South Africa. I had always heard that it was a great place to visit. I never dreamed that my first trip there would be so amazing! The people are friendly, the food is delicious and the landscape will take your breath away. When you think of South Africa, you might imagine lions on the savanna or elephants in the bush. Either way, this country has an abundance of wildlife for all to enjoy.
1. The first day of the trip to South Africa
We had so much fun during the first day of our trip to South Africa. I had never been to Africa before. I also remember being incredibly excited with this trip. It seemed like my whole life up until that point had to lead up to this moment. Finally when we arrived in South Africa everything became so real.
We landed in Johannesburg and made our way to the hotel in Melrose Arch, where we stayed for the next few days. Our first stop was a small town called Dullstroom, which is located in the Mpumalanga province.
Dullstroom is known as a trout fishing mecca. You can do so much more there! We went on a game drive at the nearby Sabi Sands Game Reserve and saw some amazing animals. There was also an incredibly fun water park that I couldn’t get enough of.
2. The second day of the trip across South Africa
On the second day of our trip, we ventured out to a place called Soweto. Soweto is a township just outside of Jozi. It’s known for being the home of Nelson Mandela and is full of history and culture. Actually, two winners of Noble Peace Prize lived in Soweto (Mandela and Tutu). First, we visited both of their houses. Then, we visited some of the homes of Soweto’s people and learned more about their stories.
One of the most memorable parts of this day was visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum. This museum tells the story of Mandela’s life and his fight for human rights. It was an absolutely incredible experience and gave me a much deeper understanding of what South Africa is all about. I also why South African people are so strong despite being so experienced. Why they are so positive and welcoming, despite all the dark time in their history.
3. The third part of the trip
The third part of the trip was definitely my favorite! We flew to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, where we rented a car. The we drove inside Kruger National Park, which is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. This park is home to all sorts of animals, including lions, elephants and rhinos. The Big 5 is there!
We did a safari drive through the park and see all sorts of wildlife up close. It was an incredible experience and I felt so lucky to see all of these animals in their natural habitat. We also got to do some hiking and had a great view of the sunset from one of the peaks!
The best part about this day was that we saw so many amazing animals, including lions, elephants and rhinos. It was incredible seeing them up close – I definitely felt like I was in the middle of a safari. We stayed overnight in a tent camp at the park border. You could hear all the animals during the night. It was quite cold but definitely worth it. Next night, we stayed at an B&B at the park border. They had a huge terrace overlooking the park. Elephants were wandering in the morning just underneath us. It was truly amazing and remarkable experience.
4. The following days in South Africa
We continued exploring the iconic sights of South Africa such as Table Mountain and Robben Island.
-Table Mountain is one of the most iconic sites in South Africa, known for its views as well as its history. The mountain has been a spiritual site since the early 1800s where people would go to pray or meditate on top of it. It was later turned into a military outpost used to spy on the nearby Dutch settlement of Cape Town.
Nowadays, it is a tourist attraction. It provides the most beautiful views in South Africa. Table Mountain is also an iconic symbol that you can see from almost anywhere in town.
-Robben Island was another one of these iconic sites which I had heard so much about but never thought I would get to visit. Robben Island is an island located just off the coast of Cape Town. The Island used to serve as a prison for political prisoners, most notably Nelson Mandela, for 18 years.
The tour of the prison was very eye-opening and gave me a much better understanding of what South Africa went through during the Apartheid era. It was also interesting to see all of the graffiti that prisoners had drawn on walls, ceilings and floors as a way of passing time. Former prisoner gave us the tour of the island. It was a very real experience.
The following days were definitely some of my favorites during my time in South Africa because they allowed me to experience all aspects of life there while having fun too.
5. Our favourite part about South Africa so far
South Africa definitely has something for everyone – whether you’re interested in history, culture or nature. There are iconic sites to see and amazing experiences to be had, making it a great destination for anyone looking for an adventure.
I think my favorite part about South Africa so far has been the variety of activities and experiences that are on offer. Whether you’re into hiking, wildlife safaris or just soaking up the sun on the beach, there’s something for everyone in South Africa. This makes it a great destination for anyone looking to explore and experience all that a country has to offer.
6. What to eat
When traveling to a new country, it’s always interesting to try out the local food. South Africa definitely didn’t disappoint in this regard, with a wide variety of cuisine on offer. My personal favorites were the curries, which were extremely spicy and flavourful.
Another popular dish was the bunny chow, which is a loaf of bread that is hollowed out and filled with a curry of your choice. This dish is often eaten as street food, and I can definitely see why – it’s delicious!
If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, then you can’t go wrong with a steakhouse. These restaurants serve up some of the best beef I’ve ever had, and are definitely worth checking out while you’re in South Africa.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an adventure, South Africa should be at the top of your list. With so much to see and do, you’ll never run out of things to explore! Whether you’re interested in wildlife or just want to take in the amazing scenery, this country has something for everyone. I highly recommend making the trip – you won’t regret it!