Category: South Africa

  • Uitspankraal, A Little Oasis in the Biedouw Valley, Cederberg

    Uitspankraal, A Little Oasis in the Biedouw Valley, Cederberg

    At the far end of the Biedouw valley, way out in the Western Cape near the Cederberg there’s a little a handwritten sign on a hillside letting you know you’re still on the right route…

  • OFF-GRID HOMESTEADING South Africa-style

    OFF-GRID HOMESTEADING South Africa-style

    Gavin and Janine have created a little bit of magic in the hills beyond Nelspruit (or Mbombela as it is known today). What was once bushveld is now a sustainable, off-grid homestead.

  • What is The Magic of the Karoo?

    What is The Magic of the Karoo?

    So what is the appeal of living on the moon? A flat and empty, dry and hot, featureless and dusty wasteland? Strange place, the Karoo.

  • Pilanesberg National Park & Manyane Resort, South Africa

    Pilanesberg National Park & Manyane Resort, South Africa

    The only thing that can top an African night is an African morning. In contrast to the hasty retreat in the evening, the sun takes its time to greet the chilly dawn. And Manyane campsite offers the perfect jump-off point to explore Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

  • Muzi Pan Canoeing: Zulu Culture, Hippos, Wetland Creatures

    Muzi Pan Canoeing: Zulu Culture, Hippos, Wetland Creatures

    During our stay at Leopard Walk Lodge, Janet and Rob organised a guided canoeing trip for us with Temba, a Zulu guide who is perhaps the epitome of responsible eco-tourism.

  • Orpen bush walk in Kruger Park

    Orpen bush walk in Kruger Park

    In the hot, baking sun we drudged ourselves, albeit rather willingly, behind two armed game rangers from Orpen Camp in the Kruger National Park.

  • Elephant Roadblock in Kruger Park

    March 2008. It was hot! About 32 degrees and no wind at all. The region we were driving through was dry and dusty. We were on route to Shingwedzi camp and it was around 3 pm. We needed to keep going at a steady pace if we were going to make camp before the gates […]

  • Self-drive (Tips) Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

    Self-drive (Tips) Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

    On my birthday, Marcel and I headed out to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, about 40-min drive from Leopard Walk Lodge where we were staying. We arrived nice and early as the gates opened, and after signing in, we were rewarded with a lovely sighting of warthogs right at the gates. What a fab start to the […]

  • Roadtrip Itinerary Full Coast of South Africa (DIARY)

    Roadtrip Itinerary Full Coast of South Africa (DIARY)

    The roadtrip plan was simple – we wanted to see as much of the coastline of South Africa as possible, as we were emigrating to Europe

  • Diving career dreams end with a tiger shark dive in Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas

    Diving career dreams end with a tiger shark dive in Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas

    To finish off our intensive scuba training, ‘sea dog’ dive leader Walter took us to “Eels Skins” at 15m depth on Aliwal Shoal, to dive with tiger sharks

  • Shore-entry Navigation Dive

    Shore-entry Navigation Dive

    As part of our scuba diving instructor training, we completed a rather scary shore-entry navigation dive after the flooding in Umkomaas, KwaZulu Natal