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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
£5,995
£5,995
Land only price
from
£5,295
£5,295
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
We begin this special tour in the port city of Cape Town, where we will be joined by our local expert field‑herpetologist guide. From here, our journey takes us north through a succession of striking landscapes, culminating at Augrabies National Park – famous as the setting for Sir David Attenborough’s iconic flat‑lizard sequence in Life in Cold Blood. We too will have the chance to watch this colourful and acrobatic species displaying on the sun‑baked rocks.
Throughout the tour we will explore an impressive variety of habitats in search of some of southern Africa’s most celebrated herpetofauna, including Armadillo Lizard, Cape Cobra, Puff Adder and the charismatic Desert Rain Frog – a species that found unexpected fame when a video of its squeaking call went viral.
We will also spend time looking for a number of lesser‑known but truly fascinating reptiles such as Namaqua Dwarf Adder – the world’s smallest adder – the beautifully marked Cape Coral Snake, the critically endangered Geometric Tortoise and the delightful Cape Dwarf Chameleon. A wealth of other snakes, lizards, tortoises and frogs adds further depth and interest to what promises to be a captivating holiday.
With group size limited to just six participants and led by an expert guide, this tour offers an exceptional opportunity to enjoy southern Africa’s remarkable herpetofauna at close quarters. It forms part of our wider portfolio of dedicated 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
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
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 2nd Dec – Thu 17th Dec
6
£5,995
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.
£5,295
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.
2027
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 1st Dec – Thu 16th Dec
6
£5,995
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.
£5,295
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!
