COUNTRY: Southern Africa (Swaziland, Mozambique & South Africa)
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Care Work
WRITTEN BY: Monique Bedwell & Rebecca Young
At last the day had arrived and it was time to leave for Vic Falls! This wasn't part of our original itinerary so we were even more excited to hit the road. We took the first of many group photos and then Kirsten got a bloody nose, which set us back a bit, but before long we were off. Bob was once again our driver (he drove us to Kruger) and he was accompanied by Mpho, as the second driver and Nosipho. Nosipho was essential as she is originally from Victoria falls and knows the area better than anyone.
After hours of driving, 4 more stamps in everyone's passports and some complaining we finally reached Camp Itumela, Palapye, Botswana at about 7pm with just enough time to organise our rooms and get settled for dinner. The food was a traditional meal and enabled most of us to have the opportunity to try a new dish, Crocodile casserole! As soon as someone took the first bite and didn't start frothing at the mouth, everyone else that was game enough gave it a go. After sitting around the camp fire and playing a few games of ping pong we all headed to bed as we had a 5am start looming in the distance.
Our next stop was in Kasane right on the Chobe river. Whilst there we had the opportunity to go on a river cruise. Kirsten, Aimée, Rebecca, Zoe and Matt had decided to do the river safari and were rewarded with some amazing views and lots of Elephants playing in the water. Dinner was a traditional slow cooked beef stew that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. We didn't have as early of a morning because everyone needed to get some US dollars but the banks didn't open until 9am. Nosipho and Bob had been to the bank the day before to make sure that they had enough USD for all of us so we were a bit worried when they told us that they didn't have any at that morning. Luckily it turned out they did, but they would only change our money in one transaction, so in the end this took even longer than it should've and due to our tight schedule we couldn't afford any slip ups.
After another border crossing we had finally made it to Zimbabwe. We quickly had lunch and settled into our new lodge, Shoestrings Backpackers, before rushing to the Zambian border to be able to make it to our Devils Pools adventure on time. Once through the border everyone split into different taxis with Alice, Madi, Louisa, and Zoe heading off in the first one they saw. When the last people arrived at the Royal Livingstone Hotel we realised that the girls were no where to be seen so we all started to worry. The guide was annoyed at us for not being on time but there was simply nothing we could have done to be there earlier. When it came time to get on the first boat out to Livingstone Island there was still no sign of the girls. When the second boat arrived the girls had still not shown up and there was nothing else we could do.
We were shown around Livingstone Island then were directed to where the Devils pool was. It was an incredible experience! Each of us were able to hang over the edge of the falls and peer down at the falling water beneath us. After a delicious high tea on the island we headed back in to find the 4 very unhappy girls. Unfortunately they had some very bad luck with a clueless taxi driver and were taken everywhere other than where they needed to be. Once we were back at Shoestrings we realised it was actually quite a lively place that also included small mini markets stalls, a large pool and many dorms. The bar was open to the public so we got a chance to meet some of the locals. The group had a great night of singing, dancing and a few drinks to relax after the very long and stressful day of travelling and panic.
The next morning a small group of us - James, Rebecca, Fe, Tash, Harry, Kirsten and Mon - were up at the crack of dawn (6.30am) to get ready for the Lion Encounter. Each individual was able to pat and walk with two 12 month old lionesses. It was an incredible feeling being so close to the famous African Lion. They were a part of a breeding program to hopefully one day be released back into the wild with the aim of aiding population growth. At about 12.30pm Louisa, Zoe, Alice, Tash, Aimèe, Matt, and Kirsten all took part in a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls. Everyone had mixed reviews as the falls were only at 10% capacity and although it was a marvellous view, it was not what they expected.
While at the lodge everyone found ways to relax and escape the heat as it about 40 degrees. Once everyone was back together we ate lunch and then made our way out to the Victoria Falls National Park where the whole group was able to walk our way along the falls, viewing points across the gorge on the Zambian side. Everyone was glad to have been able to finally get a greater view of what the falls actually looked like. Back at Shoestrings many of us wanted to get an early night as almost the entire group was taking part in whitewater rafting the next day.
While most made their way to sleep battling the loud music from the bar, others joined the locals in a few drinks, dances, and many pool games. Finally the time had come to go WHITEWATER RAFTING!! With a 6.30am start the whole group, minus Aimée, James and Kirstin headed off. Everyone was assigned a life jacket and a helmet and lead down the mountain with an ore in hand as well. We were broken off into two groups and set out in the boats. Each boat was given a debriefing and then headed out onto the rapids. Emotions were running high throughout the day as one boat was absolutely loving the experience and powering through each rapid, whilst the other was very unfortunate and experienced the first capsize of many. This quickly shocked people into realising just how dangerous rafting is. The day consisted of laughs, tears, chants, yelling, injuries, and a lot of hard work from everyone in the boats.
By halfway some people wanted to continue whilst others were ready to call in a helicopter to pick them up. Unfortunately for Mon she was unable to walk up to the top of the gorge and was then strapped to a stretcher board and carried up the gorge. Once gathering everyone together at Shoestrings, some headed off for more adventures such as the Gorge Swing and Bungee jump. James, Rebecca, Louisa, Zoe, Alice, Madi, Fe and Mon all took part in the gorge swing while Kirstin, Harry and Tarun watched on. James and Rebecca were brave and jumped by themselves with Rebecca taking it one step further by going head first. Everyone else was able to strap themselves to each other and take the step off the edge as a tandem. Unfortunately for James he did not make it in time for his bungee jump and missed out, but as compensation he said would simply do the bigger bungee on the way to Cape Town, twice. The day did not end there, everyone showered and got ready quickly as we were all heading out to the Boma dinner.
This is a traditional African experience with food, music, art, and culture. Everyone started to release the days adrenaline and help themselves to the exotic foods available at the open buffet. The main meat platters were prepared in front of us which included choices such as chicken, warthog steak, Kudo and for those who were brave enough to try it - the famous Mopani Worm. Those that were brave enough ended up with a certificate to prove it. We also had our fortunes told by a witch doctor, had our faces painted and joined in the music activities which included playing drums under instruction from the band. The night came to a close and so did our final and biggest day in Victoria falls as we were starting the long journey home in the morning.
The drive home was long and tiring for everyone but even more so for Alice and Matt who had picked up a stomach bug making the long drives between pit stops even harder than they should've been. We finally arrived at our stop for the night, Great Zimbabwe, just after 8pm ready to go to sleep and to forget about all the travelling still to come. In the morning the group was able to do a tour of the Great Zimbabwe Ancient Civilisation, whilst those who didn't go struggled to fight off monkeys from stealing our bags and our food.
The next stop on the way home was the Blyde River Canyon - the 3rd largest canyon in the world. Unfortunately we lucked out with the weather as it was raining and foggy so we didn't really get to see much. Finally we were on the home stretch! Which, after one more border crossing, become a race back to Lidwala. Everyone was glad to be home although it was only for two more nights, Lidwala Lodge had become our Swazi home and it felt good to be back.
Our last day in Swaziland consisted of final visits to the markets and frantically packing our bags as we would not be returning to Lidwala Lodge like many times before.
When it came time to leave it was very difficult to say goodbye to everyone as they had become our African family. Nosipho gathered us all together to tell us that she had given everyone an African name. African names all have meanings and through getting to know everyone during our time in Victoria falls she gave us names according to what she felt suited best.
Alice - Naudi (Zulu princess)
Louisa - Thandiwe (the loved one)
Zoe - Nothando (mother of love)
Kiki - Rudo (love)
Aimée - Muntin (baby)
Fe - Lungile (beautiful/good heart)
Rebecca - Nombuso (ruler of adrenaline)
Natasha - Nomathemba (mother of hope)
Madi - Nobuhle (mother of beauty)
Mon - Naufundo (mother of intelligence/wisdom)
Tee - Tendai (thanked)
James - Butho (hero/brave)
Harry - Mandla (brother and strength)
Matt - Memcoba (conquer)
After that, saying goodbye to our Swazi family became even harder ending in many hugs, photos and tears. But it was time to head off for our final road trip! We made a quick stop off to exchange money and before long we left Swaziland for the last time. Our first stop along the coastal tour was St Lucia. This was a small town with a beach and lake. Our time here was spent playing pool games and for those interested, a Hippo Boat Cruise which Alice, Zoe, Madi and Louisa took part in.
After two nights in St. Lucia our trip continued into Durban where we all wanted to go 'SHOOOPPPPIIINNNGGGG!!!!!' All the boys thought we would only need about an hour to check out the shops. We finally helped them see sense and agreed on 3 hours then would meet back at the car. Ironically, 3 hours had past and the two people we were left waiting for was Tarun and Mpho, the two people who complained in the first place! Eventually we reached the Happy Hippo which was home for the next couple of days, and settled in. A few people from the group decided to go out for dinner as Durban is known for its Indian food while the others stayed behind and played multiple games of pool with other backpackers staying at the lodge.
The next day we had the option of going to Ushaka Marine World which was an aquarium and water amusement park combined. For those who did not wish to take part in that, they were able to head into town and look around the shops and markets.
We were once again on the road and heading down the Wild Coast, to the Bucanneers Backpackers Lodge. Unfortunately, upon arriving we were informed that the activities such as the cheetah interaction, were not available due to the cheetahs being sick. The two days spent at Bucanneers consisted of relaxing and not doing much apart from a few who found an extra activity to take part in. Rebecca and Aimée went on an elephant encounter where they were able to pat and feed two juvenile elephants. James, Tarun and Mon on the other hand, all went quad-biking throughout the nature reserve. Tarun proved to be entertaining as he often lost control over the bike and drove into the trees.
The next stop along the way was Port Elizabeth. This was a one night stop but everyone was able to enjoy the free wifi or take a stroll along the beach to make the most of our time there. That night there was a sleepover in one of the rooms which began the marathon of watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In true sleepover style all the mattresses were thrown on the floor with multiple pillows and blankets for anyone who wished to join.
Our last stop before reaching Cape Town was the lovely Tsitsikamma. The first day at the Tsitsikamma Backpackers a couple of us were able to play on the Segway's while others relaxed or, you guessed it, played pool. The next morning was the big day, deciding if to bungee or if not to bungee. Alice, James, Tarun, Mon, Natasha, Fe, Madi and Rebecca were joined by Harry on the bridge to prepare themselves for the biggest bridge bungee jump in the world with a hight of 216m. Everyone was alive with adrenaline and would have loved to have a second chance to jump, or in James' case, to jump three times! Once forwards, second backwards and lastly having a run-up and jump! The afternoon was filled with packing and relaxing at the lodge. James, Tash and Fe took part in the Forest Canopy Tour and Rebecca had loved the Segway's so much that she went on a guided Segway tour around the neighbouring native forests. With one night left until our arrival in Cape Town, the group had come to the realisation that our African adventure would soon be coming to a close. The drive to Cape Town was long but it was broken up by a stop off in Mossel Bay 5 hours out of Cape Town.
This was where we had the opportunity to go Great White shark cage diving. Matt, Mon, Kirsten, Rebecca, Louisa, Zoe, Madi and Alice were the brave ones in the group who headed out to seal island ready to come face to face with the king of the sea! We were briefed about what to do and how to keep all our fingers and toes. The first group to go in the cage was Mon, Matt, Kirsten and Rebecca. After only a few squeals and minor cardiac distress, it was time for a swap to let the others have a go. By this stage the guides had got back into the swing of things and used the bait to pull the sharks right up to the cage. As the first group weren't as lucky they got to get back in for a second go. We must have started to intrude in their space (or looked tasty!) because the sharks soon stopped going for the bait, and started going for the cage!
4 hours later and it was time to get back on the road. Our time of long road trips was finally coming to a close when we all saw the flickering lights of Cape Town at night. Fe, being the DJ, very cleverly played Paradise by Coldplay whilst watching Cape Town come closer and closer into view. We arrived at Hout Bay Backpackers at around 8pm which concluded our last road trip. We calculated it and realised that all of our drives over the course of the trip totalled 6 days worth of sitting in a car. We are all eager to start our volunteer placements in Hout Bay and see what our last few weeks will bring.
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