This unique journey departs from Cape Town, heading along South Africa’s rugged and untamed West Coast. For years, visitors have been unaware of the unique rustic beauty and charm this area enjoys, but with the natural splendour and character of its people slowly being revealed, it is becoming more popular. It especially caters for travellers who enjoy discovering “hidden gems” and taking the road less travelled. Among the adventures on this tour, you can experience the simplicity and tranquillity of West Coast fishing villages, kilometres of Namaqualand’s openness, skeletons of wrecked vessels on the notorious coastline, San rock paintings, and the dramatic landscape and flora of the Richtersveld National Park.

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of Finding Africa’s representatives. Once you have checked into your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure visiting the Mother City’s famous attractions, including Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and the V&A Waterfront. In the evening, meet your specialist photographic tour guide over cocktails around the pool deck, followed by the tour briefing and dinner at the hotel.

The first of many early mornings starts with a short trip in the tour bus to Blouberg Beach, renowned for the most celebrated view of Table Mountain, for a photo session followed by breakfast. We drive on to the peaceful and charming fishing village of Paternoster for our overnight stop. Paternoster, which means “Our Father” in Latin, took its name from the heartfelt prayers of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors centuries ago. The old, whitewashed fishermen’s cottage, gives the visitor a feeling of stepping back in time. Photo session opportunities include fishermen navigating the surf as they beach their small wooden boats with their day’s catch, visiting Tietiesbaai in the Cape Columbine.

Following the morning’s photo session and breakfast, we head north to the town of Clanwilliam. Clanwilliam is located in the only area in the world where rooibos (red bush) is planted, cultivated and used to make the uniquely South African rooibos tea. As Clanwilliam is situated at the foot of the mighty Cederberg mountain range, it offers the photographer abundant bird life, San rock art, and the scenic beauty of rock formations. The afternoon/evening photo session is followed by dinner at the lodge.

After an early breakfast and morning photo session, we continue your journey along the N7 to the town of Springbok, which is three-and-a-half hours’ drive away. Springbok is the last major town we will visit until we fly back to Cape Town at the end of the tour. Here we will stock up on last-minute supplies before travelling to Naries Namakwa Retreat, where we will spend the next two nights. Spend the afternoon photo session in the most spectacular scenery the Namakwa region has to offer, or relax at the lodge. After a delicious dinner at Naries, take the time to unwind and enjoy the evening sipping your favourite drink while gazing at the stars.

Once the morning photo session and breakfast are concluded, the tour departs in the 4x4 vehicles for the entrance to the Richtersveld National Park via Alexander Bay. This mountainous desert landscape is characterised by rugged ravines, craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock, sandy plains and other dramatic landscapes. Water is very scarce in this desolate area and only the hardiest of life forms survive. Despite this, the Richtersveld is regarded as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on Earth, with an astonishing variety of plant, bird and animal life – much of which is endemic. The remoteness and accessibility by off-road vehicles only ensures that the Richtersveld National Park enjoys a natural sense of peace and stillness.

The morning photo session will focus on halfmens plants (Pachypodium namaquanum). Literally translated, this means "half-person tree" and the name comes from the tree's resemblance to the human form – its top consists of a grouping of thick, crinkled leaves, which can make it look almost like a human head. These trees are revered by the indigenous Nama people as the embodiment of their ancestors – half human, half plant – mourning their ancient Namibian home. Travelling via 4x4 trails through desert mountains along the Orange River, the afternoon photo session takes place in an area with large boulders and spectacular views.

Days eight and nine will be spent travelling through the Richtersveld National Park with early morning and afternoon photo sessions, capturing scenes of crumbling mountains, quiver trees, tall aloes and a variety of other succulents.

This is the last day in the Richtersveld and after breakfast we travel to Alexander Bay airstrip. Here the group will be flown back to Cape Town on a charted aircraft. Once checked backed into the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening, the group will have a farewell dinner and slide show of the photographs taken during the tour.

Check in at Cape Town International Airport two hours prior to the departure of your return flight.

PLEASE NOTE: This program can be modified at any time due to unforeseen events such as the suppliers’ availability, transports and inclement weather.

The tour includes:
All accommodation, all meals, transport and charted flight from Alexander Bay to Cape Town.

Excludes
Drinks will be for the client own account, gratuities, porterage, insurance (medical and travel), international and domestic plane tickets.