African Dreaming Through A Photographic Lens

Arrival at Johannesburg international airport, meet and greet by a representative of Goway Africa who will assist you to your Domestic flight (own account). Arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport where you will be met by a representative of Goway Africa and transferred to your lodge in 2 x microbus 7 seater vehicles. This afternoon you will meet your game ranger and depart on your first game drive, returning after dark for dinner.

Since 1978 guests from all parts of the world have been enthralled by Africa's fabled wildlife in their natural habitat at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, situated in the world-renowned 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Wildtuin in the southern section of the greater Kruger National Park. Specially trained, Game Rangers and Trackers will take you on safari in open Land Rovers - both by Day and night - and on walking trails, learning about some 300 bird and 200 animal species, including lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant and cheetah, tracked and followed off-road, deep into the African bushveld.

The warmth and vibrancy of Bush Lodge, combined with an intimacy and seclusion makes this an ideal bush retreat for friends, families or small groups. Home to six luxurious suites, all overlooking the riverbed, Little Bush Camp boasts all the features of an exceptional bush lodge - beautiful setting, excellent cuisine and abundant wildlife. Thatched roofs, draped mosquito nets and wooden and stone finishes complete the picture of an exclusive getaway. D

Accommodation: Sabi Little Bush Camp.

A knock on your door from the Ranger will wake you before first light, while the kitchen brews hot coffee or tea, and prepares cool fruit juices with a muffin, rusk or other freshly made delicacy. So begin the morning safaris.

Early morning is the time of Day for bird choruses, and the rising sunlight dances off beads of dew on spiders' webs. The Tracker will watch the road for spoor, leaning forward intently to find any print left by a predator during its hunt in the dark. There may be hushed discussions in Shangaan between Ranger and Tracker, and brief radio interactions from one vehicle to another.

Return to the lodge for brunch and spend time enjoying the peace and quiet of the African bush. In the late afternoon, as the fierce heat of the Day cools, animals move out of the shade of the trees, and birds increase the volume of their song - the perfect time for your game drive.

The Ranger will choose a spot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy sundowners alongside the vehicle. It is during evening safaris that the nocturnal hunters start stirring, and their prey needs to be alert for survival through the night.

On your evening safaris, with the help of the spotlight, en route back to the lodge, a leopard's eyes may reflect back from a nearby tree. Dinner will be served in the lodge. BLD

After an early wake up call and your last morning game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. Transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your onward flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town, meet and greet by a representative of Goway Africa who will assist you to your coach for your transfer to your hotel situated on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Situated in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town's premier entertainment and tourist attraction, The Portswood Hotel is one of South Africa's most popular hotels. This is a four-star oasis of calm and comfort alongside the active nightlife and vibrant restaurants of the Waterfront offering superb service and excellent location.

The bright and spacious rooms are fully-equipped with individual air-conditioning, DSTV, tea/coffee machines, en-suite bathroom and direct dial telephones. Although it is situated on the Waterfront, the hotel is far enough removed from the working harbor to ensure a good night's sleep. B

Accommodation: Portswood Hotel 

After breakfast, board the awaiting 15 seater coach and experience the raw energy of our "Rainbow Nation"; visit the Bo-Kaap colorful Cape Malay quarter, and spend some time in the District Six Museum before heading out to Langa - the oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Cape where you will be able to meet and interact with some of the local people. You will also have the opportunity of visiting an informal spaza shop, a shebeen as well as some hostels.

Return to the V&A Waterfront for lunch (own account) before boarding the ferry for an afternoon tour of Robben Island. During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs.

Robben Island came to symbolize, not only for South Africa and the African continent, but also for the entire world, the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. The 30 minute cruise to Robben Island affords some of the most stunning views of Table Mountain and the Cape Town city skyline.

Return to the waterfront in the late afternoon and spend the evening at your leisure. B

This morning, enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before you are picked up for your full Day tour of the Cape Peninsula. See for yourself how this spectacular southern tip of Africa became known as the Fairest Cape. The tour begins with a stroll through the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Then drive past the pristine beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno currently the hottest real estate in the world to Hout Bay, a functioning harbor and heart of the local crayfish industry (optional Seal Island cruise, time permitting).

After a stop for lunch, it's on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and its scenic viewing point. The spectacular sea and mountain views are reason enough to make the 40 mile trip from Cape Town. Amid the rocky landscape - home to mountain zebra, eland and ostriches - blooms magnificent Cape Flora. Continue along the coastline to the beautiful Boulders Beach where you can sit among a colony of penguins. Our last stop is the naval port of Simon's Town, the country's 3rd oldest European settlement. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.

This evening, you will meet at the hotel prior to a 10 minute coach transfer to Africa Café where a Communal Feast will be served. Africa Café - take a journey through Africa from north to south. Chef, Portia, has assembled a host of dishes; some learnt at her mother's side others collected on her travels. Whether it is finger foods hawked at a roadside in Malawi or a steaming plate served under a thatched khaya, all African meals are shared, there are no starters or main courses.

Return to the hotel and enjoy a nightcap in the hotel bar or perhaps venture down to the V&A Waterfront. BL

After breakfast, transfer to Cape Town International airport and flight to Windhoek. Upon arrival in Windhoek, you will be assisted to your charter aircraft flight to Sossusvlei.

On arrival at Sossusvlei airstrip, you will be met by a representative from the lodge and transferred to your hotel for the next 2 nights, Sossusvlei Lodge. The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure.

Sossusvlei Lodge is situated on a 44 000 hectare private reserve in southern Namibia. The Lodge is directly adjacent to the Sesriem gate of the Namib Naukluft Park that is sanctuary to the highest dunes in the oldest desert, the Namib Desert. With the Lodge being less than 500 metres from the entrance gate to the National Park, it saves you precious traveling time in order to gain entry to the Park as early as possible.

Sossusvlei Lodge is uniquely located in a vast ocean of unparalleled desert beauty. Be prepared to live a life of leisure when you enter Sossusvlei Lodge. With attentive, well trained staff catering to your every need, it's no wonder that this Lodge is known as the friendliest lodge and has also won a silver medal award by the Hospitality Association of Namibia. Shaded by Camel Thorn trees, the Lodge is testament to the ingenuity of an eco-friendly design, everything from the electricity to the activities are geared for eco-friendliness. Even the rooms are uniquely constructed combining both tent and plaster so as to blend in as much as possible with the desert location and surroundings. BD

Accommodation: Sossusvlei Lodge

An early start from the Lodge to enter the Namib-Naukluft Park at sunrise, while the temperature is still mild and when the dune contrasts are at their best. You will travel in one of our all-terrain URI Gameviewer vehicles, custom-built in Namibia for the Lodge, with your own specially trained guide who will share all his knowledge of the area, the animals, the plant life and much more with you.

Regular stops are made on the ±60 kilometer drive down to the Vlei to gain information or take in the vistas. At Dune 45, the more energetic have the opportunity to climb to the upper ridge of the world's most photographed dune. Further along, a gradual 2,6 kilometer round-trip walk up to Dead Vlei is a must for the healthy visitors. Spend time in Sossusvlei before returning to the Lodge approximately 5½ hours later in time for luncheon. Refreshments are provided on the trip.

After lunch, relax and enjoy the facilities of the Lodge and in the late afternoon depart from the Lodge on a leisurely drive out onto the Lodge's private reserve. Watch the shadows lengthen as your guide takes you out to a panoramic location where sundowner drinks will be served as you relax and watch the spectacular sunset. The inner tranquility that a desert sunset imparts while you sit amongst nature is really something special... BD

After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for your charter flight to Twyfelfontein. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

The Twyfelfontein area, being a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem, is renowned for some of the best examples of Bushman paintings and rock engravings in southern Africa. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen among the most prominent geographic features including the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain, Doros Crater and the Petrified Forest. The fauna and flora of Damaraland is typical of the Pro-Namib region and plant species include the magnificent Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of the Commiphora species.

The Lodge is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and boast 56 en-suite double rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, open dining room, bar and swimming pool. In construction utmost care was taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment and to blend into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colors toning in with the surrounding rock formations. BD

Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

An early morning wake up at Twyfelfontein is rewarded by magnificent and unique light formations on the surrounding rock formations. After breakfast you board the charter flight north to the Kunene and Opuwo. On arrival at Opuwo airstrip you will be transferred to Opuwo Country Lodge, your hotel for the next 2 nights.

The capital of the Kaokoland region is a small town called Opuwo, the last main centre of the north west before the Angolan border. The name Opuwo translates from the local Herero language into English as "the end". Opuwo is the gateway to the Kaokoveld region in the northwestern part of Namibia. The remote area south of the Kunene river is the home of the Himba people, who have kept their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland.

The hotel provides comfortable luxury accommodation with air conditioning and will be ideal base from where to explore Kaokoland. BD

Accommodation: Opuwo Country Lodge 

This morning after breakfast you will join a local specialist driver/ guide for a private full Day excursion to see the Himba people. The Day will be spent interacting with and learning about this fascinating tribe. A packed lunch will be provided. The Himba tribe, who have kept their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland, are a friendly people and closely related to the Herero. Both ethnic groups speak the same language. The Himba are a pastoral people. They predominantly breed cattle and goats and lead a nomadic life. Depending on the time of year, they move with their herds to different watering places.

Clothes, hairstyle and jewellery are all of particular significance to the Himba and are part of their tradition and culture. Even newborn babies are adorned with pearl necklaces. When the children are a little older, bangles made of beaten copper and shells are added. The proud Himba women take several hours for beauty care every morning. The entire body is rubbed with a cream, which consists of rancid butterfat and ochre powder. The aromatic resin of the Omuzumba bush is added as well. The cream lends the body an intense reddish shine, which corresponds to the Himba ideal of beauty. The ancient tribe of semi-nomadic pastoralists occupied Kunene region of the country. The Himbas (who are relatives of Herero) are an extraordinary people who have resisted change and preserved their unique cultural heritage.

Return to the hotel for late afternoon. BD

After breakfast this morning, board the charter flight to Windhoek from where you will connect with your onward flight to Johannesburg and home. B