Springtime Flowers of the West Coast and Namaqualand

Day 1

Cape Town

After arriving we drive to the hotel and check in. We visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for a combination of botanical and bird photography. We are accompanied by local flora expert who can assist in finding the most spectacular orchids, proteas and ericas. Many of the birds in the gardens are habituated and give ample opportunities for great photographs.

Day 2

The Cape Peninsula

The whole day is dedicated to visiting the site of the Cape Peninsula with particular emphasis on the flowers. There are ample opportunities to photograph birds and flowers during the day as our visit to these places takes place in the Wold Heritage Site of the Cape Floral Kingdom. We will also make a stop at the Boulder’s Penguin Colony where the African penguins can be seen and photographed. Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 3

Robben Island and Table Mountain

Robben Island has been declared a World Heritage Site in view of its cultural importance, but not many people know that the island also hosts a large number of bird and animals species. We have our private guide on the island telling us more about the history and the life in the prison.

The early afternoon is spent photographing Table Mountain from across Table Bay, the world famous view. We will also have an opportunity to photograph the Milnerton Lighthouse with Table Mountain as backdrop, before we return to the V&A waterfront at sunset, the time when the mountain turns red. The waterfront also gives ample opportunities for brilliant photographs. Overnight in Cape Town.

Days 4-5

The West Coast

After breakfast we depart up the West Coast with our first stop a SAN (Bushman) Educational Centre. Here we will have time to chat with the SAN Guides before we track the animals of the reserve. The animals that could be photographed here include Eland, Springbok, Ostrich, Zebra and many different bird species.

West Coast National Park is one of the hidden treasures in South Africa. Here we will have time to sit and relax in bird hides as we photograph the birds as they feed on the mud flats exposed by the receding tide. The garden of the local restaurant gives ample opportunities to get the perfect shot of a number of bird species as they come to drink water or steal your lunch. Once the tide is back in, we drive through the reserve where we can get out photographing the tortoises of the park or any of the various flowers. We end the day off in one of the picturesque villages on the West Coast.

The second day includes a boat trip and a walk on the islands where we can photograph quite a large number of bird species. During the winter months whales are a common site on these boat trips.  We end the day off in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve with its wealth of wildflowers. Tonight we have a very special treat as we will have a sun downer next to the light of the Cape Columbine Lighthouse as it gets switched on for the night, before we return to our accommodations.

Day 6

Namaqualand

The national road takes us in the direction of the world famous Namaqualand. In spring, this semi-desert turns into a flowering paradise. The fields of orange, yellow, white and a multitude of other colours is ideal for landscape photographs.

We visit a succulent plant nursery in one of the local towns where we learn more about these endangered plants. Overnight in Namaqualand.

Days 7-9

Richtersveld National Park
The 160,000 ha Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in north-western South Africa constitute a cultural landscape communally owned and managed. This site sustains the semi-nomadic pastoral livelihood of the Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as much as two millennia in southern Africa. It is the only area where the Nama still construct portable rush-mat houses and includes seasonal migrations and grazing grounds, together with stock posts. The pastoralists collect medicinal and other plants and have a strong oral tradition associated with different places and attributes of the landscape. Overnight in the park.

Days 10-11

Augrabies Falls National Park

This dramatic waterfall in the Gariep River’s name means “the place of great noise. Here we can sit on the edge of the canyon and marvel at the strength of water. We might even be so lucky as to see some of the resident Verreauxs’ Eagles fly past us in photo range. The park as also boats a number of animals adapted to this harsh climate. These include Oryx, Giraffe, Springbok and many different bird species. Overnight in the park

For the flower enthusiasts, a visit to Paarl Mountain can be arranged. Here many different flowers can be seen throughout the year.

Days 12-13

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
A visit to this area would be incomplete without a visit to the sand dunes of the Kalahari. The park has long been one of the jewels in the crown of South Africa and here we can see a number of animals. The most sought after are the black main lions of the area, cheetah and the vast numbers of Sociable Weavers with their condominiums they reluctantly share with Pigmy Falcons. Overnight in the park.

Day 14

Departure