Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Getaway

The Kruger Rush occurs just before sundown as cars head for the gates before they close – the same time predators awaken, so sightings are more frequent and traffic jams more likely. On a trip in the south of the park last year, my family and I had 45 minutes to reach Crocodile Bridge Gate before it closed. It was ample time, so we dawdled along admiring a few elephants browsing near the road. Then we caught the tail-end of a snarl-up that would baffle the slipperiest of taxi drivers. Suddenly, reaching that gate was a long shot. I ʼ d been fined previously for missing a gate time but there was simply no way forward. All we could see was a river of cars leading to a large camper…

May 5, 1862 Mexico beats back Napoleon’s French forces at the Battle of Puebla. The victory is still commemorated today, and is known as Cinco de Mayo. May 10, 1994 Nelson Mandela, after being jailed for 27 years, is inaugurated as South Africa’s democratic president. May 18, 1804 Napoleon became Emperor of France. During the coronation ceremony, he took the crown from Pope Pius VII and crowned himself. May 20, 1932 Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean. She started her journey in Canada at 7pm and landed in Ireland 13 hours later. Five years after this flight, she went missing during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. May 30, 1431 Joan of Arc was charged with witchcraft and heresy, and burnt at the…

I started at Thornybush doing maintenance and gardening. It was 1998, I was 22 and had been visiting my father who worked there. I remember thinking he was living in a kind of heaven, here in the bush. I didn’t have a clue about wildlife when I got here, but in 2000 I decided to approach management. I felt I needed to be out in the bush. I needed to be a tracker. Thornybush agreed to train me. It wasn't easy but I always felt so passionate about learning. My job isn’t just about tracking animals, it's about making a connection with people. I started to spend time on the vehicle with guests, learning to see what they see, and learning to interact with them. I've been tracking now for…

Ask at your local beach for authorities to change from shark nets and drum-lines to shark spotters and other less harmful devices to deter sharks. There are many online campaigns and organisations lobbying for better protective measures for our oceans, including better enforcement of laws on sea and fisheries regulations. Find out more or donate to the following non-profits that conduct conservation work on sharks in SA: Shark Life (sharklife.co.za); Shark Spotters (sharkspotters.org.za); South African Shark Conservancy (sharkconservancy.org), Dyer Island Conservation Trust (dict.org.za), Ocean Research (oceans-research.com) Wild Oceans (wildtrust.co.za/wildoceans).…

Greater Kruger is made up of the Kruger National Park plus the surrounding reserves of Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule, Sabi Sands, Manyeleti, Kapama, Umbabat and Thornybush, also known as the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR). Most of the fences between these reserves and Kruger came down in 1994, adding some 180 000ha to the total area under conservation. In total, Greater Kruger covers nearly two million hectares, which is almost the size of Israel. From 1928, visitors to Kruger had to pay the princely sum of five shillings to enter the park. For an added fee, they could hire a game ranger to escort them through the park. They were also charged to cross rivers on pontoons. The park is home to 147 mammal species, 114 reptile species, 507 bird species…

A vision of WildEarth founders Emily and Graham Wallington has always been to connect people with nature and instill the importance of nature worldover. With their combined experience in TV and the internet (Emily produced wildlife documentaries for BBC and Graham set up Africam) and the help of partner and shareholder Peter Braat, the couple has created a channel that, since 2006, has succeeded in doing just that... but it hasn’t always been easy. ‘When we started out, traditional TV broadcasters told us our content was too boring – but that has changed now,’ says Emily. ‘People really enjoy this kind of escape. We have so much feedback from people on how the broadcasts help them to stay present, how it helps with stress.’ Discussions are now underway for WildEarth…

FACT 1: FRENCH WRECK The Narrative of the shipwreck of the French Vessel, the Eole on the Coast of Kaffraria in April 1829 by CE Boniface, was discovered by Englishman David Culpin in the Cape Town library, who translated it into English. It is now regarded as a pivotal contribution to the travel writing genre, and the first French book and travel narrative published in South Africa. Culpin came to Wavecrest to look for the shipwreck in 2014. At first the lines of latitude and longitude he followed placed the wreck somewhere in the Karoo, but with some adjustments, he found the wreck at Sandy Point. FACT 2: PRECIOUS STONES In the 1920s, diamond fever gripped the area when the son of German settler, John Bock, found a diamond on…

HOW TO GET THERE Book your flights through an online website such as Travelstart. travelstart.co.za Flights to Japan start from R12 000 with Emirates. emirates.com South Africans need a visa. I acquired mine (R390) at the Japanese consulate in Cape Town. za.emb-japan.go.jp GETTING AROUND Tokyo’s public transport system can seem daunting at first, but once you have your bearings, it’s quick, easy and ultra efficient. The subway gets you everywhere, trains are frequent, and the locals are only too happy to help if you’re lost. Buy a Pasmo card (JPY2 000 or R284, top up at any station) for most public transport … and the city is your oyster. pasmo.co.jp WHEN TO GO Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the best times, with little rain,…

KUZUKO LODGE High up on a hilltop, well off the N10, Kuzuko recommends itself for the combination of old-fashioned thatch and stone chalets and spectacular views. Each designer unit has a private balcony overlooking a water hole, far, far below. As much as the game drives through the private reserve, the mountaintop sundowners and the hikes to the substantial cave system are appealing, it’s tough not to just kick back and take in that view, cosseted in a suite that is so beautifully presented. From R6 790 a couple a night. legacyhotels.co.za/hotels/ kuzuko-lodge CAMP KAROO Possibly South Africa’s best-kept secret, Camp Karoo is a purpose-built homestead, miles from any other human activity, up in the often-forgotten mountain wilderness behind Addo Elephant National Park. The farmhouse’s principal attraction is its five-metre-wide…

Following population declines due to both poaching and loss of habitat, the African savannah elephant (pictured) is now listed as ‘Endangered’, and the African forest elephant as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Before the update in late March, African elephants were treated as a single species and listed as ‘Vulnerable’. This extraordinary creature was photographed by Clint Ralph who also captured this month’s cover image.…

THE WINE SHOW 6–8 May The Tops Wine Show is back. The tour kicks off in Durban, where participants get to sample the best wines the country has to offer under one roof. wineshow.co.za/events CONSERVATION PARTICIPATION EXPERIENCES 7–9 May Help save the rhinos while guesting at Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve. Rhinos will be darted and immobilised, allowing participants to assist with monitoring the captured animals. Once immobilised, the veterinary staff will be collecting the rhino DNA and storing it on the Rhino DNA Indexing System (RhODIS), in a bid to save the creatures from extinction. tintswalo.com/lapalala/ gamelodge CAPE TOWN ART FAIR 21–23 May Showcasing contemporary art sourced from all over the world, the Cape Town Art Fair is the biggest of its kind in Africa. Artists, curators, collectors and galleries…

That would have to be the Chris Rea/Shirley Bassey anthem La Passione from his Ferrari-inspired film of the same name – Peter Frost Toto, Africa or the Live Aid song with the line ‘There won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas’ (Do they know it’s Christmas – Ed) - Ed & Deborah Digby Anything from Hugh Masekela or Oliver Mtkudzi – Renier Du Bruyn Golden Earring by Radar Love – Derek Raeburn Milne Baby Shark – Alan Valkenburg A Horse With No Name by America – Duncan Stewart…

Photographing the ever-changing light is challenging. It demands a versatile photographer who needs to be on-the-ball when it comes to camera settings. I generally shoot at ISO 100 and try to balance the exposure between f/8 and f/16. Shutter speeds can vary greatly depending on what you are photographing. If shooting handheld, aim for at least 1/500sec. Purchasing filters to darken your image, such as a 5-stop ND filter, will help to shoot longer shutter speeds (15 to 30 second exposures) with camera mounted on a tripod… more useful for capturing movement in pools of water and lightning. The best advice I can give is to purchase a circular polariser which will help reduce the glare that comes off clouds and water reflections.…

1 THE ANIMAL I LOVE MOST IS THE BUFFALO. I like cattle, and buffalo remind me of them, but what makes the difference is the horns. When I look at a big bull, I just find him so impressive. 2 BATELEURS ARE MY FAVOURITE RAPTOR, their colouring is simply beautiful. And they tell you things. If you are following up on lions or leopards, bateleurs will sit close to a kill – and if they’re joined by their friends, the tawny eagle or a vulture, keep your eyes open! 3 THE BAOBAB HAS TO BE MY SPECIAL TREE. . Just the size of it, and that silvery colour… there’s no other tree like it. 4 THE LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER IS ANOTHER CHOSEN BIRD OF MINE. It brings such beauty and colour…

Tristan Dicks, NATURALIST Known for his passion for leopards, Tristan has been presenting on WildEarth for four years. ‘I’m generally a very quiet and shy person, so initially I was petrified of doing live presenter guiding,’ he admits. ‘Luckily those fears have dissipated, and having the opportunity to explore the wilderness and share it with a greater, like-minded community is incredibly rewarding.’ Trishala Naidu, NATURALIST Trishala – who says she’s a ‘super nerd who’s super curious’ – moved from Durban to Melbourne when she was 12 but returned to South Africa ‘because I had always been in love with the country and its natural environment. Science and understanding the natural world has always bought me such joy – and working on WildEarth has shown me how my knowledge…

Do This 2021 Stoep Tasting Thursday 27 May to Sunday 30 May. Tickets cost R500 pp. Buy online at stoeptasting.co.za Hike the Valley of Desolation An easy 2km hike on the Cape Crag Lizard Trail takes you around the Valley of Desolation look-out points. The gate is 5km out of Graaff-Reinet on the R63 to Murraysburg. Open daily from 6.30am to 7pm. R48 entry for South Africans. Recollection Rides Sweet rides, including some for sale. Be sure to visit the Recollection Village across the street, too. There’s an entire room dedicated to the history and transformation of the bicycle. R30 entrance fee. 082 659 2795 Run or bike the Ouberg Road A perfect hike or run to get a bird’s-eye view of the town and schools. Follow the road out…

Elegantly does it, that was the assumption we made as we headed out in our Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe 400d. We ʼ d made peace with the fact that we would be sacrificing a degree of off-road ability in choosing it... after all, the big Merc is clearly aimed at the glitterati rather than the khaki crusaders – just look at it. Still, we planned to give it some stick, test the DNA, which harks back to that much-loved old trooper, the Mercedes ML, beloved workhorse of dairy farmers the world over. Here then are the highlights of a trip that delivered surprises all round, car and landscape both. THE ROUTE We began in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) heading north on the N2, then up the N10 towards Cookhouse, left onto the…

MOTHERS DAY EDITION Every year in May, millions across the globe take time to celebrate their mothers, or those who play a mothering role in their lives. Here are a few facts about this very special day: The original flower of choice for Mother’s Day was the WHITE CARNATION, which is now mostly used to celebrate mother figures who have passed on. Before the advent of Mother’s Day, those in Britain celebrated Mothering Sunday. Observed on the FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT,  the day became popular in the middle ages and allowed children who had left home to work, to return to their homes to see their mothers. Mother’s Day has many forms across the globe. In some monarchical countries, for instance, the day is celebrated on their queen’s birthday. In…

A one-night stay for eight people at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve’s Luxury Villa worth R70 000 ‘It was a dream of mine to take my parents on a holiday like this. I’m so grateful that my wish came true and am looking forward to the memories.’ - Yasmina Baulackey A three-night stay at the newly revamped Mhondoro Safari Lodge in Limpopo worth R39 900 ‘We’re absolutely thrilled by this as we love the bush. In fact, I trained as a field guide nearly 20 years ago. Nowadays, retired and living in Cape Town makes getting to the bush somewhat impractical, so we’re really looking forward to this wonderful trip.’ - Guy Whitcroft…

Anthony Hocking says it wasn’t always the plan to own and run a hotel but he couldn’t bear to see the derelict shell of the Royal Hotel go to unscrupulous hands while living in his beloved Bethulie. For you, what crucial elements constitute a quirky hotel ? ‘Quirky’ can be good or bad but I like to define it as ‘unusual in an attractive and interesting way’. Applied to a hotel, that could relate to the staff, the guests, the decor, the activities, the ambience. A hotel doesn't need to be more than 100 years old to be quirky, though it helps. An interesting history can compensate for occasional lapses in service. In my experience, a hotel's quirkiness or lack of it stems from the owner. Hopefully, he or she…

Stay Here DIE LETTERHUIS on Aswater Farm, costs R1 000 per night for two. For additional guests, R450pp. Sleeps six in total, perfect for contemplative weekends with friends or family. 076 051 1017 letterhuis.co.za WELTEVREDE FIG & GUEST FARM, Fonteinskop, costs R800 per night for two in a quaint cottage, and R1 800 for the first four people in one of the three larger houses. All equipped with paraffin lamps, gas stove, gas fridge and gas geysers. 087 095 6229 figfarm.co.za/unit/fonteinskop Eat Here Visit Lah-di-dah restaurant in Prince Albert for delicious coffee and meals. 082 516 6146…

The year is 2004. I find myself in a motel in a tiny flat-roofed village in Kununurra, Western Australia. This is the Kimberley – the sparsely populated northern region of Western Australia – where they mine pink diamonds and drink Victoria Bitters like it's going out of stock. When you think of said Kimberley, think Zimbabwe with short baobabs. It's a bit like a reunion with a bunch of pot-bellied friends from home. Old time chroniclers in the Kimberley had this to say about their chubby succulent: ʻA Caliban of a tree, a grizzled, distorted old goblin with the girth of a giant, the hide of a rhinoceros, twiggy fingers clutching at empty air, and the disposition of a guardian angel – such is the Kimberley baobab, friendly ogre of…

Beverly Williams, Lebanon, Oregon, USA I have severe anxiety and depression, as well as a brain tumour, and watching WildEarth has helped me relax so I can sleep. It also helps with my depression and I have fewer seizures. It’s given me a bonding opportunity with the animals; watching them grow and move on with their lives gives me a purpose to continue my life and not give up. Jen Rast, Melbourne, Australia WildEarth has really helped me understand more about biodiversity and the role each living thing plays. Jackie Boshoff, Centurion, Pretoria The first thing I do every morning is turn on the TV to watch the sunrise drive, and I watch again in the afternoon while I’m preparing supper. It kept me entertained during Lockdown…

1. CONTROLLED PANDEMONIUM With a population of 37 million, Tokyo is a seething warren of humanity. Witnessing the mayhem is an attraction in itself. The best place to get a sense of the insanity is at Shibuya Crossing, thought to be the busiest intersection in the world with up to 3 000 pedestrians crossing each time the traffic lights change. I visited it at a relatively quiet time but was still transfixed by the tides of people – an avant-garde, urban ballet of outlandish proportions. I bought a coffee on the second floor of Starbucks, found a table and sat there marvelling at the colourful ebb and flow. Another great spot to experience Tokyo's beating pulse is the Shinjuku district, home to the world’s busiest railway station (with more than…

ROAD-TRIP VEHICLE Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe 400d 4Matic Substantially more powerful than both its rivals here, it’s also the most adept off-road, the adaptive ride height a real boon. Not the most fuel efficient (8,4l/100km average) but supremely comfortable and the most engaging of the three to drive. It’s seriously overpriced, but otherwise a winner. 243kW @ 3 800r/min 700Nm @2 000r/min Price: R1 827 800 CONTENDER 1 Audi Q8 45TDI quattro The prettiest, arguably most desirable and the newest design. Audi’s interior is hands down the best put together, easiest and most satisfying to use. Some turbo lag hinders performance, and the low-profile tyres limit dirt road use. 183kW @ 3 500r/min 600Nm @ 2 000r/min Price: R1 573 500 CONTENDER 2 BMW X6 30d Xdrive The oldest design…

Growing up in the Platteland, foraging for food was never a novel thing. As kids, we ' d chase bowls of breakfast Maltabella with all kinds of veld finds. Favourites included boomgom ' or tree resin which formed on the bark of old acacias. Not all trees had it and finding these chewy, slightly sweet morsels was like striking a nugget of bark-clad gold. Sprigs of spekboom were abundant and readily consumed while dassies were often on the braai menu. Cringe! The ultimate, however, was in spring when wild tyut (the colloquial word for wild greens in our region) would sprout up on every possible soil surface and we could enjoy freshly-made morogo as a second breakfast with the older Xhosa ladies on the farm - sitting in a loose…