The Cradle of Mankind: South Africa
A Study of Human Ancestry with the Scholars who are at the Cutting Edge
The study of our early ancestors and the search for human origins probably touches on the most fundamental questions we can possibly ask. Who are we and where do we come from? Despite the fact that the investigation is sown with political and cultural mine-fields and riven with dissent, it is also one of the most dynamic subjects in modern science. New discoveries, new methods of dating, new analytical techniques all add to the constantly changing aspects of this fascinating pursuit.
Our tour of South Africa focuses on the physical evidence – the sites, the scholars and the skeletal remains which have shaped our understanding of our own evolution – and on the ecological framework in which these events took place.
We shall visit Taung, from where the first hominid ever was described by Prof. Raymond Dart in 1925, and Sterkfontein, the largest hominid site in the world, and talk to the team who are currently excavating here. We shall also see the original specimens on which the whole study is based.
In order to understand the context of these events we shall spend time in one of the finest game reserves in Southern Africa, at Madikwe on the Limpopo.
No prior knowledge of the subject is needed. The background will be filled in for you on the tour.
Itinerary
- Day 1
- Evening check-in at Heathrow for overnight fight to Johannesburg.
- Day 2
- Morning arrival in Pretoria and transfer to the Aluvi Hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Evening briefing on the tour and the significance of Southern Africa. Overnight at the Aluvi House Boutique Hotel, Pretoria.
- Day 3
- Morning visit to the site of Sterkfontein with Professor Ron Clarke to see the results of over sixty years of excavation and to learn about the recent exciting discoveries. Afternoon visit to Swartkrans and Kromdraai with Professor Francis Thakeray. Overnight Overnight Aluvi House Hotel, Pretoria.
- Day 4
- Visit to the Museum of Natural History in Pretoria to see the original specimens of the Australopithecines discovered in South Africa. Afternoon visit to the University of the Witwatersrand to see the original of the Taung skull, the most famous of all hominids and learn about its discovery. Overnight Overnight Aluvi House Hotel, Pretoria.
- Day 5
- Morning visit to the Bernard Price Institute of Paleontology. Afternoon transfer south to the Vaal-Hartz area and the Protea Christiana.
- Day 6
- Visit to the Buxton Norlim Lime quarries where the Taung skull, the first ever recognised evidence of our own evolution, was discovered in November 1925. Overnight at the Protea.
- Day 7
- Early start for a long morning transfer the Limpopo River and Madikwe Game Reserve on the border with Botswana. Madikwe is home to 66 large mammal species including the Big Five and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species. It is one of South Africa's largest game reserves with several breeding herds of elephant. Check in to Madikwe River Lodge . Afternoon game drive. Overnight Madikwe.
- Day 8
- Full day in Madikwe. Surrounded by 75 000 hectares of malaria-free African sand veld, this luxury lodge is ideally positioned on the Groot Marico River in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve. Morning and afternoon game drives considering the background of human evolution in Africa. Overnight Madikwe.
- Day 9
- Full day in Madikwe, with morning and afternoon game drives. We consider how our ancestors survived against overwhelming odds. Overnight Madikwe.
- Day 10
- After an early morning game experience followed by brunch, drive back to Johannesburg airport for evening flight to London Heathrow.
- Day 11
- Morning arrival in Heathrow.
There will be opportunities for add-on safaris in South Africa, Botswana and other parts of Southern Africa
Tour Details
- DATE:
- 7—17 May 2012
- PRICE:
- £3,395 from London* per person sharing
- INCLUDES:
- Airfare from London, twin or double bedded rooms with private bathroom, and all excursions with local guides, UK departure tax, transfers, full board, all visits & entrance fees, expert leader. Single supplement £595. (Can be joined without flight).
- NOT INCLUDED:
Regional connecting flights if not departing from London, other airline taxes (UK passenger service charge, security tax, insurance, foreign departure tax, fuel surcharges), drinks, tips to drivers & local guides.
*May be joined without flights. Ask us for the land-only price.
- ACCOMMODATION:
The hotels and game reserve are in our experience very comfortable.
Aluvi House Boutique Hotel, Pretoria. is the first Boutique Hotel / Guest House to offer all services of four star hotels as well as the personalised service of a five star guesthouse in this 20 bedroom property. You will experience a homely South African style offering luxurious accommodation, exceptional culinary experience. The Protea in Christiana is a modern 3* hotel situated in lush surroundings of the Vaal River, 3km north of Christiana, on the N12 treasure route Highway. The hotel renowned for its friendly and efficient service is the perfect stop-over from Gauteng.It is the best available. Madikwe River Lodge is surrounded by 75 000 hectares of malaria-free African sand veld, and is luxury lodge is ideally positioned on the Groot Marico River in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve. The Lodge has 16 thatched chalets all en suite with private viewing decks.
- FITNESS LEVEL:
Moderate - We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Moderate. This is quite a full itinerary, with some long days and a reasonable amount of travelling by road. Whilst sightseeing we may be on the go for several hours at one time, in some places without the guarantee of somewhere to stop and rest. It is important that everyone is able to keep up with the group as we need to keep together on walks. For these reasons we feel this tour is unsuitable for the frail or for anyone who routinely uses a walking frame or wheelchair. If unsure, please check with us.
Trip Lecturer
Dr David Price Williams FRGS, Directed an environmental research project in southern Africa for 15 years and has led many alumni trips to Southern Africa.
David was a lecturer at the University of London for more than thirty years teaching, amongst other related subjects, Human Evolution. His fieldwork has been in the subject of the effects of climatic change over the last 5 million years on human evolution, both physical and cultural. He directed a fieldwork project for 15 years in this regard, with accompanying scientists from the University of Oxford and London. He is a Life Member of the Southern African Quaternary Research Association (SASQUA).
Fast facts
- Sovereignty: South Africa is a Republic
- Language: English, Afrikaans, IsiNdebele and 8 other native languages.
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
- Timezone: South Africa is GMT +2 hours so in British summertime will be 1 hour ahead of the UK.
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Immunisations: NHS Fit for Travel recommends that all travellers to South Africa should confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly). Parts of South Africa are Malarial however no part of this tour enters a Malaria area so prophylaxis need not be taken. Additionally, the following courses or boosters are usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; hepatitis A; influenza A (H1N1).
Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; rabies; cholera; typhoid.
Note: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission (i.e. not direct from the UK).
- Visas: A visa is not required for USA, UK and other EU passport holders, however you MUST have at least two facing blank pages in your passport or you will be refused admission. Other nationalities may require a visa - please check with your local consulate.
- Flying time: 12 hours to Johannesburg, direct from London.
- Will my phone work: South Africa uses the 900 & 1800 MHz bandwidth so almost all UK phones will work there as long as your provider has authorised its use abroad. Rural areas may have diminished or no service.
Extensions in South Africa
We recommend ending your tour with an exciting three night safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana where Big 5 abound. We can also arrange stays in the Kruger National Park or for those with more time, exciting private journeys in Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique. Visit our tailor-made Southern Africa pages for more information.
