cape town to johannesburg overland geology tour
TRANSCRIPT
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.