• 56 Day The Great African Trek Overland South (Nairobi to Cape Town)
  Tour price – GBP 1075
  Local Payment – US$ 1160

• 56 Day The Great African Trek Overland North (Cape Town to Nairobi)
  Tour price – GBP 1075
  Local Payment – US$ 1160

• 42 Day Southern Explorer South (Nairobi to Cape Town)
  Tour price – GBP 805
  Local Payment – US$ 755
  
• 42 Day Southern Explorer North (Cape Town to Nairobi)
  Tour price – GBP 805
  Local Payment – US$ 755
  
• 32 Day Northern Overland Safari (Johannesburg to Nairobi)
  Tour price – GBP 675
  Local Payment – US$ 595

Which side to visit (Zambia or Zimbabwe) and the best time to see Victoria Falls depends on what a traveller wants to see and experience.

Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe side

Essentially there are 3 factors at play;

1.       Which side offers the best view of the actual waterfall?
2.       Political / social situation
3.       Flights / Airports

Below I will give some information and background on both these 2 factors for travellers to use:

• Which side offers the best view of the actual waterfall?

This will depend on the time of year you are travelling, but in my personal opinion the best view of the falls under most circumstances is from the Zimbabwe side / Victoria Falls.  It is only during peak flow (February to June) when the mist obscures the actual waterfall so much that viewing from the Zambia side / Livingstone is most beneficial.

The Zambezi basin above the falls experiences a rainy season from late November to early April, and a dry season the rest of the year. The river’s annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April.

But if you have enough time, it will even be better (in my opinion) to visit both Victoria Falls and Livingstone.  The Zimbabwean side is considered by many to be the more beautiful with direct viewing of the “Devil’s Cataract” and “Rainbow Falls”.  Towards the end of a normal rain season the flow of water over the fall reaches 500 000 cu m per minute and the thunder of the falling water is something unique to experience, it will take your breath away.

July/August and January/February offers the best compromise between a flow rate which impresses with its power, and the falls not being completely obscured by spray.  During July through September is perhaps the most popular time frame to visit the falls (good views and best weather). Gradually in transition from a flooded state to a low flow state with an acceptable volume of water and fewer problems with mist.

This would probably be the best time to go in terms of getting the best of both worlds taking in the impressive visual impact of the falls and partake in the most activities.

Victoria Falls - Livingstone road & border

PLEASE NOTE: South Africa has imposed (as of last month – June 2011) that all travellers coming from Zambia / Livingstone MUST HAVE a Yellow Fever vaccination if they return back into South Africa, even if you are only in transit.

High season:
The highest flow each year is recorded at the end of April.  The river’s high water however, can be considered from February to June.  During this period, the spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 feet), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (30 miles) away.  You could then expect the falls to span the entire 1.7km width of the Zambezi River as it plunges over its 108m wall.  Unfortunately, during this time most of the viewpoints are too wet to photograph effectively and raincoats is advantageous.  This would be the perfect time to view the falls from the air.

During this time at full moon, a “lunar-rainbow” can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow.  During the flood season, however, it is impossible to see the foot of the falls and most of its face, and the walks along the cliff opposite it (Zimbabwe side) are in a constant shower and shrouded in mist.  Close to the edge of the cliff, spray shoots upward like inverted rain, especially at Zambia’s Knife-Edge Bridge.

Zimbabwe side - Strong Flow

Dry season:
The lowest flow each year is recorded at the beginning of November meaning the rocky face of the falls is more predominant than the actual water fall.  At this time it becomes possible (though not necessarily safe) to walk across some stretches of the river at the crest on the Zambia side – like for instance the Devil’s Pool.

At lowest flow, the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls being higher than the Zimbabwean side, the water goes toward Zimbabwe and the Zambian side become dry rock wall.

Zimbabwe side towards Zambia - Low Volume - taken August

• Political / social situation

Until a few years ago, when the decisions of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe started impacting negatively on the perception of the country, Victoria Falls was a major tourist destination with parties abounding in all the clubs and backpackers.  Today, due to the President’s actions, most tourists have deserted Victoria Falls in favour of Livingstone, on the Zambian side.  The town of Victoria Falls, however, is within easy walking distance of the falls and there are still many places providing safe, comfortable (even luxurious) accommodation.  Personal safety is not a major issue; instead, beware of scam artists.

Zambia has not had any political / social disturbances as the likes above, and the plight of the Zimbabwean is even more evident visiting both sides, or when you see the steady stream of Zimbabweans crossing the border and back to get basic necessities in Livingstone.

• Flights / Airports

First and foremost, both Victoria Falls and Livingstone have got International Airports.  Victoria Falls airport (aptly named Victoria Falls Airport) use the code VFA, and Livingstone airport (aptly named Livingstone Airport) use the code LVI.

Secondly, there are no flights direct from either Victoria Falls Airport or Livingstone Airport to any international destination; you will first have to fly to Johannesburg (or Lusaka) to then connect with your international flight home or elsewhere in Africa.

The cheapest flights from either Livingstone or Victoria Falls to Johannesburg are with www.1time.aero/ airlines from LVI, unfortunately they do not fly from Victoria Falls.  Other airlines to look at will be South African Airways and British Airways.

Victoria Falls from the air - weak flow

My parents first told me of his heroics on one of our many visits to Kruger National Park during the 1980’s and subsequently took me to the library and Steven-Hamilton Museum at Skukuza restcamp in Kruger National Park to learn more about his remarkable story that played off in 1903 and how he managed to kill a lion with a knife that attacked him and his horse.

The event is documented in his book – Memories of a Game Ranger – and below is an excerpt from the book and the story:

“Although it became dusk very soon I continued to ride along the path – as I had often travelled that route by night during the Boer War to avoid the heat of the summer sun. I gave no thought to lions, as I had never before encountered these animals in those parts. Most of the herbage had been recently burnt off, but here and there a patch of long grass remained. While riding through one of these isolated patches I heard two animals jump up in the grass in front of me.

It was by now too dark to see, but I imagined that the animals in question were a pair of reedbuck, as this had always been a favourite locality for these antelope. I expected them to run across the path and disappear; but instead, and to my surprise, I heard a running rustle in the grass approaching me. I was still riding quietly along when two forms loomed up within three or four yards, and these I now recognised as two lions, and their behaviour was such that I had little doubt but that their intentions were to attack my horse. Although, of course, I had my rifle (without which I never moved in the veld) there was no time to shoot, and as I hastily pulled my horse around I dug the spurs into his flanks in a frantic effort to urge him to his best speed to get away in time; but the approaching lion was already too close, and before the horse could get into its stride I felt a terrific impact behind me as the lion alighted on the horse’s hindquarters.

What happened next, of course, occupied only a few seconds, but I vividly recall the unpleasant sensation of expecting the crunch of the lion’s jaws in my person. However, the terrified horse was bucking and plunging so violently that the lion was unable to maintain its hold, but it managed to knock me out the saddle. Fortune is apt to act freakishly at all times, and it may seem a strange thing to suggest that it was fortunate for myself that I happen to fall almost on top of the second lion as he was running round in front of my horse, to get hold of it by the head. Had I fallen otherwise, however, it is probable that the lion would have grasped me by the head, and then this would assuredly never have been written! Actually, the eager brute gripped my right shoulder between its jaws and started to drag me away, and as it did so I could hear the clatter of my horse’s hooves over the stony ground as it raced away with the first lion in hot pursuit; itself in turn being chased by my dog Bull.

Meanwhile, the lion continued dragging me towards the neighbouring Metsimetsi Spruit. I was dragged along on my back, being held by the right shoulder, and as the lion was walking over me his claws would sometimes rip wounds in my arms and I was wearing a pair of spurs with strong leather straps, and these acted as brakes, scoring deep furrows in the ground over which we travelled. When the “brakes” acted too efficiently the lion would give an impatient jerk of his great head, which added excruciating pain to my shoulder, already deeply lacerated by the powerful teeth. I certainly was in a position to disagree emphatically with Dr. Livingstone’s theory, based on his own personal experience, that the resulting shock from the bite of a large carnivorous animal so numbs the nerves that it deadens all pain; in my own case, I was conscious of great physical agony; and in addition to this was the mental agony as to what the lion would presently do with me; whether he would kill me first or proceed to dine off me while I was still alive!

Of course, in those first few moments I was convinced that it was all over with me and that I had reached the end of my earthly career. But then, as our painful progress still continued, it suddenly struck me that I might still have my sheath knife! I always carried this attached to my belt on the right side. Unfortunately, the knife did not fit too tightly in its sheath, and on two previous occasions when I had had a spill from my horse while galloping after game during the Boer War it had fallen out. It seemed almost too much to expect that it could still be safely there after the recent rough episodes. It took me some time to work my left hand round my back as the lion was dragging me over the ground, but eventually I reached the sheath, and, to my indescribable joy, the knife was still there! I secured it, and wondered where best first to stab the lion. It flashed through my mind that, many years ago, I had read in a magazine or newspaper that if you hit a cat on the nose he must sneeze before doing anything. This particular theory is, of course, incorrect; but at the time I seriously entertained the idea of attempting it, though on second thoughts I dismissed the notion, deciding that in any case he would just sneeze and pick me up again – this time perhaps in a more vital spot!

I decided finally to stick my knife into his heart, and so I began to feel very cautiously for his shoulder. The task was a difficult and complicated one because, gripped as I was, high up in the right shoulder, my head was pressed right up against the lion’s mane, which exuded a strong lion smell ( incidentally, he was purring very loudly, something after the fashion of a cat – only on a far louder scale – perhaps in pleasant anticipation of the meal he intended to have) and this necessitated my reaching with my left hand holding the knife across his chest so as to gain access to his left shoulder . Any bungling, in this manoeuvre, would arouse the lion, with instantly fatal results to myself!

However, I managed it successfully, and knowing where his heart was located, I struck him twice, in quick succession, with two back – handed strokes behind the left shoulder. The lion let out a furious roar, and I desperately struck him again: this time upwards into his throat. I think this third thrust severed the jugular vein, as the blood spurted out in a stream all over me. The lion released his hold and slunk off into the darkness. Later I measured the distance, and found that he had dragged me sixty yards. Incidentally, it transpired later that both first thrusts had reached the heart.

The scene, could anyone have witnessed it, must have been eerie in the extreme as, in the darkness, I staggered to my feet, not realising how seriously I had wounded the lion whose long – drawn moans resounded nearby. I thought first to frighten him off with the human voice and shouted after him all the names I could think of, couched in the most lurid language. Suddenly I remembered the other lion that had chased my horse. It was more likely that it would fail to catch the horse, once the latter was at a full gallop, and then, what was more probable, it would return to its mate and find me there, quite unarmed except for my knife – as of course my rifle had been flung into the long grass when I fell of my horse.

At first I thought of setting the grass alight to keep away the second lion; and, getting the matchbox from my pocket, I gripped it in my teeth, as of course my right arm was quite useless, not only on account of the wound from the lion’s teeth in my shoulder, but also because its claws had torn out some of the tendons about the wrist. I struck a match and put it to the grass, but as there was by now a heavy dew the grass would not burn – fortunately, of course, as it turned out, else my rifle would have been burnt.

My next idea was to climb into a tree and thus to place myself beyond the lion’s reach. There were several trees in the vicinity, but they all had long stems, and with my one arm I was unable to climb them. Presently, However, I located one with a fork near the ground, and after a great deal of trouble I managed to climb into it, reaching a bough, some twelve feet from the ground, in which I sat. I was now commencing to feel very shaky indeed, both as a result of the shock I had sustained, and loss of blood; and what clothes I had left covering me were saturated with blood, both my own and that of the lion, and the effect of the cold night air on the damp clothing considerably added to my discomfort, while my shoulder was still bleeding badly. I think I might faint, from loss of blood, and fall off the bough on which I was sitting, so I removed my belt and somehow strapped myself to the tree. My thirst was terrible; and would have offered much for a cup of water. One consoling reflection was that I knew my boys would find me as I was not far from the path.

Meanwhile I could still occasionally hear the lion I had stabbed grunting and groaning in the darkness, somewhere close by; and presently, resounding eeriely over the night air, I heard the long – drawn guttural death -rattle in his throat – and felt a trifle better then as I knew that I had killed him. My satisfaction was short – lived, however, as very soon afterwards approaching rustles in the grass heralded the arrival of the second lion which, as I had surmised, had failed to catch my horse. I heard it approach the spot where I had got to my feet and from there, following my blood – spoor all the time, it advanced to the tree in which I sat. Arriving at the base of the tree it reared itself up against the trunk and seemed to be about to try and climb it. I was overcome with horror at this turn of affairs, as it appeared as if I had got away from one lion, only to be caught by the other: the tree which harboured me being quite easy to climb (Had it not been so I could never have worked my way up to my perch), and not absolutely beyond the powers of a determined, hungry lion! In despair I shouted down at the straining brute, whose upward – turned eyes I could momentarily glimpse reflected in the starlight, and this seemed to cause him to hesitate.

Fortunately, just then, my faithful dog Bull appeared on the scene. Never was I more grateful at the arrival of man or beast! He had evidently discovered that I was no longer on the horse, and was missing, and had come back to find me. I called to him, and encouraged him to go for the lion, which he did in right good heart, barking furiously at it and so distracting its attention that it made a short rush at the plucky dog, who managed to keep his distance. And so this dreadful night passed on. The lion would leave the tree and I could hear him rustling about in the grass, and then he would return, and the faithful Bull would rush at him barking, and chase him off, and so on. Finally he seemed to lie up somewhere in the neighbouring bush.

Some considerable time later, perhaps an hour, I heard a most welcome sound: the clatter of tin dishes rattling in a hamper on the head of one of my boys who was at last approaching along the path. In the stillness of the night one can hear the least sound quite a long way off in the veld. I shouted to him to beware as there was a lion somewhere near. He asked me what he ought to do and I told him to climb into a tree. I heard a rattling crash, as he dropped the hamper, and then silence for a while. I then asked him if he was up a tree, and whether it was a big one: to which he replied that it was not a tall tree but that he had no wish to come down and search for a better one as he could already hear the lion rustling in the grass near him! He informed me that the other boys were not so far behind, and I then told him all that had happened – a recital of events which, to judge by the tone of his comments, did little to reassure him of the pleasantness of his present situation! After a time, which seemed ages, we heard the little pack of donkeys approaching along the path, and I shouted instructions to the boys to halt where they were, as there was a lion in the grass quite near, and to fire a few shots to scare him. This they did, then as they approached to the tree in which I sat, I told them first of all to make a good fire, which did not take long to flare up, as some form of protection in case the lion returned: and then they assisted me down from the tree. It was a painful and laborious business, as I was very stiff and sore from my wounds, and I found the descent very much harder than the ascent.

The first question I asked my boys was whether they had any water in the calabash (a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a bottle, utensil, or pipe) which they always carried with them. They replied that it was empty, and so the only thing for us to do was to set out for the next waterhole, which was about six miles further ahead. Before leaving, they searched unsuccessfully for my rifle in the long grass. To arm myself I took one of the boy’s assegais, and then, with the donkeys, we set forth. Before leaving the place we took some fire – brands from the fire and threw them into the veld in the direction where the lion disappeared: nonetheless, he followed us for a long way, and we could hear him now this side of the path, now that; but we had three dogs with us now, and they barked repeatedly at him, successfully keeping him off.

At last we came to one of my old pickets of the Steinacker days where the huts were still standing. Here, formerly, there had always been a large pool of water, so I sent two of the boys with the canvas nosebag which was the only utensil we took for carrying water. My disappointment can be measured when they returned to report that the pool was dry, for you must remember that not a drop had passed my lips since the previous day. I said that I must have water, or I would die, and told them to take  a candle from among my baggage, place it in a broken bottle and with this rough lantern to go and search for water. They were two good natives, and off they set once more. They seemed to be away for hours but when they did finally return they had the nosebag half full of muddy fluid; and this they set on the ground in front of me. It was pretty filthy – looking stuff: still it was water; and I knelt down beside it and drank until I could drink no more – leaving just a little with which they could wash my wounds. They proved to be too awkward and clumsy over the latter job, however, and after a few minutes I could bear it no longer, and ordered the boys to desist. Actually the wounds received no dressing of any kind (I could not see the largest wound, which was on my back) until I reached Komatipoort – four days later!

I then told the boys to unroll my blankets so that I could lie down. My arm was so painful that I instructed them to strap it to one of the poles in the roof of the hut, thinking thereby to ease the pain, but it did no good, and afterward I had it undone again. I need hardly add that there was no sleep for me that night, and next morning I was in a raging fever; and though I had walked six miles on the previous evening, I was unable to walk – or even stand – now. We remained over in the camp that day and I sent the boys back to skin the dead lion. I instructed them to return to the tree in which they found me, follow my blood – spoor until they came to the place where I had stabbed the lion, and then to follow its blood – spoor for a short distance when they would find its carcass. I could observe that they were a bit dubious about the reality of my having actually killed the lion ( though they had politely refrained from hinting their scepticism ) as it was an unheard of thing for a man to kill a lion with a knife.

All my orders were obeyed, and in due course they returned with the skin, skull, and some of the meat, and the heart to show where I had pierced it with the knife. The boys told me that when they opened up the lion they found the stomach quite empty, which proves that it had not had a meal for some days, and accordingly must have been very hungry. It would not have been long before that lion and his mate made a meal of me – in spite of the fact that I was pretty skinny and hard at the time.”

Last year one of them had been a children’s home in Hout Bay,Cape Town. Every month a percentage of our bookings went to them to help with feeding and educating. We also funded a lovely Malawian man (Alfred) to get him home during the horrible Xenophobic attacks that occurred.

This year we have been looking for more projects to support and we have found just the project. It is a community project based in Stellenbosch,Cape Town called Legacy. It works on a variety of different projects (see below for details).

Thank you to all our clients/ friends for all you travels. Each Africa holiday booked through us has allowed for us to donate towards these worthy projects and charities.

Legacy Community Development Corporation

Legacy is represented by its directors: Mpelo Ntsanga, Brendan Venter, Dirk Ehlers and Louise Fourie. Legacy’s projects are managed by permanent staff members, but are also linked to the passion, skills and gifts of volunteers.

Kayamandi Background

During the last few years the population in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch doubled from 12 000 to more than 30 000. The majority of these people live under squatter conditions, with limited access to clean water and sanitation. The illiteracy levels and the unemployment rate (nearly 30%) are high.

Conditions of this nature are ideal for the proliferation of health related problems, including HIV/AIDS. While the HIV prevalence of the municipal area of Stellenbosch is just more than 12%, Kayamandi’s is almost 20%. HIV/Aids is still highly stigmatized, many people do not want to know their status and once they know, it is hard to disclose it. Most of the children in Kayamandi (especially those that live in the informal settlements) are subject to poverty, poor education opportunities, illiterate parents, an absent father figure, hunger/malnutrition and the results of HIV/Aids and tuberculoses.

This is where Legacy Community Development Corporation joins hands with other institutions to make a difference.

The Legacy Centre

The base from where we do ministry in Kayamandi is the Legacy Centre – this multi-functional community centre (consisting of a large and a smaller hall, three other rooms, a kitchen and toilets) was built in 2002 in partnership with theMunicipalityofStellenbosch. During the day the larger hall area is used as a day care centre and during the evenings and over week-ends it is used by the community for events like funerals, weddings, church meetings and concerts. A smaller hall was added at the end of 2006 – this opened up new possibilities and is currently utilised in the mornings as a “safe place” for the HIV support group (Vusithemba) and in the afternoons for the Khulani Kayamandi children’s project.

Projects

Legacy’s dream is to be involved in projects that focuses on the weak, vulnerable and voiceless on the one hand and on those that want to grow on the other. Currently Legacy addresses the following burning issues:

The Legacy Community Development Corporation is a non-profit organisation (incorporated under Section 21 of the Companies Act of 1973 with Section 18A exemption) and operates from the Legacy Centre in Long Street, Kayamandi.

• Lack of proper education and life skills

• A lack of skills

• Food security

• HIV/Aids

Projects at the Legacy Centre

Education and Life Skills development

Khulani Kayamandi children’s project

The Khulani Kayamandi children’s project focuses on and works towards transformation of primary school learners in Kayamandi. The dream of Khulani Kayamandi is to provide children with identity,  new value system, a peer group, contact with positive role models and a purpose to live for. It is lso an attempt to promote Aids awareness.

Approximately 60 primary school kids currently take part in the daily programme that focuses on iteracy,numeracy, arts, culture and a value based life skills programme. This project is run by a project leader and youth workers from Kayamandi and is supported by volunteers from the Stellenbosch area .Volunteers from Stellenbosch also opened a container shop at the Legacy Centre that sells second-hand clothes. This helps towards the transport cost of the Khulani kids.

Food security

Igadi ye themba – Garden of hope

Until February 2005 the land surrounding the centre had hardly been developed, but this picture has changed completely. The centre is now surrounded by a garden, with a vegetable garden as the main focus. The aim is to provide vegetables for HIV positive clients and to empower the people of Kayamandi with the skill of making a garden – to earn a living, but also to produce their own vegetables, beautify their surroundings and to acquire hope.

Skills Development

Siyazakha needlework project

The needlework project that is run by the volunteers from different congregations in Stellenbosch – was originally created to help unemployed women.

1 Khulani = to grow and prosper

For a few hours each week these women are taken from their everyday surroundings. It is done for a lot of different reasons: to help build their spirits, to teach them some life skills and to make them self-supporting. The programme is called Siyazakha, which means “we help ourselves”.

HIV/Aids

A little bit of history…

Legacy’s involvement in HIV/Aids projects started when an American missionary, Charlie Johnson, joined us in 2003. Through this relationship with Charlie, we have become involved at grassroots level with the HIV-positive people of Kayamandi. Through him we saw the impact of the illness on women, children and families. HIV/Aids suddenly had faces and names.

One of our directors, dr Brendan Venter, had a passion to work with HIV/Aids patients and during 2004 he started to work at the Kayamandi clinic on Thursday afternoons. He is involved in the important screening process before Anti-Retrovirals are being administered. He also plays a pivotal role in the educating of patients. There are other volunteer doctors who support him when help is needed.

Current situation

Support group

A successful HIV support group (+- 50 members) with the appropriate name, Vusithemba (“to raise the hope”) currently meets on a regular basis at the Legacy Centre. They provide each other with emotional support and volunteers from the congregation run workshops on a daily basis (skills training, literacy, life Skills and  entrepreneurship). A meal is part of the support group’s meeting and groceries are provided where it is needed. A special service to help patients get to the clinic or hospital is provided.

Ikhaya Lempilo

Ikhaya Lempilo (“House of Health”) – a eight bed halfway house/respite centre next to the Legacy Centre – provides a place for clients who have either just initiated ART with low CD4 counts to receive nutritional and care support in a healthy environment, or who have been discharged from the hospital after treatment for an opportunistic infection and need further care support. The outcome of this intervention will be to improve morbidity and mortality among clients most at risk for complications of AIDS. Providing healthy care support during the recovery phase with counselling greatly enhances the clients’ ability to be prepared for initiating ART with good adherence. This facility focuses on clients that stay in shacks (without toilet facilities, running water, isolation against the heat and the cold and privacy) and is managed by a trained nurse, occupational therapist and care workers under the supervision of a general practitioner.

If you would like to donate any resources to the Legacy Community Development, please contact info@escape4africa.com and we will be happy to facilitate.

Let us all help together

No, it has always been there; governments around the world just had travel warnings out against their citizens traveling there for a while.  But we in South Africa all have our opinions on the political situation there, but I am here to talk about travel and not politics.

On my first visit to Zimbabwe in 1999 I was struck at the friendliness of the people, their soft spoken approach and the seemingly high levels of education for an African country.  A wise old man in a supermarket asked me where I was from, and told me that the writing is on the wall as things were slipping downhill.  At that stage I did not see what he was talking about; I just came from north up in Africa and Zimbabwe seemed very well organized and quite First World compared to most of the African countries I have seen up to that point in my travels.

The Great Zimbabwe Ruins was probably one of the most memorable experiences to Zimbabwe on that visit.  The train journey from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls was so comfortable, and seeing the might Victoria Falls for the first time was just awe inspiring.  Standing on the granite koppies (kopjes) in Motobo National Park you can see why Cecil John Rhodes chose it to be his resting place and where you can find his tomb, there is such a sense of peace and tranquility overlooking the African bush.

Matobo National Park

But the good news – companies are returning to this beautiful country and everyone is very excited about it; especially for the honest hard working people from Zimbabwe, they honestly do not deserve what they have been through in the last 10 years.

Two tours in particular stands out for me, and below are their itineraries in brief; please contact us (info@escape4africa.com) for more information or send us an enquiry.

• 16 Day Zimbabwe & Botswana Game Trail Camping:

Day 1 – 2        Kruger National Park
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north-east into the world famous Kruger National Park. We visit the remote & seldom visited northern part of the park from Satara to Pufuri. We enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation.

Day 3            Great Zimbabwe
Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel to the town of Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. The well preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in Southern Africa and were built during the 11th to 14th Centuries. We explore on foot and wonder at the mysteries of these ancient stone structures and the civilization that built them.

Day 4            Matobo National Park
Moving on to Bulawayo and the Matobo National Park, we visit the core of the Matopos Hills, an area of granite koppies and wooded valleys. We set up camp on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we explore the area on foot to see San Bushman rock paintings. The following morning we visit World’s View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Unusual rock formations in this area are also home to Zimbabwe’s rhino which we hope to see on our guided walk in the national park.

Day 5 – 6         Hwange National Park
Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometres. It is located in the north-west corner of the country, and is famed for its large elephant population. Our camp is in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle.

Day 7 – 8        Victoria Falls
We camp for 2 nights in the town of Victoria Falls. We enjoy a spectacular walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” – Victoria Falls. There are opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).

Day 9            Chobe National Park
Entering Botswana, our camp is situated in the town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of any trip to the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise where we hope to see a large number of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.

Day 10         Nata
This morning there is time for an optional (own expense) game drive in the Chobe National Park. Heading south through the Kasane Forest Reserve we make our way to the Nata area for our overnight stop.

Day 11         Maun
Our drive takes us past the Makgadikgadi Pans (area) en-route to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun, which originated as a cattle outpost, is now the capital of Botswana’s tourist industry, and is our base as we prepare for our excursion into the Okavango Delta. Our camp is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River and after setting up camp we have a relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool.

Day 12 – 14         Okavango Delta
We transfer into the Delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle where our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on Mokoro (dugout canoes). Being gently poled through the network of channels is an experience not to be missed. The Delta forms as rain water from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment and enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 14 and have time for an optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the Delta.

Day 15            Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Heading south from Maun, we drive through the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert on our way to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.  This is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and to provide economic benefits to the local Batswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. We hope to spot some of the elusive rhino on an afternoon game drive.

Day 16            Johannesburg
Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg were the tour ends in the late afternoon.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins

• 20 Day Classic Zimbabwe & Kruger Camping:

Day 1               Botswana – Francistown
The tour begins in Johannesburg where we load up the truck before heading northeast towards the Zimbabwe border. It is a long and fairly uneventful drive to Francistown, Botswana’s second largest city and the site of Southern Africa’s first ‘gold-rush’ back in the late 1800’s. Nowadays Francistown is a modern African city and home to many jazz-clubs and casinos making for some excellent nightlife.

Day 2              Zimbabwe – Hwange National Park
It is just under 100km from Francistown to the Zimbabwe border and within hours we arrive in Hwange National Park and begin some spectacular game viewing from an open 4×4 vehicle. At around 14650 square kilometres the Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe and home to one of Africa’s largest Elephant populations as well as over 100 other mammalian species and 400 different birds.

Day 3              Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls National Park
In the early morning there we will enjoy another game drive in the Hwange NP. After lunch we drive north to Victoria Falls where we will visit the Victoria Falls National Park in order to experience this magnificent natural wonder. The local people wisely use the expression ‘the smoke that thunders’, or Musi-o-tunya, to describe the unforgettable waterfall in the Zambezi River. We will also visit a local adventure operator to book activities for the next day. In the evening there are many excellent restaurants to choose from.

Day 4              Victoria Falls
Today there is an entire day free to experience some of the exciting adventure activities that are possible from this tourism town. While the White Water Rafting is one of the most popular activities there are many others on offer such as: Walking with Lions, Elephant interactions, Gorge swing, microlighting and scenic Helicopter flights.

Day 5              Zambia – Livingstone and Zambezi River
Today we cross over the historical railway bridge that links Zimbabwe and Zambia at the Victoria Falls. This bridge was completed in 1905 and was placed, at the request of Cecil John Rhodes, so that the spray from the falls could embrace the railway carriages as they crossed from one side to the other. Once in Zambia there will be a short stop to collect any additional passengers and then we have a long drive to reach the camp for the evening.

Day 6              Lower Zambezi National Park Canoe Trip
Today we will be beginning our canoe adventure in to the Lower Zambezi National Park. Starting early in the morning we will be taking the minimum of equipment necessary and ‘bush camping’ on an island this evening, surrounded by wildlife, including the hippo. This is a unique experience as we will be a long, long way from any form of civilisation!

Day 7              Lower Zambezi National Park
This is the second day spent on the mighty Zambezi River. As we are travelling downstream with the current the physical effort required to negotiate the river is not extreme and many happy hours can be spent simply drifting and enjoying the beautiful scenery, birdlife and company. At certain times of the year it may not be possible to canoe on the river due to extreme temperatures or water levels. In this instance the 2 days normally spent on the river will be swapped for a 2-night houseboat excursion on Lake Kariba.

Day 8              Zimbabwe – Chinhoyi Caves
In the morning there is a transfer through the Lower Zambezi National Park and back to the truck. All together again, we will pass through the Chirundu Border (sometimes a time consuming process) and re-enter Zimbabwe. From Chirundu it is not a long trip to Chinhoyi. Probably best known for cave diving, the Chinhoyi caves system is the largest publicly accessible cave system in Zimbabwe and reputably a ‘mysterious’ area.

Day 9              Harare and Chimanimani National Park
After visiting the caves it is a short drive from Chinhoyi to Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, where we will stop for some shopping, lunch and exploration. Although Harare has not had a lot of positive press in the last 10 years, many will be surprised at just how safe and accessible this small, modern capital is. After lunch we will be travelling to the Eastern Highlands and the Chimanimani National Park. The Mountain range that separates Zimbabwe and Mozambique is the site of some simply spectacular hiking and scenery and with time permitting we will take a short walk to the well-known Bridal Veil Falls in the late afternoon.

Day 10            Chirinda Forest
It is possible to spend another full day hiking in the Chimanimani, or take a day trip to Zimbabwe’s only rain forest on the Mozambique Border. Chirinda is the southernmost rain forest in Africa and home to some spectacular large mahogany trees. A short hike to ‘the big tree’ is a lovely outing and a fantastic spot for a picnic lunch.

Day 11             Great Zimbabwe Ruins
No visit to Zimbabwe could possibly be complete without visiting the world-famous Great Zimbabwe ruins. Dating from around the 11th century these iron-age ruins have been the source of much speculation and disagreement over the years. Built without any mortar some of the walls are up to 5 metres high and still standing after so many centuries. This site was also home to 8 carved Zimbabwe birds, the image of which is found on the Zimbabwean National Flag.

Day 12            Gweru and Antelope Park
This morning we drive to Gweru, home to a place called Antelope Park. This is a unique place and home to The African Lion Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) and the world’s first Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Programme. On arrival we have some time to relax and then decide on any of the optional activities available here. In addition to the Lion program there are also Elephants, horse riding, canoeing, fishing and a marketplace selling local crafts, including woven goods.

Day 13            Gweru and Antelope Park
We have a second day here in which to really enjoy all that is on offer. This is a fantastic opportunity to spend some quality time with Africa’s wildlife. In the afternoon we have an included walk with the Lions that are part of the rehabilitation and release program.

Day 14            Matobo National Park and Bulawayo
It is not a long drive to Bulawayo and the Matobo National Park (and also a World Heritage site) where we have a full afternoon of activities. Here we will visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, love him or not, he was a big part in Zimbabwe’s history. We will also be taking a game drive in the Matobo National Park, which is home to a very successful breeding program of Black and White Rhino. In the evening there are a number of local restaurants to choose between in Bulawayo.

Day 15            South Africa – Bulawayo to Messina
After a short visit to the Bulawayo Historical Museum we start the drive back to South Africa. We cross the border at Buitbridge, which can sometimes take a long time, and return to South Africa where we will camp at the border town of Messina.

Day 16            Johannesburg
Today we leave early for the journey South along the Great North Road for our final destination in Johannesburg, the City of Gold. We will gradually move up from the Bushveld and Baobabs of the Limpopo Province through citrus and maize fields to the heavily populated and industrialised Highveld and Gauteng Province, the powerhouse of Africa. We will travel through Pretoria, one of South Africa’s capital cities, before arriving in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. Tonight you have the option for a meal out at one of Johannesburg’s many excellent restaurants. Optional: Dinner Out

Day 17            Kwa Madwale Reserve
An early start from Johannesburg, we travel through the Northern Province of Mpumalanga en route to the breathtaking Kruger National Park. This afternoon we enter the Kwa Madwale Game Reserve just south of the Kruger Park. After setting up camp we enjoy a 3 hour evening game drive followed by local dancing and dinner. Look out for those shining eyes and keep your cameras ready!

Day 18            Kruger National Park
Today we start with a morning game walk before proceeding into the Kruger National Park. After setting up camp we enjoy an afternoon game drive from the comfort of our Nomad Truck. On the way keep your eyes open for more wildlife. Our truck gives us a more elevated view of the park, and the ability to spot big cats and other smaller game that can be hiding in the vegetation. Optional Activities: Night game drives with SANP Game Ranger (Subject to availability)

Day 19            Kruger National Park
Today we have a full day of game viewing planned in a Kruger National Park open 4×4 vehicle. This gives you some fantastic photo opportunities so keep your eyes open for Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo, known as Africa’s ‘Big Five’ as well as many other species of animals and birds.

Day 20           Panorama Route – Johannesburg
This morning we leave Kruger National Park on our journey back to Johannesburg. We travel along the spectacular Panorama Route. Blyde River Canyon is the 3rd largest canyon in the world, with breathtaking views of formations such as God’s Window and the Three Rondavels. We also see The Bourke’s Luck Potholes, which have been gradually eroded by the Treur River. Your tour ends on arrival in Johannesburg and most groups spend this last night together at a local restaurant. Optional Activities: Morning Game Walk with SANP, Dinner in a local Restaurant.

The park’s history goes a long way back. Rock paintings give evidence that the reserve was stomping ground for nomadic hunter gatherers, known as the San. Their paintings have been found at more than 170 places in the park and dates thousands of years back.

Thulamela in the north (close to Pafuri) is one of the archeological sites dating back to the Iron Age. Tribes from further up north in Africa came down south, and later started trading with sailors from the Far East (that landed at Mozambique) and traded items like ivory, hides, gold and copper.

The park is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve (the “Biosphere”).  It is also this area that most safaris running from Kruger will visit; the Panorama route.

The park is the site of the popular eyewitness viral video Battle at Kruger.

I want to share some feedback I received from one of our recent traveller to Kruger on the 4 Day Kruger Camping Overland Safari:

” Our Africa trip was amazing, marvelous, hectic (a new word that I’ve learned in Africa =) )

The Kruger tour was also amazing. Bruce and Amen take care of us very well. We were able to see the Big5 in 3.5 days which is the luck of us =). Also we had the opportunity of taking extra game drives which were very entertaining. I’m very happy to choose the camping option instead of accommodation, because everybody was camping and we had fun =)

After this trip we decided to come back to Africa and take a longer tour (Maybe Cape to Vic. Falls). Someday I really need to return to Africa…

I have lots of photos but I haven’t organized them yet. But I’ll send you some photos of the tour as soon as possible =)
If you have the chance to see Amen and Bruce please send my best wishes to them.

Regards,
Ayda ”

The climate of the Kruger National Park and Lowveld is subtropical. Summer days are humid and hot with temperatures often soaring to above 38 °C (100 °F). The rainy season is from September until May. The dry winter season is the ideal time to visit this region for various reasons. There is less chance of contracting malaria and the days are milder. Viewing wildlife is more rewarding as the vegetation is more sparse and animals are drawn to the waterholes to drink every morning and evening.

Click here to see what dates suit you: 4 Day Kruger Camping Overland Safari

Contact us for more information on tours running to Kruger, and come experience this magical part of Africa for yourself.

Wildebeest

Friday morning saw a break in the weather after 2 days of rain and chilly conditions; and I was fortunate enough to be part of an excited group of 12 hikers that met at the Silvermine Dam for the start of the 2 day Orange Kloof hike.  We set off in high spirits with our guide Eric, and about 40 minutes into the hike you are met with your first spectacular panoramic view, this time of Hout Bay (Wood Bay translated into English) and the Sentinel that guards the harbour.

Sitting down for a quick snack and a drink to enjoy the view, you can hear the thunder of the waves at Dungeons situated under Sentinel peak.  This is where the annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa competition takes place, and even from a distance of 4 odd kilometres away you can hear the thunder when the swell is big.

contour path

Some switchbacks drop you down onto a contour path and you skirt along the bottom of vertical cliffs with Constantiaberg above you on your right, reaching to 928m above sea level.  And when you take into consideration that the ocean is on your left, you can imagine just how vertical those cliffs are.

We completed the 17.5km at about 4 in the afternoon when we reached the overnight huts, and what a pleasant surprise.  The tented accommodation is located within the lush trees – the whole set up is re-invigorating.  Constructed from alien vegetation, you realise just what a good job TMNP is doing.  The Afromontane (African Mountain) forest and the scenery surrounding Orange Kloof compels you to relax and be at peace with yourself.

Communual area

There are four, two sleeper tents and one four sleeper tent.  Hikers must bring their own sleeping bags and pillows.  Adjacent to the tents are showers with hot and cold water, and you have a spectacular view over the mountains in the setting sun.

2 sleeper tents

The communal kitchen / eating area and braai (barbeque) pit was well laid out and a so nicely done.  The hike is self-catered, so hikers can prepare their meals, or have a big braai as we did.  The kitchen has a two-plate gas stove, and we were all very happy to even see a coffee plunger supplied.

view from shower

The biggest attraction for me is the chance to hike up Disa Gorge in Orange Kloof on the morning of day 2 (as this part of the trail is prohibited without proper permits, so hence it is not a part of Table Mountain that you generally see) and it did not disappoint at all.

Overnight Camp

After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, we set off at about 9:30 am and the first hour of this mornings hike was in the Afromontane forest.  As you ascent and gain altitude it makes way for fynbos again until you finally round the corner, and you are greeted by Disa Gorge.  As you walk on the right contour of the gorge you can hear the continuous rush of water as it runs in the gorge below you to the left, and there are some lush vegetation and big trees; mostly Rooiels (Butterspoon).  Eventually you get to the top of the gorge, and the Woodhead dam wall; impressive for its stone work.  We had lunch about 30 minutes later overlooking Woodhead Reservoir and Helly-Hutchinson Reservoir, and a hot cup of tea went down really well.

Disa Gorge

From here you make your way to the cable station where you have the option of going down Platteklip Gorge, India Venster or the cable car down to the bottom.

Route:
Duration – 2days one night.
Length – 26.6km (for duration of two days)
Day1 – 17.5km (approximately 8hours walk on the first day)
Day2 – 9.1km (approximately 6hours walk – in the event of bad weather conditions an alternative route that via Kasteelspoort will be taken)

lunch

Essential Bring along items:
* Water – no less than 2litres per hiker
* Hiking boots/ shoes with thick socks to avoid blisters at the end of the hike
* Rain and Warm gear for the many seasons in one day
* Day pack with essentials for each day
* Hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, torch etc
* First Aid Kit
* Your overnight pack should have: Clothes, Food for the duration of the hike, Toiletries, Sleeping bag, a pillow etc – these can be transported to the overnight accommodation.

trail map

Join the road trip of a lifetime and support a well deserving charity when you book this trip!  A portion of your tour price will be donated to the Mphatso Children’s Foundation in Malawi.

The project is headed up by Robben who is an inspiration to all of us in the work she does, the effort and dedication is put in to feed nearly 1000 children each day. Robben provides a sanctuary for these underprivileged children purely supported by donations , including a church in Australia. A bowl of nutritious porridge only costs 5 cents, and by us taking up 9 people on the roadie we will help feed a lot of hungry bellies.

The highlight of the road trip is the Lake of Stars World Music Festival hosted on the sunny shores of Lake Malawi, Africa’s 3rd largest fresh water lake. The two week road trip covers 8000 kilometers expedition style through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi & Mozambique, and is a charity event in support of the Lake of Stars Organization and the Mphatso Children’s Foundation in Malawi.

The Lake of Stars Road Trip is a camping trip that runs expedition style with professional crew in a custom built 11 seater 4×4 overland vehicle complete with cooking and camping equipment. The charity road trip visits highlights including; the Limpopo Province (SA), Lake Chivero Recreational Park (Zimbabwe), Blantyre (Malawi), Lake Malawi (Malawi), Vilanculos & the Bazaruto Islands (Mozambique), Tofo Beach (Mozambique) and the bustling capital city of Mozambique, Maputo.

The Road Trip officially starts and ends in Johannesburg, but we will transit from Cape Town, so if you know of anyone that wants to join us on the roadie to Lake of Stars from Cape Town and help make a difference, let us know guys!!

14 Day Lake of Stars Itinerary:

Day 1 (12 October 2010)               Tshipise Forever Resort Musina, South Africa

Day 2 (13 October 2010)               Lake Chivero Recreational Park, Zimbabwe

Day 3 (14 October 2010)               Blantyre, Malawi

Day 4-7 (15-18 October 2010)     Lake of Stars Music Festival, Malawi

Day 8 (19 October 2010)               Tete, Mozambique

Day 9-10 (20-21 October 2010)   Vilanculos, Mozambique

Day 11-12 (22-23 October 2010)  Tofo, Mozambique

Day 13 (24 October 2010)             Maputo, Mozambique

Day 14 (23 October 2010)              Johannesburg, south Africa

Tour Price:    ZAR12480 per person (approximately USD1720 or  EUR1350)

Find out more about this growing popular music festival at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTxpwaAVgL8 (courtesy of www.youtube.com)

The good news is that not every tour has a local payment. Tours which travel to remote parts of Africa and include certain optional excursions (Guided bush walks, Victoria Falls entrance etc). Nearly every tour taking place in East Africa will require a local payment because of expenses which cannot be pr-paid before your tour departure (Fuel, Food, Camping etc).

Most tours require this be paid in US Dollars (USD) cash. There are a handful of tours which require this be paid in South African Rand (ZAR) cash. Don’t worry, we will let you know what is needed for the tour you book.

Paying this amount (either US Dollars or South African Rand) locally ensures your Crew have cash-in-hand to pay for and excursions as the tour progresses. Essentially having a local payment means your tour price is a bit lower and give you a more inclusive experience!

Feel free to ask any questions about Local Payment below or check out Local Payment info here.

Photo courtesy of Dustin Griffin Photography

We recently received some great photos from Kari Lindström.  John and Kari had a fabulous time on the 10 day Kenya and Tanzania tour before heading to Lamu for some beach time; and you will be able to see them through our facebook page if you want to have a look.  Thanks Kari and John!

Your photo or story from the road might be the reason why a traveller decides to visit Africa, and in that way you contribute to job creation and the betterment of this unique and beautiful continent.

As they say, once the African dust gets under your skin it is hard to stay away; so spread the dust – the more African addicts, the better.