South African Escape: Safari!

Where to go

We went on a Safari in the Limpopo province of South Africa, near Hoedspruit, where there is an airport you can fly directly into from Johannesburg. It is very close to Kruger National Park and has a number of private game reserves.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Thornybush Game Reserve, which features 12 different lodges you can chose from. Each one offers a different experience; some are larger with more activities and some are smaller and cozier. We selected the Monwana Lodge, which has just four rooms and the most stunning views of the reserve. The rooms are gorgeous and spacious, complete with private patios.

Experience the safari! Every morning at 5am you will receive a wake-up call, after which you will go out in an open air jeep with your guide to see all of the wondrous animals of South Africa. Zebras (also called pajama donkeys!), giraffes, hippos, elephants, water buffalo, and big cats. You will see animals sleeping, hunting, running, and playing. You will marvel at their beauty and their size, grace, and personality. After the safari, you will go back to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and time for a nap. Then, late afternoon another safari! You guide will stop in the bush for you to stretch your legs and enjoy a cocktail. Then, back to the lodge for more drinks and a delicious dinner, which will feature multiple courses and wine! Some nights they even have a traditional braai party, which is a South African BBQ.

South African Escape: Wine Country!

Where to Stay

We were in Stellenbosch for a wedding, and stayed a few extra days for a South African escape of wine tasting. Stellenbosch is only a 40 minute drive from Cape Town, so it is very easy to get to. The bride and groom recommended Banhoek Lodge to us, which was absolutely perfect. It is seriously one of the most stunning hotels I have ever stayed in. The spacious room opens up onto a vast patio which has simply spectacular views of the South African wine country: vineyards in varying shades of green, mountains, and a blissfully clear blue sky. It is quiet and sensational. Breakfast comes via room service, and your hosts are happy to meet all of your needs, including in-suite spa services.

What to Do

Go wine tasting! The hotel offers a fantastic walking tour map, which we took advantage of.
• Zorgvliet: There is literally nothing better than sampling wine at this picturesque winery, where you are surrounded by views of the lovely vineyard. You can order a picnic basket, filled to the brim with fresh bread, salads, cheese, and sweets, and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the grounds.
• Delaire Graff Estate: The best way to try the wine at Delaire is to enjoy a meal at the Delaire Graff Restaurant, which hosts a patio that overlooks the estate. Enjoy a stunning mozzarella and tomato salad, house made soup, pasta served with a decadent cream sauce, and more while soaking up the lovely Stellenbosch sunshine. I enjoyed a glass of their sunrise brut, followed by a glass of their Cabernet Franc Rosé. Each one was smooth, subtle and sublime.
• Tokara: This lovely winery and olive farm features a gorgeous vineyard and olive groves, tasting room, delicatessen, and restaurant. The indoor areas feature stunning artwork, and the food is as good as the wine. After sampling the wine (and purchasing a few bottles!) we went over to the delicatessen where we enjoy olives, a cheese plate, and a cheese and tomato flatbread.

The Verdict: A South African escape is a dream vacation! The country is wonderful and diverse. From nature to wine, take advantage of all it has to offer!

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Priya’s guide to Cape Town: 

Where to Stay: Derwent House. This charming boutique hotel is in Tamboerskloof, one of Cape Town’s trendiest neighborhood, which means it walking distance to lots of great places to eat, drink, and hang out. The staff is wonderful, which is another reason to stay there. Case in point: While we were there it was the owner’s birthday, so they served champagne and small bites to everyone! Rooms are spacious and clean, there is a pool, and breakfast was great.

What to Do: There is literally no end to the exciting sites to see and experiences to have in Cape Town. But here are a few that you absolutely must not miss:

Table Mountain: The most iconic sight in Cape Town, and one of the most famous mountain ranges of the world. Buy tickets for the cablecar in advance and then head to the entrance of the cableway. The ride up offers unbelievable views of Cape Town, and once you get to the top you can spend hours walking around and admiring the view. The top is flat—hence the name!

Robben Island: Visiting the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for eighteen years is undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The tour of the prison is given by a gentleman who was jailed with Mandela, making the experience all the more impactful. I cannot recommend this enough. The prison represents not only an important part of South Africa’s history, but of the world’s history as well.

Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point & Boulders Beach: At the very end of the cape peninsula is Cape Point, a stunning natural reserve within the table mountain range where you can see impressive views of the ocean. Use the Flying Dutchman funicular to see the mind-blowing panoramic view. En route, try to take the Chapman Peak’s Drive, a scenic mountain route, and be sure to stop at Boulders Beach, where you can see cutest warm water penguin colony!

Where to Eat and Drink: There are so many places!! Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong anywhere in Cape Town. The food is diverse, the booze is plentiful, and the quality is impressive at most venues. But, I did get some awesome recommendations from friends and did some serious research, so the places I went to were really awesome, and I am happy share the details! Keep in mind no matter where you stay Uber and taxis are everywhere in Cape Town so it is very easy to get around.

Lunch/Brunch:

The Old Biscuit Mill: Literally the best food market I have ever been to. Bitterballen from the Netherlands, pizzas, dumplings, falafel, baked goods, beer stalls and wine tastings and so much more. There are also a few sit down restaurants, including The Test Kitchen, which is one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. After eating and drinking to your heart’s content, pursue the artworks and knicks and knacks at the many local shops. The Mill is located in Woodstock, one of Cape Town’s many suburbs.

Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room: This fun brunch spot has mimosas, eggs, avocado toast, burgers (which Cape Town is famous for) and a great atmosphere. It’s small, but full of locals so you know it’s good.

Happy Hour:

The Rumbullion: The terraces of The Roundhouse (which is also a great restaurant!) is the perfect place to grab a drink and a snack, largely because of the stunning views. The restaurant and terraces are a part of Table Mountain, offering some of the best views of famous mountain range you can ever imagine. Come in the evening so you can relax at a one of Rumbullion’s picnic bench with a cocktail while watching the sunset behind the mountains. It will be the most memorable happy hour of your life!

Dinner:

Bukhara: Being Indian, sometimes I just want a good Indian meal, even when I am travelling. Luckily my husband loves Indian food as well. Luckily, Cape Town has an impressive international food scene, and that extends to Indian food. Bukhara has lemon rice and garlic naan and mushrooms and peas cooked in a spicy gravy and paneer, which is cheese, served with spices and spinach, spicy potatoes, and more. The beautiful restaurant is located near the V&A Waterfront which is a beautiful area to walk around, with its lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain.

The Greenhouse at the Cellars-Hohenort: One of the best fine dining options in all of South Africa. The stunning dining room has several tasting menu to choose from, all of which showcase the best of South Africa’s seasonal produce. Be sure to get the wine pairing and the cheese course: it features the same cheese served four times, at four different temperatures. It is epic.

Drinks:

Asoka: This trendy and charming cocktail lounge and restaurant is in the ever-popular Tamboerskloof neighborhood. It’s a great place to grab a drink before or after dinner.

The Verdict: This is the vacation of a lifetime. Experience it for yourself!

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