1 The voorwêreld is vast
In the Bushveld, you’ll often hear people talk about something called “die voorwêreld”. They will ask visitors from Gauteng: “Het dit al daar by julle in die voorwêreld gereën?” Or sometimes they’ll joke that a farmer went to look for a wife in the voorwêreld.
Generally speaking, the voorwêreld refers to the busier areas closer to the cities. Apparently the expression originated in Alldays, which is north of the Soutpansberg. In the past, the huge region from Swartwater, past Tolwe and Alldays to Musina was called “agter die berg” (behind the mountain). Everything south of the Soutpansberg was “voor die berg” (in front of the mountain), or the voorwêreld.
Now you know!
2 Check your shoes!
When night falls in the Bushveld, you’ll want to sit closer to the fire. The further north you go, the bigger and more venomous the critters become.
On the Cape coast, you’re lucky if you see a little Cape horseshoe bat fly past your stoep; outside Musina clumps of Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bats hang in the trees every night.
We spent many a night in a lapa where sharp teeth, a python’s skin (bottom left) or intimidating horns were mounted on the wall. We saw some of the biggest lionesses we’d ever seen in Madikwe Game Reserve; even the insects of the north are more intimidating than we’re used to, like ground beetles that race around your feet like quad bikes.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of go! - South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of go! - South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
TAKE A HIKE
Harkerville's mini Otter
Sweet & juicy!
This issue's recipes all include lush seasonal fruit like nectarines, plums and apricots. Enjoy!
Big mountain magic
On a clear day, as you approach the Cathedral Peak Hotel, it happens involuntarily: You start to grin. You'll be standing up there soon, gazing over this valley, and the scuttling of ground-level life will seem irrelevant. Join us on a five-day adventure into the heart of the high Drakensberg
Your next weekend away
A self-catering house in the Tankwa, a campsite next to the Orange River, a guest farm near the Drakensberg... Toast Coetzer travelled a lot last year: Here are six of his favourite places to stay if you're planning a road trip or weekend escape.
A life through binoculars
If the name Hugh Chittenden sounds familiar, it's probably because you see it every time you use your Roberts Bird Guide he's one of the co-authors. He lives in Mtunzini on the KZN coast and birding is as much part of his day as a cup of coffee.
Wanderlust in the park
All great cities have great parks, writes Dara Kell: spaces where you can exhale and slough off the stress and grime of urban life.
The Kalahari remembers
The Kalahari is a place of magic and heartache, where drought is an ever-present threat. Drive a loop from Upington to the Kuruman River and discover soulful landscapes, brilliant skies and resilient people who never give up.
Take a Hike
Hug a baobab in the Bushveld