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This turned out to be a top, excellent, trip for me. This is thanks to guide Tyrone Ping's amazing habitat knowledge and his sublime expertise in ‘constantly’ searching. That he is a professional herpetologist can be seen in the fact that he is a field guide author. The success of this trip is also definitely due to Naturetrek tour leader Dan Lay for his dedication and motivation as leader, and certainly also for his constant search for reptiles & amphibians. He has an eye for the needs of the participants, and he is such an empathetic, sprightly, and always positive personality. I am very grateful to him for his care to me and for this beautifully organized amphibian and reptile tour!
A.VH. Belgium, November 2022
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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The Reptiles & Amphibians of South Africa's West
Tour Code: ZAF12A 16-day Cape to Kalahari holiday in search of Africa’s most exciting and sought-after reptiles and amphibians.
16 days
from
£5,595
£5,595
Land only price
from
£4,895
£4,895
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
We begin this special tour in the port city of Cape Town joining our local expert field herpetologist guide. From Cape Town we take a route as far north as Augrabies National Park, the location of Sir David Attenborough’s flat lizard scene in the BBC series 'Life in Cold Blood’, and we too can enjoy watching this vibrant, acrobatic species here. On this holiday we will discover a range of habitats in search of iconic herpetofauna including Armadillo Lizard, Cape Cobra, Puff Adder and Desert Rain Frog – a species that became well-known after a video of an individual went viral.
Little-known but fascinating species include Namaqua Dwarf Adder – the world’s smallest adder – the incredibly photogenic Cape Coral Snake, the critically endangered Geometric Tortoise and the splendid Cape Dwarf Chameleon. A huge range of other snakes, lizards, tortoises, and frogs make for an engrossing tour, limited to just six participants, with an expert guide.
This exciting tour is part of our portfolio of herpetology holidays.
- Superb lizards include Armadillo Lizard, Cape Dwarf Chameleon and Augrabies Flat Lizard
- Iconic snakes include Puff Adder, Cape Cobra and Many-horned Adder
- Go in search of the rare Namaqua Dwarf Adder and Desert Mountain Adder
- A chance to see Cape Coral Snake, one of Africa's most beautiful snakes
- Delightful tortoises include Geometric Tortoise, Western Tent Tortoise and Speckled Dwarf Tortoise
- Desert Rain Frog an exciting possibility
Grading
On a typical day on our herpetology tours we’ll begin searching in the field after breakfast, when the sun has warmed the substrates and landscapes, often getting into the vehicles at 9am and, after stopping for approximately one hour for lunch, we’ll continue into early-evening when we will stop for a rest and dinner. Most evenings it will be possible to do excursions in search of nocturnal species, which will on average be for three hours after dinner. With an equal percentage of the target reptile and amphibian species likely to be nocturnal, these night searches are an important part of the tour but are optional, with some participants preferring to rest on some of the days. On average, 5-8 miles are walked per day.
We’ll focus our time in the field on building an enviable list of reptile and amphibian species seen. Whilst searching, there is no doubt we’ll come across a huge variety of amazing fauna and flora, which we’ll also take time to enjoy, but reptiles and amphibians will strongly remain our focus. Sensitively checking under stones, logs and other refugia is an effective way of finding many species. Some of the target reptile or amphibian species may require longer field hours to locate and therefore this tour is suitable, and most enjoyable, for experienced naturalists who, aside from wishing to see the region’s rarely-seen reptiles and amphibians, relish being in the field searching for and identifying the vast array of birds, mammals, butterflies, invertebrates, orchids and other wildlife which can be found sharing the wonderful habitats that we’ll explore on the tour.
In summary, Naturetrek herpetology holidays are suitable, and offer tremendous value, for those who spend most of their holiday time in wildlife habitats and for whom seeing some of the world’s superb reptiles and amphibians is the focus of their time away.
This is a traditional lodge-based wildlife tour. Whilst some of the lodges are appointed simply, each is comfortable and has en suite facilities. A certain level of fitness is required for the tour, as the terrain may be rough, steep, or slippery in parts.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/3
Cape Town
Day 4
Elands Bay
Day 5
Namaqualand
Day 6
Port Nolloth
Day 7
Springbok
Day 8/10
Augrabies Falls National Park
Day 11
Namaqualand National Park
Day 12
Vanrhynsdorp
Day 13/14
Langebaan
Day 15
Cape Town
Day 16
Arrive London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Comfortable lodges and guesthouses, all with private facilities.
- Food:
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the tour price, starting with dinner on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 15. Lunches are not included, offering the chance of something lighter for those who wish.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 30th Nov – Mon 15th Dec
6
£5,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£495
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Tyrone Ping
Tour Leader: Tyrone Ping
An initial hobby led Tyrone to a life-long fascination with reptiles and amphibians and becoming one of the country's leading field herpetology specialists, spending the last 15-years exploring southern Africa, photographing and documenting many of the country’s rarest and lesser-known species. Tyrone recently published the 'Field Guide To Snakes & Other Reptiles of KwaZulu-Natal' and 'A Field Guide To Snakes & Other Reptiles Of The Western Cape' with other field guides in preparation.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
