COUNTRIES VISITED Archives - Page 3 of 28

BRITSTOWN AND BEYOND

On our flash pack trip in February, we travelled along the N10 that stretches all the way to Upington and beyond to the Namibian border. Britstown is more or less a dot on the map that is never an option for us to stop in. Although it was a flash pack trip, I quickly Googled to see what comes up on Britstown and ta-ra-ra there you go! Something new that I discovered so we had to stop to take the picture before we moved on. Britstown was named after the local farmer J J F Britz (with a Z), better known as Hans. Now what made Hans so important that a town was named after him? Hold your hats! The platteland never disappoints and always come up with some interesting facts and stories. Hans Britz met the Dr David Livingstone, who visited his father-in-law, Robert Moffet, when he was on… Read more >

ONCE IN A LIFETIME SPECTACULAR – 10 TIPS FOR AUGRABIES FALLS

The past weekend we made a quick road trip to see the Augrabies Falls in flood. This was a flash pack trip, packing as light as possible, as our time was very limited. We needed to be back in office on Monday with bright eyes and bushy tails, but, hey, we love a challenge! To make everything smooth sailing on your visit we are sharing some handy tips to keep in mind. Here we go: We stayed in nearby Kakamas, which is only about a 20-minute drive from Augrabies, but do get up early and arrive early at the gate. We arrived at about 06:20 and there were already about 20 cars in front of the gate. The other option is to rather go late in the afternoon, it is hotter then, but there will be less visitors as well. Plan your trip beforehand The gates for day visitors open… Read more >

A STEP BACK IN TIME – MATJIESFONTEIN

Matjiesfontein owes its existence to one single person who had the vision and mission to create something from nothing in the middle of nowhere. This man was James Douglas Logan, a Scot, born in 1857 and arrived by accident in South Africa when his ship was wrecked near Simonstown in the Cape Peninsula. He found work as a porter at the Cape Town Railway Station and later became district superintendent. He married Emma Haylett and bought in farm in the Karoo, called Tweedside, sunk some boreholes and planted fruit trees, against the advice of some local farmers, and made a huge success of it. At the same time Logan was involved in developing Matjiesfontein as a recuperating facility for suffers of respiratory problems. But this was not the end of Logan; he had some more plans up his sleeve! He was also the proud owner of the longest private telephone… Read more >

LADISMITH TO LAINGSBURG

Our first trip of 2021 was a ladies only trip to explore the village of Matjiesfontein, but first we want to share the beauty of the road that lead to Laingsburg. Beauty of another kind. We were up early as to be ready to hit the road at 06:00 when the curfew lifts and before the Karoo heat creeps into the day. Our first planned stop was to have a champagne breakfast in Seweweekspoort to welcome some new things that we had worked hard on to get into place. A first stop of many during the day to to capture some moments and moods. The pass is approximately 17 km long and and crosses the river no fewer than 23 times. Almost all the bridges over the river have been upgraded and completed. Do take care still, because you might encounter the odd roadworks in progress. First back to a… Read more >

A KAROO FARMHOUSE WITH THE PERFECT LOCATION

by Inge Triegaardt If you ever find yourself daydreaming about the beautiful Karoo Landscapes, the bare mountain ridges (sometimes capped with snow), the warmth of a fire in the winter or the cool shade of the big ‘stoep’ around a homely Karoo cottage, dream no further. Snap out of it, NOW!! Pack your bags and hit the road, we will meet you at our favourite Karoo Farmhouse. It is situated at the foot of the majestic Towerkop Mountains a mere 15km from Ladismith on the famous Route 62 that dissect the Klein Karoo. In the fertile Dwarsriver Valley where the most sophisticated wines are being developed from lush green vineyards, Arusio Farmhouse @ Towerkop awaits you. Driving on a well maintained gravel road, admiring the beautiful views, you might think that you have left the Karoo landscape behind when you turned off the R62. Here you will soon switch your… Read more >

DAY TRIP FROM GEORGE : SOPHY GRAY’S FOOTSTEPS

If you love architecture and interesting stories, follow the footstep of Sophie Gray around the Southern Cape. This is an easy day trip with enough time to have something to snack at some of the amazing farm stalls in the Garden Route. You can start the trip at any point and travel in any direction. It all depends on how you feel and where you are staying. Our starting point will be in George at the St Marks Cathedral at the top end of York Street. Travelling towards the mountain you will find this little Anglican church on your right-hand side. Some of the interesting facts is that the stained-glass windows came all the way from Germany. It was recovered from a church in Germany during the French Revolution, brought to England and then found its way to South Africa. The church dates back to the period of 1850 and… Read more >

SHIPWRECK MUSEUM, BREDASDORP

We think that we are very adventurous when we go an African overland trip with a fully kitted 4×4. Well, think again. I think the seafarers from yesteryear was way more adventurous when they set out by ship to explore the unknown and treacherous coast of Africa. Once you enter the green doors of the museum in Independent Street you have a bit of an insight into their world. Here you get the opportunity to have a peek at anchors and artefacts recovered from deep under the ocean and in the shade of a massive tree in the backyard, you will find beautiful old anchors. The southern most tip of Africa is a dangerous and stormy place and regularly played up to it. Many a ship has come to its end here. Some 250 ships are scattered along the coastline and there are some interesting stories to be find in… Read more >