Africa 2013: Summary

September/October 2013

The glacier at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro

Highlights

• Tanzania in general - people were friendly, food was fantastic and the sights were varied
  
• Seeing the big 5
  
• The Devils Pool
  

Recommendations

• If you only have a few weeks I recommend Northern Tanzania, you can climb Kili and get a number of Parks in, with a variety of wildlife
  
• Be careful about going during peak, we were in off peak and it was still busy in parts. Some parks would be a nighmare in peak
• Its the wild not a zoo, don't embarrass yourself and request an animal, but by all means let your guide/driver know that you'd really like to see a rhino or your interested in birds or big cats - otherwise be like us and go with the flow, you never know what you will see when you least expect it!

Favoutite Photo
I have many but the below two are my absolute favourites.

The cheetah above sat quietly in the grass, she is so old that her spots are fading, she was so rare even the guides talked about her all night

Apparently Hyenas don't wallow in the mud, except for this one. S/he proves that even though people might think they've seen everything they usually haven't.

Favourite meal/dish
Most of our meals were included, but the "stews" in Tanzania were hearty, tasty, especially the fish and eggplant variety.

Lowlights
As usual its a vast continent, we only touched parts of Southern and East Africa, we met a large number of Australians on long service leave who did a lot in 12 weeks, but still only got through a large chunk of Southern and Eastern Africa.

Catching the Train from OR Tambo Airport to Rosebank

September/October 2013

If you can recall when I first started the African trip blog posts back late last year, when in Johannesburg we stayed at the lovely Winston Hotel.

When we started to research getting from the airport into Rosebank where the hotel is located there were a few options, taxi, airport transfer bus or train. The train seemed quick and convenient and we were going to need to do this trip a few times so decided to go via train.

It really was easy, you brought a transport card to top up, found the platform and got on. Rosebank required a transfer, but one the train there were plenty of maps clearly showing this.

I don't think I would hassle with a cab or minibus transfer if staying near or on the train line in future trips. It was clean, quick, inexpensive and safe.

Marakele National Park, South Africa

October 2013

Marakele National Park is located in  the Waterburg Mountains in South Africa.

The park is worth a visit for its stunning back drop alone.

But when we visited things were a little quiet on the wildlife side.

It was the dry time of the season, so that could have been a factor, or it could have been that our last few stops had been overly abundant with wildlife.

We did however get to see a Rhino again, but once again they seem to like us to view them from behind.

Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele, South Africa

October 2013

Located in Marakele Nature Reserve in South Africa, Tlopi Tented Camp is a great place to sit back and enjoy it all.

The tents all have self catering facilities, including a BBQ, fridge and table.

The tent has a great balcony with a great view over a waterhole and the mountains.

The beds, while not spectacular are comfortable and better than your standard camp option of sleeping on the floor.

 As mentioned the tents have a great balcony, with great views, the perfect spot to watch animals come down to the waterhole for an evening or morning drink.

Klaserie Private Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa

October 2013

We debated doing Kruger proper, but this would have taken more time, and we were not disappointed with the abundance of wildlife we saw in our three days in Klaserie Private Reserve.

In face we saw four of the big 5 during our stay.

Including the elusive rhino, but missing the leopard.

This was also the first place we experienced the "sundowner", as in Tanzania you had to be at camp by night fall.

It was nice to enjoy the sun go down over the Africa landscape, before heading back for dinner.

Africa On Foot, Greater Kruger, South Africa

October 2013

We selected Africa on Foot purely to have a safari experience out of the truck, and on foot.

Located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in the Great Kruger region, Africa on Foot is located within easy flying or driving distance from Johannesburg (we caught a mini-bus).

The "huts" are spacious, with an outdoor shower, which I can see being problematic in winter.

The game walks take place each morning, followed by free time and then an afternoon drive, there is a small pool which we didn't get to use due to cool weather, but would be great in the hot summers.

The common areas are spacious, with lots of room to hang out, and charge stations for your cameras and other electronics.

Meals are also served together, with brunch, a light lunch and dinner being the main attractions.

If you've been on a few safaris and want to do something a bit different, this was a good option. Just be aware that due to weather conditions a walk might be cancelled (wind usually being the issue), but a game drive is then substituted in.

The Winston Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa

September/October 2013

 

I booked this online purely via research on the web and we were very happy with the hotel. Based in Rosebank it was an easy train trip from the airport, all you do is buy a card, load it, tap it at the gate and go.

We stayed in the Superior room both times, but each stay a different room. I have to say the room upstairs was quieter than the one by the pool but both were nicely decorated, spacious and the showers wonderful after long days/flights.

It was based about 500 meters from the Rosebank shopping mall which made quick lunches, snacks and time wasting on our last day easy. Tashas had great coffee (as well as good looking food that we didn't get to try).

THE Restaurant is based onsite and wasn't as busy as I expected on the two nights we dined there. They include the Springbok Shank on the menu....

Johannesburg, South Africa

September and October 2013

Johannesburg was a bit of a base for us. We crossed into South Africa three times in our trip but never stayed for more than four days.

Johannesburg is a large and vibrant city, and less than 14 hours direct from Sydney (we love the direct flights!).

Stay
We stayed at three different hotels over five nights depending where we were in our trip

Winston Hotel, Rosebank
A relatively quick train ride from the airport this place is a little slice of heaven, nice and quiet but close enough to amenities

Intercontinental, OR Tambo International Airport
Great for a stopover but a little on the pricey side. The food is excellent (don't miss your flight on the breakfast buffet!)

Falstaff, Sandton
At the same price point as the Winston I wasn't overally impressed with this one, ok, but felt tired.

Eat
We mainly had evening meals in the hotels, but the food in general was fantastic in Johannesburg, perhaps the influence of so many different cultures

"Hot" Beef 

Springbok Shank

Do
We spent a half day in Pretoria, which is about an hours drive from Johannesburg

• Union Building
  
  
  
• Church Square
  
• Kruger House
• Voortrekker Monument

In Johannesburg and Soweto itself we mainly concentrated on the museums

• Apartheid Museum
  
• Hector Pieterson Museum
  
• Nelson Mandela's House
  
• Desmond Tutu's House