Three More Months in Southern Africa (page 1 of 4)

Hello, fellow bird lovers, big mammal enthusiasts, and Southern Africa fans!

The title of this second travel journal obviously references the one that came before it: Three months in Southern Africa in a Ford Figo 😉

That was back in spring 2016, and I was discovering this incredible region of the world with wide-eyed wonder. Though absolutely enchanted by my trip, I’ll admit: I didn’t think I’d be back so soon.

Fortunately, circumstances had other plans. For their 70th birthdays, my parents had the wonderful idea of inviting the whole family—my sister, my brother-in-law, my three nieces, and me—for two weeks in the Cape Town area and Namibia. The only one missing was my godson (the eldest), who was tied up in Switzerland for his air traffic controller training.

Of course, I wasn’t going to settle for just this (delicious) taste of adventure… so, as an appetizer, main course, and dessert, I added two and a half months of travels through South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe (the last two being new to me). What can I say? I’m a travel glutton! 😛

Here’s the general outline of my itinerary, with details to come as I share the story:

With family (March 29 to April 13, 2018)

South Africa (5 days) Namibia (9 days)

Solo (April 13 to June 30, 2018)

Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls (5 days) South Africa and Lesotho (26 days) Mozambique (21 days) Zimbabwe (10 days) South Africa (15 days)

And since I need a cliché to illustrate this journal... ... it’ll be the famous lilac-breasted roller (lilac-breasted roller), one of my little favorites (I might even make it my profile picture, actually)!

I have to say, in 2016, exploring Southern Africa multiplied my interest (already strong, but mostly limited to vultures and raptors) in avian wildlife. 🙂

Happy reading!

P.S. Beyond sharing, I’m also counting on this journal to motivate me to finally sort through the roughly 10,000 photos that have been sitting on a hard drive for four months. 🤪😏

Hi Frank Olivier,

Cool, a new travel journal! I’m excited to see new photos and read your latest story—I was captivated by the first one 😊

Myriam

A new story and lots of great photos coming soon. Can’t wait to read you again.

Given the beauty of the photos in the previous travel journal, I’m rushing to jump in!

And since we have to pick a cliché to illustrate this travel journal...

. it’ll be the famous lilac-breasted roller

Oh, Master Roller, how lovely you are, how colorful! Pluck a feather, one that writes, A small one that sums up, or the long one that stands out.

Blend your sorted images with memories. And if your song matches your plumage, The journey will be magical.

I'm sure the photos from Zimbabwe are already sorted. Could you start with those?😇😊😉

Cool, a new travel journal 🙂 ! I really loved your old avatar... 😕

3 months of wandering and stunning photos ahead—I’m off! 🙂 Muriel

Bird-loving friends, big mammal enthusiasts, and Southern Africa fans, greetings!

Hey there! (oh my brother..."Bérurier Noir")

Birds: got it, I'm in! Big mammals: yep, that works for me too. Southern Africa: still a yes—count me in!

Awesome! Let’s keep the journey going, with or without Figo 😛

Oh awesome! A new travel journal from Bof—this is gonna be interesting (and we’re in for some amazing photos!). I’m in.

1a) South Africa - Cape Town (March 30 - April 4, 2018)

Well, there are quite a few of us here! 🙂 For sure, a Figo wouldn't cut it... 😏 Luckily, my parents went a bit bigger: not one, but two Hyundai H1 8-seaters! That's 16 seats total, and on the morning of Friday, March 31, there are only five of us landing at Cape Town International Airport... 🤪

Because the trip started with a drama. Thursday evening, in transit at Frankfurt, already stressed by the big delay of our connecting flight (from Zurich), the sky fell on our heads: impossible to board without presenting the birth certificates of my two youngest nieces (aged 15 and 13). And we don’t have them! 🏴‍☠️

Since June 1, 2015, all parents are required "to present proof attesting to the parent-child relationship for their minor children, both when entering and leaving South African territory. In addition to the child's personal passport, they must provide a full copy of the birth certificate translated by a sworn translator or its multilingual birth certificate extract.

Source: www.tourmag.com/...ce-lundi_a74226.html

My parents, as the organizers, had no idea about this directive: the airline documents only mentioned passports. I didn’t know either. As for my sister and brother-in-law, who have already traveled as a family to several non-European countries, they were stunned.

We try to negotiate, but the flight attendant is unyielding (and unbearable...). Plus, the plane is waiting for us, and time is running out. My godson, who stayed home, sends us photos of the birth certificates on our smartphones. Refused! The originals are required. 😠

Faced with a fait accompli, we make the only possible decision: leave as five and leave my sister in Frankfurt with the two youngest (my third niece turned 18 in 2017), hoping for a little miracle...

On the eve of a public holiday, how on earth are we supposed to get those blasted birth certificates from Germany, 500 km away from our home region?! Are the long-awaited holidays going to be ruined for three of us?

Find out in the next episode... 😇

Oh Master Rollier, how lovely you are, how colorful you shine! Pluck a feather, one that writes, A small one that sums up, or the long one that stands out.

Blend your sorted images with memories. And if your song matches your plumage, The journey will be enchanting.

I bow. 😮

I'm sure the photos from Zimbabwe are already sorted.

Nope, I haven’t even started. 😏

Is that your next destination?

That damn birth certificate! 😤

I can't wait for what's next!

You guys started off incredibly strong, for sure! 🤪 We're leaving tomorrow—our passports AND birth certificates (multilingual ones!) have been sitting on my dresser by the front door for a week just to make sure we don’t forget them. 😏 What a teaser! Come on, send the rest!!! 😎

A week in Zimbabwe, the rest split between South Africa and Botswana...😛

If you need some encouragement for the next episode... I’m clapping and stomping my feet to hear what happens next! 🙂

That’s true, Bof is keeping us waiting! 😉

Hi Frank-Olivier,

Thanks for this first part of your travel journal—it’s incredibly well written.

I’m really interested in the solo part of your trip through Mozambique and Zimbabwe. What route did you take in those two countries? In Zimbabwe, didn’t the currency issue bother you there?

Thanks for your feedback,

Pierre