Fever Tree Forest, Phinda Game Reserve

Fever Tree (Acacia xanthoploea):

In the lowveld areas of South Africa, it is a great sight to see fever tree forests especially early morning or late afternoon with the highlighted bark covered in a yellow powdery substance. The bark literally shines, hence the use by local Zulu people as a remedy if you are having bad luck or can't find a job. The Zulu name for the tree means "something that can be seen from far away".

The tree is so named, (fever tree), because early pioneers thought that this tree caused a fever, in some instances from the bark powder that would settle on their skin. In fact the fever they were vunerable too was malaria, carried by mosquitoes that thrived in the same swampy and low lying areas as the trees.

Unusually, many gardens in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg contain fever trees. Historically fever trees would not have been found on the highveld of South Africa, but with the well watered gardens and some protection from frost when young, the trees now thrive in these suburbs.

Big Five Walking Safari, Phinda Game Reserve

There is no better way to experience the African bushveld than on a walking safari !

Favourite Quote:
"The bushveld is a place that grips and subdues you and makes you one with yourself"
(Jan Smuts)

Black-crowned Night Heron

Scuba Diving, Praia do Tofo, Mozambique

During the last of the three weeks of our trip to southern Africa, we spent four days in a little piece of 'paradise' named Praia do Tofo, Mozambique. Specifically we went there for the diving, but the whole experience was terrific and a chance to escape from the rat race. The diving experience was incredible through the dive operator Tofo Scuba. The young team from Tofo Scuba was excellent and professional throughout. We were fortunate to see humpback whales breaching close-up from the dive boat. We dived a different reef on each of five dives, and all were unique and special. The highlight definitely was Manta Reef. The reef teems with life and includes two Manta cleaning stations. On all the dives we did a roll back negative entry with rapid descents to the reef below. We descended into an amphitheatre and remained there for most of the dive keeping any movement to a minimum. At one point we had a manta circling above us within touching range. What an incredible site and an image saved on my mind that I will never forget ! This is definitely one of those wildlife highlights that will be remembered for the rest of my life.

www.tofoscuba.co.za

www.scubamozambique.com/acccasabarry.htm
http://mozmarinescience.googlepages.com/mantarayresearch

Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, 2007

Well another failed attempt to complete the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon - this time my second attempt. In hindsight I should never have started the race having come down with flu the week before. I discovered that persistent flu symptoms do not go together well with trying to tackle excruciating heat (~ 45 DegC) and the desert conditions. The first day turned into a bit of a disaster. After vomiting after check point 2, becoming extremely dehydrated and taking a short sleep to try and recover, I headed off on the wrong river gorge. My mistake completely but I just wasn't thinking straight. Oh well, these things happen and I am not too disappointed. Many more experienced runners remind me that in a race like this it is all about the journey getting there, and if for some unplanned reason you are unable to complete the race, well that is just one of those things. The preparation for the race has been thorough and a great challenge. Will I attempt it again - not sure time will tell.

King Cheetah, De Wildt Cheetah Centre, South Africa

Walking Safari, Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa

During mid-October we spent a fantastic four days at the Walking Safaris camp at Phinda Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The experience was memorable ! We were looked after by a great team at the camp, led by Sam the ranger for the camp. The ultimate african wildlife safari has got to be on foot and staying in an unfenced camp. Although the idea is not to encounter the big five on foot, but rather leave that until the evening drives to look for them, we encountered lion on foot - two lioness. Not the first time for me, but a great experience and the whole situation was handled incredibly well by Sam and his tracker. We saw them, they saw us, we stopped, watched for a short while and then backed away, with no aggresive response from the animals at all. The bushveld is not just about the big animal sightings and we had a great time looking at the smaller things - tracks, plants, trees, insects and smaller animals. A fantastic location with a very professional team.