With an abundance of phone calls, emails and even messages to our Facebook page, it is with great displeasure that we must remind our excitable customers that alas, there will be no London flights this year. As popular as they are, and as must as we enjoy the London flights ourselves, we cannot take any bookings for 2012 over our capital. We understand the demand; with the upcoming London Olympics 2012 and the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, many of you are thinking along the same lines…’let’s see it all from a balloon!’. Whilst your enthusiasm is much the same as our own and whilst we would love to see the celebrations from this completely unique perspective, The Department of Transport have deemed it a breach in security.

Important 2012 Olympic Ballooning Update

Latest discussions with the Department of Transport have made it clear that security arrangements both at our launch sites and in London’s airspace required for the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics will preclude our Central London Hot Air Balloon Rides for all of the 2012 season. Vouchers for London balloon flights in 2013 will go on sale in November 2012. Please note that during 2012 the only way you will see London from a balloon is from a long way away, whatever anyone else may tell you!

We apologise for any disappointment this has caused and can assure you that we feel the same. With the loss of excitement, time and energy put into London flights this year, we will of course be directing this surplus passion in the direction of our other locations making them even more thrilling than ever before! So if you’d like to consider taking a flight with is over any of our other popular spots, including Oxford, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, Tring, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Guildford, Farnham, Godalming, West Meon, Alton, Winchester, Kent, Sussex and Essex, then please get in touch!

You can use our online facilities to check date availability, read up on what you can expect to see from our various locations, make bookings and learn more about us. However if you’d prefer to speak to a member of our team, we are always on hand for you to do so. Please contact us on 01252 844222 where you will find lines are open during normal office hours.

“The salvation of the world is in man’s suffering”- so beautifully quoted and the world follows it for the mankind and for their own benefits. For many years people are following the path of this beautiful wording and believe that through physical strains they can attain salvation.
Hinduism is strictly based on this belief and that [...]

Exploring The Mountain Kingdom in Lesotho on a 4×4 track

After hearing much about the Sani Pass which winds its way 2900 meters up the Drakensberg mountains into Lesotho and is rated one of South Africa’s premier 4 wheel drive challenges, we had always thought we had to give it a go with our equipped 4×4 – and Lesotho was always on the route plan. A good choice it turns out. Lesotho is magnificent mountain country and not called “The Mountain Kingdom” for nothing, but first some observations about the previous few days travelling from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast through Durban and then to Midmar Dam and onto Underberg at the foot of the Drakensberg ranges.

A Basotho herd boy.                                                                Photos by: Stan Rogers

A donkey grazing on Sani pass.

A changed Durban?

Durban is South Africa’s busiest port and second biggest city and it and, given it’s mild sub tropical climate of 30C most of the time, the “South Coast” used to be the prime holiday destination of most “Joburgites”. Durban’s seafront esplanade was thronged by holiday hotels and colourful “rickshaw boys” taking tourists around for afternoon ice creams. and site-seeing Both Marianne and myself have some fond memories of childhood summer holidays spent in Durban and the South Coast.

The Durban “Indian Market “ used to be a thing of wonder to a small child – with its colourful Indian shopkeepers and the smell of exotic spices. Unfortunately it burned down in 1974 in dubious circumstances and has now become the “Victorian Market” – which is not a shadow of its former self. A few desultory Indian spice traders still have their stalls (and I spoke to couple of old merchants who delighted in reminiscing about the old days), but mostly now it looks like any other third world market. The atmosphere has gone. Ahh- the New Africa…..!

Down Under(berg)

After a day mooching around half forgotten places in Durban, we headed out to Midmar Dam Nature Reserve near Pietermaritzburg where we were the only campers in a vast lakeside camping area. It was quiet and secluded – a good way to finish off the day. A lovely treed spot. The next morning we went into the little country town of Howick to stock up on groceries and were struck by how “British” many of the locals appeared in features and in voice. Mostly British settlers in general settled Natal in the early 20^th century and this area in particular seems to have got its fair share? Somewhat different to the average South African and the Afrikaners of the Free State and Gauteng.

We headed off to Underberg at the foot of the Drakensberg and camped at a place recommended by other travellers called “Dragons Rest Camp” GPS S29,50’201 E29,26’778. It was a beautiful, secluded spot nestled in pine trees next to a lake and with an old English style mansion nearby. It seemed almost European and reminded us of recent walking in Spain! We were the only campers to enjoy the huge campfire we lit that night. An early start was planned for the next day to tackle the famed Sani Pass into Lesotho.

Camping at Dragons Rest Underberg with our equipped 4×4. Almost European?

Our first border post and true 4X4 track!

First chance to throw a grumbling “Tin Can” into low range! The Sani Pass is begun by South African border control at the foot of the pass and then Lesotho border post only an hour later once you have ground your way up 15kms of pass and climbed to 2874M!

The start of the Sani Pass in Lesotho.                                   

Who knows what happens if you check out of South Africa but don’t make it to the top? But we did – and despite some early trepidation (especially seeing as Lesotho official blurb states no importation of CB radios or liquor, both of which we may perhaps have had), passing through our first passport control and border was a breeze. We were the only vehicle at both posts and officials were friendly enough and quick. Nobody asked any questions or even wanted to even see the vehicle Carnet.

The track up the Pass is definitely 4-wheel drive territory –and low range had to be engaged more than once. (In fact notices at South African border control forbid anything other than a 4WD attempting it.) But I wouldn’t rate it especially difficult (in a 4×4 anyway!) and not much different to any steep mountain track in the Victorian High Country that we are used to. It is high though at nearly 10,000 feet and commands imposing views of the valley one leaves behind. At the top we had morning coffee at the Sani Top Chalets – which boasts as being the highest pub in Africa at 2,934M!

The highest pub in Africa 2874M!

The rest of the day was spent driving through some truly breathtaking scenery. Lesotho is known as the “Mountain Kingdom” and mountainous it is with most of the country over 2500M and boasting impressive mountains. The 4×4 track to Mokhotlong was hard on Tin Can and driver though with steep and rough patches and a million potholes in the more level areas. Late afternoon saw us looking for a place to camp. The weather was clouding over and getting quite cold and what did we come across but a sign that read Maloraneng Lodge & Camping – only 10kms down the valley!

Maloraneng Lodges 

The picture on the sign looked good and ,well,

10kms couldn’t be too hard after just completing some 150kms? Wrong!

After the first 4kms of reasonable track past a diamond mine called Letseng-la Terae Diamond Mine (who it turned out had improved their part of the track) it deteriorated into stuff that made Tin Can groan and Marianne’s hair turn even greyer. But we were half way there, late in the day, and rather too committed to turn back!

Letseng- la Terae Diamond mine

Hill Descent Control in Low 1^st over football size rocks down a 20% incline was working overtime! An hour later saw us pull into Maloraneng, which looked quite inviting with some newish looking bungalows but rather deserted. A small Basotho hut settlement lay nearby. A couple of curious locals waved. It was getting cold ands drizzling slightly and thoughts of putting up the rooftop tent were fading – and we were tired….. Not to worry – a very friendly lady called Claudia ,who spoke quite good English, came up to say the Lodge was owned by the local community  under the auspices of Lesotho Tourism and what did we want to do? Forget the camping and stay in one of the bungalows for R450 (USD$65) seemed and excellent idea?

A fire was soon got going and a meal prepared. The bungalow was most comfortable although all lighting and hot water was gas and kerosene and we slept the sleep of the exhausted after only briefly thinking of   Tin Can having to climb up that same 10km track in the morning.

The view at Maloraneng.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny and the views from the bungalow were stunning. We walked into the nearby village and gave away some pencils and little koala bears to some kids and were offered some mielie (corn) cobs to eat in exchange by the parents. We were quite sad to leave a brilliant spot with friendly people but  the climb out beckoned! Suffice it to say that it took us an hour to climb the 10kms and 800m vertical back to the main road and everything short of the ARB Air lockers was used but  Tin Can got there without a hitch. I always worry about breaking something in a very remote area and causing untold dramas when attempting tracks like that though.

Keeping Tin Can going is a paramount consideration!

Memories of the rest of Lesotho are mainly of fantastic scenery reminiscent of the Snowy Mountains in Australia, dodging 50,000 potholes on the main “road” and a Botha-Bothe police roadblock #3 and the following conversation with a very polite Lesotho cop:

“Hello, why you not stop at the stop sign back there at the start of the roadblock?”

“Because, I could see you guys and rolled forward a little  to let you talk to me.”

“But I could arrest you for not stopping at the sign.”

“Arrest me!”

“Where you from?”

“Australia”

“Is that an island? Where is it?”

“Yep,it’s a big island. Somewhere near China”

“Where are you going?” (Long conversation ensues about our planned trip to Egypt.)

“Auww! Too far! Better get going then- but next time I arrest you if you not stop”.

“Phew! OK, So sorry!”

After 200kms of grappling with Lesotho’s roads, the decision that night to give Tin can a break and cross back into South Africa and its generally excellent roads at Caledonspoort Border Post was easy. But don’t let the roads put you off – Lesotho is well worth a visit.

Beware the South African “yobbo” on your 4×4 trip

Two days of uneventful driving through the Free State has seen us arrive in Kimberley and viewing the “Big Hole” and diamond mine which in 1886 initiated  the mighty De Beers Diamonds Ltd  and made the men who formed the company like Cecil John Rhodes (Rhodes scholarships) and Barmy Barnato billionaires.  Many Aussie Diggers also tried to make their fortunes on the Kimberley fields. The only small hitch on the trip was camping in Ladybrand next to 3 young guys ( 2 whites and an African) travelling in a clapped out VW City with  green mag  wheels, low profile tyres and “go fast” stripes who proceeded  to get blind drunk and make a hell of a noise until 3.00a m.!  They very nearly got a load of my pepper spray at that point. The international equivalent of the Aussie Yobbo is alive and well in all continents, we are pleased to notice.

Namibia is getting closer and much anticipated. The next week or so will see us in Kalgalagadi Transfrontier Park and then on to the Kalahari and Namibia. Internet connection is likely to get more uncertain and these posts less regular. *sad face.

After spening a long stint in Livingstone in Zambia fixing the bike and relaxing, the time finally came for us to move on. We were both getting a bit agitated with staying put for so long, especially because Livingstone is not so far from home, and we knew we would have to put in some hard and serious travelling for the next leg of our journey. So with a lot of bravery we took on the road to Dar Es Salaam.

Good bye, Livingstone

First stop, Lusaka 

We drove from Livingstone to Lusaka in one day, a personal record. It took us all day to cover more than 600 km and we only spent one night in Lusaka before moving on again.

From Lusaka we head to Kapiri Mposhi where we decided to cheat a bit and put the bike on a train that goes straight to Dar Es Salaam, arriving 2 days later. We had one day to get everything sorted out before our departure. 

Just outside Livingstone. We made some friends, real bikers with a BMW!

Just our luck

Turns out the railroad workers in Tanzania are on strike and the Tazara Train is going nowhere. Our only options were to either wait it out or to move on… and onwards it was. From Kapiri Mposhi to Dar Es Salaam is 1800 km, and we knew we were in for a long and tedious journey. Little did we know just how lengthy. 

In it for the long haul

After we weighed all the options we decided to be resourceful and make a plan, it would take too much out of us and the bike to do the entire journey of a couple of days, we would have to take a week at  least to drive all the way. 

The route between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar Es Salaam is a major transit route so we ended up still cheating a bit. With our great charms and a bit of money we managed to convince a truck driver to take us to the border between Zambia and Tanzania. We left on Friday before noon. The almost 1000 km took 21 hours to cover … 21 endless hours, in a truck, cramped up with three other people, almost nonstop and with almost no sleep. 

We finally reached the border early on Saturday morning but had to cover another 300 km with the bike before we could finally get lodging and some much needed sleep.

Keeping busy in the truck.

Deep, dark Africa

Tired and filthy but smiling, we finally feel like we are travelling, and truly experiencing Africa. The atmosphere here is so different; there are swarms of people everywhere, eating, drinking, selling and bargaining. You only have to look at the organised chaos around you, smell the bananas roasting on open fires and see the vendors selling everything from biscuits to skirts in the same tiny shack to realise this is Africa. We are here, 6 border crossings later!

Welcome to Tanzania, chaos at the border.

Eating on the road 

Since we left Livingstone we haven't been able to eat much and what we found wasn't exactly what you would call nutritions. In a nutshell we have been eating starch and oil, covered in starch with a bit of oil on the side. for variation we had more starch and for desert some oil. I am keeping an eye out for the early signs of scurvy! 

In towns and cities we are usually able to find some veggies or fruit but since we left Livingstone there just wasn't any time for shopping, or space to carry anything with us. As soon as we hit Dar Es Salaam we will have to take care of our bodies, eating a good meal, getting sleep and taking loooong baths! 

Another day, another oily meal. Eating local is lekker!

Not there yet 

By Sunday we still had another 600 km to go before we reach Dar Es Salaam where we will again have to spend a lot of time and do a lot of repairs on the bike. 

Our Chinese wonder is falling apart bit by bit and we are experiencing everything from electrical problems to broken parts. 

Fixing just the bare neccesities to get us there. 

As Chenoa Achebe put it, things fall apart. But Big Boy is still very much in a drivable condition and after another 800 km we got the first glimpse of the Indian Ocean.

You, me and the sea

Dar Es Salaam is crazy, the traffic is even worse. For days on end we drove, and drove and drove and then, on Monday afternoon we came to a sudden halt, traffic in Dar. Having the smallest bike helped to get us through all the motor-mess and after 4 days of travelling and an hour dodging everything from cars to mudjats in the city we were able to shout, “we made it!”. 

Welcome to Dar Es Salaam!

Mentally we are halfway through our trip, physically we have reached a huge milestone and emotionally we are on a high. As an extra bonus we are able to spend time with my brother who recently moved here. 

We are now even more convinced and adamant to get our bike to Egypt –  a bike which, by the way, has been put through every possible test and passed!

And now our Big Boy also has a name! Pole Pole, which means slowly-slowly in Swahili.

A happy cheers, we made it this far!

It might not be Pole Pole, but why not hire a 4×4 and trample the African grounds like the I Do Africa couple?

Dear all,

I’m writing you to say “Thank you” to two Tour Guides of Jenman.

On the 26th of April we stood with our Rental car and a broken tyre on the road near Twyfelfontein.

The sunset was already done and it was getting darker and darker when we tried to change our tire. With no light it was impossible for us.

After 45 minutes a tour bus passed our way. They came from Etosha National Park and were on the way to Brandberg. The two guides (Blessed and Owen) didn’t hesitate to help us. If they weren’t there for us, I think we would have stayed the night in the car.

We offered them money for their help but they refused it.

So I want to show our thankfulness to these two guides. Thanks alot, Blessed and Owen!

Greetings from Germany

At the bottom of the Swartberg pass, once into the initial gorge, you twist along and come out at a river where people stop to picnic and swim in the summer.  Also just there is a lone standing pinnacle of rock onto which people have written “Jesus” as it forms a sort of natural cross.

We were photographing this just as two sales reps we had met in the restaurant last night came whizzing past us on their way to Oudtshoorn. They greeted us then continued on their way. We took a few more pictures of the rugged rocks from the bottom of the pass and carried on twisting our way up the hill.

This is the daily blog from Africa4Adventure.com. A short series on the Karoo Motorbike tour we took on during September 2011. See the plans for the trip blog here: Planning a 6 day 2500km route through the Karoo maximising dirt

• Check out the main website: http://www.africa4adventure.com 
• Check out and “like” our Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/Africa4Adventure.MotorbikeTours
• Check out our Blog site: http://africa4adventure-motorbiketours.blogspot.com/
• Check out and “follow” our Google+ site: https://plus.google.com/111735018122841930478
• Follow us on twitter @Africa4Adventur

More South and Southern African motor cycle tours and motorbike hire on our list of tour route summaries are available, where we explore these sorts of motorcycle tour routes. Just choose one of our events and reserve yourself a place on one of the future motorcycle adventure safari events.

• http://www.africa4adventure.com/index.php/tour-routes/all-summaries 
• http://www.africa4adventure.com/index.php/reserve-menu-item
• http://www.africa4adventure.com/index.php/events

Two sales reps we had met in the restaurant last night came whizzing by waving

Lone standing pinnacle in the foreground

Close up of the pinnacle at tree level

Starting a bicycle adventure starts with the right choice a bicycle. Don’t just go for the cheapest, go for the bicycle you need. Different bicycles for different ways of cycling. Here tips what to look for when choosing your perfect bicycle.

When I heard about Dine-with-a-Local, a Cape Town-based company that pairs travelers with local South Africans for a culinary and culturally enlightening experience, I squealed with joy! To say this type of experience is rewarding would be an understatement. It is truly one of the most unique and fulfilling concepts you can take part in as a traveler.

Dine-with-a-Local founder, Kim Evans, has been promoting South Africa for more than 10 years and is extremely passionate about introducing visitors to South Africa’s most exceptional elements. Specifically, Dine-with-a-Local sources regular South Africans whom love to entertain and cook, and pairs them with visitors to South Africa whom are looking for a more culturally enhanced holiday. They are then hosted for a delightfully interesting evening, while in a relaxed warm and hospitable environment.

Below is our exclusive interview with Kim Evans, discussing Dine-with-a-Local (NOTE: All image throughout this post are owned by Dine-with-a-Local):

1. We absolutely love the vision behind Dine-with-a-Local. Tell us a little bit about what inspired you to start this exceptional culinary and cultural program.

Thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm! First an foremost, my inspiration comes from my own travels. I have always had a vested interest in cultural travel and local cuisines. Not much else gives me a thrill like sitting down to a traditional meal and exploring tastes that have never yet graced my palate! As a South African, I am also truly inspired by our local cuisine. I feel that we are incredibly fortunate to be living in this melting pot of cultures, where so many flavours and ingredients come together to form wonderfully interesting dishes. It is tremendously exciting for me to see others experiencing our country this way!

A Cape Malay stew dish.

Ostrich steak.

2. Do you have an example of a recent traveler’s experience with Dine-with-a-Local? If so, what did they experience?

A few months back we had an inquiry from two Danish ladies who were making their way through Africa. We were thrilled that they wanted to include a Dine-with-a-Local experience in their exciting itinerary. The ladies were in their early 30s and it was their first trip to Africa. They were very interested in meeting and mingling with the people of South Africa and I paired them up with a wonderful couple from Sea Point.

They arrived for dinner at 7 pm and were welcomed with a cool glass of crisp Rosé from a Wellington Wine Farm. They chatted and got to know one another over some canapés on the patio, enjoying a gorgeous Cape summer’s evening.  As dinnertime approached they moved indoors to enjoy their starters around a candlelit dining table. A delectable salad of roasted butternut and toasted sunflower seeds served with wild rocket was thoroughly enjoyed.

After starters it was time to open a very special bottle of a Pinotage from the Wellington Winelands. A true South African favourite was served as the main course, Cape Malay Bobotie with Macadamia nuts on a bed of cinnamon and raison yellow rice. Delicious!

Finally, dessert was a traditional home-made milk tart, served with sticky koeksisters and a warming cup of organic Rooibos tea from the Cedarburg. The evening ended with some more excellent conversation and an exchange of email addresses before a taxi arrived to take the contented guests back to their hotel.

It was a lovely night, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Many great stories were shared and both the hosts and travellers learned a lot about each other’s lives, interests, families, and even music.

3. How does the Dine-with-a-Local experience differ from other culinary tours and experiences offered in Cape Town and in the surrounding areas?

We offer a dining experience, not a tour. An evening with Dine-with-a-Local is a relaxed and casual affair, without strict time constraints and dress codes. It is about local cuisine and local people and their stories. South Africans are known for their wonderful hospitality and will make you feel like more than just a visitor. As we say, arrive as a guest, leave as a friend.

4. What do you hope that travelers and hosts, alike, get from a Dine-with-the-Local experience?

We want to give travellers an up-close and personal experience with real South Africans. They will share their home, their dinner, and their stories with you. We want the traveller to walk away from South Africa and say, “Wow…we really got to know the country and its people and can’t wait to return!” On the other side, hosting for Dine-with-a-Local is an incredibly rewarding experience, too. The hosts get to meet people from all over the world, and this can lead to many new friends and great networking opportunities. They also get to show off their impressive culinary skills and stay true to their reputation as fabulous hosts!

Traditional Braai cuisine.

Cape Malay cuisine.

5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

As South Africa is such a culturally diverse country, we have hosts from various cultural backgrounds and we are able to cater for a wide variety of palates and dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, child-friendly meals, kosher, and halaal. We are always happy to take special requests, such as an outdoor braai or poitjiekos, a drumming circle, or even just a traditional indoor dinner with a local twist!

Our many wonderful hosts are eagerly waiting to meet and treat you to a truly memorable South African evening! Make time on your itinerary to Dine-with-a-Local.

Visit Dine-with-a-Local’s website at www.dinewithalocal.co.za or click here to view some of their amazing featured recipes.

More about Dine-with-a-Local and Kim Evans:

We got up at 7am and left around 8am, not the early time we had initially envisaged. Probably from a little too much red wine the night before? Anyway, today was going to be fantastic. Plans were to do Swartberg pass, then a back road to Calitzdorp past game, on to Barrydale through another pass, then Montague then home to Cape Town.

We were worried because there had been a change in the weather and when we got to the Swartberg pass turn-off we could see a thick cloud on to of the mountain where the road goes which would mean mist and cold in the twisty part also wet slippery gravel roads.

This is the daily blog from Africa4Adventure.com. A short series on the Karoo Motorbike tour we took on during September 2011. See the plans for the trip blog here: Planning a 6 day 2500km route through the Karoo maximising dirt

• Check out the main website: http://www.africa4adventure.com 
• Check out and “like” our Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/Africa4Adventure.MotorbikeTours
• Check out our Blog site: http://africa4adventure-motorbiketours.blogspot.com/
• Check out and “follow” our Google+ site: https://plus.google.com/111735018122841930478
• Follow us on twitter @Africa4Adventur

More South and Southern African motor cycle tours and motorbike hire on our list of tour route summaries are available, where we explore these sorts of motorcycle tour routes. Just choose one of our events and reserve yourself a place on one of the future motorcycle adventure safari events.

• http://www.africa4adventure.com/index.php/tour-routes/all-summaries 
• http://www.africa4adventure.com/index.php/reserve-menu-item
• http://www.africa4adventure.com/index.php/events

Heading onto the gravel at the turn off to the Swartberg pass

Signboard. Decision time. Do we go over or round. 126 km further x 2 to go round. Were going over.

Zoomed in looking at the clouds over the top – bit worrying

Why do all decent pictures have to have f!*&% telephone lines in them? They are everywhere

Road to the pass

It starts off with a very deep gorge

Driving into solid rock

Our planet is full of wonders and the living creatures are the greatest creativity of nature. As a human being it is our moral duty to save and preserve nature’s masterpieces. With revolutionary changes natural environment is deteriorating day by day and to save the environment many sanctuaries and wild life reserves have been established.
Kaziranga [...]