http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , South Africa , North West en-us Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:55:13 +0000 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:55:13 +0000 Should we take the low road or the high road Driving to Mountain Sanctuary Park from home the distance is shorter going via Breedts Neck pass than going via Hartebeespoort dam probably by about 30km. The only trouble is the 39gravel39 road over the pass. The last time we travelled that route was quite a few years ago and then already the road was in a bad condition. How much more had it d http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Rustenburg/blog-779703.html 1. Piracy continues to exist in the modern world because of the high market for goods. Piracy at sea continues because of the high prices of gas and other goods transported by sea however modern pirate go for goods that are easy and can be sold fast.2. The aothorities are trying to stop this problem by putting more ships or military ships to protact goods being stolen. I think there are many http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Mafikeng/blog-774448.html It is interesting how often travel results in visiting unexpected places. Today I visited Hartsbeeport with the plan of going on the cable car. However when I got there there was a forty five to an hour queue which didnt sound pleasant in 33 degree heat. So I thought I would go back later and see what else is there in Hartsbeeport.While driving around I saw a sign for Bush Babies Monkey Sa http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Brits/blog-772960.html Over the Christmas Holiday we were fortunate to have visitors from KC. The St. Clair family made the long flight from Kansas City to Johannesburg to experience the holidays South African style. Shortly after they arrived the next day to be exact we took them to Ukutula Lion Reserve. This proved to be an amazing Christmas Gift for us all. We never imagined having so many close encounters with li http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Brits/blog-767917.html The second day dawned at what I have come to realise is the ideal time of the day in Africajust after sunrise. Being the odd one out I had a 3 man tent to myself the downside being that I have to put it up and down alone. Not mentally challenging but that thing weighs a tonne and is taller than I am. If I go back to Australia without significantly smaller bingo wings I will be very disappointe http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/blog-765802.html Over the 2012 Christmas period I went to visit my aunt and uncle on their farm in Potchefstroom. We took a drive out the one day to their other farm just outside Klerksdorp for those of you who may be a little lost... ever heard of a place called Wawiel Park My uncle wanted to show us from the road how we could see the lions that were being kept in a Lion Park. We were stuck with in coming tr http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Potchefstroom/blog-765467.html Woke early to the Tarentaal guinea foul calling thank goodness they hadn39t set of the perimeter alarm as they sometimes do. Love being able to hear the birds nestled at this beautiful home under the Magaliesberg mountains.Aunty Pauline and Uncle Dave treated us to a beautiful breakfast seated on the veranda overlooking their infinity pool. I had papaya fruit for the first time in over 30 yea http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Rustenburg/blog-761466.html Today for the first time we went to Sun City. What a bizarre and mixed experience. When we were children we never visited because my parents called it Sin City instead of Sun City. The main area is typical of the aged casino look. Nothing inspiring here. But at least I managed to find a cute bag for my daughter. The highlight was when Karen I dropped into the health spa and managed to get in for http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Sun-City/blog-760252.html We lived in a small mining town and our closest city with all the usual amenities was Rustenburg. Again we have an abundance of memories from our time here not the least of which was attending a local church. It was housed in a beautiful old house with a dungeon beneath. I can still remember the smell of that dungeon and I was always scared that I would accidentally be forgotten down there one d http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Rustenburg/blog-760250.html We experienced the most wonderful reintroduction to Africa I could have imagined. Friends of our family from the time we lived here welcomed us into their home and what a beautiful home it is. An understated lavendercoloured and surprisingly spacious colonial cottage is filled with elegant and beautiful rooms each with it39s own unique character. The building is not very old but it has been http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Rustenburg/blog-760246.html It was raining cats and dogs as my mother used to say when we left OR TAMBO International Airport for the long drive to Rustenberg.Uncle Dave took the freeway so we could miss the traffic. We were treated with some amazing country side. Some of which was familiar and some so sad. Signs to Pretoria Hartbeesport dam Brits Mooinooi Marikana all familiar. Then Dave and Pauline39s home appears http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Rustenburg/blog-759305.html Diversity is the key feature of growth of South Africa which is continents biggest economy. It welcomes its guests with broad smiles with open arms and hearts and excited to show its achievements. To understand its rich cultural heritage scenic spots mind blowing wildlife and colorful cities just book flights to South Africaand draw into the rhythm and soul of Africa.A visit to South Africa http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West//blog-754091.html Here we are in Sun City waiting to have a good time. We Stayed at the Shimmering in the African Sun the fantastic Sun City Resort Complex. It is one of the worlds largest entertainment centre a luxury theme park for grownup kids like Me....haha We went in September when it was Spring Break experiencing hot sunny days. We called on some guy friends to join us as they were already in Sun City http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Sun-City/blog-750597.html Friday the 28th of September i decided to take my boyfriend to Pilansberg Game reserve for the weeken for our Anniversary. If you want to get in touch with nature this is definately the place to go. Quiet peaceful and just relaxing. Get in touch with your inner self whilst watching animals at the watering hole or feeding the birds on the front veranda. Listening to the lions rarr at night and w http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West//blog-749981.html Did I say we were going to Pilanesberg to rest and relax Getting up at 5.15am every morning and driving around to go game viewing is not really my idea of relaxing But when you see some memorable sights it makes it worthwhile. And just to enjoy the fauna and flora around us is great. We managed to get to Pilanesberg mid to late afternoon. Luckily there were quite a few camping sights still avail http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West//blog-746339.html 04 April 2010 I traveled to Sun City with family and friendsDeep in the rugged bushveld in the heart of an ancient volcano lies the world39s most unique resort. Sun CitySun City has been on my bucket list for years. It has always looked like a magical destination and it did not disappoint. We started our week long trip and not once have I regret choosing this destination. I could have sown http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Sun-City/blog-746132.html Long weekend in South Africa and this normally means there is a mass exodus of the major inland cities to some better destination where there is no traffic sirens and crime. We are joining the masses and heading to Pilanesberg for some R R and hopefully we will spot some game wrongly identify some birds and just relax to gather some strength for the last quarter of 2012.Looking forward to a fe http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West//blog-744771.html In life timing is everything and by this time last week I really needed a break. Luckily the English bank holiday gave me an opportunity to take a long weekend off work and a chance to relax.The one thing I really wanted to do was to go on safari while in South Africa and see the big five Lion Elephant Rhino Leopard and Buffalo. Other people from work have been to the Kruger national park http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-741624.html It has been a dream of mine to see the animals in Africa since I learned that such animals existed in Africa. So it is fair to say that four days spent at Madikwe Safari Reserve nestled in the Madikwe National Park were a dream come true. The rooms were fabulous darling with our own plunge pool and outdoor shower on the deck where we watched the local wildlife sauntering around. The lodge was inc http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/Madikwe-Game-Reserve/blog-739824.html The message we seem to be getting in the UK is that Rhino poaching is something that had been stamped out as we don39t seem to hear much about it since the crisis in 1980s. But rhino horns remain a valuable commodity in the Asian market and white rhino are being slaughtered for their horns to such an extent that 2012 has been the worst year for rhino deaths for a decade. Last year 448 rhinos w http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/Zeerust/blog-739804.html