Cape Town: Waterfront Living and Iconic Views

My adventure began with 2 nights at Lawhill Apartments, perfectly positioned at the V&A Waterfront. Staying in an apartment gave me that lovely sense of “living” in Cape Town rather than just passing through, with restaurants, boutiques and the harbour right on the doorstep.

As the skies were clear on our arrival, we headed up to Table Mountain. Gliding up in the cable car and stepping out onto the flat summit is always a thrilling moment. From the top, the city, ocean and Robben Island spread out below in a panorama that never quite looks real.

We spent a full day exploring the Cape Peninsula, a route I recommend to anyone visiting for the first time:

• Watching the comical African penguins at Boulders Beach, waddling and squabbling on the sand
• Stopping for proper, old‑fashioned fish and chips by the sea
• Experiencing one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world on Chapman’s Peak drive

It is a classic day trip, but there is a reason it features on so many wish lists: the scenery is simply spectacular.

Franschhoek: Wine, Heritage and a Charming Hideaway

From Cape Town we headed into the Winelands for 2 nights at Avondrood in Franschhoek.  This is a lovely historic building with character, warm hospitality and a great location just a short stroll from Franschhoek’s main street.

Franschhoek itself is a delight, with its mix of galleries, cafés and award‑winning restaurants set against a backdrop of soaring mountains and vineyards.

A highlight here was the Franschhoek Wine Tram, where we took the pink line. It is such a fun, relaxed way to experience the valley: hopping on and off between estates, tasting elegant wines and lingering over long lunches while the tram does the driving. I would recommend researching the different lines and booking lunch in advance.

Samara Karoo: Tracking Cheetah on Foot

Next came one of the true stand‑out experiences of the trip, and something I had been looking forward to for so long: 4 nights at Samara Karoo. This is not just a safari lodge, it is a re-wilding conservation story in motion, set in an expansive, beautiful Karoo landscape.

Even with some unusual cold and wet weather, Samara worked its magic. The moment that will stay with me forever was tracking cheetah on foot. Walking quietly through the bush, every sense heightened, then finally seeing these extraordinary cats up close, entirely wild and utterly at ease in their environment, was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment.

The focus on rewilding and restoring this landscape really resonated with me and I loved finding out more from our guide and tracker. You’re not just a visitor here, you really feel part of a long‑term conservation project in action.

The rain meant we did not get to experience everything, which in a way is the perfect excuse: I will simply have to return and next time I’ll stay at off-grid Plains Camp to experience more bush walks and hopefully see the cheetah again.

Blyde River Canyon: Big Views and Boutique Luxury

From the Karoo we flew north to Hoedspruit and onto UmVangati House for 2 nights, tucked away in the Blyde River Canyon region. This lovely villa with just 7 rooms and suites had some of the most breathtaking views of the trip.

We spent a full day exploring the Panorama Route, known for sweeping vistas and dramatic rock formations. It is one of those places where you keep thinking you have seen the “money shot”, then you round another bend and the view is even better.

Back at UmVangati House, the experience was wonderfully personal:

• Mountain View Suites that open straight out to vast canyon views, with terraces perfect for star gazing
• A special dinner in their wine cellar
• Food that, hand on heart, was the best of the entire trip, prepared in the open kitchen with love and passion!

If you love scenery and intimate, design‑led hideaways, this is somewhere very special.

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve: Returning to Last Word Kitara

The final chapter was a return to an old favourite: 4 nights at Last Word Kitara. I had stayed here in July 2024 and knew I would be back. There is something about this lodge that gets under your skin, a mix of tranquil riverfront setting, heartfelt service and truly inspirational guiding. It’s the experience in the bush that defines your safari, and here you are remote enough from the airport to feel that you have the whole place to yourself, never really seeing other vehicles and not having to move away from a sighting as other vehicles were waiting behind you. 

Once again, the trackers and guides were exceptional: deeply knowledgeable, respectful of the bush and brilliant at reading animal behaviour, as well as great fun.

Two sightings in particular were unforgettable:

• Sitting quietly with a beautiful female leopard as she hunted at sunset, the sky turning gold behind her, us being in her presence completely on her terms
• Tracking a pack of wild dogs, my personal favourites, and watching their restless energy ripple through the landscape

Safari is never something you can script, but with the right team you feel as though every drive holds the potential for magic.

Why South Africa stays with me

Looking back over the journey, what stands out is the variety. In just a couple of weeks we:

• Rode a cable car up one of the world’s most iconic mountains
• Sipped wine among historic Cape Dutch architecture
• Tracked cheetah on foot in a restored Karoo wilderness
• Drove one of the country’s most scenic routes
• Shared the fading light with leopard and wild dogs in a private reserve

I am very aware of how privileged I am to have experienced South Africa in this way, not just on this trip but on previous visits too. Each time I return, I discover another layer: a new story, a different landscape, a fresh perspective on its people and wildlife.

South Africa brings together city buzz, culinary delights, epic scenery and world‑class wildlife in a way that few destinations can match. It is ideal for first‑timers to Africa and equally rewarding for those returning for a deeper, more nuanced experience.

If this sounds like the kind of journey you would love, I can help create a tailored version: the joy of South Africa is how beautifully we can adapt the trip to each traveller.