The geology and natural resources expedition

OVERVIEW

Group size: Small group (max 12 participants)
Duration: 21 days / 20 nights
Best season: August – September
Physical intensity: Low to moderate (easy walks, site visits, long drives)
Accommodation mix: Hotels, lodges, tented camps and guest farms
Vehicle type: Comfortable expedition vehicles (4×4 where required)
 

DAY‑BY‑DAY HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1 Cape Town to Langebaan

 

Accommodation: Guest house/lodge
Meals: Own expense

The expedition begins along South Africa’s west coast with a visit to the Langebaan Lagoon and the Elandsfontein phosphate operation. This area forms part of the West Coast Fossil Park region, where marine sediments preserve important palaeo-environmental records. The Elandsfontein deposit provides insight into sedimentary phosphate formation and shallow marine mineralisation systems.

Day 2 Langebaan to Tankwa Karoo

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Entering the Tankwa Karoo, participants are introduced to the geology of the Karoo Basin, one of the world’s great sedimentary basins. The day focuses on basin evolution, depositional environments, and the tectonic controls that shaped the Karoo Supergroup. Evening discussions take place around camp under desert skies.

Day 3 Tankwa Karoo

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

A full day in the Tankwa Karoo with SanParks specialists exploring the geological and human history of this extreme landscape. The fieldwork highlights fluvial and aeolian sedimentation, dolerite intrusions, and the challenges of exploration in arid environments. Short walks allow close inspection of outcrops and structures.

Day 4 Tankwa Karoo to Cederberg

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE) 

The Cederberg introduces participants to sandstone-dominated stratigraphy and rugged fold structures. The focus is on exploration geology, examining mapping techniques, structural controls and regional prospectivity. Walking sections provide hands-on exposure to classic Cape Supergroup geology.

Day 5 Cederberg

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

A second day dedicated to exploration geology in the Cederberg, allowing deeper engagement with field mapping and interpretation. Participants gain insight into how regional geological understanding feeds into early-stage exploration decision-making. The day reinforces practical field skills in a remote mountain setting.

Day 6 Cederberg to Springbok

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

The route north enters the Namaqualand mining district, one of southern Africa’s most historically significant base-metal regions. An overview of regional geology is followed by a visit to the Okiep area, famous for copper mineralisation associated with the Namaqua Metamorphic Complex. The day links ancient crustal processes to modern mining.

Day 7 Springbok to Noordoewer in Namibia

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

A coastal and mining loop via Port Nolloth, Kleinzee and Alexander Bay highlights the geological controls on alluvial and marine diamond deposits. Crossing the bridge into Namibia at Oranjemund provides context on transboundary mineral systems. The day illustrates how coastal processes concentrate economic minerals.

Day 8 Noordoewer

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

A visit to copper exploration projects along the Orange River. Participants examine structural controls, host lithologies and exploration techniques used in copper prospecting. The session links regional geology to modern exploration strategy in frontier terrains.

Day 9 Noordoewer

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

A rest and activity day featuring a canoe trip on the Orange River. This provides perspective on fluvial processes, erosion, and sediment transport in shaping geological landscapes. The day balances physical activity with informal geological observation.

Day 10 Noordoewer to Hobas (Fish River Canyon)

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Walking along the rim of the Fish River Canyon reveals one of the world’s largest canyon systems. The geology showcases deeply eroded Proterozoic rocks and the immense timescales involved in landscape evolution. Participants explore tectonic uplift, erosion and river incision in an arid environment.

Day 11 Hobas (Fish River Canyon) to Sesriem

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Arrival at the Namib Desert, the world’s oldest desert system. Afternoon exploration of the Sesriem dunes focuses on aeolian processes, sediment transport and dune morphology. The setting provides a striking contrast between desert geology and mineral-rich terrains.

Day 12 Sesriem

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Early morning visit to Deadvlei, examining ancient clay pans surrounded by towering dunes. The afternoon explores Sesriem Canyon, carved by episodic flooding in an otherwise arid environment. The day highlights climate change, geomorphology and sediment preservation.

Day 13 Sesriem to Swakopmund

Accommodation: Basic accommodation
Meals: Own expense

Arrival in Swakopmund with an afternoon at leisure. This coastal town serves as a base for exploring Namibia’s uranium and rare earth element provinces. Time is provided for rest, research and informal networking.

Day 14 Swakopmund

Accommodation: Basic accommodation
Meals: B,L,D (own expense)

Field visits to uranium mines and rare earth exploration areas in the Central Namib. The day covers calcrete-hosted uranium systems, exploration challenges and environmental considerations. Participants gain insight into Namibia’s role in critical mineral supply.

Day 15 Swakopmund

Accommodation: Basic accommodation
Meals: B,L,D (own expense)

Exploration of the Moon Landscape and salt mining operations around Walvis Bay. The geology illustrates extreme weathering, erosion and evaporite formation. The salt works demonstrate industrial mineral extraction in coastal desert environments.

Day 16 Swakopmund to Brandberg

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Visit tin, lithium and other mineral project in the area. The focus is on pegmatite-hosted mineralisation, critical metals and modern mining redevelopment. The Brandberg backdrop adds geological and cultural significance to the day.

Day 17 Brandberg to Etosha (Okaukuejo)

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Introduction to the geology of Etosha, centred on the Etosha Pan and its saline system. Discussions cover basin development, calcrete formation and palaeo-hydrology. Evening game viewing highlights the link between geology and ecosystems.

Day 18 Etosha (Okaukuejo)

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

A full day of game viewing while reinforcing geological observations of the Etosha Basin. Participants explore how geology controls water availability, vegetation and wildlife distribution. The day blends natural science with conservation awareness.

Day 19  Etosha (Okaukuejo) to Windhoek

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: B,L,D (EE)

Travel to Windhoek via mountain passes showcasing Namibia’s complex structural geology. The drive offers continuous exposure to ancient basement rocks and tectonic features. Evening at leisure in the capital.

Day 20 | 20 July 2027 Windhoek

Accommodation: Guest House/lodge
Meals: Own expense

Final day focused on iron ore, lithium and copper exploration in the broader Windhoek region. Discussions centre on Namibia’s future resource potential and exploration investment landscape. The expedition concludes with a wrap-up session.

Day 21 | 21 July 2027

Fly out from Windhoek