SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
Starting off in Cape Town’s wonderful Camps Bay area with spectacular views of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles, we stayed in the 5-star Boutique All Suites South Beach Hotel less than 50 metres from the icy cold waters of Camps Bay’s Blue Flag beach. The hotel was very impressive with suites that have access to their own pools and a further infinity pool plus bar on the rooftop with sublime sunset views and just great for sundowners. Restaurants are aplenty in Camps Bay (Zenzero and BoVine Wine and Grill House are both worth a visit).
From Camps Bay we took a day trip to the Franschhoek Wine Tram (just over an hour away). We took the Green route around the many wine houses but to be honest I don’t think it really matters which route you take – all of the wine houses are fantastic with numerous tastings and lovely restaurants all with incredible views of the Franschhoek valley. Franschhoek itself is gorgeous and my only regret is not staying longer.
From Cape Town we took the short flight down to Port Elizabeth for a 3-day safari! Definitely the highlight of our trip. The malaria free Eastern Cape is a great add on for safari from Cape Town. I chose Kariega Game Reserve – a private game reserve with a huge selection of accommodation to cater for all tastes/requirements and more importantly the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard).
We stayed at Settlers Drift – a unique tented safari combined with 5-star luxury comprising 9 tented suites, each with stunning views and secluded viewing decks overlooking the Bushman’s River. Mouth-watering food and a lush infinity pool overlooking the bush to boot. I was fortunate to see all of the Kariega accommodation and Ukhozi Lodge and River Lodge were just lovely too – all very different.
The safari set up was new to me but getting up at 5:30am for the first game drive of the day and having coffee watching sunrise whilst looking out for game was just incredible. Our game ranger Gladman was so knowledgeable, and he’d take us out in the open game-drive vehicles to get us up close and personal to a whole host of animals. Back to the lodge for around 10am and after a slap-up breakfast it was time to take a snooze and relax round the gorgeous pool or have a massage at the spa tent – again with those amazing views over the Bushman’s River.
Then afternoon tea before setting off again around 4pm for another game drive. Close to sunset, Gladman would stop in a clearing (making sure there were no lions of course) and set up his bar for sundowners. Just fantastic! Often, we’d return to camp in the pitch dark and then get ready for dinner or a boma (traditional South African BBQ).
We flew back up the coast to Cape Town this time staying at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the V&A Hotel. Great rooms with fabulous views of the dock and Table Mountain too. This was our base for the next three days – and we had a lot to fit in.
First up, a day trip to Hermanus for whale watching. The drive itself to Hermanus along the first part of the famous Garden Route was just stunning. We were treated to a perfect calm day which made for some incredible whale watching.
Next up was another day trip to the Cape of Good Hope stopping off at Boulder’s Beach to see the penguin colony. What funny little chaps they are! We even saw baboons too on our way to the Cape.
We’d been keeping an eye on the weather for our trip up the cable car to Table Mountain to ensure there was no low cloud obscuring our views. We were in luck as our last day was gorgeous blue skies. We felt like we were on top of the world. Just awesome!
Has this inspired you to take a safari? If so please do speak to me. I think I am officially a safari addict and planning my next one already!
