This trip was undertaken by Oliver during the formation of Xtreme Gap Year.
3 Months in South Africa
1st – 2nd February 2007 South Africa Gap Year Research Trip
Manchester to Limpopo in South Africa
So the Inevitable last minute rush / debacle that was me leaving Victoria terrace came and went and before I knew it I was sat in the front of one of Manchester’s finest Taxis heading for the airport discussing the housing situation in Pakistan and making a new life long friend – as you do.
This journey was to mark the start of a 24 hour trip to reach my destination – South Africa – or more specifically Limpopo Hippo pools run by one of my oldest Friends Henrietta.
The trip included a flight to Heathrow – where I sat next to an elderly couple (luckily not one of the smelly kind), secondly a flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg a gruelling 10 hour trip across Europe over Algeria and down through Africa. Before boarding the plane I managed to by some £110 Raybans and headphones, which in hind sight was a bloody good move – muggers love them.
On the plane I sat next to a blonde Attractive Thirty something South African Woman called….Rose flower or Honey drop or some shit. Can’t remember (but then, I was never very good a remembering names of women I’m desperately trying to chat up.) She lived in London for 11 years and we were chatting for much of the flight, turns out she had a boyfriend – something she only mentioned after several hours, which as any man can tell you means that she is open to a bumming. In-flight entertainment consisted of “Snakes on a plane”, “Borat cultural learnings for make benefit glorious nation Kazastan”, an “Inconvenient Truth” and Peep Show. I did manage to get about 2 hours sleep too.
On Arrival in South Africa I was Immediately set upon by some Scammer called Peter, basically wanted cash for showing me where the domestic terminal was (like I can’t read a massive sign pointing you to the terminal 2 minutes walk away (where conveniently you can also check in your Firearm – Sadly I had forgotten mine)
Checked in to my connecting flight having been travelling for about 20 hours at this point. On my way to the gate I decided to get my Caterpillar boots cleaned (read RUINED) by an African kid for £2. The I got on the words smallest twin prop plane to NelSpruit where Hen arrived to collect me.
After a quick beer in the Airport bar – a pretty nice place with the look of a cheap hotel resort but kind of nice anyway
A 3 hour drive ensued across some of the most stunning scenery I have seen. South Africa is Green and lush and nothing like Tanzania. We drove on what seemed to be the longest straightest road in the world, with a feast for the eyes wherever you looked, mountains and banana plantations passed us by as we chatted and caught up. It was great to see Hen, who I have known since I was 2 years old. Just goes to show you can not see someone for 2 years and you still pick up where you left off.
On Arriving at the Hippo Pools, I greeted Ryan – Hens Husband and chatted and had a beer.
This Place is amazing, centred around a huge pool it has various bungalows and houses nestled by a river infested with Hippos and Crocodiles! No shit this place is pretty dangerous! I must have counted about 8 Hippos no more than 10 meters away from me in the water, on the way back to the lodge where I am staying – this awesome big place, with a huge veranda mezzanine and thatched roof – I bumped into a Baboon and Several Vervet Monkeys with Bright blue balls. I have met these fellas before!
Chilled out for a bit and had a snooze as I had not slept properly in 2 days then had a BBQ for dinner on the porch accompanies by the Semi Distant Growl off hippos and a quick visit form a buck (Small dear type creature) of some kind.
Tomorrow I’m off Quad biking to spot more animals. I’m gonna fucking love this trip!
