Wanderlust UK – September 2019

(Axel Boer) #1
wanderlust.co.uk September 2019 139

DISCOVER


TomHarari,productmanager
atExodusTravels,tellsusabout
exploringtheRainbowNation

ASK THE EXPERTS


When to go... South Africa’s seasons are the opposite to
the UK’s; that said, it’s a year-round destination. If you’re
after whales, head to the Cape from August to November.

Where to go... The Rainbow Nation has something for
everyone. Wildlife lovers should head to the Kruger,
trekkers to the Drakensberg Mountains and foodies to the
winelands in Cape Town.

Indulge in food... South Africans love good food, good
wine and braais (barbecues). Meat eaters should
de…initely try kudu, eland or ostrich. Vegetarians are also
well catered for, especially in cosmopolitan Cape Town.

See the world on two-wheels...
The Garden Route is one of the most
picturesque coastal routes in the
world and is worth doing by bike.

Insiders’guide to...


SOUTH AFRICA


ClassicChilterns
(clockwisefromtop)
Traditionalthatched
cottagesinWendover;
startyourJapanesetrek
fromthepictureque
resortofKamicōchi;just
30 minutesfromMadrid
youcanspotSpanish
imperialeagles

Alamy; Dreamstime; Shutterstock


LOOKING FOR AN EASY
LONDON ESCAPE

Q


I live in London and am
looking for a chilled weekend
away within a fairly short distance


  • 90 minutes tops from London
    Marylebone. Any good options?
    Any interesting wildlife to see?


A


The Chilterns should    it your bill
perfectly – a gently undulating
chain of hills based on chalk and lint,
with woodlands of yew, sycamore,
oak and beech, interspersed with
small market towns and villages.
Local wildlife includes muntjac and
roe deer, but the stars are the red
kites: their russet bodies with forked
tails wheeling above you.
Take a train from Marylebone to
Wendover. Its High Street is lined
with whitewashed timber-framed
cottages and several good cafés,
delis and restaurants. It’s is a great
base for walks to Chequers and
other local landmarks. Stroll through
nearby Bacombe Hill nature reserve,
admiring butter lies and rare orchids,
to Coombe Hill, with its spectacular
views to the Cotswolds. Two-and-a-
half miles north-east, wander or
cycle through Wendover Woods and
explore Boddington Camp, the
remains of an Iron Age hillfort.
Helen & Neil Matthews

Kamikōchi, easily accessed by bus
from Matsumoto (two-and-a-half
hours from Tokyo by train). It’s a gentle
start on a lat path passing through
pristine forest alongside the beautiful
Azusa-gawa River, with a chance of
spotting Japanese macaques (snow
monkeys) at close hand.
The trail then climbs steadily to
the summit of Mount Chogatake

(2,677m) where there is a mountain
hut and campground, plus
spectacular rugged mountain
views. The next day involves an
undulating ridge walk and a short
rocky scramble to the summit,
followed by a leisurely hike back
down the valley. It is best attempted
between July and late October.
Tom Fay
Free download pdf