Kangela

29/08/2024

I have a bit of a vintage camera addiction, recently I loaded a roll of film into my Canon A1 film camera and took a couple of photos around my hometown of Groot Brakrivier. Not being able to see the result immediately, sending the film away for developing and waiting to get the photos back, never knowing how, or even if, they came out forces one to slow down and actually think about each and every “click” of the shutter. I’ve got to say it takes me back, I really enjoyed it, going to do more I think.

25/08/2024

Reflections.

23/08/2024

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK NAMIBIA
At just over 22000km2 Etosha, in northwestern Namibia, is one of the largest national parks in Africa, in fact it's slightly larger than the Kruger National Park. It was proclaimed a game reserve in March 1907 by the then Governor of German South West Africa, Friedrich von Lindequist and was awarded the status of national park in 1967. The park gets it's name from the huge Etosha salt pan, which covers 23% of the total area of the national park.

The park isn't a Big 5 reserve, with buffalo being absent. While they were present in the distant past, the last recorded sighting of a buffalo was of a young bull killed by lions in 1950. However there is an abundance of other game species, large and small including lion, giraffe, elephant, leopard, a small number of rare black rhino and an abundance of antelope. There are 6 rest camps within the park, which can get very busy during the peak season, it's very popular with German visitors. But there are privately owned lodges and camping facilities outside the park, from there day visits are easy.

Recently I've been experiencing a serious call to return to Namibia in general and the north in particular. It's my all time favourite country in the world. For now though, here are a few throwback photos from previous visits.

19/08/2024

“We were admiring the most beautiful country on earth, a land which bears the name of Outeniqua, meaning in the local language, laden with honey”….The words of Francois Le Vaillant back in 1782, after climbing the hills to the north of the Groot Brak River, between Mossel Bay and George☝️

And driving through that fertile land today I can see why. The canola fields are a blaze of colour and the wheat fields are steadily ripening. Spring is definitely on the way in the Garden Route.

17/08/2024

A little off topic maybe and a day late. I’m a HUGE Elvis fan in case you didn’t know. Yesterday was the 47th anniversary of his death. To me he’ll always be The King though! See y’all later, gotta go put my Elvis playlist on YouTube now 🎸

15/08/2024

Wow, thanks Africamps for the wonderful gift to celebrate your 10th birthday, it's been an incredible journey. We're looking forward to being there for the next 10.

11/08/2024

AFRICAMPS ROAD TRIP PART 4
The last in our Glamping with Africamps series from our 5000km road trip, we visit the last 3 of the 11 Africamps properties (that existed at the time). All 3 are located in the Cape Winelands and Southern Cape. I'm glad to say that our relationship has continued and we've been experiencing the newer properties, of which Africamps now boasts 18 across the country, with more to come no doubt.

DOOLHOF
Doolhof Wine Estate is a short distance from the Cape Winelands town of Wellington, where you'll discover 6 glamping tents surrounded by beautiful vineyards, mountains and clear mountain streams. The property is less than an hour from Cape Town, making it the closest Africamps property to the city. It's also home to some excellent wines, grown and produced on the estate. An afternoon of wine tasting and food pairing is time well spent for wine lovers. Activities on site include hiking and biking trails along the Kromme River. The tasting room where you can sample some of the estate’s award-winning wines along with a platter or lunch and, of course, the outdoor wood-fired hot tub next to your tent. Here's the video: https://youtu.be/3dIMKfJpTNU

STANFORD HILLS
Luxury camping on a boutique wine estate near the Southern Cape village of Stanford. It's located roughly half way between Hermanus and Gansbaai (most famous for it's white shark diving). Stanford Hills Estate is spread across the lower slopes of the Klein River mountain range, about 2 hours from Cape Town. Don't miss The Tasting Room restaurant, where you can enjoy amazing food, using all local ingredients, and wine grown and made on the farm. It's child and dog friendly, a real family affair. And, there's lots to do in the area, hiking through the vineyards or mountains, shark or whale watching at Gansbaai, or the bustle of Hermanus. It's no wonder that it's a favourite with Capetonians for a weekend getaway. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/jIOJcekB_xw

KAM'BATI
Kam'Bati River Resort s on the banks of the Breede River, a few kilometres from the town of Swellendam in the Western Cape. It was the last camp of our 2020 road trip, but definitely not the last. The weather wasn't great, more like winter than early summer, but the surroundings and quality of the accommodation and facilities was outstanding. The property is very much geared for families, and there are excellent camping facilities ranged along the river bank for traditional campers. It was quiet during our visit, but I can imagine the entertainment facilities being full of life over weekends and holiday periods. The river itself has abundant bass and is perfect for a few hours exploring with a kayak. The video's here: https://youtu.be/ugzRe3vZdRM

07/08/2024

The old Montagu Pass, outside George in the Western Cape. It was completed in 1848 and took 3 years to build using convict labour, which was standard practice at the time. Sadly floods over the past couple of years and lack of funds, or interest, have led to the pass being closed to traffic. It’s open to walkers though and is a great way to soak up the peace and tranquility of the mountains.

04/08/2024

I thought I’d highlight some of the delights to be found in the Garden Route over a couple of posts. What better place to start than my own home town of Groot Brakrivier (AKA Groot Brak)? Often referred to as the gateway to the Garden Route, Groot Brak is the first “green” town that is encountered when driving on the N2 from Mossel Bay towards George. With its beautiful estuary and perennially green, forest covered hills, it’s a fitting introduction to the beautiful Garden Route.

The first European references to Groot Brak were made in 1730, when the trek boers of old first reached the banks of the river. Francois Le Vaillant, in 1782, described it thus: “We crossed a plain, encircled with hills, and beautifully covered in trees and bushes, about five miles in circumference. I found there thousands of pelicans and flamingos.” After negotiating the difficult climb to the top of the hills to the north of the river, he went on to describe the scene beyond. “We were admiring the most beautiful country on earth. This land bears the name of Outeniqua, meaning in the local language, laden with honey”.

The village of Great Brak River was founded in 1859, when one Charles Searle brought his family to the virtually unknown rural settlement to operate and collect the toll, which was necessary for maintenance of the flood prone crossing. Travellers often needed their shoes repaired, and the enterprising Searle soon started a small shoe factory. Today the modern descendant of that factory, Bolton Footwear, is still in operation, and remains one of the major sources of employment in the village.

These days Groot Brak is more of a small town than a village, with an abundance of shops, restaurants, art galleries and accommodation establishments. It’s a popular holiday spot, with its endless beaches and protected estuary, and being midway between Mossel Bay and George on the N2 highway, and only 15 minutes from the airport, it’s ideally located as a base for exploring the Garden Route region. Nearby are 2 world class game lodges, where the Big 5 can be experienced (Botlierskop and Gondwana), and numerous beach villages like Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay and Wilderness all within a short drive.

While it’s often (in fact usually) overlooked when it comes to guidebooks and websites focused on Garden Route tourism, Groot Brak is definitely worth a stopover. If for no other reason, the local market, held on the banks of the river on the first Saturday of the month is worth a visit. It’s a genuine country affair with produce and art by locals and an excellent food court with delicious stuff to eat.

Try it, you’ll be in for a great surprise.

29/07/2024

I've been seeing a lot of AI generated images of cute wild animals recently, and others behaving totally out of character, passed off as genuine photography. To be clear, I have NO problem with digital art, or the use of AI when it's appropriate. As long as it's labelled as such! ALL my content though is original, authentic and AI free, and always will be. Just saying 😉

26/07/2024

You just can’t beat an early morning game drive in the Kgalagadi. Hot coffee to take off the chill, the locals starting to become active and those awesome sunrises. It doesn’t get better than that.

25/07/2024

AFRICAMPS ROAD TRIP PART 3

We undertook an epic overland road trip, visiting all 11 (at that time) Africamps properties across South Africa, travelling 5000 km over 6 weeks. Here's a recap of our experience of the Klein Karoo / Route 62 portion of that adventure.

Africamps @ Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo
Oudsthoorn is a town that always revolved around the ostrich industry, but these days it's just got so much more to offer. From game viewing safaris, where the Big 5 can be spotted, to the world famous and unique Cango Caves, not to forget really good restaurants and wine estates. And the Africamps property, situated on the road to the Cango Caves is really well placed to serve as a base for exploring this still relatively undiscovered region. Here's the video: https://tinyurl.com/myv462j4

Africamps @ Pat Busch, Robertson
Just 16km outside the Route 62 town of Robertson is the incredible Africamps property at Pat Busch Mountain Reserve. It's a place of such unsurpassed natural beauty, hidden away in a breathtakingly beautiful mountain valley. As a place to get away from the daily grind, spend your days hiking the mountain trails, fishing in the dam or chilling by the pool, you will find it right here. And only a couple of hours drive from Cape Town, it's an easy weekend getaway in unspoilt nature. Watch the video: https://tinyurl.com/yckd4fhh

23/07/2024

Visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the northern Kalahari, between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia in May 2024. No tar roads, no mobile phone reception and no internet for 6 nights, perfect!

This visit provided us with some of our best game sightings ever, with an incredible, close up lion encounter and a lone cheetah, all to ourselves. It also provided some of the least productive game viewing days we've experienced, with km after km of empty loneliness.

But, that's what makes this place so special, a zoo it is not! The Kgalagadi can bless those who make the effort to visit with awesome game viewing, as much as it can disappoint. But one thing it ALWAYS delivers is a genuine wilderness, one of the last authentic wild spaces in the country, if not the world.

Here's the video:

Visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the northern Kalahari Desert area between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, in May 2024.This visit provided us...

21/07/2024

Some more Garden Route mountain path explorations. We stopped off at the Old Tolhuis at the start of the Montagu Pass, where the proprietor, George is a mine of information. It's well worth spending a few minutes admiring the period decor, and if you're in the mood for a coffee and pancake, they offer that too.

19/07/2024

I’m a firm believer in “hands off” when it comes to wildlife sanctuaries. Activities like walking with lions or elephants is a red flag. They’re NOT in the best interests of the animals. Please do support Blood Lions, they are doing great work when it comes to highlighting unethical practices and exposing dodgy operators.

What comes to mind when we use the term ‘captive facility’?

What about the word ‘sanctuary’? It’s likely that two vastly different images of the animals in these places appeared in your mind when you read those words.

A captive facility immediately brings to mind animals in cages and small enclosures, substandard care, and a general sense of lacking well-being. A sanctuary elicits thoughts of care, compassion, a love for the animals.

But, does calling a captive facility a sanctuary make it more ethical? Not in South Africa, it doesn't.

Read on about how to determine whether a facility is a true sanctuary or not in our latest blogpost, 'Sanctuary vs Captive Facility: Key differences you need to know': https://bloodlions.org/sanctuary-vs-captive-facility-key-differences-you-need-to-know/

YouthForLions Humane Society International - Africa For the Love of Wildlife NSPCA - National Council of SPCAs World Animal Protection

15/07/2024

Exploring my backyard and a hike in the mountains above George in the Garden Route. Some of it very steep and challenging, but awesome views are the reward. The route I took initially is known as "The Bone Crusher", which should have given it away😅 Later I took a walk along the Old Montagu Pass road. That was very chilled, a couple of folks on scramblers enjoying the opportunity to put their bikes to work, but otherwise an easy and peaceful walk surrounded by nature.

05/07/2024

Malachite Kingfisher came to visit.

05/07/2024

Following on from my last post about our once in a lifetime roadtrip, visiting all the Africamps properties from the far north of the country in Hoedspruit, to the southernmost one at Stanford. Here's Part 2: the Garden Route camps.

Ingwe Plettenberg Bay
Nestled in a hidden valley near The Crags, outside Plettenberg Bay, Ingwe is right up there for a spot as the most beautiful Africamps in the country. The video is here: https://youtu.be/4IqBs5-44XE?si=6xZm22q2FKmZIXM0

Oakhurst Wilderness
Oakhurst is a working dairy farm, quite a large one, at 640 hectares. There are a whole bunch of of activities on the farm itself, and the surrounding area is well geared for visitors, with loads of ways of getting in touch with nature, and plenty of really good restaurants and pubs within really easy reach. Here's the video: https://youtu.be/BFmswBGfiJ8?si=jyKge9u7CauXR6UM

29/06/2024

YES PLEASE! A houseboat cruise on the Chobe River. Now THAT'S a plan I could get behind!

17/06/2024

These guys came to visit today, how awesome is it to have them right in our backyard.

15/06/2024

I can't be in the bush for now, but it's always on my mind, here are some of my favourite Big 5 photos from previous trips. Have a good weekend folks.

11/06/2024

There's something about a giraffe that shouts AFRICA! Don't you think? Many of the large and small animals most associated with Africa are also found elsewhere in the world; lion, cheetah, buffalo, leopard, elephant to name a few. But, the humble, elegant giraffe is ONLY found in Africa, and that makes it a true symbol of this continent.

09/06/2024

I've been enjoying some bird photography recently, and living on the estuary in Groot Brakrivier provides plenty of material. The Malachite Kingfishers are usually quite shy, very difficult to get close enough to get a frame filling photo. This little guy was a little bit more co-operative than usual though. We've also got a wide variety of wading birds who love it when the water levels are low enough to concentrate their prey in shallow pools.

06/06/2024

Our 14th Africamps stay was at one of the most recent camps, De Pakhuys in the Cederberg. The property is dog friendly, so you can bring your pooch along and all the tents are equipped with wifi, so you won't have to digitally detox, unless of course you want to.

There are some awesome hikes through the spectacular rock formations, massive boulders and beautiful waterfalls. We also we paid a visit to the small, and very remote village of Wupperthal, hidden in a secluded valley deep in the mountains.

The village is accessible only by a gravel road, and it's main claim to fame is as a Rooibos Tea growing centre and also for the manufacture of "veldskoen", a traditional and super comfortable South African shoe.

The property blew us away with the sheer beauty of the surroundings. And experiencing it in the comfort of an Africamps tent makes the experience all the more special.

Here's the video:

Our 14th Africamps stay was at one of the most recent camps, De Pakhuys in the Cederberg. This is how camping should be👌 Africamps has done it again with a...

05/06/2024

DEADVLEI
Namibia has been in the news a bit recently, mostly related to new oil discoveries, and which corporation or foreign country stands to benefit the most from their exploitation (sadly it’s unlikely to be the average Namibian). To me though, Namibia is about the stunning natural beauty, which I hope beyond hope will be able to survive the greed for profits that pays no respect to nature. Deadvlei is one of the places that keeps drawing me back, time and again.

These ancient trees have stood against the elements for hundreds of years, they were but saplings when Joan of Arc was giving the English a hard time, already mature trees when Henry 8th was executing his wives, and "old" when Jan Van Riebeeck landed at the Cape. Standing beneath their ancient branches is a truly humbling experience. I NEED to go back!

03/06/2024

We recently visited our 14th Africamps property, De Pakhuys in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape. That video will be up on Youtube soon, but I thought it's time for a little recap of our Africamps journey, starting from the very beginning, back in October 2020.

Hoedspruit
We began our 5000km Africamps roadtrip at Hoedspruit. The camp is around 20 km outside the town, on the road to the Kruger National Park. A genuinely special place and still one of our favourites, with the tents ranged along the banks of a large "dam". It's the ideal spot to get the full camping experience, with easy access to the Kruger Park for day visits, without the hassle of traditional camping. Video here: https://youtu.be/6U8YWhMJkF0

Mackers (Hazyview)
Next up was Mackers. On the banks of the Sabie River near the town of Hazyview in Mpumalanga, Mackers, owned and managed by Ryan and Michelle Mc Kain (The Mackers) is a mere 30 minutes drive from the Phabeni Gate entrance to the Kruger Park. The video: https://youtu.be/D1enuBygpIY

White Elephant Safaris
Next we travelled southwards, around the country of Eswatini (previously Swaziland). The most remote camp in the Africamps stable, 50km from the closest town, Pongola, and built on a low hill overlooking the massive Lake Jozini. It's the genuine African "bush" experience, with warthog, Nyala and other wildlife grazing right in front of the wooden deck. Here's that video: https://youtu.be/wi7ejZwm3VU

Gowan Valley
Last camp before heading to the Western Cape was Gowan Valley, located in the heart of KZN Midlands Meander route. With only 5 tents, it's got a "special" feel about it, in an indisputably beautiful setting surrounded by rolling hills, forests, endless fields, and the swift flowing Mpofana River. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/ZiwaNBl9gXA

NB! I don't work for Africamps, so any questions about pricing and availability may be directed to them via their website: https://africamps.com/

Next up we'll visit the Garden Route and Klein Karoo with Africamps, watch this space...

29/05/2024

Kgalagadi sunrises, happy Wednesday folks.

28/05/2024

Here's a 1 minute African Safari from my friends at African Welcome Safaris, enjoy.

An African Safari is far removed from your hectic and busy everyday life. You will be busy, but at a pace that exists only in the African Bush. So get your ...

25/05/2024

That's a wrap for this week, here's a "road trip vibes" photo to brighten your Saturday, have an excellent weekend folks.

23/05/2024

Kgalagadi on my mind.