The New Forest is packed with ancient woodlands, picturesque villages, pretty harbour towns, and cosy pubs. It’s the perfect place to explore for all you nature lovers and outdoor junkies!
You can get from London to the New Forest in a day, which is what I did, however if you have the time and/or money then a night here would be better! There are so many areas to explore! I decided to hire out an E-bike as a way to see more!
Getting from London to the New Forest
Train: The train goes from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst and in just 90 minutes you’ll be transported from the concrete jungle into a beautiful woodland paradise!
Bus: There are bus services from nearby Southampton (number 6 Bluestar bus), which also goes through Lymington and Lyndhurst.
Car: From London to the New Forest, it’s pretty much the M3 all the way and will take roughly 1 hour 45 mins (depending on which part of London you are coming from).
Brockenhurst Cycle Hire
When I was researching London to New Forest day trips, I kept seeing a lot of posts about cycling trails and as I only had little time, I thought this would be a great way to experience more of the area.
I found Cyclexperience which is literally in the car park on Brockenhurst train station so couldn’t be easier when travelling via public transport! The guys were super helpful and very friendly and knowledgeable, plus the rental bikes were a great price too.
There are many trails either directly from the hire place or very close by. They also will give you a map which has all the numbers of the markers for the trails along the way.
For someone who has never used trail markers (like me) it can be a bit confusing at first, but I found I got the hang of it after a while. You will need to look out for small wooden posts with numbers on, and then check your map every so often, to see if you are following the trail correctly.
The cycle hire place also has a free app which I would thoroughly recommend, where it shows the trail marked out and your current location. Just ensure you have good battery or even a portable battery charger with you. You don’t want to run out of juice half way through the woods!
The trails I did were very flat an easy and great for kids. There are also more challenging and longer trails to do. I found I cycled miles with my E-bike, so if you want to do a longer trail then having that helping hand in power makes a huge difference!
Ornamental Woods Trail
This was my favourite trail! I went as much as the scenery and photography than the cycling, so although this is the most popular easy family route, the views are some of the best!
I went to Brockenhurst in mid-Autumn and on a weekday, so it was incredibly quiet on the trails- just the way I like it haha!
From the cycle hire I followed the numbered markers, along a quiet road for only a few minutes and then it’s a gorgeous open heath to one side, with wild horses dotted about.
The train soon takes you through over a pretty stream and stunning woodland with huge trees. The Autumn colours were spectacular, and the sun was shining too!
I honestly just felt so free cruising along on my E-bike, wind in my hair, and admiring the views! This trail is perfect for all ages, families, solo travellers, couples etc and very hard to get lost as it basically just loops back around.
I took me about two hours as I was stopping every two seconds to take photos but if you were to just cycle around and not stop too much then you may be able to go around in an hour.
Beaulieu & Buckler’s Hard Trail
The Beaulieu & Buckler’s Hard was also very nice, although as the light was getting low (the only downside of going in Autumn) I only made it to Hatchet Pond and couldn’t do the extension to Buckler’s Hard. However, the pond looked amazing with the sun going down. It actually reminded me of Australia!
The trail takes you through beautiful woodland, past the large pond, and along an open road for a short time, before turning onto a huge open heathland. By this time, the sun was setting, and everything was glowing orange and looked amazing!
I managed to get back just before dark and only really stopped quickly to eat some packed lunch during the day, but remember if you were planning to stop at one of the many pubs, then factor in this time as it can eat into the day a bit, especially when it gets dark early at this time of year!
There are many other trails that I wished I had time to explore, i.e., the one down to the coast, which is nearby! If you can spend at least 2 days here, then that’s great but if not then it is definitely manageable on a day trip!
The New Forest is such a lovely part of the UK and can get extremely popular in the peak months so always book your bikes early!
I hope you enjoyed this post, for more UK adventures you may like reading:
There’s something special about Africa. Something that’s hard to put into words and something that can only truly be felt. To experience a trip to Africa is a once in a lifetime for many. A Tanzanian safari, a visit to Maasai villages, being the heart of curiosity amongst the local children and walking along the dusty streets, chatting to the local food sellers. Africa is the ultimate adventure.
A young boy with his herd
Tanzania is a popular country for an African safari as it’s the home of the Serengeti National Park, one of the best places for wildlife viewing in the world. Here you will see the big 5- lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Aside from these incredible animals there’s an abundance of wildlife from birds, cheetahs, zebra, impala, baboons, crocodiles and hippos. It literally is like being in a David Attenborough documentary!
There will be hundreds more in the full swing of migration
I booked myself on a Tanzania & Zanzibar tour with GAdventures, which included visiting a Maasai village, a 4 day Tanzania safari and ended in the beautiful Zanzibar. This is a great trip if you want to combine paradise beaches with safari! (Pssstt…I will post a separate post on Zanzibar next week!)
Excited for safari
Here is what you can expect from a 4 day camping safari in Tanzania. It is a budget option as opposed to the luxury lodges but I actually believe that camping out in the middle of the Serengeti, with no barriers or gates between you and the wild animals is an INCREDIBLE experience. We actually had an elephant walk directly into our camp as we were eating dinner, just a few feet away! More on that below…
So lets get started with our Tanzania safari tour shall we?!
Lunch at Mto wa Mbu Village
Learning more about the village
The day before our Serengeti safari, my tour GAdventures tour group visiting the local Mto wa Mbu village, where we learnt about local life. We were shown around the fields, told how they build their huts and grow their own food, seeing many banana trees around!
Banana tree full with fruit
Exploring Mto wa Mbu village
Paintings and crafts from the local market
We also went to the markets where the locals sell paintings and crafts, mainly for the tourists I think. Although I’m usually dubious about the ‘local stalls with the same reproduced souvenirs you see everywhere’, I have to say that these handmade mixed media paintings and sculptures were actually very good, resulting in me purchasing several items!
Later on we ate a traditional lunch of meat and plantains from the village, very delicious and great to try some local food.
A fantastic local lunch
Visit to a Maasai Village
The Maasai women showing us their traditional dress and dance
Close to Mto wa Mbu village, we visited a local Maasai tribe, all dressed in the traditional clothing and jewellery, full with textures and bright colours (predominantly red). The colour red is believed by the Maasai people that it can warn off lions and so is a symbol of their culture.
Being shown the village huts was educational
The woman and children were there to greet us, singing and jumping. I was overwhelmed by their huge smiles and welcoming nature. What a fantastic experience. They even put the white necklaces around us and we joined them jumping up and down whilst they sang.
One of the best experiences was meeting these tribes womenJoining in the singing and jumping
We were then shown around the village and spoken to about the Planeterra project that is working on installing clean cook stoves in these huts. This removes the harmful smoke (that is linked to numerous deaths) and in place removes 90% of the pollution. For the women these stoves are a God send and they were proudly speaking of how it has helped their families.
Those green eyes though
After our tour it was time to say goodbye to the village and it seemed all of the kids ran out to wave goodbye, full of energy. I remember feeling so happy to have had this experience and looked forward to the Tanzania safari to come. And what better way to end the day, sitting by the campsites pool whilst a delicious meal was being cooked up for us by our guide.
All the village kids out to say goodbyeRelaxing by the campsite pool after an eye opening day
Tanzania Safari: Day 1 (Arusha to Serengeti National Park)
Yummy breakfast getting ready for safari!
Gearing up for some adventure
My tour group woke early for a lovely breakfast made by our guide. Preparing for an 8 hour drive from Arusha, Tanzania into the Serengeti National Park, we eagerly jumped on the huge over-landing vehicle. The group was fairly small so we each got 2 seats to ourselves- what a bonus.
Driving out of Arusha, Tanzania
We drove past local villages, shops and food stalls before heading into the savannah. We actually saw a lot of wildlife before even reaching the Serengeti, where you will find one of the largest populations of lions in the world.
Viewpoint over SerengetiOur guide by the huge tour bus
Once we arrived at the Serengeti National Park entrance, we stopped for some photos and were basically glued to the windows for the next few hours. I remember when we first saw some zebra, everyone was so excited, we wanted to stop every 5 minutes. Our tour guide told us “don’t worry, we will see plenty more zebra”. And we definitely did.
We’re here!buffalo
hyena
After a long day of driving, we had to set up our tents at the basic bush camp. I actually couldn’t believe that there was no gates or anything- animals could walk past our tents of they wanted. Our guide told us of times when they had seen lions footprints close to the tents- pretty scary though but it just makes it more exciting!
Our campground for the night
Setting up our tent
First sunset of the safari
We sat by the fire for a while after dinner but all got an early night, ready for day 2 of our African safari. Can’t even tell you how exciting I was for the morning at this point!
Tanzania Safari: Day 2 (full day Serengeti safari)
So I slept well the previous night after a full day previously, plus there’s something about camping out on the ground, wrapped up in a warm sleeping bag that just sends you right off. We were also delighted to see a group of zebras close to our tents to say good morning to us.
Waking up to zebras by our tents
Back on the bus for sunrise
After waking up in the dark, I was soon thankful for the early wake up call as, the most beautiful sunrise slowly lit up the savannah. We headed out early and it didn’t take long to spot an African elephant wandering through the trees.
First animal of the day and one of my favourites 🙂
After this we saw herds of zebra and impala, a group of female lions (very exciting!), hippos, giraffes, birds and a crocodile. I couldn’t believe the amount of wildlife we were seeing.
Seeing lions is exciting
Seeing them stampede past the van was really exciting!
Impala, hippos, crocodile and a stalk (croc is behind hippos on land- hard to spot)
Lions sleep a lot!
We were also very privileged to see a leopard attending to her cubs. They are very rare to see and she was hidden away really well but I could feel my heart beating faster as she popped her head over the rock.
A rare glimpse of a leopard
We then stopped at a coffee shop- yes, you read right. A small cafe selling coffee and snacks right in the heart of the Serengeti! There were these little creatures walking round that I have now discovered to be called rock hyrax’s and they are seriously cute.
Cafe in the middle of the Serengeti?!
How cute are these rock hyax’s?!
Tent set up 😛
Back at camp for lunch
After a coffee break we headed back to camp for some lunch, before heading out again in the afternoon. We spotted ostriches, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, a huge lake full of hippos and at the end of the day, a cheetah walking into the sunset. Yep, that was an adventurous day of safari!
Majestic animals
Wouldn’t wanna get caught in those jawsSeeing a cheetah at the end of the day was the perfect end
Back at camp we were treated by a gorgeous sunset (cant beat an African sunset) and a beer by the campfire, where our guide told us spooky ghost stories.
One of the best sunsets I’ve seenBeer by the fire after a full day of safari- well deserved!
Tanzania Safari: Day 3 (Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater rim)
A baboon searching for foodA zebra playing camouflage
Geared up for another morning of safari, today the group had one last wildlife tour in the Serengeti, before heading to the campsite overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater (known for the best wildlife viewings). Yet more wildlife to be seen from baboons, lions, zebras playing in the mud and a cheetah eating a kill. This was incredible to see in person after having watched so many nature documentaries showing this.
A cheetah with a kill
Later that day we drove the our campsite on the Ngorongoro Crater’s rim. This was my favourite campsite as the views were out of this world incredible. This is the campsite where a male elephant just walked right past where we were eating, only a few feet away. They really weren’t joking when they said we were out in the wild!
Enjoying the setting at camp
Some of the group taking in the views
My favourite campsite
What a heart pumping experience! He ended up walking to some trash by the camp and so we just sat back out by our fire, eating dinner and keeping one eye open on the elephant that was next door- madness!
Yet another beautiful sunriseGetting the jeeps loaded for safari
We woke up to another stunning sunrise, the sun reflecting off the morning mist that was rising up into the sky. Today was when we explored the Ngorongoro Crater, where there is always lots of wildlife due to there being a permanent water supply here. We drove down into the crater in big jeeps with open roofs.
Stunning views from the Ngorongoro CraterLions!
The Ngorongoro Crater looked a lot more green than the Serengeti and the stunning backdrop of the mountains and cloud formations were beautiful. The wildlife were everywhere- we literally drove through herd of zebra and wildebeest.
Driving through the wildlifeA lioness with cubs (you can see a couple either end of the rocks and 1 climbing in the middle)
Again we saw numerous wildlife like lions and another cheetah. It felt lively with herds of zebra and wildebeest stampeding around running after each other. The photo opportunities are just everywhere here.
The Ngorongoro Crater was so green
A lone hippo
There’s a swamp section where we saw hippos and an area covered with trees, where we saw elephants roaming. We even saw a rhino in the distance. The whole safari experience was completely incredible and what a fantastic way to end this adventure.
Lazy lion
Best time to visit the Serengeti?
The good news is that you can go on safari any time of the year. I went in March during rainy season which is sometimes not recommended but we had perfect weather. If you are looking to see the best of the great wildebeest migration then go in June to September. January and February are when the wildebeest give birth to their calves. March to May is considered low season due to the rains. But really every season has something different to offer. P.S- The migration happens throughout the year, track it here with this helpful map.
Elephants in the Ngorongoro crater
What to wear on safari?
Many safari’s, especially camping safaris will have a luggage restriction so try not to over pack. Finding clothing that mix’s and matches well is a great idea. You also need to make sure you pack neutral, earthy toned clothing and avoid bright colours (which may scare off the animals). Try to avoid darker colours, particularly anything blue as this attracts the tsetse fly (a disease carrying insect). Anything white will be likely to get dirty as safari’s get very dusty!
There is an abundance of accommodation types suited for most budgets. Basic camping is the most budget friendly and then the permanent tents or glamping is the next step up. From there you have hotels to luxury lodges. The list is endless!
Hope you enjoyed this post on what to expect on a Tanzanian safari, it really is a bucket list experience and I would thoroughly recommend Tanzania as a whole. There’s plenty more to see and do from visiting coffee plantations in the mountains or lazing around on a tropical beach in Zanzibar (more on that to come).
Named after Queen Victoria, the Victoria Falls are a spectacular natural beauty, right on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The falls are not the widest or tallest in the world but are thought of as the biggest and taking all dimensions into account, it has one of the largest sheets of falling water in the world.
The mist from the falls, taken in April
The local Tonga people named the falls ‘Mosi Oa Tunya’, meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’. David Livingstone is believed to be the first explorer to discover the falls, resulting in the nearest town on the Zambian side being named after him (Livingstone).
Victoria falls are truly spectacular, plus there’s so many activities you can do around the area, it’s worth spending a few days here.
As Victoria Falls is located between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe it’s hard to know from which county to visit from. The good news is that you can visit both, if time permits. From Zambia you can see about 25% of the falls whilst on the Zimbabwean side you can see 75%. Although the experience from both sides is not too different, you will see a lot more in full view from Zimbabwe.
Zambia side of the falls
However from Zambia there are many different viewpoints above and on the ground, you can even swim under the falls in one section. If you’re looking to swim in the famous ‘devils pool’, via Livingstone Island, then this can only be done from the Zambian side. Both sides are worth the visit and the dual visa has made it a lot easier for tourists (more on that below).
There’s many viewpoints from the Zambian sideHiking down to the boiling pot (Zambia)
If you are coming from Zimbabwe then the closest town is Victoria Falls. This town is a lot more touristy than the Zambian side but the plus side is that it’s walking distance to the falls. It also has more options for shopping and eating out.
The Zambian side is a fair bit cheaper and has lots of options for more budget accommodation but you will have to take a taxi from Livingstone town to the falls (about 10km). The town has a more local feel but does have some western style restaurants. This is the side I was staying on and I found it very quiet and pretty safe during the day.
I visited the Zambian side during wet season and it was incredible. There are many different viewpoints from this side to get an all round view of this breath-taking place. At first you get an overall view of the falls in full panorama mode. The sound is something else too- you can hear the powerful waterfall before you even see it.
The first sight of the falls (Zambia)The powerful falls are awe-inspiring
Cross the Knife-edge Bridge to get a close up view of the falls (and potentially wet) and then take the trail down to the ‘boiling pot’. This is where the water flows and whirls to look as though the water is churning. This is also a great viewpoint of Victoria Falls bridge, where you can watch people bungy jumping off.
Get close to the falls in wet season on the Knife Edge bridgeThe boiling pot
Zimbabwe
On the Zimbabwean side of Victoria falls you can head to the main falls viewpoint to get that iconic view of the majority of the falls. This side also has water flowing all year round, even in the dry season. There are more viewpoints on the Zimbabwean side but if your looking for an all round experience then Zambia may be better for you.
Victoria Falls bridge, separating the border
More activities at Victoria Falls: (2019 prices in USD)
· Helicopter & Microlight flights- from $150-$300
· Bungee Jumping Victoria Falls Bridge- $160
· Bridge Swing Victoria Falls Bridge- solo $160 & tandem $240
· Full Day White Water Rafting- $120
· Zip lining (from Zimbabwe)- solo $69 & tandem $111
· Devils Swim & Livingstone Island tour (from Zambia)- $110-$175
· Zambezi Sunset River cruise- $40
· Chobe National Park Botswana- Full day- $170
· Transfer from Victoria Falls town to Livingstone town/hotels- $28
The falls are a year round destination, providing a different experience with each season. March and April are when the waterfall is at it’s most powerful. The mist may block some of your views but the aerial view will be incredible with the spray being seen from afar. From mid-August to mid-January the water levels are much lower and ‘devils pool’ will be open. June to August is a great time to combine your trip with a safari to neighbouring Botswana.
Prepare to get wet in March & AprilYou can see the full force of the water in April
Where to stay near Victoria Falls?
There are accommodations for all budgets on both sides of the falls, however the Zambian side may be more budget friendly. From five star hotels like the Victoria Falls Hotel (Zimbabwe) to budget hostels such as Livingstone Backpackers (Zambia). Most of the hostels are well done, complete with swimming pools.
I camped at the Victoria Falls Waterfront in Livingstone, Zambia. There are more expensive private rooms here or you can camp on site for a cheaper price. The views over the Zambezi river are beautiful, plus there are two swimming pools, a bar and restaurant. And they did an all you can eat buffet breakfast- yum!
Yes, both Zambia and Zimbabwe both require visas which can be obtained on arrival. If you want to visit both sides then getting the KAZA UniVisa will work out much cheaper. It will allow you to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus day trips to Botswana through the Kazlunga border.
Flying into Zambia was amazing
The visa is available at Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls airports and at the Victoria Falls land border. With the KAZA visa you can visit Zambia and Zimbabwe multiple times within the 30-day validity period. You can also apply for an e-visa in advance but that only applies to certain border points. For more information visit the Zambia Gov site.
I travelled with a tour group throughout Africa which made me feel a lot safer knowing I was with a group of people. However it is possible to make the trip on your own perfectly safely. As always, take precautions when travelling through these countries as there are definitely cases of muggings and robberies.
Beautiful sunset from the camp site
I would advise not to walk around after dark, especially if solo and to not carry to many personal items on you. During the day is usually fine though and as long as you are vigilant and sensible there’s no reason why you cant enjoy a trip here hassle free. In some areas you will meet fairly pushy trinklet sellers but a firm no should do the trick. Make sure you book activities and tours with a reputable company. Most of the locals are very friendly so don’t be put off by stories you may hear online.
Always keep up to date with any political situations when you are travelling and check the safety rating on your government website. The UK and Australian government travel advice sites are very useful.
Whichever country or time you visit Victoria Falls you are sure to have a once in a lifetime experience. I hope this post has been helpful and as always please share on social media.
Elephants. And lots of them! That’s what I think of when I think of Botswana. The countries elephant population is 130,000 strong and the largest in Africa. It’s also home to UNESCO World Heritage site, the Okavango Delta- a huge marshland in the North-West of the country. Botswana is also considered one of the safest countries in Africa, occurring mostly petty crime rather serious attacks, which are still rare. The locals are also extremely friendly and always smiling.
For the adventurous and wildlife lovers then look no further. Botswana has it all. National parks, boat trips, quad biking, horse riding, walking & cycling safaris, hot air ballooning and even camel rides.
So here are 8 adventurous things to see and do in Botswana:
1. Safari in Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is right by the border with Zambia and Zimbabwe, a great location if you want to cross the border to catch a glimpse of Victoria Falls (which you should). Go on a safari through the park and get up and close with elephants, bird species, hippos, giraffes, buffalo, cheetah, zebra and many more!
So many elephants in Botswana
I was really surprised how close we got to the elephants, we even had a little baby ellie chasing after our van! Most accommodation is situated just outside the park and ranges from basic camping to luxury lodges.
2. Sunset Boat Cruise on the Chobe River
See the big 5 from a boat
Offering a different perspective of Chobe National Park, the sunset river cruise allows you to see many animals along the river banks, such as crocodile, hippos and elephants wading through the water. Plus the deep red glow from the African sun means you can get awesome photos of the park.
I remember sitting on the boat watching the wildlife and the backdrop of the intense sunset and thinking how special this opportunity and how it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
From the river to the sky, take in a wider view over the Okavango Delta. The huge marshland floods every year, with the best time to visit being the dry season as animals congregate to the open water source.
3 seater plan
Ready to take off
Views from above
Taking a flight in a tiny plane over the delta gives an opportunity for interesting photos of animals from above. I went with Kavango Air. It also gives you the chance to see how vast and green the landscape is. I loved seeing the water flooding in and the sky reflecting in the massive pools and lakes it forms.
4. Take a Mokoro tour (and try it out yourself)
A peaceful journey
A mokoro or dugout canoe is a traditional mode of transport and can give visitors a chance to see the delta from a different angle and to just sit, taking in nature at it’s best. My tour group took a 2 hour mokoro tour deep into the delta. This was such a peaceful and tranquil ride, the group was quiet, just sitting, taking in the water lilies, wildlife and surrounding bush landscape. There was something very calming about the gentle and repetitive rhythm of the canoe, with the water being so still.
Meet Rose, my ‘driver’
Trying not to fall in!
I also had the chance to push my own dugout canoe (which is a bit like punting in Cambridge for those of you who have tried that). After a few initial wobbles it’s not too bad. A pretty cool experience to say you’ve tried.
As part of my mokoro trip, my tour group also stayed overnight in the Okavango Delta, right in the heart of the wild bushland. There’s no showers, no toilet, just incredible landscapes and bright night skies. With no barriers between you or potentially dangerous wildlife this is both exiting and scary at the same time. You can also take a quick swim in the water which may or may not have crocodiles in. It was a brief dip I’ll tell you that!
My tent mate, flat out
We headed out on a walking safari, seeing zebra and antelope and bird species, before being treated to a golden sunset. In the evening the locals who pushed the boats gave us a song and dance performance around the campfire and invited us to join in. A great way to end the day and we all fell asleep quickly that night.
This was one of my favourite memories from this trip. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari are fascinating people. Unfortunately there are few tribes left that are able to live in the traditional and ancient way as their ancestors lived. These walking tours are often run by the safari lodges who allow the San bushmen to pass on knowledge to visitors about how they are able to live off the land.
They speak no English so everything is translated through a local guide as they explain how they use plants for food and medicine and showing us how to make fire. They are all dressed in traditional animal skin clothing and I was surprised at how small they were in comparison to us Westerners.
I found them mesmerising and full of wisdom. The warm light at the end of the day cast a beautiful orange glow over the bushmen and the land, just adding to the extraordinary experience.
7. Enjoy Camping In Botswana
One of the campsites
What I loved most about this Africa trip was just camping out night after night under the amazing African sky. There’s something so simple about camping and it just feels like you’re a world away from home.
Relaxing at camp
Go back to basics and appreciate the landscape even more. Aside from basic bush camping, a lot of the campsites are actually very well decorated, complete with swimming pools like the Planet Baobab camp. They will usually have a restaurant and bar area to relax, with the more basic ones having a bbq to make your own food. I really enjoyed relaxing at camp with a beer after a lot day of adventurous activities.
Botswana in particular, I noticed so many big game animals on the side of the road. It’s just fascinating sitting in the overland truck, staring out the window, listening to music, watching the world go by- and then an elephant is just a few feet from you right on the road. We saw all sorts of wildlife by the roadside which adds to the excitement of the road trip- expect the unexpected in Africa!
Not something you see everyday
Really hope you enjoyed this post on where to visit in Botswana. It really is an unforgettable country and a wildlife and photographers dream. To see the big 5 in person is something that’s hard to describe. If you haven’t yet, then be sure to add this to the bucket list.
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The diversely beautiful country of Namibia is situated on the Southwest coast of Africa. I was surprised how different it looks to other parts of Africa, from the white dust of the National parks to the fairly built up German towns that feel quite European.
Namibia has plenty to do and a variety of landscapes from desert to rivers and the coast. Here are 15 things to do in Namibia and why it should be next on your list of places to visit…
1. Deadvlei: Reason Alone to Visit Namibia
The dunes of Deadvlei are located in the Sossusvlei area, in the Namib desert and are one of the biggest reasons why people travel to Namibia. This place is like no other and a photographers paradise. The 900 year old camel thorn trees are scorched black by the harsh sun- creating stunning images again the white sand and red dunes. Add this to the top of your list.
2. Stroll Over Fish River Canyon
The impressive Fish River Canyon is the second largest in the world after Grand Canyon and is seriously impressive. I went at sunset, a perfect time with the low sunlight illuminating the canyon an intense orange colour. There is even a challenging 5 day hike into the canyon that can only be completed from May-mid September due to the burning heat. For day trippers it’s an easy stroll along the outside with various viewpoints to take some stunning selfies!
3. Get Close to Wildlife in Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park has a variety of terrain and it’s huge salt pan can even be seen from space. The landscape I saw was hugely vast with white ground and dust filling the air. With my tour group I camped out inside the park where it even had its own watering hole.
The animals are still completely wild and all gather to this watering hole at the same time! Elephants, giraffe, hippos, lions- you name it. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to just sit by this watering hole for hours- even into the night and watch the animals come and go.
4. Horse-riding into the desert
I booked a horse-riding tour with a couple of others from my GAdventures tour group which left straight from the Spitzkoppe Camp we were staying in. This camp is awesome btw- right in the middle of nowhere!
So after getting adjusted on the horse we literally rode off into the sunset. We had the place to ourselves and the setting was incredible. They cater for all levels also.
5. Climb up Dune 45
Dune 45 sits at 170 meters and takes around 40 mins to an hour to climb up (reasonably easy). Another one for the photographers here with vast views across the Namib desert. Also once you reach the top you can run back down again which is quite exciting.
Although it can take a while to get from place to place, there’s plenty to see along the way. We stopped numerous times to snap animals in the road or just for the scenery of mountains and desert. If you are road-tripping be sure to stop at Solitaire town- a tiny desert town with abandoned cars by the roadside. Perfect for that much needed coffee break.
7. Snap a Photo at the Tropic of Capricorn
This is a popular photo spot situated about hour after the town of Solitaire, heading towards Walvis Bay. This marks the spot (approximately) of one of the 5 circles of latitude, running parallel to the equator. It’s really just a photo spot but interesting to see.
8. Quad Bike Through the Desert
Swakopmund is the place to book a quad biking tour. For the adventurers this activity will surely get your heart racing. Driving up and over the dunes, wind in hair and flying over the sand was some serious fun.
9. Visit the Petrified Forest
This strange place is formed of huge fossilised tree trunks estimated at about 280 million years old. The Petrified Forest sits at what was once an old river channel with ancient trees preserved and turn to stone. It’s something different to visit – perfect for those who like a bit of history.
Namibia is known for its shipwrecks that can be found along it’s coast. I visited Zeila shipwreck right on the beach. There is something so eerie about an abandoned ship and the stories that go with it. The birds taking up residence on what’s left of the vessels frame are kinda creepy don’t ya think?!
11. Take a Desert Tour
A lot of Namibia is desert and although it may look deserted there are plenty of animals that thrive here. Take an insightful tour over the dunes and find out about the animals that live here and how they survive. There is also fantastic photo opportunities at sunset, the suns golden glow creating a beautiful soft light over the landscape.
12. Canoe along the Orange River
Fiddlers Creek Rest Camp is situated on the Orange River that forms part of the border with South Africa. From here you can hire out canoes and cruise along the still river. Go as fast or slow as you like as you drift along the scenic landscape.
Get your free guide now…
13. Shop at Local Stalls and Explore the Villages
Whilst driving along you will see arts and handicraft stalls run by the local women. These are great places to grab yourself a unique souvenir and to chat with the locals.
There will always be friendly children waiting to greet you- all very excited at the prospect of meeting a foreigner. There are also tours that take you into local villages and schools, giving a glimpse into the life of the locals.
14. Indulge in a steak at Joe’s Beerhouse
Joe’s Beerhouse in Windhoek is famous for it’s steak and oh my I can’t even tell you how delicious it was! You can get everything from zebra, kudu, springbok and crocodile. It’s a meat lovers paradise and the decor is amazing too. The waiters are super nice and even remembered our entire tables order of around 15 off my heart!
15. Enjoy a Simple Campfire
One of the best parts about my trip was setting up camp every couple of nights and sleeping under the stars. It makes for a true adventure and enjoying a beer by the fire after a long day is a welcome break. It’s great to sit back by the campfire out in the open, eating dinner and chatting about the day. Be at one with nature 🙂
Hope you enjoyed learning more about Namibia. It truly is a unique destination to add to your bucket list. If you enjoyed this post don’t forget to share it along to Facebook or Pinterest. You can also sign up for a free 4 day guide on solo travel confidence building.
The cobbled streets of Cusco are gateway to the Sacred Valley and of course, the Inca Trail but it’s so much more than the starting point for trekking. Give yourself a few days here as there is a fair bit to do, including many adventure activities. The narrow, cobblestone streets of Cusco are lined with hiking shops, souvenir shops, art galleries and local markets.
The city, which has been named a world heritage site, is surrounded by mountains and Inca ruins, giving it an almost prehistoric feel. Most things are situated around the Plaza de Armas (the main square). Here are just a few things you can get up to in this astonishing and historical city.
Walk to Inca Ruins Overlooking the City
You can walk to these ruins
Sacsayhuamán is an Inca fortress and sits at an altitude of 3700 metres above sea level. You can actually walk to these ruins from the Plaza de Armas, taking around 30-40 minutes up a steep track. It’s hard to believe the intelligent engineering that the Incas thought up as these ruins were built without using mortar, yet they all just fit into each other.
Just across from the ruins is Christo Blanco, a statue of Christ built in 1945 as a thank you gift from Palestinians that had taken refuge in Cusco. It towers over the city giving incredible panoramic views.
Cristo BlancoView of the Plaza de Armas
Take a Horse-riding Tour
There are so many different horseback tours available from half day to 4 days and the views you get along the way are incredible. I did a 3 hour tour and we went over beautiful countryside, to caves and some small ruins. All tours are easily booked with your accommodation or tour shops in town.
With my small horse
It was so photogenic and a different way to explore surrounding Cusco. Groups are usually pretty small, I was just with another couple. It was so fun and felt great to have a bit of a canter after not being on a horse for years! They will cater to different experience levels so there’s something for everyone.
Stunning backdrop from horse-riding tour
Explore the Archaeological Ruins of Moray
These circular holed terraces are a pretty interesting site to visit, being different from the other ruins. It’s unknown why they were built into the ground but interestingly there is a temperature difference of 15°C from top to bottom.
Thanking mother earth
I went as part of a day tour and the large group had to stand in a circle, holding hands and give thanks to Pachamama (Mother earth). You will see this blessing a lot in Peru.
Check out the Salt Mines
Salinas de Maras (salt mines) are around 30 miles out from Cusco and close to Moray. This is one for the photographers, with thousands of salt water pans carved into the mountain it’s a spectacular site. The views are fantastic and you can even buy some of the salt for a really cheap price.
The salt mines are impressive
The salt is gathered after the water has evaporated by the sun, and then is collected to sell on. These salt flats are so old they are said to have been erected before the Incas.
Hang Around the Plaza de Armas
Theres always events on in Cusco
There are always events going on in the main square. When I was visiting there was a big parade for the elections, with school kids, the police and army all marching past to the sounds of loud trumpets.
Fireworks in the Plaza de Armas
They also had a big firework display one night with no apparent health and safety standards at all! Small kids were standing so close to the flimsy wooden frame that was firing off the fireworks. They were holding an umbrella to shield themselves- madness!
The main square
Get In Touch With You’re Arty Side
Cusco is very much an art and handicraft city, with stalls and markets selling anything from paintings, to ornaments, wool, sculptures and pots. Wander around the side streets and check out the little art shops, with many paintings of Machu Picchu.
Artists in the streets
Hope you enjoyed this post on Cusco, Peru. Apart from activities mentioned there are also so many more! you can rent out quad bikes, take a food tour, go zip lining, white water rafting or check out Rainbow Mountain. The list goes on!
Hiking in Peru is pretty specialPeru has got to be one of the most scenic countries I’ve visited, with pretty much every terrain possible. The landscapes will vary from jungle to beach, to desert and mountains. The small trekking town of Huaraz, sitting at just over 3000 metres is surrounded by the Cordillera Mountain range making it an excellent place for trekking.
There are many treks you can do here, from day hikes to full on mountaineering. I have bad knees so opted to do 3 easy-ish day hikes.
Acclimatisation Hike, Huaraz
This was supposed to be an easy hike to get me used to trekking at altitude but I found it utterly exhausting! Still without practising who knows how I would have fared on the harder treks! I hired a guide just for myself and we hiked up to Laguna Wilcacocha.
Needing to stop after about 15 mins!
It’s around 15 minutes out from Huaraz and easily reachable by public transport. You will start at just over 3000 metres and walk up to the lake at 3720 metres. The path is not too clear at times but it’s pretty much straight up. It will take around 2 hours on the way up and about half that going back down.
Steep!
On the way to Laguna Wilcacocha you will pass through local houses and farms– just try to resist taking a picture of their sheep! They believe it will bring bad luck. A farmer shouted at me for trying to take a picture of the animals and my guide explained they still believe that it will take a piece of their soul.
Closer to the top you will see snow capped peaks in the background. The lake itself is a little underwhelming but to make up for it you do get pretty stunning views over the valley with the mountains in the background.
Laguna Wilcacocha.
I did find this walk a bit of a challenge but then I do have weak knees. For most reasonably fit people I think it’s a fairly easy and cheap way to acclimatise and to see how your body copes walking at altitude.
Laguna 69 Trek
Just look at that colour!
This is a popular day hike in Peru, all you need to do is see a picture of the lake to decide it’s worth it. This is a challenging hike so to have that mental image of the end goal is motivating. It was one of my favourite treks in terms of scenery but also one of the hardest.
Laguna 69 is beautiful icy blue/green lake sits at 4600 metres above sea level. This is pretty high as people start to feel the effects of altitude sickness at 4000 metres. Bring lots of water and snacks and take it slow.
Hiking through grassland lower down
Walking up will take around 3 and a half hours and 2 hours on the way back. The first part of the trek is pretty steady and you will walk through grassland, past grazing cows, over streams and denser green vegetation.
About half way it starts to get harder, the path gets steeper and the air gets thinner. You may only walk a few yards and be out of breath. But just as you feel like giving up you will see a tiny glimpse of that blue lake.
Can just about see Laguna 69
The final 15 minutes are surprisingly flat and seeing the lake in full view is breathtaking. Some crazy people went for a swim in the icy blue water, I was so tired I slept for almost an hour! (managed to take in the scenery, eat my egg sandwich and take pictures but then I was out for the count).
Coming back down was a lot easier, the more you come back down, the more energy you feel! Returning the same way you see things from a different perspective and anything you may have missed trekking up.
The Laguna 69 trek is extremely difficult at times but it’s definitely do-able and totally worth the effort. I have bad knees and still managed it even though in some pain, so for any reasonably fit person I’d say its manageable but will be challenging. There are some amazing photo opportunities and scenery to keep you going on this trek and that end result is most certainly worth the hard climb.
Taking a break from trekking
Pastoruri Glacier Hike
This is the highest of all the hikes at around 5000mt but the one I found most easy, although I was well acclimatised by this point. Acclimatisation is KEY, I would not have been able to do this at the start of my trip and probably would have felt very ill with the altitude.
I was booked on a massive coach with around 50 or so people from the town of Huaraz and they take you pretty high up before you start hiking. The trek is only 1 hour but pretty steep. You could also hire a mule to take you up halfway but most people walk it.
Hiking up to Pastoruri glacier
The half way point is pretty scenic with the horses and mules standing in front of a snowy mountainous background and the path is well paved. The last part towards the glacier is over rocky terrain but I would say running shoes are still ok to wear.
Peru does have a wonderful backdrop 🙂
Once at the glacier you can pose for photos and are able to touch the ice. Pastoruri Glacier is slowly melting so it’s smaller then it once was but still an impressive sight, especially with the backdrop of the blue water and towering mountains.
The melting glacier
This is only an hour hike BUT be sure to be well acclimatised before as altitude sickness is common. The tour will also take you into a valley where the Puya de Raimondi plant grows. It looks like a giant cacti but (fun fact) it’s actually relative of the pineapple family.
An impressive day tour to round off a weeks trekking in Huaraz. If you know someone who loves hiking then share this post 🙂
Not gonna lie, Salar de Uyuni is THE reason I wanted to come to Bolivia. After checking the Bolivian salt flats on google I decided I just HAD to go there. And it didn’t disappoint. Here’s the story of my journey from La Paz to Salar de Uyuni and back again.
12 Hour Bus
So, beginning in the capital city of La Paz, Bolivia, I join another girl Laura from my hostel and we get a taxi to the station. This taxi ride lasted 3 minutes- literally! But we have heavy bags and it’s dark (totally justifiable). We get on the 12 hour bus down South to the dusty town of Uyuni. This bus is the bumpiest bus I’ve ever travelled on!
Actually extremely amusing as I make my way down the back, almost falling on top of this one guy who is definitely not amused. I sit on the toilet, holding on for dear life as I’m flying off the seat whilst trying to pee. The door is so stiff and I push it hard to open and fly out across the bus (I mean I really fly!) and just cannot stop laughing, everyone staring like I’m a mad woman. Eventually we arrive in Uyuni and I wander off to find my tour company.
Trains in the Desert
Giant playground 😛
My friend is on another jeep but after meeting my new group for 3 days I’m happy and we set off into the vast wilderness. It’s very eerie as we drive through this ghost town, with few people around and extremely quiet. First stop is a group of abandoned trains, right in the middle of the dessert.
Chilean mountains
We stop for pictures and to explore, checking out the Chilean mountains in the distance and in eager anticipation of seeing Salar de Uyuni. It’s like the whole town just decided to leave one day and everything is kinda left how it was. I feel like I’m stumbling across ruins that have yet to be found. We have a simple lunch of beef, rice and vegetables, served right at the back of the van. It’s surprisingly tasty.
So time for the salt flats. After getting back in the jeep we drive on once more. Salar de Uyuni looks just like the photos, endless white and endless blue skies… that’s pretty much it! We climb a small hill with bizarre shapes made up from cacti and take in the surroundings of this strange and surreal place.
Salar de UyuniToo much fun
Back down on the salt flats we take fun perspective pictures using props for creativity (just google it, there’s tonnes of them!). Then we drive to our hostel in the middle of nowhere. Well actually it’s called a ‘refuse’ as you’re not allowed to have hostels in the National Park.
I’m standing in the salt hotel. Yep, this unusual ‘refuse’ is made entirely out of salt from the walls, tables, chairs and beds- everything salt. Interesting place! We sit in the dining area and accidentally eat the other groups biscuits- oops! They were on a more expensive tour and we’re only supposed to have crackers haha. The dinner itself is ok but pretty basic and not hugely exciting. Went straight to bed like a grandmother.
The salt hotel
Laguna Colorada
In the middle of nowhere!
In the morning after Salar de Uyuni we visit a volcano, and the ‘rainbow’ lake that is named Laguna Colorada. I cant even explain how stunning it is, like nothing I’ve seen before. The lake is coloured red, blue and white, with wild flamingos around the edge.
Laguna ColoradaJumper matching the lake 🙂
The landscape is so vast, we literally are in the middle of now where. I love the contrasting colours of the lake and orange rocky terrain. Back in the jeep, which by the way has now turned into an incredibly HOT green house as the driver has had to shut the windows because there’s so much dust. Not a fun ride but Salar de Uyuni and Laguna Colorada absolutely make up for it.
After stopping to help a broken down jeep we head to the ‘rock tree’. A tree made out of rock obviously! This section looks like the Australian outback or something. Very brown and dusty- and windy!
We arrive at our second nights accommodation, 6 beds and a tiny room with fairly grotty bathroom but its fine as we are all so tired. Once dark we head outside to check out the sky. Oh my goodness! It’s AMAZING!! So dark but sooo many stars! And big too, they are actually twinkling!
I see a shooting star which is the icing on the cake over a sky I’ve never seen so beautiful. At 4600mt, I’m feeling a little sick from the altitude. The Aussie girl from my group gives me an anti nausea at dinner which knocks me out (pretty much at the dinner table) and I have the strangest dreams that night.
Tight squeeze for all 6 of us!
I’m on Another Planet
Felling much better in the morning I wake at 5am for the final day of adventure. The scenery has changes a bit today as we check out geysers and an active volcano with smoke rising from the ground. I feel like I’m on mars.
Geyser from the active volcanoesMars?
To top it off we are taken to the hot springs! Oh yes! Out in the open, with never ending views all around, it’s the perfect way to unwind after a dusty and exhausting few days. The hot water slowly works it magic until my legs are heavy and my mind is cleared. Just one more stop to go.
Cannot tell you how relaxing this was!
The final place, Laguna Verde, is a lake that turns green when the wind blows, reacting with a chemical in the water. Pretty insane. This short stop marks the end of the tour- oh except now we have to drive all the way back.
The gorgeous Laguna Verde
8 hours in a Dusty Sweat Box
So finally head back to Uyuni. I’m stuck in the back of the jeep in a tiny space, which has now turned into dust central. It’s everywhere- even up my nose! It takes a gruelling 8 hours back and very bumpy. What’s worse is I now have only 2 hours before my night bus back to La Paz. Oh the joys of travel. This is what they don’t tell you.
No room for my legs- oh dear (only 8 more hours)
I get on the bumpy bus and after several hours start falling asleep just as the bus is stopping?. It’s 2am in the morning the bus has just stopped by the side of the road. In half dream/zombie mode I’m as confused as much as the other passengers, as we are told to get off the bus and to wait.
Another bus coming from the opposite direction pulls up. The passengers from this bus get off and the driver tells us to switch buses, bags and all for no apparent reason! So weird! After a gruelling and quite confusing journey I check back in to the hostel at La Paz and have a well earned rest.
Yes, I think that was worth it. What do you think? Would you go through the bumpy, dusty journey for those views?! Tell me below.
Quite a journey!
A few tips:
Make sure you book with a reputable company as there have been quite a few stories of drivers getting drunk or driving recklessly.
Be prepared. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, water, swimmers and have batteries charged, etc
The highest point is 4600mt so acclimatise gradually before the trip
You can book a 1, 3, or 4 day tour, leaving from Uyuni or Tupiza (Bolivia) or San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). Uyuni is the most popular. Pick the longer tour, 1 day would be pointless.
There is time to get the night bus from La Paz, jump straight on the jeep tour the following morning and then get the night bus back to La Paz after the tour ends on day 3.
Four amazing days, tired feet, injured knees, ups, downs, gringo killers, great food, funny guides, watching stars by night, early mornings, late night rum, all came down to this.
Not bad…
Standing above the grey clouds, cold and wet and wearing a brightly coloured yellow poncho bought from a cheap Cusco market, I look around at this magical and mysterious place, wondering how I ever made it here. This remarkable place could almost seem entirely secret, if it wasn’t for the daily herds of never-ending tourists of course. Trying to suppress my minor disappointment at the weather I look around at this wonderful place named Machu Picchu. I’ve actually made it.
Cusco, the starting base.
Lets journey back a few days…
Arriving at Cusco, which sits at 3400m, I feel an altitude headache arise. A handful of loose coaca leaves in hot water prove to be a great cure and my headache soon vanishes. Must remember to leave the coaca leaves behind before flying home though! The cobbled streets of Cusco pack a big punch with quirky local markets and many adventure activities like rafting, mountain biking and horseback riding, all within easy reach. It’s easy to spend several days here. Inca ruins are found in the surrounding hills, with the Sacred Valley being nearby. Luckily, the town is the starting point for the majority of tourists headed on the Inca trail, so there are many hiking shops around.
Walking poles are a must as frustratingly I have patellar tendonitis on both knees. Determined not to let it stop me. I’m also buying a lot (and I mean a lot) of snacks. More is more in this case! I would hate to run out of my snickers and cereal bars half way up the mountain. Machu Picchu is set amongst the Andes mountain ranges and sits at 2430m. That’s a fair amount of fuel needed, so I pack my bag with the essentials to make sure it fits to the required weight limit. I try to pack light and for changeable weather. Just about manage it, feeling ready and eager to take on this challenge.
Views from day 1
So the first day of the trail begins and I’m picked up at the ungodly hour of 4:30am and driven to Ollantaytambo, a local village. Surrounded by green rolling hills, I sit in a small hut with chickens, children and guinea pigs running around my feet whilst having a simple breakfast, prepared by a local Inca family. This is my first chance to meet the other trekkers I will be with for the next four days. I was pleased with my group of mid to late twenty something’s, as well as two guys from another group in their late fifties and much fitter than the rest. They would soon be ahead of us for the whole trek.
And…back up again
We are driven in a minivan to the start of the Inca Trail, nerves and excitement at the forefront, walking poles and knee bandages prepared. Once through there’s a tad sense of false security as a gentle path gradually leads us up. I’m sure it will get harder! The rain starts almost immediately and the colourful ponchos are straight on, rain not beating us just yet. I can’t believe how great the scenery is, stopping what seems like every five minutes to take a photo.
steep steps
We walk past small Inca sites, endless green hills and mountains hiding behind one another, only giving us a glimpse of the challenge ahead. Day two, I know is the hardest and on everyone’s minds as we plough along, wondering what we’ve got ourselves in for. We arrive at camp to find it’s already set up by the porters.
These admirable men, some the age of most grandparents, carry 20kg whizzing past everyone to have camp set up and food cooked before we arrive. In the past they would carry up to 60kg until it was legally put a stop to. With little pay and no complaints I am in awe of these men. The food is delicious, with a combination of soup, meat, rice, pasta and a sweet pancake for dessert. After dinner everyone goes to bed but I stay up to watch the stars, so bright and so many.
I wrap up warm and sit in amazement at the dancing stars, hoping this peaceful and magical moment is one I won’t forget.
The portersAt camp
The Second Day…
Day two, wake at 6:30am smelling fresh mountain air, for a breakfast omelette to fuel the toughest day of the trek. This is the day considered most challenging and climbing a 1000ft in a day, I can see why. It’s pretty much uphill for 8 hours to reach Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,828ft (the highest point of the trek). Supposedly the rocks from below look like a woman lying on her back, the name doesn’t mean that you will be dead once at the top! (or at least I hope not).
Dead Womans PassTrail down from Dead womans pass
At altitude everyday things such as breathing suddenly become increasingly difficult but I push on to be near the front, as mentally cannot be at the back. The air gets thinner. I’m frustrated as my mind and body want to push on but my knees hold me back. I power through this mental mind game and arrive as one of the first to Dead Woman’s Pass, much to my surprise.
Walking down from Dead Womans Pass
Soaking in the views and accomplishment just achieved, we wait for the others, cheering them on as they reach the top. Through laughter and tears we have made it, now just need to head back down the other side. So yes I was at the back from this point onwards, as apparently knee injuries and steep down-hills do not mix. The views keep me going. The thought of food also keep me going. Finally I make it in time for dinner and relax with the group, playing card games and chatting about the day.
That night the porters give me a little warm rum before bed and I sleep like a baby.
Mountain scenery
I had a tent to myself! 😀
Day 3 on the Inca Trail
So after covering my ever-increasingly greasy hair with a hat, I’m ready for one of the most scenic days. I certainly see why Machu Picchu is one of the ‘new’ seventh wonders of the world. Day three takes you through jungle and mountainous backdrops, the sun streaming through the trees and birds flying overhead.
Feeling tired on day 3Rainforest section on day 3
We stop for lunch opposite a group of Inca ruins. The Americans have already eaten and are now off to face the gringo killers. That would be downhill steep steps for forty five minutes and which go on far too long for my comfort. I shuffle down them using my hands, like a baby learning to walk down the stairs. After surviving this, I find a birthday treat for me at camp. The porters have baked an entire cake half way up the mountain, making me feel extra special indeed.
Inca ruins along the wayThe dreaded gringo killers
Ok so the final day has arrived and after heavy rain throughout the night, it’s still ongoing and everyone is miserable. I try to be positive hoping the rain makes way to pretty sunshine. After two hours of walking, mostly under the trees and then passing through the compulsory checkpoint, a member of the group shouts “Look!”.
I raise my eyes through the slowly drifting clouds to see the extraordinary Inca ruins that make up this ancient city. There, in front of me, is the image that has been driving me since day one. The one thing I have kept in my head, willing me to continue through tired legs and hurried breaths. I am finally looking down at Machu Picchu.
I made it!
The rain in no way hides the beauty of this place. These ruins are believed to have been built at the height of the Inca empire during the fifteenth century and were built entirely without mortar. They were later abandoned and I can only imagine how thriving this place once was. I’m particularly impressed with the intelligent system leading water from a spring and using gravity to feed it through to various parts of the city.
Hoards of day tourists
There are a lot of tourists here and I wish I were alone to take the setting in with all its wonderment. Clouds drift slowly through the mountains and surrounding the ruins, adding a prehistoric feel to this already mysterious place.
Machu Picchu in the rain
After a quick tour, exploring and taking photos we head through the huge number of day tourists, all smelling great as opposed to us and take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. This small town is busy with tourists strolling around, looking at gift shops and dining for lunch after their trip. Like most, I take this opportunity to visit the hot springs, a life saver after four days of walking and I feel the pain slowly fade away. Feeling much more relaxed we all fall asleep on the train back to Cusco.
Aguas Calientes
A bath has never felt so good and I feel like a new woman. This journey has been tough, exhilarating and exhausting but one I will never forget. I’m glad I chose the classic trail, with it being great for diverse scenery yet still a nice four days, as opposed to some of the longer treks. Back at the hotel a surprising amount of energy has taken over my body and I decide to join the rest of the group at a small bar in the town square. The hours and hours of walking have apparently not quite defeated me just yet and I dance the night away, celebrating my small little victory.
Bloukran’s bungy is by far, the scariest thing I have done to date! The bungy bridge is situated a short drive from Plettenburg Bay in South Africa and is 216m high (that’s very high!). It’s the highest bungy off a bridge in the world so not for the faint hearted!
Preparing to jump
Actually I think the walkway to the middle of the bridge was perhaps one of the most scariest parts- that and looking down just before the jump. I had just turned 19 at the time and had no fear. Ok that’s a lie. I was terrified. The drive to the bridge was fine, and so was the part where I had to sign my life away. Even watching other people jump I felt excited more than anything.
Waiting for my turn
Then the nerves started as we were led over the walkway which allows you to see the ground beneath and I was contemplating what the hell I was doing. But then you are there and there’s no time to think. My friend went first, that was scary- seeing her just disappear over the edge!
Very important piece of equipment!
That’s a nervous laugh btw
My turn came around fast and I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as they put on the body harness and wrapped the cord around my ankles. The guys are very funny and relaxed and explain everything along the way trying to put your nerves at ease. Then they take you right to the edge, so much so your toes have to just be over the platform.
Ahhhh!!
“3, 2, 1 BUNGY!”
I looked down. My instant reaction was to step back but the guys have their hands on your shoulder to stop you from going the wrong way. It just felt like the most unnatural direction when one is standing on the edge of a huge drop! Before I have time to change my mind they shout “3, 2, 1 BUNGY!”.
Well that wasn’t at all scary
I remember trying to look around at the scenery that was rushing around so fast. Once at the bottom you go back up about 80% of the way but it only feels like 5 metres or so. Everything happens rapidly and before I knew it I was hanging in mid air just laughing to myself. I felt like my feet are slipping but they say it’s a trick of the mind (Still, it was terrifying!).
Being pulled back up
The guy lowers himself down to you and you’re lifted into a sitting position whilst being pulled back up. I felt relaxed at this point, trying to take in this insane scenario. At the top, relief I think is the main emotion. I was on such a high, it was like I’d just had 10 cans of red bull or something! So glad I did it, what an accomplishment and story to be told! This was a once in a lifetime experience that still gives me butterflies now!
I did it!
These guys were great 🙂
Have you jumped Bloukran’s bungy? Or would you?! Comment below.
The Beaulieu & Buckler’s Hard was also very nice, although as the light was getting low (the only downside of going in Autumn) I only made it to Hatchet Pond and couldn’t do the extension to Buckler’s Hard. However, the pond looked amazing with the sun going down. It actually reminded me of Australia!
