Saasfeld Lodge,Kloof Street, Cape Town, the start hotel, was adequate.New owners could do quick tidy

I have been asked about our trips to Southern Africa so I have revised this report on the trip we did in July 2008 that I had originally posted on GAP Adventures forum. The Wateringhole ,Gap Adventures forum
It could be a difficult tour, with long drive times, and because of limited accommodation options, there are a few nights where this becomes an issue.And europe train travel I know GAP have worked hard to address these issues, and improve/refine this tour, and make this now one of the great tours in their African portfolio.
It also takes a very special person as a tour guide to make every moment on this trip interesting,the long drive days pass by so quickly in good conversation, and for the whole tour to be a marvellous learning opportunity..
And it really helps if fellow travellers realise this is adventure travelling and that not everything is going to be as you want or expect.Surprises abound in this type of travel.We were blessed with companions who all showed a positive spirit .
Saasfeld Lodge,Kloof Street, Cape Town, the start hotel, was adequate.New owners could do quick tidy up with a little paint here and there.Showers are tricky.But overall, it s positioning more than made up for it s shortcomings.It's just a short walk down to town, the cafe's , markets europe train travel and historical buildings.
Klein Aus Guest Farm dormitory lodge on the 4th night was an experience.And some people will find this an issue.But there is not much alternative accom. In the area, and so we approached this with a go with the flow attitude.Even though it was cold and wet, and electricity had shorted out, our group showed a very positive Hey, it s only 1 night.Let s enjoy it attitude.
With it s truck chassis, it handled the unsealed roads very well.Not as gutsy, or grunty looking as an overland truck, but a very good comfortable choice for this type of travel.And at Etosha, very suitable for the game drives, as all the game was well in view from the various tracks.We felt no compelling reason to opt for going with the optional game drive safaris.And saw plenty of game, and including 3 lions from our bus.For europe train travel that time of year, when game is concentrating around europe train travel the main watering holes,there is not quite the need to take the optional game safaris.Quite different perhaps during wet season where game has to be searched for.Optional game safaris europe train travel may be the best option then.
Our guide Gerhard Schwanepol, was an exceptional person.Always enthusiastic, an excellent conversationalist,a great sense of humour, and extremely well organised.Gutz was right up there as a leader.Enthusing europe train travel us all with being great adventure people.Who d have thought anyone could get 18 tourists to lie on the ground at Dead Vlei, spelling out GAP for a photo shoot?
The water hole at Okaukeujo,Etosha Game. Driving up the C35 into Damaraland, we were greeted by a lone cow elephant,browsing a mopani tree by the side of the road. "Welcome to my territory" she seemed to say."And here is my family"as the rest of the herd crossed the road right in front of us.A 14 strong herd I was to meet up with 8 days later on my EHRA volunteer project I would be joining.This was the main desert elephant herd headed by huge matriarch Mama Africa.
For some travellers, this tour with long drive days may be trying.But for myself ,with an interest in Biology, europe train travel I found that there was never a boring moment.In fact I relished the opportunity to observe europe train travel the ever changing environment as we travelled up from Cape Town and into true desert areas.Southern Africa has very unique plant life, and it was a joy to observe many plant species we may grow at home as houseplants,flourishing in their natural state.As you travel through various vegetation zones, you will observe how various specie become dominant, then others take over.
Take an interest in how various plants have adapted to survive in these arid areas.From the geometrically beautiful forms of various Aloes, to the spiky candelabra europe train travel Euphorbias,and the occasional protea, or fields of stonecrops/crassulas.
And for the tours going through Namarqualand in Late Aug/early Sept, you should be enjoying the veld come alive in brilliant colour as wildflowers europe train travel will be at their best.We were lucky to see only some sparse early showings.
Overall, this trip exceeded our expectations.On the 10th day my wife and I looked at each other and virtually said at the same time- We ll have to cancel our North American tour next year , because after this,America is going to be too tame for us!
How? Because if you do want to enquire or book your trip with Gap Adventures, click on the Gap Adventures or Discovery Tours advert you see on the right of this page.Any tour booked online which originates through those adverts means this site earns a commission on sales from Gap Adventures.And all that money we earn ,less any tax, we will be donating back to wildlife conservation.
europe train travel Hi Kristine and thanks. And if you do decide to go ahead, initiate your enquiry through the Gap Adventure link above right, complete yoyr booking online, and you and I can then go adopt another baby elephant.We have adopted 2 already!I was getting around to blogging on that. Just a small way that each of us can help in conservation matters. Hey and thanks for reading.! Jim Need any questions answered, just contact me!
A custom shoemaker, slowly wearing out his tools. No sign of slowing down for this not so young traveller, but sometimes I just have to take time out to repair my worn out soles. They ve been around, and it s time to talk of where they ve been. Join us in our journeys, we ll learn more about wildlife conservation and social issues around this world, and maybe delve beyond the conscious