Pied Piper Expeditions

Pied Piper Expeditions

Description

Pied Piper Expeditions is run by Prof. Steven Piper and Mrs. Andy Piper.
Prof. Piper has degrees in Chemical Engineering (B.Sc. Natal), Statistics (M.Sc. Witwatersrand) and Mathematics (Ph.D. University of Cape Town). After working in Industry for some years he lectured at three Universities, in four faculties and seven different academic departments! His research interests focused on birds and he studied the Longtailed (= Mountain) Wagtail (Motacilla clara) and Cape Griffon Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) for over 30 years. After retirement he was appointed Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Biological and Conservation Sciences at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

Mrs. Piper graduated from the then University of Natal with a B.A. in English and Geography, a B.A. Honours and M.A. in Geography and a teaching diploma. After teaching and doing the ‘motherhood and apple pie’ thing (hence her prowess as a chef and hostess!) she worked for the Church as a pastoral assistant for over a decade.

Pied Piper Expeditions is based in the tranquil village of Underberg with a stupendous view of the southern Drakensberg including the twin Hodgson’s Peaks (also called ‘Giant’s Cup’); often snow-covered in winter.

BIRD AND FLOWER EXPEDITIONS:

 Movable feasts’: These expeditions can take place at anytime to suit the guests who make up their own parties. These itineraries are illustrative and can be modified to suit the guests’ individual requirements.
‘Fixed feasts’: ‘Fixed feasts’: These expeditions place on specific dates and potential guests sign up on an individual basis. These itineraries, dates and prices are fixed. Should you wish to book out an entire expedition at a date to suit your own group then please feel free to contact us.

MOVEABLE FEASTS

Arrive on the Friday afternoon for tea on the Peanut-butter patio and a pleasant hour watching sunbirds buzzing around the feeders at close range. Saturday: a dawn departure for a day up Sani Pass and into Lesotho looking for all the high-altitude endemic and special birds: Drakensberg (= Orange-breasted) Rockjumper - Drakensberg Siskin - Mountain and African Rock Pipits - Bearded and Cape Griffon Vultures etc.; return at dusk to Underberg. Before dawn on Sunday travel to a mist-belt forest to listen for the crepuscular Orange Ground Thrush - Cape Parrot and other elusive forest birds thence to a mist-belt grassland to seek the world’s second rarest swallow: the Blue Swallow. Return to Underberg for a hearty brunch and depart for home well satisfied. This expedition is best during summer from late-September through to early March. Guides: Prof. Steven Piper and/or Mr. Stuart Maclean.. Price is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four) - cross-border fees - accommodation - tea/coffee & meals. Note: the larger the party the lower the price per person.

OVERNIGHT SANI PASS BIRD WATCHING "WEEKEND" EXPEDITION

 Arrive on the Friday afternoon for tea on the Peanut-butter patio and watch or photograph the birds coming to the feeders until dusk. At dawn on Saturday depart for a full day up Sani Pass and into Lesotho looking for all the high-altitude endemic and special birds: Drakensberg (= Orange-breasted) Rockjumper - Drakensberg Siskin - Mountain and African Rock Pipits - Bearded and Cape Griffon Vultures etc. Stay overnight at the Sani Top Chalet “The highest pub in Africa”. Bird watch in Lesotho at almost 3000m from dawn on the Sunday morning looking for those ‘specials’ possibly missed on the Saturday. Staying overnight gives the keen bird watcher an extra TEN hours of daylight in Lesotho to seek for alpine ‘specials’! Return to Underberg at mid-day for a light lunch. This expedition is best during summer from late-September through to mid-March. Guide: Prof. Steven Piper or Mr. Stuart Maclean. The price includes local travel (in a four-by-four) - cross-border fees - accommodation - tea/coffee & meals. Note: the larger the party the

lower the price per person.

CRANES AND VULTURES "WEEKEND" EXPEDITION

 Arrive on Friday afternoon for tea on the Peanut-butter patio and enjoy the sunbirds - insectivores and seedeaters indulging themselves on the feeders. At dawn on Saturday depart for full day’s bird watching in KwaZulu-Natal and East Griqualand visiting farms which are 'crane friendly' looking for flocks of Wattled - Southern Grey Crowned and Blue Cranes; one of the few places where you can see all three species of southern Africa's cranes. Meet with one or more local farmers who ‘farm with cranes’ and learn how they value these and other large birds. Look also for Secretarybirds - bustards - larks and pipits. Return to Underberg at dusk for dinner. On Sunday depart for a vulture restaurant for a mornings’ viewing of Cape Griffon Vultures and possibly Bearded Vultures (=Lammergeyer). Return at mid-day for a light lunch. This expedition is best during the autumn when the cranes form large flocks from late-March through to mid-July. Guides: Prof. Steven Piper and/or Mr. Stuart Maclean. The price is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four) - accommodation tea/coffee and meals. Note: the larger the party the lower the price per person.

LUXURY BIRD WATCHING "WEEKEND" EXPEDITION

 Come to the Southern Drakensberg and stay in the most luxurious accommodation overlooking magnificent mountain peaks and where you will be served the finest foods and wines. On Saturday your guide will fetch you (and your partner or party) for an exclusive tour up Sani Pass into Lesotho for the day and will return you at dusk for your candle-light dinner. On Sunday morning your guide will return to conduct you around the estate for a gentle morning’s bird watching. After lunch you may return home feeling well satisfied and pampered! This expedition is best during summer - i.e. from late September through to early March. Guides: Prof. Steven Piper or one of his associates. The price is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by four) - luxury accommodation - all meals (including wine with dinner) - your guide and cross-border fees.Note: the larger the party the lower the price per person.

SCENIC SPLENDOUR

Explore dramatic beautiful scenery in Lesotho while experiencing the culture of the Mountain Kingdom. View magnificent San Rock Art caves and seek out special birds. Expedition starts and ends in Underberg. Spend three nights in majestic Sehlaba-thebe National Park (SNP) where you'll visit wonderful San Rock Art shelters - walk to a beautiful waterfall and explore and photograph many sandstone arches. From SNP travel up Matabeng Pass (2940m) to Mashai traversing some of Lesotho’s roughest terrain. From Mashai to Molumong takes you over Menoaneng Pass (3045m) through picturesque countryside. Visit Mokhotlong - capital of the eastern highlands on the last day and spend that night in the lap of luxury at Sani Top Chalet! Guides: Prof. S.E. Piper & Mr. Matthew Wiggle. The price is per person sharing and includes local travel (in a four-by-four) - cross-border fees - accommodation - meals (including wine with dinner) - tea/coffee and guiding.

BOKONG IN AUTUMN

Bokong National Park (BNP) is in the north of Lesotho and was created as part of the Highlands Water Project and is the most beautiful alpine reserve in southern Africa. On this exploratory expedition you will traverse the Mountain Kingdom from north to south visiting BNP - Katse Dam - Mokhotlong and Sani Pass. This expedition will be in autumn which is the best time of year for photography. This expedition is a training exercise for Mr. Jone Hlojeng a trainee guide. Guides: Prof. S.E. Piper & Mr. Jone Hlojeng. The price is per person sharing and includes local travel (in a four-by-four) - cross-border fees - accommodation - meals (including wine with dinner) - tea/coffee and guiding.

ROAD MUNROS OF LESOTHO

 Satruday 20th September to Sunday 28th September 2008: eight nights and eight days

A Scottish Munro is a peak over 3000’ (914m). Currently 284 are recognised with 227 subsidiary Tops. To really experience HIGH altitudes visit the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho with a minimum altitude of 4900’ (1500m)! We’ll take you to the seven Road Munros of Lesotho - road passes over 9250’ (2820m). You’ll have the opportunity to explore each one and will visit two National Parks - beautiful waterfalls - highest hydroelectric power station and dam in southern Africa - highest diamond mine in the world and will traverse southern Africa’s most spectacular scenery. You’ll end by climbing Thabana Ntlenyana at 11 424’ (3482m) - the highest peak south of the equator in Africa. Guides: Prof. S.E. Piper & Mr. Matthew Wiggle. The price is per person sharing and includes local travel (in a four-by-four) - cross-border fees - accommodation - meals (including wine with dinner) - tea/coffee and guiding.

DIGITAL BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY - PHOTO SAFARI

 Without a doubt Albert Froneman and Chris van Rooyen are among the finest bird photographers in the land! They hold digital bird photography courses in the major centres of South Africa throughout the year and come to Underberg once a year to run a practical photo-safari. We have a garden where we encourage birds by providing a variety of foods for them in ways which makes it easy for photographers to capture good images. We take the course attendees up Sani Pass into Lesotho and to other localities where they can develop their photographic skills. Guides: Mr. Albert Froneman or Mr. Chris van Rooyen. The price is per person sharing and includes local travel (in a four-by-four) - cross-border fees - accommodation - meals (including wine with dinner) - tea/coffee and expert tuition. Note that there are only two vacancies left!

SEHLABA-THEBE NATIONAL PARK:  BIRDS AND FLOWERS

Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November 2008: three nights and three days.

Sehlaba-thebe National Park (SNP) is at an altitude of about 2400m in the sub-alpine zone and is famous for its high-altitude tarns (= shallow lakes) with their associated flora and for the exquisite seven sandstone arches which are photographically exciting. The alpine special and endemic birds include Drakensberg Siskin - Bearded Vulture (= Lammergeyer) etc. plus some sub-alpine specials such as Cape Eagle Owl - Ground Woodpecker - Yellow-breasted Pipit etc. Late spring i.e. November will find us among the spring flowers and the displaying - courting and breeding birds. We will spend one night in Underberg; half-a-day travelling to SNP via Ramatseliso’s Pass - two nights at SNP and then a day returning to Underberg. Exploration in the SNP which is about 6500 ha in extent will be on foot but at a gentle pace! Guides: Dr. Elsa Pooley - Prof. Steven Piper and Mr. Matthew Wiggill. The price is per person sharing and is inclusive of local travel - accommodation - tea/coffee - meals (including wine with dinner) and guiding.

 MIST-BELT FOREST:  BIRDS AND TREES

n November the KwaZulu-Natal mist-belt forests will resound with the calls of Narina Trogon - Cape Parrot - Orange Ground Thrush etc. Before dawn you’ll hear the calls of littler birds like White-starred Robin-chat - Buff-spotted Flufftail etc. These exciting birds are to be found in primeval Afromontane mist-belt forests where among the dominant trees we’ll find Podocarpus henkelii and P. latifolius. Your guides will show you these forest delights as well as beautiful flowering trees such as Calodendrum capensis and flowering shrubs such as Plectranthus species. Special attention will be paid to those plants which produce flowers or fruits attractive to birds – such as Halleria lucida. Guides: Dr. Elsa Pooley and Prof. Steven Piper. The price is per person sharing and is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by four) - accommodation - tea/coffee - meals (including wine with dinner) and guiding.

BEGINNERS BIRDING

Come to the rolling - gentle - verdant and bucolic countryside around Creighton in the midlands of southern KwaZulu-Natal for three days of introductory lectures and field trips to learn about bird watching – the fastest growing hobby in the world. You will visit farm gardens - farmyards - pastures - dams - mist-belt grasslands and mist-belt forests with two of the regions’ most enthusiastic bird guides. Together we will see many different bird species from common or garden sparrows through to the thrilling Cape Parrot and rare Blue Swallow. You will be guided throughout in small groups (never more than five per guide) and will get individual attention all the time. This is an excellent time to be in this region as all the species are breeding and displaying and calling with abandon! This is also a wonderful time to see and experience the region's abundant veld flowers. Guides: Mr. Malcolm Gemmell and Prof. Steven Piper. The price is per person sharing and is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four) - accommodation tea/coffee - meals - lectures and guiding.

LESOTHO:  BIRDS AND FLOWERS

 Expect to see the alpine special - rare and endemic birds. In January 2007 we saw nearly 100 species of bird including Drakensberg (= Orange-breasted) Rockjumper - Drakensberg Siskin - Mountain Pipit etc. The flowering plants are unusually diverse and most are endemic - only found in this region. In January 2007 we saw over 220 flowering species! We should see orchids - harebells (Dierama) - root parasites (e.g. Harveya) etc. We will spend a night in Underberg - a day up Sani & Black Mountain Passes - two nights at the Sani Pass Chalet 'The highest pub in Africa'; go deep into the interior of the Maloti Mountains and a day walking down Sani Pass. The final Sunday night in Underberg is optional but included in the price. Guides: Dr. Elsa Pooley and Prof. Steven Piper. The price is per person sharing and is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by four) - accommodation - tea/coffee - meals (including wine with dinner) and guiding.

ALPINE FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY

Going up Sani Pass into Lesotho in January takes one into a zone of alpine flowers many of which are endemic to the Eastern Mountain Region. On this expedition you should see well over 100 different flowering species and will get the opportunity to photograph many of them. We will crawl along at a snail’s pace giving everyone the opportunity to photograph flowers to their heart’s content! Your photographic guide will be Mrs. Christeen Grant who is a local expert on the flora of the region - a botanical artist and illustrator and well-known flower photographer. We will spend a night in Underberg - a day up Sani & Black Mountain Passes - two nights at the Sani Pass Chalet 'The highest pub in Africa'; go deep into the interior of the Maloti Mountains and a day walking down Sani Pass. The final Sunday night in Underberg is optional but is included in the price. Expedition leader will be Prof. Steven Piper. The party is limited to four guests ands the price is per person sharing and is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four) - accommodation tea/coffee - meals (including wine with dinner) and guiding. Please note that this expedition is now fully booked.

MARCH MEGA TWITCH

 Thursday 26th February to Sunday 1st March 2009: Three nights and three days.

 OTHER EXPEDITIONS

eriatric mountain biking expedition

From 16h00 on a Friday afternoon through to mid-day on a Sunday (does not have to run over a weekend): Two nights and one and a half days of touring. Dates to be set in consultation with guests.

Let us take you to the very top of the mountains and you'll ride down again while we follow you with Band-aid - Old Brown Sherry - Muffins and Hot Chocolate! While you are cycling along the many dirt roads in Lesotho looking at the magnificent scenery we will drive close behind to ensure your safety. We will transport up to six persons and their mountain bikes into Lesotho via Sani Pass or Ramatseliso’s Gate and take care of all your accommodation and hospitality requirements. This expedition is best during the cooler months of autumn from mid-March through to the first snow storms in late June. Expedition leader: Prof. Steven Piper. Party is limited to six guests and their bikes and the cost includes local travel (in a four-by-four vehicle with specially equipped trailer) - cross-border fees - accommodation - tea/coffee - meals (including wine with dinner) and transport of your mountain bikes. There are NO extra charges. You must supply your own mountain bikes.

Fly fishing in Lesotho

From 16h00 on a Friday afternoon through to mid-day on a Sunday (does not have to run over a weekend): Two nights and one and a half days of fishing. Dates to be set in consultation with guests.

Lesotho’s high mountain streams harbour high densities of trout which have not been subject to sport fishing for many years. Arrive on the Friday evening for dinner in Underberg. At dawn on Saturday depart for Lesotho via Sani Pass. You will be along a river fishing from 10h00 on Saturday through to dusk and then again from dawn on Sunday until 13h00. We will arrange all your accommodation - food and local travel and will provide you with a local person to act as your guide and guard. This expedition is best during autumn after the heavy summer rains have finished - from early March through to the end of the season at the end of May. You must provide your own rods and fishing equipment. Expedition leader: Prof. Steven Piper. Party is limited to six guests and the cost is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four with trailer) - cross-border fees - accommodation - tea/coffee - meals (including wine with your dinner) - fishing licence - guides and guards.

San rock art expedition

From 16h00 on a Friday afternoon through to mid-day on a Sunday (does not have to run over a weekend): Two nights and one and a half days of touring. Dates to be set in consultation with guests.

In the Southern Drakensberg and adjacent areas of Lesotho are to be found some of the finest examples of Rock Art produced by the San People; some less than 130 years ago while other examples go back thousands of years. This rock art is among the very best in the world and is accessible to anyone willing to walk a few hours into the mountains. Arrive on the Friday afternoon for dinner in Underberg at 19h00. Soon after dawn on Saturday depart for full day’s exploration of San Rock Art sites in the district. On the Sunday there will be a half-day walk looking at a site close to the Underberg Village. This expedition is best during the cooler and drier months when walking in the mountains is a pleasure: i.e. from early March through to mid-July. Expedition leader will be Prof. Steven Piper or one of his associates. Party is limited to six guests and the cost is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four) - accommodation - meals (including wine with your dinner) - guiding and entrance fees.

Hiking in the mountains.

From 16h00 on a Friday afternoon through to mid-day on a Sunday (does not have to run over a weekend): Two nights and one and a half days of hiking. Dates to be set in consultation with guests.

The Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho offer some of the most exciting walks and hikes anywhere in southern Africa. These can range from a simple morning's stroll through to a week-long hike while accommodation can vary between a comfortable bed in a warm house to sleeping on the ground in a deep cave! Food can be supplied in your cosy B&B or you can bring along your own iron-rations! Guide: Prof. Steven Piper and/or one of his associates. For one night in the Pied Piper Expeditions guest cottage and one night at the Sani Top Chalet and one and a half day’s of hiking in the mountains the cost is inclusive of local travel (in a four-by-four) - accommodation - tea/coffee - meals (inclusive of wine with your dinner) - entrance fees and guiding.

Pony trekking in the mountains.

From 16h00 on a Thursday afternoon through to late on Sunday (does not have to run over a weekend). departing early on Monday morning: Four nights and three days of trekking. Dates to be set in consultation with guests

Climb on your horse and head out over the Drakensberg Mountains into Lesotho leaving behind the hustle and bustle of your work-a-day life. Enter the clean and pure mountain air and forget about the noise of traffic and the deadlines of urban life. Spend the first night in Underberg and we will get you to your starting point the next day and arrange your three full days in the mountains taking care of your food and arranging your accommodation in the Maloti Mountains of Lesotho. We will fetch you when you come down the mountains and you will spend the fourth night in Underberg before returning home invigorated and refreshed! Guide: Prof. Steven Piper and/or one of his associates. The total cost includes all local transport - food - hire of horses - accommodation and guiding.