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We
will spend a leisurely day experiencing the rugged beauty of the
Peninsula with its spectacular coastline and diverse flora and
fauna. We will visit the African Penguin Colony at Simon's Town,
before continuing along the False Bay coastline to the Cape
of Good Hope Nature Reserve.The reserve boasts 249 recorded
bird species, mammals like the Bontebok, Chacma Baboon and Cape
Mountain Zebra, as well as the unique flora called fynbos. After
visiting Cape Point and the southern tip of the peninsula,
we will enjoy a coastal walk past shipwrecks, rock pools and brilliant
white beaches, seeing a totally new dimension to the reserve.
We return to Cape Town along the Atlantic coastline.
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We
will spend a day at the beautifully tranquil Langebaan Lagoon
in the West Coast National Park. The lagoon is an internationally
recognised reserve for migrant waders. On our way back to Cape
Town we will stop at the Tienie Versveld Botanical Reserve
and at Bloubergstrand beach, with its dramatic view of
Table Mountain from across the bay. During August and September
we will be able to visit the Spring flowers of the West Coast
Flower Reserve. Here we can watch the Southern Right Whales off
the coast, as well as a number of mammals grazing amongst the
spectacular floral displays.
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Our
first port of call is Hout Bay, where we join a 45 minute
boat cruise to "Seal Island" where we find Cape Fur
Seals in abundance, as well as Terns, Gulls and Cormorants. We
will visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens,
where staff cultivate approximately 4,000 of South Africa's indigenous
plants, in a setting of forests, mountain streams, pools and rolling
lawns. We will spend the afternoon at Rondevlei Nature Reserve,
one of Cape Town's premier bird reserves. Rondevlei has five bird
hides, as well as two observation towers, and we should be able
to spot close to 50 bird species here !
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here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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The
dramatic backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the
tree-lined streets with their white-gabled Cape Dutch homesteads
combine to make Stellenbosch one of the most beautiful
towns in South Africa. Here is the perfect opportunity to sample
and buy Cape wine and experience the rich historical and architectural
traditions of the Winelands region. Boschendal is one of the finest
examples of Cape Dutch architecture. We will also be visiting
the bird hides at the Paarl Bird Reserve with its many
different water birds, as well as the Paarl Mountain Reserve,
which will give us a chance to see some of the Cape's endemic
birds and extensive views over the Winelands.
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We
will follow the spectacular coastline out of False Bay to the
Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, where we will
enjoy a short walk looking out for some of the 96 recorded bird
species. Every year the Southern Right Whales come to the
safety of our shores to calve. Hermanus has the reputation
of being one of the best land-based whale watching areas in the
world (whale watching is most rewarding from August to November).
This area has the greatest diversity of indigenous flora in the
Western Cape, which we will enjoy on a visit to the Fernkloof
Nature Reserve. We return to Cape Town via Sir Lowry's Pass
and the scenic Hottentots Holland Mountains.
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On
this 2 day tour we take the coastal road to Hermanus and then
on to Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point in Africa. We stop
at a few of the scenic villages along the way including Bredasdorp
and its Shipwreck Museum. We will arrive in Arniston with plenty
of time for a stroll along the clifftops. The following morning
we will do some birdwatching at the De Hoop Nature Reserve, before
heading back to Cape Town via the Hottentots Holland Mountains
and Sir Lowry's Pass.
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If
you are a botanist or have an interest in flora, this is the tour
for you! Over 2 days we will visit the three National Botanical
Gardens of the Cape (Kirstenbosch, Harold Porter and the Karoo).
Our route will take us past spectacular coastlines, majestic mountains
and beautiful indigenous flora. We will stop at every opportunity
to have a closer look at plants along the way. At Kirstenbosch
we will have a specialist botanical guide to show you around the
gardens.
Click
here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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We
will spend 2 days exploring Cape Architecture starting with the
Castle of Good Hope and a few historical buildings in Cape Town.
We then head out to the world-renowned wine region of Stellenbosch,
where we will visit a stately wine farm and the Village Museum
with its period-furnished buildings. We will also explore the
picturesque towns of Franschoek and Worcester and we overnight
in Tulbagh, situated in a beautiful setting amongst rivers, mountains
and vineyards.
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This
3 day tour will concentrate on birdwatching around the South Western
Cape. We will aim for a total list of over 200 bird species, with
a chance to spot up to 60 endemic species. Our route will take
us through 7 different bird habitats, including fynbos (the indigenous
flora of the Cape). Some birding spots have hides and easy access,
whereas others require a bit of perseverance.
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We
will be driving from the vineyards of the Cape, over the Hottentots
Holland Mountains and into Worcester, to the National Botanical
Gardens (specialising in semi-desert vegetation). We will be spending
2 nights in the scenic Karoo National Park, situated in an arid
region with an average annual rainfall of only 260mm. Suprisingly
though, the park harbours 64 mammal species, nearly 200 bird species
and 59 reptile species. Succulent plants make up the major part
of the vegetation in this reserve.
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For
this 4 day tour we will travel up the west coast to the Cederberg
Wilderness Area. For many generations the San lived and hunted
in the Cederberg Mountains recording their exploits in the form
of remarkable rock paintings. There will be some short walks to
the rock art sites through the spectacular rock formations. On
our return journey we will visit Lambert's Bay and its Cape Gannet
colony as well as the rock art site at Elands Bay.
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here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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This
4 day tour will take us up the famous "Garden route"
: we will be driving over spectacular mountain ranges, through
lush,green forests and walking along rugged coasts, birdwatching
to our hearts content. En-route we will be visiting a numbe of
attractions, including the Swartberg Pass, boat trips, National
Parks and Botanical Gardens. If desired, you could end this trip
in Port Elizabeth.
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This
5 day walking tour focuses on the less frequented parts of the
Western Cape. We will be visiting the Cederberg Mountains, a true
wilderness area, the Karoo National Park and its arid environment,
the Little Karoo and the coastal forests of Kynsna. We will be
stopping at many interesting places along the way to observe the
flora and fauna and you will have many photographic opportunites.
There is a fair amount of fitness requried for this tour.
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We
will visit the Bontebok National Park with the rare Cape
Mountain Zebra and Bontebok that have successfully been saved
from extinction.We will also look out for raptors, larks and the
stately Blue Crane (our national bird) en route. The Garden
Route is characterised by beautiful indigenous forests, inland
lakes, sweeping beaches, quaint villages and large estuarine mud
flats. We will be visiting Knysna, Wilderness and Tsitsikamma
National Parks. We will enjoy forest and coastal walks,and
a boat trip up the Keurbooms River. We then head inland via the
Old Cape Road and on to Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves and
the Little Karoo. We will visit the Karoo National Botanical
Gardens with its collection of succulents and hardy plants,
and then travel back to Cape Town through the spectacular Du Toitskloof
Pass.
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We
will travel up the Atlantic Coast, visiting the West Coast
National Park and Langebaan Lagoon. The West Coast
receives little rain throughout the year but after our winter
rains, the landscape is swathed with a vibrant carpet of spring
flowers, best viewed in August and September. We will take the
coastal route up to Bird Island at Lamberts Bay, visiting
the birding areas of the lower Berg River, Rocherpan Nature Reserve,
Verlorenvlei wetland and Wadrif salt pan en route. We then travel
inland to the Cederberg Wilderness Area, once the hunting
ground of the San people. Though they no longer live in the area,
the San recorded their exploits in the form of remarkable rock
paintings. We can visit these paintings whilst on a walk through
the dramatic red sandstone rock formations that characterise the
Cederberg Mountains.
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8th to the 21st September 2011
From the flowers, whales, birds and stunning scenery of the Cape,
along the west coast, across to the Karoo, and back along
the beautiful Garden Route, we visit an astoundingly beautiful
and varied land, rich in wildlife. Join us at a time of year when
the flowers and birds here are at their best, and when whales are
displaying close inshore!
http://www.naturalist.co.uk/tours/cape.php
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here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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Our
Natural History Safaris with John & Sue Buckingham take in a
broad interest in the environment. During our 14 day Safari we will
be birding & botanizing in the montane grasslands that surround
Wakkerstroom. We will be having three days at Bonamanzi Private
Game Reserve & a few nights at Barberton, before spending six
days in the world famous Kruger National Park. We end the trip with
a night at Misty Mountain Private Nature Reserve on the Long Tom
Pass.
(John
Buckingham Wildlife Holidays)
E-mail:
john@buckingham7836.freeserve.co.uk
Click
here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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Dramatic
yet accessible, wild Africa yet people friendly, the Kruger
is one of the world's great National Parks. The Kruger has the enviable
reputation of having the highest recorded species diversity of wildlife
in a game reserve in the whole of Africa. The park is a fantastic
destination for birdwatchers, with 517 bird species having been
recorded in the park to date. Of these, 253 are residents and 117
are non-breeding migrants. Everyone wishes to see the so-called
'big five' - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard - but these
are just the best known of the park's 147 species of mammals. African
wild dog, cheetah, giraffe and spotted hyaena are just a few of
the others. Yet the 'little five' - lion ant, elephant shrew, rhino
beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise - are equally fascinating
in their own way.
http://www.honeyguide.co.uk/wildlife-holidays/kruger.html
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here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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1st
to the 14th October 2011
From the moment you arrive at Cape Town by air, the sheer beauty
of the Cape strikes you. As you approach the peninsular, the spectacular
Table Mountain and its adjacent hills dominate the landscape.
Numerous bays and shallow lagoons add to this idyllic scene. It
is against this breath-taking scenery that we will explore a wide
range of habitats for the exciting birdwatching and other wildlife
to be found here, much of it endemic to the region.
Spring
in the Western Cape of South Africa offers the visiting naturalist
the spectacle of masses of flowers of a bewildering variety of
species - collectively known as the Cape Floral Kingdom. Many
'wintering' (from our point of view) birds from the north are
now arriving and a range of local species are getting on with
breeding. Around the coast, southern right whales have gathered
in favoured bays to join the Cape fur seals and the many seabirds.
The
holiday will be based on two centres, the Cape Town area (nine
nights) and Hermanus (five nights). The latter is an attractive
little town along the south coast, famous for its whales and giving
easy access to the Overberg and its special delights. Two further
nights will be spent on direct overnight flights from London -
Cape Town and back.
http://www.honeyguide.co.uk/wildlife-holidays/westerncape.html
PRIVATE TOURS CAN BE ARRANGED.
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The ‘Garden Route’: inland lakes, beautiful sweeping
beaches and intertidal flats are the final destination of many
migrating birds from Europe and western Asia. The
Addo Elephant National Park was first set up to protect the last
elephants and Cape buffalos in the southern part of South Africa.
It now has the full range of mammals originally found here, including
lions, leopards and rhinos, plus some 200 bird species.
Together
they make a superb combination of the best of South Africa’s
wildlife, set in a malaria-free area near the south coast, with
whales, Cape fur seals and seabirds by the shore.
The
holiday will be based on two centres, five nights in the main
camp at the Addo Elephant National Park, and eight nights in the
Garden Route in a guesthouse just outside Plettenberg Bay. Two
further nights will be spent on overnight flights from the UK
to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg and back.
http://www.honeyguide.co.uk/wildlife-holidays/southafrica.html
PRIVATE
TOURS CAN BE ARRANGED.
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here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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The spring flowers of the Western Cape have a worldwide reputation.
The area receives little rain throughout the year but after our
winter rains, the landscape is swathed with a vibrant carpet of
flowers. From the flowers, birds and stunning scenery of the Cape,
to wonderful flower-rich Namaqualand, we visit an astoundingly
beautiful and varied land, rich in wildlife. Join us at a time
of year when the flowers and birds here are at their best, and
when whales are displaying close inshore!
http://www.naturalist.co.uk/tours2009/southafrica_cape.php
PRIVATE TOURS CAN BE ARRANGED.
Click
here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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This tour takes a broad interest in the environment. During our
2 week trip we travel through many different vegetation habitats,
which in turn play host to a multitude of birds, mammals, reptiles,
flowers and insects. In total we will be visiting 6 National Parks,
7 Botanical Gardens and Flower Reserves, 2 Wilderness Areas and
4 Nature Reserves, as well as numerous sights of interest.
Click
here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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Starting in scenic Cape Town, we travel up through the
semi-arid regions of the Karoo and on to the indigenous
forests of the Garden Route. A short flight will take us
to Johannesburg and on to Mpumalanga. We tour the region, before
visiting the world-famous Kruger Park for four days. We
aim to see approximately 340 bird species.
Click
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9th
to the 22nd August 2011
The spring flowers of the Western Cape have a worldwide reputation.
The area receives little rain throughout the year but after our
winter rains, the landscape is swathed with a vibrant carpet of
flowers. This safari operates during our Spring months of August
and September. We start in Cape Town with its world-renowned Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Gardens. We then set off into the veld to
explore the botanical riches of the Western Cape in their natural
settings. We will visit National Parks, Flower Reserves, Botanical
Gardens, Nature Reserves and Wilderness Areas of the Cape in pursuit
of the indigenous flora of the area.
Click here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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Our Natural History safaris take a wide interest in the environment.
We visit National Parks, Botanical Gardens and Nature Reserves,
and other scenic areas of the Cape. We explore the West Coast,
the Cederberg Wilderness area and Namaqualand before
settling into five days in the Augrabies Falls National Park
and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Click
here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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Starting in the Cape, we visit Botanical Gardens, National
Parks and Nature Reserves, and other areas of great beauty. We then
fly to Durban for some walking in the Drakensberg Mountains.
We drive through the grasslands of Natal, with its rich South African
history en route to Mpumalanga's beautiful landscapes. We end off
this safari with four days in the world famous Kruger National
Park.
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here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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20th
October to the 2nd November 2011
We spend
two weeks exploring the diverse wildlife of this spectacular country.
We start in Windhoek at the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve before
heading for the Namib-Naukluft National Park and the sand
dunes of Sossusvlei. We will spend three full days in Swakopmund
with a 4X4, birdwatching at Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay, searching
for Welwitschia’s in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, viewing
the Cape fur Seals at Cape Cross and visiting the San rock
art sites of Damaraland. We will spend the last six days
birdwatching and game viewing in the world famous Etosha National
Park and the Waterberg Mountains National Park.
Click here to see photos from this tour on Facebook
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Each
safari / tour inquiry is researched and quoted, on an individual
basis. There are many factors that can influence a final quote
so we prefer to find out exactly what you are looking for in
your holiday and the standard of accommodation that you require,
before giving you a quote.
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The
quoted price for our Escorted Tours are inclusive of:
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All
accommodation as specified in the itineraries. (Accommodation
is in quality Guest Houses / Hotels and National Parks Camps.
All rooms are en suite).
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All
meals specified in the itinerary. Breakfasts are full English
or Continental. Lunches are usually a light lunch or a picnic
al fresco! Dinners are a la carte or a set menu at a good
restaurant.
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Gratuities
on all meals and porterage.
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All
entrance fees to places specified in the itinerary.
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A
cool box in the vehicle containing soft drinks and bottled
mineral water.
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Large
natural history reference library in the vehicle.
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Tour
dossier for each guest, including a full itinerary with local
information, bird & mammal check lists, maps, diary and
note paper.
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Transport
in comfortable VW Microbus with air conditioning.
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Accredited
driver / guide.
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Specialist
guest guides where specified in the itinerary.
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Contact
us on info@naturalhistorytours.co.za
for a quote.
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Our
long wheel-base VW Microbus TDi has air-conditioning,
passenger doors on either side and seats 7 passengers
very comfortably. It has a spacious boot for luggage.
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