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
This story is from the August 2020 edition of go! - South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2020 edition of go! - South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers 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...
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.
