It’s springtime but here in the Kruger Park, west of Shingwedzi, the veld is faded, dry and dusty. The summer rain hasn’t yet arrived.
We were full of banter in the Land Cruiser as we drove off into the wilderness, further and further away from the well known game-viewing routes. But now we’ve grown silent under the blazing September sun. We’re all nervous to pick up our heavy backpacks and head into the bush. I’m not the only one to wonder whether I have enough water…
“We have no idea where we’ll find water again. Sometimes you have to walk a little further, dig a little deeper. We’ll see how it goes,” says Donovan Terblanche. He and Patrick Mkhabela will be our guides for the next four days as we follow the dry bed of the Shingwedzi River. Knowing we’ll have to dig for water, Donovan and Patrick carry a small spade, as well as an emergency kit and a small hand drill.
“You’ll need the drill when you relieve yourself,” says Donovan. “Drill a deep hole – we don’t want to leave any signs of humans in the veld.”
There's plenty of time to relax and watch birds on this trial. Willem saw more than 60 bird species.
This story is from the February/March 2022 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 February/March 2022 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.
