The wild natura of South Africa... Let's take the backpack!!

Me and my husband Diego define the disease. .... and for this we can not even manage to finish a trip that already begin to dream of the next ... In February we were in Malaysia and Borneo, which already had in mind the invitation of two pairs of friends to go with them in South Africa and Mozambique.
E 'stronger than us, we accepted immediately!

Before leaving we were informed by reading stories of other travelers, if we in turn can be useful to someone contact us:
didodandan@fastwebnet.it

We found some evenings to arrange the details and decide the route.
The time and the months that seemed so distant, they are flown.

 

SATURDAY 05/08/2006

Here we are on station in Reggio Emilia to 13:30 waiting anxiously one of two other couples: Andrea & Jael.
The other pair: Andrea & Raffaella go off at Parma.
Once at Milan Central take the bus to Malpensa paid € 7.20 a pair.
Our flight is Milan-Athens duration: about two hours.
Athens-Joannesburgh spend about nine hours.
Joannesburgh-CAPE TOWN about two hours.

SUNDAY 06/08/2006

Fortunately, all three of our flights take place smoothly and without hitches.
In air and all is peaceful once on land we have all six backpacks.
Take a taxi (van) that will take us to the house that we booked via interenet at CAPE TOWN www.wheretostay.co.za here's the address: 121 loader street.Waterkant. (telephone 2782 4226900 Mercure - Petra 2782 4906329
We paid 1032 rand a night around € 42 per couple. (tot € 170 per couple for 4 nights)
We arrive at your destination that are about sixteen.
Telephone and the lady is to open soon. The house is really bellina, we have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a kitchen and a cozy living room with tv and dvd, plus the chimney.
In the back garden is a beautiful Tavoloni to eat outdoors, plus deckchairs, shame, given the cold, not able to take advantage.
Three days before leaving the television had given notice of an extraordinary cold spell in South Africa ... speriamo bene!
At the start we had added a jumper and a shirt off the backpack ....
We were mentally prepared, but starting in the middle of summer you're never prepared 100% to find that cold.
The house has been cold and wet, but fortunately in each room there are the thermo-electric and slowly everything takes on a dimension and a more human warmth.
Raffa and Andrew is buying the most cool room, almost a giant open space with double bed, shower and wall rock (not too positive) located in health room without walls, while we make the rooms smaller (but much more quick to heat).
Arriva now the woman of service (strictly black) that iron sheets and makes us the beds.
For the night we have to fear the cold and having to use the saccopelo that we are ready to bring any eventuality. (EVEN YOU DO!)
The duvet is provided for in the room is large enough and the thermo does the rest.
We are tired from the trip but our stomach demands food.
There are seven in the evening but the neighborhood is very quiet and off.
In any case, there are bars on the windows and often find a guard at the corners of the streets.
Although we say that crime in South Africa is very high, CAPE TOWN is still very viable.
There are many areas open, we will choose one of atmosphere
(the Manatthan) and eating meat, fish and fresh spending 180 rand per couple.
The portions are good and abundant.
Towards the end of dinner, we look around and see couples sitting quietly a romantic only missing women.
We understand being in a place as a meeting place for men only ...
As with us there is Andrea (not specified which of the two ... (the highest)) which has already had several proposals from his side, he has a great hurry to go home .... End dinner quietly, and if not was for the two men exchanging a gift that has been kissed on the lips, we would not really noticed anything ... We leave from our local men who keep their backs to the wall. Joke !!!!!
It 'really cold, we say he is guilty of a disruption ...
We knew that it was winter, but we expected a fine winter, almost spring, the temperature never falls not near zero, but falls ... ... and how.
Let's go to bed now, because tomorrow morning we have an excursion to see the great white shark and the majority of us will do dive in the cage.
The type comes to 05:45.

MONDAY '07/08/2006

Punctual, even before arriving in the type of shark (all booked via internet) € 281 per couple with SHARK DIVING UNLIMITIDED
www.sharkdivingunlimited.com infosdu@shardivimgunlimited.com
tel: +27 (0) 28 384 2787 PO Box: 511 Gansbaii 7220 SOUTH AFRICA

We start even before the sun starts to rise ... The type driving for about two hours,
while we sleep or at least we feel there is always those who can better (Jael) and who can ... worse.
Arrive at a destination Gansbaii and we are served an abundant breakfast.
Bring the boat into the sea, we are all in a fortnight, the weather is beautiful but cold and the boat is not repaired after about twenty minutes we are close to a colony of seals, the food preferred by sharks.
Start a pasture throwing fish offal and brodaglia with a little blood.
The boys and Raffaella are preparing ... I Jael and film and photograph it from above. After about fifteen minutes we get the first fin, it descends into a cage of five rounds at a time. The cage is a water and every time the shark comes to "eating" the bait thrown to the type pulled toward the boat, allowing the shark to get a view of the guys that every command s'immergono in apnea .
In some cases, the shark has come to put his fin or "muzzle" in or against the cage between the two bars. But the space is very small and can not hurt ... sure gives you a jolt of adrenaline.
It 'exciting when you see it get there and think: I am in front of the White Shark !!!!!
They arrived three specimens and one was about five meters wide.
A round all fell, and some less cold as the water temperature was about 5 degrees and who is more courageous, you will have the opportunity to make a second dive.
Andrea Diego and the two make a great second round fun.
I open a small and brief:
Not that you who read my story interests but especially since my diary is a kind of testament to my journey to read as I remember in future years should be as complete and accurate as possible, I close the parenthesis and then back again to the story .
While the others godno cage diving with sharks ... I discovered I was sensitive to the swinging of a pasture and contribute to the sea with sharks giving my breakfast, twice.
Before returning to spend close to seals (also called the mini-mobile of sharks), are numerous and beautiful, many are at sea and swim quietly and others are on the rocks that heat up in the sun.
Return quickly to the joy of my stomach because the sea is stirring.
Once in the ground we stop in their shop, the same place where the morning we had breakfast .. Just give us a very good vegetable soup, to warm since the cold and the wind into the boat. Then we shall see the videos that their operator has turned both above and below with the help of an underwater camera ... I buy a copy for all three, then burn at a price of 300 rand (€ 35) send him home in about a dozen of days ... .... And so it happens !!!!! After buying a few shirts, we start the journey back ... ..
We stop in a house along the road that acts both as an additional office that has a restaurant and serve us a drink and a meal consisting of a vegetable soup and a hot 'abundant dish of spaghetti with meat sauce Bolognese ..
Certain that it will take a long to get the courage to compete with Italian cuisine ...
However it is more than eatable .... We offer a DVD-to-head, a kind of documentary on sharks and more a 'certificate to head sull'immersione made.
We are ready to go home, I take this opportunity to ask the driver if possible make a stop to Hermanus to see the whales !!!!! It 'friendly and accepting.
The first bay is empty, but it pays off with stunning landscapes, mountains to the sea and bright colors that seem true colors, not faded as you can see in other places.
At the second attempt will have two, we see their splashes, but are somewhat 'remote and enter all new in photographic frenzy, taking the best time best .... A very kindly whale approaches the coast, is about 20 mt. .
See the play, stare at the belly up, then on one side and then starts to jump out of the water ... ... It 'a thrilling feeling, even though the desire to immortalize certain events with a photo, does not give you the opportunity to enjoy as you sit to watch it on a few benches placed in the best locations.
The holiday has started well, we were able to see sharks, seals, whales ... all that we had proposed.
Once at home, we relax with a nice hot shower, and we arranged to dine at the Waterfront, the most touristic and commercial heart of CAPE TOWN and as you can imagine even the most expensive, but is made for us tourists, and we also call us if travelers a skip we do, at least we can judge with our eyes ...
We then head to foot, we are trying to move, to find the right path when we are approached by a car inside a pair of middle-aged Indian ..
The woman asks us if we need help and then offers despite the look a bit disappointed of the husband to give us a lift ... Very nice but maybe not counted well, we're six and that although none of us is more or less out of the weight, each of us takes his place in the world, some people 'more in height: the maximum is Andrea F .... (1.98 meters) in width and about, but to omit the name correctly, even if the photos will understand Who is ....
Accept the transition, in five climb back, and I Raffaella on the legs of their husbands while Jael salt front with the woman and her husband.
Laugh your head off, the journey takes about ten minutes, and lead us in the underground car park of the shopping center.
Shops and restaurants everywhere .. from previous stories we had highlighted some names and we strive towards one of these: it is called OCEANBASKET and is on the floor above the Waterfront
Eat good fish, good quality, well cooked and spend 636 people in six rand, about € 12 a head.
We are dealing with good, local quality, with an optimum level, an obligation to leave a tip ... etc.
All this will affect our budget more than what has happened on other trips, but we are only in CAPE TOWN for four days, then we will see if cut a little '....
In proportion with the Italy we eat well and spend a little less and the portions are very abundant.

TUESDAY '08/08/2006

Day dedicated to the withdrawal of air tickets for domestic flights booked months in advance and by Thursday will bring us up to withdraw Nelspruit where the two cars to run independently in the KRUGER. (Booked through www.travelonline.co.za tel +27 11 880 8800 fax +27 11 880 8180) Flight 712 rand paid € -218.50 pair.
Take a taxi, but before we do breakfast Manatthan (so it is empty and we women act as bodyguards for our men).
The night before the search for a map of the city and in my mania for collecting everything that is free because you never know ... I have several guides and maps: one in my ignorance has been driving the pink city, we discover that the Manatthan is a very famous in and among the various gay community and that whole area where housing is very gay ....
But if you do not accidentally find yourself not even notice it, because everything is very discrete, even cured and good taste, we have found very well.
The breakfast is Manatthan comes after a waiting time of about an hour, even if the local desert ... It was' good and plentiful but not andateci if you hurry.
We spend 300 in six rand (5,5 € each) we will not miss anything.
We found that there are at least two types of taxis, with different charges at km, some from 8 rand from a base of 2 rand, and 11 others with a starting 5 rand. give the same service, are just two different companies.
This morning a type that we have requested info kindly called us a taxi and it was not the cheapest.
The travel agency is not very close and spend 300 rand round trip in six.
Do we download the Waterfront.
Our goal is to make a trip on the boat to see the bay from the sea, visit the aquarium and buy a sweater or fleece seen cold absurd that we are suffering.
We're undecided whether or not the climb Table Mountain and ... I sincerely Jael suffer some dizziness and we attract the very idea of the cable car.
Many of you will head off for the sky is clear, the air a bit chilly but the Table mountain appears in all its fullness, clarity, and we do not climb above.
I have read in previous stories, which often is covered by clouds and many times the lift does not work either because it would be pointless to go up since there does not see anything and maybe even dangerous ... ..
We are passing the hand, in the end everyone has their own taste and the world is beautiful because it is varied.
The trip on the boat is nice, costs 40 rand a head (€ 4.5) per 30 ', we discover the type is associated with the shark and when they advise to be just us an' extra discount: pay 34 rand and in the end it also sells the teeth of sharks.
They buy a little to remember with the cord for 20 rand (€ 2.5).
The tour is very simple, but the colored boy that there is a guide is very strong, expressive and his voice is tuonante as that of a preacher-style American ...
In the bay with my joy and surprise some seals live, see them sleeping, crogiolasi the sun and play in the water. We go really close so that the type of alert us to be careful because sometimes jump into the boat.
We are also looking for a sweater, some gifts, postcards and souvenirs ... having learned (but not completely) that if something you like and has an acceptable price should not escape by saying fartela perhaps in other areas will go where it costs less or the I take tomorrow ... Some things are typical of the place and not find elsewhere or not ripassi in the same place at a later time.
Mozambique still commit this mistake in not buying market Tofo and regretting today .. but that's another story ... I repeat it at the beginning of the holiday we are all torn, buy now or we will find something better or cheaper with continuing the trip ?????
Diego can buy T-shirt of Sea Rescue of CAPE TOWN pagandola 155 rand (€ 17).
The shirts are not very cheap as they are perhaps in other places like Mexico or Malaysia, but certainly the quality of cotton is much higher.
You probably will not ever come back in South Africa and here is not the place nor the time to start to save (the one I do at home!)
The abundant breakfast allowed us to skip lunch but now our stomach starts to complain dinner.
Before we go in search of friends of friends who are here in CAPE TOWN, we find them and we are with them.
E 'moving to see black and white being together and although the place was cold receive a warm welcome as if we always knew and we were brothers and sisters.
We also know Fabio and Luana, he is Italian, Genoese pure living cell ligurian and having understood much about Italy, its rhythms of life and what has to offer, has decided to leave everything and move here. Luana was born in Scotland but at the age of six years she moved with her family in Zimbabwe. Now nearly all his family is scattered all over the world so many years in Zimbabwe is a political and economic situation that makes life complicated.
Fabio after some 'real Gavetta now has gradually found its size: it has two shops where fresh pasta in addition to it with only Italian products, cooking and selling hot and ready to move people in his local some tables to eat on the spot.
Fraternally offers dinner, invites us into his shop and heat in microwave all ready pasta that has, after giving us a ride with his car and that of another couple of friends because we are on foot.
Eat gnocchi and fettuccine with meat sauce and tasted its final ice cream made with whole ingredients Italians. FABIO !!!!! BRAVO and thanks of hospitality.
ESPRESSO & PASTA.BAR 18 LONG STREET tel: 021 419 6975
mailto: pastalaur@co.za.

I take this opportunity to ask questions about the situation between whites and blacks ... he quickly explains South Africa seen through the eyes of those who live there and not only by those of the tourist.
We have noticed a great disparity between whites and blacks, the whites are rich and blacks continue to serve. We see big houses or nice houses for the whites, while the town ship of blacks where they live in shacks of tin have a minuscolo.Leggiamo sometimes in their eyes a little bit of hatred toward us whites ..
Fabio says that many blacks did not just want to work, to build a future that sacrifici.La is the main education: many believe that having fought for freedom ', this includes the house and the money and claim that the government gives everything.
Tells us that he has among its workers of color who receive a fair salary, but rather than pay un'affitto to start a new life, preferring to live in the homes of sheets ... not conceive of paying for a house, let it be heard for free should the government.
Fortunately, there are also blacks laborious but we are realists and we know and understand the differences, the rich and poor in this system there will always be, not only in South Africa.
After spending a nice evening together accompany us to the house and then all to bed.

WEDNESDAY '09/08/2006

Yesterday in the late afternoon, we rented two cars dall'AVIS at a price of 366 rand a car (around € 43 for cars), we have taken two steps because we are stupid but because the car was finished six places.
This morning, after having withdrawn starting with three objectives:
up to Cape of Good Hope, (although honestly the exact point to the south of Africa from Cape Aguillas is) but the most famous is the Cape of Good Hope, then we want to see the penguins at Simon for last town to see and photographing the twelve apostles ... (a cliff overlooking the sea)
Also this morning, the Table Mountain is clean, there is a clear sky and fortunately the cold disturbance is waning, and the temperature is rising ...
We can remove the jackets
First come to town Simon, (Boulders ... tel +27 21 786 2329
Fax + 27 21 786 5786 POBox 62 Simon's Town 7995
e-mail: boulders@sanparks.org
before entering, there are stalls with items typical African (giraffes, penguins in wood or stone etc ...) then at the bottom of the street is the entrance. You pay 20 rand a head (€ 2.5)
We walk on a wooden walkway raised them while they are sotto.Vedi these tiny penguins about forty cm tall. Buffissimi are, some people bask in the sun, some trying to swim but the water is cold as a judge for leave in a hurry ... I'm too beautiful and there's even too much stink as I read in other stories.
Return travel and go to Cape, to join the paid 45 rand (€ 5) to your head and you can choose whether to go to the lighthouse on top of the hill or go to the sea .. We decided to do both, logically not both.
At the entrance to the lighthouse you have two choices: either go on foot using, we are warned, an hour's walk uphill or to use the monorail, paying another 30 rand a head if you choose both the climb down, or pay 24 rand for the only climb and then descend on foot in thirty minutes. We choose the latter not as a matter of saving but because we are certain that we will have wonderful views of and to be admired for the beautiful photos. And it is so! Can we perceive where the two oceans meet see why mix two different colors.
Their power and majesty is awesome.
Then go by car to the point finale de Capo, s'infrangono that the waves on the beach and the rocks are beautiful, brings a power overwhelming at the same time giving a feeling of freedom.
Let us do better or do all six with the photos before the ceremony sign that says where you are, as tangible proof that we have been.
Then resume the road to the twelve apostles, (must be some mighty rocks overlooking the sea). Unfortunately, the scenic road is closed and the time has flown, so do not even try an alternative ... it is time to return.
After a good wash and a little 'rest we arranged for dinner ... do not take the car ... We are in the neighborhood ... There is a small town full of shops, all behind the Manatthan (there is also service ATMs).
We choose a restaurant that is called ANDIAMO just entered our gaze falls on all pairs in the saloon: men and women!
(Cape headquarters center Greenpoint 8051 Tel: (021) 421 3687 fax: (021) 421 3689
The ANDIAMO is a local Italian, and also make good pizza.
E 'un po' più Manatthan expensive but now we are sitting ... There is an excellent service and is definitely a certain level, we choose a dish to taste more different specialties: all very good and plentiful.
We spend 636 rand in six.
Full of pigs as we letto.Domani transfer and we hope to leave the big cold shoulder.

THURSDAY '10/08/2006

At 9:30 we have a flight from Cape towon to Nelspruit via Joannesburg (€ 218 per couple)
Landed and then climbing then finally landing 13:30
We expect the two cars booked via internet www.tempestcarhire.co.za
Call center no: 0860 031 666 international car rental www.sixt.com
Auto pay € 116.94 per couple for 4 days
Stowed luggage and so that the direction KRUGER.
We must be inside the logde where we will spend the night before the eighteen pomeriggio.Siamo to PRETORIUSCOP. (Bed € 31 per couple)
Enter the gate with a little bit in advance and decide on when to initiate our first safari.
We recognize a pack of impala and start taking pictures (at the end we have the nausea and exaggerate some are even within logde where to sleep.
And continue in the midst of thick vegetation we see three zebras photos looking at photos on the angle better. We enter the field and every time you enter into any of the field just to stay you must pay a fee that consists of 120 rand each. Our advice is to inform you well to make the wild card that once you buy it allows you to enter free in all the parks in South Africa.
There's also the Wild card for couples who will certainly be more convenient.
Eighteen to open the restaurant and be placed after each pair in his bungalow we go to dinner.
It all plays a self service basis at a cost of 100 rand which add just the drink. To eat more and I can not spend 657 rand in six.
Let's go to bed early because tomorrow we alzeremo again soon.
We hope to see so many beautiful animals ... I go to bed expecting a confident future.

FRIDAY '11/08/2006

As the SKUKUZZA the second field where staying is not far away we decide to go out to the rising of the sun and then returned for breakfast.
Just outside the area immediately across the impala and then miraculously appears in front of us and cut the road we see a rhinoceros and a second pigtail disappearing in the bush .. Even if we are the second car with the camera we can capture the scene .. cameras remain seated, however many that if they go ... You are so in four and one of them is a puppy .. after two minutes have already gone to our view that meeting .. exciting!
I learned that it's all a matter of moments: the first two minutes and we would have seen all four go from one side of the road, arriving two minutes later we would not even saw the slightest sign of their presence ... As the saying goes: those who merely enjoy ....
We return for breakfast also a self service and you pay 65 rand each.
Let us go on patrol, we see a giraffe, again impalas and zebras, and many others belonging to the breed of horned and similar type kudu, springbok, etc. ..
Unfortunately in this zone, the savanna is full of trees, shrubs and tall grass, and as already said if you do not have the luck to peck on the road after not see ...
You have to be in the right place at the right time.
This is the downside of safari: you can turn, turn and turn hours and not see anything or take an hour and see all ..
For us today is a day no! Having had the grace to see the rhinos giriamo hours and hours and not meet a living soul, literally, in some moments we are happy to meet for the umpteenth time, why does impala first life and second because we hope that there is someone close to them should
eat: es un bel lion ... ..
We enter at 17.30 to Skukuzza.E 'an enormous, really everything.
(bed € 69 per couple)
Then choose the à la carte restaurant or self service ...
After a slight doubt and comparing prices, we choose one at the self service:
appetite and we already have a fixed price helps! The choice is excellent, you can also choose the raw meat and the type of sauce and mix as you will and then you cook it on the plate.
In six easy-eating and remain 680 rand ..
Here also each time the account you must ask to leave a tip (the gratuity) .. we almost always 10%.
Tomorrow we expect a very long shift, we will have to travel several kilometers, to sleep LETABA.
We decide alarm at 05:30.

SATURDAY 12/08/2006

We are already on the road for nearly two hours and yet we have not seen anything new, single-horned (no offense to anyone) and zebras ..
We return for breakfast always usual self service, spending 70 rand each.
Eat so much because usually jump lunch, we are finishing breakfast when Andrea F.ci warned that before the field is the hippopotamus that eats .. we have not yet seen one, and let who will pay to do his dirty work and we all crashed out in front ... So the camp is a river where some types of animals live or come to drink.
Live in the river un'ippopotamo. Take some time to sit and relax observing. Let us get back to us .. The waiter saw our flee flee immediately think that we do not want to pay and then take advantage of the turmoil and, instead of 70 x 6 = 420 he asks ... 520 (100 rand stealing). ... At the moment we pay
Surely he thought of opportunity for him since we were leaving and we would never go back ... .. After all of our photos all'ippopotamo and a warthog that ever passed in front of the field ... we are starting the first track of expenses, and visa that mathematics is not an opinion we return from a waiter to notice the error ... him without batting an eyelid and protest (since we had not even a sheet as evidence that paid ...) he says is true, true ... and it makes 100 rand, perhaps afraid that he alerted a superior eye ... So, guys!
Let us go and as I said today we are moving more long, the field must be within the six in the evening and can not be Sgarro ..
Moving a little 'further north, we transformed the landscape of the savannah is really vario.Quello south is all a scrub and trees and vegetation (luckily we are in the dry season .. I dare not think of green as the season do not see anything ... except the one on the street ...
Once in the middle of the park (it's about as big as the Friuli), for instance in the area of the field called Satara, we are faced with what for me is the savannah, or at least how I imagined I ...
The vegetation is much lower and there are less trees and you have a vision far away .... Let us turn to savannah full of life .. For the first time we meet so many elephants. Majestic!
We see a team go down to drink, and even if the other side of the river we can find a good place for sighting ..
They are beautiful, there is the male of the flock which is huge and to my joy, there are also elephant .... Small and nice to see ... some are swimming but someone is always on the alert to see signs of danger ...
I would hours to observe them, study their behavior, but the distance high c'impone to continue the journey and to continue the search for new animals ..
Certainly deserve a mention the many types of birds and birds that we see some small ... but with beautiful colors, see raptors, vultures turn round sign that maybe some of them in the animal has finished his life and someone with this the is continuing ....
Meet the animals already seen .. zebras, giraffes, elephants .. but each time is so beautiful and majestic that it continues to photograph .. (Meno male che Diego in its technology has bought a small box (this is not his name) in which every night can download the cards of our two digital cameras and also those of our comrades, avoiding the anxiety of always finding a shop for them to cd ...
In our journey, I found it very exciting when un'animale or a group you cross the road, passing in front of your car and especially in the case of elephants hope not too nervous and do not notice your presence.
They are all very quiet and often t'ignorano but it is useful to take the necessary precautions and not to attract too much attention, not nervous or have them run away before their time .... Sometimes we saw them really closely, Andrea in a 'At almost risked investing a giraffe, a less evil that goes flat and that in the case of the giraffe has come out from behind the tree before the head and legs with a good speed of reflexes, nothing has happened and We had two beautiful photos. Every night you have to be inside the camp until 18:00 on the setting of the sun.
Today, we arrive on time to the field chosen in advance by the LETABA (€ 32 per couple) and have just entered pay our fee.
The fields are more or less the same, some other bigger kids. At Letaba will take advantage to do the laundry and the dryer we have everything ready for the next morning. We are a 'boiled, you can not just define a holiday of rest and of the dolce far niente ... but we like that.
The take it easy is a small error, because we arrive at 20:15 at the restaurant since it closes at nine.
We discover that the hordes of hungry tourists arrived before we have eaten almost everything and we must settle for what remained.
I believe that the blame can be attributed also to the restaurant that has cooked counted, while in other places every time a dish is exhausted will be replaced or restored. Enough to eat anyway.
Last night to save a little 'we booked two bungalows with three seats, because the double cost too .... And then sleep only women and men .... We are all a little' sad the idea to separate from our half, but when we booked We looked at the economic side and there seemed to be a beautiful thing.
Sopravvivremo for sure!
We decided that tomorrow morning we do the usual levataccia at 5:30 as the field near the Olifant, is not very far and judging by the list of sightings and then monitor every night at the camp, we deduce that remained in the area and with a little 'luck we can see many animals including lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas etc ....

SUNDAY 13/08/2006

We leave for the nine, we turn up and down the streets hoping to meet some new up to now we are only at two BIG FIVE?
The rhinoceros el'elefante missing to the buffalo, lion and leopard ... ...
Review animals already seen, to what we get near a river and we are literally in front, in the middle of the road a herd of buffalo ..
They are so close that I have some 'fear, their horns are not passed through some indifferent.
We reach three share Big five.
We decided to change pace and then come to camp in the early afternoon to eat and rest a while 'with the aim to book the night safari!
I believe that this is the best solution, with a safari all'Olifante starting to 16:30 and return at 19:30 approximately ... in other areas, the departure is scheduled for 17:30.
It is not a thing to underestimate what you can book us to have 1.30 of light where the possibility of sighting animals is considerably more and do even that night.
We arrive all'OLIFANTE (€ 59 per couple) and eat something to stop the hunger and it is already time to prepare for the safari ...
Go on a safari truck used: everything is open and I would advise you to bring back a jacket for thermal excursion that there is at sunset, even if they will provide a blanket at the end ... that is useful.
We can see what we call the usual animals (giraffes, impala and the like ...) then suddenly appears before us with its full complement of family IENE with a small ... They have a maximum of three months and seem to balls of soft hair (although I do not caressed) .. seem adorable, even if large bruttina and become more damaged, with the evil eye as their parents ...
There they burrow protected by an old disused bridge in the morning and again after a reality check for that off-piste and are intent to take the milk. Exciting.
Continuing our safari found that the sun fades everything ..
The driver that is the same person to sight the animals (in Malaysia had participated in another safari and two were in the train just to drive and what started the animals ... I think it is more logical way to do two things at the same time it penalizes always .... even if every one of us if we can urlarlo sight un'animale driving). Our driver-guide take a beacon and starts to move back and forth on his side to find animals that wander in the dark or are hidden ...
Another lighthouse was given to Andrea F. which is on the left side of the truck ... he really aguazza sight and every time in the dark thanks to the two eyes appear light fluorescent him shouts STOP .... the whole group and try to understand what kind of animal it is. Andrea takes very seriously his job and often find: STEAMBOOK a kind of small deer .... And end the phrase: stop steambook become the motto of our holiday ...
But we see the well Janette and Civetta which unlike the name may suggest un'uccello, are a kind of small carnivorous polecats and belong to the family Mustelidae.
We also see the Jackal that is the jackal looking for ... find some carrion that even vague un'ippopotamo browsing grass even though we know that not ever turn away from the river too ...
Return carichissimi sorry but because even this time we managed to see The lion safari ... we paid 230rand pair (€ 13 a head around).
In self-service dinner and then immediately nanna. Tomorrow we will give the greeting to the park and we will KRUGER in Mozambique ... ...

MONDAY '14/08/2006

Today the morning is dedicated to the extreme trying to see the cats (lions, leopards and cheetahs) and we are determined that, except the extreme possibility of seeing a giraffe capriole do in the middle of the road or un'elefante which the spins, to never stop to photograph them, using all of the time left in search of lions.
We meet again almost all animals, give them the ultimate health fast when all of a sudden four lionesses will run away the road.
We start filming the picture but after two minutes have already disappeared from our view in the middle of the scrub ...
Better than nothing, at least we saw them and bring us to 4 big five.
We continue our search and find four to five machines turns on one side of the road ... sure there is something interesting!
With time we learn to exploit the eyes of others ... it happens that one is stopped to photograph a small bird and you're on the quarter of an hour next to his car to see where the animal hides many times that ... 'work of solidarity and exploitation of others gives good results.
In this case we see a horse un'impala of a tree trunk ... .. and certainly rose to his will on the ... and the life he abandoned for a while '. ... .. Poor man probably had lunch a leopard .... and then disturbed by the people has fallen and it was hidden among the scrub a couple of meters from the tree.
I try with the binoculars, we see perhaps a shadow, but we can not see it exactly .. The impala is the tree of great effect.
At the end of vacation, we question whether that is as Big five ... ..? Us to remain at five or four? Not very important since I do not win anything ... it all remains a pleasant experience in our hearts ...
Let us go into another lane and a car that proceeds in the opposite direction stops us and tells us that later turn to our left we will find the lions ... Thanks to this reporting change the ns.itinerario, confident ....
After about twenty minutes and some doubts our dream come true: in front of us there are 3 and 1 LEONESSA LEONE that rest on the roadside.
Andrea and Jael were in Kenya and have already seen the various animals and then for theirs is a dejavu ... but for us it is the first time! We are really happy and loads, photo immortalized on the picture the moment .. Now we can leave the Krugher .... Satisfied, we managed to see very many animals even though many of them would have liked to have more time to dedicate. I have seen for hours on the belief that elephants are animals that give a lot of satisfaction .... A giraffe runs and eats grass even if it is all very elegantly, the hippo eats grass or sleeping or is a soak in the river ... the zebra eats or flees alerted by our presence .... but I think the elephant is beautiful, is varied in its daily routine and her children are adorable ... but then all the animals have their own wonderful characteristics in praise of those who created them !!!!!
Leaving the park we head towards Nelspruit where we need to return the rental car and took the night bus, we (165 rand per Person € 35 per couple) booked by the company INTERCAPE www.intercape.com that will lead us to Maputo in Mozambique!
You edges of the road we are quietly cows, sheep and children and sometimes risk through dangerously.
We are aware that we leave this world to know new places, to give us new food for eat in, but my heart a little 'we cried.
The animal world has truly touched and fascinated and is sad to think how man time has ruined everything and many are at risk of extinction ..
We are happy to have seen in their natural habitat and not in a zoo ... and our hope is that the locals understand that more and more animals in the present state of things leading tourism and with them came the money and take care of animals instead hunting and killing them.
The animals are a real treasure as their land!
Nespruit come to that is already dark, Diego and Andrea have driven for 4.5 hours;
everything ok. Now we have three small problems:
1) Where can deliver the cars?
2) Where is found the bus stop?
3) Where to pass the time until three in the morning now scheduled arrival station?
Do not believe in luck but I can assure you that we went very well ....
With the help of our unfailing guide lonely PLANET and its maps we move into the city and the delivery of the cars that stop dell'Intercape are very close, separated by three-way ...
We understand now that whatever we do we have to pay or is it better to say you must give a tip.
Before you deliver the car (there are about seven in the evening) and hope to stroll through the city with backpacks prefer dinner and then find a place where no move più.La guide warns us that cities have a crime rate high and that whites are not very well seen and we prefer not to give too ... In the eye area is an Italian restaurant (although the Italian has only the name!)
Parking a little 'doubt the idea of leaving the car full of luggage incostudite .... We call for a guard and she reassures us, saying that will give him a look.
While we eat (I discover later) he washes un'uomo both cars and I can assure you that after the dusty streets of Krugher had actually need.
We give a tip and we head for the delivery of the car.
The agreements leave as is because the ten in the evening and office is closed, the parking lot and gas station in front of the office where there is a cassette introducing the keys.
We follow the directions to the letter and while we are away for the guard of the gas station called us: we understand now ... wants his tip to ensure that the cars arrive unharmed until morning.
Luckily it just really satisfied ..
With ns.zaini cross the roads that lead us to the bus stop.
We did not expect a waiting room with all the comfort, but at least one roof a little 'and repaired with a few chairs would have been our eyes the least ... there is nothing rather than nothing !!!!!!!
And when I write anything I mean anything .. not even the sign stop that at least gives you confirm that you are in the right place.
So we have no certainty that not what we say the people of the area. Someone told us that we can go and wait in the lobby next .. seen the darkness, the time and read about the dangers of any city follow the advice.
We feel comfortable but it is always better not dare too much.
We try, really un'hotel luxury, ask the permission and tell us to sit in a corner without too much confusion. Everything is fine rather than being out in the cold until three in the morning.
Towards half past eleven on the night watchman called us and told that our bus is starting to ... explain that our direction will pass Maputo later ... The night manager will use the opportunity to tell us that this is not the place to wait for bus ... We have to pay or leave the service. Pay rather than stay out in the cold, just shoot a figure somewhat 'high, I am aware that we have no alternative ... but we are determined not to leave us free rob and contracts at the end ... we pay 140 rand for tutti.Aspettiamo until 2:30 and then we continue the wait outside to the edge of the road.

We offer training in impala: all baggage at the center and all around us ... .. well I hope .... The waiting is very tiring and cold.
Arrive at 3:25 ...
We are already on TUESDAY 15/08/2006's all ok! People sleeping on board ... we find our place and suffered the controller brings us a good cup of tea to warm ... Shortly after collapse into what can be called sleep ... When your eyes are going to reopen Thursday in MOZAMBIQUE !!!!!


YOU CAN READ MY STORY ON MOZAMBIQUE ALWAYS ON THIS SITE:
Our itinerary is as follows:
arrival in Maputo, TOFO a four night, four nights a VILLANCULOS (in the National Park Bazaar) and then back to Maputo for a comprehensive Neslpruit.

FRIDAY '25/08/2006

7:45 to take the bus (always dell'INTERCAPE (0861 287 287 www.intercape.co.za (650 Metical spending € 40 a head per couple) which will take us from Maputo to Nelspruit ... It 'a great company, I believe most reliable luxury ... you feel controlled and driven to the border and we'll do the check-in baggage with a return ticket at the time of the withdrawal of the backpack ... I feel that I recommend as a means of transport .
Around 12:00 we were again officially in South Africa.
Sunday evening we have a return flight to Joannesburgh ....
We decided to visit as much as possible and to please a small desire to see Diego ... Blida RIVER CANYON.
Jael's heart remained in Mozambique, and many of us would have gladly spent until the last minute but we did not want to run the risk that any un'imprevisto Mettes at risk our return .... Although the idea of returning to work not attract at all.
In Nelspruit we return again to the office of TEMPEST (www.tempestcarhire.co.za or www.sixt.com) to hire a minibus at least six places also by calculating the area of the backpacks. Wolsvagen give us a very large red and are spending € 160 per couple for three days (since last one hour of delay charge us a whole day raising our spending.)
We head towards the mountains where the temperature is lowered again and we are forced to pull out of our new jackets and fleece ... The BLYDE RIVER NATURE RESERVE Cayón is a nature reserve, approximately 26,000 hectares and is visited by car by following the various paths along the edge of the canyon and making a stop in the main vantage points ...
We do the same thing, we head north towards Graskop and we stop to admire the various viewpoints such as Pinnacle, the God's window (the window of God for the height high .. and others of which I do not remember the name ... . We have completely changed the landscape for the umpteenth time, making it all the more varied our trip .. We are undecided about where to spend the night and decide to draw as closely as possible to the Bourke's Luck potholes (the guide describes as the bizarre hole dug into the rock by eddies of rivers, the photos seem characteristic views and we want to see them).
Come to Graskop (alt 1450mt) a citizen as the guide very limited but we must only eat and sleep and then is fine ...
Compare the prices of some B & B and we understand immediately that the standard is a bit high for what we are used but there is not much choice, but at least there is breakfast included in price ....
Andrea F and Raffaella (those who speak better English, Diego driving the van and Andrew B. injured her foot is segregated in seats at the bottom of the van with no doors ... not much choice) often fall to ask for prices and availability three double bedrooms ... Having seen a B & B tornano enthusiastic, saying that one of the rooms are wonderful (called by the owner honey moon honeymoon) info to ask two or three more but our heart has already decided .... to give Andrew and Jael allowed to sleep in the room honeymoon as a thanksgiving for having slept on a mattress on the floor practically for 4 nights in Mozambique at the mercy of mosquitoes (Raffa and Andrew Cape Towon as written already have taken the room more beautiful and more original ( then it was a bad choice and very cold; to Tofo in Mozambique there was only one room and a bedroom with two single beds and a mattress in the living room .... I have a little 'shaken and Jael has offered to sleep limiting in the living room to maximize their comfort and their privacy and Diego and I have slept in that bedroom ..) We had to thank them ....
The B & B is called AUTUMN BREATH & Ina Johann 217 Graskop 1270 tel / fax: 013 767 1866
Cell: 082 877 2811 e-mail: autumnbreath@cfmail.co.za
(Overnight 420 rand per couple € 49, while the honeymoon room costs 54.12)
the owners are a couple very very gentle on the fifty years or maybe more ... Mrs Ina go down in history .. we embrace and treat us as children ... maybe deep down is a little 'out of the head but in the good sense of the word ... . We also carry a nice hot chocolate to warm up ...
The Chamber of Andrew and Jael, a small apartment in part is really very beautiful and romantic with a fireplace and sitting area and more color is all sull'azzurro ... nice ...
We sleep in a nice bedroom, with spacious en suite bathroom, while Andrea and Raffaella are in a room not so spacious and the bathroom in the hallway .. but given that there are other rooms the bathroom is just for them.
It is only then one night ... I am about six, we give appointment for half past seven for dinner, and each pair can relax with a dip .... Sbadatamente us and Raffa & Andrea make the water hot to warm a little ' the environment with steam and then in the middle of the bath water is cold ...
We save everything, and we adapt, while Andrea B.si is called and the lady warned Ina problem ... she starts to give mad: I am sorry, it has never happened to me ... sorry ... and pull in even the devil dancing ... ... then concludes that the water heater is broken and causes them to rise in car and leads them in another B & B ever owned ... lets say "ripasso to take twenty minutes between" sbadatamente but then you forget to turn the water heater .... Therefore, instead rest of Raffa & Andrea have shot all the time and then were washed with cold water ... ..
On the advice of Mrs INA always go to eat in a place where peace of mind we recommend the book ... THE LOCO PUB GRILL
It 'an old railway station used for commercial restaurant and then furnished to the middle between the country and vintage and the people that we seem to have remained firm in the past even when we were passing trains loaded with logs ... strange atmosphere, charming though it seems to be in a book of King.Siamo the only customers and we eat pretty well spending 200 rand per couple (approximately € 23)

SATURDAY 26/08/2006

At half past seven we have to plan for the breakfast included in price:
is abundant and we cuddled by Ina dell'Adda that when we embrace and after giving us a very good cake Cheese cake makes us even a photo ... .. and makes us see a sort of marketplace of jewelry sold for charity for the church parish .... We welcome and appreciate ...
Before departure we are dedicated to shopping .. These are the last hours for shopping and gifts ... .. There are stalls of local and real stores all fate .... Moving on to the road in front of the restaurant yesterday we find a very nice local crafts ... all three of us DONZELLE we are captured by the tissue, with typical local and prints of animals, have beautiful color .. not the economic but we do not want to repent later for not having taken .... We buy ....
Towards starting eleven for the Bourke's Luck potholes ... entry paco 20 rand each.
It 'really a beautiful spectacle, perhaps only majestic ... .. these pools at the bottom of the canyon at certain points seem real natural pools ... It' a show that deserves to be seen.
We organize our journey until the last minute and telephone book
a visit to our last morning in South Africa in a pool of leopards which we have gained access through a television broadcast called ... DE WILD CHEETA RESEARCH CENTER ... .. we are lucky there is still room: we booked for 8: 30th
We are too happy, we can see the cheetahs closely by a small safari ...
Now we resume our journey back towards Joannesburgh; spend the night in the area close to the reserve so we can avoid a levataccia .. Diego driving almost all day, we pause only to make some glimpses at photos of beautiful scenery and a break for an afternoon snack which later will turn into our dinner .. (but we still do not know!)
Witnessing a beautiful sunset, the sky is colored a red fire ... .. exceptional emotions that remain because for the first time we are all in the same machine and it is a shared journey to 100%.
He has a little 'taste of the border this day, traveling in the midst of unspoiled landscapes, farms and far west style stained skies with clouds that seem to have no end.
This horizon is an almost unreal memories that we carry inside after this trip.
We shall also in Pretoria suburb but is now dark and we do not see much ...
Ravensport to arrive but when we start to look for a place to sleep is already dark, and every time we ask everyone we meet that are already full.
We continue our search for a couple of hours when we understand the reason for the sold out: there was a sort of sporting event and a big party (tomorrow will be all free ..) thanks .... But I consolo .... We are moving away from the area beginning to stir and worry about a Pochettino .. (tragicissimo not spend the night in the car in the worst case scenario but does not fall into our programs and more the desire for a shower is felt every moment more ...). We pulled up for a trip up the dirt road full of holes and stones without lights along the only disegnino of a bed ... a top arrived we are warned that they are fully booked, but we offer a room with bunk beds arranged three minute on each row and with a bathroom outside the stable .... and it is not economically .... maybe if it was free we should also think about all the accommodation was spartan, better sleep in the car!
Turn, we demand and we continue to turn .... In one of those stores open 24 hours at 24 a woman offers to take us ten o'clock at night in a B & B of my knowledge ... The follow hopeful, but then we see that leads us in the same place where we were ... it's all closed (note that it is winter and there are not many tourists) and you kindly call the owner who prefers to lose our money rather than open its local .... for a day ...
We continue our research almost resigned .... In the end we adopt the technique of the lady instead of following the signs to the building where there is a telephone number, at least not devote our efforts, time and petrol to useless ....
Go to 22:30 in one of our recent efforts have a positive answer: they are open and have three rooms available.
Do not even ask the price, for the last night and everything is fine at a certain time you can not then be too pretentious.
The place is good and the owners are very nice and helpful ..
is called: OUDESPOOR 10 Jackson Street P.O. BOX 4900 BRITs 0250
Tel: 083 631 9980 Tracy. We pay 350 rand per room (about 41 €)
Immediately to bed, the room with the thermo electric heat quickly ...

SUNDAY 27/08/2006

Included in the price we have also un'abbondantissima breakfast prepared by owner still in dressing gown ... sure we pulled out of bed .... Do we explain how to reach the reserve of cheetahs, and we continue our journey ....
After several silometri and having reverse almeno3-4 times ec'immergiamo reach the destination in the nature ... we pay 165 rand per couple (€ 20)
After an explanation of at least thirty minutes on the history of the reserve, about cheetahs and their situation in Africa and other things that I do not know because everything was in English and I do not understand half ... we leave for the visit.
Let's see some examples enclosed in cages near the entrance and find that miaows like cats but when the throw of the flesh have reacted a little 'more agitated that of mine. Go up on a pickup truck open type bus and start the tour of the reserve ... we believed to make a safari like the one done in KRUGER but it is a study-tour ... that we stop and get a thorough explanation and boring with each cage or enclosure and in front of each animal breeds different kinds of small cats of the savannah, a wild cat, the vultures, the iene, the licaoni, ostriches and other cheetahs again .... these are big yard and are free and this allows us to make nice pictures without the network in half. Every time there is new un'animale our guide will stop at least one quarter of an hour to explain everything in, and the difficulties currently encountered in the free life .... Such as vultures and the like because there are many more carcasses of dead animals around the streets or in rural areas are very difficult to get food .... I know this thanks to Raffa that occasionally summarizes everything ... We say frankly that if he were in a language (Italian) for me would have been less Heavy .... but it was still beautiful!
The cheetahs are amazing animals ... shame that people in general are ruining everything .... At the end of the tour by paying you can be photographed with an exemplary of cheetah very docile, which was also used for some movie ... you pay 300 rand for a group of 3 people ..
The mission even if it is not very natural ... but things are only for the moment in life ... it has a soft coat and is just like the fused multiply the cat on her body mass .. enters the room and feel fusare ... exciting!
At first, we explain that the first reserve, as the cheetah un'animale a high risk of extinction, was subsidized by the state .. with time since they were able to reproduce in captivity and the number has increased the state has ceased to give funding ... here they are forced to open to the public in order to finance ...
Pleased to take the trip to race back towards AIRPORT ...
A few hours together on the road, but we know that these are our last moments in Africa ... someone asleep worn out, someone makes money from this trip, someone thinks about what awaits him at home ... while driving Diego as usual and the stramaledice harassing motorists.
Return the car at the airport and get ready to wait hours before getting on board ... ..
It 'almost over .... Goodbye Africa ... .. your nature has left a mark in our hearts .... FALL dream even in the next trip ..