Reviews

One of my favourite Victoria Falls activities has got to be canoeing on the upper Zambezi… I first went canoeing here far too many years ago but the magical combination of languid paddling with the occasional shot of adrenalin-inspiring rapids never fails. Much of the time you are floating along, looking at the kingfishers on the river bank, silently paddling past grazing elephants and keeping a watch-out for hippos. But every now and then the river divides into a number of tributaries and you find yourself negotiating some small rapids.

The biggest surprise for me was the museum at Axum Ethiopia. The treasures stuffed into its glass cabinets would have each been awarded their own backlit, temperature controlled exhibit in the V&A Museum or the Met. But here 16th royal gowns threaded with gold had to hustle for your attention alongside the ornate gold coronation crowns of kings…

Lalibela was, perhaps not unexpectedly, one of the highlights of our trip. It’s well worth at least 2 and preferably 3 nights. The collection of rock-hewn churches, some partially submerged underground and accessed via tunnels and narrow gorges, have all been hand-crafted and each has its own particular charm.

As I love mountain walking, I was in my element here. The Simien Mountains made for a great contrast with the culture and history experienced in much of the rest of the northern Ethiopian highlands and a chance to stretch your legs. The walking is not strenuous as you stay on the ridge of the plateau and enjoy plunging views down into the valleys far below…

We loved our time at Bale Mountain Lodge which has a range of activities on offer. We looked for the elusive Ethiopian wolf on the plateau, did a spot of early morning bird-watching, walked to an enchanting waterfall with its own rock pool for a very cool swimming opportunity (in more ways than one.) We visited one of the local villages for an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony with delicious Ethiopian side dishes. Finally we hiked up the steep mountain near the lodge.

I recently spent a weekend at the new contemporary Kariega Settlers Drift lodge in the Eastern Cape. Though the weather did not play along, the lodge was looking fantastic – stylish, contemporary with oodles of space.

Sibuya Game Reserve is a charming family-owned and run game reserve in the lush riverine vegetation of the Kariega River. Our visit started with a gloriously picturesque the river cruise up from the seaside village of Kenton.

I recently stayed at Kwandwe again and was reminded why Kwandwe is my first choice for game-viewing in the Eastern Cape… if your budget allows. In an ideal world you would combine a few days at Kwandwe with a Kruger private lodge as the style of safari and animals seen differs considerably.

I stayed at the Village & life Waterfront Apartment with my 2 children aged, 4 and 7 and my sister