South Africa: An Animal Lovers and Foodies Heaven
I was blown away by the amazing scenery and clear clean days.
On arrival to Cape Town we were taken on a tour to view the fabulous beach areas of Camps Bay and Clifton just outside the city an idea place to relax and chill at the beginning of a holiday. We visited the wonderfully modern V & A (Victoria and Alfred) waterfront with it restaurants bars and super modern shopping mall with it up market shops. We went to The Market Place for lunch and we all couldn’t get over how reasonable the cost of food is. This was a precedence for the whole of this trip superb quality food at reasonable prices.
On day two heading out along the coast road with its dramatic scenery hugging the cliff side along the Atlantic Ocean was stunning. We saw the famous Chapmans Peak. On reaching Hout Bay it was off to see our first animals taking a boat trip with Drumbeat Charters to Seal Island colony at Dulker Island there before our eyes were thousands of Cape Fur Seals sunning themselves and frolicking in the sea. Moving on to Boulders Beach to see the Jackass Penguin colony this was one of my many trip highlights walking by the penguins in their natural habitat. Simons Town offered wonderful scenic coastal views and an outstanding sea food lunch at Black Marlin restaurant We arrived at Cape Point the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean and used the venicular to reach the top of the mountain and climbed the steps to reach the lighthouse.
Through this time we were staying at the wonderful Vineyard hotel in the leafy suburb of Newlands about 20 mins from the centre of Cape Town.
Day 3 and on to the Winelands our first stop was to visit Babylonstoren one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms that has diversified in to organic gardens, winery and accommodation the views were stunning from this very special place, they had also just had a new donkey born here a couple of days before our visit. They have a fabulous shop selling locally produced products and now donkey gifts! We moved on to Delaire Graff Estate for wine tasting it is situated on the top of the Helshoogte mountain pass, the high altitude and cooling breezes make excellent wines. We then moved on to Stellenbosh a wonderful small university town with superb history we visited a living museum of the oldest house. Then participated in a fabulous foodie on foot walking food tour visiting the oldest local butcher to sample Biltong and sampling local deserts and the healthy Roobos tea. We stayed at the superb Oude Werf this property expertly blends its 200 year old Georgian origins with modern luxury and has a renowned restaurant.
Day four on the road which are well maintained and very easy to drive as it’s the same side as the UK. We went through the beautiful Lakelands to reach Knysna a great stopping point on the Garden Route. With its freshwater Lagoon and modern waterfront area. We took a sunset cruise around the harbour, interestingly one side of the bay is completely building free and natural this area is owned and protected by Featherbed Company they run a nature reserve here it’s about trekking and walking and sampling nature but no animals here. From Knysna it was about a 4 hours to get to Shamwari.
Shamwari is an award winning Game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape only 75km from Port Elizabeth it offers a wonderful safari in a malaria free zone. It is set in 25,000 hectares of prime land with contrasting savannah and jungle in which there are many animals roaming free including the big 5.
In Africa the big five game animals are African Lion; African Elephant; Cape Buffalo; African Leopard and White or Black Rhinoceros. Shamrawi is truly amazing, I’m pleased to report with our expert rangers we saw all of the big 5 at close quarters with no rush or hurry. There is at a choice of 5 lodges: Riverdene: Long Lea Manor; Bayethe; Sarili; Eagles Crag plus an exclusive private villa each a contrast to suit different taste and stage in family needs. They offer an introductory safari for children. For the really adventurous there is Explorers camp a 2 night true bush experience your rangers take you out into the bush for a 4 hour walking tour then you stay in tents for the evening. Shamwari have won the World Travel Awards for Africa’s “Leading Conservation Company” consecutively for the last 8 years. As well as the incredible safari experience there is a more serious side to Shamwari it home to the only Born Free Foundation Rescue Centre in South Africa. Plus a unique Animal Rehabilitation Centre that is currently helping “Hope” the rhino whose horn was taken by poachers leaving her for dead. She made CCN and BBC the day after we saw her as she was about to have her third operation to rebuild her face.
In summary my trip gave me a brief view of this wonderfully stunning country with its fantastic scenery, food, wine, culture and animals I will certainly be returning in the future.
