My South Africa Trip Recap
I traveled to South Africa this past March 2021 on an educational trip with one of our preferred partners and a small group of travel advisors based around the US. Pre-COVID, South Africa was a top 3 destination for Sea to City clients and we know with time that it will be again! South Africa is a fabulous country - in such a small space, you are able to have a plethora of experiences. There’s something for everyone!
Our trip began with 1 night in Johannesburg. From Los Angeles, I flew on Qatar Airways via Doha. Their Q Suites are incredible and have ruined all other air travel for us! Our flight arrived to Johannesburg in the morning two days after leaving LA. The hotel we would normally have stayed at in the city was closed due to low demand (and have since reopened) so we stayed at a business hotel for the evening that gave us a nice, clean place to sleep in a central location. Most leisure travelers only spend 1 nights in Johannesburg and include a half day city tour during their stay to learn about the history of South Africa.
The next day we flew to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. The flight was quick 40 minutes and then we had an hour and a half drive to safari. Once demand increases, there are also airports that are within the safari reserves so you can avoid longer drives - these were temporarily closed during my trip but the drive was easy.
We stayed at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, one of 4 lodges that are a part of the Sabi Sabi collection in the Sabi Sands Reserve. We also saw the other 3 lodges - one more family friend and 2 that are more intimate in size and are perfect for honeymooners or buyout. Earth Lodge is the flagship, highest end of the lodges. It caters toward couples as it’s adults only. Each of the suites has a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor shower and beautiful contemporary design.
The Sabi Sands is famous for it’s population of leopard, the most elusive of the Big 5, all of which can be found. While this is one of the best places to find leopard, it’s not a guarantee. Our guide, Ally, made it her mission to find our group a leopard - it was the only member of the Big 5 that I did not see during my 2018 trip to Kenya. To say the experience was magical is an understatement. I visited at the tail end of the rainy season in South Africa that is roughly from November through April. However, South Africa is considered a year-round safari destination. If you were to visit in September, the landscape wouldn’t be nearly as lush and green; instead it would be dusty and brown, which actually makes finding the game a lot easier because they can’t hide in the bush and they congregate around water sources. Regardless of when you travel, the game viewing is unbelievable.
After 2-night on safari (which was far too short!), we drove back to the airport and flew 2.5 hours to Cape Town, where we spent 4 night split between 2 hotels: Belmond Mount Nelson and The Silo. I also saw One&Only Cape Town. There are a handful of other hotels I love to incorporate into clients itineraries, however, there was only so much time in our schedule so I’ll be back to see them personally one day!
Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel - traditional, colonial design, some rather large rooms and suites - no water or table mountain views but has multiple pools, gardens, tennis courts, etc so it has the most space and facilities of all the option - wonderful afternoon tea and in a more local area of the city. great for families and couples
The Silo - an interior designer’s dream, located at The V&A Waterfront so water and Table Mountain views - all rooms have amazing soaking tubs and views - sits on top of an old grain silo - wonderful rooftop pool and bar - I love for couples but they do have some 2-bedroom units great for traveling friends or families
One&Only Cape Town - located at the V&A Waterfront, marina and Table Mountain views, Nobu, contemporary design, great for both families and couples
At each of these properties, Sea to City Travels adds exclusive amenities at not additional cost to our clients, including but not limited to upgrades (subject to availability), daily breakfast, hotel/resort credit, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) and complimentary wifi.
Mount Nelson, a Belmond hotel
The Silo Hotel
One&Only Cape Town
During our 3 full days in Cape Town, we experienced a city tour, a Cape Peninsula tour (not to be missed!) and scenic heli flight over Cape Town, and a day trip to the winelands. I honestly could have stayed longer to have one full free day in the city to enjoy more of the fantastic restaurants, have a leisurely afternoon at either of the 2 hotels, gone shopping, visited the Kirstenbosch Gardens and more. Cape Town is such a vibrant city and I feel I just got a quick taste of it. A lot of Sea to City clients also spend 2 nights in the winelands, instead of just visiting for a day (either are easily doable!).
Our final stop on our tour of South Africa was Grootbos Nature Reserve. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Cape Town along the western Cape. The area is known for great white shark cage diving and whale watching. But Grootbos itself is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s located on a private reserve within one of the world’s 7 Floral Kingdoms so for any garden lovers, this place would be heaven. It’s a lodge that can be as restful and relaxing as you’d like or as active as you’d like. It’s all-inclusive similar to a safari lodge but anything additional through a 3rd party supplier (like shark cage diving) is a small extra expense. The sunsets, scenery, lodging, experiences and cuisine are all top notch and for anyone that has the time to add this to an itinerary, it’s well worth a 2-3 night stay!
I truly felt like I scratched the surface of what South Africa has to hold. Although I started on safari, you could easily flip this itinerary and end with safari, or add additional safari locations within South Africa. Combining multiple countries into one itinerary has become more difficult during COVID, although not impossible. I also highly suggest combining safari in Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe, a stay at Victoria Falls (more safari and adventure) or a beach extension to Mozambique.