Overview:
A unique safari along the Diamond Coast of Namaqualand in conjunction with the local Khoisan community of "Spoegrivier". We supply the camping equipment, they supply the donkey-carts with drivers and you supply your legs. A real safari in an undeveloped, safe and malaria-free area.

This safari can be altered or added on to many of our other safaris. Special arrangements can be made for those who find it difficult to walk.

Complete Itinerary:

Day 1:
Guests will be met at Cape Town Airport. We then proceed to the VICTORIAN & ALFRED WATERFRONT with its shopping malls, sea cruises, restaurants, pubs, semi precious stone factory, Aquarium, Craft Center, Theatre and helicopter flips around the Peninsular. This is a 30-minute drive and we take our lunch there after exploring the Waterfront.

Travel via the N7-route to De Brug, where you check into our own guest farm. This is the main route from Cape Town northwards into Africa and is a lovely drive through the heartland of South Africa's wheat production areas and through the Cederberg Mountains with its beautiful citrus farms.

De Brug - our guest farm, lies on the banks of the Doring River. The scenery is breath taking with the magnificent Nardouws Mountains commanding the view. The total distance of 300 km is covered in a leisurely drive of about 4 hours for us to arrive just before sunset.

Day 2:
Check out and pack the vehicles for our expedition into Namaqualand. Depart for Vredendal Winery which is the biggest Winery in the Southern Hemisphere. Lunch is taken in town.

We proceed towards the "Sperrgebied" - the diamond area that was prohibited to enter for many years. We travel via 4x4 tracks to "Groenriviermond-se-mond". This small settlement is unique in its lonely setting in the midst of the "Sperrgebied" and is quite isolated. Overnight in a cottage where we prepare our own dinner safari-style. The total distance of 150 km is covered in about a 4-hour drive.

Day 3:
Early this morning we join up with "our" donkey carts and their drivers and we load our belongings on the carts. We now start the first of our 3 days of hiking.

The trail runs along the edge of the cold Atlantic Ocean or meanders through the dunes. The misty air from the Ocean added to the forbidden and dry Namib Desert has created a biological miracle - the Nama succulent Biosphere. After about 10 km or easy walking, we rest for a lunch-break and perhaps a swim, a bit of rock angling or even some scuba diving. The afternoon walk is another easy 10 km to settle into our little safari camp nestled in the dunes.

Tonight we'll listen to the whispering wind and share a warm campfire. Our guides prepare a sumptuous culinary delight of traditional West Coast cuisine.

Day 4:
We follow more or less the same plan as on the previous day. Depending on the season, the tide and the interests of the group, we spend a leisurely day walking along this un-spoilt and undeveloped coast. We enjoy lively discussions on the "wicket world out there" or we enrich ourselves by listening to the interesting talks of our tour guides - natural history, culture, plants, the sea or the unique animal life of the part of Africa.

Another remarkable day ends with the sun setting on the wild Atlantic Ocean and our little camp-fire spreading it's warmth and fragrance of a delicious meal cooking.

Day 5:
Again, we follow more or less the same routine as the previous days. By evening, we should make our little camp near the bay called "Korreltjie". Here - about 50 years ago, the Nazi-trained hit man, Robey Leibbrandt, landed secretly. His mission - to kill the South African leader; Jan Smuts and to create a revolution in order to install a Nazi puppet-regime. Luckily his mission failed and the "Fourth Reich" has stayed an illusive dream.

Day 6:
By lunchtime, we should be at the Khoisan settlement of "Spoegrivier". Now it is time to say good-bye to "our" donkeys and there faithful drivers. Afterwards we depart for "De Brug" where we book into for a long, relaxing bath or shower, a sumptuous meal and a real bed to sleep in.

Day 7:
We depart for Cape Town and en route, stop off to visit the quaint little settlement of Paternoster. Here, on this beautiful beach, a sailing ship belonging to the shipping line of Karl Stephan of Hamburg in Germany got stranded many years ago and thus the place was named. Today it has one of the most amazing little eateries where we enjoy a last feast together at the "Voorstrand" restaurant.

Afterwards we enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Lagoon at Langebaan, the beautiful holiday town of Yserfontein and then on the Cape Town. The total driving time of the 350 km should not take more than 4 hours, allowing plenty of time to appreciate and bid farewell to the West Coast. Arrive in Cape Town approximately 18:00.

Duration: 7 days
Total distance traveled: 1300 km
Vehicle used: 4x4 sedan type car seats 3 guests comfortably.
Accommodation: Moderate Guesthouses and tents.
Total meals: 19
Includes: Accommodation, food, soft drinks, fees, activities.
Excludes: Tips, alcoholic drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature.
Number of guests: Minimum 2 - maximum 9