Choosing the Right Travel Partner

Sharing your travel experiences with someone can be very enriching, but be careful of who you choose to travel with.  Your travel partner might make or break your long earned for holiday!  Here are some factors to take into consideration when choosing a travel partner:

Consideration in your travel partner

When thinking about a travel partner, you might want to choose someone that you know are considerate.  That does not imply that the person must be a total pushover.  But only that he/she is able to think of others and not only of themselves.   One of the worst kind of travel partners is a selfish one.  It is almost a guarantee that you will leave your travel destination with some regrets about things you haven’t done.

So you want a travel partner that is able to sit down with you and negotiate your individual needs for the day, without making use of emotional blackmail or coercing.  It is also important that you know the person will be considerate to both fellow travellers and locals.  You, for instance, don’t want a travel companion that irritates everyone on the plane or at airport security when they are holding up the line.  As a conclusion, you want someone that naturally respects themselves and others.

A travel partner with the necessary interpersonal skills

It’s not something that one thinks of immediately as a prerequisite for a travel companion.  But have you ever thought about how awkward it could be when you are frequently embarrassed by your friends’ lack of social finesse?  This can include a number of behaviours and situations.  Some include eating inappropriate food or chewing loudly on an airplane or talking too loudly in inappropriate situations.

You need someone that are sensitive to social skills and nuances.  Some people just can’t keep their judgments or comments to themselves.  Or they feel it is their duty to comment on everything.  It’s not just about the way they talk about the country you are visiting, but also the way they talk about your fellow travellers.  Your chosen travel partner need the interpersonal skills to realize that people differ and therefore their needs and wants to differ.  This will result in them going about their holiday in a different manner, and that is okay.  No-one likes a pretentious traveller.

Have the same expectations about your trip

Having different expectations about your holiday could end up in a potential disaster!  One person might want to party every night and use the days to recuperate, whilst the other person would like to visit museums and different local attractions.  Some of the usual things people want from their holiday include relaxing and enjoying the beach; adventure activities like hiking and bungee jumping; exploring historical sites or getting to know the local people and joints.  Make sure you know what your potential fellow traveller expect from a holiday.

Your degree of flexibility

Some people are more flexible than others when it comes to their daily routine and planning.  A potential disaster is if you put a laid back ‘go-with-the-flow’ kind of guy, together with someone with obsessive compulsive characteristics!  If you tend to get anxious quickly, consider going on a more structured pre-arranged holiday.  This, however, will be frustrating to someone that likes to explore and do things on the spur of the moment.

The ability to laugh it off

The ability to laugh it off will be one of the best virtues of your travel companion, especially if things start to go wrong.  Very often, travellers misunderstand language, customs, and structures that lead to mistakes or even just to a person feeling ashamed.  Instead of dropping your head in shame, though, it is best to laugh it off.  That way you will make the trip more enjoyable to yourself and others.

Last thoughts

While you take the above-mentioned factors into account when choosing your travel partner, be sure to look at your own personality and behaviour as well.  You don’t want to be that one guy or girl nobody wants to travel with.

Common Travelling Mistakes

As a first-time traveller you may hear a lot of “what to do’s”, but rarely do you hear about the mistakes your friends made.  It would be a lot easier to travel if we also knew what those mistakes were and how to avoid them.  After all, those mistakes can lead to a lot of lost time, wasted money and above all, missed opportunities.  Isn’t one of the biggest reasons you travel after all for new experiences?  Here is a list of common things to avoid whilst travelling:

Do not eat near a tourist site

Although a major tourist site may be convenient, the restaurants there knows that you probably aren’t coming back.  Their focus is therefore on getting the most customers and not necessarily providing the best quality food.  A suggestion would be to rather travel four or five blocks away before you look for someplace to eat.  Asking at a hostel might also provide some great options.  In conclusion – its best to go to a place where you know that the food must be high quality, otherwise the locals won’t go back there.

Be money wise – Do not make use of traveller’s checks and do not exchange money at the airport

Using traveller’s checks are outdated and most banks don’t even accept them anymore.  It is best to use plastic as much as possible.  Especially if you make use of a bank card without fees.  In order to get the best exchange rates, make use of an ATM or credit card.  If you can, it’s best to never exchange cash.

Do not skip on travel insurance

It is always one of the most difficult expenses to make, but also one of the most important.  You cannot afford to travel without travel insurance.  It might just take one fall, one slip or an unexpected virus to spoil your whole holiday and whole savings account.

Above mentioned dos and don’ts won’t just save you time and money, but also add to the quality of your travels and some unforgettable memories.  Enjoy!

Source:

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/not-to-do/

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Things to make travelling more memorable

 

Most people save up to go on a special holiday, whether locally or abroad.  It is important to make your trip memorable, so keep these things in mind when travelling:
1.  Meet the locals

You always get those guys that wherever they go, they have awesome experiences.  Experiences that are off the map and not within the usual day schedule of a traveller.  One way to have those experiences yourself is to meet the local people.  Locals usually know best – they know where you can find the best quality for your money, the best service and if you are looking for something different – they will know.  Basic English is spoken more widely than most people think and hand gestures also goes a long way.  It’s always good to know one or two basic words or greetings in the local language.

2.  It’s okay to laugh at yourself

Misunderstanding people and their customs happen quite often.  Instead of dropping your head in shame, laugh it off.  Making a fool of yourself, even unintentionally, is the perfect way to meet new people.  Locals and travellers will immediately identify you as someone who is fun to be with and seek out more opportunities to befriend.  People enrich your travels more than the everyday sights do.

3.  Take some photographs and then some more whilst travelling

Take lots of photographs – even if it is uncool to look like a tourist.  Memory might fade, but the photographs will always be there to remind you of the special places you’ve visited.  Before you travel, make sure that you are comfortable with the phone or camera you are using.

4.  Stash some extra cash

In some places, especially Africa, one can get far with cash.  ATM’s and banks aren’t always as easily accessible as one would like.  In Africa, cash tips also give you access to information and special services.  You can stash extra cash in your shoes, toiletry bag or special places inside your bags.  Always make sure that no-one knows that you have cash available.

5.  Dress the part

Make it easy on yourself at airport security and don’t dress like you are part of the mafia.  Also, wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes that make your time travelling easier.  Pack an extra pair of socks for if you are travelling long distances – even if it’s only for the comfort of your fellow passengers’ sense of smell.

 

 

 

Medication for your First African Safari

Going on your first African safari can be quite daunting.  You want to be prepared, but you also don’t want to overdo it and make your luggage too heavy.  It is always best to double check the list of medication that you’ve made with your general practitioner.  It is also a good idea to contact the lodge where you will be staying to find out what they have in place in case of a medical emergency.

Here are some ideas for your list of medication:
  1. Prescription medicine. Always make sure that you have an adequate supply of your prescription medication with you.  It may be difficult to find replacement medication depending on where you are going.
  2. Malaria medication. Found out before the time if you are travelling to a malaria area.  There are different types of malaria medication that you need to discuss with your doctor.
  3. Yellow fever vaccines. “Yellow fever is endemic (always present) in many of the tropical areas of Africa and South America, and this means that any areas populated with the mosquito could harbour the disease.  You will not be able to get a visa or permit to travel to some countries unless you have been vaccinated at least 10 days prior to your departure date and can show a yellow fever certificate”. (travelstart.co.za)
  4. Medication for stomach issues, like vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. A dehydration packet might also come in handy.
  5. Mosquito repellent and anti-itch cream. You can also take an antihistamine for more serious insect bites and stings, like bees.
  6. An assortment of plasters and a bandage or two. Butterfly suture plasters can also be helpful.
  7. Eye drops
  8. Ibuprofen or something for pain relief or fever.
  9. Vitamin C and other vitamins to give you a boost if you think that you are coming down with something.
  10. Water purification tablets
  11. A tweezer might come in handy for an unexpected thorn or two.
  12. Lip Ice and Vaseline – never underestimate the African sun.
  13. Sunburn ointment – You don’t want to spoil your African safari with sunburn on your first day.

In some cases, you might have to seek professional medical help.  Depending on your destination, the quality and services of state hospitals may vary.  You, therefore, need to make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance.

Sources

http://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/travel-tips/yellow-fever#sthash.NHKMpr4R.dpuf

http://goafrica.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/firstaid.htm

Scotty Smith is our Robin Hood of the Kalahari

The Northern Cape is known of its authentic beauty, rich culture and wide variety of wildlife. As part of this rich culture, one can find the colourful personality of Scotty Smith.

Robin Hood of the Kalahari – Scotty Smith

“WI L D E S T of all the reckless men who rode the Kalahari frontier was Scotty Smith. Every country has its Robin Hood, Dick Turpin or Captain Starlight – highwaymen of varying degrees of courtesy and crime. Scotty Smith was South Africa’s most notorious outlaw for many years, a legendary figure whose exploits live after him.” (Lawrence G. Green).

Scotty was born in 1845 as the illegitimate son of a nobleman. His real name was George St Leger Gordon Lennox, but this was however shortened to Scotty Smith. In all probability the compression of Scotty’s name happened between the taverns and gambling dens of the small towns in the Kalahari. His Scottish heritage might have had something to do with it too.

It seemed as if Scotty was a man of many talents, but not to be tamed. Educated as a veterinary surgeon, he went to Australia in search of gold, before he shipped to India to fight for the Brittish Government. He arrived in South Africa in 1877 as part of the Brittish army. He was however dismissed shortly thereafter, following a court martial.

Deciding that he needed a new personality, Scotty then took a fallen comrade’s papers to become “Smith”. It seems, as Scotty left his real name behind, he also left his will to be a lawful citizen behind. He got involved in gun-running, horse- and general theft, legal and illegal diamond buying and highway robberies. He even crossed borders and became involved in elephant hunting in the old Bechuanaland, now Botswana. What made Scotty famous was not the crimes in itself, but the fact that he was caught and sentenced several times, but always managed to escape at some point or another.

Acting also seemed to be part of his talent pool. After a particularly dodgy deal with diamonds, a search party was formed in Kimberley for his arrest. Scotty then decided to join the search party himself – effectively fooling everyone around him.

In true Robbin Hood fashion, Scotty also did some good deeds. From paying a poor farm wife an extreme amount of money for one night’s accommodation to sharing his spoils with the poor (on some occasions).

Scotty was finally captured and sentenced after a diamond theft went wrong. History has it that he was sentenced with 25 lashes and four years in prison, of which he only received one year imprisonment.

Scotty Smith spent his last years in Upington, farming on the banks of the Orange River. Whether all is rumour or truth, it contributed to the legend of Scotty Smith – the Robbin Hood of the Kalahari.

References:
https://ia902606.us.archive.org/4/items/ScottySmith/ScottySmith.pdf

Attraction of Wag n Bietjie Lodge

Wag n Bietjie Lodge is situated in the Northern Cape and it has lots to offer in terms of surrounding attractions. The overall attraction of the Northern Cape lies in its authentic beauty and contrast of wide open spaces of semi-dessert and lusciousness of vegetation after the rain.  It also has a wide variety of fauna and flora and it is perfect for photographic safaris.  The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Augrabies Falls are furthermore some of the best-known tourist attractions of the Northern Cape.  Wag n Bietjie Lodge is situated between Kimberley and Hope Town on the N12 and is, therefore, a perfect stopover for travelers between Cape Town and Johannesburg.  Except for the natural beauty of Wag n Bietjie Lodge, there is also a variety of other attractions to consider.

Wild Hearts Rehabilitation Centre

The Wild Hearts Rehabilitation Centre (www.wildhearts.co.za) focus on the rehabilitation of injured or orphaned animals and re-introduce them back into their native habitat.   The centre is home to a variety of game, from lions, a brown hyena, genet, caracal, serval, monkeys and baboons, and buffalo.  In addition, the centre is home to antelope like roan, sable and of course, also rhinos.  Most of the animals will be freed when they are healthy and ready.  There will be however a few animals that will be looked after at the Wild Hearts premises for life.

Attractions at the lodge

The lodge provides a sanctuary for people looking for a relaxing atmosphere away from the buzz of the city.  The waterhole in front of the lodge ensures that one does not have to travel anywhere to experience wildlife and tranquility.  In addition, the swimming pool, sundowners and game drives ensure a satisfying stay.

Pre-Primary School nearby Wag n Bietjie Lodge

The school gives the children of the area an opportunity to go to a school that can prepare them for primary school.  The school focus on the educational, emotional and social development of all the children and is free to the children in the vicinity. Wintershoek Pre-Primary School also provides two nourishing meals a day for the children attending.  The lodge has the privilege to provide the meals for the school.

Magersfontein Memorial Golf Estate Attraction

The Magersfontein Memorial Golf Estate is close to the lodge and offers an 18 hole golf course.  “The course will test the scratch golfer and challenge all who love the game. You will navigate through the myriad of waterways avoiding the springbuck and resident swans. Riveted bunkers are a feature with many holes mirroring the very best the world has to offer” (http://www.mmge.co.za).

Big Hole of Kimberley Attraction

The Big Hole of Kimberley is the largest hand-made hole in South Africa. The hole measures half a kilometer in width as has a surface area of 42 acres.  The Big Hole is also a world class tourism facility.  It offers tours, a diamond exhibition and unique insight into the diamond mining industry.  The restaurants, surrounded by the relics of Kimberley’s early days, contributes to the atmosphere of this attraction.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for adventure, wildlife, history or tranquillity, it seems like you might have found your place.

Sources

http://www.7continentslist.com/interesting-facts-about-the-big-hole.php

http://www.experiencenortherncape.com/visitor/activities/big-hole-kimberley

Visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its red dunes, blue skies, and a variety of African wildlife is ideal for game viewing and photographic safaris. The park lies in the west of the southern African continent, also known as the Kalahari Desert.

The average rainfall in this semi-dessert is about 200 mm per year and the fauna and flora are therefore adapted to this low rainfall.  The park is furthermore a fusion of the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the neighbouring Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. This creates an enormous conservation area of over 3,6 million hectares and one of the very few of this magnitude in the world.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a semi-desert wilderness of blonde grass, red dunes, and vast open spaces.  It is further characterized by sparse vegetation and camel thorn trees. Animals also tend to gather in the dry riverbeds and waterholes. One can enjoy the sight of herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest.  The black-mane lions watch the variety of animals closely.  Lions in the Kgalagadi have incredibly large home ranges. Other predators include Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena and birds of prey.

Accommodation and activities

Luxury game lodges, tented camps, and self-catering chalets are available. Twee Rivieren is the largest rest camp and administrative base. It has a swimming pool, information center and shop, public telephone and cell phone reception. The a la carte Restaurant serves breakfast and dinners. Further north, Nossob Rest camp is fairly basic, with seven types of self-catering chalets. In Kgalagadi’s southwest, Mata Mata Rest Camp is quite simple, but a great place for adventurous small families.

Activities in the park include game drives, hiking, 4×4 trails, eco trail, and swimming. A further highlight includes fantastic bird watching. This is an excellent area to view birds of prey, especially tawny and snake eagles.

The astounding beauty of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will steal your heart.

Sources
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/tourism/history.php
http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/kgalagadi-transfrontier-nature-preserve.html
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/overview/northern-cape
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/conservation/ff/lion_article.php
https://www.expertafrica.com/south-africa/kgalagadi-transfrontier-park

Experience the Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape

The Augrabies Waterfalls are situated 120 km west of Upington, in the province of the Northern Cape, South Africa.  The Khoi call the Augrabies Falls Aukoerebis, which means ‘the place of the Great Noise’.  Consequently, the ‘Great Noise’ refers to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 meters in a spectacular waterfall.  You have to experience it for yourself in order to fully understand this meaning.  The contrast of the waterfall within the desert setting provides a moving and absorbing experience. This is particularly true when there has been plenty of rain and the Orange River is overflowing.  As a result, the waterfalls seems to increase in its splendour.

The waterfalls also form part of the Augrabies Falls National Park.  The Augrabies Falls National Park is one of six South African national parks in the Northern Cape.  In addition, it follows the course of the Orange River from just outside Kakamas to the Namibian border, spanning more than 800km² (http://www.southafrica.net).

Activities at the Augrabies Falls

The national park is home to a couple of rock formations, including the Moon Rock.  This is a large, but weathered granite dome that towers about 30m above the park.  It provides a fantastic all around view for those that are prepared to tackle the summit.  Other viewpoints include Oranjekom, Ararat, and Echo Corner.

Except for the spectacular sight of the Augrabies Waterfall, one can enjoy a variety of activities and adventures in the surrounding area:

  • Waterfall viewpoints that are walking distance the restaurants.
  • Game viewing at leisure using own vehicle.
  • Nights drives can be booked directly from the park.
  • Mountain bikes are also allowed inside the park provided cyclists remain on the official roads.
  • The Wilderness Road is 94km long and will take approximately 6 hours to complete in a 4×4 vehicle. There is a scenic picnic spot halfway along the road with ablution and braai facilities.
  • There are several panoramic viewpoints inside the park.  They all provide great views of the park, the gorge, and the Orange River. These points also provide great opportunities to spot the local birdlife.
  • Rafting and canoeing
  • Flyfishing

The best time to visit Augrabies is from March to May when the temperatures are slightly cooler and the river is at its maximum flow after summer rainfall up in the Lesotho catchment areas. The falls is a easy day-trip from Upington.

 

Sources:

http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-augrabies-falls-northern-cape

https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/africa/south-africa/the-northern-cape/the-kalahari/augrabies-falls-national-park/

South Africa – Destination for Authentic Travelling

Long gone were the times where holiday goers just wanted to sit on the beach and get a tan.  Nowadays holiday goers want adventure and fun.  They want to really get a feel for the land they are visiting and do activities that the area provides.  In short, today’s travellers want authenticity.  Authentic travelling means that whatever it is that you are experiencing – it must not be false or copied.  Travellers want to experience the real thing.  It must represent and reflect the true nature of what it is being experienced.

In South Africa, one can definitely experience authentic travelling.  Rarely will you visit one country where its landscapes differ so widely as in South Africa?  Having nine provinces – each with its own unique attractions and landscapes makes it a rich country of different cultural and outdoor experiences.

From the Western Cape, the most well-known of all the provinces, to the Limpopo – South Africa has something to offer for adventures with different tastes.  You can keep yourself busy with whale watching, shark diving, mountain biking and much more in the Western Cape.  Visiting the Winelands can be a different experience for each person.  It can range from a soulful experience to an adventure – depending on the quantity of wine consumed of course.

Other adventure sports in South Africa include bungee jumping, white water rafting, sky-diving, rope adventures, canopy tours, 4X4, quad biking, abseiling, and a variety of water sports.  Thrill seekers to more mild adventures will find something to suit their needs.  Famous adventure hiking trails include the Otters trail, Hoerikwaggo Tented Classic and Rim of Africa (Western Cape), Drakensberg Grand Traverse (Kwa-Zulu Natal) and the Wild Coast Hike (Eastern Cape).

We would love to hear what you’re the best adventure has been in South Africa or what you would still like to do!

Sources

http://www.sa_venue.co.za

http://www.getaway.co.za