The Human Journey Tour, South Africa, Authentic West Coast, 6 – 20 August ’23
“An unforgettable journey through the history of humankind by way of South Africa’s unrivaled fossil collection”.
The first in the series of The Wonders of Palaeosciences Tour Series
15 DAYS & 14 NIGHTS │ 6 – 20 August ’23
* Pricing includes USD10,000 per person donation fee together with
* USD13,550 per person sharing or USD16,615 per single traveller
Hominin Fossil, Middle Pleistocene, Rock Art, Stone & Iron Age sites, exclusive presentations & site visits, luxury accommodation, gourmet meals & wines, tourist experiences, “big & little 5” safaris!
Enjoy a unique experience and exclusive access to this Human Journey Tour of South Africa. Your USD 10,000 donation grants access to reserving your space on this, the first tour of The Wonders of Palaeosciences Tour Series. The donation is received by GENUS AFRICA and is carefully applied in their efforts in furthering academic research skills and resource application to help secure the continued protection and survival of South Africa’s non-renewable archaeological heritage. Our cultural landscape is richly blessed but the fragility of these resources remain forever compromised.
Tour price starts at USD13,465 per person sharing or USD16,615 per single person travelling, in addition to the compulsory USD10,000 per person GENUS AFRICA donation.
ABOUT YOUR HUMAN JOURNEY TOUR
GENUS & Safari Odyssey present The Wonders of Palaeosciences Tour Series – tour packages set to ignite your ongoing curiosity and adventure into the world of fossils, archaeological artefacts and rock art. On this, The Human Journey Tour – South Africa, the first in the series, we invite you to join the experienced Palaeontologists, Archaeologists, Conservationists and Storytellers working in South Africa as they showcase their research into this fossil-rich landscape – the only place in the world where one can take an evolutionary journey through a single country.
Visit the world-famous Cradle of Humankind – a UNESCO World Heritage Fossil Site which, in fact, stretches over 400kms. You will be privately guided to some of the research areas of the caves within the Sterkfontein area allowing you to gain insight into the rich biodiversity of this series of caves and fossil sites. Not only will you view this area on foot, but you will also get to enjoy a bird’s eye view from above whilst on a scenic hot air balloon safari. In the cool crisp morning air you’ll be one of only a few, in that moment in time, to witness the African bush come to life beneath you.
Discover the hidden meanings of ancient rock art adorning the caves and overhangs of the Waterberg, an unexplored area that truly has so much to offer. Explore a mystical Late Iron-Age stone-walled settlement set upon a plateau and embark on thrilling game drives through the undulating and natural wilderness to spot shy pangolins and rare aardwolf. Should timing be in our favour, the opportunity to join in on a wild dog tag or release experience may well present itself too.
A quick flight across Southern Africa takes you to the western coastline and the iconic city of Cape Town. Here the Atlantic Ocean hugs, what is fondly known by any truly South African as “The Mother City”. Your first rendezvous with the Cape will be strikingly colourful and cultural – a Cape Malay tour of the Bo-Kaap together with an intimate family-styled local cuisine experience. Once you have enjoyed the best of Cape Town and its surroundings by way of an exilirating side-car day tour, we’ll escape to the mesmerizing West Coast, the gorgeous landscapes of the Cederberg, lush vineyards of Franschhoek, whale playgrounds and sparkling oceans of Hermanus and the strikingly beautiful natural areas of the Addo in the Eastern Cape.
Interwoven with some of the Cape’s most sought-after attractions, we have also carefully selected a number of hominin fossil, Middle Pleistocene, archaeological and rock art sites with travels northwards along the west coast, inland to the Cederberg and then across to the greater Addo of the Eastern Cape. Your cultural site visits are private, with theoretical presentations and guided “on-site” tours by GENUS experts and other renowned researchers, all the while enjoying only the finest accommodation, 5-star dining and luxurious transport on every leg of your journey.
As the birthplace of humankind, South Africa’s rich archaeological heritage is the key to understanding the fundamentals of our existence – then, now and in the future. Are you ready to dig deeper?
Some fun facts about our origins in South Africa:
- The universe was formed about 14-billion years ago.
- The earth is about 4.6-billion years old.
- Life first emerged about 3.8-billion years ago.
- Fossils of some of the earliest known life forms on earth have been found in South Africa.
- South Africa has yielded fossils of some of the earliest known dinosaurs as well as our distant mammal-like ancestors, dating back at least 200-million years.
- Hominins (the ancestors of modern humans) emerged in South Africa 3.8 million years ago.
- The first stone tools were made and used at least 2.6-million years ago.
- Our ancestors were able to use and control fire at least 1-million years ago.
- Homo sapiens (modern humans), the species to which we all belong, evolved in Africa approximately 300 000 years ago.
- A hominid is a member of the family Hominidae, the great apes including orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and humans.
- A hominine is a member of the subfamily Homininae including gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans (excludes orangutans).
- A hominin is a member of the tribe Hominini including chimpanzees and humans.
- Some of the oldest known evidence of modern human behaviour and rock art has been discovered in South Africa.
YOUR HOSTS & PRESENTERS THROUGHOUT THE HUMAN EVOLUTIONS TOUR PROGRAMME
Throughout the tour you will be accommpanied by a respresenative of Safari Odyssey, as the tour organisor, together with a nationally accredited Tour Guide and a dedicated driver in order to ensure the smooth flow of your tour, day to day.
The content, of course, of the tour revolves around carefully selected cultural sites and knowledge sharing of the associated theory and resources which, together, create the special-interest thread of this particular tour programme. For this we have ensured that you will enjoy the company, presentations and privately guided site tours from a select group of Palaeontologists, Archaeologists, Conservationists and Storytellers who are working within South Africa.
Dr Christine Steininger, Project Director GENUS (DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences), will accompany our guests throughout the entire tour. Christine will also be one of the presenters, specifically, at The Cradle of Humankind.
Dr Steininger specialises in Faunal Analysis, Stable Light Isotopes, The Cradle of Humankind, Hominids, including a new area of interest – Computational Modelling. In addition, Christine has directed excavations of two early hominin sites in South Africa – Cooper’s Cave and Gondolin with additional highlights which include the discovery of new species of extinct animals and building networks by connecting ideas with a researcher’s skill set.
Within the Waterberg area, including the rock art sites located within the Welgevonden Game Reserve, The Lapalala Wilderness Reserve as well as the Goudrivier Private Game Reserve, we have secured the participation of long-standing local Archaeological & Palaeosciences Researchers and Academics. These persons still do (and have over many years) conduct research, surveys and excavations within the greater Waterberg area.
In addition we will enjoy a conversation with Mr Richard Wadley on the unique geology and ecology of the Waterberg and the flagship conservation activities within the area, in order to put the scenery and remarkable biodiversity of the region into context. Richard (author of the book “Waterberg Echoes“, a history of the Waterberg) is local to the area and carries a vast amount of knowledge and insight into all that the Waterberg has to offer.
On the last night of your Waterberg visit you will enjoy a presentation by Mr Glenn Phillips, CEO of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve for an introduction to the reserve and its many conservation activities including their Wild Dog Tagging and Brown Hyena programmes and some additional info regarding the Lapalala Wilderness School – an initiative established by the world-renowned conservationist, Mr Clive Walker. The last evening in the Waterberg is also a stargazing evening with Dr Philip Calcott. Philip studied Physics at Oxford and Sheffield Universities and worked for 13 years as a research scientist. After being dragged laughing and smiling by his wife to South Africa, he now focuses on public communication on matters of science, with a particular fascination in performing public Astronomy shows.
Moving onto the Cape, and specifically the West Coast, Southern & Eastern Cape – as a coastal area there are many scattered fossil, archaeological in particular Middle Pleistocene sites and tidal fish sites, some of which are still being treated as on-going research sites. However access is often restricted due to the fragility of the site, the effects of tides, remote and unsafe locations.
The Human Journey Tour focusses on the West Coast and slightly more inland, which hosts an array of cultural resources which allows for a diversity of sites, including deep-time, paleao-sciences and rock-art. Heading west we will be accompanied by some of South Africa’s leaders in their field including Founder-Director of the West Coast Fossil Park, Ms Pippa Haarhoff, located in Langebaan.
In the same area we have coastal human occupation and fossil sites under the leadership of Archaeologists such as Prof John Parkington – Emeritus Professor in the Department of Archaeology at UCT – specialising in Palaeolithic Archaeology and understanding long term hunter gatherer settlement in the Fynbos Biome of the Western Cape as well as Dr Graham Avery – Iziko Emeritus Associate – trained as a Stone Age archaeologist and his focus rests on Quaternary and Holocene archaeozoology, taphonomy and palaeoecology, including birds, shell middens and mammals. Our final destination in this greater north-west part of the Western Cape includes rock art sites hosted on the property of Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Restreat, Clanwilliam in the Cederberg.
Toward the end of the tour, located in Kareedouw (Humansdorp) is the Klasies River Cave. Currently under the direction of Dr Sara Wurz as the Principle Researcher, we have secured a private visit to the site.
Dr Wurz is active in public archaeological research and teaching and one of her major research interests is the origins of Homo sapiens – including complex and symbolic cognitive and behavioural expressions typical of humans today, much of which can be detected by way of Stone Age material culture, such as in ornaments, pigments, stone and bone tools – items which provide information on ancient cognition and behaviour. Klasies River contains a wealth of material and information on this topic.Dr Wurz also partakes in research into ancient musical expression as developed under the umbrella of her recently established “Archaeological TransfrontiEr Music” (ATEM) workgroup.
The last of the destinations on this tour is the Amakhala Game Reserve, which also happens to be the site of the first dinasaur fossil found in South Africa – Dinosaurus (Paranthadon africanus). At the end of the Cretaceous (142 – 65 million years ago), there was a major extinction episode. Although very rare, animal fossils found include a number of dinosaurs, among which is the first dinosaur remains found in South Africa, which were discovered in 1845 along the Bushman’s River at Iguanadon Hoek, just to the east of Hillsnek Lodge (located on the Amakhala Game Reserve). This fossil, originally considered by its discoverer – William Athersonte in 1856 – to be Cape Iguanadon, has recently been shown to be a large relative of the Stegasaurs. The history and bones can be found in the Albany Museum in Grahamstown. We will enjoy the company of the owner of Amakhala as we enjoy a presentation and private tour of this site. What makes it particularly sentimental is the fact that he the owner grew up on the Amakhala farm so his input comes with great terms of endearment. .
Your tour ends on an awe-inspiring note – a message taken from the fascinating truths of the wilderness and tribes of Africa – a unique take on how the tried-and-tested, timeless drivers of success in the natural world can easily be applied in individuals, teams and businesses intent on thriving. Presented by Mr Quinton Coetzee – a character of many interests – a university graduate in the Natural Sciences, one of Southern Africa’s leading bush-craft and survival specialists, a conservationist committed to the breeding of endangered animals around the world, a frequent resource in print and on-radio programs speaking on a variety of nature topics, well known as a television presenter of popular South African wildlife programs such as “Aardwolf” and 50/50 “Veldfocus” – Quinton is a sought-after conference speaker and . . . . . . trained as a classical pianist!
YOUR TOUR PLAN IN OVERVIEW:
DAY 1: OR Tambo International Airport – Sandton
- Overnight @ The Da Vinci Hotel, Sandton(5*), 1 night
- Lunch at Da Vinci’s Maximillien Restaurant or the Michelangelo Hotel’s Piccolo Mondo & dinner at the Michelangelos Chef’s Table, in the hotel’s kitchen, with Executive Chef Trever Boyd or Pigalles, Sandton
- Read more . . .
DAY 2: Sandton – The Cradle of Humankind – Magaliesberg
- Visit to the Sterkfontein & Malapa Caves with presentations and privately guided tours by renowned local researchers
- Overnight @ De Hoek Country Hotel (5*), Magaliesberg, 1 night
- Breakfast at Da Vinci’s Maximillien Restaurant, lunch at Forum Homini’s Roots Restaurant & dinner at The Conservatory Restaurant, De Hoek
- Read more . . .
DAY 3: Magaliesberg – Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, The Waterberg, Vaalwater
- Early morning 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 reseacher
- Stargazing evening presentation
- Overnight @ Laluka Safari Lodge (5*), Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, 1 night
- Twice-daily game drives
- Breakfast at The Conservatory Restaurant, De Hoek, lunch & dinner at Laluka Safari Lodge
- Read more . . .
DAY 4 & 5: Welgevonden – The Lapalala Wilderness Reserve
- Late iron age & rock art sites under the leadership of renowned local researchers
- Twice daily game drives
- Presentation by Mr Richard Wadley on geology, ecology and conservation of the Waterberg
- Conversation with Mr Glenn Phillips, CEO of The Lapalala WIlderness Reserve
- Stargazing experience with Dr Philip Calcott
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge (5*), Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Waterberg, 2 nights
- Day 4: Breakfast at Laluka Safari Lodge, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge
- Day 5: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge
- Read more – day 4 . . . l Read more – day 5 . . .
DAY 6: Lapalala – Johannesburg
- Goudrivier Private Game Reserve, rock art sites under the leadership of a renowned local Archaeologist
- Overnight @ OR Tambo Inter Continental Airport Hotel (5*), Johannesburg, 1 night
- Breakfast at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge, lunch at the Syringa Café, Vaalwater & dinner at Quill’s Restaurant at the O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel
- Read more . . .
DAY 7: Johannesburg – Cape Town
- Flight from Johannesburg – Cape Town
- Cultural visit to the Cape Malay Community of Bo-Kaap
- Table Mountain Cableway experience
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge (5*), Cape Town, 2 nights
- Breakfast at Quill’s Restaurant, O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel, lunch at the Bo Kaap Kombuis & dinner at The Chef’s Warehouse, Tintswalo Atlantic
- Read more . . .
DAY 8: Cape Town
- Tour of the Cape Peninsula including as part of a Cape Side Car Adventure experience:
- Seal Island Cruise
- Lunch and wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards
- Boulders Beach, the African Jackass Penquin Reserve
- Cape Point Nature Reserve & its Flying Dutchman
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge (5*), Cape Town, 2 nights
- Breakfast at the Tintswalo Atlantic, lunch at Cape Point Vineyards & dinner at The Chef’s Warehouse, Tintswalo Atlantic
- Read more . . .
DAY 9: Cape Town – Langebaan – Saldanha Bay – Partenoster
- Day visiting The West Coast Fossil Park and Hoedjiespunt site, Saldanha Bay, with presentation and privately guided tours by renowned local researchers
- Overnight @ The Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel (5*), 1 night
- Breakfast at the Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, lunch at The Blue Bay Restaurant, Saldanha Bay & dinner at The Leeto Restaurant at The Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel
- Read more . . .
Day 10: Partenoster – Elandsfontein – Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, Cederberg
- Morning visit to Hopefield archaeological site, Elandsfontein, with a presentation and privately guided tour by renowned local researcher
- Overnight @ Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Cederberg, 2 nights
- Breakfast at The Strandloper Ocean Boutique, lunch & dinner at Bushmans Kloof
- Read more . . .
Day 11: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, Cederberg
- Full day at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve
- Day includes a presentation and private tour of some of the rock art sites of Bushmans Kloof including a presentation and privately guided site tour by a renowned local researcher
- Additional activities include game drives and a selection of additional adventure activities
- Overnight @ Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Cederberg
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner at Bushmans Kloof
- Read more . . .
DAY 12: Bushmans Kloof – Babylonstoren Wine Estate, Franschhoek
- Day spent at the Babylonstoren Wine Estate, including a garden tour, a cellar tour, an olive oil & balsamic tour, as well as a bread baking session
- Late afternoon flag-ship wine-tasting
- Overnight @ Babylonstoren Wine Estate (5*), Franschhoek, 1 night
- Breakfast at Bushmans Kloof, lunch & dinner at Babylonstoren Wine Estate, various culinary experiences
- Read more . . .
DAY 13: Franschhoek – Hermanus – Port Elizabeth – Intle, Thornhill
- Morning spent on Hermanus Whale Watching Safari
- Late afternoon flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
- Overnight @ the Intle Boutique Hotel (5*), Thornhill, 1 night
- Breakfast at Babylonstoren Babel Restaurant, lunch at the Fusion Restaurant & dinner at the Intle Boutique Hotel
- Read more . . .
DAY 14: Intle – Klasiesrivier Cave – Amakhala Game Reserve, Greater Addo
- Morning visit to Klasiesrivier Cave, accompanied by a presentation and privately guided site visit with Prof Sarah Wurz, WITS University, current permit holder and researcher at Klasiesrivier Cave
- Overnight @ Bukela Game Lodge (5*), Amakhala Game Reserve, Greater Addo, 1 night
- Twice daily game drives
- Breakfast at Intle Boutique Hotel, lunch includes a packed picnic styled meal & dinner at Bukela Game Lodge
- Read more . . .
DAY 15: Addo – Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth
- Morning game drive
- Guest speaker Quinton Coetzee, Legendary Speaker, Naturalist & Adventurer
- Breakfast & farewell lunch at Bukela Game Lodge
- Flight to Johannesburg
- Read more . . .
End of services
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Destination
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Departure
Johannesburg, South Africa
From our gallery
Tour Plan
DAY 1: YOUR ARRIVAL IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- ARRIVAL: O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
- TRANSFER: You will be met at the Airport and transferred in a private vehicle to your hotel in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.
- CITY TOUR: Your first experience of South Africa will be a drive-through city tour of Johannesburg en-route to your hotel.
- CHECK-IN: The Da Vinci Hotel (5*), Sandton
- LUNCH: Da Vinci’s Maximillien Restaurant or the Michelangelo Hotel’s Piccolo Mondo
- PM ACTIVITY: Meet with representatives from GENUS & Safari Odyssey who will present an overview of your Human Journey Tour, South Africa.
- DINNER: Michelangelo’s Chef’s Table, in the hotel’s kitchen, with Executive Chef Trevor Boyd or Pigalles, Sandton.
- OVERNIGHT: The Da Vinci Hotel, including Patio Deluxe accommodation, double / twin, en-suite room, sharing.
- MEALS: Lunch at Maximillien or Piccolo Mondo & dinner at Pigalles Sandton or The Chef’s Table, Michelangelo Hotel.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 2: CRADLE OF HUMANKIND, STERKFONTEIN & MALAPA CAVES (hominin fossils, palaeo-anthropology & archaeology)
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- CHECK-OUT: Check-out after breakfast.
- TRANSFER: to the Sterkfontein area within the UNESCO appointed world heritage site of the Cradle of Humankind, 50 Kilometers / 1 hour drive time from Sandton.
- AM ACTIVITY & SITE VISIT: One of the highlights of this tour is your time spent at both the Sterkfontein and Malapa Caves. You will enjoy presentations specific to these caves and privately guided tours with your GENUS host and local researchers.
- LUNCH: Lunch at a local restaurant, Forum Homini’s Roots Restaurant. Set in the most tranquil of locations within the Cradle.
- PM ACTIVITY: Learn how to make stone tools by a leading stone tool expert.
- TIME FOR A BEER:Black Horse Brewery & Distillery - time allowing, we can enjoy a quick (or not so quick) distillery tour, gin, beer and snack before heading onto dinner at the hotel that you will be staying at for the evening.
- CHECK-IN:De Hoek Country Hotel (5*), Magaliesburg.
- DINNER: Dinner at the hotel.
- OVERNIGHT: De Hoek Country Hotel including superior rooms, double or twin, sharing.
- MEALS: Breakfast at Da Vinci’s Maximillien Restaurant, lunch at the Forum Homini’s Roots Restaurant & dinner at The Conservatory Restaurant, De Hoek Country Hotel.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 3: CRADLE OF HUMANKIND – WELGEVONDEN PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, WATERBERG (rock art)
- AM ACTIVITY: A hot air balloon safari kicks off your day inclusive of breakfast (weather permitting).
- TRANSFER: to the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve within the Waterberg, Limpopo Province - 280 kilometers / 3 hours 30 minutes' drive time from the Cradle. Snacks will be supplied to enjoy along the way.
- CHECK-IN:Laluka Safari Lodge (5*), Welgevonden Private Game Reserve
- LUNCH: Lunch at the lodge.
- PM ACTIVITY: Site presentation, including guided tour to rock art sites combined with a private game drive.
- DINNER: Dinner at the lodge.
- STARGAZING:Evening stargazing experience with Laluka’s resident guide.
- OVERNIGHT: Laluka Safari Lodge, en-suite units, sharing, double or twin & splash pool.
- MEALS: Breakfast at De Hoek Country Hotel, lunch & dinner at Laluka Safari Lodge.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices, soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 4: WELGEVONDEN PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - LAPALALA WILDERNESS RESERVE (rock art & late iron age)
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the lodge.
- CHECK-OUT: Check out of Laluka Safari Lodge.
- GAME DRIVE: Enjoy a game drive as we head for our departure to the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve.
- TRANSFER: to Lapalala Wilderness, 120 Kilometers / 1 hr 45 minutes' drive time from Welgevonden.
- CHECK-IN: Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge (5*), Lapalala Wilderness Reserve.
- LUNCH: Lunch at the lodge.
- PRESENTATION: Mr Richard Wadley on the remarkable geology, ecology and conservation activities of the Waterberg.
- PM ACTIVITY: Your early evening game viewing activity will take you into the dazzling starry Lapalala Wilderness evening.
- DINNER: Dinner at the lodge.
- OVERNIGHT: Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge, including luxury tents, sharing, double or twin, all meals, 2 game activities daily.
- MEALS: Breakfast at Laluka Safari Lodge, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Safari Lodge.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee included for lunch and dinner.
DAY 5: LAPALAPA WILDERNESS RESERVE (rock art & late iron age)
- AM ACTIVITY: Early morning game drive or safari activity of your choice.
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the lodge.
- SITE VISIT: Enjoy a presentation on the rock art of the Lapalala Wilderness area followed by a drive to visit a local site.
- LUNCH: Picnic lunch en-route back to the lodge.
- CONVERSATION with Glenn Phillips, CEO of the Lapalala Wilderness, on their Wild Dog Tagging programme, conservation activities and more interesting topics about Lapalala and the Wilderness School.
- Tintswalo Wild Dog Tagging Experience and other activities: There are a few additional activities that you could consider as an additional add-on, if you wish to read up about it.
- PM ACTIVITY: Late afternoon stargazing presentation with Dr Philip Calcott.
- DINNER: Served as part of the stargazing experience.
- OVERNIGHT: Tintswalo Lapalala, including luxury tents, en-suite, sharing, double or twin, all meals, 2 game activities daily.
- MEALS: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Safari Lodge.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee included for lunch and dinner.
DAY 6: LAPALALA WILDERNESS RESERVE - GOUDRIVIER PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (rock art) - JOHANNESBURG
- AM ACTIVITY: Early morning game drive.
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the lodge.
- TRANSFER: to Goudrivier Private Game Lodge, 50 Kilometers / 1 hour drive time from Lapalala Wilderness Reserve.
- SITE VISIT: Presentation and visit to a rock art site that undoubtedly hosts the largest concentration of rock art sites within the greater Limpopo area.
- LUNCH: Vaalwater at the Syringa Cafe.
- TRANSFER: to Johannesburg, 280 Kilometers / 4 hours' drive time from Goudrivier.
- CHECK-IN:O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel (5*), Johannesburg.
- DINNER: Dinner at Quill’s Restaurant, O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel.
- OVERNIGHT: O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel, including standard rooms, en-suite, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at Tintswalo Lapalala Safari Lodge, lunch at the Syringa Café, Vaalwater & dinner at Quill’s Restaurant,O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 7: JOHANNESBURG - CAPE TOWN
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- TRANSFER: Transfer from the hotel to O.R. Tambo International Airport.
- FLIGHT: Morning flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
- AM ACTIVITY: Cape Town drive-through city tour followed by a cultural tour of the Cape Malay Bo-Kaap district which is located in the suburb of Kloof.
- LUNCH: Cape Malay private cooking experience and lunch at the Bo Kaap Kombuis, a local family restaurant.
- LATE AFTERNOON: Table Mountain Cableway (time and weather permitting).
- CHECK-IN: Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge (5*), Cape Town.
- DINNER: at the Tintswalo Atlantic’s Chef’s Warehouse.
- OVERNIGHT: Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, including standard suite accommodation, en-suite, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at Quill’s Restaurant, O.R. Tambo Intercontinental Airport Hotel, lunch at the Bo Kaap Kombuis & dinner at The Chef’s Warehouse, Tintswalo Atlantic.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 8: CAPE POINT DAY, CAPE TOWN WITH CAPE SIDE CAR ADVENTURES
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- AM ACTIVITY: Early morning visit to Table Mountain (if not completed the previous day).
- FULL DAY ACTIVITY: Full day Cape Peninsula Tour with Cape Sidecar Adventures, including a Seal Island Cruise (Hout Bay), wine-tasting and lunch at Cape Point Vineyard , stop over at Boulders in Simonstown to view the Jackass Penquins, a visit to the Cape Point Nature Reserve and finally a gin-tasting experience back at Sidecars Caffé Distillery.
- DINNER: Dinner at the hotel.
- OVERNIGHT: Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, including standard suite accommodation, en-suite, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at the Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, lunch at Cape Point Vineyard & dinner at The Chef’s Warehouse, Tintswalo Atlantic.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 9: CAPE TOWN – LANGEBAAN & SALDANHA BAY (middle pleistocene)
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- TRANSFER: to West Coast Fossil Park, Langebaan, 130 Kilometers / 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive time from Cape Town.
- AM ACTIVITY: Visit to the West Coast Fossil Park.
- LUNCH: The Blue Bay Restaurant, Saldanha Bay.
- PM ACTIVITY: Visit to Hoedjiespunt archaeological site, Saldanha Bay.
- CHECK-IN: Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel (5*), Saldanha Bay.
- DINNER: Dinner at the hotel.
- OVERNIGHT: Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel, including Ocean Suite accommodation, en-suite, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at the Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, lunch at The Blue Bay Restaurant & dinner at The Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 10: SALDANHA BAY – ELANDSFONTEIN (middle pleistocene) – BUSHMANS KLOOF WILDERNESS RESERVE
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- TRANSER: to Elandsfontein, Hopefield, 55 Kilometers / 50 minutes drive time from Saldanha Bay.
- AM ACTIVITY: Site visit to Hopefield Archaeological Site located in Elandsfontein.
- LUNCH: Packed picnic lunch with a late lunch upon arrival at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve (pending arrival time).
- TRANSER: to Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, 200 Kilometers / 2 hours 15 minutes drive time from Hopefield Archaeological Site, Elandsfontein.
- CHECK-IN: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve (5*)
- LUNCH: Bushmans Kloof
- PM ACTIVITY: Afternoon game drive
- DINNER: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- OVERNIGHT: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve including en-suite luxury room accommodation, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at the Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel, lunch consisting of a packed lunch and time permitting a late lunch at Bushmans Kloof & dinner at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 11: BUSHMANS KLOOF WILDERNESS RESERVE & WELLNESS RETREAT (rock art)
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- AM ACTIVITY: Early morning game viewing activity.
- PRESENTATION: Presentation on the rock art sites of Bushmans Kloof and its cultural landscape.
- LUNCH: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- PM ACTIVITY: Privately guided tour to the rock arts sites of Bushmans Kloof combined with an afternoon game viewing activity.
- DINNER: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- OVERNIGHT: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve including en-suite luxury room accommodation, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at the Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel, lunch & dinner at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 12: BUSHMANS KLOOF - BABYLONSTOREN WINE ESTATE, FRANSCHHOEK
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- AM ACTIVITY: Early morning game viewing activity.
- PRESENTATION: Presentation on the rock art sites of Bushmans Kloof and its cultural landscape.
- LUNCH: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- PM ACTIVITY: Privately guided tour to the rock arts sites of Bushmans Kloof combined with an afternoon game viewing activity.
- DINNER: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- OVERNIGHT: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve including en-suite luxury room accommodation, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at the Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel, lunch& dinner at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 13: FRANSCHHOEK – HERMANUS – CAPE TOWN – EASTERN CAPE
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- TRANSFER: to Hermanus, 100 Kilometers / 1 hour 30 minutes' drive time from Franschhoek.
- AM ACTIVITY: Whale watching safari(weather & conditions permitting).
- LUNCH: Lunch in Hermanus at the Fusion Restaurant.
- TRANSFER: to Cape Town, 120 Kilometers / 1 hour 30 minutes' drive time from Hermanus.
- FLIGHT: Late afternoon fligth from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
- TRANSFER: to Intle Boutique Hotel, 50 Kilometers / 40 minutes' drive time from Port Elizabeth.
- CHECK-IN: Intle Boutique Hotel (5*).
- DINNER: Intle Boutique Hotel
- OVERNIGHT: Intle Boutique Hotel, including superior suite accommodation, sharing, double or twin.
- MEALS: Breakfast at Babylonstoren Restaurant, lunch at the Fusion Restaurant & dinner at the Intle Boutique Hotel.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 14: KLASIESRIVIER CAVES (hominid fossil, archaeological & anthropology sites) – AMAKHALA GAME RESERVE (dinosaur fossil site)
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the hotel.
- TRANSFER: to Klasiesrivier Cave, Kareedouw, 80 Kilometers / 1 hour 10 minutes’ drive time from Knysna.
- SITE VISIT: Presentation and privately guided tour with Prof Sarah Wurz, WITS University on the Klasiesrivier Caves.
- LUNCH: Lunch packs for along the way.
- TRANSFER: to Bukela Game Lodge, Greater Addo, 200 Kilometers / 2 hours 30 minutes' drive time from Klasiesrivier Caves.
- LUNCH: Late lunch upon arrival at Bukela Game Lodge.
- CHECK-IN: Bukela Game Lodge (5*).
- PM ACTIVITY: Game drive through the Amakhala Game Reserve including a presentation and visit to the site where the first dinosaur fossil of South Africa was found.
- DINNER: Dinner at the lodge.
- OVERNIGHT: Bukela Game Lodge, luxury safari tents, sharing, double or twin, all meals, 2 game drives daily.
- MEALS: Breakfast at Intle Boutique Hotel, lunch served as a picnic at the Klasiesrivier Cave site & dinner as a boma braai (barbeque) at Bukela Game Lodge.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch and dinner include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
DAY 15: BUKHELA GAME LODGE - PORT ELIZABETH (GQEBERHA)
- AM ACTIVITY: Boat cruise on the Bushman’s River.
- GUEST SPEAKER: Quinton Coetzee – “Evolution to Revolution”.
- BREAKFAST: Breakfast at the Bukela Game Lodge.
- TRANSFER: to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), 75 Kilometers / 1 hour drive time from the Amakhala Game Reserve.
- LUNCH: Bukela Game Lodge.
- TRANSFER: Port Elizabeth International Airport.
- FLIGHT: Port Elizabeth to O.R. Tambo International Airport for onward flight.
- MEALS: Breakfast & lunch at the Bukela Game Lodge.
- BEVERAGES: Beverages for lunch include water, juices and soft drinks, select wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee.
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PROGRAMME:
- 14 Nights’, 5* accommodation, per person sharing.
- 15 Days private transfer in a luxury 25-seater bus.
- Dedicated Driver.
- Dedicated Guide.
- Domestic flights as listed.
- Specialist Presenters / Academics / Researchers for site specific presentations and private tours.
- Cultural content, site visits, presentations & discussions.
- Meals & beverages as indicated in the programme.
- Game viewing activities in 4 x 4 safari vehicles as indicated in the programme.
- Activities and fees as indicated in the programme.
- Hot air balloon safari in Magaliesberg.
- Hotel & airport porterages.
- Gratuities for Drivers, Guides, Game Rangers and Trackers.
- “Waterberg Echoes“, a history of the Waterberg, by Richard Wadley.
- The Story of Earth and Life: A southern African Perspective on a 4.6-billion-year Journey, written and edited by Prof. Terence McCarthy and Prof. Bruce Rubridge.
Tour Location
Your visit to South, and the rest of Africa, can enjoy a richness that takes you beyond your exposure to, and understanding of, everyday routine-type travel.
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Reviews Scores and Score Breakdown
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