Sue’s South African Adventure
In the latest instalment of our team's travels we hear from our Assistant Manager, Sue...
Name:
Sue Kinton
Where did you go?
South Africa
When did you go?
September 2024
Which operators did you travel with?
African Pride and South African Tourism
Tell us about your experience…
I have never been to Sub Sahara Africa before and it was high up on my bucket list so I jumped at the chance to visit Kruger National Park and also the Wineland and Cape Town.
Our flight with BA to Johannesburg was busy but comfortable and we transited through the airport and checked in for our onward flight to Skukuza, in Kruger National Park. Johannesburg Airport was very busy, and it took us quite a while to get through security, but once we were through it was smooth sailing for us to get our onward flight.
We arrived into Skukuza early afternoon and were met by the drivers from ‘Kruger Untamed’ where we were booked to stay for three nights.
The transfer from the airport to the camp was a game drive in itself as Skukuza is in the Park so we were seeing animals from the get go. We were all massively in awe at the first giraffe!
We embarked on an immersive journey into the heart of nature with ‘Kruger Untamed’, where you can reconnect with yourself and the wilderness.
There are two exclusive camps, Tshokwane River Camp and Satara Plains Camp. I was staying at Satara Plains, and they open annually from 1st May to 30th September. Nestled within the prime game-rich areas of Kruger National Park, these camps provide a sanctuary amidst the untamed beauty of Lion Country.
Each camp has 30 luxurious canvassed suites, with en-suite facilities featuring butler-fed hot showers which were very welcome after a day of exploration.
Meals are taken in a central area where we indulged in hearty, nourishing cuisine that feeds not just the body but also the spirit. There are some fantastic social areas where we sipped Amarula on ice and listened to fascinating tales from the rangers about life in the Bush.
Over six game drives we saw so much wildlife: elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, hyena, wilderbeast, cape buffalo, hippo, a plethora of different types of antelope, and a rare sighting of a honey badger! Not to mention the fantastic birdlife.
It really was a dream come true and I’m so pleased to have experienced it in such an authentic and sustainable way.
For the second part of our trip we flew back from Skukuza to Cape Town and then, after a short drive out of the city we found ourselves in the stunning Winelands.
Franschhoek was to be our base with its centuries-old vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. All based along one main road, the village is picture post card pretty and has many places to eat and drink. The famous Wine Tram runs through the village taking passengers to different wineries for wine and food tastings galore.
Dinner and the Friday night market at Bochendal Wine Farm was a particular highlight during our stay here.
Boschendal is a fully working farm and winery with luxury accommodation.This place really has it all. Savour luxury farm style accommodation with breathtaking views and hiking trails, enjoy award-winning wines and exceptional soil to fork dining, and lose yourself in enchanting indigenous gardens.
On every Friday night throughout the summer the Boschendal Friday Night Market is held with stalls showcasing amazing food and drink from the farm and surrounding areas along with live music. We were lucky enough to be there for the first one of the summer season this year and what a great evening we had.
Onwards to Cape Town now, and this small city has everything. Vibrant nightlife, stunning hotels, amazing shopping and a fantastic exchange rate!
The Waterfront area is home to well known, high quality hotels such as the Cape Grace, The Victoria & Alfred Hotel, The Table Bay and the One & Only Cape Town.
I was lucky enough to stay at the One & Only and it really is a resort within the city. Stunning rooms and a really unpretentious atmosphere with a breakfast to die for! It's really easy to walk from any of the Waterfront hotels to the Waterfront for dining, drinks and shopping opportunities.
It is very safe to walk around in this area too, which is sometimes a concern in South Africa. We found it to be really safe with no issues at all but all hoteliers, both in the Waterfront and also downtown are very switched on about potential safety issues and would provide cars to take clients out and back in the evening where needed.
A reason to return?
Overall, I absolutely loved South Africa and definitely hope to go back. With such amazing value for money and one hour time difference from the UK, it definitely should be on everyone’s winter sun destination list!