On the road…for research!

By
David Batzofin
-
91
There are some destinations that simply appear on your travel itinerary, and then there are those that quietly take up residence on your bucket list, patiently waiting for the stars to align. For me, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has always belonged firmly in the latter category. For decades, I have admired photographs of its crimson dunes, read stories of its legendary black-maned lions and imagined the haunting silence of its endless horizons. Now, thanks to GoTrip, that long-held dream is finally about to become a reality. Every seasoned traveller knows that half the excitement lies in the anticipation. There is something wonderfully infectious about setting off on a coach tour with like-minded adventurers, all sharing the same curiosity about what lies beyond the next bend in the road. The Kgalagadi promises unforgettable wildlife encounters, spectacular desert landscapes and skies so vast they make you realise just how small we really are. But if my years of travelling have taught me anything, it's that the best memories are often the unexpected ones—the chance conversation over a cup of coffee, the laughter shared on the coach, or the wildlife sighting that no one saw coming. This journey isn't simply about ticking another destination off a list. It's about finally experiencing one of South Africa's last great wildernesses, where nature still calls the shots and every day promises a new story. So, if you've ever wondered what makes the Kgalagadi so special, I invite you to come along for the ride. I have a feeling this is going to be one adventure that lives up to every expectation—and perhaps even exceeds it.

 

BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST.

On the road once more. A final trip using Johannesburg as a base…

I am uncertain about the strength of the internet connections at the various places we will be staying during the trip; hence me posting this, just in case I am unable to publish from the road.

It allows me to enjoy the tour with no self-imposed deadlines. And it allows you, my reader, the time to go back through the published posts and catch up on articles you might have missed.

As Arnold said… “I’ll be baaack”!

 

Where will Travel&Things be during this research trip?

Fulfilling an item on a bucket list… Use this link to find out more about what we will be experiencing. https://travelandthings.co.za/2026/07/experience-the-kgalagadi-with-gotrip/

 

See you in August…

 

 

BREAKING NEWS.W

Two new awards for Travel & Things.

I am grateful for them both, but the storytelling award is the one that makes my heart sing.

In all the years that I have been publishing stories, I have strived to make them read like a travel story, rather than just a review of the properties I visit and the wildlife I see.

And it seems that my persistence has paid off.

That being said, the other award is for reviews, so I guess I am doing something right.

 

 

Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.

The awards are in the categories:

Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa

Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.

Best African Resorts and Retreats Award 2025.

Most engaging Travel & Lifestyle Blog 2026.

And now I can add:

Best Luxury & Safari Travel Review Platform 2026

Authentic Storytelling Excellence Award 2026

 

 

To see who the guests have been since this YouTube channel launched, click on the logo above.

 

 

Looking for something to read? Click on the logo above to visit the Off the Shelf YouTube channel for interesting and up-to-date interviews and book reviews.

 

 

“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”

Edgar Bergen

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