Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
go! - South Africa|June/July 2024
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!

Hanlie rises through the sapphire water with a huge green turtle by her side. They break the surface together and gulp for air, looking straight into each other’s eyes…

But hang on, let’s backtrack a bit. As we made our way north through Ecuador in our Land Rover (see issue #193 – Ed.) we resolved to do the sensible thing and put our finances first. The Galápagos might be an Ecuadorian territory, but it’s a famously pricey destination. Then one evening wemet some other South African overlanders – Luis and Kareen Broodryk – in a campsite below the Cotopaxi volcano.

“You can’t come all the way here and not visit the Galápagos!”they said. (Check out the Broodryks’ journey on YouTube: @FearlessOnFourWheels – Ed.) So, we threw caution to the wind. Two days later, we were on a plane from Quito to Santa Cruz, the main island of the Galápagos archipelago, about a thousand kilometres off the west coast of Ecuador.

Without time for research, we had hastily booked two nights’ accommodation at Peregrina B&B ( laperegrinagalapagos.​com.ec). We arrived with our backpacks, not really knowing how the next 10 days would unfold.We were at the mercy of tourist brochures and information from locals and other visitors. Fortunately, most people on the island speak English.

The Galápagos is often described as one of the most diverse and environmentally fascinating destinations on earth. For good reason. Each island has endemic animal and plant species that are not even found on the other nearby islands.

Esta historia es de la edición June/July 2024 de go! - South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June/July 2024 de go! - South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GO! - SOUTH AFRICAVer todo
Rolling out the big guns
go! - South Africa

Rolling out the big guns

If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.

time-read
2 minutos  |
June/July 2024
TAKE A HIKE
go! - South Africa

TAKE A HIKE

The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop

time-read
3 minutos  |
June/July 2024
Time out in Dullies
go! - South Africa

Time out in Dullies

A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.

time-read
4 minutos  |
June/July 2024
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
go! - South Africa

Gallivanting in the Galápagos!

The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...

time-read
9 minutos  |
June/July 2024
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
go! - South Africa

BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN

How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
June/July 2024
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
go! - South Africa

Long live the Hibiscus Coast

The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.

time-read
8 minutos  |
June/July 2024
The island at the end of the earth
go! - South Africa

The island at the end of the earth

Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
June/July 2024
A day on the road
go! - South Africa

A day on the road

You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.

time-read
5 minutos  |
June/July 2024
The wilder shore
go! - South Africa

The wilder shore

The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...

time-read
10+ minutos  |
February/March 2024
A river runs through it
go! - South Africa

A river runs through it

Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.

time-read
10 minutos  |
February/March 2024