Where am I – South Africa - Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Knysna, Kariega Game Reserve, Johannesburg, Sun City
Duration – Two weeks
Suitable for – Anyone who wants a combination of major cities and game reserves along the Garden Route of South Africa.
Day 1 - Stellenbosch
I commenced my itinerary in the wine region of Stellenbosch
Well known for the unique Pinotage wine variety, we stayed at Lanzerac Estate. This is a boutique hotel nestled at the base of the Jonkershoek Valley, surrounded by picturesque vineyards. All rooms are unique in style and the hotel offers free wine tasting. My room was tucked away up some steep stairs, but the view was worth the climb!
Lunch was included at Guewels Restaurant with delicious sharing plates including curry mince jaffles and roosterkoeke (absolutely amazing bread rolls).
At midday we watched the parade of ducks through the estate, introduced to manage the pests on the vines, reducing the need for pesticides. We watched kids chasing them, and adults posing for photos with them.
After around 30 hours of travelling, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Day 2 - Cape Town
Heading to 2025's already named most beautiful city Cape Town, we rode up on the rotating (!) cable car to the top of Table Mountain. After wandering around and admiring the views, we were treated to lunch at Views Deck.
This evening, we were transferred to the 12 Apostles for a Braai South African BBQ dinner, watching the sunset over the ocean and turning the apostles red.
Day 3 - Cape Town
A unique day visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, followed by a visit to the Cape of Good Hope. Being from a family of sailors, this was a great highlight for me.
We had a specialty cooking class making corn and cheese Samosas, followed by tasting our creations and a wander around the colourful streets of Bo Kaap.
Dinner was at the Dorp Hotel, atop a steep hill overlooking the colourful Malay Quarter with fantastic views of Table Mountain. When asked if a particular dish was spicy, the waiter advised "no spice at all, spice is on the side" we took him at his word. My sinuses got a good clean out!
Day 4 - Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Along the way to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, we stopped for lunch and paired wines at Creation Wines. More than just wine tasting, it was a sensory experience, including listening to a seashell and sniffing then rubbing linen while tasting the wine.
The scenery on arrival at Grootbos was spectacular, with 180 degree views of the ocean. A coastal cave tour followed by sundowners on the beach before heading for a 3 course dinner at the lodge.
Day 5 - Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
A unique botanical Safari was included today. Some of the group decided to head off on horse back to explore, while others discovered the research and development of the Grootbos Foundation. We then headed back to our luxurious villa for some time in the pool.
Dinner was a special boma outdoor dinner under fairy lights.
Day 6 - Devastated to be leaving such a beautiful area, we made our way to Route 62. Our first stop was Ronnie's Sex Shop, a pub which was unfortunately closed.
We stopped for a milkshake and fries at Diesel and Creme before arriving in Sanbona for our first taste of game viewing. Entering the gates, it felt like we were entering Jurassic Park!
My very first sight of the elephants brought me to tears, and having sundowners while watching the hippos in the lake was unforgettable.
Baboons roam throughout the property, so it is important to keep doors closed at all times! As I was repacking my suitcase I heard numerous baboons in the garden outside, although I did think it was a member of the group playing a trick on me.
Day 7 - Knysna
A very early start for a morning game drive. The sunrise over the mountains was a spectacular sight and worth being up so early for.
After leaving Sanbona we headed for Knysna, and into the rain.
The Turbine hotel started its life as a power station, and is still adorned with buttons, dials and pipes. It was all I could do to stop myself from pressing the buttons in my room.
Day 8 - Monkeyland & Kariega Game Reserve
Today, and visit to Monkeyland, where I was instructed not to wear my glasses as they would potentially be stolen from me!
Spider monkeys, lemurs and macaques, oh my! And given the chance, those macaques would indeed have stolen my glasses.
This afternoon we arrived in magnificent Kariega Game Reserve. An afternoon game drive gave us amazing sightings of Zebra, buffalo, rhinoceros and numerous other animals, our guide greeting all the animals with a wave and a cute hello.
After dinner at the lodge, we were advised that the evening drive back to the hotel would be running the gauntlet of my least favourite 8-legged creatures. I hid under my blanket the whole way back to the homestead.
Day 9 - Kariega Game Reserve
We had an incredible sighting of 2 male lions in the middle of the road. Thankfully their bellies were full, otherwise I fear I may have been breakfast.
The elephants kept us on our toes crossing back and forth over the river, but after dinner, we ran into them on the side of the road. Lights off so as not to spook them, we snuck past, but one male did get a bit angry and looked as though he thought about charging
Day 10 - Johannesburg
Unfortunately, due to an upcoming flight and the risk of being stuck by an animal in the road, we missed a morning game drive and instead transferred to Port Elizabeth Airport for our flight to Johannesburg. We were transferred to the amazing Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, where we were welcomed with sparkling wine and canapes, before being shown to our courtyard villas. Each uniquely decorated, I had a floral themed room, which I would happily have lived in. A shame we were only there for one night, I didn’t get a change
Dinner was 3 courses with matched wines at Sandton hotel, a high-rise hotel with incredible views over the Benmore Gardens area of Johannesburg, which is a leafy suburb with many beautiful family homes. The rooftop pool was still super busy as it was a very warm night, as was the kids play area.
Day 11 - Sun City
After breakfast, we were transferred to Sun City for the culmination of our time in South Africa. Unfortunately, from here out, it rained for the rest of the trip.
After meetings with properties, we were free to enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 12 - Sun City
A free day at leisure followed by a Trivia night. My competitive side is sad to say we finished second last. But we had a lot of fun and danced up a storm
Day 13 - Rovos Rail from Pretoria
After a small breakfast at the hotel (leaving plenty of space for what was to come), we headed off to board the romantic Rovos Rail for a 3 hour round trip lunch journey from Pretoria. Soup, lamb shanks and a cheese board, with an open bar.
Too soon we were being transferred to the airport for our homeward flights.
Flights were ex Perth to Johannesburg with South African Airways. The Business Class offering is on the old side with 2-2 2 configurations, however there are plans to replace this service with a newer aircraft. I recommend the 2 middle seats for immediate aisle access.
Internal flights also operated by South African Airways and Airlink which were very comfortable.
