Wanderlust UK – September 2019

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