Drakensburg and the Wild Coast
Having left Lesotho behind, we headed for the foothills of the Drakensburg to meet up with our friend Bud and go hiking together. The scenery in the Garden Castle was spectacular, but the weather was so-so. Good enough to hike though.
From the Drakensburg we headed towards the Wild Coast. Our first stop was the remote coastal village of Mboyti. The next day we visited the Magwa tea plantation and, after our tour, purchased some tea which we really like. Nearby is a beautiful waterfall and where Dave took one of his best pictures. Can you spot Big Bertha?
We then visited Port St Johns, where Dave had to re-install our cooker after its silicon surround gave way. Next was Coffee Bay where we hiked along a magnificent coastal path to the ‘Hole in the Wall’. We continued on to visit the coastal towns of Morgan’s Bay, Gonubie (to see a dentist), Kidd’s Beach and Port Alfred (where we were interviewed for an article in the local newspaper).
Leaving the coast, we headed inland to Addo Elephant Park, Mountain Zebra National Park and the Valley of Desolation at Graaff Reinet. We were now solidly on Karoo Lamb territory and lamb chop dinners hereabouts were very good. From here we headed back, via Nieu Bethesda (and the quirky Owl House museum), to Port Elizabeth to transfer onto a new Carnet de Passage and start down the Garden Route.
Loving the stories of your travels Dave and Francine! We are UK based and raring to go on overland travels once our own German-built truck is ready to pick up. Some of our most inspiring trips so far (tents on top of a 4×4) have been Oman and Namibia but like you we’re also looking forward to much longer-term adventuring in an “apartment on wheels”. Keep up the inspiring journey! All the best Philippa & Richard
We hope the build goes well and we look forward to perhaps meeting you on the road!
Dear David and Francine- I love being an armchair traveller reading about your amazing and exotic adventures in so many fascinating countries in Africa. My geography of the region is improving as I look up and research different things you mention! X