Explore South Africa

Explore South Africahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africaExplore South Africahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/3-road-trips-near-cape-townYou don’t have to venture far from Cape Town to discover rugged peaks, world-class wines, and dramatic expanses of desert. 2023-03-16T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/3-road-trips-near-cape-townhttps://www.worldnomads.comAfter a long day of driving, we relished the blissfully sunny afternoon. We devoured a spread of freshly baked goods at an unassuming farm stop overlooking the rolling plains of Cederberg. “So far, so good,” we thought, proud of how smoothly our <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/road-trip">road trip</a> from Cape Town to Tankwa Karoo National Park had gone so far. Until about 15 minutes later when we realized the road we wanted to follow the next day would not, in fact, lead us to the Karoo. While the charms of Cape Town, with its commanding views from Lion’s Head and Table Mountain and its world-class food scene, are undeniable, what lies beyond the Mother City is arguably even more rewarding. The promise of wild coastline, rugged mountains, sprawling desert, and rolling vineyards lured us out onto the open road. And despite the occasional wrong turn, it didn’t disappoint. <ul> <li><a href="#winelands">Western Cape winelands </a></li> <li><a href="#cederberg">Cederberg Nature Reserve</a></li> <li><a href="#karoo">The Karoo </a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="winelands">Western Cape winelands</h2> With the windows rolled down, I wound through sloped hills lined with rows of grapevines tinted burnt orange and red, hinting at the onset of autumn. Grand, white buildings with thatched roofs and a distinctive “H” shape, characteristic of the classic Cape Dutch style architecture of the late 17th-early 19th centuries, sit on road’s edge. Upon entering the grand wine estates, the landscapes are even more striking. Flowering trees, petite ponds, and elaborate gardens line the entrances while vineyards slope into the distance. The winelands in the Western Cape sprawl across many subregions that range from approximately 45 minutes to two-hours’ drive from Cape Town, ranging from more heralded names like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, to the lesser-known regions such as Durbanville and Swartland. The extensive nature of winelands is a bit intimidating at first glance. And with over 500 wineries in the Cape, they certainly can’t all be tackled in one trip. On numerous visits to <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/things-to-do-in-south-africa">South Africa</a>, I’ve visited these stunning vineyards on many occasions. As impressive as the elegant, high-end estates are, I tend to veer towards the smaller, family-run vineyards that prioritize growing organic or biodynamic grapes and embrace the spirit of minimal intervention. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/road-trips/winelands-in-autumn.jpg" alt="Vineyards showing autumn colors in the Cape Winelands, South Africa." /> <figcaption>Autumn in the Western Cape Winelands. Image credit: Getty Images / wilpunt</figcaption></figure> Stellenbosch blends the best of everything: centuries-old history, estates set atop hills overlooking the valley, and a sprinkling of smaller wineries among the big names. <a href="https://www.reynekewines.co.za/">Reyneke</a> is one of a few fully biodynamic vineyards in South Africa and is a small, family-run business. During the private tasting (advanced booking required), I was able to try about a dozen wines while comparing the same grapes of different years side-by-side to understand the impact of the season and the aging process by year. Just down the road and atop the valley is <a href="https://karibib.co.za/">Karibib</a>, which is an innovative, architecturally striking space that serves wines from small-batch, sustainably minded winemakers. Or unwind with a picnic in the lush gardens at <a href="https://demorgenzon.com/">DeMorgenzon</a>, a vineyard known for their stunning Chenin Blanc varietals and playing music to their grapes. Durbanville has some fantastic family vineyards that specialize in niche experiences. Sip on wines named after family members in private wine caves at <a href="https://kleinroosboom.co.za/">Klein Roosboom</a>, or try invariably delicious vintages on picnic tables at <a href="https://diemersdal.co.za/">Diemersdal</a> while sampling some of the innovative small plates from their kitchen. Swartland is a wine region north of Cape Town and offers an adventure in the wild throws of wine country with more experimental wineries – and a few olive-oil farms. What it lacks in fancy wine estates it makes up for in family-run, innovative wineries leading the way in sustainable and natural wines. <a href="https://aabadenhorst.com/">A. A. Badenhorst</a> is an unmissable stop. This family-run establishment is a pioneer of natural wines in the region, hosts tastings and events, and offers funky farm accommodation on the property. <h2 id="cederberg">Cederberg Nature Reserve</h2> The further north we drove from Stellenbosch, the narrower the roads became while the increasingly immense peaks loomed ahead. The car climbed up steep passes and dipped back down ago across uninhabited terrain dotted with mountain fynbos (shrubland plants specific to the region). Traces of civilization are scarce here aside from the occasional farm stands that emerge after a long stretch of deserted road. Cederberg Nature Reserve is a long, mountainous area about 110mi/177km (or just over a 2-hour drive) northeast of Cape Town. The reserve spans over 71,000 hectares of rugged land with rocky escarpment, arid low-lying mountains, carved sandstone formations, serene swimming holes, and ancient rock art. <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">Hiking</a> and <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/rock-climbing">rock-climbing</a> opportunities are aplenty, as are campsites, which can be reserved in advance. In late April, though, there wasn’t a need as the empty campsites were almost eerily quiet. We stayed at the more southerly Cederberg Kliphuis on the first night and Cederberg Algeria on the second night. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/road-trips/cederberg-with-fynbos.jpg" alt="A landscape covered with mountain fynbos in Cederberg Nature Reserve, South Africa." /> <figcaption>Mountain fynbos in Cederberg Nature Reserve. Image credit: Alicia Erickson</figcaption></figure> With little advance planning, we showed up at our campsites and took off hiking along nearby trails. We meandered down paths paralleling a river and scrambled over boulders and through thick brush that opened up to small pools surrounded by rocky slopes. A perfect place to take a quiet dip on a sun-soaked morning. Warm days gave way to crisp sunsets, best enjoyed with a bottle of wine beneath acorn trees while admiring the surrounding mountains cast in golden shadows. Temperatures plummeted come nightfall and after a sleepless night in unexpectedly freezing temperatures, we were delighted to discover a winery just a short drive down the road. <a href="https://www.cederbergwine.com/">Cederberg Wine</a> ended up being one of my favorite wineries in South Africa. A morning tasting of their delicious wines, ranging from experimental styles to elegant vintages, was the perfect antidote to our frigid night, as we prepared to head into the Karoo. <h2 id="karoo">The Karoo</h2> The Karoo is South Africa’s equivalent of the wild west. If Cederberg seemed sparsely populated, the Karoo is dramatically more remote. This region of vast semi-desert and flat-topped mountains is perfect road trip country. The Karoo is technically divided between Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) and Groot Karoo (Great Karoo). Over the years, it has become something of a mecca for sculptors, novelists, painters, farmers, brewers, and other creative types eager to leave city life behind and let the inspiration of unhindered landscapes wash over them. Driving to and through the Karoo requires a bit of planning. As we discovered, Google Maps GPS is not necessarily reliable for navigating here. After an afternoon of intensely studying the map and chatting with some locals, we were able to salvage our road trip without too much of a detour. Towns, gas stations, and food are scarce in this region. However, when the odd farm stand does rise from the otherwise deserted horizon, you can rest assured there is a story to accompany it. <a href="https://tankwapadstal-tourism.co.za/">Tankwa Padstal</a>, a roadside farmstall between Ceres and Calvinia is a particularly storied stop. This padstal is a favorite on the drive from Cape Town to Tankwa Town for AfrikaBurn and every year between late April and early May, you’re sure to meet some colorful characters. The Karoo is also rather famous for its festivals. Celebrations around food, dancing, and culture take place throughout the year. <a href="https://www.afrikaburn.org/">AfrikaBurn</a> is the best known, drawing attendees from around South Africa and the world. Elaborate themed camps and psychedelic art structures are set up in the sweeping sands of Tankwa Karoo National Park. People from all walks of life dressed in imaginative costumes leave behind the constructs of the real world to gather, create, connect, release, dance, and celebrate for a week. There’s no place more suited for AfrikaBurn than the Karoo and perhaps no event more reflective of the soul of the Karoo than AfrikaBurn. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/road-trips/afrikaburn-sunset.jpg" alt="A fanciful sculpture on a desert plain at AfrikaBurn festival in South Africa." /> <figcaption>AfrikaBurn at sunset. Image credit: Alicia Erickson</figcaption></figure> Perhaps the biggest draw of the Karoo? The open road with no particular destination in mind. Take in the thrill of winding dirt roads that rise to about 5,000ft (1,524m) in elevation. Drive through the staggering, rocky formations of Swartberg Pass, bringing you from the Klein Karoo to the Groot Karoo into a vast world of unexplored wonders. The wild reaches of this desert region can be rediscovered on countless occasions, bringing you to new corners on each visit. Allow yourself the time to get a bit lost among the wide-open terrain, where sunrises are as dramatic as sunsets, night skies are heavy with the glow of stars, and the silence echoes for miles. <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> The shoulder seasons of autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) are the best times to embark on these road trips. Summer weather tends to be relatively mild in Cape Town, although temperatures are typically higher the further inland you go, including the winelands, Cederberg, and the Karoo. Wintertime (June-August) will be cool and wet – not so ideal for outdoor adventures. Car rentals are abundant and inexpensive in South Africa, with both international and local companies to choose from with offices around Cape Town. If you’re planning to camp, come prepared with food, drinks, fire makings, and warm clothes, as well as all necessary camping gear. A car with 4WD is recommended if you’re adventuring beyond the winelands. Gear rentals are abundant in Cape Town if you don’t have your own supplies.Alicia Erickson 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/boots-on-the-ground-with-the-black-mambasThis legendary, predominantly female anti-poaching unit is saving rhinos and sending poachers on the run in Greater Kruger National Park. Nomad Katie goes with them on patrol.2021-12-30T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/boots-on-the-ground-with-the-black-mambashttps://www.worldnomads.comI’m not scared because I see the snake. I’m scared because Andries is scared. The seasoned scout propels his body out of the tracker seat and over the hood of the Land Cruiser, eager to climb inside. Seeing him spooked is unsettling. I’ve watched him walk, unarmed, into dense brush where leopards – not to mention cape buffalo who kill more people annually than the rest of the big five combined – were spotted. As our scout, his job is to track animals people like me pay thousands to see. It’s nearly sunset when our Land Cruiser comes to a stop atop Pride Rock. Up here, one can see for miles. Far in the distance, the endless sea of savannah meets the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, but as beautiful as they are, I didn’t come here for the views. I came to meet the Black Mambas. * * * * The Black Mambas are a relatively new concept; the world’s first all-black, predominantly female anti-poaching unit wasn’t formed until 2013. Eight years later, the idea of women protecting wildlife in patriarchal <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/things-to-do-in-south-africa">South Africa</a> still turns heads. But here in Balule Nature Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park, no one questions the Mambas’ ability. Like Navy Seals, they’re revered. Like their namesake snake, they’re feared. There are around 30 Mambas on active duty. Since they’re divided into smaller units tasked with patrolling other parts of the 153,000-acre reserve, I only meet five. Still, I’m intimidated. They’re clad in head-to-toe camouflage, paired with black combat boots and a menacing Belgian Malinois dog. (I’m instructed not to pet Soldier if I want to keep my hand.) Later, I learn he’s trained to detect drugs, weapons, ivory, and rhino horn. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/black-mambas/mambas-group-photo-katie-jackson.jpg" alt="A journalist poses with five members of the Black Mambas anti-poaching unit in South Africa." /> <figcaption>The author with five of the Black Mambas. Image credit: Katie Jackson</figcaption></figure> Felicia is the first Mamba to introduce herself. She’s one of the OGs. Then I meet Debra, Lerato, and Colin – another OG and the only male Mamba in the group’s history. I also meet Jody. At 22, she’s one of the youngest Mambas. Unlike other anti-poaching rangers, the Mambas work unarmed. Their goal is to get boots, not bullets, on the ground. “We don’t like harming people,” explains Lerato. “We want to chase hunters away and make the Greater Kruger National Park a difficult place to poach.” Because poachers know the Mambas are unarmed, they don’t shoot when spotted (that would be considered an unfair fight). Instead, they run. The Mambas have sent dozens of poachers running. In fact, in 2015 they were awarded the United Nations’ prestigious Champions of the Earth Award. After just two years of patrolling, poaching incidents in Balule dropped by 75%. I believe it. The night I meet the Mambas they show me nine snares they found on that morning’s patrol. These crude, homemade wire traps catch everything from big cats to black rhino – the holy grail of the black market. A black rhino horn can fetch up to US $300,000 in parts of Asia where it’s believed to cure cancer. In 2020, 394 rhinos were poached in South Africa. That number in 2012, a year before the Mambas were formed, was 668. <h2>On patrol with the Black Mambas</h2> The following morning, I join the Mambas on a “sweep.” We canvas the bush, on foot, looking for snares and poacher camps. Every cigarette butt and footprint is suspicious. Fortunately, we mostly find signs of animal activity. The Mambas teach me the difference between a white rhino track and a black rhino track. They enlighten me about hyena hygiene – spoiler alert: it’s terrible – and they explain the greatest threat to lion cubs aren’t humans: it’s other lions. Meanwhile our sister unit is at the fence, looking for openings the poachers cut to sneak into the reserve. Another unit is working a checkpoint. They stop and search every vehicle – even those belonging to park rangers and local lodge owners. It may seem like overkill, but to the Mambas, it’s a personal matter. “We don’t want our kids to live in a world where there is no rhino,” says Debra. “We want them to see our heritage. The environment and our animals are our heritage.” <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/black-mambas/mambas-remove-a-snare-getty-1231997733-nurphoto.jpg" alt="Two members of the Black Mambas anti-poaching unit remove a snare during foot patrol in South Africa." /> <figcaption>Mambas Lukie and Cute remove a snare during their foot patrol. Photo credit: Mattieu Alexandre/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption></figure> <h2>Supporting wildlife conservation now and into the future</h2> If there’s a demographic the Mambas want most to reach, it’s children. Their <a href="https://www.blackmambas.org/the-bush-babies.html">Bush Babies</a> program works with local schools to educate students about the importance of conservation. “We want kids to go home and tell their uncles a live rhino is worth more than a dead rhino,” says Jody. She also explains there are two types of poaching: poaching for profit and poaching for the plate. Since the pandemic the Mambas have seen a substantial increase in the latter. Locals are sneaking into the reserve to fish and hunt for food. Both activities are illegal. “People are desperate,” Felicia says. “They don’t have jobs. They’re hungry.” To help meet this need, the Mambas planted a garden at their compound. They grow beets, carrots, pumpkin, tomato, and onion which they package into parcels and pass out to surrounding communities. Lize, the owner of <a href="https://pondoro.co.za/">Pondoro Game Lodge</a> where I’m staying, tells me she hopes to start purchasing produce for the lodge from the Mambas. The Mambas could use some money. While bumping around on patrol with them I notice their bare-bones truck is missing several critical parts (including side view mirrors and seat padding). But it’s the shoddy engine that really worries the Mambas. “Sometimes it stops while we’re on night patrol,” says Colin. “We have to get out and push it.” The best way to support the Mambas is to m<a href="https://www.blackmambas.org/support-us.html">ake an online donation</a>. To hand them money in person, book a safari with <a href="https://ker-downeyafrica.com/">Ker & Downey Africa</a>. The popular tour operator is now offering a 13-day conservation-themed itinerary including a donation and a meeting with the Mambas at their compound. If interested, guests can also join them on a sweep or at a local school for a Bush Babies event. Travelers can also support the Mambas by booking a few nights stay at their neighbor, Pondoro Game Lodge, which they chose as a partner for the lodge’s commitment to sustainability and conservation. Often, guests choose to skip an evening game drive to do a sundowner with the Mambas on Pride Rock. * * * * Pride Rock is where our Land Cruiser is headed when we see the snake in the middle of the road. Andries, still shaken, says something In Tsonga to my safari guide who turns to me and translates. Apparently, sightings of this particular snake – one of the deadliest in the world – are rare. I don’t need to ask what kind it is. But he tells me anyway: it’s a black mamba.Katie Jackson 1 Katie Jackson Three members of the Black Mambas anti-poaching unit stand in the back of a safari vehicle in South Africa.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/amazing-nomads-lungi-mchunuLungi Mchunu has written her name in history, becoming the first African woman to sail to the North Pole. This endeavour is made even more incredible because she grew up frightened of the ocean.2020-01-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/amazing-nomads-lungi-mchunuhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Amazing Nomads: Lungi Mchunu</h2> Lungi wrote her name in history becoming the first African woman to sail to the North Pole on a climate change and plastic pollution expedition boat. Before sailing, Lungi ran several basketball initiatives which led to led to global collaborations in Honduras, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and Oman yet she still refers to herself as a 'humble Zulu girl'. <h2>What’s in the episode</h2> 00:38 Meet Lungi, a humble Zulu girl 01:23 Growing up 03:00 The support of family 06:02 The international language of sport 08:05 Meeting Greg 11:11 Research expedition opportunity 13:14 Plans for 2020 14:17 Heading to Tokyo 15:47 Next episode <h2>Quotes from the episode</h2> “I suppose I had a goal. I knew that I would travel, but I didn't know where to and when it would happen.” – Lungi “I'm the first of everything. So even in my neighborhood, I'm like the first person that has traveled so much abroad. I was the first person to sail. So, all these things that I'm doing, are new to everybody. And as much as I learn and grow, everybody around me is also learning and growing with me.” - Lungi “I figure I'm going to be that annoying Granny, someday, that always has a load of stories.” – Lungi  <h2>Who is in the episode</h2> After a year of facing her childhood fear of open seas, KwaZulu-Natal’s Lungi Mchunu was selected as part of a ground-breaking expedition, becoming the first African woman to sail to the North Pole. A sailor, explorer and climate change activist, Lungi also ran basketball initiatives to bridge the gap between the South African fraternity and the global community. Her work to global collaborations with the same goal in Honduras, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Oman. Follow Lungi’s blog <a href="https://lungisails.wordpress.com/">here</a> and on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/LungiSails/">Instagram</a> <h2>Want to republish the episode?</h2> <iframe src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/545894?theme=light&enable-volume=true" height="190" width="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay"></iframe> <h2>Resources & links</h2> Learn how to capture meaningful travel stories and go on global <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">scholarship assignments</a> for World Nomads. Want to make money while you travel? Check out the <a href="Join%20today%20to%20become%20part%20of%20our%20global%20travel%20insurance%20partner%20program.">World Nomads Partner Program</a>. Next Episode: The World Nomads Podcast – Ethiopia <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a>. We use the <a href="https://www.rode.com/rodecasterpro">Rodecaster Pro</a> to record our episodes and interviews when in the studio, made possible with the kind support of Rode. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: The World Nomads Podcast, bonus episode. Hear Amazing Nomads sharing their knowledge, stories, and experience of world travel. Kim: Thank you for tuning into this amazing Nomads episode. Introducing Lungi, from South Africa. Now, Lungi wrote her name in history, becoming the first African female to sail to the Arctic with a climate change and plastic pollution expedition, Phil, made more incredible because she grew up frightened of the water. Phil: Before sailing, she also ran several basketball initiatives, which led to global collaboration in Honduras, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and Amman. Yet she's still referring to herself as a humble Zulu girl. Lungi: Because I am. Don't I sound sweet, guys? Kim: You do, you do sound very sweet, but I mean, anything but humble. You've got so many achievements under your belt that Phil and I feel like massive underachievers, just talking to you. Lungi: No, as much as that's true, I'm still the normal girl from next door that speaks to everybody, that hangs out with everybody, so I'm very down to earth. So all of those achievements are just little things to add to my resume. And things that I came across, just pursuing my passions. That's all it is. Kim: We'll learn about those, as we go, but I want to first know about your childhood, where you grew up and what it was like. Lungi: I grew up in South Africa, between KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg, in a single-parent home. So, I'm a city girl, and I lived with my mom most of the time. My parents are divorced. I have two older brothers, so I grew up playing basketball. I wanted to be a pilot, pretty normal childhood, so I was just very busy with sports, I was always away on weekends, competing and stuff like that. And I had friends like everybody else, hung out with everybody else, but I just, I suppose I had a goal. I knew that I would travel, but I didn't know where to and when it would happen. And that's about the only thing that has stuck out till now. Phil: Was travel common in your family? Was it something everybody did? Lungi: Nope. I'm the first of everything. So even in my neighborhood, I'm like the first person that has traveled so much abroad. I was the first person to sail. So all of these things that I'm doing, are new to everybody. And as much as I learn and grow, everybody around me is also learning and growing with me. Kim: They must love having you over for a cup of tea. Just finding out what your latest adventure's been. Lungi: I figure I'm going to be that annoying Granny, someday, that always has a load of stories. So yeah, no, they've been pretty supportive, even though it's things that they don't understand. And they've been good to me, and I think everybody is starting to see life differently, I suppose. Kim: Nice one. So before we get to the ocean, let's go back to basketball, and growing up playing that. And the things that you've achieved as an adult with that. You've done so much with sport. Lungi: Yeah. So in basketball, like I was saying, that I grew up playing basketball every weekend, that was my go-to place. That was my place to explore and to feel free. And I think this was in 2010, I realized that other kids didn't have that same childhood that I had, you know. And kids were getting into drugs, which is a problem, globally. And I wanted to give them a piece of my childhood. So, that's how I got started in community initiatives through basketball. So that was the intent, and it just blew up in my face. It became something so big. What was meant to be just for my community, ended being a global thing in the space of a year? Kim: Explain. Phil: Yeah. Kim: Tease that out a bit. How did it become global? Lungi: So basically, South African basketball had sort of died down, because of the misadministration with our Federation. So basically, the international community didn't even know that we existed. So, what I wanted to do was to bridge the communication gap between our International Federation and the players on the ground, because they were missing out on so many opportunities to compete globally because we didn't have an administration. Lungi: So I created an online magazine in aid to bridge that gap, and while I was doing that for my local community, then suddenly, there were people in Ghana, Uganda, "Lungi, this will be great. We would like to be featured in your online magazines. Can you come to our events, to promote us as well?" And that's how I got the Ambassadorship with our International Federation, FIBA, in Switzerland. Lungi: And being associated with the Federation also brought other communities that were struggling, like from Honduras, Puerto Rico, Brazil. So these are people that I worked with daily, regardless of the language barrier. We used to use Google Translate, just to get through meetings and stuff like that. But I mean, we all had the same passion. We wanted to share this love that we had for basketball with future generations. Kim: You don't know how to ... when it comes to sport, you don't necessarily need to know how to speak another language, because we all know who's upset that their team's losing. Lungi: Exactly. So, sport is a universal language on its own, so that made it a whole lot easier. And the fact that we all had the same passion, with our communities. So we just got together, and I got to help them as much as they were helping me. And we were promoting what used to be streetball, being three-on-three? So that would be like two or three people get together at a basketball court and you just play together. So FIBA was working on formalizing that. So, the slogan at the time was, From the Streets to the World Stage. So we promoted that, I think, between 2014 and '16, I must have traveled like almost every other weekend promoting this discipline of basketball, which was only approved by the International Olympics in 2017. So now, it's going to be an Olympic discipline. Phil: Are you tall? Are the Zulu people tall, generally?  Lungi: Most of them are, I'm not tall. I'm like 1.63. Phil: Okay. Lungi: ... So I'm not tall at all. Kim: But you wouldn't want to be- Lungi: I'm pretty short. Kim: ... six foot eight, because then there'd be issues on the sailing boat, with the boom. Phil: Yes. Lungi: Of course. Kim: So, I'm going to pat myself on the back, there. Phil: Nice segue. Well done. Kim: Nice segue. Yeah, nice segue. Phil: Can I tell you a joke about that? Do you know why the boom on a ship is called a boom, on a boat? Do you know why it's called a boom? Lungi: Oh, come on, no. Phil: Because that's the noise it makes when it hits you in the head. Kim: Oh, Lungi. Lungi: Everybody tells that story when you're [crosstalk 00:07:52]. Not very original. Everyone. Kim: Now you are a girl that was afraid of water. You met this amazing man called Greg Maud. What happened? Lungi: So I met with Greg after I had done a Competent Crew in the North of France. So that's when I fell in love with the sailing thing. I was like, "I need to go back, I need to find ways to go back." So I was looking for local people that could give me ideas on how I could go forward with sailing. And Greg had just done the Talisker Rowing Challenge. So he had, I think he rowed ... It was on the Atlantic, so he had just completed that, and it was like the only person that I could find in Joburg that could speak to me. And he was ever so kind. He came to the bank. I was working at the bank at the time and I was so nervous, like, "Oh my God, did I meet this amazing guy?" And he was so kind, and he gave me his words of wisdom and had it not been for people like that, just cheering me on and telling me that I'm on the right path, then I probably wouldn't be here. Phil: Look, I know how you get the sailing bug. I have done a little bit. Kim: Oh here we go. Phil: No, it's fantastic. Kim: Yeah I know but ... Phil: I haven't done, I've never, no, I've never been out of Sydney Harbor. I don't ... I haven't done ... well, not true. I've been out twice, but I don't do oceans. Lungi: Well, you need to get out of the world. You guys have the Southern Ocean next to you, so you need to get out. Kim: I'd love to see Phil in a boat in the Southern Ocean, the roaring 40s. The roaring 40s. I do love him, he's just so fun to stir. Phil: But I get it. It's like all that, you know, feeling the wind and you know, and a sailboat reacts differently from a powerboat because it's part of the ocean, not sort of sitting on it. So it's such ... I understand how you get the passion for sailing. Kim: Give us a list of things that you've done, as part of this love of the sea? Lungi: Well, when I started with the Competent Crew and I fell in love with it, I had to find ways to be part of the community. So, I wanted to be an onboard reporter on the Volvo Ocean Race. Kim: You can do that Phil. Lungi: At the time, because I figured, you know what, I have this photography and videography certificate that I don't use much. You know, I just take random photos here and there, so maybe I could do this whilst experiencing what it's like to be at sea for longer periods. But, unfortunately, that didn't work out and I think that was a blessing in disguise, because that only fuelled me to go further, and I started training. I would travel like at least every two to three months, I would be in the North of France or the South of France. I'm training there with my sailing schools. Lungi: And then in 2017 a friend of mine bought me a ticket to meet Mike Horn in Switzerland. Yeah. So I went and met this guy and he was talking about how he went from Pole to Pole and stuff like that. I was like, that's interesting. But at the time I didn't even know that two months later I would get an opportunity to be part of a crew on a research expedition to the Arctic. And I only had a Day Skipper at the time. So that's like, most people consider it crazy. You can't sail to the Arctic with a Day Skipper, but I did. Kim: Now, now you've lost me. So, this is what, sailor speak? Phil: Well there's a sort of training, sort of layers of training that you do. So you do a Competent Crew and then you can do Day Skipper, which means you take a small boat out during the day, but there's no sort of celestial navigation involved in that or no passage planning or all those things. You must work your way up to ... well, Lungi now has, which is a Yacht-Master certificate. You would kind of figure that if you're going to go to the Arctic, you'd have at least a Yacht-Master, not Day Sailor. Kim: Yeah. But don't we ask for forgiveness, not permission? Phil: That's right. Kim: Exactly. Exactly. I was very fortunate, and I think that it was like the best decision as well in terms of testing my skills. I mean, as much as I didn't know much, I later realized that I knew a lot more than what I gave myself credit for, because there were only four experienced sailors on board, so the three being the crew and the other one being the captain and the rest was just your scientist and research guys. So, I had to do amazing stuff. I had to learn how to navigate, avoid sea ice and all these things, learn how to use a higher frequency radio, to radar and stuff like that. So, I was one of the important people in the boat, and I ended up being Navigational Support and a Watch Officer. Phil: Okay. Kim: So, let's go back to your bit of sailing. I mean at least you get out and you do it. I think it's great. Phil: Yes, the world's heaviest Foredeckie. Behave, girls. Kim: What's next? What's happening for this year? Lungi: So, I will be doing a couple of things. I need to get back into sailing as soon as the season starts in Europe. So that's going to be April, May. I'll also have Maiden which is a legendary boat, I believe you guys ... Phil must know this because Maiden was there earlier on in the year, and Wendy got to be the Skipper of it. I think it went around Australia quite a bit. Yeah, so I'll be on-board Maiden. The boat is currently on a world tour, raising funds for girls' education, and it's a legendary boat. It's like, you know the epitome of what female sailors can do, which was skippered by Tracy Edwards in '89, '90, and they had an all-female crew on the Whitbread Race what was ... but is now called the Ocean Race. Lungi: So I'm going to get onboard that. I will also be doing a couple of speaking engagements, and I'm working on a project right now with FIBA to combine my love for sailing and basketball as well as reducing our carbon emissions. So we're going to be doing a tour, I think we're going to start from Turkey up to Tokyo just before the start of the Olympics, and it's going to be loads of fun. Phil: A bit busy then. Kim: A little bit busy. If you do find yourself in Sydney, please contact us. We'd love to have you here at World Nomads headquarters. One final question. If you weren't this humble Zulu girl that didn't push her boundaries, and overcome your fear of the ocean, what would your life look like now? Lungi: I honestly don't know. I probably would have settled. Maybe I would have carried on with basketball because the community part of me has always been a Lungi thing, so I probably would have continued with basketball and helping out where I can, and stayed within banking as well, which would probably have limited me, but I think at some point it would have come out because these things eventually come out. So one way or the other, I would have traveled and eventually have come across all of this stuff and met this Lungi that I'm getting to know now. Kim: And we love the Lungi you've become, encouraging us all to find our limit and go beyond it. Phil: Lungi is also working towards sailing solo around the world in 2024. Kim: Of course she is. Phil: Yeah. Why wouldn't you? Kim: Go Lungi. Tell us about our next episode, which you can get from wherever you download and subscribe to your favorite podcasts. Phil: And next episode, we're off to Ethiopia. Kim: Ooh. Bye. Phil: Bye. Speaker 1: Amazing Nomads. Be inspired. </div> </div> </div>Photo Supplied: Lungi Mchunu 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/the-world-nomads-podcast-south-africa2Why size matters in the Kruger National Park, how a 6' 2" (187 cm) Swedish traveller plans to live in a small van, and the hospitality training center in Cape Town changing lives for the San people.2019-09-24T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/the-world-nomads-podcast-south-africa2https://www.worldnomads.com<h2>The World Nomads Podcast – South Africa</h2> South Africa is known for its diverse landscape, abundant wildlife, vibrant cities and is home to the country’s oldest inhabitants,  the San people also known as the Kilahari Bushmen. <h2>What’s in the episode</h2> 00:49 Why a nomad would want to visit South Africa 02:08 Tim and Sarah go toe to toe 05:07 All about Organised Adventurer 09:18 Phil disappears 11:50 Kim finds out about Vagabonds of Sweden 16:16 Travel News 18:07 Doing less harm and doing more good 22:30 About G Adventures 26:50 Size matters 33:50 What bird was that Bryony? 36:21 Sipping South African wine <h2> Quotes from the episode</h2> “Cape Town I think is one of the most picturesque cities that I've ever been to, because you have Table Mountain, and this entire mountain range can be like looming, kind of squeezing the city between the mountains and the coastline”. – Sarah “It's an amazing project that is just about 45 minutes outside of Cape Town in South Africa. And it's a hospitality training center for the San people. Better known perhaps to your audience as the Kalahari bushmen.” – Jamie Sweeting <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/off-the-beaten-path-south-africa">5 Places to Get Off-the-Beaten-Track in South Africa</a>   Take yourself off the tourist track to see these 5 lesser-known spots in South Africa. Learn about some of the more unique and interesting activities. “…he was completely at the mercy of the smaller animal because the small animal could then continue to beat him up whilst he was just stuck on the leg. And he couldn't do anything until he just collapsed with exhaustion.” Bryony “We actually started with another name, a Swedish name, like around the world 365, but in Swedish. So, when we got back from our last trip, we decided that we wanted to go with something more international.” – Sofia Vagabonds of Sweden <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/latest-south-africa-travel-warnings-alerts">South Africa Travel Alerts and Warnings</a>  Get the latest information on natural disasters, political instability, civil unrest and how it may affect your trip to South Africa. <h2>Who is in the episode</h2> Sarah Puckett and her husband Tim have just returned from a 20-month-long honeymoon blogging as they went as Our 21st Century Odyssey. Sarah has since launched <a href="https://organizedadventurer.com/">Organized Adventurer</a> focusing on trip planning guides for adventures big and small. Jamie Sweeting is President, <a href="https://planeterra.org/about-us/">Planeterra</a>, & VP for Social Enterprise and Sustainability, at<a href="https://www.gadventures.com.au/?aw_ag_id=55666240015&aw_kw_id=kwd-296402816580&aw_ad_id=279330719238&aw_nw=g&phonecode=PPC_SEM_Brand&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5MLrBRClARIsAPG0WGzildUDbuW-oVNKoRpHgNVbS1vPAsh_E-MZPGEabPNlG5zTRUL18mwaAkoDEALw_wcB"> G Adventures</a>. Jamie has built a career around crafting and achieving sustainable development and conservation strategies for the tourism sector, because he believes so strongly in the power of travel to improve people’s lives. Learn about the <a href="https://planeterra.org/what-we-do/our-projects/khwa-ttu-san-cultural-centre/">!Khwa ttu San Cultural Centre</a> Planeterra supports. Sofia and Frederick are better known as <a href="http://vagabondsofsweden.com/">Vagabonds of Sweden</a>, a couple living the travel lifestyle. They are currently in Australia kitting out a van to travel the country before heading to New Zealand in May next year. You can follow them and their progress on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vagabondsofsweden/">Instagram</a>. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/vagabondsofsweden.jpg" /> <figcaption>Sofia and Fredrik, otherwise known as Vagabonds of Sweden doing up their van. Photo Supplied. </figcaption><figcaption> </figcaption></figure> Bryony Slaymaker is a wildlife conservationist from the UK, where she’s spent most of her career working as a ranger. She’s currently working on projects worldwide alongside her husband. Read you story <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/stories/discovery/size-matters">Size Matters</a>. <h2>Resources & links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. Click <a href="https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall">here</a> for details on the MacBook Pro battery recall. <h2>Want to republish this episode?</h2> <iframe src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/422139?theme=light" height="190" width="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay"></iframe> Next Episode: Tim Voors <h2>About World Nomads & the podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Travel Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a>. We use the <a href="https://www.rode.com/rodecasterpro">Rodecaster Pro</a> to record our episodes and interviews when in the studio, made possible with the kind support of Rode. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: Welcome to the World Nomads podcast, delivered by World Nomads, the travel lifestyle and insurance brand. It's not your usual travel podcast, it's everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Kim: Thanks for tuning in to the World Nomads podcast with Kim and Phil, revisiting a destination Phil, that we featured not long after launching the podcast, but we're going to do this with fresh eyes and ears, it's South Africa. Phil: Okay. And the last time we looked at South Africa, we told you about the man Hindu from shark culling to shark conservation. And the photographer who survived a deadly snake bite from a Mamba. There will be a link to that episode in the show notes, of course. But there are so many reasons a nomad would want to visit this destination, so why not keep on exploring what it has to offer. Kim: Not only, Phil, is the landscape diverse with abundant wildlife, but it's also the adventure capital of the world. The cities are vibrant and interesting, and it's a photographer's dream. There are also plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten path. So, in this episode we'll introduce you to Bryony. Phil: We'll hear about a tour in which travelers can learn about San culture and language. Plus, meet a Swedish couple who've embarked on a bold adventure to Australia. But our first guest is no stranger to this podcast. Kim: No, she certainly isn't, Phil, Sarah and her husband Tim, remember them, they're the adventurous couple who headed off on a 20-month long honeymoon, blogging as they went, as Our 21st Century Odyssey. But once we got to know them, we were really keen to know about any arguments they had the further into the honeymoon period they got. Sarah: So, we did this big overland journey and Africa, big camper truck thing, and we were sleeping in tents and kind of uncomfortable accommodations. And it was epic and amazing, but also pretty exhausting. And there was one morning where Tim got up, and it's like you know how sometimes it just seems like someone is trying to be very loud, like they're just stomping their feet and everything they do is just crazy loud. And it woke me up, and I rolled over and said to Tim, it's like I cannot wait for the morning where I do not wake up next to you. And then he looks so sad. And I was like, oh my gosh, that was so much meaner than I meant. And we were just getting so tired, and we needed like a proper night of sleep. And I just couldn't do it anymore. Kim: Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. My husband is a massive early riser, and when I say a massive early riser, we can talk about 3:30 to 4 o'clock in the morning. Sarah: Really? Kim: Yes. So, from about that period on until around six when I'm waking up, I'm very conscious of every cup of coffee that he's making. Phil: Can I ask you both a question? You first, Kim. Do you read books when you go to bed at night? Do you read in bed? Kim: Yeah. Phil: Sarah, do you read in bed? Sarah: Yeah. Sometimes I'll read on my- Phil: Do you reckon you can turn the light out? Kim: Oh, come on. Sarah: Well, and also, I would say ... So I read on my tablet, and I turn my ... I have a red light that filters out the blue light, and it hardly bothers Tim at all. Kim: Okay, well you've got your answer. I'm old fashioned, I've got the lamp next to the bed. Phil: You got the light on, and the rustling pages. Kim: Oh, come on, he's out to it by then, he's up at 3:30. I told you this. So before we ... Let's get back to South Africa. Your home now, and what's it like? What was the journey like? What's it like trying to integrate yourself back into that kind of 9-5 world if that's exactly what you're doing? Sarah: Yeah, of course Tim and I can't really ever do anything super conventionally, so even though we're both back to work, we're both traveling almost weekly for work. So even though I live in Wisconsin, I'm actually currently talking to you from California, which is where I'll be working for the next year, and just traveling back and forth. But it took about two months from the time we got home to each find a job that we wanted to do, and that we were excited about. And that period of time was really weird for me because it was the first time in, as long as I can remember in my adult life, where I didn't know what I was doing next. Sarah: It's like when I was working, I was saving up for our first big round the world trip, which we did in 2014. And then when we were on that trip we were immersed in that, and it was really exciting, we were always planning the next thing that we were going to be doing. And then when we got back from that one we found work pretty quickly. And then as soon as we started working and we started saving up for our big 20 month honeymoon. So all this time we've always had something big that we were planning towards and looking forward to. And then for the first time we didn't have that. And I just drove myself stir crazy trying to find something to do that was travel related. I started looking up itineraries for things to do in our hometown. Kim: Is this when you came up with organized adventurous? So you sort of, I don't know if you've ditched the blog, Our 21st Century Odyssey, but it is now known as Organized Adventurer. Sarah: Right. So yeah, Our 21st Century Odyssey was always about our personal travel journal, and where we documented things for our friends and family a little bit, but mostly for us as like a genuine online scrapbook of our travels together. And then at the same time, I we kept getting questions from friends and family about, you know, what was our itinerary in this particular country? Or, how do we plan trips of this magnitude? Sarah: And I also found that I was really enjoying helping people plan their own trips. So I started trying to do both on the same blog. And I think I ended up doing neither of them justice the way I wanted to, because I was always trying to accommodate my own personal travel journal at the same time as I was trying to draft out an itinerary. And I just ended up doing neither of them the way that I actually wanted to. And that's when I was like, you know, these are two different projects, two different concepts. So Our 21st Century Odyssey will always exist for our personal travel logging for the blog that I intend to be kind of like the outward facing blog. The blog for other people to read and find tips about how to plan big around the world trips, or even small weekend jaunts, that's going to be Organized Adventurer. Kim: Okay. So we're picking your brains then on South Africa. So apart from the argument that you had with Tim where you didn't want to wake up next to his face ever again, what did you do there and what would you be suggesting? Sarah: Yeah, so we crossed over into South Africa from Namibia as part of our big overland Africa trip. And we honestly didn't spend very much time in South Africa. It was very much like the tail end of our Africa journey. Cape Town I think is one of the most picturesque cities that I've ever been to, because you have Table Mountain, and this entire mountain range can be like looming, kind of squeezing the city between the mountains and the coastline. And increased its very dramatic location, it's quite beautiful. It's a really unique city. Phil: Well I love Cape Town too. I haven't been there for a long time, but I had a great time when I went there. Did you get around the other side as well over to, what is it? Like Camps Bay and Llandudno, and those places on that side? Sarah: Yeah, we did. We actually rented a car one day and just did this big drive around the peninsula through Camps Bay and then down into Table Mountain National Park, and the Cape of Good Hope. And we saw those dramatic coastlines, and we saw fur seals and penguins, like these animals that you don't normally think about when you think about Africa. So it was kind of cool to go from seeing like, you know, lions and cheetahs and those quintessential African animals. And then we get down to Cape Town and it's like, oh we can see fur seals and penguins and I just didn't really expect that at all. Speaker 1: It doesn't matter what sort of nomad you are, whether you're adventurous, independent, off the beaten track, we all love a wine. Are we all in agreeance? Phil: Sure. Kim: So what was it like then in Cedarberg staying in a vineyard? and what was the wine like? Sarah: So I'm not a wine connoisseur, but there were a couple of wines that we tried that evening that were types that I had never heard of before. So we tried a, I believe it's called a Pinot Taj, might be totally butchering the pronunciation of it, but I'd never had that before. And it was really good. And I was kind of surprised that I'd never even been heard of it or tried it previously. Because I've done my fair share of wine tasting. And then we also had one that was like a tea infused Ruby Vermouth, which isn't a wine per se. [inaudible 00:08:48] this kind of unique things that were different from what I'd seen at the wineries in Europe, or even in California or in the States. Kim: Well listen, so good to hear that you survived it. The marriage is intact. You're back working, and on your new projects that you happened to share with us. So it'd be nice to keep in touch. Sarah: Yeah, absolutely. It was great catching up with both of you. Kim: Phil, can you go to the bottle shop and grab us some wine. Phil: Yeah, no problem. Kim: Would you mind? Phil: Yeah, I'm on my way now. Back in a minute, Kim. Kim: Okay, while Phil is at the bottle shop, I'm catching up with Sofia and Fredrik, otherwise known as Vagabonds of Sweden. Now they're currently in Australia, kitting out a van to drive around the country. But they're no strangers to travel. And while they visited many countries, they didn't last long in South Africa. Sofia: Yeah. We had been traveling for eight months at that time, and I think we stressed a bit too much. And I was really homesick and missed things. Like not necessarily the home, but it was just really hard. And I just wanted to relax and go home, so I just booked the tickets and I called my mom and told her that we are coming back home tomorrow. Can you pick us up at the airport? So yeah. Kim: You didn't see anything in South Africa outside of Johannesburg. Sofia: Not really. Fredrik: Up until that time we had spent a lot of time going from place to place, hostel to hostel. So it was a lot of stress in the way that we traveled. So we didn't stay for long at each place. I think that was one of the factors. Kim: Take us through Vagabonds of Sweden and how it started. Sofia: We actually started with another name, a Swedish name, like around the world 365, but in Swedish. So when we got back from our last trip we decided that we wanted to go with something more international. And we had thought about the Vagabonds of Sweden, that name, for a long time. Kim: So tell us what you were doing, firstly Sofia, and then Fredrik, before you decided to become this brand. Sofia: We have been working in Norway for the last six years, and I've been working with accounting and salaries and economics. And then we just decided that we wanted to do something else. So we went for 15 months trip, came back to Norway. I worked another year with the same, and now I just quit and decided to go for this for a while. Kim: And you Fredrik? Fredrik: Yeah, I've been hopping around a bit actually, changing jobs. I had maybe three or four jobs I think in Stavanger, in Norway, that we lived and worked. And the last one was really within logistics, like distribution supervisors, I was coordinating the truck drivers and stuff like that. But always in the time that we got back, at least from around the world trip, we have been working on this website and trying to make that functional so that we have something else besides Instagram to highlight our brand. Kim: Okay. Well, once you explore the website you see where you've written your current chapter. And at the time of writing you were planning to come to Australia. So you've arrived. How's it going? Sofia: It's going well/ It took us two weeks and then we bought ourselves a van. We lived in it for two weeks just to get a feeling of it. And now we are staying at a lady here working in her garden and converting on the van. And we have just teared everything out, so now we're sitting in the van, which is empty, and really white and shiny because we had washed it. So hopefully we can start with the electricity now, and then start building on it so that we can hopefully live in it in maybe three or four weeks. Kim: I've been following you on Instagram, and one thing I wanted to ask Fredrik, there was a time when you first bought the van where you were struggling to sleep in it because of your height. Has that changed? And how have you managed to ... Well, I know that you're not living in it yet, but obviously you've sort of done your plans, which I've seen on Instagram. How big does this bed have to be, and how tall are you? Fredrik: In centimetres I'm 187. So yeah, the first two weeks when we were exploring Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation and everything, the bed was pretty small, so I have to sleep with my legs out in the aisle, so to speak. So it was kind of difficult. And also we park in places where the car was in an angle where we slept down. So that's been a few challenges, but now we're going to make the bed bigger, but also so we can sleep both in one direction, and then change it so we can put up ... How do you say it? Sofia: Extend the mattress. Fredrik: Yeah, extend it in a way. So we have to plan it that way, otherwise it's going to be tough for 10 months. Sofia: When we change it and put up some extra mattress it would be two meters in the other direction. Kim: You'll hit the road until around May next year when you'll head off to New Zealand. So you're in far north Queensland at the moment. This is the first time that you've been to Australia, I'm assuming? Sofia: Yeah, it's the first time in Australia. Yeah. Kim: So after traveling the world, and all those countries, how do we stack up? Fredrik: Australia and New Zealand was actually on the list when we traveled the world. But we only had like 15, only 15 months. But yeah, Australia, it's a very beautiful country, the things we've seen so far. And we're so excited to go along the east coast and maybe a little bit inland and see what else we can experience. Sofia: We're really happy that we didn't have time for it last time. So that we really can do it full time now for a year and- Fredrik: Yeah, take it slow and go to all the places we want to see. Kim: Well that's the thing about Australia compared to Europe, you know, it doesn't take long to cross the border and you're in a totally different country with a different language, different culture, different food. It's not quite the case in Australia, we're a very big country. There's a lot to see. Fredrik: There is. Yeah. This time it's a little bit different from the trip we did last time because then we planned so much. That's one of the reasons that we went home early for about, you know, about eight months when we are travel. So this time we haven't planned that much, so we're going to take it slow and be very spontaneous. And if we hear something, you should go there, and stuff like that. Then we going to do it. So we have more time now to explore everything. Kim: Sofia, are you homesick yet? Sofia: No, I'm not. Not at all. And I think mostly because we're taking it really slow, and get to work out, and we get to eat great food. And yeah, I think that's mainly it. And also the thing that we are going to stay in the van and have our own home. Kim: Makes the difference, though it was nothing personal against South Africa. Sofia: I hope I won't go home this time. Fredrik: No, I don't think so. Sofia: No. Kim: We'll have a link to Vagabonds of Sweden in show notes and check in with Sofia to make sure she's not too homesick in future episodes. I think the guys on our Facebook page too, in the van, has inspired Michelle, who's part of the group, to start shopping around. So make sure you join in the conversation by searching for the World Nomads podcast on Facebook, and tell your friends. I think you've got the five-friend rule, haven't you? Phil: Yeah, well we'd like everybody to tell, because word of mouth is the best way that people find out about a podcast. So challenging you there to tell five friends about the podcast. Kim: Well, obviously you're back with some South African wine. Phil: I just about had to go to South African to get it by the way. Kim: But before we get into that, what's your travel news? Phil: Okay. All you digital nomads out there, or anyone traveling with a MacBook Pro 15 inch, be aware that several airlines have banned these models produced between 25 and 2017, the ones where the retina display, because of a potential fire risk. Kim: Oh, didn't that happen with phones earlier in the year? Phil: Yeah, Samsung phones as well, that was a year or two back, I think. Well, Apple's recalled these laptops now, the ones where the dodgy batteries. And you can check if yours is affected by entering the serial number on the Apple recall site, we'll link to that in show notes resources as well so you can get straight there. Phil: Prince Harry has launched a sustainable ... Let me do that again. Prince Harry ... Prince Harry has launched a sustainable travel initiative. Try saying that after South African wine. Kim: We've left that to the end for that reason. Phil: The Duke of Sussex has said, travel has the unparalleled power to open people's minds to different cultures, new experiences, and to have a profound appreciation for what the world has to offer. As tourism inevitably grows it is critically important to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices worldwide, and to balance its growth with the needs of the environment and the local population. Well said, your Highness. Kim: Well you didn't say it quite like Prince Harry, but we got the gist. Phil: Yeah, fair enough. Kim: Is that it? Phil: That's it. I'm done. Kim: Thank you. Now established in 2003 by global adventure travel company, G Adventures, Planeterra Foundation is a not for profit, and it's contributed millions of dollars towards projects in areas of social enterprise, healthcare conservation, and emergency response. Now we caught up with president Jamie Sweeting to tell us about a project in South Africa. Phil: Yeah. We were at a conference discussing sustainable travel where Jamie was speaking about moving away from doing less harm, to doing more good. Which I think is a great idea. Jamie Sweeting: Yeah, it is. And I think, certainly in this age of over tourism and flight shaming, and these sorts of things, that we need to remember that tourism has this unbelievable ability and power to do good around the world. And I think people look at the scary numbers of 1.3 billion international trips, and if you add in the domestic tourism that some 8 billion trips are taken a year. I see that as 8 billion opportunities to do good, right? I mean certainly we all need to be working on doing less harm, and minimizing our environmental footprint. But what about focusing more on the good that tourism can do? And that's really what Planeterra is all about, is looking at communities and individual groups in society that aren't currently benefiting from tourism, but could literally use tourism to change their lives. And that's where we come in. Kim: Okay. Give us an example of that then. I know you're doing a lot of projects. There's one in South Africa in particular. Jamie Sweeting: I can't say it quite as well as we should, it's an amazing project that is just about 45 minutes outside of Cape Town in South Africa. And it's a hospitality training center for the San people. Better known perhaps to your audience as the Kalahari bushmen. And you might ask, well why is there a training center for tourism for the Kalahari bushmen, or the San people outside of Cape Town? And the answer is, it actually comes back about 30 years ago, the elders from the eight different nations of these people got together and said, well where should we build a cultural center? And they argued for five straight days, and the paramount elder after five days said, I've made a decision and we're going to have it in Cape Town. And everybody's like, well that's over a thousand miles for many of us. Jamie Sweeting: And he's like, precisely. So the reality was that back then Cape Town was really the biggest tourism destination in Southern Africa. And he wanted to begin to educate people about the San people, where the tourists were going and where the population was. And so this project started many, many years ago as a way to educate people about the history and culture of their people. But now it's a training center for the youth of the San people from all over Southern Africa. And they come and it's a resident program, and our travelers get to go and experience a fabulous meal, and experience the cultural center that has been built out in the countryside just outside of Cape Town. Phil: And so what sort of benefits does that then take back to the local community, back a thousand kilometers away? Jamie Sweeting: Sure, I mean, there's a lot of different benefits. So we're the first tour company that's actually worked with them. So that's given them a lot of experience of working with small group travel companies. In the past it was only sort of individual tourists that were popping in here and there. So it's given them experience in working with tour groups, but it's also, it's sort of on the job training, right? A lot of these communities that they're coming from don't have many tourists or travelers right now. So they don't ... I spent a lot of time in the 90s doing ecotourism, and this whole phenomenon of build it and they will come. And I can assure you that in most cases build it and they won't come. And I think that's the joy of working with a company like G Adventures is we work with communities that are in and around where tour companies are already going. Jamie Sweeting: We're not trying to build a market from scratch. And so really what these kids get to learn is on the job training of working with travelers. So they learn English, they learn how to interact with foreigners. And you know, the amazing thing about a company like G Adventures is, while primarily we're drawing travelers from the English speaking world, in the last five years, we've had travelers from over 160 different nationalities come on our trips. So the multicultural nature of the kind of people that they're being exposed to, these kids, and learning from how to interact with them is unsurpassed. Kim: So what sort of impact has it had? Jamie Sweeting: Well, the great thing is, I mean, the one project I didn't get to talk about in my speech this morning because I ran out of time- Kim: Right, exclusive. Jamie Sweeting: Is this amazing project in Botswana called the Dqae Qare Lodge, which is the only San people owned and run lodge in the world. And we found out about them because of a student at the project in South Africa. And he came to us and said, well, you know, my like community's got this lodge, and why can't we work with that? And so we were like, well yeah, why can't we? So we went and met with the people that run that lodge, and again, they've never worked with tour companies like us before. And it's been a really exciting project to work with the only community owned and run San lodge in the world. And what an opportunity for our travelers to go and experience that. Kim: Absolutely. Phil: Well one of the interesting things from your presentation earlier is you were talking about what a particular project in the Sacred Valley as well. A million people go past about a kilometer away from where they were. Just tell us that story because that's pretty amazing. Jamie Sweeting: Yeah. So this is a, the Parwa Community Restaurant, which is literally the community of Parwa is about 1.2 kilometers off of the main roads, for everybody who's going to Machu Picchu. You have to go into the Sacred Valley to get on the train or to hike the Inca Trail. So there's somewhere around a million people that are going to Machu Picchu every year, and they're just passing by this road. This community had very, very little benefit from tourism. There were a couple of the husbands that worked in either cooks or porters on the Inca Trail. But other than that, they weren't really getting any visitation. And we were just stopping at random restaurants on the road, you know, our travelers have to eat. And so we worked with the community and say, well how about the idea of you creating a community owned and run restaurant? Jamie Sweeting: And they were like, oh yeah, we know how to cook. On the whole we actually, in this case, brought in a fabulous chef who was originally from the Cusco region, but had sort of built a name for himself as a head chef in several restaurants in Lima. And we brought him in to work with them to build from their own culinary history and tradition, but to add a little bit of spice and flavor to it. And you know, one of my proudest things since I've been running Planeterra was a couple of years ago the lady who is the editor in chief of Gourmet Magazine in Canada named it as one of her 10 best meals of the year in her year end wrap up. And I thought, that's pretty darn cool, right? Kim: Yeah. High five. Jamie Sweeting: Because this is a community that literally five years ago no tourist had ever been in. And here they are running a restaurant that gets top praise from an amazing culinary expert like that. Fantastic. Kim: Do more good than harm, that's your message. Jamie Sweeting: Yeah. Ultimately I think, yes, we all need to in our personal lives and our professional lives, you know, do less harm certainly. But why not focus more on the positive in life? Why not really look about what good we can do? And it really doesn't need to be earth shatteringly difficult to do it. And so, when faced with a choice, make the good choice. Kim: We'll said, Jamie, it certainly isn't that hard. Now Bryony joins us. We mentioned her at the start of the podcast, she was a bit shady on her bird knowledge. But she's back again arguing size matters in South Africa's Kruger National Park. Bryony: Yeah, so obviously with all wildlife there's exceptions to every rule, but generally the bigger, stronger animals are the ones that get the most mates, the most food, and do better in nature. It's not always the case. As I witnessed in my story, the smaller animal was the one who did better, but as a general rule, size does matter. Kim: Okay, so tell us what you witnessed. Bryony: Well, there's a lot of giraffes in Kruger, so anyone who's been to Kruger will know that you're often on the lookout for predators. That's kind of what people really want to see, things like the leopards and lions. But you will encounter a lot of elephants, leopards and giraffes whilst you're just driving around looking for other things. So we'd seen an awful lot of giraffes. Bryony: I love giraffes, but we'd got to the point where we weren't stopping for every single animal. We were driving along when we saw these two, that looked like they were sizing each other up, and my husband and I are both wildlife professionals, so we kind of recognized an usual behavior, slowed to a stop. And within kind of seconds they had started slamming their necks together, which is how they battle. So people often think of giraffes as quite gentle vegetarian creatures, but when the males are fighting, it can actually be a really aggressive display. And they can kind of cause enormous damage just by swinging their necks together. Phil: Because they get a fair bit of momentum going, and they've got little horns on the top of their heads, right? Bryony: Yeah, they do, you get a big momentum going. And they've got really, really muscly necks, so they can cause damage and sort of bruise each other. They can even kill each other. It doesn't happen often, but it can happen. And yeah, they have these tiny horns on the tops of their head called ossicones. So what happened with these two, which was unfortunate for the larger animal, was the ossicones got stuck on the leg of the smaller animal. Which obviously wasn't planned, but it meant that he was completely at the mercy of the smaller animal because the small animal could then continue to beat him up whilst he was just stuck on the leg. And he couldn't do anything until he just collapsed with exhaustion. Kim: And it was at this point you thought, oh no, he's dead. Bryony: Yeah, genuinely we're convinced. And it was one of those kind of horrible things, as is often the case in Safari, people want to see kills and action, and animals eating stuff. But you almost don't want to as well because, of course, it's not pleasant. Phil: No it's gruesome. Bryony: It's horrible. And we sat there and we were like, wow, we just witnessed the most amazing thing. And you know, one giraffe has won, but we are looking at a dead animal. Which is really sad as well because we were thinking, oh, it's not even, you know, it's not even been killed for food, it's just dead. But we waited it out and amazingly it did jump back up again, and then it turned around and obviously ran off. Kim: Were you actually there traveling, or were you as part of a project? Bryony: No, so that occasion we were just traveling. So yeah, we both work in conservation as our jobs, and then when we're on holiday we go and look at more wildlife. It's a bit of an obsession. So it was a real amazing experience there because Kruger is obviously every kind of wildlife conservation and stream, and we really were lucky to witness this kind of special moment. Phil: So tell us about Kruger, because I understand in parts of it you have to stay on the roads, but then there's other parts where you can go bush. Bryony: Yeah, so Kruger is kind of, I think not what most people picture when they picture a Safari. Many peoples' picture of a Safari is what they see on TV, which will be open plains and cheetahs running around. There is a small, well not small, it's still large, but comparatively small area of that within Kruger it is that kind of grassland when you've got open habitats and visible creatures. Which obviously make for great filming. Bryony: But a lots of Kruger is actually quite thick bushland. So you really have to look for the wildlife. And there's also some mountain areas. Kruger is huge. It's bigger than Wales. You do spend time in your car, obviously that's because there's potentially dangerous animals around, so you can't go wandering about. But you can spend time walking around if you go out with a hired professional guide who will be armed. And there are certain areas where you can get out, for example [inaudible 00:31:18] and hide and look at leopards and things. So it's an absolutely amazing place to go. And certainly, we've traveled a lot to see wildlife, but Kruger is up there as one of the top places because just the sheer numbers of animals we saw every day. Searching for wildlife can be difficult even for somebody with professional training, but in Kruger it's everywhere. Just everywhere. Phil: And what about accommodation? Is it sort of old high-end stuff, or you can you do it on a budget? Bryony: We definitely did it on a budget. Obviously as conservationists we don't get paid a huge amount, so we always look for the cheaper option. It's great. It's very easy to organize a trip to Kruger, so you've always got posh options if you want to pay lots of money and stay in incredibly luxurious hotels and lodges, and always be guided, then there's plenty of those options. But if you want to go cheaper and a bit more independent, then you can book directly through the San website, which is the organization, South Africa National Parks Organization, and you can book all your accommodation through them. Bryony: Which is great as well because it means all the money is going directly back to the national park and to managing the national park and the wildlife. That accommodation is much more rustic, so you stay in kind of bush camps where you'll have the tented accommodation, it's fairly simple beds. And it varies between big camps where you can either camp or stay in these kind of cabins and tents. Or you can stay in the really rustic bush camps, which don't have electricity, they have gas lamps, they have very thin electric fence around them. So animals prowl the edge and you kind of hope and pray people [inaudible 00:32:55]. But they're generally very safe, of course. Kim: when you say animals are hard to spot, like giraffes are pretty tall. Are they the easiest of the animals? Phil: Well why do you think they've got their camouflage pattern on them? Kim: Up against a green tree it's not going to help. Phil: Well, they sort of meld into the background. They do. Kim: Can I let the expert answer that? Phil: Okay. Bryony: Yeah, I mean, there were a few surprises. There was one time where we were kind of driving along slowly looking for wildlife and an elephant literally like popped out. Because where you've got vegetation, even a big animal can hide pretty effectively. As I say, in Kruger you see a lot of stuff. There's the bigger animals like zebras and giraffes and elephants. Even though they can hide, they're often very visible. And there are techniques you can use like going slowly, and going to watering holes, particularly in the afternoon where they'll gather. And looking out for signs such as, you know, vultures indicate potentially kill. Smaller animals and predators can be really tricky to see because they don't want to be seen. And they don't do a lot as well. People get this impression from many documentaries that animals are always doing stuff, but actually when an animal is not eating or mating, it's sleeping, it's just conserving its energy most of the time. Kim: It's a bit like Phil. Phil: Sign me up for that. Kim: Just on the zebra, poor design, black and white. You can't blend in. Phil: The thing that gets me as well about that are is how much bird life there is. Bryony: Yes, there's so much bird life. And what I often say to people interested in wildlife is, if you don't take interest in birds and bugs, then you're going to be bored for 90% of the time. It's really worth looking at the birds because they are incredible. You get so many different behaviors and sizes and species and colors. I'm very lucky you could actually, my husband is a professional ornithologist. So I've always got a bird guide with me telling me all about them and their kind of amazing behaviors. And yeah, you get some really cool ones in Kruger. Kim: Oh, what a fabulous life you two must lead. Thank you so much for chatting to us. Phil: Thanks Bryony. Bryony: It's always fun talking about wildlife. Phil: Good. Kim: Thank you Bryony. We'll have links in show notes to all our guests in fact, alongside links to travel safety in South Africa and five places to get off that beaten track. Now Phil, did you know South Africa has the oldest wine history outside of Europe? Phil: Exactly. And according to research, the first grapes were pressed in 1659. And today South Africa is the world's ninth largest wine producer. Kim: Well, we talked about visiting vineyards in the Western Cape earlier in the episode with Sarah, which inspired you, not me this time, to head out and find some wine for us to try. So what have we got here? Phil: I also had to try and find a bottle opener. I have the Den Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, from Painted Wolf Wines. Kim: Rolled off the tongue- Phil: You like that one? This particular wine, it says you'll experience a medium to full bodied wine. Kim: Let me try and guess what's in it, what the flavors are. Here yours. Phil: Thank you. And they reckon, let's see if you agree. [crosstalk 00:36:15]. Kim: I will sip that, not slurp it. Phil: Okay. Typical Cabernet flavors of black currant. Yup. Brambly fruit. Kim: I don't know what that tastes like, but I can definitely get the black current. Phil: Black berries, you know, those ones. Cigar box. Kim: What? Phil: You see. Yeah you can ... I can taste that. That's sort of smoky cigar sort of after taste there. Kim: Oh that is actually nice. Phil: It's not bad is it? And of course a nice well-rounded tasty oak finish to it. Nice texture. Soft ripe tenens. Kim: Yes, I'd agree with that, Phil. Phil: And a long fruit driven finish. Kim: Couldn't have said it better myself, old boy. Phil: High nose. It tastes pretty good, but it also is wine with a purpose. I like this wine. It's fine. Kim: Why? Phil: Have we got to finish the bottle? Kim: Of course. Phil: Well, this one's got a purpose because they give back with a percentage of their sales go into the conservation of African wild dogs and their natural habitat. Kim: How much did it cost you? Phil: 20 bucks a bottle. Kim: Gee, that's all right. Phil: $20 Australian. So what's that? Three, you know, $2 American. Depends how we're going at the moment. Kim: I think- Phil: But that's all right, so you can knock this one back and, you know, help save the wild dogs. Kim: Well, I definitely got that blackberry taste. Phil: Might need hair of wild dog later. Kim: Exactly. Well, that wraps up our party. We're moving on. The next week Tim Voors a passionate, long distance hiker who spent six months tricking the Pacific Crest Trail in the US. Phil: Bye. Kim: Cheers.   </div> </div> </div>Getty Images/ SL_Photography 1956565840 Sunrise inside the Entabeni Game Reserve famous for safari with a reflection of the Hanging Lip of Hanglip mountain peak in a swamp lake located near Kruger Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/kwandwe-south-africas-unsung-wildernessDiscover why this game reserve is a conservation victory – and one of South Africa’s best-kept secrets.2019-09-05T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/kwandwe-south-africas-unsung-wildernesshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#conservation">A wildlife conservation success story</a></li> <li><a href="#carbon-footprint">Taking the carbon out of your footprint</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> This was clearly the strangest thing on four legs that the leopard had ever seen. He snarled threateningly, but the table didn’t even tremble. I struggled to control my own excited trembling as I focused my Nikon. I’d never seen such a big leopard up close for so long and – standing halfway between me and my sundowner G&T – he was an intimidating sight. I’d spent the last three days exploring Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. These 85mi2 (220km2) of plains and craggy gorges offer intense wildlife sightings that would be hard to find even in far larger parks. With a maximum capacity of just 52 guests, the reserve provides the increasingly rare feeling that you’re alone in the immensity of the African wilderness. In the last few days, I’d perched in the back of the open Landcruiser just yards from hunting lions, and I’d had a grandstand VIP seat at several leopard hunting and courtship dramas. I’d even witnessed at close quarters the interactions of what could almost be described as a “pride” of cheetahs. “It’s extremely rare for five cheetah siblings to survive to adulthood,” ranger Brendan Dredge whispered, “and it’s almost unheard of for a usually solitary old male to form a coalition with his fully-grown son. Then for the two groups to interact, even temporarily…well, this is the only place in Africa I’ve seen as many as eight cheetah in a single group!” It was clear that relationships were strained, however, and that this rather dysfunctional family was not going to stick together for long. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/kwandwe-leopard-sundowners-mark-eveleigh.jpg" /><figcaption>A leopard investigates a table set for sundowners. Image credit: Mark Eveleigh</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="conservation">A wildlife conservation success story</h2> Brendan Dredge had the sort of intimate knowledge that can only come from years tracking animals, and his spotter colleague Mcebisi Yoli – known to his friends simply as “Dennis” – had spent his whole life with Kwandwe as his backyard. “You see that shepherd tree by the cliff?” Dennis asked me one morning as we circled a herd of rare black wildebeest. “I used to sit in the shade under that tree 40 years ago, when this was a field, and my father was a laborer here on what was called Mowbray farm.” The indigenous inhabitants of this area suffered heavily when this was a frontline in the Settler-Xhosa wars, and the wildlife was almost totally hunted out in the period that followed in the early 1800s, when Dutch and English settlers built their homesteads here. More than 180 years after Heatherton Towers, one of South Africa’s first ostrich farms, started exporting plumes to Europe, the building is now Kwandwe’s reception house. The historic farmhouse known as Uplands Homestead has been converted into a gorgeous safari venue. All too often the reclamation of wild areas throughout Africa has turned local communities into refugees, frequently relegated to dismal camps in the buffer zones. Most of Kwandwe’s staff are ex-farm workers, however, and their <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-safari-camp-wilderness-experience">lives have improved</a> phenomenally since the decision was made, in 2001, to buy up nine white-owned farms and return the surrounding habitat to its wild state. Kwandwe (“Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa) was named after the highly endangered and incredibly beautiful blue crane which had almost disappeared, but is now returning in healthy numbers. The fences were torn down and, in less than 20 years, Kwandwe has been transformed into a pristine wilderness where herds of elephants and both black and white rhinoceros roam. There are three healthy prides of lions and a thriving leopard population in the reserve. Most spectacularly, cheetah were reintroduced and are now here in numbers that would have been inconceivable in the previous century, since the last two were shot in this area in 1888. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/kwandwe-bush-walk-mark-eveleigh.jpg" /><figcaption>Tracking rhino on foot. Image credit: Mark Eveleigh</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="carbon-footprint">Taking the carbon out of your footprint</h2> Brendan, Dennis, and I had driven many hours together over the last few days, but getting to know Kwandwe involves more than simple game-driving. We went fishing from an aluminium boat on Kwandwe dam, but our voyage was so eventful – with sightings of new-born hippo, two black rhino, countless antelope, and an entire family of frolicking otters – that we never even had time to cast our lines. Now, we were exploring on foot. Walking safaris offer a much deeper knowledge of the bush than the average safari. Kwandwe even offers children “poo safaris” in areas that are safely free from <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/wild-weather-wild-animals-south-africa">dangerous animals</a>. “Stay close, and try to keep noise to a minimum,” Brendan whispered as he slung his rifle over his shoulder. We set off walking in single file, with Dennis acting as rear guard. Having seen footprints almost constantly on every track we’d driven, I’d probably never been in an area where the possibility of spotting rhino was so good. The bush around us was appropriately known as renosterveld (literally ‘rhino bush’) and was richly scented with olives, rosemary, curry bush, and a succulent known locally as spekboom (Portulacaria afra). Apart from being highly palatable to many herbivores, spekboom is one of the top five carbon-storing plants on our planet. It’s been estimated that 100 hectares of spekboom (Kwandwe is 22,000 hectares in total) is equivalent to taking 260 cars off the road for a year. The reserve <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/eco-successes-in-the-african-bush">is a success story</a> on a social level, too. Since 2002, Kwandwe’s social development arm has provided benefits that include a pre-school, primary school, and adult education, a community center, and a health program (not only for staff but also serving 10 nearby villages). “My children can hope for a far better future than my father ever expected,” Dennis told me when the leopard finally moved on and let us approach our sundowners. “We have a community to be proud of here. When I grew up, the wildlife was just a threat to the farms, but now even the leopards seem to be our friends!” <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>Getting there</h3> Lying approximately 100m (160km) by car from Port Elizabeth, at the end of the famous Garden Route, Kwandwe makes the perfect finale to a road trip from Cape Town. If you prefer to fly, Kwandwe has its own airstrip, but most visitors fly from Cape Town or Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth. <h3>Costs</h3> Kwandwe has of the highest land-to-guest ratios in South Africa, which is key to its conservation initiatives. But this experience doesn’t come cheap: suites range from US $619 per person per night at Ecca Lodge or Great Fish River Lodge to US $2,645 upwards for up to 5 guests staying in private safari villas. All accommodation includes full board with drinks, two game drives per day, nature walks, and big game tracking accompanied by an armed ranger and guide. <h3>When to go</h3> The region is malaria free year-round. Summer (October to March) is hot and wet, with temperatures soaring above 97°F (36°C). Winter (May to August) sees chilly mornings and evenings but produces clear, warm days with very little rain.Mark Eveleigh 1 Mark Eveleigh A family of cheetah relaxing in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.

Size Matters | South Africa Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/size-mattersSize Matters | South Africa Travel StoryFri, 26 Oct 2018 17:48:39 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/size-mattershttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-5-south-africaIn this episode we're talking all about South Africa. Find out how to go on safari on a budget, and the myths surrounding the deadly Black Mamba.2017-12-13T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-5-south-africahttps://www.worldnomads.com<div> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2V9BgOBKU7Mu64Jii8i9DY?si=ucNEpy2dQ_GZeHkenEK_UQ"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/spotify%20logo%20green.png" style="width: 46px; height: 46px;" alt="“Listen" on="" spotify="" /></a>   <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=154934&refid=stpr"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/stitcher-logo-120x46.jpg" style="width: 120px; height: 46px;" alt="Listen on Stitcher" /></a></div> <h2 class="p1">Episode 5 – South Africa</h2> South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. It is often referred to as the “Rainbow Nation” reflecting the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid, and 11 languages are spoken. With the help of travel experts, Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads' Phil Sylvester set out to discover if it’s possible to go on safari on a budget, and what happens when you go cage diving with sharks. Hear the amazing story of the global photographer who earned a mention in Wikipedia after surviving a bite from of one of the world’s most deadly snakes. What do you do when something goes wrong when you are traveling? From illness to natural disasters, we check in with World Nomads’ Lisa Fryar from Emergency Assistance. And sitting alongside South African locals for a Braai, which is claimed rivals the Aussie backyard barbeque. <h2 class="p1">What's in the Episode</h2> 00:08 - Welcome 01:48 - Travel Quiz: What has this question got to do with Phil’s own trip to South Africa? 02:08 - Kim Whitaker runs a hybrid accommodation model in South Africa. It’s a vibrant youth hub option in old hotel buildings. 05:50 - Can you do a safari on a budget? “…Once you go into these wildlife areas, it's imperative that you listen to the guides and take on-board what they say. People tend to get a little too excited when they see the wildlife” – Terry from African Budget Safaris 11:30 - Ask Phil 12:45 - Catching up with our World Nomads 13: 50 - Brian McFarlane from Great White Shark Tours “I have been a diver all my life. The biggest fear of any diver, surfer, or swimmer is a shark. So, he was an enemy as far as I was concerned…” – Brian 23:19 - Travel News with the World Nomad stuck in Bali. 28:00 - What happens when something goes wrong when traveling? 32:44 – The man who survived a bite from one of the world’s deadliest snakes. 38:54 - Quiz answer 39:42 - What's next in Episode 6? <h2 class="p1">Who's on the Show?</h2> Kim Whitaker is a World Nomads’ affiliate and operates <a href="http://onceincapetown.co.za/joburg/">Once in Cape Town</a> and Once in Joburg, a hybrid accommodation model in South Africa that also runs free local guided tours. Terry from <a href="https://www.africanbudgetsafaris.com/enquire-now/success/standard/">African Budget Safaris</a>. We know you can pay thousands to do a safari but can you pay hundreds? Brain McFarlane from <a href="http://www.sharkcagediving.net/">Great White Shark Tours</a>. Brian went from culling sharks to conserving them. World Nomads customer Bob Hazell who was stuck in Bali after the eruption of Mount Agung. Lisa Fryar Head of Emergency Assistance. You can find Lisa on Twitter @lisafryar and @WeAssistAus Photographer <a href="http://marklaita.com/animals">Mark Laita</a> shares the incredible story of being bitten by a Black Mamba and surviving. Check out the incredible pic Mark captured. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/snakefangs.jpg" alt="" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Mark Laita</figcaption></figure> <h2 class="p1">Resources & Links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/worldnomads/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">Follow World Nomads on Instagram</a> for the latest stories, and #WorldNomads for your chance to be featured. <h2 class="p1">Share Episodes with Your Audience</h2> Want to share an episode you loved, or you were a guest? Do it with this Player Embed code. <h6 style="padding-left: 30px;"><iframe width="100%" height="200" src="https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/174063?visual=true&sharing=true" frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; height: 200px"></iframe></h6> <h2 class="p1">Want to Talk to us?</h2> We want to hear from you! If you have any travel insurance questions to <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">Ask Phil</a>, want to give us feedback on the episode, or have suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover, email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a> Sign up for Podcast news in the newsletter box on the right-hand side. <h2 class="p1">About World Nomads & The Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Announcer: The World Nomads podcast. It's not your usual travel podcast. It's everything for the adventurous independent traveler. Kim: Welcome to our podcast delivered by World Nomads, the travel life style and insurance brand, covering more than half a million travelers, nice to be with you. My name is Kim. Phil: And I'm Phil and this is our fifth destination podcast, this time exploring South Africa. Other episodes you can download via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and they include Croatia, Canada, Iceland and [00:00:30] Panama. Don't forget the Panama episode, because it turns out it's much more than just the canal. It sounds like a fantastic destination. Kim: I could not agree more. Would not have even had it on my radar until we starting researching it for the World Nomads podcast. In fact, 2018, it's top of the places shortlisted for our holiday. That is Panama, check it out. This episode though, South Africa, Phil. Phil: The southern most country of Africa, of course, hence the name. It's often referred to as the rainbow nation to describe the [00:01:00] country's multi-cultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid, and the place, in fact, has 11 different languages. But of course, the most commonly used is a form of English, I've been there, but it is English. Kim: We'll talk about you being there in this podcast. There are a couple of things that come to mind when I think about South Africa. Safaris and cage diving with sharks, we'll explore both in this episode. We'll find out how to experience, though, a safari on a budget, hear Brian McFarlane's amazing story of culling sharks [00:01:30] to protecting them, and speaking of amazing stories, how about the bloke who survived a bite from one of the world's most venomous snakes. That's coming up as well. Plus, travel news in which Phil catches up with an Aussie stranded in Bali after the eruption of Mount Agung, ask Phil, and Phil's quiz question as we focus on South Africa. Phil: Okay, a bit cryptic for you this weekend. Kim: It is. King, king or [inaudible 00:01:54] like that. Phil: King, King, at what time is her flight coming in, the one where the moonlit [00:02:00] wings reflect the stars that guide me toward salvation. What time is her flight? The answer at the end of the show. Kim: Kim Whittaker runs a hybrid accommodation model in South Africa it's called Once in Cape Town and another hostel called Once in Joburg. Now, the accom is a vibrant kind of youth hub option in an old hotel building, so they're really cool, and along with accommodation, they have an explore section with local free guided tours every day, which Kim will touch on this chat and they are super cool. But, to kickstart [00:02:30] the podcast, I ask Kim for a snapshot of South Africa. Kim Whittaker: So, first of all, it's a place with a very, very amenable climate, so it's usually got amazing weather. Beautiful landscapes, there are a whole bunch of micro climates, so you'll find Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and every in between have got very different climates, so there's always a beach to sit on every time of the year, no matter [00:03:00] what the time of the year is. Apart from the amazing natural beauty like Table Mountain and the Drakensberg, we've also got amazing wildlife, so if seeing the five is on your list of things to do, then the Kruger Park or Pilanesberg Park or the Addo Elephant Park is really a place to go. So, in nature, these are nature conservation areas where the big five exists, so lions and elephants [00:03:30] and all the rest. Kim: Fantastic. Can you name a few things then to do off the beaten track. Kim Whittaker: So, some of the things that we offer include going into a township for a braai, a braai is South Africa's version of a barbie. Basically, it is getting together with new friends and just cooking an enormous amount of meat in the middle of the township, so you're surrounded by chefs and [00:04:00] the particular township we visit in Cape Town is called Guguletu, in Soweto we go to a place called Chaf Pozi, which is in Soweto and we really experience township life, so proper, amazing South African hip hop music, great local beers. Another of the beaten track adventure that you can do is a cocktail experience in Alexandria township in Johannesburg. We also do trips to local farmers markets. [00:04:30] There are a whole variety of different trips one can do. Kim: So you can help travelers that stay with you experience those ... the barbie sounds fantastic and so do the cocktails. Kim Whittaker: No, absolutely. And we do little walking tours around Bo-Kaap, which is a very historical brakke kind of area in Cape Town. Showing off our Cape Town is really key, so perhaps [00:05:00] one of the staff, one of the guys at reception, maybe one of his friends is hosting a skating party, so he'll invite people to come join if they want to, listen to some live music, do some skating. Every day is different. Kim: Okay, well, sounds fantastic. Where would a World Nomad find you? Kim Whittaker: Any one of Cape Town's top coffee bars is where I would literally be found most of the time. We've also got amazing coffee, which is great, but if they wanted to find us online, [00:05:30] you'd head to our website, which is www.stayatonce.com or online you can find us at Once in Cape Town, that's #OnceinCapeTown or #OnceinJoburg or @onceyouthhotels. Kim: Thank you, sounds like you're enjoying your coffee, we will put those links in our show notes and Phil, you've been lucky enough to go on a safari in South Africa. Phil: One of the most travel experiences I've ever had. It was also one of the most expensive, by the way, but it was a special [00:06:00] trip. Absolutely amazing, open camp, so you had to be escorted from your room to the main building, by somebody carrying a rifle at all the times, because also it's a wild game, were just wondering in and out of the camp. We got shown to our room and it had a plunge pool and on the edge of a river and looked over and there was a big pile of animal droppings down there and I said, "What's that from?" And apparently, it was an elephant. I just wanted to know if you could get that on room service. Absolutely [00:06:30] amazing experience. Saw leopards and everything. Kim: Well, we caught up Terry to find out how to save some money with African budget safaris, so obviously, with Phil, we've learned that you can pay thousands, but can you pay hundreds? Terry: You can definitely pay hundreds. There are guys out here that offer a safari from I would say that the least amount that you'd be expected to pay would be about $100 US to $120 US [00:07:00] and you can pay up to two, three thousand dollars a night. So, there's a huge variety of operators out there offering everything from budget camping tours where it's participation where you're expected to help put up your own tent, help with the cleaning up after the meals and that's obviously the real budget stuff, but you'd be looking at about $100 to $120 [00:07:30] a day and that would include all your meals, all your game drives, transports, you name it. The only thing that would be required of you, there is a lot of participation. Obviously, these real budget trips really appeal to that 18 to 39 market that really don't mind roughing it and traveling in a larger group as well. For the more discerning client, there's everything in between, so [00:08:00] if you're had $150 plus, you could easily find a really comfortable, small group, large style safari where the only difference would be your level of accommodation, would not be the same level as say, a londolozi or one of the five start guides. The South African tourism industry caters for every single budget and [00:08:30] age group out there. It really is a very comprehensive market. Kim: So that budget, you don't mean, look, you might see some wildlife, but you might not. Terry: No, not at all. The wildlife, whether you're paying $5000 US a night or whether you're paying $100 a night, the wildlife is the same. You're going to be going into the Kruger or the Greater [00:09:00] Kruger or any other parks and you're still going to be in a four by four vehicle and your chances are just as good in spotting the game. Kim: When you're doing a safari, you are heading into the wildlife territory, I would suspect that there are some pretty strict rules. Terry: It's very strict. Once you go into these wildlife areas, it's imperative that you listen to the guides and take aboard what they say. [00:09:30] People tend to get a little too excited when they see the wildlife and they jump up and shout and scream, and there are various reactions that we've seen over the years. As a whole, it's a very strict briefing that's given right at the beginning and 99% of people do adhere by it. Especially if you go with a safari company, you normally see the main transgressors or issues that arise is when people decide to do the self-drive option [00:10:00] and they drive themselves into the park, but yes, we've had cases of arriving at waterholes and looking across the waterhole and seeing people sitting out having a picnic next to the waterhole. The transgressions, you could write a book about them. But, should you go with a safari company, the dangers of the bush are explained to you from the word go. Kim: Well, there are those dangers that [00:10:30] are there. I would love to do a safari, but I'm not particularly comfortable around animals, so if a lion was to come close to one of the vehicles, for instance, I'd be less inclined to be jumping up and down and going, "Wow." I'm sure you've come across people who've felt nervous. Is it safe? Terry: It's completely safe. The wildlife will see a vehicle and they will see the outline of the vehicle and they'll see the vehicle as the object. They will not see you [00:11:00] as a person sitting in the vehicle. If you were to say, jump up and your head would go beyond the ceiling of the vehicle, they'll notice that, but they don't discern the humans inside the vehicle. They only see the vehicle. Kim: So we're not a traveling snack pack. Terry: Definitely not. Kim: Thank you so much Terry, for the chat. Terry: Brilliant, that's great. Thanks a stat. Kim: [00:11:30] Links to African Budget Safaris in our show notes now. Announcer: And now, ask Phil. Phil: Plenty of questions about driving around South Africa. We've all heard stories about carjacking, but in fact, self-driving around the country's easy and pretty safe. Watch out for the baboons and elephants on the road though. One of the most popular questions on Ask a Nomad is this one from Ella Ward, "Which is the best way to travel from Johannesburg to Mozambique via the Kruger Park?" [00:12:00] Renate's answer, echoed by many others was to rent a car and self-drive. The N4, that's the name of the highway, is excellent and easy to drive, says Renate, but it's not a cheap option. If you want to save money, catch a bus from Joburg to Nelspruit and hire a car from there. It saves yourself a bit of a boring drive as well, by the way. It's also worth noting that taking a hired car across the border into Mozambique requires the permission of the South African hire company and you'll have to pay extra for the Mozambique insurance cover too. World Nomad's [00:12:30] travel insurance, don't worry about that excess waiver they ask you to pay, it's covered by your insurance. Announcer: Oh wow. Phil: If you have a travel question, or think you can provide some insight, go to answers.worldnomads.com and Ask a Nomad. Announcer: Well, speaking of nomads, let's check in with them, and given we'll hear from a guy later in the episode who survived a bite from one of the world's most venomous snakes. We ask, "Who's been bitten by an animal while traveling?" Phil: I haven't not so far, but there's still time. Speaker 6: Bed bugs. [00:13:00] I was bitten about bed bugs here. We got a unit, but the problem was, the only problem was bed bugs, yeah, it was really hard time. Speaker 7: No, it would be the same. I was in Spain and we're staying in some university as a host accommodation and yeah, it would be bed bugs as well. That was the day before I left and came back to Australia, so I just had a whole rash here on my arm and yeah, it wasn't fun at all. Speaker 8: No, not yet, [00:13:30] thank you, God from nothing been happen with me here in Australia. Thank God. Speaker 9: Okay, a mosquito but doesn't count. Speaker 10: I would like to say, a red-backed spider or one of them, but no. Speaker 11: Shot? Speaker 10: Shot, yeah, well I'll call my travel insurance for that so I can get [inaudible 00:13:48], but yeah, yeah. Kim: This chat I think is great. Brian McFarlane operates Great White Shark Tours in South Africa and before I could even throw him my first question, he anticipated [00:14:00] what I was going to ask and I just really didn't expect his answer. Brian McFarlane: I think one of your questions is going to be when did you start this business or can we wait until you actually interview me and ask me about this question. Kim: No, well you can kick right into it. When did you start the business? Brian McFarlane: You know, 20 years ago, we start ... let me even go before that. There was a period in my life that you didn't worry about conservation and being a fisherman and having [00:14:30] these great white sharks around in the area, I would subsidize my income by going up and catching them with rod and line and with an anchor and a chain and a buoy. I'm not proud of that. When the people got to hear about it throughout the world, people from all around the world used to come and catch a great white with me. I had a charter business catching these guys, which I don't really [00:15:00] like even to talk about, which was a bleak period in my life, when you're young and you don't worry, but about in 1991, the government stopped all catching of great whites and killing them in South Africa and slowly, I saw the demand to go out and view them, and that was basically 20 years ago. I had a small boat and we went out to this Dyer Island, which is 9 kilometers out to sea and we took tourists [00:15:30] out. We took six at a time, six people at a time and took them attracting the sharks near the boat and showed the people these beautiful animals. That was the start of this massive business, which it is today. Kim: Brian, when you were catching the sharks and you were morally aware that it wasn't the right thing to do, were you still aware of beautiful creatures they are? Brian McFarlane: Not really, I've been a diver all my life and the biggest fear of any [00:16:00] diver, surfer or swimmer is a shark, so he was an enemy as far as I was concerned, any good shark was a dead shark. There was no remorse, there was no feeling of, "Oh, I've killed this beautiful animal," but, and I say but, the more I started to work with them and preserve them and look after them and show the clients or the people or my friends, the more respect you got for them, the more you learned about them, the more you saw [00:16:30] they weren't the mindless animals that you imagine them to be and they're certainly not swimming around the ocean looking to see where's the next human being I can catch or kill or maim or eat, because human beings are definitely not on their food chain at all. Kim: So, why are we so obsessed with great whites then? Brian McFarlane: You know why, and the only thing I can think of because so little is known about them. This is the big [00:17:00] thing. So little is known about them, that possibly the only animal in the sea that's so little is known about. You might say why not? Because they can't be kept in captivity. Nowhere in the world, can a great white be kept in captivity. They've tried it in California, they've tried it in America in different places, in these massive oceanariums. They're very stressful animals and after a while, they die, so they can't be kept in captivity, they can't be studied. [00:17:30] You can't learn more about them. The only way you can learn about them is in their natural environment in the sea. So little is known about them that people are just ignorant to what they do. Every now and again, somebody in the world, someone will get bitten or attacked by a shark and it'll make headline news whereas, thousands of people, thousands of people get killed on a [00:18:00] yearly basis by mosquitoes, snakes, elephants, lions, and it's a small issue, but if someone gets attacked by a shark, it's a massive issue. I actually gave a talk once and I'm telling you statistically, there are 750,000 people die in the world from mosquitoes, and ten people in the world die from shark attacks throughout the world. Isn't that a crazy [00:18:30] statistic? But, if someone dies of a mosquito bit or malaria, it's nothing. But, if someone gets attacked and bitten by a great white, it's a massive brouhaha in the paper or the news. Kim: In terms of the cage diving, the experience that you offer, you put how many people in a cage, and how far into the water do you submerge it. Brian McFarlane: Our boats are huge now. We carry up to 40 people at a time. Five crew and the cage, obviously, the bigger the boat, the bigger the cage [00:19:00] and we put eight people in a cage at a time. The cage is not under the water. It's two meters high and it's about two feet of the cage or half a meter of the cage sticks out of the water. It floats and it's tied to the boat. We attract the shark to the boat. We put the people in suits. We put them in the cage. They put their bodies in the water, their shoulders and their heads above the water. When the shark comes in close enough, [00:19:30] we've attracted him with bait, we tell the people "The shark's coming from the left, the shark's coming the right, go down." They've got hand rails and foot rails. They hold onto the hand rail, they lower their heads into the water, submerge themselves, not even, I don't know if you're talking feet or meters, but half a meter and they look straight into the shark's face or head or body and then, when they breathe, there's a breath hold situation, when they're breath is finished, they pop up again [00:20:00] breathe. That's the way it's done. Anybody and everybody can do diving. We have people from all walks of life, everywhere in the world. Some of them have never even swum before, but they can dive. They can dive, and so everybody that comes on the boat can dive. Kim: Now that is super interesting, do you agree? Phil: Fascinating. Kim: But, there was one question I had to ask Brian, I do apologize, as he explained the experience. You can't tell me that you don't [00:20:30] want to know. Has anyone ever popped themselves? Brian McFarlane: You know, I'm telling you, I take a thousand people a month, a thousand people from all walks of life, being males, females, big, small, fat, thin, they have pooped themselves. They've peed themselves, because as you take the seat up, you get the different smells from the different shock systems, which they have and people have, in your words, [00:21:00] have pooped themselves already, but, but, but, in saying that, the biggest satisfaction I get out of this job is educating the unknown to these people, showing them the beauty, showing them the grace, showing them this magnificent animal and changing the mindset from the monster. Ninety percent of the people that come with us, they said, "Is the boat big enough, is the cage strong enough? Is the shark going to attack? Is the steel [00:21:30] strong enough?" We show them the beauty of the animal, the gracefulness, and we change the mindset and the people go away saying, "Wow, I can't believe that is such a peaceful, graceful, beautiful animal." The big thing is, and this is the big thing. In the world, millions upon millions of sharks are getting caught and killed and their fins cut off because the people are ignorant and they think it's a monster. They walk past or they buy it, or [00:22:00] they walk past a shop, they say, "That's all right, he's a monster," but hopefully, part of our job is to educate people and show people the beauty and the gracefulness and that he's not a monster, he's not attacking the cage, he's not attacking the boat, he's only doing his job [inaudible 00:22:17] and they go away with a different mindset. When they see that again, they say, "That's not right. That must stop," and hopefully we're making an impact in the world that people will stop killing and culling sharks for their fins and their bodies [00:22:30] because they've got this terrible reputation. Kim: Well I had to ask, had to ask and nicely finished up there Brian, who, by the way, is a bit of a legend in the shark conservation world. I think he's done 55 movies. We'll have links to Great White Shark Tours in our show notes, and he also extended an invitation to the World Nomads crew to experience a dive, do you reckon you'd poop yourself, Phil? Phil: Yeah, very probably. Kim: I reckon I can do it. I reckon I could do [00:23:00] it. Phil: Yes. It would be thrilling, absolutely, but I think I could do it as well, although I have seen those pictures where a great white does manage to get through a cage somewhere once, so that would be in the back of my mind. Kim: Not with Brian. Okay. Before we hear that amazing story of the man that survived a bite from one of the world's most venomous snakes, let's get your travel news. Phil: The volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali, finally erupted after threatening to do so for several weeks. The airport has been closed intermittently depending on the prevailing [00:23:30] wind blowing the ash cloud over airspace. The result is, that thousands of travelers were stranded while the holiday plans of hundreds more having to get to the island were in tatters. One of the people stuck on Bali is World Nomads customer Bob Hazel and I spoke to him by phone just a few days ago. Bob Hazel: How are you? Phil: I'm okay, thank you very much, thanks for asking. You guys, you all right? Like I said, worst places to be stuck, right? Bob Hazel: Yeah, exactly. Sorry, just finished a little bite there. No, we could be a [00:24:00] lot worse off. As bad as it is here, I just got to wait until the guy's finished the ash out of the pool before I can go for a swim, that's about the extent of our travels, apart from, obviously, missing the flight, but as we have no prior arrangements back in Australia, we're a bit time free at the moment, which is a very handy spot to be in. I think a lot of other people are probably a lot worse off in that respect. Phil: Yeah, when did you get there mate? Were you aware of [00:24:30] the potential for an eruption when you went? Bob Hazel: Yeah. We were aware that it's been happening because a similar eruption, I'm sure you're aware of, I didn't know whether it canceled flights and all, but something similar happened in September and they were saying it was imminent. But then, being downgraded to, I think, the orange level, which is one below the red, so we were aware of it, as it's always in your mind, knowing where we are and the history of things. After speaking to the locals, because there was also, when we were going to [00:25:00] a few of the restaurants, there were some charity organizations helping to feed the people that were still evacuated from the area, so we knew it was still a potential problem and it was something people were talking about, but it's something that you hope that it's not going to affect you too much, I suppose. Phil: And so, when were you first aware an eruption had happened? Were you told about it, or did you feel it? Bob Hazel: No, we didn't feel it at all. Where we are here, we're [00:25:30] in Ubud, but I think it's about 40 kilometers from Mount Agung. We can see it when we go to the flat area, so I was just looking at it yesterday, all of smoke still coming out the top of the volcano and you can obviously see the ash on the ground here a little bit. Nowhere near as thick as what it would be in other areas, but we can still see it here. We were first made aware the following morning. I think I read that it first erupted at 5:30 p.m. and we found out the next morning [00:26:00] when we got up, there was, two of the young guys, staff members here were working, and then they made us aware. You could tell there was something wrong. They didn't tell us straight away, but when we asked them what the matter was, they told us what had happened and they were really concerned for their family and wellbeing and we figured everything out from there. We didn't have to actually check out of our accommodation and we were easily able to extend, which was really helpful there. Yesterday, we [00:26:30] met a lot of locals who were all quite concerned. They were telling us that they were taping up the windows, stocking up their food supplies, getting emergency procedures, preparing for the worst case scenario in stocking up and that's been more of an emphasis here. There's an increased number of people wearing masks around the streets and on the bikes on the roads. Phil: We've [00:27:00] met before, haven't we? We've helped you and your partner Mahler out previously as well, so ... Bob Hazel: In a big way. Yeah, absolutely. I was actually, even before, the World Nomads team helped out Mahler. I was helped out myself. I was very fortunate in [inaudible 00:27:19]. I didn't even actually have to deal with anything at all, it was all dealt with between World Nomads and the treating doctor when I spent a night in hospital with altitude sickness. But then, [00:27:30] after that, yeah, after, where we've met you, Lisa, the whole team at World Nomads and had amazing help after my partner Mahler got sick in India with encephalitis and spent the following six weeks in hospital before being flown back to Australia. Phil: Well, happy to report that Bob is home, safe and well and in that chat there, we mentioned Lisa Frey from our emergency assistance team. And guess what? We got her in the studio with us now. Hi [00:28:00] Lisa. Lisa: Hello. Phil: She doesn't want to be talking to you if you're a traveler, because that's really when it's gone pear shaped, right? Lisa: Yeah. If you're a traveler in trouble though, you do want to be talking to our team. It's what we're there for, and emergency assistance ranges from anything, I've lost my passport, I've missed my flights, I'm homesick, what do I do, right up to I'm having a heart attack, I'm really unwell, get me out of here. Kim: Homesick. You genuinely get calls from people saying, "I'm homesick." Lisa: [00:28:30] We actually got one case on at the moment of someone who's homesick and we've got a medical team that are available 24/7 as well. Homesick can result in a whole range of different things as well. If we have a young traveler who is seriously homesick, we can talk them through what they need to do, give them some advice, some general things on, they might want to go sightseeing things. If they really want to come home, then we can put them in touch with a travel agent or the airline of mom and dad and yes, [00:29:00] they come home. Phil: Can you also prescribe a cup of concrete and them to harden up? Lisa: You're terrible Phil. Phil: I know, but come on. Kim: We love our travelers, Phil. Phil: Okay. This is why I'm not in the EA team, all right? Kim: Exactly. Is it a genuine claim though? Lisa: No, it's not a genuine claim, unless it results in something else like mental health issues, self-harming, anything like that, so they're the kinds of flags that we would look out for. Phil: There's a white board over in the EA team area, which has the worst of the worst that's going on at the moment. [00:29:30] What sort of things do we get up on those boards? What have we got at the moment? Lisa: We do have a few cases on at the moment, but probably the worst of the worst that I've seen, certainly in my career of a World Nomads traveler, we did have a 31 year old male in Jaipur in India who had been sightseeing at the palace and when he walked out, he was mauled by a bull. It was pretty horrific. He was with his fiancee at the time and sadly he passed away a day later. That's the worst that can happen. Kim: So you would [00:30:00] assist the family with bringing that poor man back? Lisa: That's right. He was Argentinian, and so even though his policy was from New Zealand, we took him back to his family in Argentina. His fiancee was from Finland, and so what we did was we sent her home to Argentina with him so that she could be with the family at the time of when they were doing the funeral, and then we will send her back to Finland when she's ready. Kim: Wow. What a job. Phil: That's terrible for them as well, [00:30:30] but that must affect you as well when you're handling those sorts of cases. Lisa: It does actually, and it's the whole team. Death is absolutely the worst case that we can get, and it's the most, in terms of sensitivities around our cases, it's the most sensitive case we have and our team get really affected by those, especially when there's a young person like a 31-year-old male. We do have medical staff. We do have some debriefing sessions. We've got our EAP counseling. We've got a special little room [00:31:00] that we call the chill out room, so if you're really upset about something, you just go to the chill out room, go for a walk, or whatever, you just go and get some down time. Kim: And conversely, do you get hammered by some people that are very stressed about making a claim? Lisa: Yes. Kim: Or seeking assistance. Lisa: Last week, for example, we had the Bali ash cloud, where we were smashed, not in an alcoholic way, but we were absolutely smashed. On top of that, we also had 55 critical medical cases that we were dealing with so we had a guy that we brought [00:31:30] down in Kathmandu. We brought him down from Everest base camp where he was having his fingers amputated because of frost bite. In between that case, to someone stuck in Bali that couldn't get out for two days, and wanted to return home for work, yeah, we absolutely smashed. It's a way of, how do we put a different hat on to tell someone, "Look, we need to put this into perspective. We'd love to help you out with a Leer jet into Bali over an ash cloud, but we just can't," and then still help [00:32:00] our young guy in Nepal as well. Kim: Yeah. Well, we are about to hear from a guy who's been bitten by one of Africa's most dangerous snakes. Would you be covered for snake bite? Lisa: Yes. Kim: Definitely. Lisa: Well, no. We've had had a case that wasn't covered for a snake bite and this was a pit viper in Vietnam. The reason it wasn't covered, it was 3:00 in the morning, the guy was getting out of a swimming pool. He saw a pit viper. He [00:32:30] claims to have seen a pit viper, swung it around his head, he grabbed a hold of it, swung it around a few times and flung it into the jungle. He'd actually placed himself in needless risk. Kim: So that's recklessness as you often ... Phil: That's it, yep. Kim: Well let's hear this guy's story. Thanks, Lisa. Now Phil. The black mamba, it's one of Africa's most feared and respected snakes. It's super fast, I know. It's super intelligent and shrewd. Some even say it has magical abilities, [00:33:00] which adds to the myth and the mystery of the black mamba. One of these myths is the mamba bites its tail, makes itself into a loop so that it can roll downhill. As it comes to the bottom, it straightens like an arrow and attacks. Phil: I have a sense this like a joke. This is like the poop snake. Kim: This is a ... one more. Another myth maintains the snake, being super intelligent as I said, plans attacks on humans. It ambushes a car by waiting [00:33:30] on the side of the road, then coils itself around the wheel to bite the driver when he reaches his destination. Phil: Okay. Let's see how smart they are when they meet a shovel. Kim: Mark Leder is a photographer and author and it was when he was shooting for his book Serpentine, he was actually bitten by a black mamba. I can hear you giggling about those myths, Mark. Mark: Yeah, I don't know if the snake is that intelligent, but there are so many people [00:34:00] that are terrified of snakes that it doesn't surprise me that there are stories like that. Kim: You've been bitten by one. These snakes, up until anti-venom was available, were deadly. You're gone within 20 minutes, and in some places, throughout Africa where you can't get to a hospital quick enough to have the anti-venom, people die. But, you survived. Mark: Yeah. I had been working on my book Serpentine, as you mentioned and I'd been photographing hundreds and hundreds of snakes, and they're all about two or three feet long, [00:34:30] and when a snake is two or three feet long, you can kind of judge how quickly it can move towards you, if it was even going to do that. I kind of knew what I was dealing with, and we photographed all kinds of venomous and non-venomous snakes and I was preconditioned to know what was possible with all these snakes. And then, I shot this black mamba with a ... somebody owned, it was a collector basically, he had many different snakes [00:35:00] from all over the world, he was in Central America. The black mamba I was shooting was 14 feet long. Phil: Okay. Now we're getting to see the snake territory. Kim: That's huge. Mark: I didn't quite figure out how a 14-foot long snake can just use part of its body to propel the rest of its body to do whatever it wants, very, very quickly. It didn't really do anything quickly, I was just standing over it, photographing it and I looked away or something, and it [00:35:30] had wrapped itself around my ankle. Not in an aggressive way, it just did this. I grew up catching snakes as a kid, so I wasn't really terrified of it, and I knew not to move or jump or do anything quickly, so I just asked the snake handler to get me my little Canon point and shoot camera instead of the big camera I was using for the book [00:36:00] and I just hooked up the strobe, which is this red wire that hooks up to the strobe and I was just taking about 20 or 30 photos of this once in a lifetime moment where I have a black mamba wrapped around my leg. While I was taking all these photos, the snake handler said, "All right, enough of that," and he grabbed his metal hook and he went to pull the snake slowly off my leg. My face is behind the camera, so I didn't see anything, I [00:36:30] felt something on my leg, which I thought was just his hook hitting my leg, and he pulled the snake off and everything's fine and I'm going back, changing cameras and maybe 30 seconds have gone by and he goes, "Dude, you got hit." I look and there's blood just gushing down my calf into my shoe. He goes, "How do you feel?" I'm like, "Well, I feel fine, except I just got bitten by a black mamba," but now I'm getting all nervous. [00:37:00] He goes, "How's your heart rate? How's your ... how's your heart, how's your breathing? Are you dizzy or anything like that?" He asked me three questions, that was fine. I think black mambas have, a lot of snakes do, they have heat sensors behind their jaw and it was amazing how both fangs hit that major artery in your calf, in my calf. Both of them, and that's why I bled so heavily. He goes, "Well, [00:37:30] it's clearly into your blood system. If there was venom, you'd be feeling it. You'd be dizzy, you'd be passed out, you'd be dead." Because now, two, three, four minutes have passed and he's like, "How do you feel now? How do you feel now?" I'm like, "I still feel fine. Nothing's really happening." We were basically done with the photos and I packed up and I left and went back to the hotel and later on that evening at dinner, I'm looking through the camera, the little screen on the back of it, looking at all these [00:38:00] photos, and there's 20 or 30 of them, but there's one that looks like, they're very small, so you really can't see too much detail, and, "Man, that looks like he's biting me in that one photo." So, I get back to my hotel room later, I was at dinner. I go back to the hotel room, I put it up on a laptop screen and I blow it up and sure enough, I have this amazing photo of a black mamba sinking its jaws into my calf. I failed to mention when the snake handler pulled the snake away with the hook, he snagged [00:38:30] that red cord that was hanging and connected to the strobe, so that cord started shaking and that's what scared the snake and made it strike. Kim: That is an amazing story that earned Mark a mention in Wikipedia and he's kindly given us permission to share the photo in our show notes and you've got to check that photo out, it's quite incredible, isn't it? Phil: Unbelievable. Thank you, but no thank you. Kim: Right. Phil, let's wrap up with the answer to your quiz question, and that was, it was like a riddle. Phil: [00:39:00] What time is her flight coming in. The one where the moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me toward salvation? What time is her flight? 12:30. I'm talking about the Toto song, Africa. I left the plains ... Kim: That was a great song. Phil: That's the one. Kim: Here's the snippet. Phil: It was [00:39:30] my theme song driving around South Africa as well. We kept putting that on. Kim: Listen, well next episode is our Christmas special where we'll explore hot vs. cold. Not hot chicken vs. cold chicken for lunch, but for Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere compared to the Northern Hemisphere. Subscribe, share, write on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Phil, contact [00:40:00] us at ... Phil: Podcast@worldnomads.com. Do it. We want to hear from you. Announcer: The World Nomads podcast. Explore your boundaries. </div> </div> </div>Getty Images/Pierre-Yves Babelon 1879283930 Getty Images Herd of elephants in the african savannah

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/eco-successes-in-the-african-bushBalancing a sustainable tourism plan in the African bush is no easy feat, especially in hard-to-access locations that have dangerous wild animals roaming around.2011-02-16T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/eco-successes-in-the-african-bushhttps://www.worldnomads.comRunning a safari camp can't be easy. In fact, it may be just about the most difficult hospitality gig on the planet. In addition to all of the nuances of running any high-quality hotel, you have to do it <a href="/explore/southern-africa/botswana/the-second-government-of-botswana-wilderness-safaris" target="_blank">off-the-grid</a>, in a very remote and <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/south-africas-train-of-thought" target="_blank">hard-to-access location</a>, within a <a href="/explore/africa/kenya/volunteer-africa-what-to-consider-before-choosing-a-project" target="_blank">wildlife reserve</a> or park, with highly specialized on-site staff, while running a successful game-drive business that ensures guests see all of the 'Big 5' animals and more. Balancing a sustainable tourism plan in this already difficult operating environment can be a tall order for any camp owner. Some argue that there simply is not enough time (or money) to implement sustainability projects under such demanding circumstances. Fortunately, many others have taken the opposite approach, believing that operating responsibly is a necessity for survival in the safari business. After all, visits to the bush are all about viewing animals in their natural environment – shouldn't a safari camp's goal be to protect that very environment? Thanks to the many challenges of running a safari operation, camp owners have been forced to develop some of the leading eco-innovation and efficiency techniques found in the tourism industry today. Here are some projects that impressed me in the bush: <ul> <li><a href="#energy"> Energy </a></li> <li><a href="#solid-waste"> Solid Waste </a></li> <li><a href="#water-waste"> Water Waste </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="energy">Energy</h2> Remote bush camps have two options when it comes to electricity – diesel generators or renewables. Both systems are used to power battery units to provide power during off-peak times. While most camps have historically used diesel fuel, those that have switched to renewables are reaping the benefits – reduced energy costs over time, no expensive diesel delivery costs, no noise pollution in the bush, no fuel-burning pollution in the bush, etc. Solar is the new diesel, both through solar electricity and solar thermal devices.  Cutting edge camps have cut their operational diesel burn to nearly zero, using the old generators only for back-up during maintenance. <h2 id="solid-waste">Solid Waste</h2> With no routine trash pick-up (some camps only have vehicle access for less than 3 months a year!), storing waste and recycling can prove to be a challenge. Add to that the hungry and aggressive animals in these regions, and you have a waste management problem on your hands. Composting has become a big trend, eliminating over 50% of solid waste volume. Compost pits, however, must be heavily secured and closely monitored – hyenas in particular love to dig their way in. Recycling is separated at some of the more eco-focused camps, but most parts of Africa lack a location for processing these materials. Material re-use is woven into every aspect of operations, from food-prep to housekeeping, to camp decoration. Leading camps have developed systems for eliminating packaging and excess materials prior to camp delivery, reducing the load on the back end. Remaining waste is stored in secure cages until it can be transported back to town. <h2 id="water-waste">Water Waste</h2> Water is a precious commodity in the often arid desert environments. Watersheds are very susceptible to disease and pollution, so it is imperative that camp water is properly treated before being released back into the ground. Old-school septic tanks are rapidly being replaced with cutting-edge bio-digester units that use natural bacteria instead of harsh chemicals to treat wastewater. Any single initiative listed here wouldn't constitute a news-worthy sustainability effort. However, when these projects are combined in a single property, and these properties are dotted across much of the African bush, we've got some pretty impressive and wide-spread eco-innovation. To me, there's something darn cool about a lodge that sources, uses, and disposes of all of its own energy, water, and most of its waste in a responsible manner. Regardless of whether the motivation is out of operational necessity or environmental consciousness, I call these off-the-grid camps an eco-success. Want to know more about South Africa? Check out our <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-5-south-africa">podcast</a>. We talk shark culling to conservation, the photographer who survived a deadly snake bite, plus how World Nomads swings into action when something goes wrong.iStock/adogslifephoto 0639500158 iStock Mpumalanga, South Africa - November 6, 2016: Tourists taking photos on a safari drive through Kruger National Park at sunset

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/10-ways-to-survive-south-africaAfter spending three weeks in South Africa, this nomad's preconceived notions of the country being unsafe were totally shattered.2010-07-19T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/10-ways-to-survive-south-africahttps://www.worldnomads.comVibrant, exciting, safe, secure, developing, progressing, charming, peaceful and promising are all words I could use to describe South Africa.  Over the three <g class="gr_ gr_112 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="112" data-gr-id="112">weeks</g> I was there back in 2010 for the FIFA World Cup, I experienced a South Africa that has positively shattered every preconceived notion I had about it being an unsafe travel destination. But, the question has to be asked: was this a reality, or did South Africa stage the World’s greatest show in more ways than one? If you're considering <g class="gr_ gr_103 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="103" data-gr-id="103">travelng</g> to South Africa, my immediate response is “GO!” However, you must still maintain a <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/crime-in-south-africa" target="_blank">healthy level of caution</a>. After the World Cup in 2010, the world saw a glimpse of a new South Africa moving forward, but here's my list of ways to survive South Africa. <ul> <li><a href="#dont-go-there"> Research where not to go</a></li> <li><a href="#locals"> Ask a local </a></li> <li><a href="#protection"> Wear protection </a></li> <li><a href="#elephants"> Don’t anger an elephant </a></li> <li><a href="#surfing"> Surf among locals (not the sharks) </a></li> <li><a href="#partying"> Pay attention when partying </a></li> <li><a href="#roadkill"> Avoid becoming road kill </a></li> <li><a href="#hostility"> You aren't bulletproof </a></li> <li><a href="#rugby"> Never cross the touch(y) line </a></li> <li><a href="#earplugs"> Don't forget earplugs! </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="dont-go-there">1. Research where not to go</h2> Like most destinations, <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-going-to-south-africa" target="_blank">South Africa has safe places to visit</a>, as well as its fair share of absolute NO-GO areas. If you are the type of traveler who can’t stand <g class="gr_ gr_133 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="133" data-gr-id="133">touristy</g> <g class="gr_ gr_134 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="134" data-gr-id="134">stuff,</g> and are more interested in <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/off-the-beaten-path-south-africa" target="_blank">getting off the beaten path</a> – you just need to be smart about it. Take more precaution, and do more research then you usually would. Having said this, in recent times, many of South Africa’s most notoriously dangerous places have now, actually, become safe tourist attractions. One of the best things I did was spend the day in the infamous Soweto (near Johannesburg) where I went to a shebeen (party). A few years ago, this was not nearly as accessible to the average tourist. <h2 id="locals">2. Ask a local for insider tips</h2> I've found South Africans to be some of the most amazing people in the world – they have a certain character and spirit that can't really be defined. It’s always beneficial to hang with a local to get some insider tips on all the coolest places and non-tourist traps. South Africans are really approachable, so feel free to ask locals questions (without making yourself a tourist target). <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/bo-kaap-cape-town-south-africa-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption> The colorful streets of Bo Kaap, Cape Town. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="protection">3. Wear protection</h2> Just because you got lucky, doesn’t mean you should ride your luck! No matter where you are traveling, this is a good piece of advice, but it is even more important when getting amorous in South Africa. Researchers estimate that 10.9% of all South Africans over two years old are living with HIV. I’ll spare you the sex-ed lecture (and by all means go nuts in a country filled with some of the most beautiful people in the world) but please… Wrap it up! <h2 id="elephants">4. Don’t anger an elephant</h2> Africa boasts what is arguably the most <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/kwandwe-south-africas-unsung-wilderness">magnificent wildlife on earth</a>, so heading to a game park is a necessity. “Everything exists together in a delicate balance in the great Circle of Life”, to quote Mustafa from The Lion King. However, if you aren't ready to step into the African food chain, you might want to take on board the following two points: <ul> <li>Never get out the truck - there could be anything hiding in the grass.</li> <li>Don't taunt or try to feed the animals. It’s simple – you’d rather not anger an elephant.</li> </ul> <h2 id="surfing">5. Surf among locals (not the sharks)</h2> South Africa has great surf breaks, it also has great white sharks. Whether you're hitting up J-Bay or some other break, make sure you surf where the locals do. This can be dangerous in itself, but I’d rather take my chances with a territorial surfer than with a territorial shark. If you're really keen for a shark adventure, check out the cage diving in Cape Town for a truly pant-wetting experience! <h2 id="partying">6. Pay attention when partying</h2> Coming from <a href="/explore/oceania/australia/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-going-to-australia" target="_blank">Australia</a>, I found drinks to be quite cheap in South Africa. Even the cheapest of Brokepackers can feel like an absolute king when going out. Just don’t overdo it – drunken travelers make for easy targets. Take out only what you need – just a little bit of cash and one credit card (I also found that carrying ID isn't all that necessary). <h2 id="roadkill">7. Avoid becoming road kill</h2> If you’re <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/safe-road-travels-in-south-africa" target="_blank">planning on hiring a car</a> in South Africa – I wish you good luck. For your sake, I hope that you're a confident driver. Although police are present, it's complete anarchy on the roads. You'll see minivans, trucks <g class="gr_ gr_120 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="120" data-gr-id="120">and</g> utes with up to 20 people packed into the back. Also, stay alert as car-jackings are a concern. Many locals follow an unwritten rule when driving at night – yield at red traffic lights but don’t actually come to a complete stop, to mitigate the risk of being held up. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/mountains-south-africa-pixabay.jpg" /> <figcaption> The Drakensberg - Dragon Mountains, South Africa. Photo credit: Pixabay </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="hostility">8. Don’t be a hero</h2> I can't offer bulletproof (pardon the pun) advice on how to handle a hostile situation if <g class="gr_ gr_102 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="102" data-gr-id="102">you're</g> ever held up (thankfully I don't have a first-hand experience to report). However, I have been recommended the following 2 pointers from locals: <ul> <li>If confronted, just cooperate, don’t try anything tricky – especially for the sake of saving a material possession.</li> <li>When walking the streets, keep alert and carry as little as possible on you, except for a bit of cash so that you essentially "have something from them to take."</li> </ul> <h2 id="rugby">9. Never cross the touch(y) line</h2> Never tell a South African that you hate Rugby. Ever. <h2 id="earplugs">10. Always carry a pair of earplugs for the vuvuzelas!</h2> Especially if you're heading to a rugby match, you'll need something to block out the sound of the vuvuzelas (plastic horns). Unless, of course, you love the sound of "Bbbbbbbuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!" <h4>Behind the Backpack</h4> Kevin Lippy and Dean Ginsberg are broke backpackers who decided to start a website called Brokepacker.com which is all about discovering the best ways for backpackers to maximize their experiences within the limits of their budgets! They live and travel by the principle that every single dollar saved is a dollar that can contribute to another experience, another adventure and ultimately another day. iStock/fabio lamanna 0614736540 iStock Tourist looking at view at Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/south-africas-train-of-thoughtFrom South Africa's Karoo desert to the foothills of the Cape Wineland region, Ant celebrates the unsung hero of South African travel.2019-07-02T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/south-africas-train-of-thoughthttps://www.worldnomads.comIs South Africa still being persecuted for its torrid past? The <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/3-road-trips-near-cape-town">Cape Wineland</a> region features some of the best vineyards you've never heard of. The Kruger National Park homes the <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/wild-weather-wild-animals-south-africa" target="_blank">Big 5</a> and the Small 400 (bird species), yet the safari of the Serengeti are the first to tip most tongues. The penal colony Robben Island held Nelson Mandela for 18 years, yet Alcatraz bends its bars, and it appears the Supertube wave of Jeffreys Bay lies flat in the water compared to the more popular swells of Bali, Hawai'i <g class="gr_ gr_106 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="106" data-gr-id="106">and</g> Australia. It's little wonder Table Mountain looks a little flat up top. For me, the greatest unsung hero of South African tourism is its railway. One exhilarating route stretches 869 miles from Cape Town to Johannesburg. A historic journey, filling 26 hours with the arid plains of the eponymous Karoo desert, and the lush foothills of the <g class="gr_ gr_108 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="108" data-gr-id="108">winelands</g>. <ul> <li><a href="#track-record"> Historic track record </a></li> <li><a href="#options"> Choose your rails </a></li> <li><a href="#karoo"> Journey across the Karoo </a></li> <li><a href="#opportunity"> A solid platform </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="track-record">Historic track record</h2> South Africa’s railway network is a residue of crusty colonial <g class="gr_ gr_102 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="102" data-gr-id="102">times,</g> when the British Empire seeped inland in search of commercial gain; first battling the indigenous Zulu tribe, and then the feisty Boer settlers. The British hoped to secure the <g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="95" data-gr-id="95">mineral rich</g> heart of South Africa, a goal they eventually — and brutally — achieved. Aside from war, the South African railway provided the rigid backdrop of significant events in the lives of two of the world’s most prominent icons: in 1893 a young Indian lawyer by the name of Mahatma Gandhi was ejected from a train at Pietermaritzburg for refusing to vacate a whites-only carriage; and sixty-nine years later, the activist Nelson Mandela was arrested beside the railway tracks of the same city, and to face the charge of sabotage which would eventually <g class="gr_ gr_100 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="100" data-gr-id="100">condem</g> him to a 27-year jail term. <h2 id="options">Choose your rails</h2> Tourists and <g class="gr_ gr_94 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="94" data-gr-id="94">travelers</g> who have the foresight to explore South Africa are gifted a plethora of budget-savvy travel options. The luxury private operators Rovos Rail and the curiously titled, Blue Train offer visitors a "window into the soul of Africa", but it’s the national railway operator, Shosholoza Meyl who earn the backpacker bucks, as they operate two great value options for the exact same journey. The <a href="http://www.bluetrain.co.za/" target="_blank" title="Blue Train">Blue Train</a> costs from R10,120 (£886) <g class="gr_ gr_113 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="113" data-gr-id="113">all-inclusive,</g> and now terminates in Pretoria due to the apparent lack of demand for Johannesburg as a destination (Johannesburg's Park Station is considered safe, and is constantly patrolled by security guards. <g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="114" data-gr-id="114">However</g> you should exercise caution in the surrounding streets, and consider arranging transport to pick you up from the station entrance.) <g class="gr_ gr_115 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="115" data-gr-id="115">Meanwhile</g> Rovos Rail <g class="gr_ gr_112 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="112" data-gr-id="112">carry</g> all-inclusive tourists from R11,000 (£963); while the friendly <a href="http://www.premierclasse.co.za/" target="_blank" title="Premier Classe"><g class="gr_ gr_109 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="109" data-gr-id="109">Premier</g> Classe</a> offer all-inclusive from R1,500 (£131). The real steals for backpackers, remain Shosholoza Meyl's, 'Trans-Karoo' options which cost from as little as R350 (£31) for a sleeper, or — for the really hardcore — from R170 (£15) for an economy class seat. As an ardent fan of budget rail travel, I can tell you that the comfortable Trans-Karoo option will be filled with curious characters, rather than the plump pockets and paunches of the more luxurious iron snakes. This is exactly where you'll find the right opportunity to interact with regular South Africans, on their chosen turf. A night aboard the Shosholoza Meyl's, 'Trans-Karoo' is best spent in a simple sleeper cabin, consisting of a fold-down bed, with a small hand basin and hatch window. With a bit of luck, couples can secure a 2-berth cabin by booking in advance (which is good <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="80" data-gr-id="80"><g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="76" data-gr-id="76">practise</g></g> for all train travel in South Africa). <h2 id="karoo">Journey across the Karoo</h2> Few journeys of this price in the world afford backpackers such an amount of adventure and distance. The quaint air-conditioned dining cars are the perfect place to escape the midday <g class="gr_ gr_70 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="70" data-gr-id="70">heat,</g> or to watch the <g class="gr_ gr_73 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="73" data-gr-id="73">sun set</g> the horizon ablaze while gorging on the European-style menu. Through the large windows, observe the townships of urban Africa flake to dust as the mighty Karoo takes charge of your gaze. Covering a third of the country, this vast and ancient plateau was a former feeding ground for some of the planet’s largest plant-eating dinosaurs, and it remains one of the world’s foremost hunting grounds for fossil hunters. Today the plateau is dappled and draped in less-menacing scrubland, and a variety of fleeting animals such as the warthog, zebra and impala filter through the vast sheep stations of outback South Africa. One of the natural stops along the Trans-Karoo route, is the fabled diamond-mining town of Kimberley, home to the largest <g class="gr_ gr_71 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="71" data-gr-id="71">man made</g> hole in the world: the imaginatively named <a title="The Big Hole" target="_blank" href="http://www.thebighole.co.za/">Big Hole</a> glistens from the sweat of the 50,000 people who had extracted a yield of 2.7 metric tons of diamonds by the time the mine closed in 1914. The real diamond of South Africa’s beauty <g class="gr_ gr_89 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="89" data-gr-id="89">however</g>, falls to the Cape Wineland region north of Cape Town. This intimate wine region produces some of the world’s best <g class="gr_ gr_85 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="85" data-gr-id="85">wines,</g> and offers passengers <g class="gr_ gr_96 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="96" data-gr-id="96">travelling</g> Trans-Karoo a refreshing gulp of greenery, furnished by large expanses of glistening water which serve some of the country’s most idyllic getaways. Known as the gourmet capital of South Africa, the local vineyards of Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Stellenbosch <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="92" data-gr-id="92">and</g> Franschhoek provide the perfect reason to return from whence you came. Lest we forget the bright lights of Cape Town, which swirls between the foothills of Table Mountain and a shoreline that splices the Indian and Atlantic oceans. The city is an easy and exciting base from which to explore the local countryside, and there’s the opportunity to learn the mandala of stories that tighten the famed townships. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/paarl-south-africa-pixabay.jpg" /> <figcaption> Winding roads through Paarl, South Africa. Photo credit: Pixabay</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="opportunity">A solid platform</h2> The opportunity to travel by rail for such distances in Africa is a rarity these days.  I've highlighted the Trans-Karoo — and the wild adventure playground that it spears — as one of the major lures for backpackers over the coming years. Asia is more frequently descending into spontaneous unrest, while the prices in Europe and the Antipodes continue to skyrocket. So perhaps my question shifts: when will South Africa still be celebrated for its stirring future?iStock/nattrass 0840750818 iStock Running on a sandy road in the Cederberg Mountains

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/things-to-do-in-south-africaSouth African native Mary Holland shares her insights, from little-known wine regions, beaches, and national parks, to the best time to go and how much things cost.2020-11-10T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/things-to-do-in-south-africahttps://www.worldnomads.comAs a South African, I’ve always known my country is beautiful and culturally rich, but it took moving across the Atlantic Ocean to make me realize what a knockout place it really is. I now live in New York, but still travel back at least once a year, and every time my plane dips into Cape Town and I spot the monumental Table Mountain from my window, I’m in awe. Beyond Cape Town, South Africa has many <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/3-road-trips-near-cape-town">exceptional landscapes</a> and unique experiences. Here are a few things to know before you visit. <ul> <li><a href="#affordable">Is South Africa expensive?</a></li> <li><a href="#seasons">The best time to visit South Africa</a></li> <li><a href="#joburg">Don't let Johannesburg's dangerous reputation deter you</a></li> <li><a href="#winelands">There’s more to the winelands than Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl</a></li> <li><a href="#parks">Kruger Park isn’t the only safari park worth visiting</a></li> <li><a href="#beaches">Check out the great beaches in KwaZulu Natal and/or the Garden Route</a></li> <li><a href="#culture">Don’t skip the lesser-known art, design, and culture</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="affordable">1. Is South Africa expensive?</h2> Travelers often assume South Africa is expensive because flights come at a hefty price. But, once you arrive, it tends to be very affordable, due to the weakness of the South African Rand. While certain trips (like a high-end safari) can break the bank, there are many experiences that won’t. At most national parks, travelers can easily skip five-star accommodation and opt for simpler, self-catering options – Kruger National Park, for example, has plenty of budget-friendly accommodation. And remember, there’s also no fee to laze on the beaches or hike in the mountains. When it comes to food (and wine), prices tend to be very wallet-friendly, and we tip between 10 and 15 percent. A fancy coffee like a flat white (we make very good flat whites) will cost you around US $2, and a glass of wine (we make very good wine) will only set you back around US $4. Some high-end restaurants that attract overseas visitors can be pricey, but all the major cities have superb, affordable options that cater to South Africans (who aren’t spending US dollars or British pounds). <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/namaqualand-martin-heigan.jpg" alt="Spring wildflowers bloom on a hillside in Namaqualand, South Africa." /> <figcaption>Spring wildflowers bloom on a hillside in Namaqualand. Photo credit: Getty Images / Martin Heigan</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="seasons">2. The best time to visit South Africa</h2> Over the December holidays (summer), hordes of foreign visitors descend upon the country. But the best time to visit South Africa is outside of the local school holidays. The spring and autumn seasons are perfect – not only is the weather generally milder, but you can snap up seasonal experiences like whale watching in the Western Cape (the season begins around June) or the blossoming of wildflowers in Namaqualand (September) along the west coast. Prices tend to be more affordable and accommodation more available out of high season – especially for those who want to go on safari. <h2 id="joburg">3. Don't let Johannesburg's dangerous reputation deter you</h2> I love this city. Many people are warned that Johannesburg isn't safe. And, yes, like many major urban environments across the world, it can be dangerous in certain parts and you <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/south-africa/crime-in-south-africa">do have to be aware</a>. But if you stay in a reputable hotel in one of the revitalized neighborhoods and find yourself a knowledgeable guide, you’ll get to explore one of Africa’s buzziest cities. There’s a thriving art and design scene and unmissable historical sites that will easily merit spending two or three days here. A guided walking tour in downtown Johannesburg’s Maboneng district (try Main Street Walks) will reveal cool galleries and restaurants; try an art tour in Soweto, visit the iconic Apartheid Museum, or spend a weekend mixing with locals at one of the many hip markets or pop-ups such as Victoria Yards. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/maboneng-michelle-dormer.jpg" alt="Bikes parked at an outside cafe in Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg, South Africa." /> <figcaption>Bikes parked at an outside cafe in the Maboneng district. Photo credit: Getty Images / Michelle Dormer</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="winelands">4. There’s more to the winelands than Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl</h2> There’s no denying the Paarl/Stellenbosch/Franschhoek area has superb wineries that produce award-winning wines, but there are also other wine regions that don’t get the attention they deserve. An hour north of Paarl lies the Swartland, a rugged wine area centered around the historic town of Riebeek Kasteel. This hot, dry region is one of my favorite places to visit and has become known for its handful of independent winemakers who produce world-class chenin blancs. In the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, north of the coastal town of Hermanus (two hours from Cape Town), winemakers produce superb chardonnays and pinot noirs. I recommend spending a few days at the beach in Hermanus, then tacking on a weekend of wine tasting in the valley. <h2 id="parks">5. Kruger Park isn’t the only safari park worth visiting</h2> Most people who go on safari in South Africa will probably end up in Kruger National Park. There’s nothing wrong with this, I’ve been there countless times – the park is one of the largest reserves in Africa, packed with wildlife. But it’s only one of 20 national parks and <a href="/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/kwandwe-south-africas-unsung-wilderness">many reserves.</a> In the Eastern Cape, the scrubby Addo Elephant Park is known for its abundance of elephants. The lush iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a protected coastal area in KwaZulu Natal, is a great place for spotting hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, and flamingos. In the northern part of the country, the Kalahari – a parched savannah that bleeds into Botswana and Namibia – is home to meerkat, cheetah, and wild dog. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/elephants-addo-westend61.jpg" alt="A family of elephants at Addo Elephant Park in eastern South Africa." /> <figcaption>A family of elephants at Addo Elephant Park. Photo credit: Getty Images / westend61</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="beaches">6. Check out the great beaches in KwaZulu Natal and/or the Garden Route</h2> Cape Town has a fantastic coastline, where inky ocean laps creamy white shores. The Indian Ocean (around Muizenberg area) tends to be much warmer, while the Atlantic Ocean (around Clifton and Camps Bay) is chilly. Both areas are undeniably stunning, but so are the coastlines along the Garden Route and KwaZulu Natal. The Garden Route – a stretch of land that runs between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth – has a string of beach towns such as Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay, and St. Francis, with warm water and tawny beaches. The climate also tends to be fairly moderate, so swimming during the winter is possible. In KwaZulu Natal, a hot and humid part of the country, wild seashores are in abundance. Sodwana Bay, Umhlanga Rocks, and Kosi Bay all have rugged beaches that are great for <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/surfing">surfing</a>. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/south-africa/surfing-kwazulu-john-wilkinson.jpg" alt="A surfer rives a wave in KwaZulu Natal." /> <figcaption>A surfer rives a wave in KwaZulu Natal. Photo credit: Getty Images / John Wilkinson</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="culture">7. Don’t skip the lesser-known art, design, and culture</h2> South Africa is diverse in landscapes and temperatures as well as extremely culturally rich, and has 11 official languages. There are some iconic sites and museums you absolutely shouldn’t miss such as Robben Island, the Apartheid Museum, and the Zeitz MoCAA. But don’t skip the smaller galleries and museums that promote emerging creatives. Johannesburg and Cape Town both have a slew of brilliant spaces such as the Norval Foundation, Gallery MOMO, Southern Guild, Goodman Gallery, and Michael Stevenson. You’ll be wowed by the diversity of talent, and hopefully snag a ceramic or painting to take home with you. <div id="test-explore-qqc" class="callout"> <h2>Get a travel insurance quote for South Africa</h2> You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. <div id="myqqc" data-brand="wn" data-qqc=""></div> <script src="https://qqc-api.worldnomads.com/getwidget?brand=wn"></script> </div> <div id="test-explore-advert" class="flexrow callout"> <div class="overridewith col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sml-12"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travelinsurance/ti-main-hero-van-card.jpeg" alt="" /></div> <div class="overridewith col-lg-8 col-md-8 col-sml-12">Travel Insurance <h3>Get travel insurance for your trip to South Africa</h3> You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. <a href="/travel-insurance" class="button primary">Find out more</a></div> </div>Getty Images / Christopher Loh 01160645404 Getty Images An aerial view of the South African city of Cape Town.