NAMAQUALAND DAISIES TOUR

(10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS)

22 to  31 August 2009

Although the primary objective of this tour is to experience the famed flowers of Namaqualand, this trip is really a full circular tour of the greater portion of South Africa, taking in the East Coast along the Indian Ocean, the Garden Route , the Atlantic West Coast and the Northern Cape. Because of the distances involved, there is the need to travel quite long distances on some days, particularly during the first part of the tour, when the tour pushes for the Cape. However, there is lots to see along the way, and even on the longer traveling days, the design of our vehicles ensures that passengers enjoy the journey in comfort.

It is also important to note that the natural flower displays of Namaqualand are dependent on climatic conditions and therefore peak flowering times can differ slightly from year to year. Because this tour takes in so many different regions of South Africa, passengers are certain to experience a broad range of scenery, architecture and cultures along the way, and to visit many areas not normally visited by even South Africans themselves.

The tour highlights and itinerary are as follows, although specific overnight camps may differ slightly, according to availability. That is one of the advantages of this type of tour, in that whilst we have a clear structure, the tour crews are happy to amend schedules en route wherever possible, in  consultation with the passengers, to ensure that people get to experience the things that interest them the most. If it is feasible to accommodate such requests and alter the daily schedules accordingly to suit people's wishes, we always do our best to accommodate these wishes.

22 August 2009: Saturday        

Depart Durban, traveling along the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast and through the rural splendour of the Transkei, passing Nelson Mandela's home along the way  to our overnight camp at Yellow Sands, Cintsa. (L,D)

23 August 2009: Sunday

Depart Yellow Sands. Our overnight camp is at the Storms River Mouth, in the Tsitsikama Forest. The Tsitsikamma National Park is a coastal reserve on the Garden Route in South Africa. It is well known for indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. The park covers an 80 km long stretch of coastline. Near the park is the Bloukrans Bridge, the world's highest bungee jump at 216m.

The word tsitsikamma is a Khoisan phrase meaning place of abundant water.  (B, L, D)

24 August 2009: Monday

Departing Tsitsikamma, we travel through some of the Western Cape''s most beautiful scenery and towns, on our way to our first night's camp on the West  Coast. Overnight Saldanha Bay Saldanha Bay is a natural harbour on the south-western coast of South Africa, north west of Cape Town (B, L, D)

25 August 2009: Tuesday

Depart Saldanha Bay and set up our camp for the next 2 nights at Clanwilliam. Clanwilliam is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is situated in the Cederberg municipality in the West coast region approximately 100km inland, close to Cederberg Mountains. (B, L, D)

26 August 2009: Wednesday

Today we travel to the lovely harbour village at Lamberts Bay and visit the  large colony of Gannets on Bird Island, as well as the Ramskop Wild Flower reserve. Overnight Clanwilliam (B,L,D)

27 August 2009: Thursday       

Departing Clanwilliam, the tour heads into the Northern Cape to Nieuwoudville, often called the flower capital. There are several reserves in the area which offer a wide variety of flora along with several other stunning sites. We will visit the Nieuwoudville Wild Flower Reserve (B, L, D)

28 August 2009: Friday

Depart Nieuwoudville and moving further north into Namaqualand to the Namaqualand National Park. Extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the small town of Pofadder in the east, north from the great Orange River and south beyond Garies, Namaqualand is indeed a vast and varied region. After the winter rainfall, Namaqualand dons her coat of many colours and for a brief moment, the wildflowers invade the countryside. Countless poems, novels, paintings and prose have been dedicated to this annual shower colour. Overnight Springbok (B,L,D)

29 August 2009: Saturday        

Departing Springbok and heading east, we overnight at Upington and visit the spectacular Augrabies Falls (B, L, D)

30 August 2009: Sunday          

Today we say goodbye to Upington and journey to the historic mining town  of Kimberley and take in a vist to the famous Big Hole. We then stop off for our last nights camp. (B, L, D)

31 August 2009: Monday         

Depart Kimberley. Arrive Durban. Tour Ends. (B, L)

End of our services.

COSTS FOR 2009

Prices are quoted in ZAR and are subject to change until payment has been received in full.

4 people                  R        6,900.00

5 people                  R        6,440.00

6 people                  R        5,980.00

7 people                  R        5,750.00

8 people                  R        5,520.00

9 people                  R        5,405.00

10 people                R        5,290.00

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

VAT

Transport

Toll fees

Mmeals as indicated

Camp-based accommodation.

Entry fees to all national parks but excludes conservation fees. Persons traveling with a valid Wild Card will not have to pay daily conservation fees. Without a Wild Card, conservation fees are payable by SA citizens (don't forget your ID book!) at a cost typically of about R36.00 per day. Non-SA citizens are often charged a higher conservation fee.

Entry to Visitor Centre at the Big Hole in Kimberley.

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

1.       International flights

2.       Required taxes

3.       Meals not included in the itinerary (In Moshi at the Hotel, dinner is about $9 and lunch, $5)

4.       Visa’s

5.       Vaccinations,

6.       Guide, cook and drivers tips,

7.       Items of clothing and miscellaneous drinks, bottled water, etc.

8.       Sleeping bags if camping.

9.       Mandatory insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.

10.    Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

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