This is the time of year, that the southern right whales visit our shores in droves to mate and calve in our sheltered shores. These whales spend most of the time in the Antarctic waters feeding on plankton, but as soon as the winter approaches they migrate to the South African coastline to mate and calve in our warmer sandy shores. AWOL can arrange include a variety of whaling experiences into your travel itinerary. (more…)This is the time of year, that the southern right whales visit our shores in droves to mate and calve in our sheltered shores. These whales spend most of the time in the Antarctic waters feeding on plankton, but as soon as the winter approaches they migrate to the South African coastline to mate and calve in our warmer sandy shores. AWOL can arrange include a variety of whaling experiences into your travel itinerary. (more…)
Along the Agulhas coastline where this new and exciting AWOL Shipwreck hiking trail takes place, many names in the area are consequences of maritime accidents. One such example relates to the first documented wreck in this area which occurred in 1673 when a small ship, the “Zoetendal”, ran aground in Struisbaai. (more…)
The two-day Orangekloof trail is an absolute “must-do” for both locals and international visitors alike! AWOL Tours offer ported and guided hiking trails with qualified and accredited mountain guides. I was privileged to be part of the famous Hoerikwaggo gruelling two-year training programme. Once I qualified as a mountain guide, I worked for Table Mountain National Park for three years, which allowed me to really excel and gain knowledge of the mountain. (more…)
At this time of year (August to September) AWOL Tours offers hiking, cycling and photography trips up the West Coast of South Africa into Namaqualand. At any other time of the year this region is a desert scape but after the winter rainfalls a miracle occurs and the landscape is transformed into a floral wonderland. (more…)
Masiphumelele is a township on the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa. People started moving into the area in the 1990′s and initially it was known as Site 5. The township was renamed Masiphumelele by its residents, which is a Xhosa word meaning “We will succeed.” A bicycle township tour through the community is a great way to experience traditional Xhosa customs and I recently took two US based teachers to Masi to do just this. (more…)
On July 27, 2010, In Safari, responsible tourism, By Sally Petersen
Tuningi Safari Lodge is only 3 hours drive from Johannesburg in the malaria free ‘BIG 5′ Madikwe Game reserve, famous for its wild dog sightings. The best time of year to be on Safari is at this time of year, when the grass is dry, controlled burning has taken place and it is easy to spot the wildlife through the dry trees. Although it’s great for visitors, the stress between the animals to get to waterholes is insurmountable. Check out this video (more…)
Cape Agulhas named Cabo das Agulhas “Cape of Needles” by the early Portuguese explorers, is the southern most tip of the Africa, the meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, and now the start of a new AWOL Shipwreck hiking trail due to be launched shortly. (more…)
Just a few miles off the coast of Cape Town lies Robben Island a harsh place, battered by the strong winds and famous ‘Cape” storms. It has an illustrious history of shipwrecks and ghosts and a place where the sick, mad and criminal elements of society where swept away.
Today a visit to Robben Island today must rank as one of the ‘BIG 6′ attractions in Cape Town and many visitors flock on the ferry to visit the famous political prison. Lionel Davis spent 1967 – 1971 on Robben Island as a political prisoner and now accompanies AWOL’s guests. He is much easier to understand than the slightly over crowed tour that is standard and will give his personal account of his time on the island. Lionel was prisoner #366-64 – in the same block as the most well-known Robben Island prisoner – #466-64! This is Lionel’s story in his own words:
Umlindi Wemingizimu, commonly known as Table Mountain, is one of the most underestimated mountains in the world. This majestic World Heritage Site, receives approximately 800 000 visitors per year. The mountain at the foot of City of Cape Town is easily accessible, forming part of the urban park called the Table Mountain National Park. (more…)
Spending time with a young and energetic American family from Chicago during their first trip to Africa was a great experience for me. Our Cape to Garden Route cycling itinerary was action packed and involved many different cultural and natural activities starting in Cape Town and ending 6 days later on the Garden route. (more…)