South Africa: The Cape and the Kalahari

Tour Leader Pete Read hosted a webinar about this tour and what he's most looking forward to. Click here to watch (30 min.)

We’ve re-vamped this itinerary to dramatically reduce our driving time and to better showcase the exceptional diversity of western South Africa. We explore ‘the Cape’ in the austral spring, when arid landscapes respond to spring rains by transforming into desert gardens. Indeed, the vegetation may provide an unexpected and magical embellishment to the wildlife experience.

We’ll begin in that mythical region of the Kalahari (Kgalagadi). Here we’ll enjoy the most ‘quintessential’ African experience as we encounter the wildlife we associate most with this continent. Among others, Cheetahs, Giraffe and Kalahari’s famous black-maned African Lions roam the semi-desert. We’ll then move south through stony country into the mythical Namaqualand where we may find a land cloaked in an unparalleled floral show. The uncanny habitats are accented by captivating succulents such as the tiny Lithops and the imposing Quiver Tree.

We’ll continue southward towards West Coast National Park, where vast areas should be awash in blossoms. We’ll watch for some of the many peculiar birds including the Black Harrier and Blue Crane and encounter signature mammals including the threatened Cape Mountain Zebra with its distinctive stripe pattern.

Finally, we descend firmly into the heart of the fynbos, the distinctive shrubland habitat containing the world’s highest concentration of endemic plants, many simply bizarre and astonishing such as the dazzling Proteas. The habitats and scenery are striking and form a fine backdrop for the area’s wonderful bird life. Among the distinctive ones, we’ll watch for the Cape Rockjumper and visit an African Penguin colony. Whales may breach offshore!

If you enjoy sweeping and eclectic landscapes and the chance to see peculiar and endemic wildlife, consider joining us on this fabulous tour. Tasting the Cape’s famous wines is optional!

A post-tour extension to Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park is available. Please enquire.