South Africa

2004

An Eco-Tour with Peter Pritchard

March 26, 2004 – April 10, 2004

Extra week available*

 

This will be the trip of a lifetime.  Peter Pritchard, the author of Encyclopedia of Turtles and countless other books and articles on turtles and tortoises, will lead a lucky group of turtle hobbyists, enthusiasts, and researchers on a trek through South Africa.  Once in South Africa, the group will be joined by South Africa’s experts on turtles and tortoises and wildlife:  Bill Branch, Richard Boycott, Ernst Baard, and others.  Along with Peter, these gentlemen will serve as our guides through one of the world’s greatest countries for wildlife viewing.  The number of different animals found in South Africa is truly unbelievable!  Our group will focus not only on turtles and tortoises, but on all of the wonderful animals which inhabit this spectacular country.  Some of the rarest tortoises and mammals are found there and we plan to be right there with them.  In case you did not know, South Africa has more tortoise species than any place else in the world with 13!  South Africa is a very large country and we will be moving quite rapidly so as to allow the group to see as much as possible in 2 weeks time.  There are a small number of people staying a third week with Peter Pritchard to possibly travel to Namibia to see some more wonderful wildlife, tell me right away if you want to stay 3 weeks.

 

This tour will be like nothing you have done before.  And, it will be run a bit differently than many tours for several reasons.  We want to make the trip as affordable as possible and make life easy on the organizer and guides.  Thus, there will be a “set” itinerary which we will follow to a certain degree.  I say this because if we should find that we are in position to see something unplanned which is extraordinary, we will shift gears and do so!  This will allow for the greatest experience available on this tour.  We will be traveling quickly, but we will be having a lot of fun.  Thus, this trip is for those who are flexible and fun-loving, those who love wildlife, those who are adventurous, however, you need not be in tip top shape, we will be taking it easy for the most part.  If you can walk through the mall and shop, you are fit enough for this tour.  The core of the group is made up of 8 people who know each other and most have traveled together in the past.  We will be adding about another 12, of which many people have already shown interest.  Therefore, there are only a few, perhaps 6, openings available for this tour.

 

I, Michael Bargeron, am the organizer.  I will create the final itinerary and book as many necessities in advance as possible.  As mentioned before, this tour will be run differently than others, and here is an example.  Those wishing to come on this tour will handle all their own money.  By this I mean that you will not be paying a flat fee to the organizer to go on this tour.  I will tell you when you must be in South Africa to meet with the group, and where you should fly in to, when you should fly out and from where, and I will make suggestions of the best air fares I have found.  It will be your responsibility to book and pay for your own air fare.  I will help you if necessary, but I will NOT collect money from anyone for travel costs.  Thereafter, I will book the appropriate number of rooms for lodging that will be needed to handle our group.  If a credit card is needed to charge the room fee in advance, I will make each of you a reservation and give you the information and you will need to call in with your credit card to confirm.  I can make arrangements for double occupancy if you want to share a room with someone in the group who also needs a roommate.  I have estimated a budget of $3000 for this tour for 2 weeks.  This is broken down as follows:

 

Airfare:                         $1300

Lodging/food/transport $1400

Guide Fee                    $300

Total                            $3000 (those staying and extra week should estimate another $700)

 

Remember, this is only an estimate.  It could be somewhat less, but probably not much more.  I say less because I have found air fare in the $1000 range, which would save $300 from the estimated budget.  Also, each person will be in control of their own meals and level of accommodations.  By this I mean, when we stop at a restaurant to eat, one person may eat a burger and another may eat a lobster.  Big difference is the costs for food for those two people.  Further, when we stay at the parks such as Kruger, there are different levels of lodging.  One person may choose the $25 per night while another chooses the $50 per night room.  This can affect your budget significantly.  I have given estimates based on average priced meals and rooms.  South Africa is a very inexpensive country.  The main cost is getting there.  I would suggest people share rooms to bring costs down.  Double or Quad occupancy will be much less costly than taking a hotel room for just one person.  The only money which I will be collecting from everyone is a $300 Guide Fee.  This will cover the expenses for Peter Pritchard and the other guides who will be leading us on our journey.  This fee will be due on or before 12/15/03.  After that date, people wishing to join will pay $400 for the Guide Fee. 

 

What you need to do now.

  1. Keep an eye on this webpage daily.
  2. Make sure you have regular contact with Michael by email at mbargeron@comcast.net
  3. Pay the $300 Guide Fee, which would be returned only if the trip is canceled, by 12/15/03.
  4. Purchase your airline ticket when Michael has COMPLETELY verified DONE!
  5. Read up on South Africa, purchase some guide books, check out the internet, learn all you can.
  6. Make suggestions early so Michael can incorporate your ideas into the tour.
  7. Put aside your spending money, $1400 or so, for the tour.
  8. Buy a lot of film for your cameras and camcorders!
  9. RELAX!

 

LIST OF TICKETED PEOPLE GOING ON THIS TOUR  AS OF DATE

Michael Bargeron – Chairman Turtle & Tortoise Society

Peter Pritchard – Our Guide

Dimitri G. - Sacramento

Mrs. Pritchard – His Wife

Diane B. – Westchester

Lydia S. – Westchester

Andrew M. – Westchester

Sammy M. – Westchester

Bob T. – Tooslo CTTC

Judy T. – Tooslo

Irena – Care Society CTTC

We are awaiting confirmation on a few others!

 

You will not need to bring a whole lot of “supplies” with you on this tour.  South Africa is a very modern country and has all the items you will need to buy there and usually for less!  I will let you know what I suggest you purchase, if anything, that will come in handy.  Some people may wish to get some vaccinations before the trip for Hepatitis, Malaria, etc…  This can be a good thing to do, although not necessary.  We do not plan on being in any real bad areas for disease, but failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so think about maybe getting vaccinations if you are concerned.

 

Here are some websites you may find valuable for your research:

Airfare: http://www.ukair.com/ http://www.travelcuts.com/                    http://www.expedia.com/            http://www.flysaa.com/

Africa Travel:  http://www.2afrika.com/ http://www.frommers.com/       

South Africa:  http://www.capenature.org.za/     http://www.toursaa.com/           http://www.sanparks.co.za/sanparks.htm

http://www.africandream.com/  http://www.krugerpark.com/                 http://www.addoelephantpark.com/

 

I hope I have been as thorough as possible.  If you feel I left something out, please email me or call me at 310-991-7893 from 8AM-11PM.

I look forward to spending a wonderful 2 weeks with all of you!  We will never forget this trip!

 

Itinerary in preliminary form:

Day 1.  Arrive Johannesburg, minivan meets us, travel eastward immediately to Nelspruit at southern end Kruger Park (about 200 miles).  Overnight in B&B.
Days 2, 3.  Game watching in Kruger Park, from vehicle; local professional guide (either from area or brought from Jo'burg).  Overnight in park lodges.
Day 4.  Exit Park via Phalaborwa, visit Mojadji on way back to Johannesburg.
     Overnight Johannesburg
Day 5  Fly earliest flight to Port Elizabeth. Meet Bill Branch, see P.E. Museum and Chersina habitat.  Overnight in PE.
Day 6.  Addo Elephant National Park daytime, evening drive northwest towards Aberdeen.  Overnight in B&B.
Day 7.  Arrive Karoo National Park mid-morning, tour the various levels of the escarpment, look for tortoises (five species here -- pardalis, angulata, boulengeri, femoralis, tentorius; all are scarce!  Management may have some in captivity). 
Day 8.  Look for more tortoises, afternoon drive to Cape Town.  Overnight.
Day 9.  Visit geometricus habitats in Cape Town vicinity with Ernst Baard and Marguerite Hofmayr; possibly see Homopus areolatus also.
Day 10.  Morning touring Cape Town, shopping, ascent of Table Mountain.
Day 11.  Early departure for full day on Dassen Island (short boat trip, to be arranged; need permission).  Return to mainland late afternoon, drive north evening to Piketberg and Het Kruis area.  Overnight in B&B.
Day 12.  Search for Homopus signatus.  Back to Cape Town in evening, fly home.