Our Epic Three Weeks In South Africa - Part Two

Two hours easy drive on from Oudtshoorn the next day and we arrived at our home for the next 2 nights in Plettenberg Bay. Whilst there we had the most amazing experience at an elephant sanctuary. We got to feed the elephants and rub them down before their bed time. All are rescued and providing all continues to go well, all will be released back into private game reserves. Walking trunk in hand is recognised as a way to continue developing the elephants’ skills of holding onto each other’s tails. Something that is critical to elephants when crossing rivers and walking up steep inclines. It was AMAZING!! Such beautiful, gentle animals.

One last stop before we reached our safari was in the Tsitsikamma National Park; staying at the The Fernery Lodge. The lodge is stunning with magnificent views and so much to do. When (not if) we go back I will be booking us in for 4 nights so we can go off rafting, quad biking plus the other activities available in the park.

It was then safari time and Pumba truly is 5* luxury. I loved stopping for sun downers on our evening drives whilst out with the animals as well as coffees and nibbles on a morning. Our rooms surpass the pictures on the website. Pumba offer many other activities aside from the traditional game drives so we also enjoyed a spot of archery as well as fishing in the main lake. We had hippos (at a distance!) for company which was rather surreal.

Pumba has beautiful white lions! On our first day we saw the end of a kill on an adult giraffe. It was heart breaking to witness but also amazing seeing how they work together. The giraffe did not go to waste, and we had the benefit of seeing the lions every day and the circle of life in action. The kill was only about 2 football pitches from our lodge and we could hear them warning other animals (especially the jackals) to stay away from their food during the night. You do not just hear them, you feel it. It is an incredible sound as it carries on the night air. Other animals we encountered include 3 x Bull Elephants as well as the main herd, cheetah, rhino, impala, wildebeest, blesbuck, cape buffalo, warthogs, meerkats, vervet monkeys, baboons, zebras, giraffe and many many different birds including spectacular birds of prey. The list goes on, we saw so much.

We reluctantly left Pumba and headed to the Port Elizabeth beach area for the afternoon before we caught a late flight back to Cape Town. I had no idea how lovely this part of the city is. The boardwalk area near Shark Rock is fab for people watching and there are some lovely hotels along the boardwalk!

Our last night was spent in Cape Town centre where the following day we wandered back down to the V&A and had an afternoon enjoying the pool and sunshine before heading home. We were very fortunate to fly back Business class on both flights. I understand why Qatar are consistently voted the best business class airline by Skytrax. Their Q Class suites are out of this world.

As a tip, if you have a long layover in Doha or want an excellent lounge experience, the Doa Al Majaran lounge is the one to choose. Showers can be booked in advance to freshen up. There is a huge family section as well as relaxed areas and 2 x restaurants.

I think I could write about our trip forever, it really is a dream adventure! Please feel free to get in touch if you would like more information. I would absolutely love to talk to you about it!