My Adventure Tours Exodus, Travelbag, Explore, World expeditions).
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1992 Morocco - Trip organised by Exodus - a 3 week tour, mainly camping.
This was my first such holiday. A bit of a leap in the dark, but all went well. A group of 16 adults of varying age and background mainly single but some couples.We travelled in an UK Army Lorry and so in one sense my first "Motorhome". We flew to Marrakech via Casablanca and stayed in a hotel/hostel right by the main market area "Jemaa el Fna", we had a tour of the Souk and Medina, all very interesting as this was my first experience of a quite different culture.Everyone haggling and bartering, the locals asking for exhorbitant sums but easily brought down by at least 50% but they were still "making a killing". Staggered at the young children (5 6 7) working in tile factories and other. Next on to Essouria a lovely fishing port. From there we went via the big cities Rabat, Meknes and Fes.Camping in each, all very interesting especially the Mosques and markets.Then into the desert by way of Vallée du Ziz and camped at Erg Chebbi (biggest sand dune) at had a sandstorm as well. We continued on to Todra Gorge and spent a couple of nights in the hotel. A change from sleeping "very rough with camp fires" Our journeys were punctuated by stops to see interesting areas and customs . items included a "Berber camp" and an Oasis.The next stops were the delightfully named Zagora and Ourzazate, before continuing to Imlil in the foothils of the Atlas mountains.We stayed here a few days whilst the younger and fitter scaled Mount Toubkal. Our route included the 2 big passes "Tizi N'Tichka" and "Tizi N'Tichka". All in all very interesting and "got me hooked" on this style of holiday !
This was my first such holiday. A bit of a leap in the dark, but all went well. A group of 16 adults of varying age and background mainly single but some couples.We travelled in an UK Army Lorry and so in one sense my first "Motorhome". We flew to Marrakech via Casablanca and stayed in a hotel/hostel right by the main market area "Jemaa el Fna", we had a tour of the Souk and Medina, all very interesting as this was my first experience of a quite different culture.Everyone haggling and bartering, the locals asking for exhorbitant sums but easily brought down by at least 50% but they were still "making a killing". Staggered at the young children (5 6 7) working in tile factories and other. Next on to Essouria a lovely fishing port. From there we went via the big cities Rabat, Meknes and Fes.Camping in each, all very interesting especially the Mosques and markets.Then into the desert by way of Vallée du Ziz and camped at Erg Chebbi (biggest sand dune) at had a sandstorm as well. We continued on to Todra Gorge and spent a couple of nights in the hotel. A change from sleeping "very rough with camp fires" Our journeys were punctuated by stops to see interesting areas and customs . items included a "Berber camp" and an Oasis.The next stops were the delightfully named Zagora and Ourzazate, before continuing to Imlil in the foothils of the Atlas mountains.We stayed here a few days whilst the younger and fitter scaled Mount Toubkal. Our route included the 2 big passes "Tizi N'Tichka" and "Tizi N'Tichka". All in all very interesting and "got me hooked" on this style of holiday !
1993 -Turkey - a delightful tour (again Exodus).
A slightly smaller group but in other ways quite like the "Morocco Trip". We had a female local guide who brought her daughter with her. We started by walking in the Koprulu Canyon (near Aspendos)..The scenery was just like the scenery in many a western.we had and a short rafting trip. Mainly camping again also visiting a local village where the women were baking "flatbread". Quite a long drive to Konya to see the "Whirling Dervishes" in the mosque. Overnight and on to Cappadocia.This is simply stunning.. we went for walks in the hills and visited the open air museum at Goreme.An evening of local food,singing and dancing in a cave. Next day the undedrground city at Derinkuyu, purchases of onyx vases and similar. Further long drives back west to visit Historic sites, Olu Deniz, Dalaman Tombs, Pamukkale terraces and camping in volcano craters or on a beach. before back to Istanbul for the flight home.
A slightly smaller group but in other ways quite like the "Morocco Trip". We had a female local guide who brought her daughter with her. We started by walking in the Koprulu Canyon (near Aspendos)..The scenery was just like the scenery in many a western.we had and a short rafting trip. Mainly camping again also visiting a local village where the women were baking "flatbread". Quite a long drive to Konya to see the "Whirling Dervishes" in the mosque. Overnight and on to Cappadocia.This is simply stunning.. we went for walks in the hills and visited the open air museum at Goreme.An evening of local food,singing and dancing in a cave. Next day the undedrground city at Derinkuyu, purchases of onyx vases and similar. Further long drives back west to visit Historic sites, Olu Deniz, Dalaman Tombs, Pamukkale terraces and camping in volcano craters or on a beach. before back to Istanbul for the flight home.
1994 - Pakistan a real adventure in many ways - sadly not viable these days. (Exodus)
Scenery simply stunning, culture and customs equally interesting and varied. Our route took us along the Karokorum Highway via Abbottobad (Bin Laden notoriety) the Indus Valley , Gilgit (Polo), the Khunjerab pass into China on to Kashgar. We returned to Gilgit before venturing into the Hindu Kush Range to Chitral and on to Peshawar. Here I took an extra 4 days solo and got a guided and guarded (Lee Enfield Rifle) tour to the Afghan border. So a 3 weeks trip with very amiable companions. The journey/scenery alone of great value and interest
More detail to follow but this is still one of my favourite trips.
Scenery simply stunning, culture and customs equally interesting and varied. Our route took us along the Karokorum Highway via Abbottobad (Bin Laden notoriety) the Indus Valley , Gilgit (Polo), the Khunjerab pass into China on to Kashgar. We returned to Gilgit before venturing into the Hindu Kush Range to Chitral and on to Peshawar. Here I took an extra 4 days solo and got a guided and guarded (Lee Enfield Rifle) tour to the Afghan border. So a 3 weeks trip with very amiable companions. The journey/scenery alone of great value and interest
More detail to follow but this is still one of my favourite trips.
1996 - Overland to Lhasa, Starting in Kathmandu.
We flew to Kathmandu and stayed for a couple of days before travelling in a small coach towards the border. The roads were treacherous and at one stage we had to abandon the coach and walk for a few miles. The road and bridge had been washed away. We crossed a turbulent mountain stream on 4 "Telegraph poles" tied together before continuing in the back of a lorry to the Tibetan(Chinese) border town. We were met by a local guide and small coach to continue towards Lhasa 4 days of interesting roads culture and scenery. Tea with Yak butter served in a monastery. All very remote, views of Everest, locals very "Redskinned" due to the cold dry winds. We had to push the coach a couple of times as it got stuck..quite hard at altituude. We arrived in Lhasa and spent many days there visiting the Potala Palace (Photo), Monasteries and summer and winter palaces. A flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu took us right past Everest . One night in Kathmandu before flying home (Courtesy of a 12 hour delay)
We flew to Kathmandu and stayed for a couple of days before travelling in a small coach towards the border. The roads were treacherous and at one stage we had to abandon the coach and walk for a few miles. The road and bridge had been washed away. We crossed a turbulent mountain stream on 4 "Telegraph poles" tied together before continuing in the back of a lorry to the Tibetan(Chinese) border town. We were met by a local guide and small coach to continue towards Lhasa 4 days of interesting roads culture and scenery. Tea with Yak butter served in a monastery. All very remote, views of Everest, locals very "Redskinned" due to the cold dry winds. We had to push the coach a couple of times as it got stuck..quite hard at altituude. We arrived in Lhasa and spent many days there visiting the Potala Palace (Photo), Monasteries and summer and winter palaces. A flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu took us right past Everest . One night in Kathmandu before flying home (Courtesy of a 12 hour delay)
I move ahead now to later trips
1999 Zimbabwe and Botswana - a Safari.
Again travelling in an Ex-army lorry for 2 weeks with 3 tour guides a couple who owned the lorry and a trainee.
As I booked late I needed to fly out a few days early and stay in Harare. This was fine as there was another person who was in the same situation so we had each others company in the evening and for a couple of "local tours". This included a cheetah reserve. We drove to Bulawayo stopping overnight in a "deer reserve" before moving on to a Lion sanctuary.
On to pone of the major parks and a real close up of a white Rhino with her young. Next a long drive into Botswana to Maun in the Okovanga Delta. I took advantage of a flight in a light aircraft to see the area. We then transferred into dugout canoes and were punted along the channels to a "very wild camp" on a small hillock for 3 nights. We saw a good variety of animals and then returned to Zimbabwe and Victoria falls.
A few days here in a hostel. Victoria falls stunning and Chobe reserve very good, a Microglider flight over the gorge gave me an idea of what was to come...Whitewater Rafting on the Zambesi. Water extremely turbulent so much so that in one section we had a "portage" (walk and carry the boat).
A couple of capsizes and one or 2 other "ejections" before a steep walk/climb out of the gorge. Due to my flight arrangements I then has extra time so I booked and additional safari in Hwange at "Elephant Sands"
1999 Zimbabwe and Botswana - a Safari.
Again travelling in an Ex-army lorry for 2 weeks with 3 tour guides a couple who owned the lorry and a trainee.
As I booked late I needed to fly out a few days early and stay in Harare. This was fine as there was another person who was in the same situation so we had each others company in the evening and for a couple of "local tours". This included a cheetah reserve. We drove to Bulawayo stopping overnight in a "deer reserve" before moving on to a Lion sanctuary.
On to pone of the major parks and a real close up of a white Rhino with her young. Next a long drive into Botswana to Maun in the Okovanga Delta. I took advantage of a flight in a light aircraft to see the area. We then transferred into dugout canoes and were punted along the channels to a "very wild camp" on a small hillock for 3 nights. We saw a good variety of animals and then returned to Zimbabwe and Victoria falls.
A few days here in a hostel. Victoria falls stunning and Chobe reserve very good, a Microglider flight over the gorge gave me an idea of what was to come...Whitewater Rafting on the Zambesi. Water extremely turbulent so much so that in one section we had a "portage" (walk and carry the boat).
A couple of capsizes and one or 2 other "ejections" before a steep walk/climb out of the gorge. Due to my flight arrangements I then has extra time so I booked and additional safari in Hwange at "Elephant Sands"
2000 China - a 2 week tour with internal flights.
We arrived in southern China at Guilin and transferred to Yangshuo. This was a delightful town on the River Li with the surrounding Karst Scenery. A morning boat trip along the river followed by a visit to a Temple and park area. In the evening we had an outing on a small punt type boat with a local "Cormorant Fisherman". We took an overnight train to Shanghai. Much to do here...., museum, stage performance by acrobats, the tower, lovely shopping area, river, jazz club. Next on to Suzhou and it canals and more performances. An evening in a pavilion with lot of small annexes with different events in each. China' musical scales are different from western ones and so a whole new "style of music" a brilliant evening. Qufu, the home of Confucious was our next city. Simply very nice there, then to Xiiang and the "Terracotta Army" not much I can add except that the extent of the site is almost daunting and can only be appreciated by being there. Beijing next.similar comments apply to Tiananmen square, the forbidden City and the Great wall all very very good. I then has 2 extra days by myself in Beijing,.... an Opera, The Summer Palace, and the Pandas (inevitably).
A very good trip very interesting and varied hotels all the time.
We arrived in southern China at Guilin and transferred to Yangshuo. This was a delightful town on the River Li with the surrounding Karst Scenery. A morning boat trip along the river followed by a visit to a Temple and park area. In the evening we had an outing on a small punt type boat with a local "Cormorant Fisherman". We took an overnight train to Shanghai. Much to do here...., museum, stage performance by acrobats, the tower, lovely shopping area, river, jazz club. Next on to Suzhou and it canals and more performances. An evening in a pavilion with lot of small annexes with different events in each. China' musical scales are different from western ones and so a whole new "style of music" a brilliant evening. Qufu, the home of Confucious was our next city. Simply very nice there, then to Xiiang and the "Terracotta Army" not much I can add except that the extent of the site is almost daunting and can only be appreciated by being there. Beijing next.similar comments apply to Tiananmen square, the forbidden City and the Great wall all very very good. I then has 2 extra days by myself in Beijing,.... an Opera, The Summer Palace, and the Pandas (inevitably).
A very good trip very interesting and varied hotels all the time.
2001 Peru , another of my favourites
A long flight to Lima via Bogota. Visit the gold museum and main square before flying to Arequipa, The city had recent suffered an earthquake which had damaged the main cathedral. Interesting tour of sidestreets. a mountain drive took us to the Colca Canyon in some respects bigger than the Grand Canyon (USA). we watched the Condors soaring effortless in and around, stayed in a remote and very cold hotel but were treated to a lovely performance by local musicians. Next a long long drive over the Altiplano (beautifully clear crisp and cold) to lake Titicaca a couple of days here visiting the indians who live on the "reed islands floating on the lake" also seeing local farms and celebrating the Peruvian national day. Cusco was our next city with all the "Inca culture" markets and religious sites. The train over the mountains to Machu Picchu was next, a long and lovely journey, snow flurries at the highest point. The train terminates at Aguas Calientes which is where we stayed. for our 2 days to see Machu Picchu. a bus trip and a guided tour of the site came first whilst we were free to roam by ourselves the next day. A brilliant couple of days MP stunning (very vertical). Back to Cusco by Helicopter. The main group then returned to UK via Lima. Four of us had booked the "jungle extension". We flew to Puerto Maldanado and then took a boat to "Explorers Inn" (GPS -12.836764°, -69.295402°) for 3 nights in Bamboo huts. Jungle trekking, Bird watching, Otter "hunting" Caiman, Monkeys and more.
A long flight to Lima via Bogota. Visit the gold museum and main square before flying to Arequipa, The city had recent suffered an earthquake which had damaged the main cathedral. Interesting tour of sidestreets. a mountain drive took us to the Colca Canyon in some respects bigger than the Grand Canyon (USA). we watched the Condors soaring effortless in and around, stayed in a remote and very cold hotel but were treated to a lovely performance by local musicians. Next a long long drive over the Altiplano (beautifully clear crisp and cold) to lake Titicaca a couple of days here visiting the indians who live on the "reed islands floating on the lake" also seeing local farms and celebrating the Peruvian national day. Cusco was our next city with all the "Inca culture" markets and religious sites. The train over the mountains to Machu Picchu was next, a long and lovely journey, snow flurries at the highest point. The train terminates at Aguas Calientes which is where we stayed. for our 2 days to see Machu Picchu. a bus trip and a guided tour of the site came first whilst we were free to roam by ourselves the next day. A brilliant couple of days MP stunning (very vertical). Back to Cusco by Helicopter. The main group then returned to UK via Lima. Four of us had booked the "jungle extension". We flew to Puerto Maldanado and then took a boat to "Explorers Inn" (GPS -12.836764°, -69.295402°) for 3 nights in Bamboo huts. Jungle trekking, Bird watching, Otter "hunting" Caiman, Monkeys and more.
2002 Spitsbergen / Svalbard ( I leave the reader to find the difference ! )
A rather different holiday in some respects as It would be 10 days on a small ship ( I am not a keen sailor - however the waters were pretty calm throughout). Many travellers from OZ & NZ on this trip about 50 of us with expert guides. I booked the trip and the flights separately and arranged to fly to Longyearbyen (via Oslo) ahead of the sailing. 24 hour daylight at this time of year, thus a surreal feel to my few days in Longyearbyen. A mini-hike in the hills and a boat trip to a Russian mining town. The Ship expedition was excellent, good company and food. Wildlife safaris in "Zodiac Rubber Dinghys, we saw Seals, a walrus colony, thousands of guillemots and other birds and yes Polar Bears. Generally not cold as the air was still and the weather settled. Good to do but not cheap !
A rather different holiday in some respects as It would be 10 days on a small ship ( I am not a keen sailor - however the waters were pretty calm throughout). Many travellers from OZ & NZ on this trip about 50 of us with expert guides. I booked the trip and the flights separately and arranged to fly to Longyearbyen (via Oslo) ahead of the sailing. 24 hour daylight at this time of year, thus a surreal feel to my few days in Longyearbyen. A mini-hike in the hills and a boat trip to a Russian mining town. The Ship expedition was excellent, good company and food. Wildlife safaris in "Zodiac Rubber Dinghys, we saw Seals, a walrus colony, thousands of guillemots and other birds and yes Polar Bears. Generally not cold as the air was still and the weather settled. Good to do but not cheap !
2002 (Winter) Vietnam.
A very good trip over the Christmas holiday. Flights via Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi. Water puppet theatre in Hanoi - excellent also music being played in the University Campus. Then to Halong Bay and a boat trip to see the fantastic scenery and swimming (a bit cold).
Further south to Hoi An a lovely little city with people living on boats and a good market.. Into the hills to overnight in a village "Tall House" and experience singing and dancing. We continued to My Lai the site of the dreadful massacre and on to Nha Trang. Another night in a village house/dormitory followed by an elephant ride in the paddy fields. Finally Saigon and the Mekong Delta. A visit to the guerilla tunnel site and various war relics. A boat trip on the Mighty Mekong, visiting Coconut sweet making house. Our final unusual overnight here was on camp beds in the ward of an old hospital. Then back to Saigon to fly home.
A very good trip over the Christmas holiday. Flights via Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi. Water puppet theatre in Hanoi - excellent also music being played in the University Campus. Then to Halong Bay and a boat trip to see the fantastic scenery and swimming (a bit cold).
Further south to Hoi An a lovely little city with people living on boats and a good market.. Into the hills to overnight in a village "Tall House" and experience singing and dancing. We continued to My Lai the site of the dreadful massacre and on to Nha Trang. Another night in a village house/dormitory followed by an elephant ride in the paddy fields. Finally Saigon and the Mekong Delta. A visit to the guerilla tunnel site and various war relics. A boat trip on the Mighty Mekong, visiting Coconut sweet making house. Our final unusual overnight here was on camp beds in the ward of an old hospital. Then back to Saigon to fly home.
2003 (Easter) Thailand - Exodus
A varied tour firstly Bangkok and the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, Overnight train to Chiang Mai, visit to Doi Suthep temple and an elephant sanctuary near Mae Rim. We then got into converted pickups to drive into the hills and 3 days trekking very hot, very tiring. Next to Kanchanaburi the cemetries,JEATH museum and the "Bridge over the river Kwai" . We stayed at a delightful resort at Saiyok, a long-taiiled boat ride overnighting on a "floating Hotel" . Back to Bangkok and the train to Chumpong, overnight in a hotel before the boat to Koh Tao. Koh Tao is a delightful little Island lovely beaches and "laid back" 3 days here before a boat to Koh Samui, a much bigger Island with all the usual tourist paraphanalia etc. So boat trips and swimming. We then goat a boat back to the mainland and a long overnight train journey to Bangkok hotel for the day and overnight Flight back to London
A varied tour firstly Bangkok and the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, Overnight train to Chiang Mai, visit to Doi Suthep temple and an elephant sanctuary near Mae Rim. We then got into converted pickups to drive into the hills and 3 days trekking very hot, very tiring. Next to Kanchanaburi the cemetries,JEATH museum and the "Bridge over the river Kwai" . We stayed at a delightful resort at Saiyok, a long-taiiled boat ride overnighting on a "floating Hotel" . Back to Bangkok and the train to Chumpong, overnight in a hotel before the boat to Koh Tao. Koh Tao is a delightful little Island lovely beaches and "laid back" 3 days here before a boat to Koh Samui, a much bigger Island with all the usual tourist paraphanalia etc. So boat trips and swimming. We then goat a boat back to the mainland and a long overnight train journey to Bangkok hotel for the day and overnight Flight back to London
2003 (Winter) India - Tigers and Temples
The title says it all a 2 week tour from Delhi. Many temples in Delhi followed by a train ride to Ratnabore Tiger Reserve. 3 nights here with tours of the area and Tigers.Then to Bharatpur to stay in the palace with a visit to Keoladeo Bird sanctuary. Both very good No visit to india would be complete with the Taj Mahal and this was on Christmas Day, Boxing day the Red fort at Agra. Then long journeys to Bandhavgarh National Park for more Tigers and Deer followed by Kanha Tiger Reserve for the same. a Final long coach ride to Grand Temple at Khajuraho,Madhya Pradesh a fascinating array of statuettes illustrating the kkamasutra (or so it seemed). Train to Delhi (delayed). as I booked this late I had 2 extra days in Delhi so a visit to the Fort and general site-seeing and shopping. A long flight home via Moscow with a 12 hr stopover.
The title says it all a 2 week tour from Delhi. Many temples in Delhi followed by a train ride to Ratnabore Tiger Reserve. 3 nights here with tours of the area and Tigers.Then to Bharatpur to stay in the palace with a visit to Keoladeo Bird sanctuary. Both very good No visit to india would be complete with the Taj Mahal and this was on Christmas Day, Boxing day the Red fort at Agra. Then long journeys to Bandhavgarh National Park for more Tigers and Deer followed by Kanha Tiger Reserve for the same. a Final long coach ride to Grand Temple at Khajuraho,Madhya Pradesh a fascinating array of statuettes illustrating the kkamasutra (or so it seemed). Train to Delhi (delayed). as I booked this late I had 2 extra days in Delhi so a visit to the Fort and general site-seeing and shopping. A long flight home via Moscow with a 12 hr stopover.
2005 Winter Tanzania self-organised
A safari encompassing the Ngorogoron Crater, the Serenghetti, Selous Reserve and Zanzibar.
Our first adventurous trip together. We flew (overnight) to Nairobi and on to Kilimanjaro the nearest airport to Ngorogoron Crater.
So a drive across the Great Rift Valley to Serena Lodge on the edge of the crater. Two nights here for a full day game viewing in the crater.. simply wonderful. Then on to Sopa lodge via Oldupai Gorge ( early man ). Very good game viewing again with an early start and a "Safari breakfast". After 2 nights a long drive to Manyara Reserve and Christmas eve with "Gospel singers". Next day to Arusha airstrip for a flight to Sable mountain camp near the Selous reserve. Three nights here.. very hot and dry but bungalow in the George Hotel was excellent. Next a flight to Zanzibar. Two nights in a poor hotel in Stone town area of Zanzibar town. Hotel excepted very nice. The a local bus to Tamarind Beach resort on the East coast. Three relaxing and hot days here in an Idyllic setting as depicted in many many travel brochures. On our last dat we visited the mangrove swamp in th south of the island with is variety of trees and monkeys. Exquisite !n. Finally The the journey home Zanzibar to Nairobi and LHR.
A safari encompassing the Ngorogoron Crater, the Serenghetti, Selous Reserve and Zanzibar.
Our first adventurous trip together. We flew (overnight) to Nairobi and on to Kilimanjaro the nearest airport to Ngorogoron Crater.
So a drive across the Great Rift Valley to Serena Lodge on the edge of the crater. Two nights here for a full day game viewing in the crater.. simply wonderful. Then on to Sopa lodge via Oldupai Gorge ( early man ). Very good game viewing again with an early start and a "Safari breakfast". After 2 nights a long drive to Manyara Reserve and Christmas eve with "Gospel singers". Next day to Arusha airstrip for a flight to Sable mountain camp near the Selous reserve. Three nights here.. very hot and dry but bungalow in the George Hotel was excellent. Next a flight to Zanzibar. Two nights in a poor hotel in Stone town area of Zanzibar town. Hotel excepted very nice. The a local bus to Tamarind Beach resort on the East coast. Three relaxing and hot days here in an Idyllic setting as depicted in many many travel brochures. On our last dat we visited the mangrove swamp in th south of the island with is variety of trees and monkeys. Exquisite !n. Finally The the journey home Zanzibar to Nairobi and LHR.
2007 (Easter) South Africa self-organised.
A varied trip, 2 game lodges, the Drakensberg mountains and Capetown.
Overnight Flight to Jo'burg followed by internal to Nelspriut. We collected our hire car and drive to Pungwe Bush camp on the edge of the Kruger NP. 2 nights here in a tent or more accurately a bungalow with canvas walls and a thatched roof. Lovely camp and good game viewing. We then drove north to near Hoedspruit and Nyala camp. Not quite as nice but close encounters with a Rhino and a "Grumpy Elephant". After our final early morning game drive wwe took the hired vehicle back to Nelspruit for a flight to Durban. Another hire car for 3 hour drive to Engeline Lodge, this was in a delightful setting with its own lake. A little drive into the mountains on the next day and then a good scenic drive over to Himeville. This was our base for a 4WD trip to Lesotho via Sani Pass. Misty at the top but local tribe and mud huts all very good. Sani Top Pub allegedly the highest anywhere. An early morning drive in foggy conditions back to Durban and a flight to Capetown. Yet another hired car to stay with friends (astronomy professor) at Capetown University. So the inevitable cable car up Table mountain..very, very steep and high. A tour of the astronomy facilities and a Picnic lunch in a Stellenbosch Winery. We the moved on to see the penguins at Boulders Beach and then to Hermanous .. a lovely seaside town. A quick trip to Cape Agulhas (most southerly point) before returning to Capetown area to visit the Cape of Good Hope. Overnight in a hotel before catching the "Premiere Classe" luxury train to Jo'burg. 8am on day to 1pm the next all food and wine with a very comfortable cabin to sleep in. Interesting train attendant/waiter who could be dubbed South Africa's Dale Winton.
A varied trip, 2 game lodges, the Drakensberg mountains and Capetown.
Overnight Flight to Jo'burg followed by internal to Nelspriut. We collected our hire car and drive to Pungwe Bush camp on the edge of the Kruger NP. 2 nights here in a tent or more accurately a bungalow with canvas walls and a thatched roof. Lovely camp and good game viewing. We then drove north to near Hoedspruit and Nyala camp. Not quite as nice but close encounters with a Rhino and a "Grumpy Elephant". After our final early morning game drive wwe took the hired vehicle back to Nelspruit for a flight to Durban. Another hire car for 3 hour drive to Engeline Lodge, this was in a delightful setting with its own lake. A little drive into the mountains on the next day and then a good scenic drive over to Himeville. This was our base for a 4WD trip to Lesotho via Sani Pass. Misty at the top but local tribe and mud huts all very good. Sani Top Pub allegedly the highest anywhere. An early morning drive in foggy conditions back to Durban and a flight to Capetown. Yet another hired car to stay with friends (astronomy professor) at Capetown University. So the inevitable cable car up Table mountain..very, very steep and high. A tour of the astronomy facilities and a Picnic lunch in a Stellenbosch Winery. We the moved on to see the penguins at Boulders Beach and then to Hermanous .. a lovely seaside town. A quick trip to Cape Agulhas (most southerly point) before returning to Capetown area to visit the Cape of Good Hope. Overnight in a hotel before catching the "Premiere Classe" luxury train to Jo'burg. 8am on day to 1pm the next all food and wine with a very comfortable cabin to sleep in. Interesting train attendant/waiter who could be dubbed South Africa's Dale Winton.