South Africa - Wild Beauty and Wonder
We kicked things off in Johannesburg and even before checking in to our hotel, we went straight to the Apartheid Museum. It is not an easy place to visit, but I am very glad we did. It gives you such important insight into the country. Afterwards, we checked into the Indaba Hotel which was a peaceful and comfortable overnight stop.
The next morning, we hit the road along the Panorama Route. Think jaw dropping scenery at every corner. Waterfalls, cliff edges, huge views… the lot. right to the edge of Kruger National Park. We spent three nights hereat Hippo Hollow Country Estate and did two game drives. Those freezing 5 am starts were quite a shock to the system since it was mid winter, but honestly they were completely worth it. The dry grasslands made it easier to spot the wildlife as they moved through the bush, and every sighting felt like a real pinch me moment. We were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five, which was incredible, but the moment that will stay with me forever happened on our very first evening. As the sun set and the sky went dark, hippos began wandering out of the river and right through the hotel grounds. No fences, just us quietly watching them from the restaurant just a few steps away. It felt surreal and a little magical, the kind of experience that gives you goosebumps in the best way. From Kruger we travelled through Eswatini and into the KwaZulu Natal battlefields. This meant two extra stamps in my brand new passport, Eswatini being a separate country within South Africa. It seemed like every spot of ground had been planted with trees for the logging industry! Visiting the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift was a real highlight for me. Our guide there was a direct descendant of the Zulu warriors who fought in the war, and he brought an extraordinary depth of knowledge and emotion to the experience. He delivered a one-man re-enactment of both battles, moving, gripping, and surprisingly funny at times. He really brought the history to life.
After a long transfer back to Jo’burg, and a quick flight down to George we joined the iconic Garden Route. We stayed two nights in Knysna, a lovely coastal town surrounded by forest and lagoon, and took a walk through the Featherbed Nature Reserve a gorgeous spot with sea views and wildflowers everywhere. From Knysna we travelled along the coast to Hermanus, famous for whale watching. Sadly, the whales didn’t make an appearance for us that day, but the coastline was beautiful, and I can imagine how spectacular it must be when they do. After a lunch stop in Franschoek we travelled on to the pretty university town of Stellenbosch where we stayed 2 nights at the Pearl Valley Hotel and Golf Resort. The whole vibe here is relaxed indulgence. Top quality food, beautiful landscapes, and wine tasting that makes you wish you could stay longer.
The trip wrapped up with three nights in Cape Town . A visit to the Botanic gardens is a must , although here was where the winter weather finally caught up with us! We took a day trip to Cape Point (very windy, very spectacular), saw the penguins at Boulders Beach, and waited patiently for Table Mountain to appear. After spending most of our stay hidden behind cloud, it finally made a dramatic appearance on our final day. You could not have asked for better timing.
South Africa promises not just a holiday, but a deeply layered experience: from epic wildlife and world heritage sites to luxurious accommodations and moving encounters with history. If you’d like more details, suggestions, or help putting your own trip together, I’m here and always happy to share. Drop me a message if you want to talk South Africa!