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Africa
  • Daniel Mezger
  • Gabrielle Sheehan

Africa

Incredible trip exploring the wilderness of Southern Africa Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 19, 2019
    Africa

    Sydney —> Brisbane

    December 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    -flight from Sydney to Brisbane
    -walked around Southbank and had lunch at Charming Squire before Adam picked us up and we got Armie from daycare
    -was great to see Adams new place plus Armie being so happy! We also saw Ane’s parents
    -Adam and Armie drove us to the airport where we took our international flight to South Africa    Read more

  • Africa

    Johannesburg

    December 20, 2019 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    -landed in Johannesburg at 6am and quickly go to our hotel to leave our bags
    -had some breakfast then set out on our Joburg sightseeing adventure!
    -we got on a City Sightseeing hop on/off bus and listened to some history of the city whilst we made our way to Constitution HIll
    -we walked around there for a bit, saw the womens prison, court and old holding cells before we got on the bus again to the Gold Reef Casino
    -we walked around the casino a bit whilst we waited for our connection to Soweto!
    -had a fantastic time exploring the suburbs of Soweto including stops at the soccer stadium, Mandela House and Hector Pieterson memorial
    -we then went to the Apartheid Museum which was very eye-opening showing South Africa's past of segregation and an exhibit on the life of Nelson Mandela
    -we then went back to the hotel to check-in and have showers before going downstairs to the tour briefing
    -had dinner with Saya, Hannah, Peta and Steve before going to sleep    Read more

  • Africa

    Johannesburg -> Paje, Botswana

    December 21, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C

    -What a day!
    -horrible start by our alarm not going off and the tour leaving without us!!
    -we frantically called Brayden and Intrepid before Sandile finally called back to say he had organised a car (his brother) to pick us up and meet the group
    -we encountered heavy traffic and a flat tyre which meant Daniel was changing a tyre on the side of a highway!
    -we finally caught up to the group (thankfully no one was too annoyed) and headed for the Botswana border
    -had an interesting 'quarantine' experience by stepping on a wet towel for foot and mouth disease
    -it was very hot and we finally arrived at the campsite at dusk where we set up tents, had showers and ate all in the company of Africa's insects!
    -the rhino game drive was postponed to the morning after today's delay so we went straight to bed for our first night under the stars    Read more

  • Africa

    Paje -> Maun

    December 22, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    -had a fantastic start to the day by getting up at 4.30am and going on a game drive through the Khama Rhino Sanctuary
    -we saw Zebra, Springbok, Orich, Impalas, Wilderbeast, Antelope, Warthogs and got to see the first of the big 5 - white rhino!
    -it was amazing just seeing them, let alone seeing them in a group of 6! We also got to see dung beetles and their important role in the ecosystem
    -we returned for breakfast before heading out of camp on route to Maun
    -had a few stops along the way including the middle of the Kalahari Desert which was very hot!
    -we got to our campsite at a hotel in Maun, set up our tents and packed our bags for the next two couple of days at Okavango Delta
    -had a well-earned beer after a hot day with Steve and Peta and sent some messages home    Read more

  • Africa

    Okavango Delta

    Dec 23–25, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Day 1
    -woke up in Maun and packed our bags to head to the Okavango Delta
    -we jumped in safari trucks and headed to our pickup point where we got into makaro's (traditional dug out canoes)
    -it was amazing 'poling' through the shallow waters where we got to see hippos!
    -we got to our island and setup our tents on a very remote location surrounded by trees and wild life!
    -we had some lunch then got to chill for the afternoon where we played bullshit and monopoly deal with Steve, Peta, Adam, Joel, Prue, Jordan, Tony and Nicky
    -we then went on a bush walk around 5.30pm which was amazing! We saw lots of giraffes, zebra, impalas and a few warthogs!
    -General was our guide and he told us some great stories about how bushmen use elephant dung and other animals to put over themselves to enable them to get closer to animals and hunt them down
    -we also saw plenty of water buffalo just outside our camp
    -we came back for a delicious stew for dinner, marshmallows for dessert and some campfire games!

    Day 2
    -woke up in Okavango Delta after some amazing animal noises overnight
    -we went for a 3hr dawn walk across the Delta where we saw more giraffes, zebra, impala and some really good shots of warthogs!
    -we kept walking around and saw plenty of animal footprints including fresh lion prints!
    -we came back from breakfast and then had the rest of the day to chill out
    -tried my chance at 'poling' which was fun and went for a swim where we saw some nearby hippos!
    -came back and played more monopoly for the rest of the afternoon before going for another swim before heading out for a dusk mokoro
    -the canals were so peaceful and then we came across a herd of 20+ hippos which was amazing and we enjoyed some beers in the mokoro whilst watching the sunset!
    -we came back to camp to have some more yummy dinner before we were treated to an amazing singing and dancing show by the poler group
    -we also played some games around the campfire including an animal calling game which Daniel was a joint winner!    Read more

  • Africa

    Okavango Delta -> Maun

    December 25, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 38 °C

    -we woke up on our last morning in the Delta and went for a very short morning walk to watch the sunrise before heading back for breakfast
    -everyone loved our Xmas shirts! :)
    -we then rowed back to the mainland in our mokoros where we said goodbye to our polers by touring their town
    -we then continued back to Maun to the same place from last time where we setup our tents and went for a refreshing swim!
    -we had lunch in the hotel restaurant which were yummy burgers and we got wifi and contacted our families to wish them a Merry Christmas!
    -we then went for another swim before heading to Maun international airport for our scenic flight over the Delta!
    -we were in a very small 4 seater plane (including the pilot, Rue) and had some incredible views of the wilderness including lots of elephants, hippos, zebra and impala!
    -we then went out for a Xmas dinner at an indian style restaurant before coming back and going for a swim and lots of laughs with the other Aussies! :)    Read more

  • Africa

    Maun -> Nata, Botswana

    December 26, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 36 °C

    -woke up in Maun and had a nice breakfast before making our way to Nata, a small town in Botswana
    -we saw an elephant on the way which was really cool as well as the foot and mouth 'decontamination' procedure
    -we got to Nata Lodge where we setup our tents, had lunch and chilled by the pool with $1 beers!
    -the pool was very refreshing and we played some more Monopoly Deal
    -we then headed out on a buggie to the salt pans which is basically a desert with dried salt/sand ground
    -we saw lots of wilderbeast, flamingos (including a whole flock flying), zebra, springbok, helicopter birds and the national bird of Botswana called the bastard bird
    -we learnt of the 'Ugly 5' - Wilderbeast, Warthog, Vulture, Hyena and Marabou Stork
    -we saw plenty of 1000 year old trees and tried the fruit which is used to make tartare sauce
    -we then enjoyed some drinks as we watched the sunset in the middle of the desert
    -we returned to camp for delicious African chicken for dinner and a much needed shower    Read more

  • Africa

    Nata -> Chobe

    December 27, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ 🌧 35 °C

    -had an early start in Nata at 4.30am before heading to Chobe where we saw some elephants on the way to Chobe NP
    -we were picked up at a park in 4x4s where we were taken to Chobe NP for a 3hr game drive
    -we saw plenty of impala and vultures on our first 'official' game drive including a drive along the Chobe River where we saw lots of hippos and elephants and the waters edge
    -we also saw plenty of wildlife birds including vultures feasting on a dead elephant
    -we then went to our campsite where we set up our tents quickly and had lunch before heading off to our sunset cruise
    -the sunset cruise on the Chobe River was incredible, we saw some crocodiles, plenty of hippos and water buffalo while a very heavy storm came over!
    -we made our way back to the campsite where we had the last group dinner of the tour before going to bed for a much needed sleep! After a previous hot night and big day it was a very welcome sleep.    Read more

  • Africa

    Chobe -> Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

    December 28, 2019 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    -we had a little bit of a sleep in before heading off to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
    -we crossed the border very easily and then saw plenty of elephants and warthogs as we made our way into Zimbabwe
    -we stopped to get vouchers for the truck and those of us going on the helicopter ride got out transfer to the airport
    -the helicopter ride was incredible! We did multiple loops of the falls and took lots of incredible shots looking across and down the falls!
    -after the helicopter ride we made our way to the campsite where we setup tents before heading into town
    -we went to the Vic Falls National Park where we walked across opposite the falls and saw some amazing sights will lots of spray from the falls and got absolutely drenched!
    -there were some incredible drops off the edge of the cliff as we took in the sights of one of the seven natural wonders of the world
    -we had a small snack in the cafe before buying souvenirs and walking back to camp before having a much needed shower!
    -we then walked to dinner as a group which was a buffet and we had a fantastic night on the last evening of the first half of the trip, ending of course with monopoly deal!    Read more

  • Africa

    Victoria Falls

    December 29, 2019 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    -we said goodbye to Steve and Peta and then caught our transfer bus to where we would be going whitewater rafting!
    -we had our safety briefing before getting geared up and making our decent into the gorge
    -it was a difficult walk down but the views were incredible!
    -we got into our raft with our leader Colgate and Daniel was lucky enough to be at the front!
    -we started at the boiling pot which was what we saw on our walk yesterday
    -we went through 19 grade 5 rapids, except one which was a grade 6 that we had to walk past
    -it was soooo much fun rafting, we swapped around a bit but we never flipped! We even got to jump in the water and float down through whirlpools
    -we finished with a delicious lunch and a few cold beers after a very tough walk up!
    -we went back to camp and relaxed while there was a quick downpour
    -we then headed out for our dinner cruise which was a beautiful 3 course meal with starters and unlimited alcohol!
    -was fantastic to have some relaxing alone time! :)    Read more

  • Africa

    Victoria Falls -> Hwange

    December 30, 2019 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    -after meeting the new people last night, we headed to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
    -we were shown around the rehabilitation centre, lab and grounds as we learnt about all that they do
    -we met Judge, a 5 year old vulture that can't fly and will need to live at the trust
    -we learnt that elephants don't like the smell of chilli and it is used to keep them away from villages
    -we then made our way to Hwange which is a town just 100km from Vic Falls
    -we setup camp, had lunch and then got in 4x4s and made our way to Hwange National Park where we did a sunset game drive
    -we saw crocodiles, kudu, impala, warthogs, leopard tortoise, different birds and even a pair of jackals!
    -we then saw plenty of baboons and even a giraffe crossing the road on the way back to camp
    -we enjoyed some awesome traditional African chicken for dinner before showering and going to sleep    Read more

  • Africa

    Hwange -> Matobos

    December 31, 2019 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    -we left Hwange heading for Matobos National Park
    -we stopped in Bulawayo which is the second biggest city in Zimbabwe, after the capital Harare
    -the saw lots of old buildings and the most people/built up since we left Joburg
    -we had lunch in a cafe in Bulawayo and stocked up with alcohol for the night!
    -we arrived at our campsite, which was really cool as it is built into the surrounding rock landscape
    -we setup our tents, and started having a few drinks while we waited for dinner to get ready
    -we started the playlist after dinner and continued drinking and dancing until midnight!
    -we attracted some other people at the campsite who joined in on the dancing and called it a night around 1am    Read more

  • Africa

    Matobos

    January 1, 2020 in Zimbabwe ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    -had a bit of a sleep in before heading out on a full day adventure starting with white rhino trekking!
    -we learnt about the history of the rhino horn and why it is so popular - viagra!
    -it was interesting hearing about the government having enough horn from de-horning to supply the market but they won't due to politics
    -we then go up to 10m away from three rhinos which was incredible!
    -we then made our way to lunch before heading to one of the mountains where we climbed up and listened to stories about bushmen and viewed the paintings done with body organs
    -traditional bushmen are four feet tall, have storage cells in their butts and live off the land -> only consume what they need to and have links to the Aboriginals!
    -we then climbed a bit higher to have a panoramic view of the Matobos Valley
    -we travelled to a nearby village and met the chief who was 87 and quite a character!
    -he told us stories of his childhood, killing leopards, capturing rhinos and afterwards we got to pose with him in traditional dress!
    -we headed back to camp learning about different berries and plants before a yummy steak dinner!    Read more

  • Africa

    Matobos -> Moremi Gorge

    January 2, 2020 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    -we left Matobos to head back into Botswana due to the busy border crossing from ZIM -> RSA
    -we crossed the border fairly easily and then made a short stop in Francistown, the second biggest city in Botswana, behind the capital Gaberone
    -we went to Wimpy, a burger chain recommended by Ane's dad which was really good
    -we then made our way through some torrential rain to Moremi Gorge where we had the rest of the afternoon to relax
    -we played monopoly deal with the gang as well as heads up before we had a yummy dinner of beef stroganoff with Enos' grandmothers pudding for dessert which was absolutely delicious    Read more

  • Africa

    Moremi -> Blouberg, SA

    January 3, 2020 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C

    -we left Moremi Gorge headed for Bouberg and the border back to RSA
    -the border crossing was fairly easy and we arrived at our campsite in Blouberg at the foot of the mountains by midday
    -we then had a couple of hours to relax, have lunch etc before heading up the mountain to a swimming spot
    -the walk was hot but well worth it as we jumped in the swimming hole which was very refreshing!
    -we then made our way back down the mountain where we had showers -> it was a bucket on a pulley!
    -we then headed out for our cultural dinner in town where we were greeted by the local kids and got photos
    -we then had a delicious dinner cooked by one of the locals which included traditional worms
    -we made our way back to camp, chilled out played monopoly deal and went to bed    Read more

  • Africa

    Blouberg -> Kruger National Park

    January 4, 2020 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 34 °C

    -we left our camp at Blouberg after yummy french toast for breakfast headed for Kruger
    -on the way we passed the 'Tropic of Capricorn' sign
    -we stopped in Tzaneen for lunch before heading to Kruger in the afternoon
    -the drive to our camp Letaba was incredible - we saw lots of elephants, giraffe, zebra and saw out first cat - a couple of male lions!
    -we organised our tours and upgrades before setting up our tents (for the last time!) and went for a swim
    -we then had a yummy dinner of pork and garlic bread before going on our night game drive
    -it was very cool spotting things at night time including springhares, impala, jackals, elephants, hippos, an owl and then a leopard which was like 5m from our truck!
    -it was a very hot night and difficult to sleep in 31 degree heat!    Read more

  • Africa

    Kruger National Park

    January 5, 2020 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 37 °C

    -we got up nice and early for our full day game drive
    -we made our way out of the camp and just as we left the gate we saw a pair of hyenas
    -we did many loops around the park which was a great summary of all the animals we had already seen on the trip, plus had the rarity of seeing the endangered painted dog!
    -we saw a dead impala up a tree, lions that had killed a zebra, baby elephants and elephants playing in the water!
    -we had quick lunch break before heading back out for the last or so
    -it was incredible - we got extremely close to elephants, giraffe and then were no more than 10m from a pride of lions! It was so cool seeing the lion cubs!
    -we then headed back to check-in to our room upgrade, go for a swim and relax before dinner
    -dinner did, once again, not disappoint as we had brine steak, sausages and mashed potato with apple crumble for dessert!    Read more

  • Africa

    Kruger National Park -> Johannesburg

    January 6, 2020 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    -we had a very relaxing sleep in a bed before checking out early and leaving Kruger on our 700km journey back to Johannesburg
    -there was a slight wrong turn out of Kruger but we continued up into the mountains with some beautiful scenery!
    -we arrived at God's window which is a lookout that looks over the Blyde River Canyon - spectacular!
    -we then made our way to Bourke's Potholes which are rocks that have been carved by the whirlpools of two rivers meeting
    -we had some lunch before we started the last leg to Joburg, passing through some more mountainous regions
    -we arrived back at the Holiday Inn at 8pm before saying goodbye to everyone and having dinner around the corner and then a VERY good sleep in our hotel room    Read more

  • Trip end
    January 6, 2020
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