Africa Unlimited Expeditions & Transfers

Getting up early is always a delicate situation. Your bed is warm and comfy but the bush is calling. When the alarm went off at 5 am this morning it was still dark outside, but as I pulled the car out of the drive way, about 30 minutes later, the sky was turning orange and daylight had arrived.

It was quiet at the entrance gate to enter the renowned Kruger National Park and the air was filled with excitement over the start of this new day. When driving the first meters into the Kruger you always wonder what happened during the night. Did a leopard chase this group of impala's that is now grazing so peacefully? Where are the elephants, who's tracks are so clear on the dirt road in front of us? Did that giraf over there have a fight on life or death with a group of lionesses? We will never know...

Every day is different in the Kruger. Sometimes you see a lot, sometimes you see little. But you always see something.

Today we were very lucky to encounter a group of ground hornbill. The 4, 3 adults and 1 juvenile male, where walking near Sable Dam. They did not appreciate our presence and quickly moved across a dry river bed to safer grounds. On the other side of the dam we spotted a small group of impala quenching their thurst. Some white faced ducks were wading through the water and a grey heron was just waking up.

As we continued our journey we almost bumped into a big old, male giraffe. Munching on some acacia leaves he watched us with his big eyes with long eyelashes. This was a clear case of who-is-watching-who?

A bit further on the same road a group of zebra's and impala were grazing and only looked up briefly as we passed.

The morning brought us more impala, giraffe, beautiful birds all over and the peacefull serenity of not seeing any other cars. Who says the Kruger Park is too touristy and overcrowded?

We were back just after 8am, all ready to start another day in the office.....

Our trip in February started in the lovely town of Phalaborwa. We left at 6 in the morning and entered the Kruger National Park. At 8 we were at the Giriyondo Border Post where we bought our visa and paid the entrance fees for the Parque Nacional do Limpopo. At 11 we exited the park at Massingir. And finally, at 2 am our feet touched the warm sandy beaches of Mozambique!!
So 8 hours, of which 4 hours in national parks viewing game, not bad at all!

Bilene is a small village located on a lagoon. It streches for 27km and has a pleasant sandy beach all around. There are a couple of hotels and campings to stay at. The standard of the accommodation is generally lower then in South Africa but has a wonderful beach-feel to it.

We visited the Bilene market which was a refreshing experience as we were not hassled at all by pushy salesmen. Being 2 women, we felt very safe and enjoyed walking around the market, taking photos of everything. Nobody seemed to mind. Bought a small jar of home-made chilli sauce that got tears in our eyes when we tasted even the tinest little bit on our fingertip!

Our journey went from Bilene north to the area of Xai Xai. Just before Xai Xai we turn right onto a dirt road that brought us to Zongoene. This road had a reputation and not a good one. It is 30km and used to take about 2 hours to tackle due to the extremely poor condition it was in. But boy, were we lucky! They have just upgraded the road and it is a pleasure to drive it now. Lots of people walking along the roads, children who wave at you all the time, little market stalls that sell dried fish, tomatoes, live chicken and everything else you can think of; a very interesting route that most overseas visitors will love.

The next day we drove the same route back to the EN1 Highway and continued to Praia do Xai Xai. Praia do Xai Xai is situated about 10km out of Xai Xai itself and is easy to get to. The road along the beach in Praia do Xai Xai is sand, but we did not need to engage in 4x4 as it is in good condition and the sand not too loose. The seas is quite rough at Xai Xai and with the dangerous under currents most hotels advise you not to swim in the ocean. But you can splash around, go for romantic beach walks and go fishing. There are a couple of tidal pools though where it is safe to swim.

Our route from here on, went back to the Transfrontier Park and back home to Phalaborwa. Same road we came on and again no problems what so ever! If you want more details about the route, the areas that we visited and even the accommodation you can contact us at www.africaunltd.co.za

Why is it that most tourists want to end a holiday with a couple of days on the beach? A holiday just doesn't seem complete without some sea, sand and sunshine. Visitors to South Africa are no different. But when your plans include a safari in Kruger National Park and surroundings you are very far away from the beaches of South Africa.

With the opening of the new Giriyondo Border Post, almost halfway on the eastern border of Kruger National Park, the coastline of Mozambique is now within reach! The route is very new and not many people have travelled it yet. It is very difficult to find information about the route, the road conditions, places to stay etc.

We have done the route many times ourselves and organize self drive and guided tours combining the bush of South Africa with the beaches of Mozambique.
My last trip was at the beginning of this month. Having left Phalaborwa, right next to Kruger, at 06.00am, my feet were touching the white sandy beach of Bilene at 14.00!!

The journey starts with a pleasant 2 hour drive from Phalaborwa to the border bost. It is only 100km but since the speed limit is max. 50km/h and you want to see some game as well, it takes 2 hours to get there. The Giriyondo Border Post is very relaxed and usually quiet. After 'checking out' from Kruger National Park and filling in the nessecary documents for the South African customs you proceed to the Mozambican side, where friendly officers assist you in filling in the forms and paying the fees. You will notice straight away you are in a different country as the language is now Portuguese!

The journey continues with another 2 hour drive through the Parque Nacional do Limpopo. Together with Kruger National Park, this park forms the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, that was officially opened in 2002 by president Nelson Mandela and his Mozambican and Zimbabwan counter parts.
It is a dirt road all the way to Massingir, with the last hour being a bigger challenge than the first. There are still many people living in the Parque and the road leads you past some of the villages.

A boom indicates the end of the Parque at Massingir. Travel across the dam wall and enjoy the view over the massive Massingir Dam, that will most probably develop into an interesting tourism destination in the future.
From here on it is a straight tar road to Chokwe, the first big town on your route to the coast. The road is usually quiet, which helps you to safely dodge the potholes that are present at certain stretches.

Chokwe is a typical African town, with a busy market lining the main street. After an optional stop at the petrol station it is on to Macia where the road crosses the EN1 Highway. The road follows an interesting canal with small sluis- gates to overcome the various water levels. The area is very flat and the various villages are interspersed with massive millie fields.

In Macia is where you decide which way to go. North towards Inhambane and Vilancoulos, South towards Maputo or in our case, east towards the sea. Our journey went to Bilene, a mere 30km towards the coast. Rolling hills guide you on your way until you reach the small town and a 27km long lagoon. The road is also in a good condition, with local sales(wo)men trying to sell huge bags of home made charcoal, bottles of honey and bags of cashew nuts.

Our experiences at the coast will follow in our next travel blog. www.africaunltd.co.za