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.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,623 km2 (7,576 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west.  

Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa's a national park in 1926. Kruger National Park. The Park was opened to tourism in 1927, only three cars entered the Reserve in the first year.

In South Africa there are several National parks which belongs to the government. It is allowed to drive with your own car in the National Parks.  The roads are fairly good and well marked.

Private Conservation areas border the National Parks and are privately owned. In most cases self drives are not allowed in the private areas. It is required to go on a guided Game drive. Which is normally in an open game viewing vehicle.

It is good to do a combination of National park and Private Conservation areas. National Parks offer larger herds of animals. In private concessions it is possible to get much closer to the animals.

Watch this Red-Crested Korhaan trying to impress the female 

https://youtu.be/JBAauZMT760?si=3VxJfSdSDbqZKFwA

Jordan Restaurant Stellenbosch

 When food becomes art👨‍🍳 Marthinus Ferreira and the team pride themselves on using seasonal ingredients, which means the menu changes regularly. Visit Jordan Restaurant at Jordan Wine Estate Stellenbosch to see the magic happening in real life. 😋