Stunning South Africa

I have been lucky enough to visit South Africa three times over the past 13 years. My first trip was in 1998 where I flew into Johannesburg for a five5 day safari of The Kruger National Park. This was an amazing trip where the scenery alone was enough to blow your mind, let alone when you finally get to the park and all the wonderful animals close up. I was very lucky and got to see all of the big five. I also went on a bush walk and walked amongst giraffe and zebra – amazing.

Onwards from Jo’burg to Cape Town, a two hour flight away. I have visited Cape Town now, first on my own, then in 2007 and 2011 as I have a close friend who lives in this beautiful city. Cape Town has to be one of the most spectacularly situated cities in the world with the amazing Table Mountain forming an impressive backdrop – a trip up is a must! The cable car actually revolves as it ascends and descends so there is no need to scramble to try and get a position by the window. The views from the top are breath-taking and we walked right across the top from one side to the other which I would recommend if you have the time – if you are energetic you can choose to walk up (or down)!

The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) waterfront area is a focal point for visitors. This area of the city’s docks has been regenerated into a vast area of shops, restaurants and hotels and is a great place to spend some time wandering around. There is often entertainment on at the open air amphitheatre.

You also have amazing beaches such as Camps Bay which is overlooked by the Twelve Apostles mountain range, have a great atmosphere and also good for those who would like a bit of nightlife.

During my first trip I also went deep sea fishing and caught a grey shark – this is the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever had – don’t worry she got thrown back! I also took a trip to Gansbaai for a must do great white shark trip – to watch these beautiful, graceful beings in their own environment is truly a one off. I was also able to see hump back whales from the coast at Hermanus on the way to Gansbaai.

I hired a car whilst in Cape Town and spent a wonderful day exploring the Cape Peninsula driving down the west coast to the Cape of Good Hope and then up the east coast stopping at Boulders Beach to see the penguins. A few years ago a couple of penguins took up residence here and now there are many hundreds living on this beach and the whole area has become protected.

A short drive from Cape Town is the Winelands. This is an area of such beauty that words are hard to describe it. It is home to many vineyards with their homesteads of Cape Dutch architecture surrounded by towering mountains. I stopped at the Spier wine estate before moving on to the picturesque town of Franschoek. Close to Cape Town (about a twenty minute drive) is also the lovely Bloemendal Wine Estate where you can enjoy the most amazing cheese platter accompanied with a selected wine.

I also headed onto the Garden Route. Driving from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and stopping overnight at the Queens Hotel which serves the most fabulous ostrich meat, a trip to an ostrich farm is great fun especially if the ostrich racing is one. We also did the stunning Cango Caves before heading to Knysna for a couple of nights. Knysna is a lovely coastal town. A little way beyond Knysna through the Tsitsikamma Forest is the Bloukrans Bridge from where the world’s highest bungee jumps take place. It is well worth a quick detour to watch some of them take what must surely be a massive adrenalin rush for some, but not on my list to do!

Although I have mentioned so many things, there are so many other things that I have seen and experienced in this beautiful country that I have not included, it really is spectacular. For me South Africa ticks all the boxes, it truly is a wonderful country that offers everything and more so – stunning scenery, amazing wildlife, great value for money, wonderful food and wine and above all happy smiley people!