Welcome to African Tracks & Expeditions! :-) Thank you for your interest in joining us in conjunction with Danie Bester and his wonderful Team on our next exciting expedition into Namibia, our highlight.... visiting Kolmanskop “The Ghost Town”.
To promote the work of our local Photo Critic members, we will display photo’s taken by our members whilst on excursions with us on our website. These photo’s will be rotated on a regular basis to keep the site interesting. To add to the excitement of our expeditions, we will select a BEST photo from that expedition, the winner of which will take-away an attractive prize. There will also be a special discount for Photo Critic members and their immediate family on all our photographic Tours. (Ask about this when booking your Tour).
We are currently working on the final costs of this particular 2012 expedition and therefore have an estimated cost available for you at this stage only. ( listed at the end of the Itinerary). Please keep in mind that a detailed list of what these costs will include as well as exclude will also be made available to you to avoid any uncertainty. As the Tour is scheduled for the year 2012, possible increases for the accommodation can still be expected, which unfortunately are beyond our control.
At African Tracks & Expeditions we believe in spending the majority of our time out in the field taking photographs or exploring the interesting and diverse habitat, fauna and flora. To be in the best locations for wildlife, we often have to camp in remote locations where minimum facilities are available. We therefore try to stay away from overpriced, flashy accommodation. However, from time to time, we will have no alternative but to make use of whatever accommodation is available. We would prefer to channel your tour fee to the best locations, meals and still keep it affordable for our enthusiastic South African traveller. Please note; accommodation as listed in our itineraries may change due to availability.
Only 4x4 vehicles with a high clearance will be suitable for this trip, but please do not hesitate to contact us should you not have access to a 4 x 4 vehicle. We will gladly try and assist wherever possible (Speak to us should you be driving a 2 x 4 vehicle). A member of African Tracks and Expeditions will always accompany your Tour with one of our own recovery vehicles to assist where needed. More information regarding recovery equipment and what we offer in this department will be made available to you and discussed with you in detail closer to the time of departure.
Advice and recommendations regarding your camping equipment for this trip will also be discussed in detail closer to the time. (Please don’t forget we also offer hired equipment at a very reasonable prices, should there be items you don’t already have.) It is important that you should be self-sufficient whilst camping due to the remote locations we will be visiting. Please contact us should you have any questions or queries regarding this matter as we will gladly assist where possible. Very important notice for this trip; We would strongly recommend that you change all your aluminium tent pegs to steel ones. You will thank us for this valuable information!!
Danie Bester will be available to discuss all your photographic equipment, requirements and concerns.
Bookings will open in May 2011 and a R5000-00 deposit will be required to secure your booking.
Please note this amount will be deducted from the total outstanding amount due for the Ghost Town Photography 2012 Tour. As our expedition group will be limited to a maximum of four vehicles, excluding recovery vehicles (enabling us to maintain that personal ‘family touch’), it is recommended that you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. (All terms and conditions attached to our booking form will apply).
- Compulsory Meeting before departure date
Date: 25th of March 2012 (Sunday)
Venue: Ascot Mews Lodge & Conference Centre
19 Heidelberg Ave
New Market
Alberton
www.ascotmews.co.za - (map for directions)
Time: 9:00 am
Please come to this meeting with the vehicle you will be travelling with and all your camping equipment for inspection and discussion. (Please note the date for this meeting could change – will keep you updated).
This meeting is important as it will give you peace of mind and enough time to still add important items you might still need. We will also arrange an open fire dinner for everybody to meet and get to know one another. The cost for this will be included into your package excl. all drinks which will be for your own account! Stay sober as we have a long drive and an early start in the morning.
ITINERARY
Public Holidays: 6th & 9th of April 2012 (8 x working days)
For those who have to travel from far and who will be joining us on the Tour, please book your stay over accommodation at Ascot Mews directly with Debbie email: debbie@ascotmews.co.za or phone +27(11) 907 3000. This is advisable as we will be departing from Ascot Mews @ 4:00am on the 27th March 2012.
(Costs for this booking is not included in your package).
Day One:
- Tuesday 27 March 2012 – Departing time from Ascot Mews @ 4:00am to Vanzylsrust Hotel (close to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)
- Accommodation @ Vanzylsrust Hotel
- 1 x night
- In: 27/03/2012
- Out: 28/03/2012
- 527kms – 9hrs travelling time
IMPORTANT TIPS & INFORMATION
- We will stop somewhere for a light lunch - (your own account)
- Dinner will be served at the Hotel (included in your package)
- Breakfast will be served at the hotel before departure (included in your package)
- Don’t forget to charge all your spare batteries for your camera equipment
- Stock up on your drinking water supply and snacks for your vehicle
- Fill up with fuel the day before
Vanzylsrust Hotel Accommodation (Hotel dinner – English Breakfast) – 1ST Stop Over
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: VANZYLSRUST AREA
- Night photography
- Street photography
- Local people
BORDER POSTS @ TWEE RIVIEREN REST CAMP (KGALAGADI)
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park gate opens @ 8:00 (This rest camp is also the Border Post)
Sometimes they only check papers at Mata-Mata Gate! (depends how they feel)
All border papers will maybe be checked and stamped at first camp “Twee Rivieren”
Stock up at Twee Rivieren: Fresh products – Fuel – Water and currency if necessary (last available ATM)
Fuel can only be purchased by means of cash at most of the Camps in the Park – no cards accepted at most places
Conservation fees are applicable and will have to be paid at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Entrance fee ± R80-00 per person and ± R10-00 per vehicle (for your own cost). This could change at any time!
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS AT THE BORDER POST
Day Two:
- Wednesday 28 March 2012 - Departure time from Vanzylsrust @ 8:00 to Nossob Rest Camp
- Accommodation @ Nossob Rest Camp (Chalets)
- 2 x Nights
- In: 28/03/2012
- Out: 30/03/2012
- 3.5hrs gravel road to Nossob rest Camp
- Maximum speed limit inside the park – 40km
IMPORTANT TIPS & INFORMATION
- Electricity is provided by generator for eighteen hours a day only
- Bring your own drinking water – sufficient supply for three days
- Bring spare fully charged batteries for your camera equipment as charging them at camp could be a problem
- Bring spare memory cards and flash drives (always handy)
- Bring lots of Sun Block (keep with you at all times)
- Bring something warn for the evenings
- No Pets allowed in a National Park
- Firearms are to be declared at the entrance gate, sealed and the seal can only be broken upon departure
- Shoes must be worn on summer evenings for protection against scorpion stings
- An emergency supply of ten litres water should be kept in your vehicle at all times
- Summer temperatures may exceed 40c – winter at night below zero
- Arid region with annual rainfall of 200mm mainly between January & April
Nossob Rest Camp – (Light breakfast – Light Lunch –open fire dinner) -2nd Stop Over
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES IN AND ARROUND NOSSOB REST CAMP AND IN THE PARK
- Wildlife (antelope & predator species as Nossob is located along a dried out riverbed
- Lots of photo opportunities whilst travelling to Nossob Rest Camp
- Make use of their Hides for exciting photos
- Sparse vegetation
- Red sand dunes
- Dry riverbeds
- Haven for birders especially birds of prey
- Nossob Rest Camp is made well known for its predator sightings
- Night drives can be booked – for your own account
Day Four:
- Friday 30 March 2012 - Departure time from Nossob @ 8:00 to Mata- Mata Rest Camp
- Accommodation: Mata-Mata Rest Camp (Chalet)
- 1 x Night
- In: 30/03/2012
- Out: 31/03/2012
- 3.5 hrs travel time from Nossob rest Camp to Mata-Mata
- 505km from Kuruman to Mata-Mata Rest Camp
IMPORTANT TIPS & INFORMATION
- Fuel available at Mata-Mata Rest Camp – please pay for fuel in cash only (South African Rand). Keep extra drinking water in your vehicle
- Please fill up at Mata-Mata – don’t leave this for the next morning.
- Border Gate opens at 8:00
- We will be entering Namibia in the morning
- Get all you documentation ready
- Remember electricity is provided by a generator in the camp for eighteen hours a day only
Mata-Mata Rest Camp – Full breakfast – Potjie Dinner with Nxaba’s (traditional Namibian dish) – 3rd Stop Over
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES IN AND AROUND MATA-MATA REST CAMP
- Lots of photo opportunities en-route to Mata- Mata Rest camp – please make use of them
- Wildlife (antelope & predator species)
- Sparse vegetation
- Red sand dunes
- Dry riverbeds
- Birds of prey
- Just a few of the Kgalagadi park’s wide range of indigenous animals include; eland, gemsbok, giraffe, lion, spotted hyena, springbok, red hartebeest, elephant, short-tailed gerbil and silver cape fox
- The park hosts approximately 280 bird species; numerous raptors are easily spotted, such as tawny and black-breasted (chested) snake eagle, bateleur, white-backed and lappet-faced vulture and smaller species such as pale chanting goshawk, gabar goshawk, pygmy falcon and greater kestrel
- Rest Camps do have water holes where game can be spotted
- Beautiful Sunset shots
BORDER POSTS – ZAF MATA-MATA BORDER POST
11 km drive from Mata-Mata Rest Camp to the Zaf Mata-Mata Border post
Border Post opens at 8:00
From the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park into Namibia
Keep all your travelling documentation ready
DO NOT TAKE ANY PHOTOS AT THE BORDER POST
Day Five:
- Saturday 31 March 2012 - Departure time @ 8:00 from Mata-Mata to Keetmanshoop Region - Quivertree Forest
- Accommodation @ Quivertree Forest campsite - Our First Day of Camping!!
- Arrival: 31/03/2012
- Departure: 02/04/2012
- 2 x Days
- 259kms ± 4 hrs travelling time – National road Zaf Mata-Mata Border Gate to Quivertree forest
IMPORTANT TIPS AND INFORMATION:
- Keep sufficient drinking water in your vehicle
- Average summer temp 38c
- Park Fees payable on entry to the Quivertree Forest ± R50-00
- Most of the Quivertree can also be spotted along the road to the forest or along the road to Luderitz
Camping Sites at the Quivertree Forest: Equipped with braai facilities, hot showers, WC and electricity – Full breakfast – Light lunch – Light Dinner – 4th Stop Over
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AT THE QUIVERTREE FOREST AND THE GAINT’S PLAYGROUND
- Quivertree Forest / Kokerboom (actually not a Tree but an Aloe plant) average age of the trees; 200 – 300 years
- Most of the Quivertree can also be spotted along the road to the forest or along the road to Luderitz – concentrate more on the Giants playground
- Dolerite rock formations – Giant’s Playground (between 160 & 180 million years old & cover an area of 180 000 km2
- Best time for photos, late afternoon and early morning
Day Seven:
- Monday 2 April 2012 – Departure time @ 10:00 from Quivertree Forest to Luderitz Accommodation @ Sharks Island Camping Resort - Luderitz (please note: this location could change – will keep you updated)
- Accommodation @ Shark Island Camping Resort (this location might change)
- Arrival: 02/04/2012/li>
- Departure: 05/04/2012
- 3 x days
- 346km - ± 4hrs drive to Luderitz
IMPORTANT TIPS & INFORMATION IN AND SURROUNDING AREAS OF LUDERITZ
- Ghost Town – Kolmanskop reclaimed by desert sand – The town was used as one of the locations in the 1993 film Dust Devil and in 2000 film The King Is Alive as the main setting. The Town was featured in a 2010 episode of Life After People: The Series – also in the first episode of the BBC series Wonders of the Universe
- Luderitz a German trading base where diamonds were discovered in 1908. Today the only landmark bearing testimony to an era of wealth and lavish Colonial lifestyle, is a Ghost Town called; Kolmanskop
- Special permit needed to enter Kolmanskop – Permits can be purchased when entering the town (Kolmanskop). Fees differ depending on the time of the year
- Special permits are also needed to visit any of the mining sites - more information to follow shortly
- Be careful of sand storms in and around Luderitz district - for this reason we strongly recommend you invest in a airtight waterproof container for your camera equipment. They can be purchased at all Photo equipment stores. Shop around as they could be pricy!
Camera Travel Container (Airtight, Waterproof, Shockproof)
Shark Island Camping Resort - Equipped with barbecue facilities, hot showers, WC and electricity - (Very Windy) - Full breakfast – own lunch arrangements - Buffet Restaurant Dinner – excl. drinks - 5th Stop Over
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES IN AND ARROUND LUDERITZ & KOLMANSKOP REGION
- Kolmanskop “The Ghost Town”
- Town – Luderitz with many interesting buildings, local People, German Pubs, historical buildings, quaint German shops & bakeries and lots more (don’t be surprised if everything closes between 12:00 & 14:00 for siesta!)
- Fishing Harbour
- Flamingo’s at the peninsula
- Diaz Point
- Old diamond mining areas
- Sharks Island
- Sand dunes of the Namib Desert
- Sea Birds
- Street Photography
- Sunset Photos
- Night photography
- Beware! It can become VERY windy without any warning
Day Ten:
- Thursday 5 April 2012 - Departure time @ 6:00 from Luderitz to Ais-Ais and The Richterveld & Fish River Canyon Region
- Accommodation @ Hobas Camp Site
- Arrival: 05/04/2012
- Departure: 07/04/2012
- 2 x day stay
- 459km - travelling time – most of the day on gravel roads (conditions – not good)
IMPORTANT TIPS & INFORMATION REGARDING THE FISH RIVER CANYON AND THE RICHTERSVELT REGION:
- Conservation fees are payable - R80-00 per person & R10-00 per vehicle depending on the time of the year.
- Fill up with fuel including jerry cans before departure
- Stock up on drinking water for your vehicle
- Stock up on snacks to be enjoyed whilst travelling
- Check tyre pressure – spare wheels before departure
- Hikes can be arranged at the Hotel – proper hiking gear is needed for all hikes (don’t forget to pack that)
- Ai-Ais is situated at the bottom end of the Fish River Canyon
- There are no mains for electricity at the site and the site is powered by a generator from 6am – midday and from 5pm to 10pm. From May to September the restaurant and bar is in full operation. From October – April, basic groceries, beer, wines and tinned food can be bought from the kiosk.
- Visitors must also be made aware that additional park fees must be paid on arrival
- Due to the risk of flooding and the high summer temperatures, the Fish River hiking trails are only open from 1st May 31st August. Or 15th April – 15 September
- The fish River Hiking Trails is about 80kms long and takes between 4 and 5 days to complete. It follows the length of the Fish River Canyon. No facilities are provided so hikers must be self-sufficient. Water can be found in semi-permanent pools. DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE WILL ONLY BE IN THIS ARE FOR TWO DAYS, WE SUGGEST YOU DO NOT PARTISIPATE IN ANY HIKES.
- The Hobas camp site is situated at the northern end of Namibia's Fish River Canyon, 10km from the canyon's main vantage point. It is the second largest canyon in the world, the largest in Africa and the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It was formed millions of years ago by water from the Fish River flowing through its arid
Hobas Camp site - There are 14 shady campsites all with braai areas, taps and lights. The ablution blocks has showers/bath, toilets and wash basis. – Full breakfast – Light Lunch and open fire dinner - 6th Stop Over
PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES
- Desolated and forbidding Landscape, seemingly devoid of life
- World’s richest desert flora
- Miniature rock gardens perfectly designed by nature and staggering assortment of plant life, some species occurring nowhere else
- Gnarled quiver trees – tall aloe
- Surreal rock formations
- Rugged kloof’s
- The Fish River Canyon
- Mountains – Fish River Canyon
- Orange River
- Vast Mountain Desert
- Lots of photo opportunities in and around the campsite
- Ais-Ais – Richterveld National Park
- Small Birds, reptiles and mammal
BORDER POST - NAKOP
Welcome back in South Africa
The Border Gate is about 284 km from Ai-Ais
Please have all your travel documentation ready
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ANY PHOTOS AT THE BORDER POST
Day Twelve:
- Saturday 7t April 2012 - Departure time @ 06:00 from Hobas to Witsand Nature Reserve in the Kalahari Region
- Accommodation @ Witsand Nature Reserve (Chalet)
- In: 07/04/2012
- Out: 08/04/2012
- 1 x day Stay (please Note: this might change to a two day stop over)
- 600kms – 5hrs drive from Ai-Ais to Witsand Nature Reserve
IMPORTANT TIPS & INFORMATION
- Gate at Witsand Nature Reserve opens at 8:00
- Very bad road conditions - Travelling time – most of the day
- Fill up with fuel including jerry cans before departure
- Stock up on your drinking water & snacks for the car
- Conservation fees are payable on entering Witsand (to be advised)
- Witsand is about 800kms drive back to Johannesburg
Accommodation @ Witsand Nature Reserve – Chalets - Buffet dinner and a complimentary bottle of wine and a Kalahari Breakfast in the morning – 7th Stop Over
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AT WITSAND AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS
- Scenic Park
- Bird Fife (Namaqua Sand Grouse)
- Copper Red Kalahari Sand
- Acacia Woodland
- Langberg Mountain Range
- Home of the famous “Brulsand” or “Roaring Sand” of the Kalahari - certain times of the year only
- Kalahari Sand Dunes
Day Thirteen:
- Sunday 8 April 2012 - Departure time @ 8:00 from Witsand Nature Reserve - Make our way back home and sleep in your own bed
- We will stop for lunch somewhere (for your own account)
- Driving time – 9hrs (the entire day)
- Monday the 9th April is a public holiday
- Time to unpack and relax before going back to work
COST PER COUPLE SHARING & SINGLE TRAVELLER RATE
For Photo Critic Members only
(all terms and conditions will apply)
- Cost per couple sharing: R16500-00 (for Photo Critic Members only) – subject to change
- Cost for a single traveller: R9500-00 (for Photo Critic Members only) – subject to change
- Please note: This fee excludes your excursions & Park fees and only includes meals as indicated on your itinerary
- Booking Fee R5000-00 (to secure your date)
- Estimated fuel cost R4500-00 depending on your vehicle
- Total kms: ± 3800
Namibia Travel Tips: Clothing and Personal Care
- It is recommended to wear sun block at all times
- Bring a hat and sunglasses – Namibia has sunshine throughout the year
- As Namibia has a typical semi-dessert climate with hot days and cool nights
- Warm clothing is necessary no matter what part of Namibia you are visiting
- When visiting during the summer, it is advisable to pack cotton clothing
- Points for electric shavers (electric current 250VAC) are available at some hotels, Rest-camps and Resorts
- Always have bottled water in your vehicle at all times
- Very windy conditions and sand storms can be expected - please insure you store your camera away in an airtight, shockproof, waterproof camera bag – especially when travelling and in sand storms
- Malaria tablets are an absolute must!! – please consult with your local travel clinic or your practitioner
Total Kilometres: ± 3800
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