RockJumper Birding and Photography Tour – Alive


Cost	Duration:	Style:
GBP 4,800	21 Days & 20 Nights	Small group, accommodated touring



South Africa and Namibia	12 Activities Included	55%	10%	25%	10%

Tour Character:
This 21-day journey from Cape Town to Windhoek is a richly layered experience, thoughtfully crafted for beginner birders who also wish to explore the art of nature photography in Southern Africa’s most captivating landscapes. The tour follows a south-to-north route through vastly different ecological zones, showcasing a diversity of birdlife from coastal seabirds and fynbos endemics in the Western Cape to desert-adapted specials, raptors, and wetland migrants in Namibia. Guests will visit a curated collection of habitats including mountain wilderness, desert dunes, ephemeral pans, and seasonal rivers, with every location offering new avian encounters and photographic opportunities. Mornings are typically active with bird walks or drives, while afternoons provide downtime for photo editing, rest, or casual exploration. During the tour, your specialist guide will share insights on both birds and the natural beauty that surrounds them, and the best way to photograph them. Comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and authentic cultural moments complete the experience, making this a rewarding journey not just for birders and photographers, but for anyone with a passion for wild places and wide skies.

Overview:

This 21-day journey from Cape Town to Windhoek is a richly layered experience, thoughtfully crafted for beginner birders who also wish to explore the art of nature photography in Southern Africa’s most captivating landscapes. The tour follows a south-to-north route through vastly different ecological zones, showcasing a diversity of birdlife from coastal seabirds and fynbos endemics in the Western Cape to desert-adapted specials, raptors, and wetland migrants in Namibia.

Travellers will visit a curated collection of habitats including mountain wilderness, desert dunes, ephemeral pans, and seasonal rivers, with every location offering new avian encounters and photographic opportunities. Mornings are typically active with bird walks or drives, while afternoons provide downtime for photo editing, rest, or casual exploration. Along the way, your specialist guide will share insights on both birds and the natural beauty that surrounds them, and the best way to photograph them.

Comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and authentic cultural moments complete the experience, making this a rewarding journey not just for birders and photographers, but for anyone with a passion for wild places and wide skies.

Route:


		Day 1	- Cape Town - Inbound - Arrival
		Day 2	- Cape Town
		Day 3	- West Coast National Park
		Day4	- Lamberts Bay
		Day 5	- Springbok / Namaqua Land
		Day 6	- Orange River - Norotshama River Resort
		Day 7	- Fish River Canyon - Canyon Roadhouse
		Day 8	- Kalahari - Kalahari Anib Camping2go
		Day 9	- Naukluft Park
		Day 10	- Ababis Guest Farm
		Day 11	- Ababis Guest Farm - Day trip to Sossusvlei and Sesriem
		Day 12	- Ababis Guest Farm
		Day 13	- Swakopmund
		Day 14	- Uis/Brandberg
		Day 15	- Twyfelfontein
		Day 16	- Etosha - Surrounds
		Day 17	- Etosha - Halali
		Day 18	- Etosha - Namutoni
		Day 19	- Waterberg Plateau National Park
		Day 20	- Windhoek and surrounds
		Day 21	- Windhoek - Depart - Outbound


Day 1
	Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your tour guide and transferred to your comfortable lodge or guesthouse nestled near the base of Table Mountain or along the Atlantic seaboard. After settling into your room, there’s time to rest and freshen up. For those arriving earlier in the day, optional strolls in the local area or gardens near the lodge may yield first sightings of common species like the Cape Robin-Chat, Fiscal Shrike, and Red-eyed Dove. In the late afternoon, gather with your fellow travellers and your guide for an informal welcome talk. Your guide will provide an overview of the journey ahead, introduce the field checklist, offer basic birding and photography tips, and answer questions. You'll also receive your welcome pack, which includes a bird checklist, route map, and local information. We end the day with a short outing to Bloubergstrand Beach, famed for its postcard-perfect view of Table Mountain and often bustling with seabirds. This location offers your first real opportunity to observe and photograph birds such as Kelp Gulls, Hartlaub’s Gulls, and possibly Cape Cormorants silhouetted against the sea spray. A relaxed group dinner at a local seaside restaurant introduces you to the flavours of the Cape, with optional fresh seafood and local wine. This is a perfect time to get to know your fellow travellers and enjoy a stunning ocean sunset.	Dinner for own account	- City tour
Day 2	DRAMATIC DESERT VIEWS AND AMZING STARLIT NIGHTS.
	Kalahari – Today we will transfer from Windhoek, heading south into the heart of the true Kalahari. A stay in one of the least populated places in the world and an opportunity to interact with the San Bushmen. Listen to the call of the big cats and be enchanted by the sight of the barren nature with the typical camel thorn trees standing like statutes, indicative of the Kalahari. You will be surprised by the abundance of animals in this seemingly life-threatening landscape, as giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, antelopes and many more have adapted perfectly to the dry environment. Our accommodation for the next two nights is on the crest of these wind-shaped dune waves, which are now stabilized by plants. After we have settled in we will embark on our first game drive and a chance to take in this environment of the red dune Kalahari. Dinner will be at the lodge.	B / L / D	- Game drive with sundwoners
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 3	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Kalahari – An early morning start with a sunrise safari to see the desert awaken. In the light of the rising sun, you can see this unique landscape in spectacular colours with many Camel Thorn trees casting long shadows across the dunes. Some of the nocturnal animals are still active this early with great photographic opportunities on offer. After breakfast, we will go for a walk with the indigenous people of the Kalahari, the Bushmen (San). En route to their village, we have an opportunity to learn about their ancient traditions and survival skills. In the village, you will be shown how to collect water in ostrich eggs, how to set traps, which plants are suitable for medicine or how to make a pearl and ostrich jewellery. A truly unforgettable experience. The afternoon will be relaxed and guest who have booked optional activities e.g. beauty treatment etc. have time to indulge in them. The day will complete with a sundowner and a wholesome dinner.	B / L / D	- Early morning game drive followed by cultural interaction with the local Bushman.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 4	TOWARDS THE NAMIB
	Ababis – An early start to the day as we make our way to our next destination. En route to the Ababis guest farm, we will make a slight detour to the Naukluft national park where we will have lunch. Following lunch, it is time to put the hiking shoes on as we will take on a short hike up and into the Waterkloof valley with its amazing clear freshwater pools. Guest are welcome to take the opportunity to swim in these natural mountain pools (in the desert!) or to just relax and take in the amazing natural surroundings. The rest of our journey for the day takes us down the Tsondab valley and a chance to see the endemic Bottle trees that grow out of the side of these steep cliffs. Once at the farm we will settle in and have a chance to relax and explore our environment. A traditional Namibian farm dinner awaits, and as it is in this part of the world, the air is particularly clear, allowing a breathtaking view of the night sky before the day ends.	B / L / D	- Hike up the Waterkloof valley. Late afternoon gamedrive with sundowners.
	Highlights of the day

Day 5	INTO THE NAMIB
	Ababis - After breakfast, we head off to Sossusvlei within the heart of the Namib desert. We will spend the whole day exploring the park, including Dooievlei and Sossusvlei. En route we will stop at Dune 45, here one will have the chance to climb one of the highest dunes in the world and take in its breathtaking views. The day in itself has a myriad of animal sightings and photographic opportunities. Lunch will be at the picnic site in Sossusvlei.	B / L / D	- Excursion into the Namib Desert. Game viewing with the opportunity to climb one of the highest dunes in the world.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 6	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Swakopmund - Following breakfast we embark on the next leg of our journey, to the fascinating town of Swakopmund, driving past Solitaire, Kuiseb canyon and Namibia’s Valley of a Thousand Hills. Lesser and greater flamingos flock in large numbers in the pools along the Namib Desert coast, particularly around Walvis Bay, where we will have a break to see these astonishing birds. Once in Swakopmund, we will settle in at our guest house and guests who have booked activities* will transfer to their respective activities in the afternoon. There is also an opportunity for guests to explore the town and do some shopping. Dinner will be in one of the local restaurants.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 7	TO THE LARGEST SEAL COLLONY IN THE WORLD
	Swakopmund - After breakfast, we head north up the Skeleton Coast, home to many a shipwreck, and to one of the largest seal colonies in the world at Cape Cross. Time to explore and to get up close and personal with Cape fur seals. Lunch will be somewhere scenic and suitable en route. We will be back in Swakopmund early afternoon with an opportunity to explore the town, enjoy an additional activity, or just to relax. Dinner will be at one of Swakopmund’s famous restaurants.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 8	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Twyfelfontein – This morning we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, and into the heart of Damaraland. We will board our plane mid-morning flying up the Skeleton Coast and then inland passing some spectacular landmarks like the Damara granites, Messum Crater and the Brandberg massive. Once at our destination we will settle in and have lunch. Late afternoon we set off for a nature drive in the dry Aba-Huab River valley where one can marvel at the rich vegetation and interesting geological formations, with the possibility to encounter the infamous desert-adapted elephants. This is also the home of the endemic living fossil, the Welwitschia Mirabilis. The nature drive returns over valleys of savannah, small dunes, the dry river bed and interesting geological formations. A stop at Welwitschia Hill allows guests to disembark the vehicle and enjoy a lovely sundowner in an unspoilt natural setting. A chance to hone your photographic skills whilst the sun is setting across the desert-like savannah plains and distant mountains. This is Africa at its best. Dinner will be at the lodge.
	Highlights of the day

Day 9	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Spitzkoppe – An early morning start as we will make our way to Twyfelfontein (WHS) where Stone Age hunter-gatherers, the Khoikhoi, occupied the area some 6 000 years ago and to view the ancient Bushman rock engravings. We will enjoy the services of a local Damara guide to conduct us on a short guided tour of the rock engravings within this world heritage site. After a hearty brunch, we will board our flight back to Swakopmund and then make our way to the “Matterhorn” of Namibia. This towering cluster of granite outcrops is where we will lodge for the following two nights. There are several hiking routes to explore in the afternoon with amazing photographic opportunities. Dinner will be at the lodge.
	Highlights of the day

Day 10	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Spitzkoppe – A day full of options lay ahead. Guest can choose to either relax or to go and explore and interact with the local community, or to engage in optional activities like a guided tour to some of the significant archaeological sites in the area. Lunch packs will be provided for those who intend on strapping on their hiking boots to make a day of it exploring this geographic wonderland with it’s hiking trails and sites. Late afternoon a sunset tour is on offer with dinner at the lodge to conclude the day.
	Highlights of the day

Day 11	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Omaruru – Today we will be making our way up north to the Erongo Region of Namibia. The area is highlighted by the Erongo Mountains, a 130 million-year-old volcanic ruin with breathtaking rock formations and landscapes. We will stop off in the town of Omaruru and indulge ourselves in a wine tasting experience and lunch at the Erongo Mountain Winery. Following lunch, we will continue to the Epako Safari Game Lodge located a further 30min drive down the road. Once we have settled in guest have a free afternoon to explore, enjoy optional activities or just to relax next to the swimming pool. Late afternoon we will embark on a bushwalk in this 11,000-hectare private game reserve, an unrivalled experience in this in this beautiful mountainous surroundings and untamed wilderness. At dusk, these landscapes have a dramatic colour change and offer beautiful photographic motives. To culminate the day a wonderful African dinner awaits us.
	Highlights of the day

Day 12	INTO LION COUNTRY WE GO!
	Etosha – Heading northwards today as we will be making our way towards lion country. During the route, the change in cultures and biome becomes very noticeable. After a quick stop in the town of Outjo for lunch, we will make our way to Taleni-Etosha Village, a gem on the edge of the Etosha National Park where we will stay the next two nights. Once we have settled in we will go for a late afternoon game drive in the park, Etosha roughly translates as 'Great White Place', referring to the enormous Etosha Pan, a salt-crusted, dry lake-bed that dominates the 22,900km2 national park. Following this excursion, we will head back to the lodge for dinner.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 13	4769 km2 OF "THE GREAT WHITE PLACE"
	Etosha - Following a peaceful night with occasional roar of a lion just to remind you that you are in lion country, we will make our way into this vast national park that covers an area of more than 22 000km² and is the most northern part of the Kalahari basin. We will spend the whole day game driving, setting foot on this immense pan with visits to Okaukuejo and Halali, where we will have lunch. Etosha National Park has 114 mammal species and one can expect plenty of animal sightings, hopefully, and especially the black rhino, the white giants of Nebrowni, lion, spotted hyena and leopard. We will leave the park not long after sunset and make our way back to the lodge where a wonderful African dinner awaits us.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 14	A DAY WITH THE BUSHMAN
	Windhoek Area – We will start our last leg of our journey making our way back towards Windhoek. En route, there will be a couple of stops for photos, sightseeing and shopping. For the last night of our adventure, we will stay at a lodge close to the capital of Windhoek in the Auas mountains region. We will enjoy a grand African dinner with some additional surprises planned for the day.
	Animal Sigtings to Expect

Day 15	Departure Day
	Depart - Following breakfast your guide will transfer you to the airport where we will say our goodbyes and whish you a safe yourney back home.	B	N/A


Start	End	Days/Nights	Rate	Tour Code	Tour Status	Apply
Saturday 20th May 2021	Sunday 5th June 2021	14d/13n	GBP4,200	dde232	Sold Out
Saturday 20th May 2021	Sunday 5th June 2021	14d/13n	GBP4,200	dde232	Sold Out
Saturday 20th May 2021	Sunday 5th June 2021	14d/13n	GBP4,200	dde232	Sold Out
Saturday 20th May 2021	Sunday 5th June 2021	14d/13n	GBP4,200	dde232	Sold Out


DAY	STAY	MEALS
1	Okapuka Ranch - Mid-range lodge in or near Windhoek	Dinner Included	4/5
2	Bagatelle Lodge - Luxury lodge in the heart of the Kalahari near the town of Mariental	All meals included	4.5/5
3	Bagatelle Lodge - Luxury lodge in the heart of the Kalahari near the town of Mariental	All meals included
4	Ababis Guest Farm - Mid-range accommodation at the foot of the Naucluft Mountains	All meals included
5	Ababis Guest Farm - Mid-range accommodation at the foot of the Naucluft Mountains	All meals included
6	Beach Hotel Swakopmund - Mid-range hotel in or near Swakopmund	Breakfast and lunch included
7	Beach Hotel Swakopmund - Mid-range hotel in or near Swakopmund	Breakfast and lunch included
8	Twyfelfontein Country Lodge -Mid-range lodge inside Damaraland	All meals included
9	Spitzkoppen Lodge - Upper mid-range lodge next to the Spitzkoppe	All meals included
10	Spitzkoppen Lodge - Upper mid-range lodge next to the Spitzkoppe	All meals included
11	Epako Game Lodge - Luxuary lodge inside the Epako game reserve	All meals included
12	Taleni Etosha Village - Upper mid-range lodge next to Etosha National Park	All meals included
13	Taleni Etosha Village - Upper mid-range lodge next to Etosha National Park	All meals included
14	Gocheganas Lodge - Luxury lodge inside the Gocheganas nature reserve	All meals included
15	Depart - Transfer to the Hosea Kutako International airport	Breakfast included


Included	Excluded
- All accommodation	- Flights to and from Windhoek
- All transfers during the tour	- Other activities not mentioned on the itinerary
- 13xBreakfast / 13xLunch / 12xDinners	- Gratuities for guides & porters
- All park fees	- Visa costs
- All game drives	- Personal expenditure & gifts

EXTRA ACTIVITIES

Is it safe to travel to Southern Africa?

The answer is ‘yes’. Southern Africa derives a significant portion of its foreign income by the spending that international visitors contribute to a country. It is in both the private companies and the government’s interests to keep the visitor safe in their visiting country. Most safaris take place in remote wildlife areas, away from villages, towns and cities, and so the risk of crime to visitors travelling to tourist destinations are generally very low. The transfers (by road or air) between airports, hotels and lodges are operated by Alive ATE’s experienced and qualified guides. This means you will not be unattended at any time during your safari and your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, no country is 100% safe, therefore it is wise to take precaution when travelling and be alert as you would in any situation, and let common sense prevail! As with many countries around the world, Southern Africa has its places of danger and these should be avoided. Planning your trip with Alive ATE will prevent any misunderstandings and allow you to enjoy what will certainly be one of your most memorable holidays.

What accommodation can I expect on my Efundja tour?

As the Efundja tour is a comfort tour, the accommodation standard will be a 3* minimum to 5*, depending on the area and what is available. An African excursion today is a far cry from the ones of the past. It is best to state and understand what your expectations are regarding accommodation so that we can assist you in meeting your needs. The reality: Luxury in the bush can cost more than luxury in the city as a result of transport logistics on all levels. Some of these places are very remote and the building of certain infrastructure is regulated and limited (as it should be), but none te less very authentic and rustic with the game viewing that is unbelievably fantastic. There is nothing like the crackle of a campfire with the roar of a nearby lion to remind you where you are!