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Africa
  • Erika Lloyd
  • Erika Lloyd

Africa

Seventeen days - 5* Safari plus luxury Rovos Rail from Victoria Falls to Cape Town. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 2, 2024
    Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Singapore Airport

    On the way

    May 2, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Long travel day today having departed Brisbane at 2:45pm for Singapore (in transit there 4 hours), followed by a 10 hour flight to Johannesburg only to be in transit there for another 5 hours. I won't complain about coffee prices in Oz after seeing that a cappuccino costs AUD10 at Singapore Airport!!Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd

    Victoria Falls Day 1

    May 3–6, 2024 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    With its red dirt and dry conditions, Zimbabwe reminds me a lot of outback Australia, no gum trees though. Our lodge is a beautiful rambling timber construction with no fences. Wild life is free to roam so going out after dark has its risks. Instead we sat on the balcony enjoying refreshments as we kept our eyes peeled for action. Being exhausted after all the travelling, we went to bed quite early with hope of an exciting adventure tomorrow.Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Ready for a feed

    Victoria Falls Day 2

    May 4, 2024 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    So exciting for 11 of us who did the Elephant Experience this morning. We started the day at 6:30 am with a 30 minute drive to the elephant sanctuary. Along the road we passed lots of competitors in a local marathon race. They must have started in the dark to beat the building heat.
    While the 12 elephants in the sanctuary aren't roaming totally free, the sanctuary is a huge natural reserve with many animals. The elephants are looked after by game keepers so we were able to walk amongst these beautiful creatures under their watchful eyes. What a joy to be up and close to such beautiful creatures.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    1
    1

    A visit to the Falls

    May 4, 2024 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    With no time to rest after the elephant experience, it was time to visit the famous Victoria Falls. Even though the lower end of the falls is just starting to dry out after a very dry summer, the main part was mind blowingly beautiful as huge amounts of water cascaded down from the Zambezi River. Clear blue skies and a hot day made taking photos a dream even with the "rain" from the falls occasionally drenching us as we walked around the 3km pathway to the 18 viewpoints, each one having a unique and very wet view. Thank goodness for my Kathmandu poncho as the heavy plastic ones which were handed out at the entrance must have been made for giants - long and heavy 😳.
    A helicopter flight over the falls gave us a totally different perspective of the immensity of Victoria Falls. So much water in an otherwise parched countryside.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Elephant on side of road
    Chobe River LodgeImpalaHippos grazingCrocodile11

    Chobe River Cruise, Botswana

    May 5, 2024 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    A 70 km journey took us to the Botswana border where went through immigration. The huge difference in infrastructure between Zimbabwe & Botswana was immediately noticed. Roads were much better maintained here and the general feeling was one of prosperity compared with the poverty in Zimbabwe. A short drive brought us to the very glamorous Chobe River Lodge for our cruise on the river, then lunch at the lodge.Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Look what came to greet us

    Chobe River Game Park

    May 5, 2024 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    What a fabulous afternoon at the game park! The elephants must have got the memo that we were coming and headed to the water's edge for a family fun afternoon. Some of the calves were only a few days old.Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
    Elephants Walk Mall

    Zimbabwe to Johannesburg

    May 6, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    A leisurely breakfast this morning gave us a chance to enjoy the pleasant surroundings from the dining room as we gazed upon the scenery and watched some wildlife doing their thing.
    On the way to the airport we spent a leisurely hour at the local market where we were loudly and aggressively encouraged to buy local artefacts. I managed to withstand the temptation of taking home a heavy stone giraffe or elephant 😳
    Accommodation tonight was at the Protea Marriott near Johannesburg Airport. Alcohol is very cheap in South Africa - might have to start drinking to save money 🤣. A Kahlua at our hotel was only r26 (approx $2.13) so I had to have one as a nightcap 😴    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd

    Pilanesberg Game Reserve

    May 7, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is a provincial park in South Africa, northwest of Johannesburg. It’s set in an extinct volcanic crater, with grasslands, wooded valleys and multihued rock formations. Wildlife includes elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos. We're staying at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge in a cute little bungalow in the bush. We have been warned to keep doors and windows closed because mischievous monkeys can make a big mess in the room, especially of one's toiletries!
    Lunch was very posh affair (see photo of menu) in the equally posh dining room. Thank goodness the portions were small!!

    On our late afternoon safari drive, we were fortunate enough to see giraffes and rhinos, however the elusive lions were nowhere to be seen even though our guide found the footprints. Maybe tomorrow's dawn drive might be more successful.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    RhinosOur cabin1WarthogRhino

    Day 2 Pilanesberg Game Reserve

    May 8, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Up at 5 am and departed at 6 for a 4 hour safari 🥱. While it was a reasonably comfortable 13°, having no sides to our safari vehicle, the wind chill factor made it feel much cooler. So pleased I brought my beanie and gloves. Our guide Thembo was determined to find lions but still no luck. Instead we had to settle for giraffes, elephants, white rhinos & baby, wildebeest, hartebeest, hippos and a multitude of birds.

    Another delicious late lunch, a bit of relaxation around the pool and we were off again at 4 pm for our evening safari. Got lucky this time with a sighting of a dazzle of zebras in the late afternoon sun. Brilliant!!
    Still no lions sightings until we heard a kerfuffle of roars and trumpeting only to come upon an altercation between a herd of elephants and a lion or two. Amid much dust and noise, the elephants were trying to protect their babies from being eaten by the lion. Thankfully the elephants succeeded. There was so much dust it was impossible to get a clear photo. At least we got a glimpse and heard them.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    The entrance

    Day 3 at Pilanesberg Game Reserve

    May 9, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    After the early morning start yesterday and not sleeping all that well which is normal for me when away 🤷🏼‍♀️, I decided to miss the 6am Safari and catch up on a bit of sleep. So now I'm sitting in the sun enjoying a delicious cappuccino while I await the return of the others.Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Zebra crossing
    Angry elephant looking for a mateLeopard well camouflaged

    Day 3 Pilanesberg cont.

    May 9, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    I might have missed out on seeing the lion this morning but this afternoon's game drive made up for it. A rare sighting of a leopard relaxing in the long grass beside the road made our day. He stayed put for quite a while sniffing the air for the scent of nearby Impala, eventually moving off for the kill.
    Zebras crossing the road nearby gave real meaning to the term Zebra Crossing.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd

    Pilanesberg to Pretoria

    May 10–11, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    A very early start today as we said farewell to the beautiful Ivory Tree Game Lodge and were transported to Pretoria for the next part of our adventure - 3 nights on the Rovos train, the pride of South Africa and a little bit of old world luxury.
    Unfortunately the rail systems in South Africa don't run as efficiently as they should. Trains frequently break down and as there is only one single track, the train behind is often held up.
    This is exactly what happened to us. We crawled out of the dedicated Rovos station, went a few kms to Pretoria, backed up a couple of times, then stopped. Our locomotive had broken down so now we had to wait for a new loco to come up from Capetown. Eventually some time through the night we started moving again only to go about 100km before stopping again, this time due to a train breaking down ahead of us. As I'm writing this, after having been stationary for 5 hours we have just been informed that the broken train is gone and we are free to move as soon as we get clearance. Yeay 🎉
    Our cabin is tiny but well equipped. In hindsight we should have opted for the next level up which would have given us more room to spread out.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Caramellised pear saladStuffed chicken thighsRoquefort cheeseOrange CharlotteThe amazing kitchen staff

    Rovos Rail Day 2

    May 11, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    On the move again ..... for a short time anyway!! I feel sorry for the train manager who has to keep making up excuses for why we are stopping so much. So nothing much to report today except some photos of the exquisite meals we are being served. Way too much food!!!Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Entry to The Big HoleBocconcini, melon and avocado saladKingklip on Tabouleh salad

    Rovos Rail Day 3

    May 12, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We are so far behind schedule with all the stoppages that we won't be able to see the pretty Dutch township of Matjiesfontein in daylight. However having finally reached Kimberly at 7:30 this morning, the visitors centre of the historic diamond mine was opened especially for us, not surprising really as the privately run Rovos Rail is their best customer. In spite of the literal red carpet welcome and the glorious day, I found Kimberley to be a very depressing and austere place with razor wire everywhere. Guards carrying rifles and body scanners welcomed us to the historic diamond mine where a guide showed us around the now disused mine which is just a big hole as the same suggests. Our visit ended with a quick visit to the super secure vault and a bus tour of the town.

    Back on the train we continued south towards Cape Town consuming yet another outstanding lunch on the way.

    Our TAD (tripadeal) group of 11 all get on really well together having lots of laughs. There are about 75 passengers altogether on the 21 carriage train in 3 different standard cabins, ours sadly being the most basic. I'll know next time 🤔

    At dinner tonight the Rovos manager informed us that 240 km ahead, a truck had an accident and was stuck on the train track. Then the removal vehicle, while extricating the truck, managed to rupture a main signals communication line. How is this going to affect us? Well our train has been given permission to continue and to manually adjust the signals along the way. So once again things have changed and we are now going to be able to see Matjiesfontein in daylight after all even if it is only for 30 minutes. Who knows when we will arrive in Cape Town, but thankfully nobody on board has a flight to catch or a deadline to meet.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Our long suffering train managerView from the train on way to Cape Town1Tristan is one of the waiters on the train with the most amazing deep voice.

    Matjiesfontein to Cape Town

    May 13, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We finally arrived in pretty Matjiesfontein at 10:30 am for a very quick visit and walk around. The main street which is shorter than our train has many cute buildings to photograph otherwise there's nothing much to do there.
    Back on the train and all ready to depart but there is another problem. A motor trolley is on the line and we have to wait yet again for it to move, of course 🤣. Getting very used to this start/stop routine now.
    The last advice given to us by our very embarrassed rail manager is that we will disembark at Worcester about 130 km from Cape Town and be taken the rest of the way by coach.

    In spite of all the problems, this rail experience has been incredible, the food and service being second to none. I felt like a queen the whole way 🫅    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    At the 12 apostles
    At the 12 apostlesMarket place in Cape TownMusic at The Waterfront

    Cape Town Day 1

    May 14, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We arrived at the Cape Milner Hotel in Cape Town about 4:30 pm yesterday afternoon and would have loved to have gone for a walk but was advised not to by the hotel manager, not at this hour anyway 😳. Even the 3 guys in our group who are in their 60s were given the same "not safe" message so we all decided to have dinner at the hotel and to explore another time. It appears The Waterfront which is a huge shopping/entertainment precinct is the only place to feel completely safe so we'll check it out tomorrow. Our very comfy room here at the hotel feels so spacious after the train cabin.

    Cape Town's rainy season normally has started by now causing Table Mountain to be shrouded in fog, but luckily for us, the rain is a bit late. So today being sunny and warm was ideal for a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. First though was a 1/2 day tour of the city sights - the 12 Apostles (of which there are about 18), Lion's Head Peak (only looking, not hiking), and the beautiful homes of Camps Beach and Clifton Beach along the Atlantic seabord.

    Our guide, a young man of colour (Indonesian & Malay heritage) explained to us the complexities of Apartheid as it exists today even though it was abolished officially in 1994. Thirty years since the end of Apartheid, South Africa still grapples with its legacy. Unequal access to education, unequal pay, segregated communities and massive economic disparities persists, much of it is reinforced by existing institutions and attitudes.

    Our morning tour ended at the foot of Table Mountain where we were able to take the cable car 1086 metres to the summit of this super impressive sandstone & granite mountain. More often than not, the top is shrouded in mist with a howling gale blowing but today it was as clear as a bell. How lucky were we!!
    Walking tracks, viewing platforms, cafes and gift shops made it very commercial but still extremely impressive.

    Our next mission was to catch an Uber to The Waterfront precinct which makes Darling Harbour in Sydney and the Melbourne Docklands fade into insignificance. Being the only safe place for tourists to walk, shop and dine, the place was buzzing with music, retail, dining, and tourist cruises.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    View from Chapman's PeakView from Chapman's Peak1Phew, made it!! 😮‍💨View from the topDescent11African Penguin adult only about 60cm tall

    Cape Town Peninsula tour

    May 15, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    A big day today on our own Peninsula tour for the 11 of us. Our tour took us down one side of the Cape and partially up the other side before crossing over Chapman Peak. Although only at a height of 593 metres at its highest point the steep cliffs falling into the sea seem unassailable. However there are 2 routes to the peak. One from the Noordhoek side of the peak, which we we took, and one from the Hout Bay side. We saw many cyclists struggling up the peak probably training for the next 109 km Cape Town Cycle Tour held in March.

    Beautiful homes abound in the Cape peninsula where mostly wealthy Cape Towners live. Once again the weather gods were on our side giving us a perfectly calm cloud-free day which is unusual at this time of the year. Even the ocean at the Cape of Good Hope was reasonably calm with no wind at all.
    At Cape Point I had to take the challenge and climb up to the Cape Point lighthouse - 300 m and about 1000 steps up. Fabulous views from the top! After not doing much exercise my legs sure knew about it.    Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    The pretty L'Avenir winery in Stellenbosch
    All set out for tastings1Nelson Mandela statue1The pretty entrance to Fairview winery

    Cape Town Winelands Day Tour

    May 16, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Another stunning morning for our last excursion to the Winelands region of Cape Town. The charming town of Stellenbosch with its funky cafes and expensive shops was our first stop before going to L'Avenir winery for some excellent mid morning tastings. This was all part of our tour so no extra cost was incurred. Next was Anura winery also at Stellenbosch but not as impressive. The town of Franschhoek captured our attention with its prettiness and good food before yet another winery Fairview where we thoroughly enjoyed 6 wines with complementing cheeses 🧀. Even I enjoyed a couple of these wines and definitely all the cheeses.Read more

  • Erika LloydAfricaErika Lloyd
    Cape Town coloured houses
    Colours of Cape Town housesElephant made from recycled bottle topsOstrich on the road to the CapeA baboon on the side of the Cape RoadBeautiful proteas on display at Kirstenbosch National Botanic GardenBeautiful proteas on display at Kirstenbosch National Botanic GardenBeautiful proteas on display at Kirstenbosch National Botanic GardenKirstenbosch National Botanic GardenWhy not? 😊Cape Town and its Stadium

    Homeward bound

    May 17, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Woke up this morning to low lying heavy cloud completely obscuring Table Mountain. How lucky were we with all the fine weather we've had since arriving!!

    Farewell South Africa and thanks for the wonderful memories and photos 🇿🇦🇿🇦Read more

    Trip end
    May 18, 2024
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