Cape Town to Johannesburg Overland Geology Tour

From city scape and lessons in a classroom, to a rural adventure, and learning

outdoors, this journey for your school, is one that learners will never forget. This

program of outdoor education not only takes learners to a variety of incredible

places in South Africa, but also provides added value to their curriculum at school. Here is a daily schedule of what the package provides:

Day 1: Leave JHB behind and arrive

fresh in the mother city to sample what

she has to offer. See the lay out of the

city from above, on Table mountains

sandstone edge, (weather dependent). Then make your way to the most

southeastern point at Cape Point and

see a number of selected sites along the

way as you meander along the

peninsula’s coastline through one of the

world’s most endemic biomes, Fynbos. The Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point

After a long day outdoors, learners can

spend the evening at the Waterfront

getting some retail therapy and supper

together.

Accommodation: Cape Suites, Cape

Town

Geology highlights: Dolerite Dykes (Simonstown, foggy pond); Cape point nature reserve

The Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point

Sea cliff walk past Diaz beach, Cape Point

Day 2: Wake up in the cape and head

up Table Mountain, (if not done the

previous day). From there the learners

will explore the Atlantic seaboard geology sites as well as Lions Head, Sea

Point contact, Chapmans Peak and

finishing off at Long Beach and

Kommetjie for a beach supper with

spectacular mountain and ocean views.

Accommodation: Cape Suites, Cape

Town Geology Highlights: Tombola, Big Bay; Cape Granite and Peninsula

formation (Table mountain group); Sea Point Contact; Malmesbury shale; Cape Granite, Queens beach; Chapman’s Peak

Half Tunnel to reinforce cliff, Chapman’s Peak

Long beach, Noordhoek, from Chapman’s Peak

Day 3: As we leave Cape Town

behind and head on the N7 towards Namibia, learners get to experience

seeing the fynbos change into a new

biome, the Succulent Karoo. With the

change in geology comes various

mountain folds, rock formations and a diverse and beautiful landscape. That

evening after arriving at Bundi’s base

camp, learners will report back on

their day and present their research to

the group

Accommodation: Bundi base camp,

Orange River

Geology Highlights: Granite domes, Batholiths, fold mountains and Tors; Nama rock art and

Petroglyphs

Granite batholith dome, N7, near Springbok

Resistant horizontal strata, near Van

Rhynsdoorp

Day 4: Day one of paddling down the

Orange River provides learners a break

from travelling on the bus, as everyone

tries a less impacting mode of transport. As learners paddle on the scenic river,

they get to see a spectacular array of

rock formations as well as the flora and

fauna that changes along the

meandering

river. After paddling, the learners have a chance to swim and set up camp after

which, they take part in

team building and games.

Accommodation: River bank

Geology Highlights: Dwyka tillies,

Sedimentary Nama limestones, box and over folds, faulting and massive igneous intrusion

Over fold in Nama limestone

Day 5: Day two on the river learners

continue learning about the formations

that they see along the banks as they are

challenged by the rapids and have a fun

time exploring the river. Learners get to

wind down in the evening while watching the sunset and then take part

in their second night of games and team

building.

Accommodation: River bank

Geology Highlights: Dolerite dykes, Flurospar mine an

Flurospar mine digging for magic stones

Sunset view from the Flurospar mine

Day 6: Waking up at sunrise in the

morning

on the river allows for new shapes and

shadows due to the incredible rock formations.

Each day on the river is an adventure

and on

day three on the river the learners go

through the Shambok rapids, which are

caused by dolerite dykes and potholes. They also learn about the metamorphic

quartzite as they move through

spectacular

canyons.

Accommodation: River bank

Geology highlights: Alluvial diamond mine

Quartize Witches Hat

Sunrise every morning

Alluvial Diamond mine

Day 7: The last day on the river

paddling is spent viewing and exploring the alluvial terraces, as

well as seeing how water is pumped

from the river for neighboring farms

who sustain their livelihoods from

the river. Learners get to groom, shower and

get clean after 3 nights on the river.

Illegal mining in alluvial terrace

Accommodation Bundi base camp

Geology Highlights: Alluvial terrace mining,

Metamorphic lime stone, flood plain and the largest grape farm in

Massive water pump for Auzenkeer grape farm

Day 8: Today the learners leave the

Orange River and head towards the

2nd largest canyon in the world, The

Fish river Canyon. The group will be

able to experience the Giants

Playground Dolerite tors as they

enter a new environmental biome, from Succulent Karoo to Savannah.

Accommodation: Quiver tree forest

Geology Highlights: Quiver trees, Dolerite tors, Fish river Canyon

Students doing their work at the Fish river

canyon

Quiver trees at sunset

The Fish River Canyon

Day 9: Today the learners get to view

Augrabies waterfall. The fascinating

rock

formations along the river show the ever‐changing landscape, for example

the headward retreat and the potholes.

The students also get to look at the

history of the water flow, the floods and

what the river looks like during the

seasons in photographs and historical stats and facts. The leaners also get a

once in a lifetime opportunity to learn

about the myths and legends of

the Khoisan people.

Accommodation: Augrabies NP

Geology Highlights: Moon rock, Granite batholiths, superimposed drainage and tree climbing daisies

Augrabies waterfall

Augrabies river gorge heaward erosion

Day 10: As we head away from The Succulent Karoo and into the Savannah

Biome, the learners begin to see changes in the rock formations. Learners get to see the Kimberly BIG hole and learn about the mining industry in the area.

Learners have a chance to go on a tour and that evening there is a photo

competition.

Accommodation: Kimberly

Geology Highlights: The Kimberly Big Hole and Kimberlite Pipe

Day 11: Today the group travels home back to JHB. Learners will see a

continuous change of scenery due to the Savannah biome changing into

grasslands. Students reflect on their trip and say good byes.