The Big 5: Rhino

The Big 5: Leopard

When you start researching your African Safari, the term “Big 5″ often comes up. The term Big 5 was coined by big-game hunters and quickly became known as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and the name stuck – although now ‘shooting’ is done through a camera lens. So the Big 5 are not called the Big 5 because of their size! The Big 5 are five of Africa’s greatest wild animals – lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. As during the bygone hunting era the term “Big Five” still conjures up the romance and excitement of Africa’s exotic destinations and experiences. Images will begin playing in your mind: lions roaring; elephants trumpeting; buffaloes lurking in long grass; rhinos standing stately under a thorn tree; leopards prowling in the gathering darkness. Many travellers regard a visit to Africa as incomplete without having...

The Big 5: Cape Buffalo

When you start researching your African Safari, the term “Big 5″ often comes up. The term Big 5 was coined by big-game hunters and quickly became known as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and the name stuck – although now ‘shooting’ is done through a camera lens. So the Big 5 are not called the Big 5 because of their size! The Big 5 are five of Africa’s greatest wild animals – lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. As during the bygone hunting era the term “Big Five” still conjures up the romance and excitement of Africa’s exotic destinations and experiences. Images will begin playing in your mind: lions roaring; elephants trumpeting; buffaloes lurking in long grass; rhinos standing stately under a thorn tree; leopards prowling in the gathering darkness. Many travellers regard a visit to Africa as incomplete without having...

The Big 5: Lion

When you start researching your African Safari, the term “Big 5” often comes up. The term Big 5 was coined by big-game hunters and quickly became known as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and the name stuck – although now ‘shooting’ is done through a camera lens. So the Big 5 are not called the Big 5 because of their size! The Big 5 are five of Africa’s greatest wild animals – lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. As during the bygone hunting era the term “Big Five” still conjures up the romance and excitement of Africa’s exotic destinations and experiences. Images will begin playing in your mind: lions roaring; elephants trumpeting; buffaloes lurking in long grass; rhinos standing stately under a thorn tree; leopards prowling in the gathering darkness. Many travellers regard a visit to Africa as incomplete without having...

The Big 5: African Elephant

When you start researching your African Safari, the term “Big 5” often comes up. The term Big 5 was coined by big-game hunters and quickly became known as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and the name stuck – although now ‘shooting’ is done through a camera lens. So the Big 5 are not called the Big 5 because of their size! The Big 5 are five of Africa’s greatest wild animals – lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. As during the bygone hunting era the term “Big Five” still conjures up the romance and excitement of Africa’s exotic destinations and experiences. Images will begin playing in your mind: lions roaring; elephants trumpeting; buffaloes lurking in long grass; rhinos standing stately under a thorn tree; leopards prowling in the gathering darkness. Many travellers regard a visit to Africa as incomplete without having...

Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Some land based wildlife was calling my name since landing on the African continent and I was determined to see through the effort to answer back. Despite this exploratory adventure to Mozambique being more about the sand and surf than the elephants and elands the history of Mozambique’s land bases animal kingdom is prolific. The parks of this country were visited frequently by Mozambicans, Rhodesians, South Africans, Europeans and Americans during the 50’s and 60’s. Ravaged by a 15 year civil war commencing in 1975, Mozambique’s national parks saw their game wiped out by the military and poachers in need of sustenance. Once game rich parks rivaling Kruger Park in South Africa and the Serengeti in Tanzania, saw massive wildlife populations of big game eradicated. The healing process will be lengthy but it has begun. The eastern boundary of the Transfrontier Park, a wildlife reserve...

Supper, Vilanculos, Mozambique

After staying at Dugong Beach Lodge any readers of this blog will believe that being able to stay in such places is greatest benefit of this vocation. What drove me to start my business was encapsulated in the meal I enjoyed last night. The people of Africa have an ability to take on daily challenges that most westerners would wilt under if thrown in the same circumstances. More impressive is their persevering attitude about working towards a solution while never losing the attractiveness of being overly hospitable. Last night proved to be a snapshot of what I have described above. Pat Rezlaff and his wife, Mandy, own Mozambique Horse Safaris based just down the beach from Archipelago. The couple became friends with Mike Moye about 3 years ago when Mike was here for a few months. The Rezlaff story, like many a Zimbabwean, is tragic...

Dugong Beach Lodge, Vilanculos Sanctuary, Mozambique

The ancillary benefits of this job rest firmly in the opportunity to see and experience a lot of Africa and stay on the go. Headed up this way to check out the offerings of the Vilanculos area with the end game being able to determine whether the offerings would be a good match for future clients. Took off yesterday morning to overnight with Dugong Beach Lodge located within the Vilanculos Sanctuary. Dugong is a high end lodge located at the end of a peninsula about a 3 hour’s drive from Vilanculos. In lieu of the drive the lodge offered to take me via boat. Prior to meeting the boat at the harbor about midday I drove the northern outskirts of Vilanculos and popped in to visit the Vilanculos Beach Lodge, Casa Rex and Aguia Negra. All offer a range of mid to high end accommodation...

A Street Bar Named Desire, Tofo, Mozambique

The mix of restaurants, bars locals and ex pats is wide and varied given Tofo is such a small place. One of the real attractions here is the ability to walk to places of need and interest. The village center is the central spoke where fresh produce and libations in plentiful supply can be purchased. I’ve been fortunate to travel Africa from Kenya to the east and north down through South Africa and back up to Namibia on the west coast. Must admit that these Mozambican locals are as friendly a people as I have come across. The villagers selling all the local wares are a passive group of sales people. Some of the local craft markets throughout Africa can get a little hectic but not here. There is a commonality here in Tofo amongst the blacks and whites that is palpable. The blacks’ local...

Tofo, Mozambique

Sitting here on the coast of Mozambique close to midnight. Screen door is all that separates me from about 75 yards of beach and the Indian Ocean. The breeze is cool at night, just cool enough to keep the windows and doors open for a good night’s sleep but not so cool to need anything more than a sheet under which to sleep.   Martin, Mike, Arjen, Branko and Sean have headed back home after we all settled in on consuming 8 crayfish and about 3 pounds of tuna. I bought the crayfish from a few boys who had just caught them in the ocean a few hours prior. They dive for them here in the waters just off the beach. Sean is a local South African charter boat captain and came over with one of the tuna he had caught also but a few...

South Africa Arrival – Pretoria, South Africa

Flew out of Atlanta on Tuesday, the 21st at 7:30PM. Landed here in Johannesburg at about 6PM on Wednesday. The 16 hour flight can be handled best with sedatives. Have gotten to the point now where I eat prior to getting on the plane and take my first Ambien shortly after takeoff. Taking part in this flights regularly has shown me that the best idea is to sleep as long as possible and to take as many sleep aids as needed. It is impossible to sleep too long on this flight. Ambien works well for me but on this trip I actually just used over the counter Sominex. It worked well. For those of you considering the trip over I highly recommend using your miles to upgrade to Economy Plus or Business seating. Never have seen much of the need to upgrade when flying domestically...

Thonga Beach Lodge, Thonga Beach, South Africa

Craig, Peter and I were looking forward to the trip over to Thonga as it sits right on the beach and we were going to be there for 2 nights. I can cover a lot of ground in researching new areas and properties but it is nice to head in to one spot for more than a single night. In addition, this part of the South African coast by the Mozambique border, the Elephant Coast, is void of many accommodation options that sit right on the beach. The last 200 miles or so of the coast is a national park system and very few lodges are allowed on at at the beach.   The introduction to Thonga Beach Lodge did not disappoint as we entered the property from high atop 150 foot tall dunes. The panorama was wide out over the ocean and long along...

Kosi Bay Forest Lodge, Kosi Bay, South Africa

We had a long commute from Zulu Lodge to Kosi Bay Lodge. Our driver picked us up at 10AM as we had 6 hours ahead of us. North and west we needed to drive to but a few miles from the Mozambique border. These lengthy drives are not usual for me or my customers but given this trip was being hosted on our behalf, I was only too pleased to be driven the 6 hour journey. The manager of Kosi Bay Forest Lodge, Bruce, met us at the entrance to the iSimangalisa Wetland Park where the lodge sits. The journey to the lodge was but a few minutes and immediately we noticed the tidiness of the local African housing. Bruce noted to us that the Thonga people inhabit this area and are proud of their appearance and houses, It well shows as their accommodation, while...

Clifton 4th Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Good time for a bit of long term and short term reflection given today is the date of my departure from South Africa after a month here in this city and surrounds of plenty. Short term reflection is due if only for a weekend that so well quantifies what the city has on offer. Sunday morning proved to be just as prolific in weather quality as was Saturday. The two days were pretty much a mirror image of one another with daytime temps of about 82 and nighttime of about 60. Reasonable time to note the continued attraction of the summer weather here in Cape Town and most all of South Africa. Almost no humidity throughout the country with the exception of Durban and further north towards the Mozambique border. So, after a warm day, once the sun sets it can often be time to...

Camp’s Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

Good time for a bit of long term and short term reflection given today is the date of my departure from South Africa after a month here in this city and surrounds of plenty. Short term reflection is due if only for a weekend that so well quantifies what the city has on offer. My hosts, Ian and Louisa and their two children, had taken off a few days prior to their 2nd home located on the beach in St. Francis. My last few days called for the necessity to meet a few people so I was “home alone”. The month of March was good to me in the weather department. End of summer here yielded almost all days of sun and low 80 degree temps. The weekend was a snapshot of such given there was not a cloud in the sky, but a slight...

Johannesburg, South Africa

Spent the last few days down in Kroonstad in the Orange Free State. Had the opportunity to travel the 2 and 1/2hours south from my host, Henk Visagie and his family, in an effort to reach a few people I wanted to see as well as shuttle Henk’s youngest son, Roux, to spend a few days with his grandparents.   Roux just turned 6 last month but due to his Afrikaans genetics is the size of boys a few years older. Henk and Christina’s boys (Andries, 9, Jaco, 7 and Roux, 6) have all been mainstays in my visits to South Africa a few times a year. Living in on the outskirts of Johannesburg, they have served as hosts to me once I land into South Africa from the US. What a pleasant weigh station it is – 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a pool and...

Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, South Africa

March 26, 2012 Was out in Los Angeles last month and could not help but notice the similarities between its topography and weather and that of Cape Town’s – rugged coastline, sandy beaches, quick elevation into the hills and mountains overlooking the sea, warm days and cool nights. No wonder why so many South Africans try to flock to the west coast should they take residence in the US.

12 foot, 1 ton predator – White Shark Cage Diving – Kleinbaai, South Africa

My continued deference to this country’s outdoor activities is concluded in this trip’s blogs by regurgitating the mantra – South Africa is akin to an adult’s version of Disneyland. Once one adventurous ride ends, yet another one commences just around the corner. Yesterday’s prolific Southern Right Whale excursion, departing from Gansbaai, took us into Walker Bay. Today’s salt water exploration has us departing from Kleinbaai (“klein” translates as “small” in Afrikaans and “baai” means harbor or bay), a village harbor town almost contiguous to Gansbaai. To take part in viewing two such impressive animals in such an intimate fashion should warrant a greater sacrifice than we have had to make in regards to travel. To imagine both these activities could be enjoyed from boats departing small ports within walking distance of one another seems more than hard to believe. People would travel half way around...

40 feet and 65 tons – Southern Right Whale Boat Charter – Walker Bay, South Africa

Think about those numbers for a minute – 40 feet and 65 tons of mobility in the sea. For anyone who has seen a whale in the ocean it can be hard to get a feel for how big these animals are as most all their bodies remain underwater when we see them. Perhaps a better way to get a feel for their size from afar is to remember that a full grown male elephant weighs 6 tons. So, the Southern Right is ten times the weight of a mature elephant – 10 times. Somewhat sets you back when you think about it.

Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Kruger Park, South Africa

The last night in the Kruger Park was spent exploring another camp inside the park itself, Rhino Post Safari Lodge. Gotta confess and tell you that this type lodge is my kind of place – somewhat like Swiss Family Robinson meets the African bush. The accommodation is called “tents” but all that can be considered an actual tent might be the exterior walls. The ceiling is made of local thatch and built at a high pitch such that the interior clearance must be more than 15 feet at its peak. The floor is made from finished hardwood and there is a large deck outside overlooking the now dry riverbed where game flourishes en route to the camp watering hole. The bathroom includes double vanity, toilet and claw foot bathtub. There is also my number one extravagance – the outdoor shower. Nothing like bathing under the...

Oscar’s Restaurant and Lodge, Witrivier, South Africa

Out of the Kruger Park for the first time in four nights last night, overnighting in Witrivier (White River in Afrikaans). Not that there is any need to be outside the Kruger as accommodation and comforts are all well provided for be it in private camps or the park’s camps. Oscar’s is a four star lodge located on a golf estate outside of the park. It is a little hard to put into words the attractiveness of the South African experience as it pertains to the contrast between one morning sitting amidst a pride of lion or a herd of elephant in their natural surrounds and the same night sitting in a real estate development you might find in any developed part of the world This juxtaposition is one of the many qualities which make South Africa unique. You just cannot get the comforts of...

Big Lion Pride – Kambaku Safari Lodge, Kruger Park, South Africa

The last morning at Imbali proved to be just as impressive as the first afternoon. Our ranger, Nicolas, was looking for lion and we were not long on the trail of winding dirt roads before there sat to our left, in the early morning 6AM sun, a large pride of lion, perhaps 15 strong.   Seeing these animals in the wild immediately gives the viewer the easy to arrive to conclusion that all the creatures in this setting should never be held captive in a zoo or the like. Two full grown males, brothers, were equal partners in this family unit where two sets of cubs, one nine months old and one eight, were showing us that youth is where the energy lies. The rising sun was a welcome addition for this family interested in warming its bones after a cool night when temperatures can...

Rhinos within 5 feet – Imbali Lodge, in the Kruger Park, South Africa

Sitting here to a fine dinner of tomato and basil soup, cobb salad with the main course being grilled sole. The first two courses as prepared by our chef, Abraham, a local from the nearby village, have been of high quality. Am a big fan of tomato soup but our tomato soup can be a little bland in the US. Here in Africa they are not afraid to add local ingredients to spice up a favorite the world over. Bravo to Abraham. Just awaiting the main course. Why say ye that I am typing while eating. Well, sometimes when traveling to a few of these lodges on my own I will elect to eat in the lounge and get a bit of work done at the same time. Oooppp….Mary has just arrived with the sole….let’s take a time out and taste what Abraham has tempted...

Elephants at my Swimming Pool – Buhala Lodge, banks of the Crocodile River – Kruger Park, South Africa

Elephants at my Swimming Pool – Buhala Lodge, banks of the Crocodile River – Kruger Park, South Africa How about an introductory shout on to my mother on this, her 76th birthday. She and I were herein South Africa three years ago. She would have liked this spot here nestled on a bank high above the southern border of the Kruger National Park. Buhala Lodge is where I am and from my vantage point it is but a 100 yard walk down the riverside, another 400 yards across the river and then into South Africa’s largest national game park, Kruger National Park. The proprietor, Sugar Rhodes, and I met at the Indaba trade show in Durban last year. I’ve been meaning to get back here to take a look. These type lodges resting on the outside of the Kruger Park cater to plenty of self-drive...

What a Country, Henk Visagie’s House – Pretoria, South Africa

What makes this country so very appealing to me? Just but a few minutes after landing I am reminded of a few of these things: Weather – Here it is the middle of the southern hemisphere winter and when I land at 5PM, the sun is just starting its descent but the mass of people in the international arrivals hall are dressed just in their shirtsleeves. Johannesburg is a mile high in elevation (just like our Denver, ”Mile High” city) so it is cool once the sun goes down but not cold by US standards for a city at such altitude. Temperatures during the day in Johannesburg will be about 70 degrees F and most days will be full of sun. The sun shines here in what seems like a never ending cycle, yet the temperature never gets too cold or too hot and there...

Isinbindi Zulu Lodge, Natal, South Africa

First stop here on the 4 day educational tour I am taking of the Isibindi Lodges found within South Africa. Was met at the Durban airport yesterday morning by Kristie from Isibindi where she drove me and my fellow two travelers, Craig Ronne and Peter Kari north to the first stop, Isibindi Zulu Lodge. Craig is originally from Cape Town and owns a tour company based in London bringing primarily the UK market out to Africa. He serves in the same capacity as I do in my business but also has the bonus of having an office in Cape Town. So, he splits time between London and South Africa. Peter is a journalist from Copenhagen. He writes for their major newspaper, Politiken, and also writes the content for a travel digest on South Africa. The three of us are here to explore the offerings of...

Kruger Park, Sabi Sand, South Africa, Chitwa Chitwa Lodge

Spent the last two nights at Chitwa Chitwa Camp in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve adjoining Kruger Park. The reserve is well known for its prolific game viewing, especially leopard, and it did not disappoint. Upon exiting the Timbavati via our own vehicle, the map we had offered a couple of conventional routes or the options for a couple of shortcuts. Despite having a low clearance car, I elected to take the shortcut over the dirt roads of South Africa. A few dips and turns later and about 2 hours after departure, we were at the gate of the Sabi Sand. Never can tell when one will get a good surprise in this part of the world. A local black female stepped out from the guard house. She was decked out in some tight, tan khakis and some pumps that might have her fit in...

Cape Town, South Africa – Hout Bay

Last night I accompanied Ian and Louisa to a friend’s house who was celebrating his birthday. Jack and his wife Jill hosted us in their recently purchased home on the Constantia Nek Road. That road can be a bit busy with traffic so to the uneducated passerby one would believe the houses are perhaps hold a slight negative to other houses in the area. As I discovered, to make such an assumption would be wrong. We passed on through the road side gate and stepped into the house. Out the back door we came through to the patio and then a sweeping view of the Hout Bay valley with mountain tops circling us from all sides. The backyard must have been a hundred yards and flat; flat is often hard to find in Cape Town. The yard was equally as impressive in width and was...

Cape Town, South Africa – Camp’s Bay

Spent the last two days walking the streets of Camp’s Bay and spending plenty of time in the sun and on the beach. The weather has been exceptional these last few days with temperatures of about 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Camp’s Bay has become my favorite beach in Cape Town if for only the right mix of beach, accommodation and activity within but 3 blocks. Like most all parts of Cape Town, the slope onto the beach is dramatic from just a few hundred yards inland. The Twelve Apostles are 3,000 foot mountains that serve as an impressive backdrop to this flat, long and wide beach. Restaurants and a few bars hug the street opposite the beach offering just enough attraction but not so much that it is overwhelming (a la too many parts of the US). My pouring over the...

Cape Town, South Africa – Table Mountain

Upon arrival last night into Cape Town and being dutifully picked up at the airport by Louisa, the never ending gracious hostess, her like minded husband, Ian asked me if I wanted to join our friend, Simon Waterkeyn, on a hike up Table Mountain in the AM. Ask me twice? No. I was all in. Simon and I were to meet at the cable car station at 8AM and I managed to just beat the deadline and we were off. There is no daylight savings time in South Africa so in summer the sun rises early, perhaps 6AM. By 8AM it is already starting to get warm on a sunny day (the only reprieve, a big one, is that Cape Town is almost void of humidity). We decided on the standard Plattekloof (flat cliff or mountain in Afrikaans). Table Mountain is 3,500 feet high but...

Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Yesterday, our second day at Mana Pools was as productive as could be asked for. We awoke at dawn (about 6AM) and massed for some coffee and tea prior to departure on a morning game drive and walk. Waking up to a fire overlooking the Zambezi River is hard to beat. The temperature during this time of year is just right for mornings and evenings. With daytime temperatures reaching as high as the low 70’s, shorts are appropriate by about mid morning. Sitting around the fire in the early morning hours the temperature was probably about 55 degrees as well as in the evening, maybe 50 degrees. The climate in this part of the world continues to impress me despite a decade of coming here.   Stretch was determined to see lion and elephant on foot and such set out again to track lion. He...

Chinhoyi, Harare and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

After a few days at Henk’s house gathering some R & R with his family and spending a day with my cousin at Pilanesburg National Park I came to Zimbabwe on Thursday morning. Pilanesburg National Park in South Africa is but a 1 and 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg and is an excellent day trip from the neighboring cities. Just next door is Sun City, a miniature version of Las Vegas and the home to the #1 ranked course in South Africa, the Gary Player course. Interesting to note during our drive through the park was sighting a rhino with the largest horn I have ever seen. The horn was straight, not curved and looked more like the lance of a horseman. It was very long and very thin. We ran into yet another congenial Afrikaner couple with whom we shared what we had seen...

7-12-2010: Henk Visagie’s house, Pretoria, South Africa

Monday, July 12, 2010 Last night was a tough defeat for the Dutch national soccer team as they lost the final to Spain bringing their number of finals losses to 3 in the history of the World Cup. I made a strong attempt to meet my cousin, Aeisso, at the game given he flew down from Holland to see the match with some friends. He already had a ticket so by the time my plane landed from Nairobi at 12 noon and after spending a few hours at the airport organizing myself (emails, money changed, airline flights amended) I took a small bus down to Soccer Stadium outside Johannesburg. The crowd was big heading into the stadium despite it being only close to 5PM and a full 3 and ½ hours from the time the game would start. I felt like there was a chance...

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

I made it back to Nairobi on Friday via a private plane flight back into the Mara with Rex, the pilot from New Zealand and Dave, another white Kenyan about 65 years old who serves as a photographer and fill in camp manager for Governors Camps. Landing at the smaller Nairobi Wilson airport I was transported to the main airport for my flight into Kigali, Rwanda. The flight departed at about 5 PM and landed again about an hour and fifteen minutes later. There was another 2 hours of sunlight left so coming into the airport I got a good view of the surrounds. I knew very little about Rwanda prior to arrival other than the tribal war that peaked about 15 years ago between the Tsutsi and the Hutus resulting in 800,000 people being murdered in the course of but a few months. Hearing...

Mfangano Island Camp, Lake Victoria, Kenya

Arrived here on this island camp on Lake Victoria yesterday via plane charter from Governor’s Camp. The flight took about 45 minutes and with our descent pulling us over the NW corner of the lake near the Uganda border. Lake Victoria is a high lake resting at 3,700 feet above sea level and the highest peak on Mfangano Island resting at 5,500 feet above sea level. The camp is a bit empty at the moment so the manager, James, has put me in the Honeymoon Suite. I have taken a past girlfriend with me on a similar fact finding mission to Africa where we stayed at exotic locales along the way and I’ll have to admit this spot called for the company of a woman. The Honeymoon Suite is set on a rocky promontory extending into the lake with the bedroom perched 20 feet above...

Governors’ Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

Yesterday I took a short flight of about 45 minutes aboard Safarilink Airlines to get from Loldia House to Little Governors’ Camp here on the banks of the Mara River in the Masai Mara. Sammy and Peter drove us out to the local dirt airstrip where the runway was covered in Cape buffalo and zebra. We drove up and down the runway scattering the grazers who were not eager to leave and then joined the air traffic controller, Joram, who was conducting the same duty as us but on a bicycle. The Meyjes were en route to the same camp so we looked to be spending another 3 nights together. The caravan 12 seater touched down shortly thereafter to pick us up and I then got a little closer to Joram. Joram had a toothy grin and appeared to be about 60 years old and...

Hermanus, South Africa

Last night, with the Dutch team playing Slovakia, I drove out to Hermanus to catch the match on TV with friends of mine, Yvonne and Paul Jansen, owners of the guest house, Mulligan’s. Yvonne was born in Holland to Dutch parents but then moved out to South Africa with them and her siblings when she was 2 years old. The drive out to Hermanus is but about an hour and a half but the coastal road hugs the shoreline for the last half of the trip offering views not to be missed – Gordon’s Bay, Rooi Els, Betty’s Bay and then on into Hermanus. I had a bit of an interesting side story in picking up a hitchhiker in Betty’s Bay. Perhaps my tendency to pick up an occasional person trying to hitch a ride is considered too high a risk and those that make...

Cape Town, South Africa – Hout Bay

Sitting in front of the comforts of a fire at 10PM in my friends’ home in Hout Bay is a far cry from the 3 prior nights. Two of those nights were spent on airplanes traveling from Atlanta to Amsterdam and Dubai to Johannesburg and last night was spent within a crowd of 65,000 boisterous fans at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town for the Holland – Cameroon World Cup match. My usual journey to South Africa begins with a direct flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg and I suppose I have become accustomed to the brevity of the trip. Albeit, the plane flight is 15 hours but I am spoiled to be able to walk out my own back door, take the train to the airport, board the flight and then step onto South African soil — no connections, no refueling stops and a plane...

03-28-2010: Timbavati , Kruger Park, South Africa

Pulled into Tanda Tula Private Safari Lodge here in the  TImbavati area abutting Kruger Park. I’ve been through this area before a few years ago but I wanted to visit a few more lodges in this area. Picked up my friend, Amy Fulton, from the airport Sunday night after she flew in from Atlanta. Amy is an internal spokesperson for Home Depot and given her comfort level in front of the camera, she agreed to come over and film a few spots for me here in South Africa. The goal will be for me to film her in a few safari lodges here near the Kruger Park and then to fly down to Cape Town and do the same. Once edited, the videos will be posted on You Tube in an effort to increase my web and social media presence. Overnighted at the new City...

Indian Ocean, Hermanus & Ivanhoe Sea Safaris, South Africa

One of the big attractions of South Africa during the months of June-November is witnessing the southern right whales come to rest in the waters off the coast of Hermanus, and neighboring cities such as de Kelders and Gansbaai. The whales’ primary destination is Walker Bay, the natural land mass that creates calm waters in which these whales can visit on an annual basis. Southern Right Whales measure up to 45 feet and weigh up to 45 tons or the equivalent of 10 elephants. They migrate north from the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean to calve, mate and rest before heading back south in summer to feed in the krill rich oceans. There are 3 well known viewing areas for Southern Right Whales and we were in the heart of one of them. Another prime spot is De Hoop Nature Reserve is protected waters...

pdf–2023 – 2024

April 2024 Ecuador Adventure Academic Tours – 19 Feb 2024 February 2024   PS-Guatemala’s natural and historical wonders – 8 Feb 2024 PS-Paleontology – Fins to Fingers – 8 Feb 2023 PS-Peru Tapestry Itinerary – 8 Feb 2024 PS-East Coast USA National Parks Tour – 8 Feb 2024 PS-Explore Ecuador – 8 Feb 2024 PS-Gaansbaai 2.0_8 Feb 2024 PS-A-levels Biology Tour – 8 Feb 2024 PS-American Wonders A Coast-to-Canyon Adventure – 8 Feb 2024 PS-Doing Development Differently Sociology Program PS-East Coast USA National Parks Tour – 8 Feb 2024 November 2023   Reddam_House_Proposal_for_the_Bellavista_Itinerary_10_November_2023 Part 1: Student-trip-South-Africa_CANVA_Karoo-Quest_25-August-2023-2.pdf Student-Trip-Norway_CANVA_Northern-Horizons_25-August-2023-2.pdf Student-Trip-Namibia_CANVA_Navigating-Namibia_26-July-2023-1.pdf Student-trip-Kenya_CANVA_Adventures-in-Kenya_26-July-2023-3.pdf Kilimanjaro_CANVA_Concurring-Kilimanjaro_14-September-2023-2.pdf   Part 2: Student_trip_Kwazulu_Natal_CANVA_Natal_Escapades_26_July_2023-2.pdf South_Africa_Mozambique_CANVA_From_Safari_to_Seaside_17_October-2.pdf Slovenia_CANVA_Basketball-Bliss-Sovenia_17-October-2023-2.pdf Croatia_Sailing_Adventure_CANVA_Smooth_Sailing_in_Croatia_17_October-2.pdf   Part 3: Student-Trip-Georgia_CANVA_Gems-of-Georgia_14-August-2023-2.pdf Student-Trip-Bali-Indonesia_CANVA_Bali-Bliss_14-Aug-2023-2.pdf Slovenia_Croatia_CANVA_Basketball_bliss_Slovenia_and_Croatia_17-2.pdf Dinokeng_Waterberg_Cape_Town_CANVA_Culture__Cuisine_A_taste_of-2.pdf   Part 4: Dinokeng_Gondwana_CANVA_Delving_into_Dinokeng__Gondwana_31_October-2.pdf Kenya_Zanzibar_CANVA_Exploring_Kenyas_Wild_Heart_17_October_2023-2.pdf Guatemala_CANVA_Guatemalas_Natural_and_Historical_Wonders_31_October-2.pdf Dinokeng_North_West_CANVA_Wondering_Dinokeng__North_West_31_October-2.pdf   Part 5: Cape_Town_Gondwana_CANVA_Cape_Town_Seaside_to_Safari_Adventures-2.pdf Thailand-Transformations_14-Days_CANVA_17-October-2023-2.pdf Dinokeng_Pongola_CANVA_Discovering_Dinokeng__Pongola_31_October-2.pdf   Part 6: Dinokeng_Waterberg_Cape_Town_CANVA_Culture__Cuisine_7_November-2.pdf Dinokeng_Gondwana_CANVA_Delving_into_Dinokeng__Gondwana_7_November-2.pdf Slovenia_Wilderness_Adventure_CANVA_Slovenia_Splendours_13_November       https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Thailand-Transformations_CANVA_14-Sep-20236683.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Thailand-Treasures.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Namibia-Volunteering.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Southern-Sky-Adventures-KZN-Programme-Brochure-US.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Karoo-Conservation-and-Biodiversity.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Gansbaai-Marine-Volunteering.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Explore-Ecuador.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Eastern-Cape-Volunteering.pdf https://www.southernskyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Botswana-Volunteering.pdf...

Cape Maclear