DETAILED PROGRAM DAY 1

Upington – Kgalagadi Frontier Park 260km. We leave Upington at 8H30 from your guesthouse to drive to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Stop en route at the Norokei Salt Pans (natural salt mine) and the Khomani San Bushmen to view their art. Arrival at Twee Rivieren (12H30) Move into our lodge for a short rest. We depart on a game drive (speed limit 50km/h) in the 38 000 square km park until the gates close. Approximate predator numbers: Lions – 450, Leopards – 150, Cheetah – 200, Spotted hyenas – 370. Bird species are 264, of which 20 raptor species are present. Antelope such as Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Springbok and Wildebeest are well represented. Optional 3-hour sunset- or Night game drive with rangers in an open truck. Overnight: Twee Rivieren chalets Meals: Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 2

Nossob 160km. Twee Rivieren – Nossob (160km) Wake up one hour before gates open. Breakfast, then pack for Game drive in the dry riverbed. We do stalk driving (direction North-East) for 5 – 6 hours to reach Nossob. This is the day we try to learn more of the Kalahari and its secrets. Afternoon arrival. Check into lodge and short rest. Depart on a game drive until gates close. Special feature Nossob: Game hide with spotlight to watch animals coming to drink. Optional sunset drive with Rangers after gates closed. Overnight: Nossob chalets Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3

Mata Mata 150km. Wake up an hour before gates open. Pack up and game drive towards Mata Mata, using the 70km long Dune Road to cross from Botswana to Namibia. Today we search for the famous Kalahari Lion, as well as the smaller inhabitants of the desert, like the Meerkat. Afternoon arrival at Mata Mata. Check in and short rest before we depart on another game drive to explore this area. Special feature Mata Mata: Game hide with spotlight, sunset drive with Rangers after gates closed. Overnight: Mata Mata chalets Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4

Mata Mata – Augrabies Falls National Park 120+260+120km. Game drive 120km to Twee Rivieren, then Upington and Augrabies. Game such as giraffe, springbok, gemsbok, eland, kudu red hartebeest, Hartman’s zebra and klipspringer survive in this unique river ecosystem. Fish eagles and black eagles are common. Overnight: Augrabies chalets Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5

Augrabies Falls National Park – Britstown. On our way from Augrabies Falls National Park we overnight just outside of Britstown and continue to Karoo National Park the following day. Overnight: Kambro Accommodation & Farmstall Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6-7

Britstown – Karoo National Park. The Great Karoo is a vast and unforgiving landscape. It’s the largest ecosystem in South Africa and the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld Mountains and rolling plains, where many species that originally occurred here now occupy their former ranges. The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife. Many species have been relocated to their former ranges – such as black rhino and Cape buffalo, as well as Cape Mountain zebra. Large herbivores such as Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Eland, Burchell’s and Hartmann’s Mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, and Klipspringer are regularly seen. Carnivore species include caracal, bat-eared fox, Cape fox, aardwolf, and African wildcat. The Park is also home to the endangered riverine rabbit. Over 20 breeding pairs of black eagles find sanctuary within the park. There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles. Overnight: Karoo National Park chalets Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8

Karoo National Park – Mountain Zebra National Park. Early departure to camdeboo National Park near Graaff-Reinett. It was formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park covers 19 405 ha and surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape and provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo, not to mention awesome scenic beauty in the Valley of Desolation where dolerite pillars rise to heights of 90 – 120 metres. Camdeboo National Park supports a diverse spectrum of wildlife including Cape buffalo, Cape Mountain Zebra, kudu, red hartebeest, gemsbok, steenbok, springbok, blesbok, black wildebeest grey duiker, klipspringer and 13 smaller carnivore species. At least 225 bird species have been recorded in the park, with species typical of both the Great Karoo and Eastern region. After a short game- and scenic drive through the park, we drive to the Mountain Zebra National Park which lies near Cradock in the Eastern Cape. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved the Cape Mountain zebra from extinction, and currently their population stands at 300 where they roam 28 412 hectares of land. Other mammals found here include the Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, gemsbok, blesbok, springbok, duiker and steenbok while mountain reedbuck, grey rhebok and klipspringer frequent the higher areas and kudu the wooded valleys. Cheetah, Caracal and brown hyena are the larger carnivores in the Park. Ostrich, Secretary bird, Blue Crane and Ludwig’s Bustard are the larger more visible bird species and Verreaux’s (Black) and Martial Eagle and Jackal Buzzard are the most common larger raptor species. The park is home to various smaller species in different habitats including mountain plateau, wooded kloofs, acacia stands and grassland. Overnight: Mountain Zebra National Park chalets Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9-10

Mountain Zebra National Park – Addo Elephant National Park. Early morning game drive, then we depart to the Addo Elephant National Park which covers 165 000 ha and lies within the dense valley bush of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area. Today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, 50 black rhino, lions, spotted hyenas, leopard, a variety of antelope species including eland, kudu, red hartebeest, bushbuck as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Due to a variety of habitats Addo offers excellent birding opportunities. Addo National Elephant Park is in the process of expanding into a 360 000 ha mega-park, including a 120 000-ha marine reserve. Overnight: Addo Main Rest Camp Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch & Dinner

DAY 11

Addo Elephant Park – Port Elizabeth. Early morning game drive, then we depart to Port Elizabeth. End of tour. Meals: Breakfast & Light Lunch Included: driver/guide, vehicle, fuel, meals, accommodation