Park West Gallery wildlife artist Andrew Bone is in the process of putting the finishing touches on planning a southern African safari for the end of the year. The trip will involve 4 African countries and more than 6,000 km. Here’s New’s plan!
“We will begin our journey in my trusty Land Rover Defender from our home on the south-east coast of South Africa, heading west through the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. A small, proudly independent country surrounded by South Africa, boasting some of the most rugged mountainous areas ( and the highest bar in Africa) in southern Africa. We will enter Lesotho via the Sanipass, one of the steepest inclines of any gravel road with plans to tar it. Ever since I have lived in South Africa, I have wanted to drive across step .
Leaving Lesotho across its western boundary, we will continue northwest into the dry interior of South Africa, towards the Orange River and the Kgalagdi Transfrontier National Park. This unique park is a perfect example of the potential for African states to work together to benefit wildlife. Three independent national parks have come together to form one large park that encompasses the three countries of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Kgalagdi is famous for its cheetah population.
Entering Namibia, we will travel to the capital, Windhoek, and to the stark and desolate Skeleton Coast, which boasts the highest sand dunes in the world and a Cape seal population of over 100,000. I have heard that the time spent to see the cologne is limited to the time one can stand the scent! We will then head inland to the northeast to Etosha National Park.
Located in the north of Namibia, near the border with Angola is the Etosha. An area rich in wildlife since the introduction of watering holes, it is famous for its huge elephants, gazelles and oryx. Lion follows prides and I read a report of a pride of lions making its way through the middle of a game viewing hide, chasing an antelope, scattering wildlife enthusiasts in all directions.
After spending as much time as possible in Etosha, we’ll travel west along the Caprivi Strip to the point where Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet on the Zambezi River. We will take some time at Victoria Falls and enjoy bungee jumping and white water rafting. It will be, I’m sure, a nostalgic trip as we haven’t traveled to Zimbabwe in 5+ years, and our favorite place is the falls. We will enter Botswana through the Chobe and travel south to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
This is not for the faint of heart. The world’s oldest desert is also home to the desert elephant, the black-maned Kalahari lion, and the bushman. Everything that survives in this area has learned to adapt and live with the slightest bit of water and food. It is here that I want to ‘discover’ the San people, record their customs and paint and sketch them in their wonderful surroundings. The Bushmen were the original occupants of southern Africa and some of their rock art dates back 5,000 years.
We will then re-enter South Africa via southern Botswana and travel home again.”
Good trip Andres! Park West Gallery looks forward to Andrew’s safe return.