviour of the San, specifically to the Waterberg area, both from before and after the settlement of the Dutch & French Huguenots during the 16 – 18th centuries in the Cape, is evident.

Within the Waterberg there are archaeological finds dating to the stone age, and nearby (The Makapans Valley) are early evolutionary finds related to the origin of humans.  There is also a variety of rock art to be found  – made both by the San (or Bushmen) and the Northern Ndebele farmer communities.  These ancient rock paintings and carvings are found in caves and on rock shelters.

The paintings of the San take on a dramatically different form to that of the Ndebele.  The artwork of the San is greatly refined compared to most others, and speaks of life, indigenous animals, people, non-human beings, hunters, half-human-half-animal hybrids, human interactions and animal interactions.  A great sense of spiritual belief is reflected as well.  The animal mostly depicted in the Waterberg is the kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – fondly referred to as “The Dancing Kudu of the Waterberg” by Jeremy Hollman (WITS Honorary Research Fellow).  ** Eastwood’s work on kudu paintings in Limpopo (Animals behaving like people: San rock paintings of kudu in the central Limpopo basin, southern Africa. South African Archaeological Bulletin 61(183): 26–39 [2006]).  The Ndebele would draw with the finger and use white clay.  Their artwork includes mostly animals and it is believed to have formed part of their initiation rituals.

As culturally rich – and unexposed – as the Waterberg is, it boasts an equal wealth of untouched ecology (wildlife & natural resources), topography, geology, history, conservation and community!  You will truly find yourself in a very unique bubble of the African landscape as you dwell into what really can only be described as the Waterberg’s African Art Gallery!

ABOUT THIS SPECIAL-INTEREST CULTURAL TOUR

With all the inclusions of a luxury safari to South Africa, the cultural content of this experience is equally matched, as it is derived from our Cultural Academic Programmes.  The focal point of this special interest package is therefore devoid of any cosmetic entertainment.  Instead you are accompanied throughout your tour by a specialist guide who is particularly well-versed in the cultural landscape of the Waterberg.

Learning content and interpretation of information shared stems from many years of research, surveying, documenting and management of the fragile cultural resources of the Waterberg.  The area’s most prized cultural resources include rock art, iron age, stone age and initiation sites.  Insightful interpretation and consideration in accommodating the initial understanding of such resources is what sets this programme apart from most others . . . for eg. rock art is seldom what it appears to be at first glance.

Much of what we know about our origins has been learnt from fossils of our ancestral species and their relatives, known as hominins.  Throughout the tour, starting in Sterkfontein (The Cradle of Humankind), you will enjoy specialist presentations taking you into this life of ancient existence.  These include:

• A University of the Witwatersrand (WITS Evolutionary Studies Institute) presentation at the Sterkfontein Caves on the broader Cradle of Humankind landscape and the importance of the fossil finds and rock art in South Africa.
• Local researchers or academics who will present and deliver privately guided site visits to a carefully selected range of rock art and archaeological sites as they lay scattered across the Waterberg landscape.
• A presentation by Mr Richard Wadley on the geology of the Waterberg and its unique ecology in order to put the scenery and remarkable biodiversity of the region into context.
• A conversation with Mr Glenn Phillips (CEO of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve) on the wildlife, conservation activities, communities and The Lapalala Wilderness School – the initiative of world-renowned conservationist, Mr Clive Walker.
• Finally, a lasting impression made by a South African legendry conservationist and speaker – Quinton Coetzee.  A naturalist and adventurer, Quinton motivates, encourages and takes us back to basics!  His presentation is raw, yet powerful using spectacular visuals of wildlife and the tribes of Africa, as he shares with us Lessons taken from “The First People” – the San Tribes of Africa.  Our Ecology has become our Economy – Evolution to Revolution.

Your trip will include a perfect blend of luxury road transfers, accommodation & meals, game viewing and activities, 4 x 4 safari vehicles and of course the special interest cultural content.  You will also enjoy a dedicated driver / guide and a Safari Odyssey tour leader to manage the logistics of the tour.

** A copy of the book “Waterberg Echoes“, a history of the Waterberg, written by Richard Wadley, will be included per sharing travel package.

** Reference “The Evolutionary Studies of Life & Death“, written by WITS Researcher Pierre M. Durand from the Evolutionary Studies Institute.

NOTE: The broad generic term “Cultural Heritage Resources” refers to any physical and spiritual property associated with past and present human use or occupation of the environment, cultural activities and history. The term includes sites, structures, places, natural features and material of palaeontological, archaeological, historical, aesthetic, scientific, architectural, religious, symbolic or traditional importance to specific individuals or groups, traditional systems of cultural practice, belief or social interaction.

YOUR TOUR PLAN IN OVERVIEW:

ADD-ON: WITS ORIGINS CENTRE & CRADLE OF HUMANKIND, MAGALIESBURG
*** This is an optional add-on day & night at the start of the tour

• Morning visit to the WITS Origins Centre
• Afternoon visit to Sterkfontein & Malapa Caves including a presentation & private tour with a WITS Archaeologist
• Late afternoon stop at the Black Horse Brewery & Distillery
• Overnight @ De Hoek Country Hotel (5*), Magaliesburg, 1 night
• Lunch at Forum Homini’s Roots Restaurant & dinner at The Conservatory Restaurant, De Hoek

DAYS: 1 & 2 LALUKA SAFARI LODGE, WELGEVONDEN PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, WATERBERG

• *** Early morning hot air balloon safari if staying over in Magaliesburg the night before
• *** Breakfast included as part of the hot air balloon safari
• Transfer to the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, Waterberg
• Visit two known rock art sites under the leadership of a renowned local Archaeologist
• Star-gazing evening presentation
• Overnight @ Laluka Safari Lodge (5*), Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, 2 nights
• Twice-daily game drives
• Day 1: Breakfast at De Hoek Country Hotel, lunch & dinner at the Laluka Safari Lodge
• Day 2: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at the Laluka Safari Lodge

DAY 3: SWEBESWEBE NATURE RESERVE, WATERBERG

• Breakfast at Laluka Safari Lodge
• River Lodge House, SwebeSwebe Nature Reserve
• Visit to the rock art site known as Baboons’ Cave
• Twice daily game drives / ecological activities
• Lunch & dinner at the River Lodge House, SwebeSwebe

DAYS 4 & 5: LAPALALA WILDERNESS RESERVE, WATERBERG

• Visits to Late Iron Age & Rock Art sites under the leadership of a renowned local Archaeologist
• Twice daily game drives
• Presentation by Mr Richard Wadley on the geology, ecology and conservation of the Waterberg
• Conversation with Mr Glenn Phillips, CEO of The Lapalala Wilderness Reserve
• Star-gazing experience with Dr Philip Calcott
• Overnight @ Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge (5*), Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Waterberg, 2 nights
• Day 4: Breakfast at SwebeSwebe, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge
• Day 5: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge

DAY 6: GOUDRIVIER, WATERBERG

• Goudrivier Private Game Reserve, rock art sites under the leadership of a renowned local Archaeologist
• Breakfast at Tintswalo Lapala & lunch at the Seringa Cafe in Vaalwater
• Return to Johannesburg / Pretoria