Our fourth visit to this magnificent country,has been from nov.14th 2000 –jan 6th 2001. We arrived at Jo’burg by plane and the 4x4 with rooftoptent and camping equipment we hired, was waiting for us. At first we visited our e-mail friends,at the Waterberge, who have a “Gasteplaas”overthere. In “the middle of no-where,we’ve spend 2 great days! Then,we travelled south, to Gauteng,to visit some of my relatives, and after that,we went to Kimberley. We had never seen The big Hole and the mine museum,so we did now, and really enjoyed ourselves!! We camped at the campingsite, opposite the “mine museum”. On our way to Beaufort West,we have spend the night in Die Pophuis(Dollhouse) a fantastic cottage!(B&B) We visited The Karoo Nat.Park,which we found fantastic,(even the iguana next to our campsite!)The park offers a great restaurant,campingsite,hiking trails aswell as a 4x4 trail, and of course the usual trails. We’ve seen all the common game, aswell as the eagle!! On our way to Cape Town,we first went to the Westcoast –area. Especially Paternoster, stole our hearts!! A small little restaurant (4x5m.) and the terrace,right at the beach, has been situated so marvellously,that I dreamt of living there…… Only 3 steps from the beach!! Ammmm… Surely we also visited the villages Velddrif,Saldanha,Yzerfontein,Da rling as we camped at Dwarskersbos-campingsite.
Then we headed off for Kagga Kamma, the San-reserve. (It has been a trip on it’s own, just to reach the reserve!!!) Situated about 35 kms from the tarred road,a trip that took us about 1,5 hours!! But sure worth it!!
Although there was no campingsite, we were invited to spend the night just behind the swimmingpool, outside the camp,but inside the reserve…. I mean: between the game. I think it’s been one of our most fantastic experiences, the early night, completely dark at 20.30 hours and to lay in the rooftoptent,listening to all the noises of the animals…
To Cape Town, wonderfull to see the Table Mountain again,from the N1.We drove through the Mothercity, to Chapmans Peak Drive with it’s beautifull views!!! To the campingsite in Kommetjie, so we saw a part of the peninsula aswell. Lots of wine estates, beautifull villas etc.Nice area!!
We visited Victoria and Alfred Waterfront shortly, just after we visited the TableMountain.As we’ve been there before,this time only for a couple of hours.
(and the new cable-car)
After spending a few day driving around Stilbay,Mosselbay(nice campingsite at the beach,lots to do!!) and Oudshoorn (no visit to the ostriches,as we have done that the time before,) we drove the Prince Alfreds Pass from Uniondale to Knysna (in the pouring rain!!!) and from Knysna to Uniondale the next day, in splendid weather!!
A great experience aswell. (About 75 km. Untarred road,which took about 2,5 hours)
Via Graaff-Reinet,Colesberg,Bloemfontein,Bethlehem,to The Golden Gate Highlands Nat. Park. Where we’ve spend the night at Glen Reenen campingsite.When we woke up next morning we were greeted by a baboon,who sat next to our 4x4!
After admirering this beautifull place, we visited Basotho Cultural Village, just outside the park. A warm welcome and a fantastic private tour,was waiting for us. This park is not very wellknow, yet, but really worth a visit!!!(Helmutt Lotti has made his video Helmutt Lotti- Out of Africa, there!)
Via Bergville, we went to Himeville. An acitive little village,at the foot of the Sani pass.
We drove Sanipass next morning.After a 1,5 hours drive, we reached the last part of the pass, which is only accessible for 4 wheel drive vehicles.
As soon as you have arrived on “top”, you have reached the borderpost of Lesotho.The Sani Top Chalet (restaurant) has the Highest Pub in Africa (according to the sigh,above the bar). Wonderfull to see this with our own eyes! Friendly people, who all seem to be a sheperd…
After having visited this cold country, we headed off for Howick, Piet Retief,and Swaziland, a beautifull country aswell, but not “spectacular”.
The same day, we left Swazi at Jeppe’s Reef, and drove to Komatipoort, to enter Kruger National Park at Crocodil Bridge.(Our forth time, but still are in love with this park!! For us it’s still THE nat. Park) And this was the first time that we saw the big 5 ourselves!!! Without a nightgamedrive or rangers….
After 3 days in Kruger we left the park at Numbigate, and went to Pretoria,VanderBijlpark, Centurion,Randfontein,Alberton and Germiston to spend 3 more weeks at our families, for Christmas (at the swimmingpool) and New Year (having a “braai”/bbq at New Years Eve)
Although we have driven 8550 kms, we haven’t seen it “ALL”, so we really feel we HAVE to go back….. |
email me
add as friend
Comments for Ina_van_Dijk about South Africa