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2023 - South Africa
  • The Adventure Continues

2023 - South Africa

- 3 day Safari in Sabi Sand Game Reserve at Umkumbe Safari River Lodge
- Camping Trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town - via Garden Route
- 3 days in Cape Town - Hotel The Bay in Camps Bay Read more
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  • Trip start
    November 6, 2023
    The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Ready to go!
    😡😡🤬🤬LUZERN plane from SwissFirst picture of African LandRain in JohannesburgOur Embraer planeSuburb of JohannesburgArea close to Kruger NPKruger International AirportFinally Arrived at the Main Gate

    The 24h-Journey 🥵

    November 7, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    The way to South Africa is long 😜
    We started by Public Transport in Altbüron and faced the first challenge not even 10mins away: the local train delayed by 10min(!) so we missed our connection at Langenthal 😡 Almost every train was delayed but we made it on time.
    At least the flight had left on time. With a SWISS plane named LUZERN we flew 10 hours through the night straight south to Johannesburg.
    There we had to wait some hours for our connection flight to Kruger International Airport! The weather was super rainy and stormy. After a two hours car transfer to the final destination in Sabi Sandds we arrived finally 24 hours later at Umkumbe Safari Lodge in Sabi Sand Game Reserve.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    5:00 Sunrise
    Land Rover Defender 💪ImpalasWarthogRhinos 😃Our first encounter with one of the Big 51Wow! First Leopard!!!2nd Big 5 animal 😍Coffee breakHello Giraffe!Some Kudus hiding

    Our very first African Safari 🦏🐆🦒

    November 8, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    5:00h wake up time! 5:30h Morning Safari Departure Time😁
    After the rain, we had a dry „after rain day“ and blue sky ahead! Perfect. We were also lucky and shortly after the start we met some Rhinos. Not long after, we got lucky again and found Shaba, a 15 years old Leopard Lady. She is used to Safari Jeeps and therefore we could go very close. We have seen other animals and not to forget, a Giraffe 👍
    The sun was warming up and after three hours we went back to the Lodge for breakfast.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Our lodge is called RHINONice viewOur lodgeOutdoor ShowerThe Lodge view from the river (from the jeep)Infinity PoolInfinity PoolOur Terrace with river view!Terrace for breakfast and lunchBushwalk with the Guide JanFootprint of a HyenaWalk to the Sand RiverKudu hornsSafely back!

    The Lodge & Bushwalk

    November 8, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    The privat owned Umkumbe Safari Lodge is situated directly on the Sand River. A couple of lodges only - ours (Rhino) with River view! It’s within Sabi Sands Game Reserve-not much around in the middle of the wilderness. Sabi Sand is a private part of Kruger National Park - but less busy.
    We could go for a short bush walk after the morning safari to trace some tracks of animals.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    The Landy's are ready to leave
    Briefing at the Sand RiverEvening Safaris are accompagnied by a Tracker sitting in frontNyalaWildebeest aka GnuRhinos againHyena - not bothered using the roadOur second Leopard encounter 😮😍Absolut no movementJust before hunting a bunnyShe came very closeSunset DrinksNight SafariDinner at the Lodge

    The first Sunset Safari

    November 8, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    At 16:30h we headed out for our second trip. Our guide Jess had support from a tracker sitting in front and looking out for animals. The temperature was nice and the light just amazing. We found the Rhinos again (different herd) and soon after another Leopard Lady. Impressive to see how she was chasing a rabbit just in front of our nose! Some other interesting animals (mostly Antilopes) and a Hyena! At sunset, we stopped for an aperitif before we drove through the night. The tracker used a flashlight to spot some reflective eyes of animals. But apart of some rabbits, nothing to see tonight! But still great experience though!
    Back at the lodge we enjoyed a very good dinner in a nice outdoor patio.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Sunrise at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
    And off we go again with Guide JessA Kudu - belongs to Antelope familyWildebeest - or better known as GnuNo explenation neededHello youngster! We found a Hyena DenJess is looking for animals or tracesZebra FamilyThis is a very rare and endangered birdBreakfast after SafariThe view from our TerraceAnd our first visitor 🦒And some Kudus

    2nd day of Safari

    November 9, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We started again at 05:30 am for our second morning Safari. We found plenty of Zebras and a den of Hyenas. The black birds with the red head are critically endangered species. It takes them up to 7 years to raise a young one!
    Once back at the lodge we enjoyed a good breakfast with a beautiful view on the river. During our relaxing time, we were busy observing animals in front of our terrace! The Giraffe was the highlight!    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Finally: the Elephant!
    Just behind our lodge...Big 5 No3What a beautiful sceneryGnus and Zebras are always togetherBeautiful EveningAnd another Elephant on our wayVery impressiveAlso learning a lot about birdsMama Hyena and one of her babiesAll three youngstersAnother nice setting for DrinksAnd off we go for the night driveThe moment we found it - our guide Jess very excited!We found a Leopard and he found a Pangolin!He tried to fight it but the Pangolin rolled himselfin a safe position. Leopard left but focus now on Pangolin😃

    The unexpected highlight

    November 9, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    The evening safari started with the viewing of our third „Big 5“-animal: the Elephant! Very impressive to see it so close. He was not far from the lodge. Not long after, we met another one along the road. He was not bothered about us at all…(see video).
    We passed by the Hyena den we found this morning and could finally meet the entire family! The mum very relaxed…the young ones rather curious.
    The weather was just perfect and a beautiful sunset scenery accompanied us. Sunset Drink in its best environment!
    The unexpected highlight happened on our way back in the dark, when someone found a leopard. We rushed to the site and followed the leopard. For us already a highlight- but then the Leopard led us to a pangolin a very rare animal and one of the most hunted one in the world. He tried to attack it but the Pangolin rolled and protected himself with his hard shell! This sighting was also a highlight for all our Tour Guides…the kept talking about it all evening 😃 You can hear the excitement from our Guide Jessica on the video!    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Giraffes at breakfast at 05:30
    Another Elli along the wayHere they are: Our Big 5 Nr. 4Lazy, lazy, lazyOstrichMama and Baby ElephantThe Land Rover is just the best 💪Dream TeamDun Beetle lesson with TyeTermitesThe workers repairing the cheminee after the rainfallElli at the LodgeCrossing the river in front of our lodgeNyala for a grasing visit

    The big 5 - part 1

    November 10, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Another wake up call at 5am, but to be honest, it is so exciting to go again and meet nature that waking up so early becomes easy. The weather was not as good as previous days, grey clouds and a slight drizzle.
    We jumped in the land rover with our now safari-friends: a couple from Germany and another one from France with whom we shared previous safari days. We maybe drove 1 minute outside the camp and met 3 giraffes having breakfast !! After admiring them for a few minutes, we drove on and 5 minutes later a big male elephant appeared on the road. What a great animal! We were all in awe as he walked by the car, 2 meters away! All animals consider the cars as non-threatening as the reserve made a point of driving near them every day since years. So the animals are fine with the cars and their noises. But getting out of the car or even standing in the car is not allowed: it changes the outline the animals are used to see and one do not know how they would react when facing a human.
    Anyhow after the elephant, we drove another 20 minutes and suddenly there they were…. Brown shapes far away lying on the road: Lions!!!!!! Woooaw. 5 females lions and Jess our guide, told us their pride story. The brother, whom they call “floppy ears” was not with their sisters this time. We watched them lying, sleeping and being big cats that one wants to cuddle. After that, our day was made! We, all 6 of us, had our dream come true with meeting the lions. But the morning safari did not end there: on our way, we met zebras, an elephant mother with her 2 cute babys, 2 ostrichts and countless impalas.
    Back to lodge for breakfast at 0830.
    We did another bush walk with Tye and learnt a lot about termites and dung beetles!    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Jess and her crew 💪😎
    Here we go: The Buffalo! Big Five ✅Two of them just hiding not far from lodgeJessica explains us the reasons why they are in the Big FiveAnother impressive TermithillHello Rhinos, we are back 😎Back to our sleeping Lion LadiesFull on chilling modeSuddenly fully awake. They saw the Zebras and Gnus moving aroundBut smart not to attack, they are too far awayAt night we found Shaba the Leopard againHiding not far away from the LionsThe Lions suddenly on the moveDinner visit at Lodge, the two Buffalos

    The big 5 - part 2

    November 10, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    After such an eventful morning, what could possibly happen? 3 different herds of elephants just having food and water on the river banks as we are having lunch just above…then we got back to our lodge to rest, and another elephant just passed by in front of our lodge, 8 meters from our balcony! Then it was a giraffe. Who needs to go on game drive with such a show!
    Evening safari started ideally: we were missing one of the big 5 and voilà: 2 buffalos! trying to hide in the grass and giving us nasty looks. After finding a few rhinos, jess got a call that the lions were around again. So we went to watch them. Of course, at first, being lions, they were not very active: sleeping, rolling in the grass and being so so so cute! Big cats really and you just want to rub their belly (would be the last time though if you were).
    We had to leave them to do our apero but Jess promised that she would monitor her radio if they moved.
    After the drinks, done in a spectacular setting as usual, we decided to go back to the lions- it was then pitch dark. Jess got a call that a colleague found a leopard. It was the female we saw on our first day. She was curled up, almost invisible in the grass… but the most incredible thing was that the lions were maybe 500 meters away. And suddenly, we saw in the light of one of the other guides car, the lions moving, coming closer. What an incredible spectacle to see those 5 silhouettes walking, against the light shone on them. They did not look like big cuddly cats anymore, but very much the apex predators. Lights shone on the leopard were turned off so that we don’t make her vulnerable. And all 3 cars started to follow the lions. Was amazing and so exciting. Throughout, the lions did not care about us. They were focused. We never found out on what since we had to abort the mission to get back to the lodge for dinner… we were so hyped. WHAT A DAY!    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Last Safari on a beautiful morning
    Reading Tracks...HyenaAn elephant must have knocked it down last night 😮A tree grown on top of an old Termite HillThe best friends are still togetherCoffee breakThe NP fenceline on the WestDung Beetle in action rolling a Dung BallOur elephant from last nightOur two Buffalos againAnd again on our way out 😃And even an entire herd of themGood bye Sabi Sand Game ReserveOur plane to JohannesburgPort ElizabethSand dunes at Port Elisabeth Summerstrand AreaHello Indian Ocean

    Last day in Paradise

    November 11, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    All good things come to an end. Another 5 o‘clock start for our last trip out…it was the last day for all of us and after the Big Five day we did not had any expectations. It was a sunny and lovely morning and the animals seem to have a day off. Not much around apart from a Hyena, a lot of Zebras, Gnus, and few Elephants (among which one of them unnecessarily knocked down a tree…)! Jessica taught us how to read tracks, talked a lot about plants and birds and we watched Dung Beetles rolling dung across the road. It doesn’t need to be a lion all the time 😜
    We drove all the eay to the most western part of their property and reached the fenceline, where National Park and Civilisation boarders. Almost a bit Jurassic Parc 😮
    Once back at the Lodge, checking out, quick breakfast and good byes!
    Umkumbe Safari River Lodge has been a perfect place for us! Nice settlement, not luxury, not too big, nice lodges, tasty food, nice and knowledgeable staff and all the animals you want to see! The private part of Kruger brings the advantage that only „our“ vehicles are allowed to cruise around and permitted to leave official roads to track animals. You can’t get closer! We‘ve seen the Big Five several times ✅✅✅✅✅
    We were also lucky to have Jessica as our Guide! She loves her job and is excited about certain sightings and still taking pictures herself. Her knowledge about nature is outstanding!👏

    Our transfer out of Sabi Sand Game Reserve went along the fence to the park where we finally saw a large herd of Buffalos. They were the last we saw…

    We flew back to Johannesburg and then further south to Port Elizabeth. We took an Uber and stayed in a hotel around Summerstrand Village. We saw and smelled the Indian Ocean for the first time.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Self Drive Safariin a brandnew VW Polo VivoZebras everywhereRed Hartlebeest (Antelope)Stop at one of the safe lookoutsWarthogs on the moveThe Ostrich didn't like themNasty OstrichHello Elli, finally!Dung Beetles will be happyAnother WarthogFemale KuduTwo Lions chillingLast for today: BuffaloOur LodgeVery quiet place to be

    A grey cloud in the blue sky

    November 12, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Today was the day we were picking up our camper. We got up and had a massive breakfast (omelette and all the trimmings) - then we made our way to the airport to meet representative of Bobo Camper (true name of the rental company). We met the guy and he quickly handed me the phone over: that is when we got informed that our camper suffered a break down on arrival in Port Elisabeth the evening before. The company was trying to get more info and we were told to wait. After 45 min, we were called back and told that since it was Sunday, the car was locked up in a garage and they could not access it til Monday. Since we had a booking in Addo Elephant National Park for the night (a tent site), the company offered to pay for the rental of a car (until they found out what is wrong with the camper) and the extra charge to change our accommodation from a camp to a cottage.
    That is how we ended up making our way to Addo elephant park in a brand new VW Polo rental car- annoyed as this was not the experience we wanted. Nevertheless, the park made us forget this incident! There, you drive around loops and tracks and if you are lucky, you see animals- not as close as in Sabi Sands- but actually, we got lucky: wildebeests, zebras, warthogs, ostriches, kudus and 3 out of the big 5: elephants, lions and buffalos!
    We managed to secure a cottage (last one) in the park and got to the info to pick up our keys 5 min before closure.
    The night in the cottage was peaceful only slightly troubled by a small bat flying around the room (we were told in advance about it).    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    The famous and hard working dung beetle
    Thanks to their imense size you can spot and circle around themSometimes they loose control...Good morning BuffalosSee you later...The monkey treeOne of the Mama's with a babyOur favourite KudusElephant family on the way to waterhole1He was very excited to see his friends 🤣Zebras of courseLodgeLeaving AddoOur host and his white Caddy AlltrackSushi dinner

    Addo - the South & Plan C

    November 13, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    After a quiet night at the lodge we started to explore the Southern part of Addo Elephant NP. And we were welcomed straight away from a family of Buffalos! The closest we have seen them so far! On our second loop we passed by a tree full of monkeys! Some of them carrying little ones…super cute! We passed by zebras, warthogs, red hartebeest and kudus. And when we entered the Northern part we saw again plenty of elephants far away in the trees having lunch. We arrived at one of the park’s waterhole and saw an elephant family arriving for a drink. So cute to see the little still trying out how to drink with the trunk 😃
    More and more elephants arrived, it seemed to be a gathering. Suddenly we saw a big shade passing in front of our car. An elli just came across the road and used the gap in between us and the car in front of us. Suddenly a second one arrived. Quite “excited” as you can see on the video 🤣.
    Plenty of dung beetles were crawling around the streets, some with dung. So funny those hard workers.
    We spent our afternoon in the parks steakhouse to sort out Plan C for our holidays. The original plan didn’t work out and BOBO Camper had no Plan B and therefore cancelled our booking - neither reparation nor backup vehicles…Very bad service. The suggested Plan B - traveling by rental car wasn’t our favorite either. So we looked for Plan C by hiring last minute a camper from another provider. Nothing small available, so we had to go or a 7m camper then. The only problem was that they are all based in Cape Town so it takes them a while to bring it over. All the paperwork we managed to sort out with the help of all gadgets from our iPhones🙈

    We returned to Port Elizabeth, checked in a cute lodge with a nice host (who drives also a Caddy Alltrack like us at home). He gave us plenty of tips for our journey to Cape Town. We had dinner at a nice Sushi Restaurant and felt a bit less disappointed than yesterday morning. Plan D seemed to work as of Thursday!👍😎    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    The home of Polo.Visiting the Auto PavilionFoxy Lady 😎Last Bus in 2002Story of the CitigolfBuilt until 2009The inside has changed to MK4Last Golf 1Factory Tour (no camera allowed)

    Home of VW Polo

    November 14, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    From our host and Caddy-driver we heard about the VW Factory in Uitenhage and that you can visit the oldest VW factory outside of Germany. So we went there to visit.
    After opening in 1948 on August 31, 1951 the first VW was built - a Beetle of course. The factory was of great importance and has built models from VW, Audi and Studebaker over the past 75+ years.
    Worth mentioning is the Golf MK1, which can currently be found on the streets. It was still built there as Citigolf until 2009. Golf 1 on the outside and Golf 4 on the inside. They used the MK1 factory facility until the bitter end 😃
    We visited first the Auto Pavilion museum to learn about the history of the factory and there were a few beautiful vehicles there too...Beetles, Ghia Karmann, Audis, Golfs, Bulli's and some prototypes.
    Today they only focus on the Polo. The New Polo and the Polo Vivo. The Vivo is again a continuation of an old Polo model (MK5) with very spartan equipment! Ventilation still has rotary switches and only the window regulators are electric. Nothing else is needed. You can see the Polo Vivo on every corner here. Options such as aluminum rims or sports versions can also be ordered.
    Of course, we seized the opportunity and took a free factory tour (as usual, without photos). You can see everything, from ancient, gloomy brick workshops to the very modern paint factory. Older robots work hand in hand with around 5,600 employees. Polos are produced here for the world market- mainly all right-hand drive ones as well as GTIs and all these Vivo's - every 2 minutes a Polo like rolls off the assembly line ready to drive...Very impressive!
    By the way, depending on the model, a Polo Vivo costs between 12-15,000 CHF😮💪    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Sacramento Trail in Sardinia Bay
    The location where the "Sacramento-Boat" sunkWindy and therefore wavy seaVery windy 😎A massive sand dune at the end of the trailThe way back on the upper partWith a nice view over the sand dune

    Every cloud has a silver lining

    November 14, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Continuing with weather related metaphors…😉 yes - having swallowed the disappointment of the camper van story, we then checked what we could do in the vicinity of Port Elizabeth, aided in that by our host at the lodge. We went first to VW factory (see previous post) and then drove to Schoenmakerskop, as we were told we could walk a trail: the Sacramento trail. We were itching to move after almost a week of car/safari and 3 full meals a day (waistlines expand fast).
    Sacramento refers to a Portuguese boat that sunk there in 1647, there were 72 survivors who decided to walk to Mozambique, only 7 survived the journey.
    The village is by the ocean and large posh houses (with less security than the houses you see in towns) are everywhere.
    The hike followed the coastline and was 8km long, we were faced with massive sand dunes along the way. We were a bit tired fighting against the wind but happy to have moved.
    We took the road again and drove to Jeffrey’s Bay to check in our next guest house.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Kitkat? No! Gravel ahead!
    It's like driving into heavy fogCape St. FrancisVery windy!Most Southeastern Point of AfricaLuxury homes along St Francis Bay CanalsJ-Bay (Jeffreys Bay) Surf ShopsSurfing beach of J-BaySeafood place!

    Surf paradise & St Francis

    November 15, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After a quiet night in our new guest house, we set out to explore first Cape St Francis, which is a 30 min drive from Jeffrey’s Bay. We found ourselves once more in a wealthy neightbourhood - we parked at the lighthouse and walked a bit on the rocks, watching the waves crashing. Cape St Francis is the most southern eastern point of Africa, so a sign says. We could not visit the lighthouse and stopped instead in the adjacent coffee shop called “Nevermind”.
    We drove back to Jeffrey’s bay to finally visit the place: it is a surfing mecca and you can even get bargains on outlets stores from Billabong, Rip Curl and Quicksilver. Shopping was on our mind but we first had a quick lunch by the ocean in a nice restaurant and for the first time, we could walk around in a town. No major damage to the credit card was done. Tired, and because of an early start the next day, we went back to the guest house and only got out for a tasty seafood dinner at Nina’s.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Finally! Our (small) JJ-the Travelbox
    On the road again! Storms River BridgeStorms River BridgeWelcome to Tsitsikamma NPOur amazing camping site at Tsitsikamma NPVery wavy Indian Ocean2.5km hike to Suspension BridgesFurry DassiesStorms RiverThree bridges over Storms River1Apéro

    Finally we camp

    November 16, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We started early (6:00h) to leave Jeffrey’s Bay back east to Port Elisabeth again! Today we should finally receive our Plan C Campervan. We arrived on time at the airport, returned our beloved Polo Vivo and received a massive (as Claudine said) Travelbox. It’s a 7m camper, based on a Iveco TurboDaily. Far too big for just the
    two of us. But that’s what was left…
    We started by shopping in a food store and continued then back west, passing again by Jeffreys Bay and entered Tsitsikamma National Park. We checked in at Stroms River and got an amazing spot just on the shore of the Indian Ocean. The wind was still strong and the Ocean agitated!
    We went for our first walk and hiked to the Suspension Bridges crossing over the Storms River. We passed by the visitor center (a new one is under construction) where plenty of tourists were present. We shared the path to the bridges with many of them and met some furry dassies (animals). It was a 2.5km walk. Back at the campsite we had our first meal, thanks to a microwave we had some tasty food from Nina (restaurant in Jeffreys Bay). It was warm enough to eat outside and enjoy the nice sunset scenery accompanied by the sound of a wavy ocean!
    That was what we wanted! 😍    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Breakfast with a view
    Off we go to the WaterfallMostly walking on rocksWell signposted thoughThe hiking pathOur first whale sighting in SAAt the waterfall!Sweetwater meets the seaOn our way backKeursboom River Lagoon Caravan ParkPlettenbergBack for dinner and sunsetThe lagoon fills up during high tide

    From the Waterfall to “Plett”

    November 17, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    The reason why we stayed in the Storms River Mouth National Park was obviously to do a hike.
    After breakfast, we opted for the waterfall hike - 6.4km. In itself, it is not a long distance but it was actually quite sporty as a large part of it was jumping from rocks to rocks, up and down. Took us 3 hours and upon arrival at the waterfall, we saw whales in the distance! Woaw.
    After the hike, we took up the road again towards Plettenberg Bay. “Plett” as they call it, is apparently a playground for the millionnaires- known for beautiful beaches. We first checked in in our campsite at the Keurbooms Lagoon, very nice campsite where the river meet the ocean. A few locals were camping with their 4x4 and tent on the roof. Our JJ (jay jay) the travelbox was a bit noticeable.
    We took a taxi to Plett to explore a bit. Effectively, one shop out of three is an estate agent and one can feel money is around.
    We did not stay - we only walked the main street, had a drink and came back to enjoy dinner on our pitch while watching the lagoon.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    View from our starting point
    Plettenberg Bay (with a shipwreck on the right)The GapHere they are!All over the placeThey sound like sheeps 🤣1Whitsands1The PointHello Whales! (iPhone-Foto!!!)Amazing 😍And down again...And up again...Beach aheadCooling downWelcome to Buffalo BayBuffalo Bay Caravan Park 👍2Dinner with a viewSunset on the other side of the camping

    The “mighty” Robberg

    November 18, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We started our day with a breakfast under blue sky and already quite hot sun. People went swimming in the lagoon…we were tempted too but had planned to visit the Robberg Nature Reserve next to Plettenberg Bay. The place was already very busy as it was Saturday as well and we could hardly park our van. We started and were first surrounded by plenty of people, also groups! But after the The Gap (smallest loop) and the Whitsand second turnoff, where our way headed towards “The Point” only few (brave) people continued. Along the entire Nort Side of the Peninsula we past above houndreds of seals. Their noise and smell was very present. Most of them were swimming in the crystal green sea and others were just hanging around on the shore. That’s where the name Robberg comes from.
    At the most eastern point (at the end) we were lucky to see two whales passing by. They were showing their fins and made us happy!
    The tricky part of the path started now. Down and up, down and up and down again. Amazing nature but quite exhausting and hot. We climbed rocks and stairs and sandy pathes until we finally reached the beach. Shoes off and right into the sea…it was great to cool down. The air was hot, the water cool. The last part back to the car park was again up and down and we were quite exhausted back at our van! But it was worth it.
    We continued our journey to a beautiful place called Buffalo Bay. A remote place with surf beaches and holidays homes. The campsite had the prime spot at the end of the Peninsula - we were surrounded by the ocean. We enjoyed the view and spent some time around our campfire while listening to the waves!    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Good morning at Buffalo Bay
    Perfect color match 😃OudtshoornX-Mas Decoration - very rare to seeMain chamber - 18m high"Frozen Waterfall"Amazing formationsChamber 3Welcome to Cango Wildlife RanchLions at Cango Wildlife RanchCheetah at Cango Wildlife RanchLazy Cheetahs at Cango Wildlife RanchCamping in Oudtshoorn

    Back inland

    November 19, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We left Buffalo Bay after breakfast and drove away from the coastline for the first time. Our goal was the Cango Cave, one of the most famous natural wonders in South Africa. We had decided to skip Krysna and George as we realised we cannot see everything 😩
    Judging by buses, the cave are indeed famous and you get a guided tour in groups of max 50. In the earlier days of the cave discovery (early 20th century), they were allowing far too many people and had events in the first chamber. This obviously led to damages hence why it is regulated now. We saw 3 chambers and these were sooo big, very impressive, especially the amount and type of structures formed by water over time in millions of years.
    After the visit, we decided to go to the Cango Wildlife Ranch where they protect endangered species, but to be honest, it felt more like a zoo than anything else. This Ranch is supported by Mr. Zimmermann who owns a real estate company in Geneva. The temperature where now over 30 degrees-normal for that place.
    We checked in in a campsite in Oudtshoorn - no waves crashing sound as a background this time but a fairly deserted campsite. We had dinner and went to bed early.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Calitzdorp - De Krans
    Wine Tasting after breakfast 💪Famous Port Wine RegionAlong Route 62Ah - very interesting sign!BarrydaleSwellendamOur lunch placeBobotie😋😋😋Cape AgulhasSouthern Tip MonumentSouthern-most tip and meeting point of two oceansSouthern-most tip of the continent of Africa3D map of Africa - very well doneCamping by the sea

    From Route 62 to the South

    November 20, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    We left Oudtshoorn westwards along the famous Route 62. Our first stop at Calitzdorp brought us to De Krans Winery, where they mainly produce Port Wine, like the entire region does. We tried some White and Red as well - and bought a bottle of each. The road along Route 62 passed through pure nature, there is not much around. Famous Ronnies Sex Shop and Barrysdale came along and then we turned off towards Swellendam. The oldest place in South Africa apparently. We had a tasty lunch in a lovely outdoor restaurant - a local Bobotie dish😋
    We continued our way straight south towards Cape Agulhas where „The Southern-most tip of the continent of Africa“ is. The way there was a battle against the wind. Our Travelbox got shaken around like a plane in turbulences. Very tiring to drive.
    We ended up at this famous „must visit“ place, where apparently also the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet and took the necessary pictures before ending up in a deserted campsite directly by the sea. We were the only one…plus the wind! It blew so strong during the night that we had to reposition our van behind a building to get less moved around 🙈    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    It's a coffee place, art gallery and shop
    Very tasty breakfastShipwreck at coast of AgulhasFunny sign, but it's true!Some Baboons having fun on the streetWine in sight!Welcome to HermanusCliff PathOur place for the night with Ocean viewTidal Pool for swimmingView from the pool to our spotFinally: the mandatory X-Mas Decoration

    Hermanus

    November 21, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    After the windy and turbulent night at this deserted campsite we left asap and found an amazing place in Agulhas to enjoy a tasty breakfast.
    We wanted to hike along the coast but the wind was still blowing insanely strong. We only took few photos of a shipwreck at the hike starting point and quickly jumped back into the windshaking Travelbox.
    We continued our journey through the „storm“ northwestwards to famous Hermanus. It’s the world’s best spot to watch whales from land as they are very common in the waters of Walkers Bay. Due to the wind, not much to see of course.
    We walked parts of the Cliff Walk Path and few roads within the village. It can get busy here but it wasn’t now. We ended up in a fancy wine tasting restaurant and enjoyed a light lunch before heading one village northwards to Onrus where we checked in for camping. The campsite had a tidal pool nearby so we jumped into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time (before it was the Indian😜).    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    Fernkloof Nature Reserve above Hermanus
    One of several landslides caused by heavy rains this yearView over HermanusWaterfall at this stageDriving over FranschhoekpasView over Franschhoek ValleyFranschhoekHuguenot MemorialWine TramGrand ProvenceTasting the RedsCamping along Wemmershoekrivier, who flooded the area already 2 times this yearMassive damage also to buildingsSunset at Campfire

    The wine region

    November 22, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    After a calmer night than the previous one, we decided to head for the Fernkloof Nature Reserve for a short hike on the hill just above Hermanus. It was a pleasant hike and a good way to start the day. Next stop was the wine region! We drove for about 1h30 and on our way, found a dam and a drove over the nice Franschhoek pass.
    Already during the morning hike but amso during our drive we could see a lot of damage from severe rainfalls in June and September with landslides and damaged roads.
    We eventually reached Franschoek, a little town famous for the wine in its valley: the French Huguenots came here and brought wine. You see French names everywhere and references to the Huguenots. The town is also famous for its gastronomy. We ate lunch (nothing fancy) and watch tourists go by ( plenty of them, the town is a busy wee place). There is a tramway with different lines running and stopping into different wineries. Unfortunately, we were too late to start. So, instead, we went into one winery to do a tasting: Grande Provence. The estate is so big, it is not just about wine. The wine was good, especially the cabernet sauvignon.
    Finding a campsite nearby was a bit of a challenge but we got one just outside Franschoek, along a river. We noticed there (again) the damages done by floodings in June and September. September was very stormy and rainy in South Africa.
    We had our dinner outside, sat by the campfire and went to bed looking forward to day 2 of touring wineries.    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    At Marianne Winery
    Morning TastingSpecial Wines to tasteOwned by FrenchCity of StellenboschAt Spier (looks like Spiez)Along the False Bay to Cape TownImhoff Camping in KommetsjieChapmans peakLong beach - loved by dogsand surfers

    Stellenbosch

    November 23, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We left our riverside camping and directly approached the Winery Marianne in the North area of Stellenbosch. We started with coffee and croissant before tasting wine…3 white and three red wines. Again our favorites were the Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Savignon.
    We continued into the center of Stellenbosch where we had lunch. It’s a very busy city - not much of a center and charme - we left and visited Spier, the producer of the wine we drunk in our Safari Lodge. The area is huge, includes garden, river, hotel, amphitheater, art gallery, restaurant and shop.
    We had enough of wine and decided to move to the cape, the part south of Cape Town. We found a nice camping in a lovely neighborhood Kommetjie directly at Long Beach at the west coast. The waves there were just perfect for surfing. The water was very chilly still…    Read more

  • The Adventure Continues2023 - South AfricaTraveler
    1Boulders BeachWe found Penguins 😜SleepingBreedingLarge colony of African Penguins lives hereStrollingTogether for lifeGathering some nest materialTourist must have pictureCape of good HopeCape Point, Cape of good hope belowNew lighthouse at Cape PointOld lighthouse at Cape PointTablemountain RangeFalse Bay from Tablemountains to Hermanus on the rightDriving along Cape CoastHeading back to Kommetje, where we stayBack to Long Beach2Impressive wavesPerfect for surfing

    We found Penguins & The Cape

    November 24, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    In the morning, we first secured 2 other nights in our camping. Camping closer to Cape town are non existant and we felt that our camping was in a good safe (wealthy) neightbourhood - moreover, we can just walk to the beach.
    Then, with Jay-Jay the travelbox, we left to see the colony of African penguins in Boulders beach. This was our second encounter with bus loads of tourists- this beach not being far from Cape Town, it is a favourite excursions for tour operators. One wonders if we are watching the penguins or if its the penguins that watch us. They were cute though, they choose a mate for their whole life and bring branches for their nest.
    After Boulders, the next must-do: Cape of the Good Hope (cap de bonne espérance). You have to queue to get a picture of you and the sign- crazy time!
    We went up the hill for a good view, then drove to the visitor centre and walked to Cape Point Lighthouse. Africa most southwesterly point. We also walked a trail to the “old” lighthouse (except you cannot walk to it completely). Spectacular views over False Bay and the Atlantic coast, but once again, no whales!
    We drove back along the scenic westcoast to our campsite and ended the day by a walk on the beach, admiring both surfers and dogs. The waves were quite formidable but the water freezing cold (Klaus didn’t enjoy the waves for long).
    We also secured a guide to hike table mountain for the next day as we heard that there were some security concerns- and it is also better with a guide in terms of experience. As our guide was picking us at 05:00 we went to bed early.    Read more

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