The Wonders of Palaeosciences Tour Series presents
The Human Journey Tour, South Africa
April 2025
Tour Intro
More Info
Photo by Brett Eloff
THE HUMAN JOURNEY TOUR, SOUTH AFRICA
Hosted by Safari Odyssey
“An unforgettable journey through the history of humankind by way of South Africa’s unrivaled fossil collection”
Join the Human Journey Tour for exclusive access and an unforgettable journey through ancient South Africa, the birthplace of humanity! This special-interest cultural tour gives you exclusive access to never-before-seen fossil dig sites, world-leading experts, and epic landscapes. All while enjoying breathtaking views, luxury accommodation, delicious gourmet meals, and exciting adventures!
Secure your place on this groundbreaking tour and etch your name into the timeless annals of palaeontology research. Don’t miss the chance to embark on this revolutionary journey — click HERE to book your spot today!
Option 1: 15 – 25 APRIL 2025 │ 11 DAYS & 10 NIGHTS
Price: Starting @ USD11,990 per person sharing │ USD14,080 per single traveller.
OR
Option 2: 11 – 25 APRIL 2025 │ 15 DAYS & 14 NIGHTS
Price: Starting @ USD16,120 per person sharing │ USD18,940 per single traveller.
Option 2 offers an additional 4 days in the Waterberg – an treasure trove of dramatic mountains, hills, gorges and cliff-face landscapes. Enjoy a few extra days on safari amongst its untouched ecology, rock art galleries & ancient iron age sites. Can be added at the start of the tour.
You can click on this link to access the tour booking form.
Follow us as we continue the development of our WONDERS OF PALAEOSCIENCES TOUR SERIES
Hominin Fossils of The Cradle of Humankind
YOUR HOSTS & PRESENTERS
Hosts & Guide
Mr Johan Noppe
Safari Odyssey
Dr Bernhard Zipfel
Presenters & Researchers
Dr Bernhard Zipfel
Prof Dominic Stratford
Dr Keneiloe Molopyane
Dr Tammy Hodgskiss
Dr Jeremy Hollmann
Prof Lyn Wadley
Mr Richard Wadley
Mr Glenn Phillips
Dr Philip Calcott
Dr Graham Avery
Ms Pippa Haarhoff
Prof Sara Wurz
Mr Quinton Coetzee
11 DAY TOUR PLAN
DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG
- Welcome to Johannesburg, our City of Gold, South Africa.
- Overnight @ The Da Vinci Hotel, Sandton(5*).
- Meals: Lunch at Da Vinci’s Maximillien Restaurant & dinner at Pigalle, Sandton.
DAY 2: STERKFONTEIN, CRADLE OF HUMANKIND (hominid site)
- Morning visit to WITS with Dr Bernhard Zipfel and the Origins Centre with Dr Tammy Hodgskiss.
- Afternoon visit to the Sterkfontein Caves with WITS Prof Dominic Stratford and Dr Keneiloe Molopyane.
- Overnight @ De Hoek Country Hotel (5*), Magaliesberg.
- Meals: Breakfast at Da Vinci's Maximillien Restaurant, lunch at Forum Homini's Roots Restaurant & dinner at The Conservatory Restaurant, De Hoek.
DAY 3: CAPE TOWN
- Early morning hot air balloon safari over the Cradle of Humankind following by breakfast in the bush.
- Flight from Johannesburg – Cape Town.
- Cultural visit to the Cape Malay Community of Bo-Kaap.
- Table Mountain Cableway experience.
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge (5*), Cape Town.
- Meals: Breakfast at De Hoek, lunch at the Bo Kaap Kombuis & dinner at The Chef’s Warehouse, Tintswalo Atlantic.
DAY 4: CAPE PENINSULA
- Full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, private transfer, or as part of a Cape Side Car Adventure experience.
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge (5*), Cape Town.
- Meals: Breakfast at the Tintswalo Atlantic, lunch at Cape Point Vineyards & dinner at The Chef’s Warehouse, Tintswalo Atlantic.
DAY 5: FOSSIL PARK & SALDANHA BAY (shell midden & hominid site)
- Day visiting The West Coast Fossil Park and Hoedjiespunt site, Saldanha Bay, with presentation and privately guided tours by renowned local researchers.
- Overnight @ The Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel (5*).
- Meals: Breakfast at the Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, lunch at The Blue Bay Restaurant, Saldanha Bay & dinner at The Leeto Restaurant at The Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel.
DAY 6: HOPEFIELD, ELANDSFONTEIN (hominid site)
- Morning visit to Hopefield archaeological site, Elandsfontein, with a presentation and privately guided tour by renowned local researcher.
- Overnight @ Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Cederberg.
- Meals: Breakfast at The Strandloper Ocean Boutique, lunch & dinner at Bushmans Kloof.
DAY 7: BUSHMANSKLOOF RESERVE, CEDERBERG (rock art)
- Full day at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.
- Day includes a presentation and private tour of some of the rock art sites of Bushmans Kloof including a presentation and privately guided site tour by a renowned local researcher.
- Additional activities include game drives and a selection of additional adventure activities.
- Overnight @ Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Cederberg.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner at Bushmans Kloof.
DAY 8: BABYLONSTOREN WINE ESTATE, FRANSCHHOEK
- Day spent at the Babylonstoren Wine Estate, including a garden tour, a cellar tour, an olive oil & balsamic tour, as well as a bread baking session.
- Late afternoon flag-ship wine-tasting.
- Overnight @ Babylonstoren Wine Estate (5*), Franschhoek.
- Breakfast at Bushmans Kloof, lunch & dinner at Babylonstoren Wine Estate, various culinary experiences.
DAY 9: KLASIESRIVIER CAVES (Middle Stone Age)
- Transfer from Franschhoek to Cape Town International Airport
- Morning flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
- Meet your Presenter, Prof Sarah Wurz and enjoy your afternoon at the archaeological shell middens site of Klasies Rivier.
- Overnight @ the Oyster Bay Lodge or Intle Boutique Hotel (5*), Thornhill.
- Breakfast at Babylonstoren Babel Restaurant, lunch & dinner at Oyster Bay Lodge or Intle Boutique Hotel (5*).
DAY 10: BUKELA GAME LODGE (deep time site)
- Morning transfer to Bukela Game Lodge (5*), Amakhala Game Reserve.
- Overnight @ Bukela Game Lodge (5*).
- Afternoon game drive and visit to the local deep time site.
- Breakfast at Oyster Bay Lodge, lunch & dinner at Bukela Game Lodge.
DAY 11: BUKELA GAME LODGE (deep time site)
- Morning game drive.
- Guest speaker Quinton Coetzee, Legendary Speaker, Naturalist & Adventurer.
- Breakfast & farewell lunch at Bukela Game Lodge.
- Flight to Johannesburg.
Add On Day 1: WELGEVONDEN GAME RESERVE (rock art)
- Morning transfer to the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, Waterberg.
- Visit two known rock art sites under the leadership of Dr Jeremy Hollmann, a renowned local reseacher.
- Stargazing evening presentation.
- Overnight @ Laluka Safari Lodge (5*), Welgevonden Private Game Reserve.
- Twice-daily game drives.
- Meals: Breakfast at Da Vinci's Maximillien Restaurant, lunch & dinner at Laluka Safari Lodge.
Add On Day 2: LAPALALA, WATERBERG (rock art & late iron age)
- Late iron age & rock art sites under the leadership of renowned local researchers.
- Twice daily game drives.
- Presentation by Mr Richard Wadley on geology, ecology and conservation of the Waterberg.
- Conversation with Mr Glenn Phillips, CEO of The Lapalala WIlderness Reserve.
- Stargazing experience with Dr Philip Calcott.
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge (5*), Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Waterberg..
- Day 4: Breakfast at Laluka Safari Lodge, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge.
Add On Day 3: LAPALALA, WATERBERG (rock art & late iron age)
- Late iron age & rock art sites under the leadership of renowned local researchers.
- Twice daily game drives.
- Presentation by Mr Richard Wadley on geology, ecology and conservation of the Waterberg.
- Conversation with Mr Glenn Phillips, CEO of The Lapalala WIlderness Reserve.
- Stargazing experience with Dr Philip Calcott.
- Overnight @ Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge (5*), Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Waterberg.
- Day 5: Breakfast, lunch & dinner at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge.
Add On Day 4: GOUDRIVIER, WATERBERG (rock art)
- Breakfast at Tintswalo Lapalala Game Lodge, lunch at the Syringa Café, Vaalwater.
- Goudrivier Private Game Reserve, rock art sites under the leadership of a renowned local Archaeologist.
- Afternoon transfer back Johannesburg for onward flight home.