Dunes, Wildlife & Delta

Dunes Wildlife and Delta - African Safari.

Explore South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with this package and visit some of the most remote and scenic places on the continent. Visit the home of the Bushman, the Kalahari, explore deserts of Namibia, experience true wilderness in Botswana, and take in the awesome beauty of the Victoria Falls. Take this African Safari in a style of your choice with either camping or lodge accommodation and self drive or guided options.

High Lights: Augrabies, Kalahari Transfrontier Park, Fishriver Canyon, Luderitz, Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Windhoek, Okavango Delta, Moremi, Makgadikgadi pans, Chobe, Victoria Falls
Included
Accommodation - CAMPING/LODGES
- Johannesburg: 1 night
- Kuruman: 1 night
- Augrabies: 1 night
- Kalahari Transfrontier: 3 nights
- Fishriver Canyon: 1 night
- Luderitz: 1 night
- Sossusvlei : 2 nights
- Windhoek : 1 night
- Ganzi : 1 night
- Moremi : 3 nights
- Makgadikgadi : 2 nights
- Chobe : 2 nights
- Livingstone : 2 night
Meals - daily breakfast or brunch and dinner (see itinerary for details)
Guide - yes
4x4 Vehicle - yes
Fuel - yes
Activities - Sight Seeing, Game Viewing en-route, mokoro trips, scenic flight over the Delta, . quad bike ride at Makgadikgadi, 4x4 expedition
DETAIL ITINERARY
DAY-1: Johannesburg, South Africa
You will be met at the airport and taken to a Game Lodge close by. Depending on the time of your arrival the guide will do a short briefing of the safari, in preparation of the safari that will start the next morning. You will appreciate the comfortable bed – sleep early and catch your strength for the adventure to follow.
DAY-2: Kuruman, South Africa
You will make a early departure from lodge to try and avoid the morning traffic in Johannesburg. Soon you will be out of the city perimeters and then you can sit back and take in the rural landscape. Your first sleep over will be at The Eye resort, a spring at Kuruman.
DAY-3: Augrabies Falls, South Africa
Today you will travel from this interesting “one horse town “ Kuruman and travel to Augrabies Waterfall, where the Orange River plunges 56m down a rock face. The Khoi people called it ‘Aukoerebis’, or place of Great Noise, as this powerful flow of water is unleashed from rocky surroundings characterized by the 18-km abyss of the Orange River Gorge.

DAY-4&5&6: Kalahari Tranfrontier Park, South Africa
This morning you will head north toward the red sand of the Kalahari. For the next few days you will experience the isolation of this desolate region – there is very few inhabitants of this desert like place, and springbok and gemsbok is abundant. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a serious 4x4 adventure as the thick sands make driving conditions challenging. This area is renowned for it beautiful sun sets – be sure to take a few pictures of this phenomenon, where the sky looks as if it is on fire from the sun.
DAY-7: Fish River Canyon, Namibia
After breakfast you will depart towards Namibia and following border procedures at Ariamsvlei Border Post you will be well on your way to Fish River Canyon. This canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and is sure to take your breath away. As you stand at the edge of this topographic wonder, you feel is sense of insignificance in relation to the forces of nature, as glaciers, water, extreme temperature and wind eroded the canyon of millions of years. The best time to enjoy the splendour of this canyon is at sunrise or sunset.

DAY-8: Luderitz, Namibia
Following a last glimpse over the Canyon you will depart towards the ghost town of Luderitz. This quant German town has interesting stories. With luck you may even catch a glimpse of the desert wild horses roaming free close to town.
DAY-9&10: Sossusvlei, Namibia
Making our way back into the dunes you will depart for Sesriem and on to Sossusvlei, home to the world’s largest sand dune. This magnificent white clay pan is encroached by dunes moving for thousands of years, marking the end of the journey for the Tsauchab River towards the ocean. You will spend two days in this great location, giving you enough time to do sight seeing, crawling up the dune - to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and the view from the top. You will have the opportunity to take plenty of photographs of the red sand dunes as the sun paints beautiful shades on the landscape.

DAY-11: Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek is the largest town in Namibia. This interesting German settlement has beautiful German architecture and is full of history and interesting stories about the people of this region. Windhoek is a popular destination for most tour operators and there is usually many tourists in town – tonight will be a good time to relax and meet some local people – the people in Namibia in general is very friendly and they enjoy a good social.
DAY-12 : Ganzi, Botswana
By early-morning you will be ready to greet the town good bye and set off to your next adventure. Today you will travel to Ganzi. It is a long road, with a border crossing along the way. The vast, flat landscape and the odd local along the road, will be the only entertainment for the day. Tonight you will sleep in Botswana. .
DAY-13&14: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Again it will be an early departure to Maun. In Maun you will be collected by a charter pilot, who will fly you to a Island Lodge in the Delta. The 20 minute flight over the Delta will be a very scenic and exciting experience. The guide will not accompany you on this part of the trip, but rest assured that the local guides will take good care of you. On day two of your stay in the Delta you will do a makoro excursion – the rest of the time you can relax on the deck and enjoy the island view.

DAY-15&16: Moremi, Botswana
After the pilot has broad you back to Maun, your guide will take you through to Mankwe Lodge, which is situate in Moremi Nature Reserve. You will have the option to join the local rangers of the open game viewing vehicles for Big 5 game viewing (own expense).
DAY-17&18: Makgadigadi Pans, Botswana
It is another day to long distance travelling and you will depart early morning from Moremi to Makgadidagi Pans. Depending on your time of arrival you will go on a Bushman Walk to explore the local ecology, geology and culture. The next day you travel to Gweta, which is located close by to experience modern African culture – you will have opportunity to try the local food. In the afternoon you will take quad bikes and go for an adventure ride on Nxaisini pans.

DAY-19&20: Chobe, Botswana
As the sun peaks over the horizon you will get ready for your departure to Chobe - it is a 5 hour drive!! In the later afternoon you will go for a sun set cruise on the Chobe River to view hippo and elephant roaming on the river banks. The lodge offers a deck overlooking the river, offering you stunning sunsets. You will have the option to go on game drives, boat cruises and fishing expeditions, departing from the lodge.

DAY-21&22: Livingstone, Zambia
After breakfast you will take the ferry across the river and into Zambia. Your afternoon will be spent doing sight seeing at Vic Falls and doing curio shopping at the local traditional market. The next morning you will have leisure time to do some adrenalin activities like bungee jumping, elephant back safari, microlight flight over the falls and many more. By mid-afternoon your guide will take you to the Livingstone airport, from where you will depart back to Johannesburg.

Experience this African Safari with Lathita Expeditions.

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Kgalagadi National Park is Africa’s first transfrontier national park, the result of merging the Kalahari Gemsbok Parks in Botswana and South Africa and incorporating Mabuasehube on the eastern Botswana side of the park. The Kgalagadi comprises an area of over 3.6 million hectares or approximately 2.5 million square kilometres.
Kgalagadi means ‘land of thirst’ and the huge, desert landscape is part of the Kalahari Desert – the largest continuous area of sand in the world. Red sand dunes, dry riverbeds and sparse vegetation characterise the Kgalagadi

The annual rainfall is 200mm, mainly between January and April. The summer day temperatures may exceed 40 degrees Celsius yet the night time winter temperatures plunge well below freezing. Visitors should expect extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during winter nights. The last four months of the year are hot, dry and dusty. Then dark clouds start to build up and the wildebeest begin to calve in anticipation of the heaviest rainfall between January and April. In the Mabuesehube after heavy rains herds of eland, hundreds strong can be seen. Following a tremendous thunderstorm and even hail occasionally the dry rivers begin to flow for a brief period.

The birdlife is typical of the dry Kalahari woodlands and as with any dry habitat, birding opportunities vary according to rainfall. 260 bird species have been recorded in the Kgalagadi and the birds of prey are particularly interesting. There are a wide selection of waterbirds due to the sudden transformation of the park after a thunderstorm. More than 50% of the birds are vagrants or irregular visitors. After good summer rains, temporary avian inhabitants may include large flocks of storks and sometimes even a few flamingos, ducks, flufftails, sandpipers or a crake or two.

It is renowned for predator watching and home to black-maned Kalahari lions, leopards, cheetah, brown and spotted hyaena, wild dog, black backed jackal, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, eland, springbok, red hartebeest, duiker and steenbok. It is estimated that there are 450 lions in the park and to survive in such harsh conditions the large carnivores have to adopt wide-ranging tactics. This includes a variety of smaller than usual prey in their diet and a huge range over thousands of square kilometres as prides often split into smaller hunting groups.
Visitors should be totally self-sufficient in fuel, water and food, although water can sometimes be obtained from the Game Scout Camp.
The roads are dirt and are quite sandy in parts but a 4WD will only be necessary during the wet winter months. Due to the remoteness of the area it is advisable to travel in a convoy of at least 2 vehicles.
Light aircraft may land on a tarred runway at Twee Rivieren but prior permission must be obtained from the Park Warden.
It is currently not possible to cross from Namibia at Mata Mata or Union's End.
Where to Stay
Two Rivers Camping Ground – situated near the entrance gate. Currently has three undeveloped campsites.
Rooiputs Camping Ground – situated 25km up the Nossob River Valley from the entrance gate. 6 individual campsites. Presently no facilities available.
Poletscua Camping Ground – situated in the northern section of the NossobValley. 3 undeveloped campsites.
Mabuasehube Area – situated in the extreme east of the national park. A number of individual campsites overlooking the pan, some of which have small waterholes. Some have picnic tables.
Mabuasehube Pan – 4 campsites with pit latrines and small waterhole.
Mpaathuthva Pan – 2 campsites with pit latrines and a small waterhole
Khiding Pan – 2 campsites with pit latrines
Lesholoago Pan – 1 campsite with pit latrine and 1 campsite without. Small waterhole.

Join Lathita Expeditions on a African Safari to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park!

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Kalahari Adventure Safari

Kalahari Adventure Safari

Explore the vast desolated expanses of the Southern Kalahari in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and the Southern districts of Botswana. This barren region with it’s semi-dessert vegetation is protected in one of the worlds biggest Nature Conservation areas; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park measuring more that 3,6 million hectares. Do as the Bushman did, and travel the expanse of this park ranging from sand dunes to the majestic Augrabies Waterfall.

Day-1: Johannesburg

Arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa. After arrival you will be transfered to your overnight destination just outside Johannesburg. You will meet your guide - he will go over the tour itinerary and do vehicle familiarization.
Day-2: Botsalano Game Reserve

After an early breakfast we are on our way to Ramatlabama area, passing through the North West province and Mmabatho. Here we will stay for the rest of the day, enjoying the sights and sounds of the wild and just relaxing before heading on further into Botswana.

Day-3&4: Mabuasehube, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve
As we leave today, we take the long desert road across the sands of Botswana. The roads are quite challenging in place as it is mostly sand and gravel, making the journey a very exciting experience. After a long days drive we will pass though the gates of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, reaching our destination, Mabuasehube, a vast stretch of clay nestled in between a multitude of red sand dunes. Wildlife is generally abundant in this area. The day will be finished with a cold drink taking in the spectacular play of colour and light against a wall of red dust as the sun sets.

Day-5: Mabuasehube, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve
We wake up with another amazing transformation of the area with sunrise when the red sand dunes yet again become a canvas for the sun’s rays. Following breakfast the first half of the Mabuasehube wilderness trail beckons. We set off to experience the Kalahari and all its diverse elements the way it was surely seen thousands of years ago. Challenged by heavy Kalahari thunderstorms, extremely high temperatures at day time and freezing cold at night, this trail is still one of the most exhilarating expeditions to take. With its rich history and untouched beauty this patch of earth has a certain tranquillity that feels almost sacred. Staying on the Mabuasehube Trail, we carry on over another stretch of Kalahari to Mosomane camp, where we will rest before we start our next trail. On this section we will move deeper into more arid, desert like areas, covering the tracks of the San people.
Day-6&7: Nosob, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve

Driving up and down dunes through an ocean of sand spotted with islets of grass until we enter the picturesque Nossob valley. With enough luck we may spot a couple of Brown Hyenas, Cheetah’s, Leopards or even some of the famous Kalahari, black-maned Lions. After another long days driving we will end the day listening to the sounds of the Kalahari and yet another awesome sunset.

Day-8: Twee Riviern, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve

Today we start travelling further south toward South Africa. We will spend our last day in the Transfrontier Reserve at Twee Riviern Campsite.

Day-9: Augrabies National Park

We will wake up early for our departure to the Orange River to view the majestic Augrabies Waterfall.. The days drive will be very long, thus we will only reach the falls by the evening or late afternoon. We will go to bed this evening with the thunderous roar of the Augrabies falls to put us to sleep.

Day-10: Augrabies National Park
After a good nights rest and a quick breakfast we will head of on foot to view the Augrabies Falls, and then on for a short hike through the majestic canyon. If luck is on our side we should see numerous baboons and monkeys, a range of bird species, ‘steenbokkies’ and ‘klipspringers’. The evening will be spent around the camp fire recalling our journey through the wild Kalahari.

Day-11: Kuruman, Northern Cape
We will start heading home and on to Kuruman our stopover for the night. In Kuruman we will spend our last evening of camp fire and stories together at the ‘Eye’, the source of the Kuruman River where 20 million litres of crystal clear water gushes out of the dolomite daily.

Day-12: Johannesburg

Our before last Expedition day together. We will take the road to Johannesburg where we be received by a welcoming Country Estate with luxury rooms and bathroom (something will miss after the trip), but not before passing more fields and visions of beauty.
Day-13: Transfer to Airport
Today we will say our last goodbyes at breakfast before you will be transferred to the Airport for your departure.

Experience the vast expances of the Kalahari on this African Safari with Lathita Expeditions.

4x4 Safaris – Luxury Tours – African Safaris – Honeymoon Packages – Motorcycle Tours

Real Jeep Safari

Experience a real Jeep Safari with Lathita Expeditions.

Vehicle: Jeep XJ Cherokee 4.0l Automatic.

Vehicle Price: ZAR1000.00 per day.

Accommodation: We will choose accommodation to match your style.

Route: Lathita Expeditions will create a unique route to exotic destinations in Southern Africa. Some of the amazing places you can visit includes; The Garden Route, The Eastern Cape Game Route, The Karoo, Namaqauland, Mpumalanga, Cape Town, Addo Elephant National Park, Kruger National Park, and The Kalahari just to name a view.

We will let you decide what you want to see, book your accommodation, get your Jeep ready and send you of on a Safari Experience of a lifetime.

Contact Lathita Expeditions for more information on your Jeep Safari.

4x4 Safaris – Luxury Tours – African Safaris – Honeymoon Packages – Motorcycle Tours

New Beginnings in 2007

Welcome to 2007, we at Lathita Expeditions wish you all a great year filled with joy and prosperity. We will be launching a number of new projects and new destinations in the coming year and wish to invite everyone to join us in exploring and rediscovering the African Continent. Some of the new destinations include Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda and Reunion. We are currently not promoting our full range of products on our website, but early in 2007 this will change. We are in the process of updating the site and will start adding all our products to the site soon.

Products will include;

- Luxury Accommodation

- 4x4 Jeep Hire (New Product)

- 4x4 Jeep Tours (New Product)

- Luxury Tours

- Mobile Safaris

- Motorcycle Tours

- Active Adventures

- Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tours (New Product)

- Romantic and Exclusive Destinations

- “Mma Ramotswa” cultural tours (New Product)

After the famous Ladies Detective Series based in Botswana.

Together with the product listing and launching we have started a number of promotional blog’s where we are promoting destinations in Africa. This includes Private and Public Game Reserves, Indian Ocean Island destinations, Private and group packages and general information on all the different destinations we offer.

The Blog’s include;

http://lathita.blogspot.com

We focus on Private and Public Game Reserves through this blog and list activities and general information on African countries alternately.

http://safari-in-africa.blogspot.com

This blog focus on Safari products and includes products that we tailor made for clients and some scheduled packages.

http://gorilla-safaris.blogspot.com

As the name states this blog will focus on Gorilla viewing and will include destinations in Uganda and Rwanda.

http://honeymoon-in-africa.blogspot.com

This blog features exclusive and romantic African Destinations

http://africanaccommodation.blogspot.com

Included in our product range we have approximately 600 places of accommodation in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, which will be featured here.

Lathita Expeditions will do a number of marketing projects through 2007. The first appearance will be at the “Expo4Brides” in Pretoria, South Africa. We will primarily focus on Luxury Destinations for this Expo. Not too long after that in will be “Valentines” and more exotic destinations and we will include a number of short breakaway packages. After Valentines we will focus on Easter and will be promoting a number of family orientated products, specifically in the Eastern Cape Region of South Africa. Some of the other promotional activities you can look out for includes;

- Indaba 2007

- SCG Conference 2007

- Mma Ramotswa Cultural Experience

- Winter Kalahari Experience

Just a last word before I say goodbye. At the SCG Conference we will be running scheduled trips to great sites and activities around Port Elizabeth, which will include, Addo Elephant National Park, Addo Elephant Back Safaris, Baviaans Nature Reserve and Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. On this note I would like wish you all a great year in 2007 and hope to see you on Safari with Lathita Expeditions.

Best Regards,

Johan Gerber.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Desert Adventure

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Desert Adventure
Duration - 17 days (Cape Town to Cape Town)

Unexplored, Desolate contrast and Uncivilized.

Paternoster fisherman’s village experience
2 days in the Cedarberg Mountains / Maltese cross rock hike
3 days Richtersveld National Park - (Extensive Game Drives)
Fish River Canyon solitude
4 days Kaglagadi Transfronteir N P (Land Rover Game viewing experiences))
The Augrabies National Park pm game drive
Ultimate off-road adventure into pure uncommercialized Africa

Pure 4x4 adventure. Unexplored, desolate and uncivilized. Two transfrontier areas of majestic contrast, of mountains and deserts. Of rock and sand. Of exhilaration and challenge. We endeavour to make this safari the ultimate off-road adventure, where Land Rovers are blooded, where they come of age. Extinct habitats, water is gold, shade a luxury. The moon always shines full, and the sun unrelentless.

Day 1: We meet at the Safari Lodge in Cape Town. Thereafter explore the Cape region; visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point and the penguin colony near Simon's Town. Lunch will be spent overlooking the ocean whilst enjoying the local cuisine. We end the sightseeing-filled day with a visit to Table Mountain. (Cable car own expense).
Day 2: Paternoster, Columnbine Nature reserve. A small reserve of vast beauty, of azure waters and stark sands. We spend the afternoon exploring the tidal pools and the small fisherman’s village called `Our Father`. A seafood feast beacons.
Day 3: Travel into the true remote wilderness area of the Western Cape. We Camp tonight in the Cedarberg Mountains. The afternoon is spent on a short walk to a waterfall, or a swim in one of the many rock pools or rivers. Today we relax, for tomorrow we walk.
Day 4: Today we explore the Cedarberg Mountains. Unique rock formation hikes, wine farms, trekking opportunities or just simply relaxing next to a mountain stream. We return to our camp after our excursion, and have a welcome swim.

Day 5: Head northwards for the border, and make for our campsite on the banks of the Orange River. After setting up camp, we cool off in the river. The rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure chasing Springboks around the bar.
Days 6 – 8: We enter the barren Richtersveld National Park via the 4x4 Helskloof route and make our way slowly towards the entry gate at Sendelingsdrift. We spend three days in this pristine wilderness, searching for unique Euphorbia and rare desert succulants. The days are hot, the nights cold, but the experience exhilarating.

Day 9: The Fish River Canyon. After exiting the South African side of this transfrontier park, we cross into Namibia and travel onto the second largest canyon in the world. After lunch and a siesta next to the pool, we head out towards the canyon. Sunset is spent enjoying the red sky and listening to the silence.
Day 10: Transverse the southern region of Namibia and travel the dusty road to one of the best-kept secrets in Africa: the red sands of the Kalahari. The Kaglagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Africa. The search begins.

Day 11: Rise with the sun and resume our search, often spending long periods waiting for that special moment at waterholes or in the dunes. The Kalahari Lion is the largest Lion found in the world and just to spend a moment with this black maned King of the Beasts is not only a privilege but also an experience that you will never forget. The Lion, the Raptors and the desert dwelling creatures will fascinate all wildlife enthusiasts. The game drive takes us north on the Nossob River.

Day 12: With full jerry cans of water and fuel, we embark on an expedition into the wilds of the Kalahari. The transfronteir bush camp in the Matopi region is our goal for the night. A wild camping night. En route, a hard earned brunch and siesta period to while away the heat of this unforgiving land. Late afternoon sees us sifting the red sands, searching for those who have not been found.

Day 13: A little jewel, but a precious jewel. After tedious big sand we finally reach the pearl, encased in its shell of sand. A pearl called Mabuasehube Game Reserve. After setting up camp we spend the day searching the pans and dunes, absorbing this desert. The Kalahari is a life changing experience, but in the Kalahari Desert, it is only the patient who is rewarded.
Day 14: Kuruman is our stop today. Depart early with pockets full of red sand, and journey southwards across sandy tracks into the maize farmlands of South Africa. Spend the late afternoon escaping the heat in the pool. Tonight we re-enter civilization, and enjoy a restaurant meal.

Day 15: First to Upington to restock, and then onto Augrabies Falls National Park. After lunch and siesta around the pools, we will head out to search for Eland, Giraffe, Gemsbok and Klipspringer Antelope. Witness the spectacular Augrabies Falls, where the mighty Orange River plunges over the granite gorge on its lonely journey to the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 16: A mountain of poison. Gifberg. Why poison? We spend the afternoon searching the answer to this question. Explore the San caves and mountain pathways, enjoying our last day of solitude. The splendor of the Namaqualand Flower Carpet in springtime is a sight to behold.
Day 17: The final day. The route takes the Land Rover past fields of Citrus and over steep mountain ranges towards a table like mountain. The safari ends upon arrival at your lodge in the afternoon.

Cuntact Lathita Expeditions to experience this Kalahari Safari Package or any variation of this.

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