Culture and Ecology of Southern Africa: BIOL 4984

This is the tentative itinerary for next year. Check out some of the websites to see where you will be!

::Cape Town:: May 21- May 23

- Robben Island: The island facility where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, along with others that were opposed to the Apartheid or considered to be political "troublemakers".
- Jackass Penguins: Visit the colony at Boulders to study their behavior. (image) (image)
- Cape Point: Where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. You'll hike up to the light house for a beautiful view. (image) (image)
- Cape Peninsula National Park: Since you'll get to see a lot of the area, this is a really good website to check out.
- Cape Winelands: Tour a few of the wineries in Stellenbosch and the surrounding area. (image)
- Cheetah Outreach: Visit Cheetah Outreach located at the Spier Winery. (image)

::de Hoop:: May 24 - May 25

- De Hoop Nature Reserve: Gorgeous reserve on the southern coast. A unique environment which is home to several endangered species. (image)
- Southern Right Whale
- Fynbos (image)
- Bontebok
- Cape Mountain Zebra
- Tide Pools (image)

::Little Karoo:: May 26

The little Karoo is bordered on two sides by mountains and it is more fertile and receives more preciptiation that the Great Karoo. We will stay at MontEco Nature Reserve is located near Montagu. Here we will see San rock art and learn about the Khoisan.
- MontEco Nature Reserve

::Great Karoo:: May 27- May 28

- Karoo National Park: The park is situated in the Karoo Desert. (image) (image)
- Quagga: An extinct species of zebra that used to roam the Karoo. Some speculate that it was actually a sub-species of the plains zebra - and efforts are being made to bring back the Quagga through selective breeding of Burchell's Zebra that are currently in the park. Very interesting project.

::Oudtshoorn:: May 29

- Cango Caves: Beautiful system of caverns and limestone formations that runs for a length 5.3 km. The guided tour only takes you a kilometer back, but there's a lot to see.

Knysna is located on the Knysna River where the lagoon meets the Indian Ocean. It is an artist community.
- Knysna
- Featherbed Nature Reserve: Reserve on the Knysna Lagoon. There are tours by ferry of the lagoon and guided nature walks in the reserve.
- Blue Duiker
- Knysna Lorie

::Tsitsikamma:: May 31

- Tsitsikamma National Park: Amazing scenery and interesting animal life to be found on this coastal stretch. There is also a really good hike up the mountain that takes you across a suspension bridge. (image) (image) (image)
- Cape Clawless Otter
- Black Oystercatcher

::Addo:: June 1- June 2

- Addo Elephant National Park: We will be spending a lot of time going on game drives and at least one night ride. (image)
- Elephants (image)
- Cape Buffalo (image)
- Flightless Dung Beetle

::Bloemfontein:: June 3 - June 5

- University of the Free State: Visit the school and meet with faculty and students; attend lectures.

::Kimberley:: June 5

- Kimberley: Capital of the Northern Cape Province.
- The Big Hole: Old De Beers diamond mine that has since collapsed and is now filled with water.

::Golden Gate:: June 6 - June 7

- Golden Gate National Park: In the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. (image) (image)
- You will take a guided hike on some of the nature trails.
- Travel to Clarens to see bushman paintings.

::Zululand:: June 8

- Simunye Cultural Village: Cultural village in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal. (image) (image)
- Learn the history of Shaka Zulu.
- Witness a traditional dance display - very fun to watch! (image)

::Hluhluwe Game Reserve:: June 9

- Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Overnight at the Hluhluwe Inn and enjoy a game drive.

::Swaziland:: June 10

- Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in the Valley of Heaven in Swaziland. (image)

::Kruger:: June 11 - June 14

- Kruger National Park: South Africa's largest and most popular wildlife park. Expect to go on game drives, night rides, and a bush walk and see lots of different animals! (image) (image)
- The Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, cape buffalo.

::Hoedspruit:: June 15

- Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species: Established in 1988, originally for cheetahs, the facility now works with several endangered and threatened species of South Africa. (image) (image) (image)

:: Pretoria:: June 16.

- Briefly visit Pretoria before you go to the Johannesburg Airport. Depart at 17.00 for home.