A Sensational Trip To South Africa
Date Posted: 21/11/2023
Jonathon, our Chief Operating Officer, recently returned from a once in a lifetime trip exploring South Africa! From spotting the big 5 on safari to spending the evening star gazing, from postcard worthy viewpoints to visiting impressive vineyards, this getaway has it all. Sound like the holiday for you? Keep reading to find out more about this spectacular tour…
Cape Town
After touching down in South Africa’s capital, Cape Town, we picked up our hire car and set out towards our first destination! A short drive later we arrived at the Commodore Hotel, an easy 10-minute walk to the Waterfront and in a prime location to enjoy the local entertainment, bars, and restaurants. This was our first opportunity to try a famous South African Steak and it certainly didn’t disappoint! The private parking added a further layer of ease to the start of the trip and the service we received was second to none. Each time we wished to leave the hotel, the staff would bring the car to the main doors, an added extra that made all the difference!
The hotel also introduced us to a new concept that is practiced in areas of Cape Town called ‘loadshedding’. These are planned strategic blackouts designed to help preserve electricity, never lasting more than two hours. We found this the perfect opportunity to explore the city by foot or relax with a book by the pool! If you want to spend a full day delving into local life, the hop-on, hop-off bus is a great way to see the city as it loops around, stopping off at all the key attractions along the way. This is also a great way to learn about the history of South Africa as the onboard narrator shares some interesting facts along the way.
Cape Town was the perfect location to recharge after our flight whilst also building up our excitement to explore the wonders of South Africa. As we travelled towards our following destination, we stopped off at Table Mountain which was completely picturesque and offered unbelievable panoramic views! We pre-booked the tickets prior to our trip which I would definitely recommend along with booking the fast-track option as there was quite a queue.
If you’re looking to add in an extra stop, make sure to check out Robben Island. Although we didn’t get the chance to visit ourselves, we have heard great things about the trip so it’s certainly worth adding to your itinerary!
Following this we drove to Cape Point, a scenic landscape filled with rugged mountains and sheer cliffs jutting out into the sea. We hopped on the Flying Dutchman funicular which took us all the way up to the peak as we admired the postcard worthy views from the look out point. Not only is this an exciting journey in itself, it’s also a great option for those unable to take on the uphill walk. Make sure to check out the old lighthouse too for even more spectacular scenery.
Franschhoek
Our next stop was the charming wine town of Franschhoek, famous for its vast vineyards. Less than an hour drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek is quite the opposite of its neighbouring big city. The drive was simple with the roads clearly marked and signs easy to read. We stayed at the Franschhoek Boutique Hotel which is home to 12 modern suites each fitted with a Juliette balcony facing the peaks of Franschhoek! By evening we headed to Allora Franschhoek, which offered relaxing dining by an open fire accompanied with beautiful local cuisine and washed down with Franschhoek wine.
This town is certainly a must for any wine enthusiasts. Franschhoek Wine Tram is only around a ten-minute walk from the hotel and is a great way to explore the vineyards. They offer various experiences including transportation by either tram, bus, or tractor where you can choose to simply hop-on, hop-off at your own leisure or opt for an escorted tour. We chose the latter of the two, enjoying a Curated Wine Experience hosted by an experienced tour guide. The tour lasted around 6 hours as we explored three vineyards with a personalised wine tasting experience at each. The day was topped off with a three-course meal which was nothing short of delicious.
Oudtshoorn
We set off towards our next destination which was the De Zeekoe Guest Farm in Oudtshoorn. The drive was breathtaking and, as much as the Garden Route is very popular, the roads were quiet which allowed us time to take in all the views!
De Zeekoe Guest Farm offers the option of accommodation within its main building or if you’re looking for something a bit more special, why not opt for a stay in the private stone cottages. The cottage gave us our first sense of true Africa, being surrounded by wildlife and picturesque scenery was unforgettable. Although the cottage was self-catering, we also had the option to dine at the restaurant in the main building which served an array of tasty meals.
Oudtshoorn is packed with things to do and sights to see so make sure to plan ahead to ensure you fit it all in. I highly recommend a visit to the Cango Caves, known of one of South Africa’s Natural Wonders. The tour of the 20-million-year-old cave system lasts around two hours, where you will be escorted by a local guide who explains the history of the site as you go.
Plettenberg Bay
A two- and half-hour drive along the coast took us to Plettenberg Bay, a sandy coastal town in South Africa. Staying at Hog Hollow Country Lodge provided both a strong sense of luxury and African culture. We were welcomed with a refreshing drink and showed to our stunning lodge with open views across the valley.
The hotel had a magnificent pool and sauna, perfect for taking in the African sun after a day filled with exploring. We followed this up by watching the sunset by the fire pit with a glass of chilled wine (this quickly became our nighttime routine) before retreating into the restaurant. Dining at Hog Hollow was an experience in itself, with a carefully curated menu and personal service, every evening felt so special.
For those who love adventure topped off with beautiful scenery, we have just the recommendations for you! A short drive away from the lodge you’ll find Storms River Suspension Bridge. The walk will take you around one and a half hours as you are led to the daring Suspension bridge overlooking the Storm River meeting the ocean.
Next up we have the breathtaking walk across Robberg Nature Reserve where you can choose to do either a one, two or three hour walk. We opted for the two hour walk (which quickly turned into three hours due to the amount of time we stopped to take photos). Once you reached the peak, the views of Plettenberg Bay were completely flawless! We were also lucky enough to get the chance to admire the local wildlife including seeing seals playing in the waves. If you head over the peak, you will find yourself on a secluded golden sand beach, providing you with the perfect opportunity to take a dip in the turquoise waters.
Pumba Lodge
Wow, wow, wow, the highlight of the trip was definitely Pumba Lodge! This private games reserve combines luxury and adventure, building memories that will last a lifetime. We were greeted at the main gates by a games keeper who escorted us to our Water Lodge, a large, open plan space with a private plunge pool and wraparound balcony! Here we had a stunning viewpoint of the wildlife gathering at the watering point with the reserve providing binoculars, so you didn’t miss a thing.
The staff were attentive and friendly as they took us on a tour of the grounds and facilities. We dined at the on-site restaurant which was only a two-minute walk from our room. They served breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with carefully selected local beers and wine to compliment your dining.
Included in your stay was two game drives per day. Make sure you’re up bright and early ready for the exciting day ahead as the first one begins at 6:30am and lasts till approximately 9am. You’ll then have some free time to relax and unwind or enjoy further activities such as fishing and archery, before heading back out on an evening at 16:30pm till 7pm. You’ll end your evening with a spot of star gazing, a truly mesmerising experience!
The game drives are done in small groups and each time we had the same game keeper leading the tour which we loved! It made the experience very personal as we were able to get to know our guide over the time we spent there. He ensured we were completely comfortable and made sure all the essentials were packed each day including water, binoculars, ponchos and even a hot water bottle for the drop in temperature during the sunrises and sunsets. Everything was taken care of for us meaning we didn’t have to worry about a thing, truly a top-class service.
We felt very safe and in good hands with our game’s keeper as his knowledge of the land and environment was evident from the get-go. He would take time to find the wildlife and was also able to get us as close as possible while respecting their territory. Although the tours were well planned, there was also room for our input which was great as we got a say in what we wanted to see each day. Along the way, we would stop for a short fifteen-minute breaks, allowing us to get out of the vehicle to stretch our legs, grab a hot drink and a snack or in the evening there was the option for an alcoholic beverage. Nothing beats having an iced cocktail, under the stars and we watched the South African sunset.
