Innehållsförteckning för March 2021 från Getaway

Sadly, the world’s largest timed cycle race, the CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR (scheduled for 14 March) has been postponed indefinitely. Organisers are trying to hold an event later in the year, with reduced entry numbers. Watch this space. capetowncycletour.com /lifecycle-week/ctct/ And the AQUELLE MIDMAR MILE which was due to happen in February, has been moved out to 13 & 14 March at Midmar Dam, outside Howick in KZ. There are eight different ‘events’, from disabled to ironman/ironwoman, that competitors can enter. Midmarmile.co.za AUTUMN TRAIL CHALLENGE 27 & 28 March Experience two different coastal trails over two days, under the banner of one race in the city of Port Elizabeth. Entry: R130 bigosports.co.za/event/ autumn-trail-series/ IRONMAN AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP 14 March Check out the African leg of one of the most challenging endurance…

Pel's fishing owl. I can't count the number of trees in northern Kruger I have looked under and no luck. – Jsk Bloom Cape eagle owl – Max Hoppe A buff-spotted flufftail. I have spent many, many hours following its call without any success. – Tania Kühl Shoebill – Beverley Lewis Green-headed oriole. Been to Mt Gorongosa twice but couldn’t go up the mountain – Petri Nienaber African pitta and narina trogon – Josh Oates Still looking for the finfoot... – Lize Burger African broadbill – Heleen Els Shoebill and green malkoha – Colin Attwell Gorgeous bush-shrike – Karlien Nortje…

Taking an unexplored route between two familiar places was my mission. I knew the scenery along the road was going to be fresh and different, but the start and end points revealed themselves in refreshingly new ways, with hidden gems, too. Like old friends we call on when needing a break from the city, the country dorpies of McGregor and Montagu, two to three hours inland from Cape Town, are places we head to often. They boast peace and quiet in abundance, coffee shops, quaint restaurants, and all those wholesome things you'd expect in a countryside town. A glance at Google Maps revealed a tantalising detour between these two favourites, one that's well away from the more direct Route 60. From McGregor, Langverwagten Road skirts the northern edge of the…

Do this – inclusive to Grootbos guests: • The guided botanical 4×4 tour and walk through the milkwood forests are a must • Horse ride through the fynbos • Join the ‘Living the Future’ tour exploring how Grootbos benefits the local community and environment • Explore Klipgat Cave • The meals made with locally sourced produce are a delight. Top of my list is the ‘Bang Bang’ starter, Eggs Benedict, and the unique single varietal fynbos honey – only available on the reserve. Additional experiences like marine safaris, river cruises, beach horse rides and more can be booked in advance or during your stay. The Fynbos Trail A two-night nature experience, either as a fully guided and catered slackpacking trail or do-it-yourself. The trail takes hikers along a beautiful stretch…

The remote islands of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago are soon to become the centre of the largest completely protected marine area in the Atlantic. The five islands are home to millions of seabirds, and their waters are the natural habitat for rockhopper penguins, seals, sharks, and whales. The protected waters span about 427 000km, 90% of which will become a no-take zone. This means no fishing, mining or other extractive activities will be allowed. Protecting this marine space will not only bolster a small lobster fishery outside the sanctuary but will also protect the foraging grounds for the sea life on and around the islands. earth.org…

A three-night stay for a family of four at Babanango Valley Lodge ‘I am so thrilled to have won, I was just telling my mother how we need to have a family road trip somewhere in KZN with my niece and nephew and this couldn't have come at a better time! I can’t wait for the game drives with the kids and to see their faces when they encounter all the different wild animals.' Zama Mpungose A two-night stay for two at luxurious Oneon-Hely guesthouse ‘I am over the moon after winning this trip – it's kicking off 2021 with a bang! I’ll be looking forward to exploring a beautiful region of SA, while relaxing at the picturesque One-On-Hely.’ Jason Leong A two-night stay for six people at Tintswalo's Family…

Eager to try your hand at home fermentation? There are various stockists of equipment and ingredients around South Africa to help you brew beer, bake bread and cure cheese to your heart’s content. BeerLab This specialist shop in Cape Town is focused on all things fermentation and sells everything you need from beer to cheese to spirit-making. beerlab.co.za Finest Kind Based on a farm at The Crags, Plett, these guys specialise in selling cultures, equipment and ingredients aimed at making your own cheese. They also offer vegan-friendly alternatives for cheesemaking. finestkind.co.za BeerGuevara These folks focus solely on beer brewing. They stock ingredients and equipment and also host online workshops on fermentation and beer making. beerguevara.com…

ROAD-TRIP VEHICLE Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD6 4×4 Legend RS AT Perceived quality and comfort is a big improvement on what it used to be but power and performance, even with the new motor, is so-so. Off-road capability is excellent. The rubberised load box with automatic roller shutter is a handy addition but the overall asking price is getting a bit steep for a bakkie. 150kW @ 3 000–3 400r/min 500Nm @ 1 600–2 800r/min Service plan Nine services/ 90 000km From R868 100 CONTENDER 1 VW Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI Double Cab Highline 4Motion Amarok has been singled out as the most car-like of the bakkies but the others have caught up and surpassed it in many respects. It’s a pity VW took so long to bring the 190kW V6…

Rent gear Another option is to rent gear from companies such as Scuttle (scuttle .co.za) and Go Camp (gocamp.co.za). Both have popped up in recent years and allow customers to save money on quality gear and storage space. Go Camp offers trailers and camp kitchen items whereas Scuttle is focused more on kit for adventures, whether it’s hiking, watersports or even e-biking. Backpacks cost R120 a day to hire and tents around R175 a day. 1 | Totai 2 Person Explorer Tent R330  makro.co.za (available online only) Weighing just 500g, this tent is not only ridiculously light but also outrageously cheap. It packs down to a small size and is a breeze to set up. Talking of wind, a strong one would probably snap the thin poles, demolish the tent and carry…

Stay here CLARENDON GUEST HOUSE This stately double-storey house in Ugie was originally an orphanage for girls whose parents died during the 1918 flu pandemic. There are 13 en-suite rooms (double, twin and single), and two self-contained family units. From R250 pp sharing. Breakfast and dinner by arrangement at an additional charge. 045 933 1138, clarendonguesthouse. co.za Insider tip: Room 3 family unit upstairs features a brass double bed, while Room 1, off the elegant dining room, has an en suite bathroom straight out of grandma’s house. FORTY WINKS Surrounded by a well-kept garden, you can imagine this as a grand old family home, which was its previous incarnation. There’s a lounge, a dining room where meals can be served on request and the upstairs rooms are under thatch. The…

After leaving school, Anecke struggled to make ends meet but embarking on horticulture and life skills courses at Grootbos’ Green Futures College in 2009 changed things. ‘When you start at college they ask where you see yourself, and I knew I wanted to go into nature guiding.’ She was soon being mentored by Grootbos’ guides and when her Field Guides Association of Southern Africa accreditation was complete, she climbed the ranks to become head guide in 2017. Staff say she’s a wonderful leader, confident and calm. Asked about family life, she laughs: ‘Kids? No. I’m married to the work.’…

Standing atop a red stone cliff near Mossel Bay, the sea a sapphire turmoil below, my fellow hikers and I scanned the horizon for spouts of whale breath. ʻThere's one,' pointed Chris Carr, our encyclopaedic guide. ʻIt's most likely a humpback at this time of year.' And indeed it was. There were also dolphins in the waves, and a lone seal who appeared to be larking around in the swell just for the fun of it. ʻOkay, shall we continue?' This was day one of the Oystercatcher slackpack trail; a fully catered and guided ramble, starting at Mossel Bay and ending four nights and some 45km later at the Gouritz River Mouth. En route, we would hug some of the prettiest sections of coastline in the Western Cape, ambling along…

22.6kg of green (vegetable) dye poured into the Chicago river every St Patrick's Day. 13 million pints of Guinness the Irish stout, are consumed on this day, although that number is likely to be lower this year due to Covid-19 regulations. 1601 The year the world’s first St Patrick’s Day was held – in the USA. 1 in 10 000 Your chance of finding a four-leaf clover. 2 MILLION PEOPLE ESTIMATED to have attended the 2019 St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland. Sources: Insider, NatGeo, Washington Post, CNN, The Independent…

A memorable sighting What a wonderful story about Table Mountain in your December issue. I would like to add the following experience: in 1960, I served aboard the hydrographic survey ship SAS Natal. One night, as we were approaching Cape Town, just off Sea Point on our way to Simonstown, I was on watch. At about 9.30pm, the captain came to the bridge, then promptly summoned all hands on deck. He instructed everyone to look at Table Mountain where, behind this black massif, there appeared a growing glow, before the full moon appeared and rose above the mountain. The moment of utter glory we experienced struck us to silence. The only sound was the swish of the ship ʼ s bow cutting through the dead calm sea. Then, in total…

Bruce Lawson runs multi-day wilderness trails in Balule and Selati Game Reserves in the western Kruger area, and in the Makuleke Concession in northern Kruger. Trailists need to bring their own backpacks, food, cooking utensils, small gas stove, sleeping bag and roll-up mattress. Cost: Three-nights from R4 500 to R6 000, four nights from R5 000 to R7 000, and five nights from R7 000 to R10 000, depending on the area. Contact: Bruce Lawson, WhatsApp 082 332 5692, or Dee Lawson, WhatsApp 063 100 0448.…

I used to be the contractual manager at a primate rehabilitation project situated in the heart of Nigeria's Cross River province. It's a forested region in the south, next to the Cameroon border, and is home to gorillas, chimps and drill monkeys, all of which face extinction due to extensive bush-meat consumption here and across west and central Africa. My job was to oversee the care of some 200 critically endangered drills and 25 chimps, to train and work with local staff, and to organise outreach missions in the hopes of convincing folk that primates shouldn't be on the menu and that zoonotic, often deadly, viruses can originate from the illegal trade in ʻexotic' species. Think Ebola. Think HIV. Think coronavirus. It's important work, none of which would have been…

EAGLE’S NEST HOUSE Sleeping up to 10 (and more by arrangement), this remote mountain cabin above McGregor is perfect for a group of friends. Huddle around a winter fire, or cool off in the swimming pool in summer. The gorge below offers rewarding day hikes, including to countless rock pools. From R400 pp. Two nights and six guests minimum over weekends. Boesmanskloof Pass road, McGregor, Western Cape. boesmanskloof mcgregor.com MONTE VISTA BOUTIQUE HOTEL A warm pool, tranquil gardens, safe parking, and beautifully appointed rooms provide for a delightfully comfortable stay in Montagu. Opt for the cool of the air-conditioned rooms or pool when it’s hot, and enjoy scrumptious breakfasts in the light and airy dining area. From R1 959 per room (for two)/ R1 470 single; breakfast included. Ask about…

1 700 total educational programme beneficiaries 1 256 beneficiaries completed career guidance workshops 20 students graduated from the Green Futures College 10 completed advanced skills training 34 small businesses started or supported, 10 of which are in the green economy 8 461 Football Foundation beneficiaries 25 received provincial or national colours 2 represented SA in Futsal World Championships, Barcelona 200 000+ meals served in response to the Covid lockdown (by August 2020)…

South Africa is home to scores of commercially run routes which offer a fully catered service including lodgings, meals, transport and professional guides. Get more information at slackpacker.co.za where you can organise and book numerous existing trails all over SA. You can even create a tailored slackpack experience from non-slackpack routes. Another good resource, listing 30 top trails, is dirtyboots.co.za. The following are my picks: A coastal trail with an emphasis on nature and ancient history. Where: Mossel Bay to Gouritzmond, Western Cape Distance: 45km Duration: Four nights, five days Overnight: Self- contained ‘base camp’ cottages in Boggoms Bay. Cost: From R7 500pp 082 078 1696, oystercatchertrail.co.za THE OYSTERCATCHER TRAIL THE PLETT TRAIL A varied trail with forests, beaches, nature reserves, coastal views and mountains. You’ll visit the beautiful Nature’s…

GETTING THERE From Durban: Take the N2 north past Empangeni and Mkuze, continuing on to Pongola where you turn left at the Pongola Game Reserve Leeukop Gate and follow the Mpalane/Nkwazi signs for 12km. From Gauteng: Travel to Ermelo, then follow signs to Piet Retief and Pongola. From Pongola, travel south on the N2 for 30km; 1km after crossing the Pongola River turn right at the Pongola Game Reserve Leeukop Gate (gate hours are 6am–6pm) and follow the Mpalane/Nkwazi signs. Do it Mavungana Flyfishing runs a four-day, five-night fishing safari at Lake Jozini based out of Nkwazi Lake Lodge in Pongola Game Reserve. This costs R19 950 pp sharing, which includes accommodation, all meals, teas and coffee, boats with unlimited fuel, and guided fishing. If you’re worried you won't do…