I'm a firm believer in getting the 'balance' right in life. You only have one life, you need to choose carefully how you spend it. I'm a keen mountain biker and enjoy travel and outdoor adventures. This channel attempts to document some of these adventures and experiences - mostly as a reminder to myself of the way I have spent my time, but perhaps too, as an inspiration or motivation to others, to get their own balance right. You only live once!
@@graemecumming I will. I just found you so am going through all your work. I always knew I would be in love with Africa and Kenya confirmed that. I intend to return to Africa every year as long as I'm able.
@@lucasmakhafola7116 - thanks for the comment. Glad you liked the video. I have two cameras - most of the moving video is shot in a GoPro Hero 8, whilst the zoomed animals are shot with a Canon M50mk11. Nothing fancy or expensive. The GoPro quality is really impressive for such a small camera though.
Hi Graeme and Karen, welcome to Europe again, looks like you are having a wonderful time in Tuscany, the Italians really know how to enjoy life, great place. Greetings from Germany
Thank you Werner - Italy was fantastic - we only explored the Tuscany region but between food, landscape and people, we really had a good time as you will see in the upcoming episodes.
I just love how you venture into roads that most people don't bother going into. The nature sounds and your the way you capture everything is sublime. Great episode. Regards, Karabo
Another lovely episode Graeme! We have never been to Shimuwini but after your video we need to put it on the list. 👍Those views from the cottages are just superb
Definitely worth adding to your list Joe. The cottages in the front view are well equipped and as you say, have some magnificent views. Thanks again for watching this episode. Glad you enjoyed it.
My favourite bush camp in Kruger. All cottages face the Letaba River. 5 sleeper Cottages are well setup with an indoor kitchen. Hippo pool on the doorstep is a plus.
Graeme..... it's been a while my good sir. I hope you are keeping well. It's good to see you back in the Kruger. That was a lovely traffic from the gaenea fowls
Thanks guys - always appreciate your comments. Hoping to get to Kruger again in July. Favourite place in the world. Hope all is good on your side. Take care.
Thanks Joe - Kruger always has a way of delivering…doesn’t it. Thanks for watching - and for taking the time to comment. It’s much appreciated. Have a lekker day!
Thanks for the wonderful pictures. We spent this April 2 weeks in Botswana and travelled from Kasane to Namibia and back to Maun. Looking your videos brings me back all the wonderful feelings, Sounds, Wildlife experience, Sunset…and we saw Lions in the Chobe NP :)
Thank YOU for your comment - and for sharing it here. It’s a very special place that. We cannot wait to go back one day - and find those Lions in Chobe. Take care.
Hi Graeme great video, what radio antenna are you using & what frequency does it operate on.Looks like a helical wound HF but more information would be appreciated
Hi Gary - we used handheld two-way radios (Zartek brand) with an extension aerial plugged into the handheld and mounted on the roof. Very simple and cost effective solution.
Sorry that this annoys you. I add music mainly because I don’t have sophisticated equipment and when I record using my GoPro, there is a lot of wind noise that hits the microphone - making it quite unpleasant and noisy. The music drowns this out to an extent. If I manage to capture natural sounds without the wind distortion, I will typically drop the music track so that sounds can be heard. That’s the simple and honest reason from my perspective. Keep watching though - I’m sure you’ll eventually start to enjoy the backing tracks that I select for the nature scenes you’re watching.
@@graemecumming Hi Graeme - yes we've been six times since 2013 and usually go for two weeks each and the Kruger always delivers. Our favorite thing to do in the park are the Wilderness Trails.
Graeme, WOW! Thanks for putting this together. I watched every stage last year in the comfort of my lounge room here in Australia. I thought the Pro’s had it tough. This video really shows the heart and soul of this great event. The Cape Epic, the Tour de France, of MTBing. Good on ya for continuing on as a solo rider. Well done mate. Hope you have another crack this year.
Hey Jeremy - grateful for the comment and the feedback - so rewarding to get these comments. Yes, its a proper race, that's for sure. I thought that a "Riders Perspective" was important for others to see - obviously we all train hard, and we're just as passionate about MTB'ing, but we're not professionals in the true sense of the word - and this little project allowed me to show others what its all about. Hopefully getting them to maybe consider entering too. I won't be riding the Epic this year unfortunately - but I will be down in the Cape around that same week with some fellow MTB'ers doing our own MTB tour - in some of the same locations that the Epic will be visiting this year. May pull out the GoPro and doing a little recording too ;-) Take care...
Just watched this again…proper display of grit, determination , positive mindset and just taking it all in my man. Well done once again. Fucking tough elements to deal with in last years Epic. Solid performance 💪🏻
25:13 you got me in absolutely in tears. 6 years ago i placed my dads ashes at this hide. Nick died in the Kruger Park on 31/12/2017. I took his ashes to this point as Letaba was jis most favorite camp even thou he stayed in Punda Camp. I could never visit it due to financial reasons but making a plan for my birthday to be there on the 6 March
Wow - what a story to share - thanks Venice. I’m sure your dad is resting peacefully soaking up the beauty and sounds around that hide on a daily basis. Good luck for your upcoming birthday trip. Let us know how it goes. 👊🏼
Thanks so much for the comment and the kudos - much appreciated 🙏🏼. Glad you enjoyed watching the episode - as much as I enjoyed putting it together. 👊🏼. Keep watching and keep the comments coming.
Indeed - a crazy, testing few days on the bike last year. Thanks for your comment and for watching. Are you getting ready for this year's edition of the Cape Epic?
Hi Carl - we took a few jerry cans each, but we did in fact stop and refuel between Xakanaxa and Magotho just to be safe. If you're travelling from Xakanaxa to Magotho on the transit road, about three quarters of the way there, after crossing the Khwai river, is a little trading post called Afro Ville (it'll b eon your right hand side). Its essentially a spaza shop with a beautiful bougainvillea surrounded lapa - they will sell you jerry can refills of diesel or petrol. Not always guaranteed - in fact, we placed our order there, went through to Magotho, and then back tracked 2 days later to collect. You pay a slight premium, but definitely worth it for peace of mind.
Hey Lawrie - sorry that you didn't resonate with the music. That's good feedback for me...will give some more thought to music for the next adventures. I guess it will always be subjective though. Anyway, happy to hear that you enjoyed the footage. Hope you've watch the other episodes - we had a really good time in Bots - and part of the reason for putting these video's together (other than memories), is to encourage others to go and explore places like the Okavango. Have you done any overland trips?
@@graemecumming Hello again Graeme I stayed at Chobe lodge some years ago & your video-brought back fond memories including lions feeding & a young elephant playing with his trunk. I used to produce AV shows and would record wild track sound for use in the production Lawrence
Thank you for the kind comment - its great to have viewers in France watching our adventures. And yes, we'll continue to keep posting. Have you been to the Kruger Park yet?
We booked the boat cruise at the Xakanaxa camp - as you drive in, there is a signpost on the right hand side indicating the boat launch area. If you go down to the boats and speak to the guy there, he will be able to advise on times and availability. Try and meet with him on arrival - as you may have to wait until the next morning or evening for availability - but you should easily be able to squeeze the boat trip in if you are staying for a few days at the camp. We initially wanted to do a morning cruise, but when that was fully booked, we opted for the evening cruise. Enjoy.
Thank you Lalie - that's very kind of you. Yes - KNP is a beautiful place - and there's nothing better than a few days in the bush. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the comment @birthdaywishes6647 - much appreciated. Yeah - beautiful, graceful creatures, aren't they...just getting on with their day. Glad you enjoyed.
Thanks Ilan - always good to get your comments - much appreciated. Just spent a few weeks in WA, Aus - there is some amazing adventuring to be done down under mate. But yes, hard to beat our African bush - will do my best to bring you some great adventures in 2024. Take care.
You and me both... There's nothing like it! Those sounds, smells, and sunsets! Greetings from a dull, rainy UK (at least we don't get the load shedding though.... 😅)
Beautiful as always, Graeme, Happy New Year to you and Karen, may this year be filled with many more adventures and wonderful sightings! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures...CHEERS!😍😺
A fantastic road trip video and you show us so many fantastic areas. This truly a well made video that a tourist department would be proud to use as they sell Kruger as a tourist destination. Thank you for sharing 👋👋👋😀
A fantastic road trip video and you show us so many fantastic areas. This truly a well made video that a tourist department would be proud to use as they sell Kruger as a tourist destination. Thank you for sharing 👋👋👋😀
So good to read this Vish - thanks for the comment. If I can get you onto a bike and exploring new trails, then the effort that went into editing this video was well worth it. Enjoy... ;-)
Thanks for the comment William - in terms of your question I hope I’m not misunderstanding - but this was a trip we did to Botswana. This particular video shows the section between Xakanaxa (Moremi game reserve) and Magotho (Khwai game reserve).
St Anton is off the charts beautiful - you will love it. We went in February - as we wrapped up our week, the heavy snow pulled in. March should be perfect.
