Along The Great Grey-Green Greasy Limpopo River (Part 1)

The kids had barely left the park and I had barely time to catch my breathe when I went off to explore ("to visit" sounds a bit unadventurous) the Limpopo province with my fellow GVI volunteers. This annual trip had been postponed many times now - at first it was meant to be a mid-year break but it had turned into an end-of-year break instead. No complaints here however, I felt like getting away, far away preferably, for a little while so this was perfectly timed.

It began in Upington airport, famed for allowing hunters easy access to the north-west of South Africa and noticeable lack of a bagage-claim area. Your luggage will be sort of "dumped" next to the check-in counter (one of two)...you get the idea. So here I boarded a tiny, healthy looking but rather bouncy airplane. First stop: Cape Town. Now for those of you with some geographical knowledge of South Africa this will not make sense. Since my destination was Johannesburg (north-east) and my current location is the north-west it does not make a lot of sense to go all the way south only to fly back up again. Actually it does make sense, and not only because the direct flights to Jo'burg (or Jozi) were full, but because flying this tedious triangle cost exactly the same as a direct flight. I've not quite worked out why this is, but when I do you will be the first to know.

Arriving in Jo'burg is always exciting. Will I get mugged? Held up at gunpoint perhaps? Maybe even, cross my fingers, car jacked?! One can only wish. Alas, since I was not flashing my camera around or driving a rented BMW I admit I did not make for an interesting target. In all seriousness though, there is a lot of paranoia attached to Johannesburg and if you pay too much attention to it you will never be able to enjoy yourself in this very cool town. I was staying one night at the Backpacker's Ritz in the Hyde Park area of the city, one of the rich northern suburbs. Despite its name and location this hostel is ridiculously affordable (R110 for a bunkbed) and a very chill place to use as a base for exploring the city. Even spending an afternoon at the Ritz is interesting since there are usually a few very colourful characters hanging around. Of course I did neither exploring nor "hanging" since I was completely defeated from the journey and the Kids In Parks programme. After catching up with two of my colleagues over a few beers I was about ready to collapse in the lap of our charming waitress (call me!) but I controlled myself and fell into a deep sleep on one of the bunkbeds.

The next morning we awoke to the friendly face of Sting. Rubbing the sleep from our eyes we quickly realized it was our coordinator, Pete, from GVI who has a - it has to be said - passing resemblance to the singer. Showered, packed and paid we made our way out of the hostel only to be greeted by our trusted friend, the GVI Siyaya (minibus). Oh and yet another GVI volunteer, Madelen, was also present. There were a few tears (mostly mine) at this happy reunion, but we quickly made our way to the airport again to pick up the last member of this motley crew - always wanted to use that word - Ben (from the States) who had just driven up from Golden Gate Highlands NP in the Freestate. We all got along so well at once it felt as if the past ten months had not really happened and we were still on our training in the Kruger. One piece of advice about the Jozi airport however: do NOT make a wrong turn or you will be forced to drive aimlessly until you actually reach a Zimbabwian borderpost. So know where you are going, that's all I'm saying...


With high spirits (and a lot of wine), cameras at the ready and bellies filled with Swedish liquorice we began the first leg of our journey, to Marakele National Park...
















Pic: Eventually found Ben at the airport.
















Pic: Mad & Kristel in our precious Siyaya

Pic: Jenny doing what she does best!
















Pic: Pete doing his best Eminem impersonation. Word.
















Pic: She took us all the way.