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The Kalahari
This is a true African experience. With the Kalahari Bushmen, wildlife including lion, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, wildebeest and more, amazing landscapes including Kalahari desert sand dunes, dramatic waterfalls and canyons, natural hot-water springs for bathing and people of amazing generosity and culture, If you see no other part of Africa, this will be enough.
Gallery View map
Gallery View map
Tour Highlights
- Augrabies National Park and waterfall – The “Place of Great Noise” where the mightyOrange River plunges 56 metres down rocky gorges and the landscape resembles themoon, not the banks of the longest river in South Africa.
- Riemvasmaak – “A wilderness born from violent volcanic activity millions of years ago”.Here you have a chance to bathe in natural hot water springs that lie in the dry bed of theMolopo river, watch the black eagle’s soaring over the cliffs, meet the local people and lookout for the wild leopard roaming this valley.\
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – This is the second largest game park in South Africa. Enjoy morning walks and night game drives while trying to spot big game. The open plainsand beautiful red dunes makes game spotting much easier than some other parks.
- Kalahari Bushmen – Go for a walk through the Kalahari with a Bushmen tracker and aguide. Learn how to recognise an animal’s tracks and share in the amazing knowledge ofthe bush that they possess.
- City of Upington – Known as the gateway to the Green Kalahari, this bustling little city with its friendly inhabitants is wedged between the life-giving mighty Orange River and theKalahari desert.
- Paballelo township & local football/soccer teams – This township is steeped in history. Learn about life here during Apartheid. We also visit a soccer training session orgame, a great way to mingle with and photograph locals, whilst making the most of thebeautiful afternoon Kalahari light.
Inclusions
- All transport as required for the itinerary
- Accommodation
- Two dailymeals (breakfast & dinner)
- All park entry
- 2 photographer guides
- Airport pick up & drop off.
The Kalahari
Miltiple Departure Dates: 27 April and 14 Sept 2012
Day 1 (Friday)
After arriving in Upington Airport you will be met by the photographers holding a signboard in your name. From the airport your photographers will drive you to Augrabies National Park & Waterfalls, approximately a one hour drive, where you will be able to relax and get settled into your cabin accommodation. You will then be able to explore the beautiful Augrabies waterfalls and scout locations for some landscape photography at sunset, as well as for sunrise photography in the morning That evening you can discuss your images with the photographers and dine in the Augrabies restaurant.
Day 2 (Saturday)
At sunrise you can join the photographers in a landscape photography session (optional) around Augrabies waterfalls before breakfast. After breakfast you can enjoy a game drive (safari) with your photographers around the Augrabies National Park, enjoying the landscape and wildlife and scouting locations for the morning’s sunrise photography.
In the afternoon, drive with your photographers to Die Mas winery in the town of Kakamas.
Enjoy a vineyard and winery tour and scout out locations for sunset photography. That evening discuss the results and the morning’s sunrise location over a traditional open
fire braai (barbecue) back at Augrabies National Park and Waterfalls.
Day 3 (Sunday)
Begin the day with photography at sunrise (optional), perfecting either your Augrabies waterfall or national park landscapes with your photographers. After breakfast you will be driven along a beautifully scenic and lesser-known route to the stunning Riemvasmaak where you can settle into your new cabin accommodation and take the time needed to soak in this striking environment of dramatic cliffs and hot water springs, as you hear the calls of the roaming baboons. Sunset and night photography here is ideal for painting with light and star trails. After your sunset photography, experience dinner prepared by our local hosts, (possibly with your camera nearby, capturing star trails)
Day 4 (Monday)
Rise before the sun for some dawn photography (optional) with your photographers using the cliffs and rugged landscape of Riemvasmaak, refuel with a hearty breakfast and then be taken with your photographers to visit the Riemvasmaak settlement with a local guide, including the village school, church and sports areas to meet some local people and focus
on some people photography. In the afternoon take time to yourself to enjoy the area, particularly the hot water springs. There are some optional activities a short drive away (at an additional cost) – including abseiling and ATV safari (All Terrain Vehicle – 4 wheelers). Finish the busy day off in Riemvasmaak with a photo discussion over dinner. – (braai)
Day 5 (Tuesday)
After a final dawn photography session at Riemvasmaak (optional) and breakfast amongst the cliffs, bid a fond farewell to the soaring eagles and legendary leopard as your
photographers drive you to the second largest national park in the country, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Settle into your cabin accommodation in the park at campsite Two Rivers and get your senses ready for spotting wildlife as rangers take you for a guided evening game drive. Dine this night in the Kgalagadi restaurant.
Day 6 (Wednesday)
An early rise this morning will see you walking with the National Park’s Game Rangers to search for wildlife and learn about the local flora and fauna. After brunch enjoy a safari, being driven by your photographers, through this part of the park, spotting all sorts of game from wildebeest to gemsbok and keeping lookout for lion, cheetah and leopard that are common to the area. *Pending availability of accommodation, take this drive all the way through to the next camping site in the park, Mata Mata, for cabin accommodation and sunrise photography at the nearby waterhole. At Mata Mata enjoy a braai for dinner or at Two Rivers (first camp site) dine in the restaurant and plan the morning’s photography session.
Day 7 (Thursday)
*If staying in Mata Mata campsite, begin the day with sunrise photography to photograph wildlife at a waterhole, then take the return drive through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Leaving the park behind you will be taken by your photographers to the Inkbospan Guest Farm, which is known for its neighbouring meerkat colonies. Take time to relax and enjoy
photography around this farm, which features vultures nests, Kalahari sand dunes and of course, the gorgeous meerkats! You will be taken aback by their unique dinner on the saltpan this evening.
Day 8 (Friday)
This morning after breakfast you will be taken to visit the Bushmen of the Kalahari. These incredibly friendly people will amaze you with their knowledge of the land around them as
they take you on a tour of their environment and tell you about their ancient culture. As well as learning from these amazing people you will also have the opportunity to
photograph them and buy souvenirs from Bushmen craft makers. Later your photographers will drive you to Upington, the main town of the Kalahari area and you will be able to get settled in your accommodation, pending availability either the central, Protea Hotel or riverside B&B. Take some time for yourself to explore Upington, the main streets, the mighty Orange River just below your hotel and the informative Upington Museum. In the late afternoon you’ll get the chance to enjoy a truly local experience as your photographers take you to meet some of the local people in the townships around Upington for some people photography. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the local team’s football (soccer) training is a great way to get to know people beyond the superficial level and photograph in the orange Kalahari light of pre-dusk. That evening you will return to Upington for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9 (Saturday)
You’ll spend a great sunrise photography session down at the Orange River this morning before breakfast, after which you’ll be taken on a tour of the famous Paballelo township, on the outskirts of Upington. With a chance to improve on your people and sports photography you will visit another Soccer team during training in the afternoon, in Pabellelo.
Dinner this night will be in another restaurant in Upington.
Day 10 (Sunday)
The final sunrise photography session this morning will include a champagne breakfast on the mighty Orange River. A short drive with your photographers to Spitskop Nature Reserve to enjoy the desert landscape and interesting rock formations will be followed up by a Photo discussion and selection of your best photos of the trip, as well as a discussion on what to do with them now.
The evening will be spent relaxing with sundowners, cruising along the Orange River on the locally famous Sarkie’s Aarkie (a ferry) before a final farewell dinner and returning to the B&B accommodation for the final night.
*The next day your photographers are happy to organise transfers to the Upington airport if you require.
Day 1 (Friday)
After arriving in Upington Airport you will be met by the photographers holding a signboard in your name. From the airport your photographers will drive you to Augrabies National Park & Waterfalls, approximately a one hour drive, where you will be able to relax and get settled into your cabin accommodation. You will then be able to explore the beautiful Augrabies waterfalls and scout locations for some landscape photography at sunset, as well as for sunrise photography in the morning That evening you can discuss your images with the photographers and dine in the Augrabies restaurant.
Day 2 (Saturday)
At sunrise you can join the photographers in a landscape photography session (optional) around Augrabies waterfalls before breakfast. After breakfast you can enjoy a game drive (safari) with your photographers around the Augrabies National Park, enjoying the landscape and wildlife and scouting locations for the morning’s sunrise photography.
In the afternoon, drive with your photographers to Die Mas winery in the town of Kakamas.
Enjoy a vineyard and winery tour and scout out locations for sunset photography. That evening discuss the results and the morning’s sunrise location over a traditional open
fire braai (barbecue) back at Augrabies National Park and Waterfalls.
Day 3 (Sunday)
Begin the day with photography at sunrise (optional), perfecting either your Augrabies waterfall or national park landscapes with your photographers. After breakfast you will be driven along a beautifully scenic and lesser-known route to the stunning Riemvasmaak where you can settle into your new cabin accommodation and take the time needed to soak in this striking environment of dramatic cliffs and hot water springs, as you hear the calls of the roaming baboons. Sunset and night photography here is ideal for painting with light and star trails. After your sunset photography, experience dinner prepared by our local hosts, (possibly with your camera nearby, capturing star trails)
Day 4 (Monday)
Rise before the sun for some dawn photography (optional) with your photographers using the cliffs and rugged landscape of Riemvasmaak, refuel with a hearty breakfast and then be taken with your photographers to visit the Riemvasmaak settlement with a local guide, including the village school, church and sports areas to meet some local people and focus
on some people photography. In the afternoon take time to yourself to enjoy the area, particularly the hot water springs. There are some optional activities a short drive away (at an additional cost) – including abseiling and ATV safari (All Terrain Vehicle – 4 wheelers). Finish the busy day off in Riemvasmaak with a photo discussion over dinner. – (braai)
Day 5 (Tuesday)
After a final dawn photography session at Riemvasmaak (optional) and breakfast amongst the cliffs, bid a fond farewell to the soaring eagles and legendary leopard as your
photographers drive you to the second largest national park in the country, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Settle into your cabin accommodation in the park at campsite Two Rivers and get your senses ready for spotting wildlife as rangers take you for a guided evening game drive. Dine this night in the Kgalagadi restaurant.
Day 6 (Wednesday)
An early rise this morning will see you walking with the National Park’s Game Rangers to search for wildlife and learn about the local flora and fauna. After brunch enjoy a safari, being driven by your photographers, through this part of the park, spotting all sorts of game from wildebeest to gemsbok and keeping lookout for lion, cheetah and leopard that are common to the area. *Pending availability of accommodation, take this drive all the way through to the next camping site in the park, Mata Mata, for cabin accommodation and sunrise photography at the nearby waterhole. At Mata Mata enjoy a braai for dinner or at Two Rivers (first camp site) dine in the restaurant and plan the morning’s photography session.
Day 7 (Thursday)
*If staying in Mata Mata campsite, begin the day with sunrise photography to photograph wildlife at a waterhole, then take the return drive through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Leaving the park behind you will be taken by your photographers to the Inkbospan Guest Farm, which is known for its neighbouring meerkat colonies. Take time to relax and enjoy
photography around this farm, which features vultures nests, Kalahari sand dunes and of course, the gorgeous meerkats! You will be taken aback by their unique dinner on the saltpan this evening.
Day 8 (Friday)
This morning after breakfast you will be taken to visit the Bushmen of the Kalahari. These incredibly friendly people will amaze you with their knowledge of the land around them as
they take you on a tour of their environment and tell you about their ancient culture. As well as learning from these amazing people you will also have the opportunity to
photograph them and buy souvenirs from Bushmen craft makers. Later your photographers will drive you to Upington, the main town of the Kalahari area and you will be able to get settled in your accommodation, pending availability either the central, Protea Hotel or riverside B&B. Take some time for yourself to explore Upington, the main streets, the mighty Orange River just below your hotel and the informative Upington Museum. In the late afternoon you’ll get the chance to enjoy a truly local experience as your photographers take you to meet some of the local people in the townships around Upington for some people photography. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the local team’s football (soccer) training is a great way to get to know people beyond the superficial level and photograph in the orange Kalahari light of pre-dusk. That evening you will return to Upington for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9 (Saturday)
You’ll spend a great sunrise photography session down at the Orange River this morning before breakfast, after which you’ll be taken on a tour of the famous Paballelo township, on the outskirts of Upington. With a chance to improve on your people and sports photography you will visit another Soccer team during training in the afternoon, in Pabellelo.
Dinner this night will be in another restaurant in Upington.
Day 10 (Sunday)
The final sunrise photography session this morning will include a champagne breakfast on the mighty Orange River. A short drive with your photographers to Spitskop Nature Reserve to enjoy the desert landscape and interesting rock formations will be followed up by a Photo discussion and selection of your best photos of the trip, as well as a discussion on what to do with them now.
The evening will be spent relaxing with sundowners, cruising along the Orange River on the locally famous Sarkie’s Aarkie (a ferry) before a final farewell dinner and returning to the B&B accommodation for the final night.
*The next day your photographers are happy to organise transfers to the Upington airport if you require.
