August - September 2021

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Your journey starts here...

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Walk It Off
In my neck of the woods, you don’t complain about rain. I’m guessing it’s not that different for go! readers no matter where they live. One of the first questions our writers learn to ask when they call someone in the country is, “Has it rained there
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Behind The Scenes
How did you land up in Canada? My sister’s a Canadian citizen – she ended up here 17 years ago after working all over the world. I visited her twice and enjoyed it very much, so I decided to join her in Toronto. I have a home base to travel from befo
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Go!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF )WEG & GO-: PIERRE STEYN editor@gomag.co.za DEPUTY EDITOR: ESMA MARNEWICK TRAVEL EDITOR: TOAST COETZER FOOD EDITOR: JOHANÉ NEILSON COPY EDITORS: MARIJCKE DODDS, MARTINETTE LOUW CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: JON MINSTER JOURNALISTS: SOPHI
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WRITE TO US & WIN!
Leighton wins a Zartek TX-8 two-way radio twin-pack, worth R1 099. The TX-8 has a slim, lightweight design, the audio is loud and clear, and the reception range is excellent. The set comes standard with a cradle, USB charging cable and a belt-clip ca
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Letters
I recently did a solo expedition to Rietvlei Nature Reserve. It’s my favourite reserve in Pretoria, and I think it’s one of the best places in the country to see and photograph eland because they’re common in the reserve and the landscape is open. I
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In Brief
Liz Payne and Cally van Blerk are Durban-based entrepreneurs who’ve made it clear that living an outdoorsy life can also be glamorous. Since launching their business, Silver Lining Gumboots, at the Splashy Fen music festival in 2019, their gumboots h
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Q&A
ESTÉ SMIT from George writes: I found this sea star with six arms at Swartvlei Beach in Sedgefield. I did some research and found that sea stars can grow a new arm if injured – did this one grow an extra arm? Marine expert GUIDO ZSILAVECZ says: Yes,
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The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Snakes
We have accurate distribution maps for all snakes that occur in South Africa. These are used in field guides and scientific publications, and they tell us where certain species are found naturally. So, when a farmer tells me there’s a green mamba on
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By The Numbers
2 South Africa is the only country in the world with a street that was home to not one, but two recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both lived in Vilakazi Street in Soweto. 3 Our total number of Rugby Worl
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Night Watch
It’s surprising how many people believe that the stars are “static”. In other words, they think that you will find the same star in the same place on any given night. Maybe this comes from a belief instilled as children during December holidays on th
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Zandile Ndhlovu
What is freediving? It’s where you use breath-hold techniques to explore the underwater world, instead of a scuba tank. You take a deep gulp of air and see where your lungs can take you. Freediving is freedom. Have you always loved the ocean? I grew
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The Walkers Of The Waterberg
You probably have a small guidebook called Signs of the Wild on your bookshelf, right? First published in 1981, this legendary book by Clive Walker has been reprinted 17 times and has opened many a South African’s eyes to the wonderful wildlife withi
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Books And Music
Lions, red dunes and camel thorn trees are probably the first things that come to mind when you think of the Kgalagadi. But what about the history of this far-flung corner, now one of our most popular national parks? Marais starts his book when the i
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Road Music
Capetonian Duncan Marcel Souchon collaborated with his pal Daniel Eppel on this soothing record, but he also brought in legendary musicians like Tony Cedras on piano and trumpet, and Steve Newman on acoustic guitar. The result is a mesmerising 41 min
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Meet The Author
What is your book about? I spent seven years travelling the coastline. This guide covers the entire West Coast – the southern part from Melkbos to Lambert’s Bay, and the Diamond Coast up north, from Doringbaai to Alexander Bay. The focus is on the hi
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Check This
We’ve all seen a moonrise, but on 16 December 1972 at about 4 am, the crew aboard the Apollo 17 in lunar orbit were treated to an earthrise! The nine Apollo missions to the moon offered rare opportunities to take photographs of the earth from space.
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Where Will You Sleep Tonight?
After a wonderful week spent in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, it’s time to head back home. I’m cutting it fine. It’s Friday morning and I’ve promised an old friend that I would be at his farewell lunch in Cape Town on Saturday. He’s moving to the
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Fill Your Cup At The Source
“Untarred” is a euphemism. The stretch of road from the eastern gate of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area at Komdomo Campsite, through the Grootrivierpoort, was still relatively tame, with scenic drifts and hardpack dirt. But now I’m bouncing over lo
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Know Before You Go
• A visit to the Baviaanskloof requires a 4x4, or at the very least a vehicle with a high ground clearance. If you enter via the west, you will be able to go down the Nuwekloof Pass in an ordinary sedan to access many of the farms, but the passes in
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From Kamiesberg To The Coast
I zip open my tent and a light sea breeze puffs its salty breath inside. The waves pound the rocks metres away, the sound fading into static, like a radio looking for signal. I get out of the tent, and then I see it: a clear, blue sky. Nothing. Not a
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In Other Words
“Don’t miss out on Hondeklip Bay. The town is unique and tranquil. It’s a privilege to be this close to the ocean.” “Don’t just focus on the fields of daisies. Walk the hiking trails and look at all the different kinds of wildflowers. Explore the le
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The other Blouberg
They circle like cargo planes against a blown-out November sky. Johan van Wyk and I have our binoculars trained on hundreds of white-backed vultures about 400 m above us. They don’t seem to be heading anywhere – maybe they’re just flying because they
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Places Of Interest
GPS: S23.13118 E28.95704 GPS: S23.13070 E28.89730 GPS: S23.05362 E28.86456 GPS: S23.28308 E29.10537 GPS: S23.28255 E29.11303 ■
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Stay Here
BLOUBERG NATURE RESERVE There are four camps: Molope (camping), Modumele (exclusive campsite), Tamboti (safari tents) and Mashatu (chalets). Only Mashatu has electricity. Bring all your own food, supplies and firewood (Vivo, the closest town, has a g
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Take Your Pic
Canon EOS 7D Canon EF 200 – 400 mm lens with a 1.4x converter PIERRE WRITES: I retired in March this year. My wife Christa and I bought a Nayela Okapi off-road caravan to tour the country. Our first destination was the Kruger Park, where we spent n
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Send Us Your Best Travel And Nature Photos!
WHY? We publish a selection of reader pictures in every issue. Don’t be shy, haul out those shots you’ve been hoarding on your computer and send them to us! We like just about anything: wildlife, landscapes, portraits, holiday snaps or bugs in your g
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Take The Winning Photo
You can win this durable camera bag worth R650! This canvas bag has sturdy sides and a soft inner to protect your valuable gear. The compartments are adjustable to fit your camera and lenses. Product available at winkel.weg.co.za ■
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Camera Reviews
Fujifilm has been one of the market leaders in mirrorless camera technology for a while now. They’ve regularly released new models, and their lens line-up is expanding by the year. The new Fujifilm X-S10 is suitable for photographers who have used a
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Where Beauty Runs Deep
Peter and Beverly Pickford lead an enviable life: The acclaimed wildlife photographers have spent decades exploring the most spectacular places on Planet Earth, and when they’re not bouncing through the Kaokoveld in their Land Rover or scudding acros
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Spice Up Your Life
Makes 12 chops Preparation time 20 minutes, plus 30 minutes to marinate Cooking time about 12 minutes • 12 lamb chops (loin or rib)• 1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil• 1 tablespoon tomato paste• fresh lemon juice, to taste • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds• 1 t
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You Wear The Pants
This American company is better known for its hiking shoes, but the rest of its outdoor gear is nothing to sneeze at. The Belay is perfect for a hike in late autumn or winter, when you need pants that are warm and water-wicking. The cut is such that
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Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Three years ago, the executives at Ford Motor Company in Detroit in the US decided that they were done with passenger cars. They tied their future to bakkies – trucks in Yank speak – and SUVs. No more Focus. No more Fiesta. Today, the iconic Ford Mus
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Game-rich northern Botswana!
Our northern Botswana tour begins at the community-based Khama Rhino Sanctuary in central Botswana, where we spend our first night before moving on to the spectacular Kubu Island, a granite rock outcrop on the Makgadikgadi Pans, for a night under the
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Eastern Cape Natural Wonders
On this route you’ll witness amazing wildlife and unspoiled landscapes, but also drive stunning mountain passes, discover hidden natural wonders and explore historical countryside villages. You start this Bhejane Adventure at a campsite near Kenton-o
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Stay Here
I often visit the spectacular Kogelberg Nature Reserve between Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond with my family, and we’ve driven past the Houtema River Cabins on the banks of the Palmiet River many times on our way into the reserve. I kept a close eye on th
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Take A Hike
We all know that spending time in nature is a balm for stress and, for me at least, nowhere is quite as tranquil and magical as a forest. One of my favourites is the Karkloof Forest, a patch of mist-belt loveliness about 20 km north of Howick in the
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Two Cintsas For The Price Of One
The main beach in Cintsa East seems to have enough space for all the beach towels in East London. In typical Wild Coast fashion, green hills roll out to the Indian Ocean with just a wide strip of sand in-between. I dip my toes in the water – I live i
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Birds
In the previous issue, you found me scratching mosquito bites and staring desperately into the canopy of a Mozambican forest. And then almost coming to blows with a birding buddy because he’d glimpsed a rare cuckoo while I could tick only 70 differen
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Protea Pride
A French botanist (plant expert) called Antoine Laurent de Jussieu gave these plants the family name Proteaceae. He was inspired by the Greek god Proteus, who was like a shapeshifter: He could take on many different appearances, much like our proteas
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With My Own Eyes
I live in Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate near the Kruger Park. The estate is a conservation area and wild animals roam freely among the houses. On 18 March 2021, I heard something outside and took my Canon PowerShot SX50 camera to investigate. At first,
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MIAH PUTTER, Hoedspruit Instagram: @mp_wildlifephotography
“I’m 16 years old and an avid photographer. I use every possible opportunity to take photos. My mom Estellè and dad Leon also love nature and help me a lot. “It’s a privilege to live in Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, where there are animals like warthog
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Then And Now
Before 1964, KwaZulu-Natal’s surface water was managed by various institutions, from local municipalities and smaller water corporations to the Department of Water and Sanitation. With so many decision-makers vying for their particular region’s best
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Fast Facts
These prices are from 2018 and are meant to provide a rough idea of what the Gurneys spent on their trip. All prices would have gone up since then. • Airbnb: R3 500 (five nights) • Acropolis entrance fee: R500 per person (included the museum and Agor
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Dolmades And Diesel: A Greek Odyssey
It was late October 2018 when we left Bulgaria and entered Greece at the Makaza-Nymphaea border post. “Kalimera, where are you going?” asked the customs agent. “Good morning.”He checked the Carnet de Passage for Kukuza, our Hilux, and smiled. “Enjoy!
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LETTER FROM Johannesburg
The late-afternoon Highveld thunderstorm was pretty spectacular, but now the walls of my Southern Sun hotel room are closing in on me. There has to be a bar or a stoep somewhere where I can read until dinnertime. The lift glides down without a sound,
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Africa At Its Best
Königsberg, a peak on Brandberg, is Namibia’s highest point at 2 573 m. This photo was taken near the summit and shows some of the unique plants found in the microclimate caused by higher rainfall and moisture that drifts in from the nearby Atlantic

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