BEHIND THE SCENES
Last year, Joubert and Jacqueli Tulleken toured southern Africa for six months in their Land Rover called Mkulu. They spent several weeks in the Kruger Park, where they took this month’s cover photo. For more about their adventure, see page 44.
What was the inspiration for the trip? We wanted to take a break from our careers and live according to our own time and terms. We both resigned from our jobs so we wouldn’t have any responsibilities, and we made a lot of sacrifices in advance so that we could save enough money. We took the whole year off and divided it into three parts: a tour of southern Africa; some time overseas, including a trip through South East Asia; and catching up with family and friends.
What did you learn on the road? How to slow down and understand each other better. Camping for six months also showed us how little you need to be happy. You realise that a smile and a few friendly words can sometimes take you further than a passport.
Tell us about your Landy? We bought Mkulu second-hand. The previous owners had travelled regularly – there aren’t many countries in Africa that Mkulu hasn’t seen! In time, it became more than a vehicle; it was our home.
How does the Kruger compare to other big parks? Of the 12 parks we visited, the Kruger offers the most variety in terms of animals and landscapes, but it’s also the busiest. The facilities are some of the cleanest, when compared to places like Etosha, Chobe and Moremi. It was also one of only a few parks that had washing machines and boiling water in the camps – amenities that make life more comfortable when you’re travelling for long periods of time. The picnic sites are unparalleled.
Tell us about Letaba, where you took the cover photo. Letaba was the 56th place we camped. It was autumn, a scenic time in the park when the mopane leaves change colour from green to yellow and red. Every morning we stopped on the Letaba bridge for coffee, and in the afternoon we walked the footpath in camp along the river.
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