Mzanzitravel Magazine - Issue 9

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Discover Africa are a strange black colour, all covered by green, orange, grey and black crustose lichens that present an awesome sight. The hill traps much of the morning fog in this area, sustaining the lichens, many small creatures, as well as other plants like the dollar bush and bushman’s candle that are also found further south in the dune areas around Swakopmund. CAPE CROSS AND ITS HUGE SEAL COLONY Finally we reach the sign that points us westward to the sea and Cape Cross. After obtaining our permits from the National Parks office, we proceed down the road to a small cement building from where a wooden boardwalk runs parallel to the sea. The entire area is covered by a barking, snorting, wriggling, milling, rushing mass of thousands upon thousands of dark brown and black Cape fur seals, the biggest of the nine fur seal species in the world that breeds only on the west coast of southern Africa. We arrive here in December, the pupping season, with thousands of pups around. The very large bulls each fiercely protect their harem of several cows and their pups. Pups that stray off are unceremoniously pick up by the scruff of the neck and brought back to the group. Open air restaurant by the sea, Henties Bay - Image: Stef Terblanche Fights frequently erupt between bulls and in the melee pups are often squashed to death, resulting in hundreds of dead pups lying around. Be warned: when getting out of your car you will be overwhelmed by the stench, but one quickly gets used to it. The area and the 200,000 to 250,000 seals can be comfortably viewed from the boardwalk, although the occasional adult seal will lie on it, blocking your way, but they are usually not aggressive if you don’t come too close. Due to dwindling fish resources, and with adult seals eating almost 10% of their own bodyweight in fish each day, the seal population is controlled by government-regulated culling. Swakopmund from the air - Karl Andre Terblanche Nearby stands a replica of the original cross planted here by the Portuguese navigator and explorer Diogo Cão in 1486, giving the bay and the peninsula its name. He had been sent by King João II to search for a sea route to India and the Spice Islands, when he landed here on his second journey and planted the cross. Our own journey ends here and we bid farewell to the cross and the seal colony. From here the road continues north to Torra Bay, Terrace Bay, Mowe Bay and the heart of the formidable Skeleton Coast. But that is another adventure for another day. Useful Contact Info SWAKOPMUND TOURISM INFORMATION Tel: +264 (0)81 155 4000; website & email www.swakopinfo.com. HENTIES BAY TOURISM CENTRE Tel: +264 (0) 64 501 143; email Priscilla.Noarises@hbaymun.com.na. NAMIBIA TOURISM BOARD Tel: +264 (0)61 290 6000; email: info@namibiatourism.com.na. NAMIBIA WILDLIFE RESORTS (NATIONAL PARKS) Tel: +264 (0)61 285 7200; website & email www.nwr.com.na. Ghostly ruins, Swakop River - Stef Terblanche 88 |ISSUE 9|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZITRAVEL Where desert and sea meet
Kruger National Park Transfers, Tours & Vehicle Rentals Airport Transfers Group Touring Special Events Guided Day Tours Chauffeur Drivers Cross Border Transfers Vehicle Retals School Trips Series Tours
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Mzanzitravel Apr 2018 Apr 2018 - Is
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C O NTENTS 28 20 38 09 EDITOR’S N
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Autumn/Winter 2018 The year is cert
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Hop On - Hop Off South Africa The B
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Experience the best entertainment d
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Cathay Pacific flies non-stop to Ca
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News & Information Africa’s large
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Extraordinary presents a distinctiv
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Hiking South Africa is blessed with
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Diepwalle overnight hut, Outeniqua
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Hiking beauty of the Cape Peninsula
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Telephone: +27 (0) 82 318 1894 West
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Discover Karoo Highlands Route …
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Hiking Smut’s beloved house at Do
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Discover Discover South Africa The
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Page 41 and 42: Limpopo is South Africa’s norther
Page 43 and 44: BIG CAT EXPERIENCE LIMPOPO Email: i
Page 45 and 46: Discover Mzanzi In the south-wester
Page 48 and 49: Responsible Tourism Minimum disrupt
Page 50 and 51: Animal rehabilitation programmes be
Page 52 and 53: Responsible Tourism creation throug
Page 54 and 55: The Albany Hotel, we ensure our gue
Page 56 and 57: By Stef Terblanche Watch mesmerized
Page 58 and 59: Explore Africa Masai warrior on the
Page 60 and 61: Explore Africa Stone Town, Zanzibar
Page 63 and 64: ACCOMMODATION - TARIFFS PER PERSON
Page 65 and 66: FOOD & WINE
Page 67 and 68: FOOD & WINE Cellar on Vergelegen Wi
Page 69 and 70: FOOD & WINE MAKING TRAVELLING ACCES
Page 71 and 72: Local Travel South Africa’s iconi
Page 73 and 74: Have a South African Travel Experie
Page 76 and 77: Old ruin in Baviaanskloof Wildernes
Page 78 and 79: FOOD & WINE This is ostrich country
Page 80 and 81: Staff Writer Francois Loubser / shu
Page 82 and 83: Country Travel In the Western Cape
Page 84 and 85: Country Travel with a country-style
Page 86 and 87: Discover Africa By Stef Terblanche
Page 88 and 89: Discover Africa FLAMINGOS, LICHEN F
Page 93 and 94: Getaways great winter breaks Winter
Page 95 and 96: Luxury Accommodation • Five Star
Page 97: yourself to a variety of massage an
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Mzanzitravel Magazine - Issue 9

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