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Kalahari + Augrabies + Namaqualand Wild Flowers
APG7U

7 NIGHTS
FROM $3,013
International flights quoted separately
This seasonal private tour combines Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari, famous for its predators, with the thundering Augrabies Falls, before continuing to the spectacular wild flowers of Namaqualand which bloom August to September each year, although quality & timing depends upon the rains. Excellent for photography. Less 10% for 4+ pax.
HIGHLIGHTS
Photography Safari South Africa Photo Safari Kalahari Wild Flowers Namaqualand Augrabies Falls
• Kgalagadi Park • Kgalagadi Park • Black Maned Lion • Black Maned Lion
• Meerkats • Meerkats • Oryx • Oryx
• Bushman • Bushman • Augrabies Falls • Photography
• Augrabies Falls • Star Gazing • Namaqualand • Star Gazing
• Namaqualand • Wild Flowers • Photo Safari • Wild Flowers
Day 1
You will be met at Upington Airport by your guide and travel 3-hours to the vast and arid Kalahari Desert, one of the world’s last unspoilt ecosystems and one of Africa’s greatest wilderness areas. In this land of far horizons, marvel at the gigantic nests of the sociable weaverbirds set high in camel thorn trees and stop to examine some of the amazing succulent desert plants which have adapted to survive in such harsh conditions.
  
The malaria-free Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a visionary 3.7-million hectare joint venture between South African and Botswana. There are several rest camps, with accommodation in simple but comfortable air-conditioned chalets and tents. Your guide has an allowance to cover your breakfast & dinner every day you are in the park.
Days 2 To 3
Today is devoted to wildlife photography in the vast Kgalagadi National Park with your own private driver/guide, who is an award-winning photographer and will share tips to improve your skills. You can discuss preferred routings and travelling times with him each day, but we recommend setting off early each morning as the camp gates open (05h30 to 06h00 depending on the season), to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day.
 
Wildlife is plentiful in the red sand dunes and semi-desert of this vast game sanctuary, which is twice the size of the Kruger National Park. Of the many species of mammals and reptiles that have successfully adapted to the harsh desert conditions, the most famous is the black-maned Kalahari lion. Kgalagadi is also renowned for the magnificent oryx, cheetah and leopards - which are more easily seen in the sparse vegetation. You will see some of Africa’s most unusual animals in the Kalahari and many of the “great cats” – lion, cheetah and leopard – but the vegetation does not support elephants, rhino or buffalo.
 
You can spend the full day on the road, or return to your rest camp for breakfast and some relaxation, before setting out again at the time of your choice (usually the late afternoon) for another game drive. All game drives will be taken with your host in his air-conditioned vehicle, with bean bags available on request.  
 
We should see large herds of antelope including springbok, eland and blue wildebeest. We also hope to see the brown and spotted hyena, black-backed jackals, curious meerkats, yellow mongoose, porcupines, honey badgers, bat-eared foxes, Cape foxes, African wild cats and many other interesting animals. Bird life is also prolific, with over 260 species, including 20 different raptors.
 
Day 4
After some final game viewing in Kgalagadi National Park today we travel south for 4-hours through Bushmanland to Augrabies Falls. On the way enjoy a picnic lunch (included) and stop at a Bushmen craft stall to give you the opportunity of supporting the community by buying one of their hand-made products.
  
At Augrabies Falls - “the Place of Great Noise” - the mighty Orange River dramatically crashes over the rim of a granite canyon during the summer flood, to plunge 270 ft into the gorge below, forming South Africa’s largest waterfall and the sixth largest in the world. Accommodation is in simple but comfortable air-conditioned chalets, with your guide having an allowance to purchase breakfast and dinner at the camp restaurant.
 
Check in and and view Augrabies Falls on foot, where conditions for photography are excellent.  
Day 5
This morning we leave Augrabies Falls and continue 2-hours to Namaqualand to see the wild flowers that bloom each year during August and September (picnic lunch included).
 
This spectacular natural phenomenon occurs for only a few weeks, with the quality of the floral displays depending upon the mid-year rainfall. Check in to your hotel in the heart of the wild flower region.
Days 6 To 7
When they are in bloom, a full day to enjoy viewing and photographing the spectacular wild flowers of Namaqualand, including the Goegap Nature Reserve at Springbok as well as more remote regions such as Kamieskroon - depending upon where the flowers are the best, picnic lunch included (please note flower areas only open at 11am).
 
As you approach the wild flowering areas, expect to see miles and miles of both brightly coloured and delicate flowers, carpeting what is normally an arid semi-desert landscape – a truly remarkable sight. Linger in areas that take your interest and absorb the atmosphere of quaint rural towns in this vast and desolate part of South Africa.
Day 8
Transfer 4-hours overland to Upington Airport for your flight home.