Diamonds & Desert & Exotic Game
The sheer size, wilderness and distances
of the Kalahari semi-desert can be intimidating and confusing
to the
average traveller, especially
when you are used to organized city life and “civilization”.
In joining this tour we want you to experience the massive tracts
of land that are home to pronking springbok, herds of majestic
Oryx antelopes and migrating wildebeest (gnus), millions of meerkat
and
an astonishing variety of other creatures big and small. We will
help you to identify some of the raptors (over 50 species are recorded
in the area), show you the unique indigenous plant life in this
semi-desert area as well as the strips of irrigated verdant green
land on the
banks of the Orange River that stands in stark contrast to the
surrounding red and white desert sand and, at the end of each day,
we would like
you to experience the incredible hospitality of the people who
call the Kalahari home. This is not an area of fast food restaurants
and
chain-group hotels – we will visit a variety of individual
homes, chalets and lodges where the lifestyle of the owners, their
friendly welcome and exquisite food, is an experience in itself. You travel in a small group of likeminded people who are interested in nature, love to be off the beaten tourist tracks and don’t mind being actively involved in preparing a BBQ at sunset. Flexibility, team spirit and your love of nature and adventure are the basis for this enjoyable holiday. You are accommodated in beautifully situated homes/ lodges/chalets that are typical for the region – sometimes simple, sometimes luxurious but always spotlessly clean and lovingly maintained. |
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| Day 1: Johannesburg / Kimberley | |
| After collecting you at your hotel in JHB we proceed to the Vredefort
Dome, one of South Africa's newest World Heritage Sites. The Vredefort
Dome is where a massive meteorite, larger in size than London, struck
the earth. Thereafter we continue to the interesting town of Kimberley
made famous by the discovery of diamond deposits. Dinner at the renowned
Kimberley Club is recommended (own account). o/night in Kimberley B+B |
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| Contact and Bookings | |
| Day 2: Kimberley / Upington | |
| Morning tour of the Big Hole, the largest man-made excavation in the world, 240m dug entirely with shovels and picks in search of diamonds. After visiting the museum we continue to Kamfers Dam, which is home to the largest permanent population of lesser flamingos in Southern Africa. We continue to Upington, arriving late afternoon. Time permitting, we recommend a sunset cruise on the Orange River (own account) o/night in Upington area B+B |  |
| Day 3: Augrabies Falls | |
| A day trip to the Augrabies Falls National Park, where one can
view the Augrabies Falls themselves. The name means 'Place of Great
Noise'. We recommend the short 5 kilometre Dassies Nature Trail Hike,
which takes in Arrow Point, the Potholes and Moon Rock. Enjoy a picnic
lunch and game viewing before returning to Upington for overnight. o/night in Upington area B+B |
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| Contact and Bookings | |
| Day 4: Upington / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (DBB) | |
Enjoy wine tasting at the local farmers Co-operative before we travel to The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife with gemsbok and the famed black-maned Kalahari lions being the main attractions. Comprising 3,6 million hectares, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest conservation areas in the world - where the Kgalagadi red sand dunes stretch on into infinity. Accommodation: Rest Camp |
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| Day 5: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (DBB) | |
| Enjoy 2 full days in the Park. Take a morning or afternoon drive
and just enjoy the tranquillity of the desert. During the evenings
you will marvel at the night sky which reveals an explosion of stars,
with the absence of city lights. Accommodation: Rest Camp |
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| Contact and Bookings | |
| Day 6: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (DBB) | |
| Morning and afternoon drive. Recommended is the optional night
drive (for your own account) - where on some evenings the desert
animals can be abundant in the dark. Accommodation: Rest Camp |
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| Day 7: Kgalagadi / Kuruman (B+B) | |
| We depart to the small town of Kuruman. We visit the Moffat Mission,
set up by a young married missionary couple who produced the first
Tswana language bible. Their daughter married David Livingstone,
the intrepid adventurer who was the first European to lay eyes on
Victoria Falls, and who named them after Queen Victoria. Accommodation: Kuruman area |
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| Contact and Bookings | |
| Day 8: Kuruman / Johannesburg | |
| Depart for Johannesburg via Vryburg, known as 'Cattle Country'. After a brief visit, we arrive late afternoon in Johannesburg where you will be dropped off at the place of your choice. |  |
| Contact and Bookings | |
| Optional Extras | |
Johannesburg is the start and end of most of our tours and here Afritours cc can offer you a range of exciting day tours, from “historical” Soweto and the Apartheid Museum to City Tours, Museum visits, visits to the Cheetah Breeding & Research Farm and so much more. www.afritours.de/shorttours&daytours
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Other Tour Options
Majestic Drakensberg Mountains (4-Days)
Two Kingdoms + Kruger Park (5-7 Days)
South African Highlights (14 Days)
Our Promise to you...
Custom South African Tours,
Designed Around Your Wishes,
No Groups, No Hassle, No Fuss.
