Backroads Africa

25/11/2024

Hi Ingrid,

Het concept van Backroads Africa past bij ons. Je geeft aan wat voor soort reiziger je bent, waar je interesses liggen en Ingrid komt met een voorstel. De accomodaties zijn aangepast aan je wensen, de locaties zijn slim gekozen. En je houdt je vrijheid om de reis verder in te vullen naar je eigen wensen en tempo. Had ik zelf via een boekingsite hotels gezocht, was ik zeker niet goedkoper uit geweest en had ik niet op de beste plaatsen overnacht omdat ik de kennis over het land mis. Daarom hebben we een fantastische en afwisselende reis gehad. Wildlife, wandelingen, autoritten door prachtig landschap, de indrukwekkende kust, de vriendelijke bevolking en natuurlijk de wijn en het heerlijke eten! Ingrid, dank je wel voor de prettige wijze waarop je zowel vooraf als gedurende de reis ons begeleid hebt.

Ronald en Maud.

11/11/2024

Hi Ingrid,

Even een groet vanuit Chacma camp (Maseke Balule nature reserve). Het is geweldig avontuur geweest de bushwalk. Je loopt echt de bush in met ervaren rangers (met geweer). Het is een mix van 's ochtends lopen - met veel oog voor de hele natuur, ook de bomen en spinnen, naast oog voor wilde grote dieren - en game drives in de late middag/avond.

De kampementen zijn al uitgezet (op vaste plaatsen), maar die zijn geweldig mooi. Eén is in voormalige mica-winplaats, een open mijn, waar je ook een tunnel in kunt gaan die vol zit met (kleine, mooie) vleermuizen. Het laatste kamp is aan de olifantsrivier met prachtig uitzicht. Wij hebben daar een hippo (nijlpaard) met haar jong gezien.

De weg er naartoe was ook tof. Leuke chauffeurs met interessante verhalen, allemaal uit 'de safari business'. En ook heel goed in dieren spotten, gewoon langs de weg; kadootje erbij, zit hun in het bloed.

Veel dank voor de organisatie van deze reis.
Cheers, Pieter

25/09/2024

Hi Ingrid,

I just wanted to thankyou so much for booking the camps for us and what a nice surprise with the Rhino T-shirts thankyou.😊The Rhino Walk was great.

All camps were different, but we enjoyed them all. Monica from Mosetlha is lovely.

While we didn't see a leopard at Mosetlha we did see Cheetah, so we are very happy with the animals we saw.

City Cabs drivers were good and the driver that brought us back to Sunrock was great.

Thankyou so much Ingrid for your help we really appreciate it.
Liz and Chris 💜

17/05/2024

For all the devastating losses the African Wilderness endures, there are always a few glimmers of hope as well.

Thank you African Parks, for stepping up!

Main navigation About About Us Our Story The Challenge The African Parks Model Impact By Numbers Strategic Partners Government Partners Our People More Information Financial and Annual Reports Careers Contact Us Parks Akagera, Rwanda Badingilo & Boma, South Sudan Bangweulu, Zambia Bazaruto, Mozambiq...

26/03/2024

Hai Ingrid,

Na de winetram in Franschhoek via de penguïns naar Kaap de Goede Hoop. Kaapstad ontdekt vanaf de Tafelberg en de zonsondergang gespot vanaf Signal Hill. De week afgesloten met een surfles en een bezoek aan verschillende gezellige marktjes. Met als toetje een internationale rugby wedstrijd in het DHL stadion. We zijn weer thuis en dat wordt even wennen 😅

Wat hebben we genoten van onze vakantie en wat hebben we veel meegemaakt! Enorm bedankt voor de goede organisatie. Alles klopte, alles was goed, top geregeld 👍🏻👍🏻 Heel fijn dat je ons zo’n leuke reis hebt bezorgd 🙏.

We zullen je zeker van harte aanbevelen. En wie weet… gaan we zelf ook nog een keer terug 🤩

Inge, Hans en Mara

15/03/2024

SCAM ALERT at OR Tambo:

Two clients were recently scammed at OR Tambo when they tried to find their way to BLUU to drop off their rental car. A man in uniform flagged them and told them to drive into the building, where they had to use their creditcard to open the boom gate. They had a feeling they were being scammed but they went along with it anyway, feeling a bit flustered and overwhelmed. The scammers had stuck a fake keypad onto the normal one and they were told to enter their PIN code to pay and get in. As they got in the scammer directed them in the direction of the car rental offices, but the scammer then got into his car and left. My client walked to the BLUU office where they immediately confirmed they had been scammed and they cancelled their card, but EUR800 had already been taken off (daily limit) and they had also done several payments. My clients felt really silly, but I believe this could happen to anyone. It is extremely brazen for someone to try this at OR Tambo and security is keeping an eye on the unmanned boom gates, but I am still sharing this so that you are aware. You should NEVER have to use your creditcard to get through any boomgate (you pay at a pay-station when you are ready to leave), so don't fall for these schemes.

11/03/2024

https://fb.watch/qKvp_RYmL4/

29/09/2023

Bedankt Ingrid. We hebben een prachtige veelzijdige reis beleefd. Enorm genoten. Alles gezien wat we wilden zien en alles gedaan wat we konden doen. Nogmaals enorm bedankt voor het regelen van de reis en het contact tijdens de reis. Super!🤗

Gerton & Amanda

15/09/2023

🦁❤️ World’s ‘loneliest lion’ liberated from zoo
(extract from Earthling Ed Newsletter)

"For the past six years, 15 year old lion Reuben lived alone in a concrete cell in an abandoned zoo in Armenia. Due to a lifetime of confinement and poor nutrition, he developed an inflammatory disease called spondylitis which causes bones to fuse together, leaving his legs weak and causing walking difficulties.

However, Animal Defenders International, a charity which campaigns to end animal suffering, conducted an extraordinary rescue mission to return Reuben back to his ancestral homelands in South Africa, where he will be rehabilitated at their sanctuary.

ADI wildlife sanctuary said Reuben has neurological and physical issues which will require a lifetime of specialist care, but that they are committed to providing this and are hopeful about Reuben’s future."

We wondered what Ruben would do as he took his first steps on African soil. It turned out he just wanted to play, and play, and play.

14/09/2023

"De Freitas said South Africa’s top wellness offerings included natural wonders and retreats; indigenous healing traditions; yoga and meditation; combining safari and wellness; spa and wellness resorts; wellness-focused cuisine; mindful adventure activities; and sustainable and responsible tourism."

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have had a significant impact on travellers’ mental health, which has led to an increased demand for valuable wellness tourism experiences. “In the

06/09/2023

“African Parks had no intention of being the owner of a captive rhino breeding operation with 2,000 rhino. However, we fully recognise the moral imperative of finding a solution for these animals so that they can once again play their integral role in fully functioning ecosystems,” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. “The scale of this undertaking is simply enormous, and therefore daunting. However, it is equally one of the most exciting and globally strategic conservation opportunities. We will be working with multiple governments, funding partners and conservation organisations, who are committed to making this rewilding vision a reality.”

Simply awesome 💚

African Parks has purchased the world’s largest captive rhino breeding operation in a bid to rescue and rewild the rhino to safe and well-managed protected areas across Africa.

21/03/2023

🌍 I recently had the pleasure of being on the World Vegan Travel podcast and talked about my incredible journey in the travel industry. From exploring Europe to settling down in South Africa. As a certified Vegan Travel Specialist, I help vegans with itineraries that include ethical and adventurous options. I talked about everything from the Big Five to traveling as a vegan in South Africa. Check out the episode! 🐘 🦁 🦏 🐆 🐃 💚

World Vegan Travel

We’ll be talking to Ingrid Geertsema and she will tell us the Five Best places to visit in South Africa, in order to see the Big Five.

13/02/2023

I have trodden the African soil for almost 23 years now, and I have yet to meet two people more legendary than Bruce and Judy Meeser. I owe them my life in SA, and I love them so dearly. 🥰

Returning to South Africa always brings a sense of nostalgia and mixed emotions. It was my home for multiple years and it provided so many unforgettable memories that leaving always brings a pang o…

08/11/2022

I know peak season around the Migration in Kenya/Tanzania can be bad, but this is really the worst I have seen.

How can anyone support this?

01/09/2022

"Hoi Ingrid! Wij zijn terug in het fijne Nederland. We hebben echt een heerlijke vakantie gehad en alles was echt heel goed geregeld. Dankjewel voor alles Ingrid, je hebt er voor gezorgd dat we een hele fijne en mooie eerste ervaring hadden met Afrika! Lief ook dat je ons op de hoogte stelde van de demonstratie en de goede routebeschrijvingen! 🤗"