Expiry: 
Sunday, July 9, 2017 - 00:00
 

For those who love the outdoors and wide open spaces, are fascinated by all things natural and have a desire to learn, the annual Friends fossil trip to the Karoo is for you.

Once again we are privileged to have Professor Roger Smith lead us on a fossil dig in the Nieu Bethesda area where we will be staying at Ganora Guest Farm. (Please note that this guest house has limited space, therefore accommodation has to be on a shared basis. We are limited to 25 people only, including Roger and his assistant).

This year we will visit the Ou Wapads Pass to see the Permian/Triassic extinction boundary (yes, the actual layer signifying this event) and visit Wellwood, the Rubidge family farm.

We can’t guarantee that you will find fossils but we can assure you that a world-class scientist will teach you how to go about finding them. We can also guarantee lots of clean, fresh air, congenial company and an opportunity to escape the pressures of daily life in the city. An extra bonus is enjoying the Karoo off the beaten track. We will visit isolated farms far from anywhere with few signs of life.

Although finding fossils is not easy, once one get the hang of it this becomes much easier. Even amateurs have a chance of making a major discovery. However, if you don’t find anything, wandering around isolated koppies, seeing all manner of different plants and insects with the only sound being birds or the occasional sheep makes this a unique experience.

This trip begins on Wednesday 5 July. On the first evening Roger will give a brief talk on what to expect. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are spent in the field on different farms. Each day starts with a hearty breakfast after which we head out for the day. Lunch is enjoyed in the field.

The drive from Cape Town takes about ten hours and is tarred all the way. As we prefer to limit the number of vehicles, please contact me if you require or are able to offer a lift.

To secure your booking, please respond by email to: samfriends@iziko.org.za

Cost: Members sharing R4 000, Non-members sharing R4 500

Dates: Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 July 2017

 
Category: 
Events Exhibitions Tours
 
Created
Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 12:47
 
 

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