INTRODUCTION TO MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS

MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS started as a dream and in 1995 the dream was realised when Dave and Jacqui van Graan started the self drive expedition business into Africa as VAN GRAAN EXPEDITIONS. Our first professional expedition was the "Friendship Expedition 1995" - from RSA to London.

In December 1998 we decided to change the name to MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS. MASAZANE is a Xhosa word meaning "getting to know each other". This Xhosa word better fits our line of business - Africa - and encompasses the friendly and efficient service we provide on all our expeditions.

MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS is a reputable, established expedition company and we have had editorials appear in various magazines (e.g. SA 4x4, Leisure Wheels, Getaway) and regional newspapers (e.g. Die Burger, Mossel Bay Advertiser, Paarl Post). We are a family business that is committed to your needs. We are both ( Dave and Jacqui) registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) as Professional 4x4 Trails and Overland Tourist Guides. We run expeditions to countries of Southern and Central East Africa on a regular basis and also guide and cater for day and long weekend expeditions to 4x4 Trails in the Republic of South Africa.

The expeditions cater for from the more adventurous expeditionist where serious off road driving is the norm to the less daring where very bad road conditions constitutes the 4x4 section of the expedition. 4x4 Enthusiasts can experience Africa from the luxury and privacy of a 4x4 vehicle, in the company of their own family and/or friends, on these expeditions.

The great advantage of these expeditions is that they just follow the guide vehicle - MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS do all the preparations and organising including the paperwork involved in expeditions north of Zimbabwe. Although we provide a few luxuries on the expedition such as a substantial meal after a tiring day, we still encourage all clients to feel and experience "a true African expedition". All our expeditions have varying degrees of discomfort due to the remoteness of the areas visited - there is only one constant factor in Africa and that is that it WILL CHANGE !!

MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS specialise in regions of Africa not usually visited due to their remoteness but we still ensure that the well known tourism attractions on the main tourism routes are also visited. Most of these remote places are more suited to the more adventurous, e.g. a visit to Mahale National Park (Western Tanzania) which is one of the last places where chimpanzees can be seen in their natural environment. These expeditions can include everything Africa has to offer - interesting natural phenomena, history, magnificent scenery, sunsets, game viewing, bird watching, lakes, rivers, mountains, islands, cultural experiences with the local people, etc.

Accommodation preferences can also be arranged (depending on the expedition chosen) - from an only camping expedition to a combined camping and lodge/guest house expedition to an only lodge/guest house expedition. Our vast experiences has given us an eye for great places to overnight and evening camps are sometimes set up somewhere in the bush where a roaming spirit can find some solace from the beauty and sounds of Africa. Expeditions can be specially arranged with a specific route for a specific group. Should you be interested in a chartered expedition, contact us for planning and a quotation.

We are committed to the conservation of nature and wildlife and thus can ensure an extraordinary experience for the nature lover and the outdoor enthusiast. As a result of this commitment and the fact that most countries are members of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), we discourage our clients from purchasing corals, ivory and other wildlife products; this includes the purchase of very large wooden carvings as this places a strain on forest resources.

MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS obtained SATOUR accreditation as a training institution in June 2000 to present the Professional 4x4 Trails and Overland Tourist Guide Course. We obtained THETA Accreditation (Interim) in July 2001. The course is very comprehensive and is presented with the help of other specialists. The course manual is updated on a regular basis. General Tourist Guide Attributes; 4x4 Driver Training; Bush Mechanics; Cooking in the Bush; First Aid with respect to African diseases; Survival; Expedition Planning and Organisation; Marketing; Navigational Techniques; Communications; Environmental Aspects, Photography, Geology, etc. are some of the subjects covered during the course. All participants have to complete three project questions and a written exam. There is also a very important practical component to the course where guide skills, etc. are assessed.

At the end of the year 2000, we decided that our expertise could be advantageous to the film industry. Our Off-road Catering Division can cater for around 80 people almost anywhere - the motto being "From Cape to Cairo". Special arrangements can be made for more people where required. We prepare South African meals and our tasty meals are well known with the Radio Sonder Grense ("Radio Without Boundaries") Club members.

We have successfully catered for Francois Rossouw in conjunction with Radio Sonder Grense since June 1997 on their 4x4 weekend outings to places such as Kosi Bay, Venda, Lesotho, etc. All meals are served according to personal requirements but basically breakfast would include cereals, yoghurt, bacon, eggs, bread, jams, etc.; lunch can range from cold meats and salads to a cooked light meal such as pasta with salads; and dinner, a tasty South African meal consisting of rice, meat, potatoes, vegetables, salad and pudding.We consider ourselves to be flexible and production teams are welcome to make suggestions .

MASAZANE EXPEDITIONS can provide a full service for a shoot location in the remotest of areas - from meals to a basic tented camp. We can provide drivers up to Code 14, especially four wheel driven vehicles. Due to our many travels, especially through Southern Africa, we also have a vast knowledge of spectacular location sites for that special shot.