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SOUTH AFRICA & NAMIBIA: STELLENBOSCH TO SOSSUSVLEI

Highlights: Scenic easy hiking in the Cape of Good Hope. Wine-tasting and easy bicycling in the Winelands (Stellenbosch and Franschoek). Topnotch whale- and dolphin watching at Plettenberg Bay. Easy hiking and/or kayaking in pristine nature reserves of the Garden Route. Zip-lining rainforest canopy adventure at Tsitsikamma. Visiting a very special primate sanctuary. Savoring the changing hues of Sossusvlei's reddish, 1000-foot-high dunes. Optional dune surfing and quad biking at Swakopmund or taking a dolphin- and sea lion watching cruise at Walvis Bay. Observing Bushman Rock Art dating back to the Stone Age 6,000 years ago! Flying along the Skeleton Coast to Damaraland, where you'll enjoy wonderful bushwalks, game drives, and star-gazing "par excellence". Excellent wildlife viewing on the Etosha Salt Pan via day and nighttime game drives and bushwalks.

Optional extensions to Serra Cafema camp, Skeleton Coast Camp, Palmag Rhino camp, Botswana, South Africa or Victoria Falls!

Namibia lecture options: The Namib Desert; Namibia's main peoples and cultures; Spiritual & religious beliefs of Namibia's main peoples; Wildlife lecture on mammals, reptiles or ornithology; Overview of Namibian history.

South Africa lecture options: Overview of South African history; South Africa's main peoples and cultures; Spiritual & religious beliefs of South Africa's main peoples; The Life of Nelson Mandela; Wildlife lecture on mammals, reptiles or ornithology; Paleo Anthropology

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Fly to Cape Town, arriving on day 2. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon you'll enjoy a private tour of Table Mountain, one of southern Africa's most beautiful and impressive natural wonders. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the entire Cape!  Vineyard Hotel - 4 ½ stars (courtyard room)

Today you’ll enjoy a private tour of Cape Town, the “Mother City”. You’ll visit the lovely grounds of the Houses of Parliament as well as the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa’s oldest building. Completed in 1679, the Castle was originally used by the Dutch East India Company to protect the Cape from rival European powers. Next, experience the District Six Museum, which documents the tragic apartheid-era disintegration of a vibrant community. Enjoy some bargain hunting at the bustling Greenmarket Square flea market before moving on to savor the spicy aromas of Bo-Kaap, the picturesque Malay Quarter.

This afternoon, you’ll have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is to go on a fascinating tour of Robben Island, the notorious 17th century prison that later held apartheid South Africa’s most famous opponents, including Nelson Mandela. From within this prison emerged the leaders and ideas that inspired the new South African democracy. Most of the guides on the island are ex-political prisoners, lending an air of authenticity to the experience. You’ll take a ferry ride to the island, where you’ll visit the prison block and limestone quarry where many of the prisoners worked. You'll enjoy wonderful views of the city and observe an African Penguin colony.

Your second option is to visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, situated in the idyllic Constantia district. Founded in 1913, these gardens cover an area of 528 hectares and are a celebration of South African flora - showcasing only indigenous South African plants. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams and ponds and well-laid out pathways for easy walking. A great variety of birds inhabit the gardens and you may also enjoy an exhibit of distinctive Zimbabwean Shona stone sculptures. Vineyard Hotel - 4 ½ stars (B, L)

Full day private tour of the Cape of Good Hope. Highlights include Chapman's Peak drive, one of the finest scenic coastal drives in the world; Boulders Beach, home to the African penguin; the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve; historic Simonstown; and Noordhoek Valley, where Southern Right whales are frequently seen. You will also enjoy an easy and very scenic hike (45 minutes) at Cape Point. Your adventure concludes with a cruise to Seal (Duiker) Island, home to a large population of Cape Fur seals, sea birds, and the great white shark. Vineyard Hotel (B, L)

Note: Alternatively, we can arrange a private Cape Malay cooking lesson or Cape Town Fine Arts tour. During the cooking lesson you would cook and savor mildly spicy dishes that were originally concocted in the Spice Islands and brought to South Africa by early explorers. The Fine Arts tour would visit painting, all-media and sculpture galleries of high quality. Surcharge would apply.

Your private tour begins with a short drive to Franschhoek, a lovely village situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands. You'll drive along picturesque backroads, passing by whitewashed Cape Dutch homes, the Berg River and assorted vineyards. You'll enjoy a walking tour of Franschoek and stop periodically for winetasting (if desired). Then take a short drive to Stellenbosch, a delightful university town that many consider to be the most beautiful in all of South Africa. You'll enjoy a walking tour of the historical downtown area, followed by winetasting and/or shopping. D'Ouwe Werf (B, L)

Note: In Franschhoek, we may be able to substitute a bicycling excursion in place of the walking tour if you prefer.

Morning flight to George.  Upon arrival, you will be met and privately transferred along the Garden Route to Knysna, a quaint, charming, lagoon-side town. Stroll around town before visiting the Heads, towering sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance of the lagoon, funneling the ocean through a small channel. Kynsna's beautiful lagoon is surrounded by forested hills. Exploring the summit of the Heads, you'll be rewarded with extraordinary panoramic views of the sea and lagoon.

Short transfer to Plettenberg Bay, which enjoys a spectacularly beautiful setting with a rare combination of mountains, white sand, and crystal blue water. Its coastline has inspired rave reviews since the Portuguese first discovered it in 1497, naming it Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay). Whales and dolphins are frequent visitors to the bay, and they are often visible from Plet's many lookout points.
This afternoon you’ll have a choice of two excursions.  Your first option is to go on a wonderful dolphin and whale watching cruise during which you'll most likely encounter large groups of Bottlenose dolphins, small pods of the rare Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, some shark species, resident Bryde's whales, a Cape Fur Seal colony, common dolphins, Southern Right and/or Humpback whales. You may even see Orcas.   Your second option is to go on a hike in the picturesque Robberg Nature & Marine Reserve outside Plettenberg Bay. 

Late this afternoon, you will visit Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre. Here you will be taken on a guided tour to meet captive-bred cheetah, caracal, serval, African black footed cats, blue cranes, marabu storks, and other creatures. (If desired, we can arrange for a private guided walk with the cheetahs).
Hog Hollow – 4 ½  stars (B)
Note: Optional upgrade to The Plettenberg (5 stars).

Today you have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is to explore Monkeyland, a unique sanctuary that caters to several species of primate, allowing them to move freely about the forest. Accompanied by your naturalist guide, you'll likely see lemurs from Madagascar, gibbons from Asia , howler monkeys from South America and other primates. All of the primates behave, feed and live harmoniously in a natural environment. Despite its theme-park sounding name, this sanctuary is an excellent place to enjoy wildlife. You will then enjoy a bird sanctuary (Birds of Eden) of similar quality. As with Monkeyland, the trees are so tall, the vegetation so dense and the creatures so numerous, that one often forgets that the sanctuary is enclosed!  

Your second option is to enjoy a wonderfully scenic coastal hike -- or a rainforest hike along a lovely estuary -- at Nature's Valley, an idyllic area that is surrounded by rocky cliffs, a lovely lagoon, pristine beach and luxuriant coastal rainforest. You'll see 1,000-year-old yellowwood trees, proteas, fynbos and abundant bird life. Both hikes are easy and very scenic. Hog Hollow – 4 ½  stars (B, L)

Today, you'll explore Tsitsikamma National Park, which encompasses some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in South Africa. The park also harbors the giant Outeniqua Yellowwood tree, one of the most successful species in existence, having survived unchanged for millions of years. Aside from indigenous forest and dramatic coastline, you may also see blue duikers, Cape Clawless Otters, Knysna Louries, dolphins and porpoises, and African Black Oystercatchers.  

You’ll enjoy an easy morning hike (45 minutes) that offers tremendous panoramic views of the incredibly beautiful coastline. After a leisurely lunch, you'll go on another easy and extremely scenic hike (1 - 2 hours) that constitutes the initial segment of the famous 5 day Otter Trail. The scenery is very different on both hikes.  

Late afternoon transfer to Port Elizabeth. Windermere Hotel (B, L)

Morning flight to Johannesburg, where you connect with your flight to Windhoek. Short air transfer to Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, where you will spend two nights.

Sossusvlei, situated l2 miles away, is one of the most remarkable sites in the Namib-Naukluft Park and the Namib Desert . Towering red sand dunes, perhaps the highest in the world, rise dramatically over 1,000 feet above the surrounding plains. Apart from their size, Sossusvlei's dunes are captivating for their continually changing hues, which attract photographers from around the world. You'll enjoy day- and night-time game drives in 4x4 vehicles as well as escorted bushwalks. You'll drive to the magnificent dunes -- including Big Momma and Big Daddy -- and to the "vlei" itself at the end of the Tsauchchab River, a dry river bed that only flows in years of exceptional rainfall. You'll also visit lovely Sesriem canyon. The harsh environment prevents large concentrations of game; however; you will see many interesting animals such as the Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), Ostrich, and Aardvark. These animals are dramatized by the contrast with the surrounding desert scenery. Weather-permitting, you may decide to go hot air ballooning (optional).

The Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is situated on a 7,000 hectare property with wonderful desert scenery and views of the dunes in the distance. The camp was built near the top of a mountain, using natural materials of rock, timber, and thatch. It provides a cool refuge from the desert. Each of the nine luxury bungalows is superbly appointed and has private bathrooms with hot and cold running water. There is also a pool.
Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp (or Little Kulala). (B,L,D)

Note: Depending on the latest flight schedule, it may be necessary to overnight in Windhoek.

Morning scenic flight over the incredible Sossusvlei dunes on your way to the coastal city of Swakopmund. You have a choice of enjoying a sand dune experience -- dune surfing and quad biking -- or transferring to Walvis Bay for a boat ride to see pelicans, dolphins and sea lions. After lunch, you'll fly along the Skeleton Coast and then inland to arrive at Damaraland.

Damaraland Camp, located on the north face of the Huab River Valley, 55 miles inland from Torra Bay on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. The camp presents endless vistas across stark plains, ancient valleys, and soaring peaks. The brooding mass of the Brandberg (7,900 ft) provides a focal point. Early morning mists, generated by the icy Atlantic and the warm land mass along the Skeleton Coast drift inland along the river line, providing sustenance to varied life -forms. Wildlife includes the Desert Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Oryx, Kudu, Springbok, and other species that are able to endure the desert environment. The absence of fences in the area gives one a complete sense of freedom not often found in Namibia. Star-gazing is "par excellence" with crystal-clear night skies.

Activities center around game drives in 4x4 vehicles and bushwalks into the Huab River system. At Twyfelfontaine, you may observe lovely petroglyphs and paintings carved into the local sandstone by San Hunters up to 6,000 years ago! (The Stone Age).

Each of Damaraland's large, comfortable, walk-in tents has en-suite facilities and a roomy verandah. They also offer lovely views of the valley. The camp has a pool.
Damaraland Camp. (B,L,D)

Note: If you have a particular interest in seeing rhinos, then you might consider staying at Palmwag Rhino Camp instead. This camp is more rustic than Damaraland Camp.

Short morning flight to Ongava Lodge/Tented Camp, which is situated on a private 30,000-hectare reserve that borders Etosha National Park to the south. Etosha is Namibia's premier wildlife park, with large concentrations of elephant, lion, leopard, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, and hartebeest. (The lions are particularly handsome). You'll also enjoy wonderful views of the salt pans which dominate the center of Etosha. Birdlife around the water-holes is abundant; you'll see ostrich, pygmy falcon, short-toed rock thrush, Hautlaub's Francolin, freckled nightjar, and Meyer's parrot. You'll spend the mornings within Etosha and afternoons in the Ongava Reserve in open sided 4x4 vehicles.

The Ongava Lodge offers the full Etosha experience, while at the same time allowing you to do night drives and bushwalks on the reserve, activities which are not allowed within Etosha.
You may also hide out (safely) in a camouflaged hut situated beside a waterhole! Ongava offers you a higher level of comfort than the park's largest camps. Ongava has a pool.
Ongava Lodge/Tented Camp (B,L,D).

Fly to Johannesburg via Windhoek, connecting with your flight to the USA. Barring delays or schedule changes, you will arrive home the same day. (B, meals en route)

End of Safari

(Code: B- Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)

Optional extensions to Serra Cafema camp, Skeleton Coast Camp,
Palmag Rhino camp, Botswana or Victoria Falls!

Land Cost Includes:

o Accommodations for 13 nights mainly in first class hotels, lodges and camps
o All elective adventures (except ballooning)
o Most meals (30)
o All local guiding services
o All transfers and land transportation
o Entrance/park fees
o Porterage

2008 Land Cost:

January - May: $7,800 (check) or $8,035 (credit card)

June - October: $8,100 (check) or $8,350 (credit card)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trip Grade: Easy. Emphasis is on "off the beaten track" experience. All adventures are elective and low-intensity. They include bushwalks and day and nighttime game drives. Because the trip travels into remote areas, some discomfort may result from the climate, cultural differences, and schedule changes.

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; accommodations in deluxe tented camps and thatched cottages based on double occupancy; 30 meals as detailed in the itinerary; entrance/park fees; service and handling charges; instruction and leadership.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); meals not included in itinerary; tips to guides ; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return.

Climate: During summer (Dec-March), daily highs and lows average 79F and 61F in Cape Town, South Africa. During winter (June-August), daily highs and lows average 64F and 45F in Cape Town. Rainfall is heaviest in the Cape during winter (9 days per month.

Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country. Days are mostly warm to very hot, while nights are generally cool. Average daytime temperatures during the summer (Dec -March) range from 78F - 92F while average night temperatures during the winter (June-Aug) range from 32F -50F. Rain usually falls in the summer, with a short season in November and the main season from February to March. Average rainfall is under 50mm along the coast, 350mm in the central region, and 700mm in the far northeast.

Note: May to December is the dry season and therefore the best time to see desert elephants and black rhinos in Damaraland and Palmwag Rhino Camp.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in deluxe tented camps and thatched cottages. Singles who sign up will be paired with a roommate. If none is available, there will be a single supplement charge.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $500 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures are guaranteed during the season with a minimum of two passengers. Enrollment is limited to 16 passengers. Final payment of the land cost is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: If you need to cancel your trip, please notify us in writing or by fax immediately. The cancellation penalty is calculated from the day we receive cancellation notice. (For those persons who do travel, there are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities.) In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supercede NEI's policy. The cancellation penalty is calculated based on the schedule below.

Number of days prior to departure. Cancellation fee per person:
    61+days         $500 plus applicable airfare penalties
    45–60 days    30% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    30–44 days    60% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    0–29 days     100% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company's control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.

© Nature Expeditions International