It's A Jungle Out There!
go! - South Africa|August 2020
Home to sloths, anacondas, piranhas, birds as colourful as the rainbow and tarantulas as big as a plate, the Amazon rainforest is one of Planet Earth’s greatest wonders. Hanlie and Vivian Gericke set off to explore in their Land Rover.
Hanlie and Vivian Gericke
It's A Jungle Out There!

After dreaming of the world’s biggest rainforest for years, we were finally in the port city of Belém, on the southern fringe of the Amazon basin, about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.

But first we had to wait for a barge to take us to the city of Macapá. This city is on the northern bank of the Amazon River, but it’s 330 km away as the crow flies! In between Belém (technically on the Para River, part of the greater Amazon system) and Macapá is one of the largest river islands in the world – Marajo Island. With a land area of 40 000 km², it’s twice the size of the Kruger Park.

While we were waiting for the barge, we decided to explore Marajo. Despite its size, there are only three sleepy villages on the island, and more bicycles than cars. The island is also full of domesticated water buffalo. According to legend, the ancestors of these buffaloes arrived on a ship destined for French Guiana, which was wrecked here. They now number about 450 000 – more than the human population! The buffaloes are used for transport – even the police use them for patrols. Imagine a policeman chasing a pickpocket on a buffalo!

On Marajo we swam in the Amazon River for the first time. The water was warm and brown, with waves. The opposite shore is so far across on the horizon, it felt as if we were swimming in a saltless sea.

Life on the river

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2020-Ausgabe von go! - South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2020-Ausgabe von go! - South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS GO! - SOUTH AFRICAAlle anzeigen
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 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
TAKE A HIKE
go! - South Africa

TAKE A HIKE

The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop

time-read
3 Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
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+ Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
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+ Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
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+ Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
February/March 2024