Gariepdam

Gariepdam, extremely beautiful especially with sunset and sunrise. In my opinion the Halongbay of South Africa 🇿🇦  ⛵️🛶

The Gariep Dam is the largest dam in South Africa. It is on the

Orange River, on the border between the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces.

The wall of the Gariep Dam is about 289 feet (88 meters) high and 2,999 feet (914 meters) long. The wall holds back an artificial lake called the Gariep Reservoir. When full, the reservoir covers an area of about 140 square miles (360 square kilometers). It holds nearly 7.2 billion cubic yards (5.5 billion cubic meters) of water.

The Gariep Dam is useful in several ways. Four hydroelectric generators in the wall of the dam provide electric power. Eskom, the South African electric company, distributes the power. The reservoir behind the dam stores water that is used to irrigate farmland in the region. In addition, the reservoir supplies drinking water to the cities of Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. The reservoir also supports boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.

The dam was completed in 1972 and was originally named Hendrik Verwoerd Dam. Verwoerd was a prime minister of South Africa during the apartheid era. After the end of apartheid the name was changed to Gariep Dam. The word gariep in local languages means “river” or “big water.”

The Gariep Dam is the most important part of the Orange River Project. The project is a system of dams, tunnels, and canals that distribute water from the Orange River to a large area of South Africa. The Vanderkloof Dam is another large dam that is part of the project. The Orange-Fish Tunnel carries water about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Gariep Reservoir to the Great Fish River. The Fish-Sundays River Canal Scheme carries water from the Great Fish southwest to the Sundays River. The Fish-Sundays canals are linked by the 8-mile (13-kilometer) Cookhouse Tunnel.

Table Mountain Excursion (2 Days / 1 night)

 Table Mountain Excursion (2 Days / 1 night)

Ornight at the Overseers Cottage, located high above Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Southern Suburbs of the city, overlooking False Bay. By the evening all the day walkers have left, the experience of the tranquility is great.

Luggage 🧳: Luggage needs to be dropped off at a pre-arranged spot. It will be taken to the Cottage. On day 2 luggage must be fetched at a pre-agreed spot. Only carry a day pack.

Bedlinnen & Towels are provided and included.

Description

Day 1

There are various routes which can be used on day 1.  Three suggested options:

Depending on The groups preferences and abilities. 

Option 1: Via Kirstenbosch & Skeleton Gorge

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Gardens until you reach the contour path, where the mountain hike begins.

Start at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Option 2:  Via the Pipe Track and Kasteelpoort with lovely views of the Atlantic  Coastline. Start at Theresa Avenue in Campsbay

Option 3: Via Constantia Neck via the jeeptrack. Start at Constantia Neck parking.

Whichever route we take, it is great to first explore around the Back of Table Mountain and enjoy lunch somewhere on the back table before heading to the Overseers Cottage in the late afternoon. Visit the railway museum and the old reservoirs. On to Kasteelspoort for the vital photograph of ‘the diving board’ that overlooks Camps Bay and the Atlantic Coastline, far below. In the evening enjoy the fire place, the stars and tranquility on Table Mountain. 

The duration of the first days walk to Overseers Cottage depends on the route chosen & fitness levels of the group. It is approximately 4 to 5 hours.

As I always say, the aim is not to get to the hut but to enjoy the hike.

Day 2

Option 1

Set off along the historic Smuts Track towards Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine and Echo Valley, on your way to Maclears Beacon and the highest point of the mountain Enjoy the interesting rock formations, the spectacular views, and the wide variety of fynbos species, including proteas, ericas, restios, and many others. Enjoy lunch on the way to the top of Platteklip Gorge and the Western Table en route to the cable car station. Take money with you for the cable car as it is not included.

The optional alternative is to walk off the Table, down the steep, but well defined Platteklip Gorge route.

The cable car is weather permitting, in which case an alternative route which suits the group will be used for the hike.

Option 2

Set off and follow the route between the dams, Vai Waaikoppie to the top of Platteklip Gorge. From here turn left towards the cable car or hike down Platteklip Gorge.

Ficks Pool Restaurant Hermanus

Ficks is a unique and exciting restaurant located at the historic site of Ficks Pool in Hermanus with wonderful views of the Ocean. #fickspool #gourmetwithannie 

Wild Coast of South Africa

 The Eastern Cape Wild Coast runs along a rugged coast of untouched  shorelines and traditional Xhosa villages. It is as if time stood still on this picturous coastline. Friendly people, cows 🐄  and  goats, crazing 🐐 , immensely beautiful waterfalls, and  streams contribute to this unforgettable hiking experience 

Day 1 🚙

On our way to hike the Wild Coast of South Africa 🇿🇦👣 Cremorne to Misikaba

Day 2 👣 

Wild Coast of South Africa 🇿🇦👣  Our first hiking day, Misikaba to Mkweni 🥾🥳

Wonderful day walking in the rain. On the way we met the Gosh family (of Umngazi). They appeared out of the mist out of nowhere. They kindly invited us for coffee ☕️ & delicious Pandoro cake (an Italian Christmas 🎄 cake) at their home. They were very kind to us and Offered their kayaks 🛶 to us, this way our backpacks 🎒 safely crossed the river and stay dry. Lovely people ! 

We pitched our hiking tents under beautiful Milkwood and Red Milkwood trees ⛺️ Spending the night around a camp fire. A "million stars lodge" !!!

Day 3 👣  

On our second hiking day from Mkweni, we passed some of the most amazing waterfalls including the 80-metre high Waterfall Bluff which plunge directly into the ocean, Cathedral rock and Top Hat, along the way.

Through traditional Pondo villages, rolling grass hills, rocky headlands, and sandy beaches.  We ended this magnificent day at a lovely spot on the banks of a stream where we pitched our hiking tents. Million stars 🌟🌟tent!⛺️ Fantastic!

Day 4 👣  

Our 3rd hiking day and we walked to Mboyti. Where we enjoyed a delicious buffet at the lodge. The seafood soup is to die for! 

The sheer beauty of the valleys, hills, deep gorges, lush vegetation and waterfalls, indigenous forests with bird singing makes this area a hikers paradise.

Mbotyi, Its name is the Xhosa word for 'place of beans' and, unsurprisingly, the climate and fertile soils are perfect for growing beans. It is also condusive to growing tea, and the Magwa Tea Estates sprawl around Mbotyi - one of the larest tea estates in the country, employing a great many of the local people.

Day 5 👣

Wild Coast of South Africa 🇿🇦👣  Our 4th hiking day, from Mbotyi to Manteka🥾🥳

Another wonderful day hiking along this untamed beautiful coastline. Ending the crossing the Manteku River.  An extremely beautiful river mouth.

We pitched our hiking tents close to the Manteka River next to a large area of mint growing wild. ⛺️ A "million stars lodge" !!!

Glorius evening around a camp fire🔥, sipping mint water. 🍹

Day 6 👣

Manteku to Ntafufu 🥾🥳

Another wonderful day hiking along steep grassy hills with amazing views, along beaches and enjoyed the river crossings.

We stayed at Ntafufu Tented camp, high on a hill with awesome panoramic views of the sea, Ntafufu estuary and river valley. Surrounded by indigenous forest with birds singing in the trees. We were we blessed by the call of the African Fish Eagle. ⛺️

The Ntafufu estuaries provides a suitable habitat for mangroves (the only trees that can tolerate sea water). We were privileged to see fine stands of Black, White and Red mangroves. These in turn provide an indespensable nursery area for many juvenile marine fish and crustaceans. Eventually these fish, prawns and crabs grow to provide food and recreational angling for both locals and visitors. The beautiful Mangrove Kingfisher is one of the rarest birds and is still found in the area.

Day 7 👣

Ntafufu to Cremorne 🥾🥳

Another wonderful day hiking along steep grassy hills with amazing views, along beaches and enjoyed the river crossings.

The Ntafufu estuaries provides a suitable habitat for mangroves (the only trees that can tolerate sea water). We were privileged to see fine stands of Black, White and Red mangroves. These in turn provide an indespensable nursery area for many juvenile marine fish and crustaceans. Eventually these fish, prawns and crabs grow to provide food and recreational angling for both locals and visitors. The beautiful Mangrove Kingfisher is one of the rarest birds and is still found in the area.

Eswatini (Swaziland)🇸🇿

Eswatini, a special country with lovely people. 🇸🇿 🇸🇿 

Eswatini, formally the Kingdom of Eswatini( former official name Swaziland)is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa . At no more than 200 km (120 mi) north to south and 130 km (81 mi) east to west, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa. The  climate and topography are diverse, ranging from a cool and mountainous highveld to a hot and dry lowveld. 

As one of the few remaining monarchies in Africa, culture and heritage are deeply engrained in all aspects of Swazi life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all who visit. As well as the rich culture, the overwhelming friendliness of the people makes all visitors feel truly welcome and very safe. Add to that stunning scenery of mountains and valleys, forests and plains; plus wildlife reserves across the country that are home to The Big Five; and a fascinating mix of modern and traditional festivals, ceremonies and events, and you have all that’s best about Africa in one small but perfectly formed and welcoming country.

https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/

Walking with Giraffes

 Walking with Giraffes in the Eastern Cape of South Africa close to Addo Elephant National park 🦒 🦒 Simply amazing

Let me know if I can arrange this wonderful experience for you. 🦒🎉

West Coast National Park

The vast West Coast National Park is a great starting point to experience the raw, authentic, outdoors side of the Western Cape,  Endless natural beauty, a string of secret beaches, uncrowded braai spots, loads of exhilarating outdoor adventures, and some of the best wildflower-spotting in the land – these are just some of the wondrous attractions that make this beautifully preserved, unblemished paradise-on-earth the ultimate escape.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate Highlands National Park lies at the foot of Lesotho’s Maluti Mountains. Loved for its unusual scenery and renowned for its golden aura as the sun lights up the sandstone cliffs and outcrops. Beautiful hiking trails to explore this lovely area.

Wildlife graze in the wild, grassy pastures, while rare bearded vultures circle the skies above the lost pathways of the San hunter-gathers, who once dwelled in the park's caves. Wildlife in the park includes the black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and burchell’s zebra.

Clarence, the most charming little town that the Free State has to offer, next door to the park.

Lesotho

Lesotho 🇱🇸  "land of the Sesotho people, is a high-altitude, landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa, is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and mountain ranges including the 3,482m-highest peak in Southern Africa, peak of Thabana Ntlenyana. 

It is the highest country in the world, the lowest point in Lesotho is 1300 m above sea-level. It has an area of over 30,000 km2 and has a population of about 2 million.

The Sotho ethnic group (also known as Basotho), from which the country derives its name, composes 99.7% of the country's population, making it one of the most ethnically homogenous in the world. Their native language, Sesotho, is the official language along with English.

Blyderivier Canyon

Blyde River Canyon Reserve is situated against the Greater Drakensberg escarpment and includes natural wonders such as the Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock and God's Window.

The Blyde River Canyon is 26km long and considered the biggest green Canyon on Earth.  Grand Canyon is the biggest, the Fish River Canyon second and the Blyderivier Canyon the rd biggest Canyon overall.  

Regyne Protea farm

Regyne, the biggest commercial protea farm in the world. Regyne’s protea fields cover 80 hectares and they produce flowers primarily for the export market.  Proteas are cut, sorted and trucked straight to the airport for export. 

Hanli Viljoen took us on a tour of the farm. We visited one of the fields where they grow King Proteas, South Africa’s national flower.  We were educated on how proteas are propagated, either from seeds or cuttings. We also saw the sorting & packing shed where the flowers are prepared, and packed as well as the cold room. Flowers reach their destination in Europe within 48hours!

Timbavati Game Reserve

The Timbavati Game Reserve lays within the Greater Kruger area. It shares a fifty kilometer unfenced border with Kruger National Park. The animals roam freely between the parks.  🦒🐾

Timbavati Game Reserve offers is known for its natural splendor, wide swathe of bush and high density of wildlife - including the Big Five, over 350 bird species and the rare white lion. 🐘🐦‍⬛

Timbavati had various lodges to choose from. You will find remote, friendly abodes providing the perfect safari home for a family getaway, romantic honeymoon, group trip or whatever else you are seeking. Accommodations come in every price range – starry night skies are complimentary.