Cape Town is the most beautiful city I have set eyes on and a place I was lucky enough to attend University at. A great stop pre/post safari to catch up on some rest, drink some amazing wine and stay active on some extraordinary hikes, hitting the surf exploring the Waterfront’s shopping and walking amongst the penguins at Boulder’s beach.
The winelands were often a weekend excursion to get some fresh air and savor some of South Africa’s most delectable wines. My favorite regions, just about an hour outside of Cape Town are Franschhoek & Stellenbosch. Franschhoek is known for its quaint, cobbled street and French influence with incredible restaurants and vineyards. My personal favorite wine estate is Babylonstoren, an old Cape-Dutch style property. Incredibly romantic for honeymooners. And Stellenbosch is full of life, a student town but also home to some of South Africa’s best estates.
Another escape just north-east of Cape Town is the sleepy little seaside town of Hermanus, perched up on a cliff looking over the ocean. A most popular whale-watching site. A visit to the Old Harbour Museum will acquaint you with the area’s rich fishing history and an impressive whale skeleton. Plenty of vineyards in close proximity for a bit of wine tasting.
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most well-known safari areas due to it’s size, offering of the big 5 & mixed habitats. It is also attractive as it is one of the easiest Parks to access, just a short flight from Johannesburg International Airport. If you are looking for some added privacy or exclusivity opt for the Sabi Sabi or Timbavati concessions.
‘Tswalu’ (meaning ‘great thirst’ or ‘waterless’) Kalahari Reserve is a stark, but beautiful desert region with a terrain of vast open savannah, sandy dunes and diverse habitats. It is fascinating to see the array of wildlife that survive out here: zebra, giraffe, oryx, eland, white rhino and the desert black rhino. Keep an eye out for the Kalahari specials such as the pangolin, meerkats, aardvark and African wild cats.
