Tracked lions in Tanzania? Witnessed the migration in the Mara? Walked with wildlife in Zambia? Now it’s time for one of the most unique and utterly breathtaking wildlife experiences possible: Tracking rare Mountain Gorillas courtesy of luxury holidays provider Exsus.com.

Without a doubt one of the most moving wildlife experiences on earth, Mountain gorillas are astonishingly human in their actions and can be found in the misty mountains of Rwanda or Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

"Out of bed" style...

Typically trekking in a group of up to eight people (including trackers and armed rangers) you can spend anywhere from three to eight hours tracking, and an hour in the company of these incredible primates.

Each night, rangers track the gorillas until they make their nest so you have a good idea of where they’ll be for your adventure the following morning.

Uganda or Rwanda?

Uganda

Home to some 300 + Mountain Gorillas, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable forest is a beautiful ancient forest that holds nearly half the world’s Mountain Gorilla population, as well as 350 chimpanzees. If you’re looking to combine your Gorilla trekking as part of a longer trip Uganda is the place to head to.

Yummy breakfast!

There’s huge diversity in the country, stunning landscapes and countless other safari options to further boost your wildlife wanderlust.

Rwanda

Slightly more accessible than Uganda, Rwanda is the better option for a shorter trip to track the Gorillas. The trekking can also be slightly on the easier here though the rewards are just as fantastic.

Spectacular view from Virunga Lodge on a clear day...

Rwanda is also perfect to combine with a safari in Kenya or with the stunning beaches of Zanzibar in Tanzania.

The Red Sea Coast of Egypt offers world-class diving, and for most European visitors it’s the closest warm water.

Sea temperatures start at a fairly balmy 20°C and top out around 27°C. That’s just cool enough to be refreshing in a hot Egyptian summer, but still a whole lot warmer than anything Cornwall or even the South of France can offer.

A true tropical reef is one of the great sights of the underwater world, and Egypt’s Red Sea has more than its fair share. Dive spots like Ras Mohammed should rank amongst the best anywhere, and warm water means tropical fish in a rainbow of bright colours, ranging in size from tiny clowns to swift, massive barracuda, plus a huge number of different corals.

About 200 distinct coral species have been counted, and more than 1,000 fish species. Many are found nowhere but the Red Sea. There are grouper, butterfly fish, sharks, giant moray eels, and several different species of ray.

In fact, there are a few dive sites that are famous around the world as great places to see the world’s biggest ray. The manta ray is a true gentle giant- although these massive creatures can be more than 20ft from wingtip to wingtip, they live on a diet of tiny plankton and are harmless to people.

Mantas are most easily found around Sharm el Sheikh – ask about the Tower dive for the best chance of spotting one of these enormous, graceful creatures.

While you’re in Sharm el Sheikh, don’t forget to check out the wreck of the Thistlegorm. In its glory days the HMS Thistlegorm was a 300ft freighter in the service of the British armed forces. She was sunk during World War II and some of her cargo has been preserved to an almost unbelievable level.

There aren’t many places where you can see a 1940s motorbike as home to a variety of submarine plants and animals, and the Thistlegorm’s cargo of Bedford trucks, motorbikes, and artillery can still be viewed by divers.

Of course, it takes more than a wide variety of interesting wildlife and the odd wreck to make a great dive destination. It doesn’t matter how spectacular the underwater scenery is if you can’t see it – clarity of the water (what scuba divers call visibility) is a consideration too.

Happily, conditions on the Red Sea coast are often excellent. It’s relatively sheltered and lacks the huge waves that sometimes pummel the best dive sites in the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Gentle swells make for good visibility, and they also make the Red Sea an ideal place to learn to dive. Although many of those who come to enjoy this part of the world are already fully qualified and experienced scuba divers, many more come to try diving for the first time or to get their Open Water scuba license.

It’s far easier and far more relaxing to learn to dive in a friendly, warm water environment than it is on the cold and choppy waters off the British coast, for example. Equipment hire is available on site, so there is no need to bring anything more than a willingness to explore the underwater world.

A lover of all things dive, Jess Spate is also a surfer,  kayaker, and writer for Mozaik Underwater Cameras.

You’ll be enthralled by the warm atmosphere and vibrant night life this wonderful resort has to offer.

Here’s a sneak peak of my recent stay there. Enjoy!

Lake Malawi in Numbers

- Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa, and the eighth in the world.

- It is the second deepest lake on the Old continent, just behind Lake Tanganyika.

- Sometimes referred to as “Lake Nyasa” (or Lake Nyassa/Lake Niassa), the water body is home to the largest number of fish species (500-1,000) of any lake in the world.

- Lake Malawi contains 30% of all known cichlid species on the planet.

- All but 5 of over 350 species of cichlid fish are endemic to the country.

Clouds of “Lake Flies” (Chaoborus edulis)

This amazing phenomenon happens on a monthly basis (near the time of the new moon) as the flies, known as “Nkhungu” in local language, hatch from the lake. Due to their very short lifespan (only a few hours), they gather in swarms to reproduce and lay eggs.

Lake flies are a local delicacy and people catch them with damp wicker baskets or special nets. They then pat them into cakes (called “Kungu”) or eat them deep fried. Kungu is extremely rich in protein and calcium.

One of the common names for these flies is “phantom midges”, due to their menacing structure when in flight. The black clouds literally contain millions (if not billions) of these intriguing insects.

Now that I rethink about it, we were extremely lucky as we were one of the last groups to experience the top section of the river, starting at Bujagali Falls. Since February 28, 2011, the entire section has been closed off in preparation of the new “damn” dam!

Here are some of the best shots taken on the day:

Getting all geared up and ready for the big splash!

One of the security boats carrying safety equipment, first aid kit and lunch (very important)!

Our first grade 3 rapid of the day!

Down we go!

Needless to say we got absolutely drenched!

Things are getting a little intense...

Paddle hard, "harder", screamed Alex (our guide)!

Great team effort, guys! Love the synchronization!

Looks like we're having so much fun, can't you tell?

Time for a little breather! Can you spot me?

I’m swimming, yes (third person from the left).

Easy-peasy when you're not paddling...

Here come's a big one (grade 5 rapid)...

Getting the momentum going...

The moment of truth has arrived...oh oh, it's getting interesting!

What’s up with your finger, Mitch? You look completely out of it! Ok, perhaps I shouldn’t be talking so much…I’m the only one looking back, true that!

As if it weren't enough, we had to try it backwards!

At least Mick and I weren’t the first ones exposed this time…enjoy the ride Jenny!

Mick's sure having a good time!

Can't get any better than this, can it?!

Trust me, this is WAY cooler than Disney Land!

Hang on tight!

We made it, YEE HAW!

Safety kayaker enjoying the waves!

Flip or no flip? That is the question...

The situation seems definitely tricky...

It turns out alright after all...oh, no, man overboard!

There she is!

Don’t you worry Mick, we’ll get your “wifey” back!

Egrets and cormorants on nearby islands.

Off they go!

Fisherman scaring away fish into his net!

Go team! Sweet memories...

Disappearing into the spray!

Tadam! We're back, just like magic!

Nice catch, buddy!

What to Expect From a White Nile River Rafting Experience?

- Lots of fun.

- Lots of water.

- Wonderful guides and a safety team entirely dedicated to your enjoyment and well-being.

- Adrenalin rush guaranteed.

- Beautiful setting.

- Great bird life.

- Grade 3-5 rapids (some of the wildest in the world).

- Yummy pineapple and biscuits for lunch.

- Flips? Maybe yes, maybe no…

- Breakfast upon arrival (depending on the formula you choose), and a gargantuan Buffet BBQ with beers and sodas at the end of the day.

- A professional photographer and videographer to capture the essence of your day.

How Much Does it Cost to Do Rafting?

Depending on the option you choose and the company you deal with, rates vary from USD $115 (half day) to USD $125 for a full day of fun. In some instances, you can arrange rafting experiences of two days or more, and this is available from USD $200 +.

My experience turned out to be absolutely amazing, and I highly recommend a company called Nile River Explorers as they are just perfect and extremely professional every step of the way.

How Long Does a Typical Rafting Experience Last?

2-5 hours on the river per day is the norm. This corresponds to a downstream travel distance of approximately 10-25 km.

NB: If you plan on spending time in the area, I also encourage you to stay at the Nile River Explorers Adventure Centre in Jinja. Expect great people, a breathtaking location and mouthwatering food.

Is Rafting Safe?

White Water Rafting is an extreme sport so it is never safe 100%. However, most of the guys out there use top quality equipment and make sure you receive an extensive safety briefing and practice drills before departure.

The safety team usually consists of 1-2 oarboats (for equipment and food), and an entire team of highly athletic safety kayakers who spot swimmers before they are even aware of being in the water.

What to Bring

- Light clothing: ideally shorts and t shirts.

- Loads of sunscreen lotion as it’s a real scorcher out there.

- A towel and change of clothes once the day is over.

- Any medication you may require and a little pocket money for optional extras (such as tipping, buying photos and/or the video footage).

NB: If you’re wearing a wedding ring, a watch or any jewelry for that matter, please remove it beforehand. In our particular group we’ve had two couples who lost their wedding rings. Not the most amusing of feelings…

Minimum Age Requirement?

- 16 years old.

- Under 18s – guardians’ approval apply.

The 90-minute flight from OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg has been uneventful, but the scenery for the last half an hour has been a revelation – this arid region of South Africa is known for its soaring daytime temperatures and tough, hardy people. There’s a town not far from where I land called Hotazel, for goodness sake!

Only 90 minutes away from heaven!

Tswalu Kalahari, as its name implies, is a desert retreat. But not just any desert retreat. Owned by the legendary Oppenheimer family (whose relationship with Diamonds is equally legendary) this used to be a ragtag collection of hunting and cattle farms. Now it’s an award-winning private game reserve, and, at just over 100,000 hectares in size, the largest one in private ownership in the country.

As soon as Nicky Oppenheimer bought Tswalu in the late 1990s he stopped hunting. And started a long and arduous programme to restore the Kalahari to itself, to reintroduce rare and endangered species like the desert black rhino and beautiful black-maned Kalahari lions and to uplift and empower the communities living on his land.

Some 15 years down the line all of the above boxes have been ticked. And how. Tswalu Kalahari is out of this world, and not in a frothy, travel-writer caricature sort of way, but literally – the landscape is other-worldly, with gently rolling dunes seemingly going on forever as they spread out beneath said Korannaberg, which tower, parched and imposing, over this endless, dry place.

But these dunes are far from lifeless, and indeed are packed with some of the most interesting inhabitants Africa has to offer… Meerkats, pangolins, brown hyaena, gerbils, gemsbok, the aforementioned rhino, cheetah… All of them are here and in numbers too. And thanks to the fact that the BBC made a documentary here, the meerkats are remarkably habituated. Which means they’re easy to get close to.

The Motse at Tswalu Kalahari.

Accommodation at Tswalu is equally impressive. There’s the Moste, with its enormous and welcomingly cool “legae” or suites, a couple of which are family orientated with two bedrooms instead of one. Each legae looks out over the endless vistas of the desert, known as the “green” Kalahari because it actually gets more moisture here in the south than the central regions in nearby Botswana do.

The legaes are beautifully laid out and equipped for the ultimate in desert dwelling – air conditioning, open fireplaces (nights get cold here, even in summer) immaculate furnishings, comfy couches on the outside deck… You know the routine…

Then there’s Tarkuni – an exclusive house for 10 guests. And now a sleep-out option at the Malori – a self-contained deck in the middle of the desert where slumber parties can be held for two!

You could be lying in this couch right now...

But I’m not here for the comfort, or the fabulous spa therapies – I’m here for the great outdoors.

At Tswalu you can explore that great outdoors in a variety of ways – on a vehicle, on foot or on horseback. Or even via a hot air balloon. And a visit to the community at the staff village is a must. This is where you see what Tswalu is giving back to people and place. And realise what an awesome place this really is.

If you could dream up the perfect destination, Tswalu would definitely come very close!

In the back of my bakkie are two excited children, in the passenger seat an excited grandmother, binoculars at the ready as we prepare for a day cruising the Kruger bush in search of excitement and wonder.

It’s just a day-visit this time, part of a long-weekend away in one of my favourite parts of the world – the Mpumalanga Lowveld.

I’ve based myself in Hazyview, at the Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort, a four-star family establishment within spitting distance of everything this remarkable area has to offer.

Casa do Sol's two pools are perfect for family fun.

Family fun is something that Casa do Sol specialises in. Indeed, as the young men in my charge agree enthusiastically at every turn, “Casa do Sol is brilliant!”

And I must say I find it hard to disagree. Themed around a rambling Portuguese village and set in lush, tropical gardens, the property is extensive and includes a fishing lake and the Ilanga Nature Reserve, with walking trails up the mountains behind the hotel.

There’s horseriding, mountain biking, two huge swimming pools, tennis … everything to keep parents on their toes and children well-occupied.

The hotel is a three-minute drive from the centre of Hazyview, on the Sabie road. What used to be a quiet, almost sleepy lowveld town is now a happening tourism hub, thanks in large part to the aforementioned Phabeni Gate which was opened only a few short years ago. This has made access to the Kruger Park for this area much easier, being only 12km out of town.

But there’s much more than Kruger to occupy in this part of the world.

Just outside Hazyview, on the Graskop road, is the Shangana Cultural Village. Created and built by local Shangaan people, the village offers tourists a chance to get in touch with the local culture of the Hazyview area and learn about the rich heritage of the Shangaan people.

Shangana is centred around the Marula market, a central “market” village where local craftspeople ply their trade. There’s a great range of arts and crafts on show here, so don’t forget some spending money. Entrance to the Marula market is free.

From this central point, guides lead guests down to separate villages on set tours, which are offered by prior booking. The midday tour includes lunch and an evening tour takes in an evening festival in the chief’s kraal. This includes dancing, drumming and a multi-course meal served in the traditional Shangaan way. It’s all great fun!

A memorial stone to Jock of the Bushveld in the Kruger National Park.

Further afield, the historic gold-rush town of Sabie is a short, 25-minute drive away down the R536. The drive to Sabie is an adventure in itself, with some breathtaking scenery and lots of interesting “padstals” along the way.

This is Jock of the Bushveld country – an area made famous by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s legendary tale of indomitable Staffordshire bull terrier Jock and his adventures in the time when Sabie was a small trading post on the route from Delagoa Bay. The little dog’s name is everywhere, from coffee shops and cafes to campsites and luxury lodges.

The Sabie Forestry Museum is well worth a visit, and for keen fishermen this town is known as “Troutville” – the Sabie river is teeming with the tasty fish. There are activities aplenty in and around Sabie, from hiking trails to 4×4 routes, quad-biking and horse-riding to hot-air ballooning and microlighting.

A visit to the Lowveld is not complete without taking in Sudwala Caves, located between Sabie and Nelspruit.

Formed over a period of 3000-million years, the caves capture a moment in the Earth’s history when this area was covered by a warm, shallow, inland sea. The Pre-Cambrian dolomite caves are amongst the oldest in the world and contain fossils of the first known oxygen-producing plants – collenia.

Guided tours take place every day and cater for the casual explorer – the Cave Tour takes about an hour exploring the large chambers of the caves. For the extreme adventurer there’s the Crystal Tour, a 5-hour 2000 m penetration of the cave system with stretches of crawling through water-logged tunnels and views of the magnificent aragonite Crystal Chamber. This tour takes place on the first Saturday of each month and needs to be booked well in advance.

With so much on offer there’s a risk of exhaustion, racing around exploring all the hidden nooks and crannies that make the lowveld the great holiday destination that it is.

After a couple of days “doing” the attractions, I opted for a couple of days rest and relaxation back “home” at Casa do Sol, relaxing on various loungers, letting the boys swim, fish and hike in the nature reserve while a revisit to Harry Potter took the strain of my physical and emotional unwinding.

In between chapters I kicked back, took a sip or two of a pina colada, watched the sunbirds flitting from flower to shrub, warmed by the marvelous lowveld climate and reflected that Mr Potter would have been right at home in the lowveld – it’s truly magic.

Tanzania also offers the greatest variety of scenery and wildlife in Africa and is a great safari location for honeymooners and families.

The northern circuit includes the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro while the southern circuit includes more remote reserves like Ruaha, Selous and Katavi.

The ecosystem in the northern sector is complex and scenically diverse while the southern reserves offer a very private game viewing experience where you will feel as if you are the only people for hundreds and hundreds of miles.

To the west of Tanzania is the Mahale Mountain range where a thousand or so chimpanzees live in the tropical forests on the banks of Lake Tanganyika.

There are also a good variety of activities available including day and night game drives, walking safaris, mountain climbing, hiking, horse back safaris, hot air balloon safaris, camel trekking and cultural interactions.

If you decide to add a few days in Zanzibar to your Tanzania safari itinerary you can expect to enjoy a variety of water based activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, dhow boat excursions and deep sea fishing.

The highlights of a Tanzania safari:

•     The Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti

•     Hot air balloon safaris

•     Cultural interactions with the local Masaai and Samburu communities

•     Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

•     The Ngorongoro Crater

•     Fantastic bird watching

•     Private and exclusive game lodges and camps

•     Beautiful and remote national parks

•     The exotic spice island of Zanzibar

•     The Mahale Mountain chimpanzees

Today’s post isn’t about “pizza” though, but it is also a specialty found at the Night Market (Forodhani gardens, in Stone Town).

Nope, today’s about an “extra special” drink that I discovered back in the days: sugar cane juice.

How to Make Sugarcane Juice – What you Need

- Sugarcane juice maker machine or press.

- Cut sugarcane stalks.

- Ice.

- A sieve.

Sugar Cane Juice Health Benefits

- Extremely tasty!

- Very refreshing and re-hydrating.

- Replenishes your body with high energy, carbohydrates and protein.

- Only contains raw, unrefined sugar, no simple sugars.

- Sugar cane has a low glycemix index, which keeps the body’s metabolism healthy.

- It is plentiful in natural minerals and vitamins.

- The stalk is an alkalizing substance, and is therefore highly recommended for diseases such as breast and prostate cancer.

- Sugarcane can also be enjoyed by diabetics without worry.

Spawned by an ancient volcano which still sleeps beneath it some 1300 million years ago, the Pilanesberg was the location of the dramatic 1979 game relocation project known as “Operation Genesis” which saw indigenous fauna returned to their natural habitat in the heart of the Bojanala region of what is now North West province.

Mankwe Dam at the Pilanesberg game reserve.

The unsung success of that project speaks for itself along the 200 kilometres of gently winding roads and tracks which snake between the towering peaks, gently rolling hills and rocky outcrops which cover the 55000 hectare reserve… The “Big Five” are abundant, as are all of the major “safari” species like giraffe and antelope as well as the rarer drawcards like wild dog, cheetah and hyena (spotted and brown).

The Pilanesberg is also a bird lover’s paradise, with all of the usual suspects as well as intra-African migrants keeping tick-lists full to the brim.

With dams and waterholes all over the park, and some fantastic viewing hides, it’s also possible to see some great water birds, and other creatures which make the water their home, like crocodile and hippo.

Ivory Tree lodge.

When it comes to relaxing and enjoying the park at its best, there are a variety of accommodation options available, from camping and self-catering facilities at the Bakgatla and Manyane camps (located at the two main entrances to the park) to luxury safari lodges at Tshukudu and Shepherd Tree and larger, upmarket resorts like Ivory Tree, KwaMaritane and Bakubung.

And next door to the reserve, literally, is the glitzy Sun City resort, with four hotels, a casino, entertainment and adventure centre, with everything from elephant-back safaris to hot-air ballooning over the Pilanesberg available to guests.

Perhaps the best thing about the Pilanesberg, for me at least, is that it is close enough to the major urban hubbub of downtown Joburg and the nation’s capital, Pretoria, to be enjoyed as a day-trip destination on a self-drive or day-tour basis.

Facilities in the park are excellent, from picnic areas, viewing sites and hides dotted along its routes at regular intervals to the Pilanesberg Centre with its restaurant overlooking a small waterhole and the magnificent views the park affords, which is open from gate opening to closing time, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, as well as providing a curio shop and small shop for provisions like bread and basic commodities.

Ballooning over the Pilanesberg.

It’s a visually stunning place, and one steeped in history too, with sites of historical and cultural interest clearly marked. The map of the park, which is available at its entry gates, explains the significance of these sites and the fascinating tribal heritage of the area. It also gives a translation of the names of all of the routes inside the park, which are in the local SeTswana language.

The Pilanesberg may not have the glitz and the glamour of some of South Africa’s more exclusive private reserves, but it certainly makes up for it in both geographical beauty and the fact that it is packed with game of all shapes and sizes, making a visit, whether for a day or a few days, a truly special experience.

For me it holds a special place in my heart. Why? Because I saw my first leopard in the Pilanesberg. And like first love, your first leopard is an experience never forgotten!

- Bring comfortable clothing and gear up for your outing in the bush. Don’t forget your insect repellent, a good torch, sunblock and a hat, a pair of binoculars, and your latest camera model!

- Pay your entrance fee and keep your permit with you at all times.

Serengeti Fees...

- Take as many pictures as you want and experience the peace and calmness of the African bush.

- Enjoy the wildlife and Africa’s exquisite sunset with a cup of tea, biscuits or a nice cold beer.

Allowed activities: guided game drives and walks, camping (only in designated areas) and/or mountain bike trails (not in big 5 areas).

Don’ts

- Pet free zone. Pets are not allowed inside any African national park as they may interact, harm (or get harmed) by the local fauna.

- Gun free zone. For obvious reasons, guns are also forbidden. The only people who are allowed a gun are the local guides and some of the staff.

- Don’t interplay with wild animals. NB: Touching the game is prohibited!

- Do not feed the game (as they may get sick). Feeding wild animals also establishes a dependency cycle and this is definitely not how things ought to be.

Ironic, isn't it?!

- Only drive on allowed roads.

- Hanging out of vehicles/unattended walks are forbidden. Inadvertent tourists are looking for trouble!

- Overnight stays are only allowed in designated areas (camping areas, lodges, etc.).

- Overspeeding is not accepted. In most national parks, the allowed speed is between 30 and 50 km/h max. In some instances (on tarred roads for example), travel speed may reach 60-65 kph.

- National parks have strict opening/closing hours. Make sure you leave the park entry before dark.

Ngorongoro Gate Entry Times.

- Keep your noise levels low at all times (especially at night). Noise is a nuisance to both guests and animals.

- Drunken behavior is not tolerated, and alcohol may not be consumed in public areas nor in your private vehicle.

- What you see in a national park must remain that way. In other words, removing firewood or disrupting the flora are an absolute no no.

- Smoking/making fire is prohibited.

- Do not litter.

SANParks Rules and Regulations Illustrated (VIDEO)

“Thanks for visiting and enjoy your stay!”