The African Adventures of Iona Rucksack

Given that I have a tendency to write off cars, drop phones down toilets, get lost walking back from the supermarket, the idea of me picking up a backpack and flying to Africa for an undecided amount of time is probably a little concerning to my nearest and dearest. As the girl who inserted "whoops, I done a Lindsay" into the urban dictionary....ahem, Iona... some may feel this blog is more of a spin-off to "An Idiot Abroad" than a serious travel journal. Well, perhaps they're right...but really I just want to give the family and friends an idea of what I'm up to while I'm away and to let everyone know I am, in fact, still alive. Iona Rucksack's on tour!

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With sun-kissed cheeks and thorns in our boots, we made the final push to the top of the gorge. This is what opened up before us...can you spot the buffalo? #magicalmakuleke #lannergorge #longwaydown #krugernationalpark #makuleke #paradise #ecotraining (at Lanner Gorge)

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It’s not often you get to stand on a runway! #pafuriairstrip #wheresmyplane #makuleke #ecotraining (at EcoTraining Makuleke Camp)

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“...A Fever Tree forest in the afternoon sun” #fevertree #makuleke #bushlife #trails #ecotraining

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Looks like there’s a hungry giant roaming the lands...luckily this beauty can survive anything... #baobab #treemuncher #makulele #ecotraining

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Goodnight Makuleke...until next time... 🐘🐾 #itsnevergoodbye #ecotraining #makuleke #trails (at EcoTraining Makuleke Camp)

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“Hello!” 👋🏻🐘 #elephantfriends #mziki #bushlife #homefromhome (at Beestekraal, North-West, South Africa)

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When you return from the bush a little too confident and now think you’re The Mammal Whisperer... #scottishcoos #backhome #furryfriends #scotland (at Largs)

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Bush traffic comes in all shapes and sizes... #dungbeetle #traffic #ecotraining #goodlucklittleguy #bushlife (at Hoedspruit Wild Life Reserve)

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Oh Mr Baobab, the things you must have seen... #baobab #nature #treelove #southafrica

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We spotted this beauty looking rather hungry...#lioness #krugernationalpark #teameurope #crocodilebridge

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Bush sidekick... #dreamteam #tentbuddies #fieldguidetraining #ecotraining #krugernationalpark #wearsunscreen

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Farewell Selati songwriting...#sukitheuke #ecotraining #selati #bushvelddaydreamers #bushlife

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The bush method of tackling sunburn.... #neverlearn #lobster #cucumbertherapy #ecotraining #fieldguidetraining

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When it comes to exams, this is the first time I’ve studied in a river bed and sat the exam to the rhythm of frogs hiding around the classroom.... #ecotraining #selati #fieldguidetraining #study #bushlife #froggydistractions

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Nothing will ever beat an African sunset... #sunset #selati #ecotraining #sycamorefig #fieldguidetraining

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Tracking Simba 🦁🐾 #selati #hideandseek #ecotraining #tracking #lions

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Looking a bit like me when my alarm goes off, this little frog was almost missed when we were out walking. Understandably though as although Bushveld Rain Frogs never grow bigger than about 6cm, this little guy was no bigger than my finger nail 🐸. As grumpy as his face may be, I’m sure he was happy on the inside... #karongwe #whatsthatfrog #bushveldrainfrog #ecotraining #bushlife #wherestherain