Nestled below Table Mountain, Cape Town is a beautiful, bizarre city that combines the rhythm and passion of Africa with the sophistication and glamour of Europe. Three nights in a luxurious hotel gives us ample time to explore the city, take a cable car to the top of the mountain, enjoy a lazy sunset yacht cruise and travel by boat to the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.
Just an hour outside Cape Town are the spectacular Winelands of Stellenbosch, where most of the homesteads date back over 300 years. Linger in the tasting rooms and discover the delightful new blends and cultivars that have made South African wines famous across the world.
A scenic drive along the False Bay coast takes us through beautiful fynbos landscapes, from August to November you can see whales frolicking along the coast. We head towards Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. This dramatic, windswept coastline is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the warm Agulhas stream of the Indian Ocean. Slightly further north is Arniston, our exquisite overnight destination.
A little further down the road and we’re on the Garden Route – a wonderland of glistening lakes and rivers, deep forests, imposing mountains, golden beaches and blue seas. Our first stop here is the quaint seaside town of Knysna, built around an immense lagoon that is guarded by two towering sandstone cliffs – the Knysna Heads. Here, we explore the greenly-mysterious indigenous forests that were once home to vast herds of elephant before setting off again.
Next stop is the Tsitsikamma forest. After spending the night in rustic chalets, we explore the Tsitsikamma National Park as far as the Storms River Mouth. Late afternoon finds us back at the lodge for a sumptuous dinner, and those with weary limbs can rest in a comfortable bed. Our last stop is a game lodge with populations of buffalo and elephant. We explore the valleys and gorges of this magnificent reserve for two days. We make our way back to Cape Town where a flight will take you home. But no matter how carefully you pack, you’ll discover you’ve left your heart in Africa. You’ll be back.
