January, as you know, is cold over here, so along with “her indoors” we decided that it would be a great idea to find some sun and to also relive our enjoyment of wildlife. It meant combining a land safari and linking it with a cruise so we could not only enjoy the animals and birds but also visit a variety of places too! Glad to say it worked very well!

We flew to Johannesburg and had a 4-hour transfer to the Botswana border to stay at the Motswiri Safari Lodge arranged through Africa and Beyond, to experience the Madikwe Game Reserve. On arrival we were greeted by Impala and Warthogs! Our bush villa had it’s own veranda and overlooked the waterhole with the animals calling in for a drink in what seemed a “pecking order”. Buffalo, Elephants, Giraffes etc all within metres of us!

We had 6 game drives during our stay; early morning and late afternoon – what an experience!!

Our ranger was very knowledgeable and as soon as he caught a glimpse of the “Big 5” he was off the main track and into the bush. Sightings were plentiful and “the icing on the cake” was that we spotted all the “Big 5” on our final drive! Having a lion, then a leopard walking alongside our jeep, just feet away, is a memory we will never forget!!!

We then flew down to Cape Town to link with our Fred Olsen cruise on board Boudicca.

On arriving we checked in to The Hotel on St Georges, which was very central and linked to a long pedestrian walkway full of stalls and cafes where you could grab a Castle Lager and watch the world go by.

No time to lose though, so it was up on the cable car to the top of the 3563 ft Table Mountain with great panoramic views of the city with Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) in the distance. There are interesting walking trails at the top of the mountain and if you were brave enough, you could even abseil back down!!!

The Boudicca set sail for Port Elisabeth and the Kwantu game reserve which also had plenty of wildlife including White Rhinos. Sadly, they had had their horns surgically removed to deter any potential poachers.

Then on to Richard’s Bay where we took an inland excursion along the backwaters where Hippos, Crocodiles and Fish Eagles were in abundance. We visited the ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn which I had visited years ago when I took a group on a Garden Route tour. Back then I was allowed to ride an Ostrich but this is now stopped on humane grounds!!! However, you are still allowed to stand on the ostrich eggs whatever your weight!!

Really great fun to end a truly unforgettable holiday and that’s another one off my wish list –However I still have many others to fulfil!

By Lance Sturges

To find out more about Lances’ African Adventures email [email protected]

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