South Africa
After experiencing the wonder of South Africa as a surprise honeymoon trip, I was excited to have the opportunity to plan a return visit to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. I loved our original trip, but I must say that experiencing the country 20 years later with our expanded family of four made it even more special and breathtaking.
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Cape Town
With the iconic Table Mountain, botanical gardens, thriving art and food scene, historic sites, cultural diversity, beautiful beaches, wildlife and winelands, it is easy to fall in love with this extraordinary destination. Highlights of our adventures include cycling along the Sea Point Promenade to the V&A Waterfront, stopping along the way to enjoy the beautiful ocean views and public art installations; learning about the complex history of South Africa; taking in the breathtaking views of Cape Town from atop Table Mountain; enjoying a guided tour through the beauty and wonder of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; visiting the seals at Kalk Bay and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach; and a spectacular drive to the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of the African continent.
Other highlights include a walk through the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap, formally known as the Malay Quarter; a stroll along St. James Beach with its brightly colored bathing boxes in the seaside town of Muizenburg; and a fantastic lunch with gorgeous views at the Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, a boutique wine farm overlooking False Bay.
Mount Nelson Hotel
While in Cape Town, we stayed at the Mount Nelson Hotel. Located beneath the enduring gaze of Table Mountain, Mount Nelson exudes old-world glamour and grandeur with its palm-lined driveway, stone-columned gates, rolling lawns and lush gardens. Captivating visitors since 1899 and painted pink in 1918 to commemorate peace and the end of World War I, Mount Nelson offered the perfect combination of leafy tranquility and contemporary buzz in the heart of Cape Town.
Safari
The final leg of our South African adventure took us to the Dulini Lodge in Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park, for an amazing safari experience. Dulini is a boutique lodge set in a peaceful riverine grove on the banks of the Mabrak River, with all six suites offering private views of the river. The setting was spectacular and the dining, service and daily excursions were top notch. During our stay, we headed out daily on a morning and evening game drive with plenty of time built-in for rest and relaxation, as our days began super early - - 5am! The early starts did not disappoint as we saw the Big Five (leopards, lions, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos) and more, including giraffes, zebras, hyenas, hippos and warthogs.