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about South Africa 
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Incredible diversity of landscapes marked the awesome Nature of South Africa. The mighty mountains painted with distinctive sandstones cliffs and formidable peaks, the cascading splendours (waterfalls) created by the crystal clear mountain streams and rivers and coastal patchwork of tranquil and golden beaches interspered with rugged cliffs are just some of the natural wonders found on this magical land.
Wilderness Trails Hiking is our core activity to explore these natural wonders. Hiking trails in SA are clearly defined except for some less explored areas. Clear foot-paths are easily followed with well furnished maps. Sometimes these paths are indicated by sign of African animals i.e. guinea fowl. As such, by following such trails (bird trails for "birdies"), we were always awarded with magnificent waterfalls. But in certain days we were disappointed to see a "dried out" or "small" falls. But it was really the thrill of exploring the wilderness that drive us to hike further. For many occasions, we were fighting against time to complete a trail before nightfall. And for once, we were behind time as we were lost for the early part of the trek and were walking tiredly in darkness to our campsite. Our guide was real worried that he drove out to look for us. Be it was walking in the bush, under the shade of forest, or along the boulders-strewn coast with or without the guide, that the fifteen birdies had definitely enjoyed each other company and cultured the "birdie spirit" to fight the cold, height, danger - challenges of the nature.
Our trip had covered barely a few because of the limited time    (and the fact that there are actually many great escarpments) 
but the most popular ones.
Mpumalanga ("Sunrise")

Rugged but yet pristine plains and escarpments

- Serenity

The first taste of adventure was the top tourist escarpments in the Northeastern part starting from Lydenberg - 250 km rampart of sheer cliffs with fantastic view points (God's Window, Pinnacle), tumbling waterfalls (Lisbon falls, Berlin falls) and the grand Blyde River Canyon (Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes). 

 

Three Rondavels

Lisbon falls
Potholes
Lesotho 
(Roof of Africa)

Magnificient stark mountains - Accomplishment 

Contact with the very first frosty weather of Africa, we hiked the beaten route up to the highest pub of Africa - Sani Top Chalet and later challenged up to the lookout point for a spectacular view of Hodgsons Peaks which is named after the last British Patrol burried on the slopes of the mountains. 
Traveling out of South Africa, in Lesotho which is a tiny independent kingdom (African Switzerland) besides Free State, is the Saw-toothed ridges and deep, precipating valleys known as Sani Pass. It is the only road linked between KwaZulu - Natal and the remote areas of easternn Lesotho, opened in 1955. 


Hodgsons Peak
Drakensberg (Dragon Mountain)

Overcoming fear with Sweat  - Tolerance

Setting off from Tendele Camp, we headed for the Amphitheatre taking the Gorge Walk (22.5km) winding the Tugela Gorge dotted by Protea commonly found on the slopes below the sandstone cliffs and enchanting patches of forest (where we suffered horrible attack of the silky catepillars drooping from the trees). Some challenge up the Chain Ladder for a better view of the 90m tall Tugela fall was definitely memorable for most of us.

The distinctive band of sandstone cliffs of Drakensberg stretches further housing some of the world most beautiful and oldest Rock Arts - San Paintings. And next to its border and in Free State is the beautiful Golden Gate. 
Moving inland, is the almighty Drakensberg range towers high above the grassy slopes with magnificent peaks (Cathedral Peak and Amphitheatre). A half day hike up the Mike Pass of 10.5km brought us to the paranomic view of the Northern Drakenberg - Cathedral Peak and Central Berg.


Cathedral Peak

Amphitheatre
Golden Gate

 
Garden Route

Rocky Coast of Golden beaches and Crystal Blue Lagoon 
- Relax

Gusty wind; but we had the most relaxing 2 camping days watching beautiful sunrise and sunset and hearing the seagull. We did part of the renowned Otter Trail ended at the great Waterfall.

We had quite an adventure in the Cango Caves which is a wondrous world of caverns, narrow passages, fluted columns and glittering crystals. With still and humid (95%) air in the narrow passage, we had to crawl in all fours, sometimes to get through the slippery and yet "doghole size" tunnels! We were lucky to be lean and not got stuck. 
 
Along the coast of Indian Ocean, miles of golden beaches are interspersed with rugged cliffs and boulders (Tsitsikamma) and lagoons (Knysna). 

Tsitsikamma

Along the Southeastern, lies the grotesquely weathered rock formations famously known as Swartberg Pass and a multitude of caves (Cango Caves).


Cango Caves

Like professional mountain bikers, eight of us were driven to the scenic Swartberg Pass where we "skidded" down the 24 km steep and winding track from the 1585 m high summit. An accomplishment!
 
Western Cape       (Cape Town/ Cape Point/ Cape of Good Hope)

Roudy crowds and bustling streets scatter around the foothills of awesome  mountains and bays of wildest  coasts
- African Beauty

Some of us surveyed the Table Mountain in a 3 hr climb up from Kukpulip Path instead of taking  the Cable Car. As seasoned by the past treks, most of us scaled effortlessly up to the flat top, just in time for the beautiful sunset. 
 
In its very Southwestern is the flat topped Table Mountains with its breathtaking views, and, extending far into the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Peninsula with Cape Point at its tip and the fynbos-covered Cape of Good Hope. 
Table  Mountain
Cape Point

Such were the places we had hiking, horse-riding, mountain-biking, sight-seeing and caving! A diversified trip in the land of myriad landscapes.

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Last updated on 17 Sep 2000
Copyright of Gek Hoon
(Singapore)

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