Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Getaway

It was our last evening in Grootvadersbosch Conservancy. My wife and I had hiked the forest trails and twitched hard enough to bag a couple of lifers – a black saw-wing and a grey cuckooshrike – but we were still on the hunt for one elusive entity, and after chasing its spectre over hill and dale, between towering yellow-woods and luscious ferns, there it was in the sky, the thing that would make the trip complete: a phone signal. I bought my first iPhone in 2009. Things have escalated since then. Being a pre-millennial with a career in media, I ʼ m an internet target as big as a barn door. My influencer status is poor to middling despite following all the tips and timing my posts for optimal traffic.…

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY 1 April 1984 - American singer Marvin Gaye was shot and killed in Los Angeles, by his father. 4 April 1975 - Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, was founded. 6 April 1896 -  The Olympic games were revived with the first ‘modern’ games held in Athens. 23 April 1616 - The world’s most renowned playwright, William Shakespeare, died. 26 April 1986 - An explosion at Chernobyl  nuclear power plant occured in the Ukraine, releasing large amounts of deadly radioactive material into the atmosphere. The practice of giving painted eggs as gifts goes back a very long time. One of the earliest examples of this is from 1290, when King Edward I ordered 450 eggs to be dyed or covered in gold leaf, as gifts to…

‘Amsterdam, are you all with us? ʼ ʻ Affrimative. Heinekens are ready. Liv ʼ s got her verrekijker (binoculars). ʼ ʻ New Hampshire ʼ s here. ʼ ʻ London, too. ʼ ʻ How ʼ s the line in Zim? ʼ ʻ Good. Gin and tonics are lined up. ʼ ʻ Hot chocolate for Apeldoorn... ʼ The family WhatsApp group was firing fast, as we gathered around our screens in the USA, the Netherlands, Britain, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It was just before Christmas 2020, and we were all locked down in varying Covid restrictions. Much-anticipated trips had been cancelled and the distance between us had never seemed greater. Meanwhile, in Pridelands, one of Kruger National Park ʼ s associated private nature reserves, filmmaker and naturalist Brent Leo-Smith was heading out…

1 MY FAVOURITE PLACE in the world has to be Madagascar. I remember when I left Diego Suarez, (also known as Antsiranana) when the plane took off I shed a tear because of the love and the pure joy that those people showed me. They don’t have much but they're so happy! It’s not easy to find that. I wish I could go back. 2 MY FAVOURITE MEAL is probably fish and veggies….but in winter I must say I love fat cakes! (similar to vetkoek) 3 THE PERSON WHO INSPIRES ME MOST has to be my son. He’s turning 11 now, and he has been such a motivation for me. He loves running, he loves cycling, he doesn’t want to be in front of the TV, he just wants to…

1 | Insta360 One R Twin Edition R10 999  ormsdirect.co.za Video: 5.7K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps Stills resolution: 12MP Waterproof: 5m Released at the start of 2020, this is an enticing camera as it can be used both as an action and a 360º camera, with the different modulars snapping together like Lego bricks. One turns it into a straight 4K action camera, the other gives it 360°-shooting capability at 5.7K, a feature which real estate agents have embraced during the pandemic when buyers could not view homes. One neat feature: the core module can be attached in either direction, allowing you to place the screen at the back of the camera or facing forward (useful for selfie mode). There’s also the option of buying the one-inch Leica lens…

François le Vaillant is considered to be Africa’s finest ornithologist. He was born in Suriname in 1753 and was the son of a Frenchman. In 1781 he was transferred by the Dutch East India Company to the Cape where he collected all manner of bird specimens during his travels. During his time at the Cape, he was romantically involved with a mistress by the name of Narina, believed to be of Khoikhoi origin. He named this beautiful bird after her. We decided our new friend needed another name, thinking that, as a male he might not be happy with Narina. So he became Jagger, named after the game-drive vehicle, Mick Jagger, his preferred perch. Husband and wife team Noa Koefler and Hannes Lochner share their passion for wildlife through the…

I recently found myself in Long Road in Greymont, a somewhat forgotten section of Joburg. It transported me back to my varsity days 20 years ago when I frequently travelled this route to visit my dad. Faded but familiar, yet at the same time strangely comforting. Perhaps this familiarity flowed from the isolation I, like so many others, have experienced at the hands of Covid-19 restrictions, forging in me a desire to travel, explore and discover – if only around my hometown of Johannesburg at first. A mere five-minute drive from the plush neighbourhood of Northcliff in northern Joburg lies a unique space. An intersection of three residential areas, Greymont, Albertville and Albertskroon have collectively given rise to a new hub in Johannesburg, which goes by the name of Antique…

Adventure – it means something different to everyone. For Bilbo Baggins, stepping out the front door was ʻ a dangerous business ʼ , while TS Eliot encouraged us to explore further than we thought we could, to see how far we can actually go. The measure of adventure is on a spectrum. My hunch though, is that South Africans, and Getaway readers in particular, know a thing or two about true adventure. Tucked away at the bottom of Africa, our location has instilled in us a self-reliance, an independence, and made us value the raw beauty of our own country. And this was even before the global pandemic struck. To venture to the less-frequented remote spaces you need a vehicle built tough, with big tyres and good ground clearance, as…

ALOE BUSH GAME LODGE Choose from permanent tents, self-catering chalets or the honeymoon suite at this lodge in the Limpopo bushveld. There are two swimming pools, and the main lodge and bar open on to a boma that’s perfect for sundowners. Accommodation is self-catering, but meals can be arranged for large groups. Luxury tents are R700 for two (single R550), and chalets are R1 380 for two (single R800). Between Groblersdal and Marble Hall, Limpopo. GPS S25°01’19” E29°21’02.9” aloebushgamelodge.co.za MOHOLOHOLO YA MATI On the banks of the Blyde River and around the corner from Blyderivierpoort Dam, this lodge is tucked beneath shady jackalberry trees. It has spacious luxury chalets as well as campsites with power points. Chalets from R1 320 for two. (Meals provided at an additional cost.) Camping from…

Ryan Enslin ANTIQUE STREET An accountant by training, a writer and content creator at heart and, by day, an avid explorer and traveller, Ryan sleeps with the proverbial fully packed camera bag by his side. Based in Joburg, but ever the global communitarian, digital storytelling flows through his veins as he spends his days connecting with people, seeking to unlock their essence in the content he creates. Writing as his alter ego My Lime Boots on his digital platforms, Ryan is a proponent for responsible tourism and the restorative opportunities it affords. This passionate Joburger heads out on an urban safari looking for some rare gems in his hometown. Follow him @mylimeboots Sarah Kindgdom NORTH LUANGWA Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Sarah ʼ s first African encounter was a family…

Mtunzini! It’s a hidden gem on the KZN North coast! – Seonaid Davidson Beningfield My backyard – Sybil Schoeman Silverstreams in the southern Drakensberg – Michael Muller Robertson – Luc Uyttenhove Kwelera – Beryl Booi Our holiday house in Marshstrand – Noeksie Craddock If I told you, it'd get crowded, too – Debbie Marshall Cooper Rorke’s Drift Hotel on the banks of the Buffalo River – Bev Boggs Garner…

A seat costs R600 – fair since the guide's time and the fuel are the same as on a ‘real’ safari. Booking an exclusive drive for R7 500 is cost effective for families or groups. Or buy a voucher to treat friends or relatives stuck overseas. Check out Painteddog.tv to see what else the crew gets up to. You can become a patron and access exclusive content via patreon.com/PainteddogTV. OTHER VIRTUAL SAFARIS WildEarth.tv brings twice-daily and interactive safaris from various reserves in greater Kruger, as well as &Beyond’s Ngala Private Reserve, Thornybush, Pridelands, Tswalu and the Mara Conservancy. wildearth.tv.…

In 1997 I was lucky enough to work aboard a traditional Greek fishing boat refitted to ply the coast of Kefalonia with a daily cargo, not of fish, but of tourists. My job, and that of the other six biologists on board, was to conduct informative lectures on the marine wildlife found along the Ionian Islands. Bottlenose dolphins would often surface nearby or ride our bow wave to the delight of tourists and crew members alike, and occasionally we would be treated to the sight of an endangered logger- head turtle while anchored in a quiet little bay. One day, when there were no tourists with us, we were checking out new potential snorkelling sites, looking for places rich in fish life and charismatic octopi. What we found instead were…

Video resolution A resolution of 1 080p used to be the standard resolution but these days everyone is looking for a minimum of 4K. Video frame rate The frequency at which the consecutive images (frames) are displayed. In general, 30–60 frames per second (fps) will suit most users. To film in slow motion, you’ll want a camera that has 60fps. Proofing Most action cams will be waterproof to around three metres but they should also be shockproof to protect it from drops. Battery life Because these little cameras are worked hard, they usually offer one to three hours of continuous use before they need to be recharged. Display Being able to see what your camera sees is vital. Many action cameras now offer LCD screens, the better ones have touchscreens…

DINEO ZONKE MADUNA @dineo_zonke ‘Being around nature brings me a lot of joy. It makes me feel free and more alive. Camping at Ledges Cave was a unique and unexpected experience, something I'll remember forever. I tackled this trail because I needed the challenge. I wanted to meet new people and witness the Drakensberg's breathtaking views. Although I knew the hike would be challenging, I did not expect it to be that tough. It was a lot like life: we all move through it differently and face many challenges but you keep going, appreciate the beauty and make the most of the experience. No one was coming to save me. I had to trust myself and keep going, no matter how tough it was.’ Trail tip Don't overthink it. Our…

VILAKAZI STREET, SOWETO This thriving heart of Soweto is where Nelson Mandela spent his first few nights, following his release from prison. His old home is now the Mandela House Museum, and across the road is The Arch’s residence, where retired archbishop and social rights activist, Desmond Tutu, lives. So Vilakazi Street has the honour of two Nobel Laureates as residents. Authentic kasi flavours flow from nearby Sakhumzi Restaurant, offering its popular Soweto-style buffet. QUEEN STREET, KENSINGTON Where a sense of community flows through the streets and everyone has a story to tell. Kensington, established in 1897 by Max Langermann, once lay on one of the original farms which today constitutes Joburg – Doornfontein. Queen Street is the main thoroughfare through Kensington, offering an eclectic assortment of antique shops, a…

From Mpika it’s 95km to Mano Gate. Turn east off the Great North Road 62km north of Mpika at Lwanya village (Chitembo on Google Maps), signposted 42km to Samala Camp. 4×4 vehicles recommended. It’s 3km from Mano Gate to Samala, 40km to Mwaleshi Camp, and 60km to North Luangwa River Lodge. If you are approaching the park from the south, Chifunda Pontoon is 180km from Mfuwe Bridge via Luambe National Park; it’s 60km to Mano Gate via the pontoon road that runs through the middle of the park.…

ROAD-TRIP VEHICLE Ford Ranger DC XL Sport For R16 500 extra, you get sexy rims, bigger tyres and a roll bar on the XL spec Ranger. It’s the same, tough bakkie, only better. 118kW @ 3 700r/min 385Nm @ 1 500–2 500r/min Service plan Six-year/90 000km From R520 900 (without Sport Pack) CONTENDER 1 Nissan Navara 2.3D SE 4×4 DC Class-leading fuel consumption figures, handsome looks, and a rugged design on a fully boxed ladder-frame chassis make this a crowd favourite. 140kW @ 3 750r/min 450Nm @ 1 500–2 500r/min Service plan three-year/ 90 000km From R623 900 CONTENDER 2 Isuzu D-Max 250 DC 4×4 A brand with a die-hard following, you either love the looks of this legend, or hate it. What’s not in question is its tough work…

LEGEND RUNNER EASTER RUN 3 April A fun in the sun family run, this obstacle race in Cape Agulhas takes you around the southernmost tip of Africa. Start off with a colour bomb, try and get over inflatable obstacles and enjoy some of the most beautiful views around. legendrunner.com ST PETERSBURG BALLET THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF SWAN LAKE 7–18 April St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s new season of Swan Lake is back. Catch it at the Teatro at Montecasino, from Wednesday 7 April 2021. swanlake.computicket.com SAVANNA ORIGIN OF TRAILS TRAIL RUN EXPERIENCE 24–25 April This two-day event allows trail runners to experience all the beauty Stellenbosch has to offer, from picturesque vineyard trails to unspoiled nature reserves. Onlookers can enjoy live music, food and drinks at the Race Village. stillwatersports.com FEDHEALTH PLATINUM…

A two-night stay for two at Kruger Shalati Train on the Bridge worth R35 800 ‘I’m so happy to be the Getaway prize winner. Thank you once again for choosing me, I really appreciate what you have done for me. I can't wait to visit Shalati.’ – Nkhensani Yvonne Khoza A two-night stay for two at Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park worth R40 440 ‘Thank you so much to Getaway Magazine and Jock Safari Lodge for this dream prize! We cannot wait to unwind in our own luxurious and private suite with plunge pool and private viewing deck, go on game drives and bush walks and to be at one with nature. It’s most definitely going to be the experience of a lifetime!’ – Justine Burgess…

I was born with this desire in my heart to run. As long as there ʼ s sweat and my heart rate goes up, I ʼ ll always enjoy myself. As a child growing up in Ga-Rankuwa I loved soccer but my grandma refused to buy me soccer boots. But one day she bought me tekkies for a school outing and that's when my running started. I ran every day after school. In my first race in secondary school, I came third in the 1 500m. That medal has motivated me from that moment until today. Track and field running was always a challenge for me as a junior, but when it came to cross country racing, I found I would even challenge the senior athletes. Trail running is more…