Day 1: Kimberley

After arrival in Kimberley we travel through to Marrick Safari Lodge, one of Africa’s best places for nocturnal mammals. Tonight, after dinner we will take the first of several dedicated night drives to look for the Kalahari’s most amazing mammals, including the bizarre Springhare, incredible Aardvark, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, South African Porcupine and if we are very lucky the localized and rare Black-footed Cat or simply adorable Large-Eared Mouse. This location delivers these oddities more often that just about anywhere on Earth. If we have time (not garuanteed), we might also seek out the intriguing Elephant Shrew or Karoo Rock Sengi at Marrick. We spend two nights at Marrick Safari Lodge.

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Day 2: Mokala and Marrick

After breakfast we head to the nearby Mokala NP, one of the newest and most interesting parks in South Africa. It has several rare mammals, and we seek out Sable, Roan and Tsessebe, although these are not guaranteed. We will also find the near-endemic Springbok, bean-pole Giraffe and Gemsbok and maybe the most endearing small mammal on Earth, the Meercat!! Other mammals occurring here that are rare and less frequently seen are White and Black Rhinoceros, and Cape Buffalo. We ought to start picking up a few reptiles and birds, with Kalahari specialties like Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Scaly Weaver, Crimson-breasted Gonolek and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater all being front and center. We return to Marrick and take another night-drive in this amazing place to target anything we missed the night before.

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Day 3: Marrick to Augrabies Falls NP

Augrabies is where the Orange River cuts through granite to form a spectacular waterfall. Some of the original Khoi and San communities remain within the park which is dominated by the spectacular giant aloe trees or kokerbooms. The park has a diverse set of mammals and birds, including Eland, Giraffe, Klipspringer, South African Ground Squirrel, African Wild Cat, and if we are extremely lucky, maybe a Caracal. On the bird front we seek out the localized Orange River White-eye, Pririt Batis, Dusky Sunbird, and Double-banded Sandgrouse, while it is hard to miss the massive nests of Sociable Weavers, Pale-winged Starling, Red-eyed Bulbul and the minute Pygmy Falcons. But this zone is one of the best for seeking reptiles and amphibians and we will hopefully locate the very localized and stunning Augrabies Flat-Lizard and Augrabies Gecko, bulbous Giant Ground, Fischer’s Thick-toed Gecko, Southern Rock Agama, Karoo Sand Snake, Guttural and Western Olive toads, Common River Frog and if we are very lucky a Marbled Rubber Frog or Giant Bull Frog! Overnight near Augrabies.

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Day 4: Augrabies Falls NP

With another full-day to enjoy this place we hope to not only see the gradeur of the river coursing through the spectacular rocks, but also catch up on the mammals, birds and fabulous herps of this rocky landscape.

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Day 5: Augrabies Falls NP to Pofadder

After another stunning morning at Augrabies Falls NP our time at the stark but stunning park draws to a close and we venture farther west to the spaghetti-western-like town of Pofadder (or Puffadder in English). This small settlement is a perfect base for our exploration of the Northern Cape’s famed ‘Bushmanland’ area. Surrounded by open rangeland and farmland we hope to find birds like Starks Lark and Black-eared Sparrowlark, and turning our attentions to the ground, hopefully Bradfield’s Dwarf or Montane Thick-tailed  Geckos, and with some extreme luck, Horned Adder or Beetz’s Tiger Snake. Night in Pofadder.

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Day 6: Pofadder to Port Nolloth

We depart predawn so that we can be at the fossil dune valley of the Koa River as the sun comes up. The red sand dunes here are home to the very localized Red Lark. They are fairly easily found at dawn, singing at this time of year. Namaqua Sandgrouse, Cape Penduline-Tit and Karoo Korhaan may be some of the other prizes. It’s a long drive to Port Nolloth, during which we will pass through northern Namaqualand beginning to see some of the epic flowering displays of this phenomenal region. If we see any amazing displays, we’ll stop for photos and to seek out some of the rarer ephemeral plants. We complete the day on the coast, with the cool upwelling waters of the Benguela ocean creating a sea-mist here most nights that drives an ecosystem like few others on the planet. Two nights are spent in Port Nolloth.

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Day 7: Port Nolloth

With a full day to enjoy this part of Northern Namaqualand, and the very arid Namib-like environment along the coast to the north, we can expect a bumper day of enigmas. Perhaps the most sought-after will be the Desert Rain Frog, one of the cutest animals on Earth. Watch the YouTube clip about it and tell us you don’t want to see that, and we’ll call you concrete-hearted. However, they are tough to locate, and we would be exceptionally lucky to see them, but your leaders will be trying their best. We will also be seeking out Namaqua Dwarf and Austen’s geckos, Western Rock and Variegated skinks, and only if we are very lucky Namaqua Dwarf Chameleon, and Namaqua Dwarf Adder. The region around Port Nolloth supports small colonies of Brandt’s Whistling Rat, the extremely local Cape Long-billed Lark, as well as the very pale version of Tractrac Chat. Offshore, we ought to see African Black Oystercatcher and Crowned, and Cape cormorants, all local seabirds restricted to the cold rich waters of the Benguela-current of South Africa and Namibia.

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Day 8: Port Nolloth to Springbok

After another morning on the Namaqualand coast we head inland to the rocky granitic hinterland of Springbok, and maybe see our first Renosterveld ‘Rhinocersos Bush’ habitat. The second town on our stay named after an iconic South African animal, this is surely one of the ‘wildest’ parts of the country. A visit to a private Nature Reserve will hopefully reveal Western Rock Sengi (or Elephant Shrew) amongst a host of interesting small mammals including Dassie Rat. Rarer birds include Black-headed Canary, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler and Karoo Eremomela. Amongst the herps, we hope to find Striped Pygmy Gecko, Knox’s Desert, Western Sandveld, and Namaqua Sand lizards, Western Three-striped, Variegated and Western Rock skinks, and Many-horned Adder, Brown House Snake and a smorgasbord of less common things that we would be lucky to encounter. We have two nights in Springbok.

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Day 9: Springbok

Another day in the rockscapes of Springbok. We might head to wherever there’s a good flowering display nearby and otherwise focus on the many tricky species that find a home in these crags. Some rare but mouth-watering possible sightings include Speckled Padloper (a tiny tortoise), Namaqua Pygmy Gecko, Namaqua Flat and Dwarf Plated lizards, Schinz’s Beaked Blind, Namib Sand and Spotted Rock snakes, Coral Shield Cobra, Paradise Toad, Poynton’s River and Namaqua Stream frogs. If we even see some of these ‘megas’ we would be doing well.

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Day 10: Springbok to Nieuwoudtville

After a morning in Springbok we head to southern Namaqualand. There is of course a turnover of species, and although there are not many new birds and mammals, we can expect a whole new slew of herps and plants. Calling the flowerline the day before to see if there are any spectacular flowering displays en route (or just off it), we will plan our day accordingly and make sure that we take in whatever spectacular annuals or bulbs are showing. Arriving at our destination we will be struck by the awesome desolate nature of the open Knersvlakte ‘gnashing plains’, so named in Afrikaans for the sound the Boers’ wagon wheels used to make as they trekked across these hostile environments. Far from desolate, this is one of the hotbeds of small succulent diversity on Earth, and we can hope to encounter several species of Lithops, Mesembs and other stunning mini succulents. The plains are home to Karoo, Spike-heeled and Thick-billed Larks, Rufous-eared Warbler and Karoo Korhaan. A massive escarpment at the edge of the plains takes us firmly onto the South African escarpment and a whole new world. We will either overnight at the quaint little town or ‘dorpie’ of Nieuwoudtville, or at Vanrhynsdorp on the plains below.

 

Day 11: Niewoudtville

With a full day to explore both the highlands and Knersvlakte we are in for a treat. Again, we will tap into local knowledge as to where the best flowering areas are and we will undoubtedly be treated to some of Namaqualand’s rarest plants today. In among those, we will be seeking out a new swathe of vertebrate enigmas including Weber’s Thick-toed Gecko, Southern Spiny Agama, Common Sand Lizard, Cross Marked Grass and Karoo Sand snakes, and Rhombic Skaapsteker. With a little luck we will encounter the amazing Cape Cobra, and in the wetlands Cape River and Clicking Stream frogs. Mammals will include the odd Rock Hyrax, agile Klipspringer, and perhaps the localized deer-like Grey Rhebok. Birds such as Namaqua Warbler, Pririt Batis and Southern Grey Tit lurk in the riverine vegetation and we’ll be likely to find all of these.

 

Day 12: Niewoudtville to Grootwinterhoek to Langebaan

Today we exit Namaqualand and the Karoo and get our first glimpse of an entirely new ecosystem, the Strandveld (an Afrikaans word meaning beach bush), part of the unique heathlands of the southern tip of Africa that simultaneously make up its oldest and most diverse floral kingdom. We have a few secret sites only this loop that can be very productive, and will hopefully yield Cradock Thick-toed Gecko, Gronovi’s Dwarf Burrowing Skink, and Southern Blind Legless Skink, and if we are lucky a Rhombic Skaapsteeker or Spotted Harlequin Snake. We will then head to Lambert’s Bay, and the epic colony of Cape Gannet’s there that astound, where we will enjoy a lovely sea-side lunch. By this afternoon we will be seeing the stunning cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean as we approach Langebaan Lagoon within the West Coast NP, haven to the first arriving migratory shorebirds, in addition to the stunning and local Black Harrier, which we hope to encounter.

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Day 13: Langebaan to Cape Town

This area may yield Namaqua Rain Frog, or another of the set of herps that occupy the West Coast Zone. Grey-winged Francolin, or even maybe a Caracal (which is rare) would make the early morning rise worthwhile. Later we head into Cape Town, the stunning city that surrounds a giant mountain and is encircled by spectacular seascapes at its core and begin our exploration of another zone of biodiversity wonderment.

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Day 14: Cape Town

Over the course of today, and with a full exploration of the lusher and wetter mountain Fynbos, we hope to find you Marbled Leaf-toed, Ocellated Thick-toed and Cape Dwarf geckos, Southern Rock Agama, Cape Girdled Lizard, Red-sided Skink, Common Slugeater, Mole Snake and maybe a Puffadder. On the frog front the Raucous and Western Leopard toads are all possible, as is the spectacular Arum Lily Frog. We will be sure to show you the endangered seabirds of the Benguela current, and of course we will make a stop at the famous Boulder’s Bay for the spectacular African Penguin. Although there are not that many mammals about we might find the endemic pied Bontebok (that almost slipped to extinction last century) and just offshore there will be Southern Right Whales and their calves: we will do our best to find them.

 

Day 15: Departure

After an absolute bumper fortnight featuring enigmas with hair, feathers, scales, and flowers our amazing time in one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth, with some of the best people to show you these creatures draws to a close. For those that simply must have more – and we could hardly blame you – there is a pre-trip extension to Namibia. We finish off with a drop-off at Cape Town International Airport.

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Namibia Extension

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Introduction:

We have some great locations in Namibia to seek out the rapidly vanishing Ground Pangolin, and late August is the best time to see them. Of course, they are very rare and are not guaranteed, so please make sure you come here hoping to see one rather than expecting to see one. We keep these locations ‘off the grid’ due to the rampant poaching of these incredibly cool enigmas, and you’ll just have to come along and trust us. So far, the hit rate suggests you will not be disappointed. Our main location – around 4 hours drive from Windhoek – is tucked away in the vast landscapes where conservation meets raw, untamed nature. This hidden sanctuary offers some of the best opportunities on the continent to witness a stunning range of African mammals in the wild—many of them elusive and rarely seen elsewhere. The area is especially renowned for its thriving population of leopards. Alongside them roam other iconic predators – especially Brown Hyenas, Black-backed Jackals, and the stealthy African Wild Cat. But this ecosystem isn’t just about carnivores. It’s a place where sweeping savannahs and rocky outcrops host an impressive diversity of herbivores and plains game. Majestic Giraffes move through acacia woodlands, while herds of Oryx, Greater Kudu, Eland, Impala, Red Hartebeest, and Blue Wildebeest graze the open grasslands. Both Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra and Burchell’s zebra make their home here, often seen mingling with Springbok or the delicate Damara Dik-dik. Warthogs root around waterholes, and smaller antelope like the Steenbok and common duiker offer charming sightings for the watchful visitor.

What truly sets this reserve apart is its rich offering of nocturnal and seldom-seen species. After dark, the bush comes alive with shy and mysterious animals: most specifically, the peculiar and elusive Pangolin. Night safaris might reveal Bat-eared Fox, Striped Polecat, Small-spotted Genets, and South African Porcupine rummaging through the undergrowth. After a 3-night stay here we venture into the Namib Desert and spend some time at Swakopmund – in the heart of the dune and gravel plains ecosystems. Here our focus shifts to smaller desert denizens, perfectly adapted for life in the harsh Namib, such as Web-footed Gecko, Wedge-snouted and Shovel-snouted Desert lizards and if we are incredibly lucky either Peringuey’s (Sidewinding), or Horned Adders, and we can only dare to dream of both! By day the Namaqua Chameleon may shunt between distant shrubs and we are likely to encounter a few rare and seldom-seen geckos!
 

Itinerary summary:

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Day 1: Arrival Windhoek, night Windhoek
Days 2-4: Full days Pangolin Safari

Day 5: Transfer to Swakopmund

Days 6-7: Full days Swakopmund area

Day 8: Departure from Walvis Bay to Johannesburg

Day 9: Johannesburg to Kimberley (to link with South Africa EWT)
 

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Trip Considerations

PACE: Intense. This will vary considerably from day to day. But we are covering a huge amount of territory between Kimberley and Cape Town and we will have many days with 6 hours of driving in the car. Sometimes we will have early mornings for key birds and mammals and sometimes we will have late nights for herps and nocturnal mammals. It’ll certainly be a hodge-podge of activities, but we expect that to yield some spectacular results of phenomenal animals of all sorts from a variety of vertebrate classes. The average day will probably involve at least an early morning or a night drive (maybe both), but we will make sure people (especially our drivers) get adequate sleep. And then 4-6 hours in the vehicle driving to places. Some days involve full days in a local area that really allows us to get stuck in and enjoy these places to the full. 

 

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Most of the time we will either be driving, birding, mammaling or herping in local area that involves a lot of lifting rocks and not moving very fast. There is not a lot of walking involved, although obviously we spend a substantial amount of time outside the vehicles pottering around. Some scrambling over rocks can be anticipated, and good balance is important, but there is no heavy hiking or steep inclines.

 

CLIMATE: Variable. It will be spring and so there can be a cold front that brings the temperature down to 40°F (5°C) at night to about 85°F(30°C) in the middle of the day. So come prepared for both hot and cold. Night time in the semi-desert can be particularly chilly. Although we are in semi-arid country for much of the trip, we are doing this at the end of the wet season, when spring has sprung and so rain and mist is to be expected in places, although showers typically don’t last for long.

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ACCOMMODATION: Varies from boutique bed-and-breakfast in Cape Town to simply rustic farmhouse homestays in the Kalahari and Karoo. We try to make sure all the places have some character. All will have en-suite bathrooms, 24-hour electricity, hot water and most will have Wi-Fi.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Photography options are excellent on this tour in general. At night many of the subjects are herps and so long as you have a flash you can come away with great shots of those species. Mammals and birds during the day present themselves well and should make great subjects.

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WHEN TO GO: We run our tour in a narrow window at end of August/early September to hit the peak of the (unpredictable) Namaqualand flowering season. While some years the rains fail or are poor and some years they are amazing we can never guarantee a stupendous flowering year. But so long as there has been some winter rain the herps come out and the birds and mammals are breeding.

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Other Information

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TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas are not currently required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia. Visas are required by many other countries, so please check your travel requirements as they are often subject to change. It’s always a good idea to double check travel requirements a few weeks before the tour, or ask our office for help.

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from night of day 1 through to the morning of day 15 (or day 9 on the extension); meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 15 (or day 9 on the extension); lodges will include at least safe drinking water and some include tea/coffee; when eating at restaurants that include no drinks, reasonable non-alcoholic drinks will be provided for that meal; safe drinking water only between meals (usually available at a designated spot in the lodge – if not it will be provided for you); Tropical Birding tour leader with thermal scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the morning of day 15 (or day 9 of the extension); a local naturalists that is excellent with herps and small mammals; one arrival and one departure airport transfer on the arrival and departure days respectively, per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they are flying at a similar time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle; entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance).

 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to Tropical Birding tour leaders; tips for luggage porters in city hotels (if you require their services); flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned above.