4 Reasons Why You Should Head to South Africa
In 2019 I was lucky enough to travel to South Africa with South African Tourism. The trip opened my eyes to just how amazing the country truly is, and left me wanting to return as soon as possible to see even more. Here’s why.
The Wildlife
No trip to South Africa would be complete without going on Safari- an experience that is quite literally indescribable. After 3 days of game drives I still had to pinch myself every time I saw an animal in the wild. The thrill of tracking down elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinos and hippos in their natural habitat is something no zoo can ever prepare you for.
Whilst in South Africa, it’s also worth going in search of the Marine Big 5- the lesser known but equally incredible animals found within the Western Cape of the country. This 5 consists of whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins. For a memorable experience, it is definitely worth going cage diving with Great White Sharks off the coast of Gansbaai. Feeling a little less adventurous? Visiting the penguins on Boulder Beach, just out of Cape Town, is a must-do day trip.
The Diverse Scenery
My trip was only 8 days, meaning I barely scratched the surface of South Africa. Even so, I was able to experience such a diverse range of landscapes and scenery. It was insane to think that the wilderness of Kruger National Park, the rugged coastline of the Western Cape and the colourful streets of Johannesburg were all within the same country.
The Food and Wine
This is the one point that took me by surprise when I visited South Africa- I had no idea that there was such an incredible food and wine culture! Within Cape Town, there is a large variety of top notch restaurants and boutique bars serving mouth-watering meals and quirky cocktails. The best part? Everything is super affordable, despite being of amazing quality.
In terms of wine, Franschhoek is the place to be. Just over an hour out of Cape Town, this lovely little village is full of amazing local wineries. It is here I fell in love with South Africa’s signature red wine- Pinotage. The best method to hop between the various vineyards? The Franschhoek Wine Tram! It’s definitely worth making the drive out- or even staying for a night if you plan on sampling lots of the delish wines.
The Culture
South Africa has such a rich history and vibrant culture, making it the perfect destination to explore and broaden your understanding of this part of the world simultaneously. Spending a morning on Robben Island to explore the prison where Nelson Mandela spent a large chunk of his life was super eye-opening, especially with a former inmate being the tour guide. This is an experience I will never forget, as it gave me a new understanding of the history of South Africa.
Giving me a real sense of the South African Culture was Khayelitsha- the second largest black township in the country located on the outskirts of Cape Town. Although the people in this community live a relatively simple life, I’ve never met children so HAPPY with what they have. The sense of community is incredible, and so many entrepreneurs creating meaningful lives for themselves and their families with what they have. The below mural found in the township represents those that are viewed by the artist as holding the key to South Africa’s future- the black girl child.
