Best of South Africa in 2 Weeks

Table of Contents

    South Africa is a perfect pick for every kind of traveler. From the stunning mountains to the oceans, crossing over to the vineyards and making way to a wholesome level of wildlife. South Africa has got it all covered. This is a place spoilt for choice. Whenever in doubt, go to South Africa. Best known for its unpredictability, the country makes for a year-round destination. Located at the southern tip of Southern Africa, the place is home to world-famous and loved personalities like Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and their likes.

    This very place is the birthground of the Apartheid Movement that shook the world. For a history buff, this country is full of information every step of the way. You can not get enough of South Africa in a single visit. And once you come here, you will be back again. For the beauty, the serenity, the greenery, the wildlife, and foremost, the peace. 

    I spent two weeks in this paradise of a country from mid-October until early November. I came back just before the country’s summer took over. I had a chance to enjoy fair weather, if not the best. Of the two corners of the country, the eastern cape, where lies Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the Kruger National Park. Then there is the western cape, where the iconic city of Cape Town, and the ultra spectacular garden route.

    Well, if I may, I am partial to the West. It simply took my breath away. It was one of the best cocktails of nature I have ever visited. Though two weeks were too little of a time to soak in the wonder of this place, there is always another time. Here in this blog, I will tell you everything that you need to know before visiting South Africa. 

    Table Mountains Lookout Point, Cape Town

    I will mention all the costs in the respective currencies that I used to make the payment. The small tips and advice will be mentioned throughout the post where and when applicable. Now, a word of caution. South Africa is better known for petty crimes that are rampant across the country. You need to be extra vigilant during walks and late nights. It is advised to stay within your accommodation after 8 p.m. Avoid walking during the night, especially alone. Do not engage with the people asking for money or help on the roads. If you ever want to help the needy, approach a nearby help center and make your donations. Avoid using phones on streets or open spaces. The thieves are on the lookout at all times to snatch away valuables and phones. This is the most common crime in South Africa. Do not carry loads of cash at any point in time. The cards are readily accepted at almost all the spots across the country, without any exception. Without further ado, let yourself not be hesitant because such things are a way of life anywhere and have no reason to stop a curious heart from traveling. I was there for half a month and came back unscratched. 

    When to travel to South Africa?

    South Africa makes for a year-round country. Still, I say it is best to avoid the summer months, as they tend to be utterly crowded and warm, especially Eastern part of South Africa. The Kruger National Park runs at full capacity during this time with accommodation prices sky-rocketing. The car rentals are not readily available you might fail to avail of one during your visit, if not pre-booked. The summer is not a good time for whale watching, in the western cape, along the garden route, as they are headed back home, to Antarctica, due to rising water temperatures. The oceans are mostly windy, leading to cancelations of whale cruises most of the time, despite pre-bookings. 

    Even during Summer, the evenings can be very windy, so carry a light hoodie or a jacket. It is advisable to carry a pocket umbrella in the western part of the country, especially when traveling with kids, as it may rain at any time. This just adds to the unpredictability and beauty of South Africa. The downpours are not heavy and can be survived easily. 

    How to travel to South Africa?

    There are flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town from all major cities around the world. We opted for a round-trip ticket to Jo’burg from Mumbai International Airport. The round-trip Ethiopian Airlines ticket costs around INR45k per person. With one stop at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was the fastest flight of all and on average took around 12 hours and 30 minutes to reach Jo’burg. 

    There are multiple other options to choose your flights. There are options for Qatar Airways, with a layover in Doha. Or Emirates for a layover in Dubai. The prices will vary accordingly. Apply for transit visas separately, in case you want to make a quick stop in the above countries. 

    South African Visa- How to Apply & Cost?

    The best and easiest way to get a South Africa visa is by submitting an application to VFS Global. It can be done online or offline. Just check the travel documents on their website and submit the details. Due to heavy visa applications, I would recommend applying at least a month before your scheduled departure. It is said that the visa takes around 14 working days, but I received my visa after almost 30 working days. So plan accordingly. 

    The other best way to apply for a SA visa is through a travel agent. They will prepare the application and send all your documents for verification. The time required is the same as above. 

    My South Africa Visa costs around INR4054 per person. It may vary accordingly.

    Currency Exchange & SIM Card for South Africa?

    This is an important header that you should not miss. The call costs in SA using your Indian SIM cards are excessively high. It costs INR10 per minute for both incoming and outgoing calls. Each SMS is charged at INR10. This is the cost when you are using a Reliance JIO sim. There are no exclusive travel packs to South Africa. I tried the INR1101/1102 packs, but they got exhausted within minutes of landing. 

    In order to avoid the above, it is highly recommended to purchase a SIM card after landing at any of the airports, from an authorized dealer only. Despite advice from taxi drivers, do not opt to purchase any SIM cards from tuck shops. We got an MTN Sim card with 10+10 GB @ZAR154. It was valid throughout SA for 30 days. 10GB was available to be used during day time between 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. whereas the other 10GB is available during the night time only.

    This pack was very handy and lasted my entire trip duration. An additional recharge is required if you need airtime or voice call minutes. For all assistance, there are registered dealers and showrooms of various networks across the country. MTN is widely used and has a good net speed and coverage.

    The currency exchange should be done at authorized banks only. Do not end up falling for the ill advice from anyone. They might be fraudulent. The currency exchange at the airport charges a hefty commission so we thought better-off of it. We got our currency exchanged at the NED Bank, foreign exchange counter. This bank is present across the country and gives good rates.

    Cape Point, Cape Town

    Mode of Transporation in SA?

    Within the city, I would advocate the use of Uber for all sorts of travel. It is easily available and is a reliable option. When traveling to off-beat locations or historic towns or opting for day trips on your own, I would encourage taking a car rental only. There are many rental options present in major areas across the country. There are rental drop-off spots at all the airports in South Africa. Regarding the rentals, read along the post for more information. I will tell you how we did it, at no perils. It was done with utmost safety and convenience. 

    Above I have covered almost all the guidelines that you might need to begin or form a trip plan to South Africa. Further ahead let me get into day-wise details of exploring the gorgeous country in its full glory. The next part is a pure delight so just indulge. Happy reading!!

    TRIP ITINERARY

    DAY 1 ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG

    We landed late in Jo’burg, at around 8 p.m. and went straight to our hotel in an Uber. For tonight we had booked The Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch. We got a Mercedes, so we drove to our hotel in style. It was a good start. The hotel was pretty accommodating. They kept their restaurant open until late for us to have dinner. That was highly appreciated. Our driver Sean was a cool guy and even in the dark of the night, he pointed out the highlights of the city. He even advised us about which areas to hang out and the ones to avoid. Post dinner, we were more than tired and dozed off as soon we touched our bed. 

    DAY 2 JOHANNESBURG CITY

    Post a scrumptious breakfast. We checked-out of the hotel. We dropped off our bags at Protea Fire & Ice, Melrose Arch, two minutes walk, and headed to our Uber for kick starting our fun-filled day. We booked a full day Uber for ZAR1000 and made our first stop at the Lion & Safari Park. Located in Broederstroom, it was a 45-minute drive out of the city. There are multiple tour options to choose from at the park. There are both online and offline bookings available on their website. If you have your own vehicle you can opt for a self-drive tour too. You can check out the various tours available at Lion & Safari Park, Johannesburg, here

    We opted for the two-hour guided tour. 

    Adults ZAR495

    Children under 12 are free for each paying adult.

    We were lucky to witness the Lion feeding as well. The predators are fed twice a week only. Apart from 3 sets of prides we also saw hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, and a leopard. The Giraffe feeding was particularly interesting as this hooded mother-daughter duo almost peeped inside the travel van to get snacks. It was a sunny day even towards mid-October. Carry enough water and sunscreen, to avoid the tan. It was a nice tour with kids. Our guide was especially witty and informed which made the tour all the more interesting.

    Lion & Safari Park, Johannesburg

    Next, we went to Montecasino. It is a leisure and entertainment complex situated in Fourways, not far from our hotel. The compound has 4 hotels, a casino with over 1700 slot machines, and 80 plus tables. Apart from this, there is a theatre, a spa, a wildlife park, and multiple shopping and dining areas. It is an excellent family entertainment destination. You can check Montecasino here.

    After a hectic day of play and fun, we were back to our hotel. It was the Rugby World Cup finals, which South Africa won! The evening at Melrose Arch was buzzing with crowd and happiness. It was the weekend too. We had a superb time. We enjoyed our dinner at Ghazal, an award-winning Indian Restaurant, located in Melrose Arch, at walking distance from our hotel. You can make a reservation here at no cost.

    DAY 3 JO’BURG MARKETS AND MUSEUMS

    Post breakfast. Check-out. Leave bags at the reception. We took an Uber to the Rosebank Sunday Market. It is set up on the rooftop of the Rosebank Mall, on Sundays only. It is a lively market with local stuff and souvenirs to take back home. It opens from 9 a.m. every week. 

    Outside the Rosebank Mall

    Take an Uber to the Gold Reef City. This is yet another entertainment stop to have an adrenaline rush. There are hotels, casinos, shopping, dining, and a theme park. The counter tickets tend to get sold fast, so make an online booking. It can be easily redeemed at the counter without hassle. We went to the theme park, and had splendid time. The park is divided into zones for thrill, family, kids and so on. 

    The General Admission ticket costs ZAR250 per person for 3 years and above. Check-it out here.

    Located next to the Gold Reef City is the world-famous Apartheid Museum. Without understanding this part of South Africa, it is an incomplete visit to this country. The museum opened in 2001 and has ever since seen herds of tourists and history enthusiasts inside the halls. This museum is a tribute to the freedom fighters who lent their blood and soul to the making of South Africa. Special sections have been devoted to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, showcasing their contributions to the country. Counter tickets are easily available. You can also book your tickets here. Opened Wednesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

    Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg

    Take Uber. We collected our bags from the reception, en-route, and left for Pretoria. Check-in Protea Fire & Ice, Menlyn Park. It was a warm welcome with chocolates and welcome drinks. Rested the evening at the hotel. Dinner at Spice- The Indian Kitchen. It was located on the ground floor of Lynnridge Mall. Took 10 minutes in Uber.

    DAY 4 PRETORIA TO GRASKOP

    Post breakfast. Take an Uber and visit one of the car rentals in Hatfield, Pretoria. We rented a Toyota Cross from SANI Car Rentals aka Thrifty rental. For a 4-day rental we paid ZAR9178 plus a refundable security deposit of ZAR5000. One way pick-up charge of ZAR700 will be charged extra from the security deposit in case of change in drop location. The refunded deposit will reflect within 14 days after the vehicle is returned. Visit the Voortrekker Monument located in South Pretoria. It is situated on a hilltop.

    Built in honour of the Voortrekkers who left their cape colonies and settled here during their trecherous journey. It is now a National Heritage Site. Visit the Mandela Statue, Freedom park, Church Sqaure. Head to the Brooklyn Mall. Have lunch at Geet Indian Restuarant. Located near the mall. Leave for Graskop by 3 p.m. This is the perfect base before continuing towards Kruger National Park. Arrive Graskop by 9 p.m. and check-in at The Graskop Hotel at ZAR2150 with breakfast. Dinner at the hotel. 

    There are two toll plazas en-route Kruger and the Panorama route. Toll 1 charges ZAR45 & Toll 2 charges ZAR75. Both per vehicle charge.

    Voortrekker Museum, Pretoria

    DAY 5 PANORAMA ROUTE

    Post breakfast leave early for the panorama route around 7 a.m. Begin with The Pinnacle Rocks. This is a quartzite rock growing amidst a dense forest that can be viewed from a platform. The entrance fees is ZAR20 per person. Child is free. Next proceed to the God’s Window. This exceptional beauty is located along the Blyde River Nature Reserve. The entrance fees is ZAR20 per person and the child goes free. The Rainforest walk takes you to splendid views of the entire Lowveld valley. Make your next stop at the Lisbon Falls.

    Onwards to the Berlin Falls. They are two waterfalls with soothing views and local vendors selling native stuff. The next major stop is the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. It is a famous geological water erosion formation. There are bridges and walkways for easy access. It is a natural formation and very appealing. Move on to visit the Three Rondavales, where mountains are formed in the shape of native beehives. Make your last stop at The Echo Caves

    God’s Window, Panorama Route

    Depart for Kruger National Park. Arrive around 3 p.m. Check-in at The Kruger Gate Hotel. Lunch & Dinner at the resort. Alternatively opt for an evening safari, pre-booked, or enjoy views from the observation deck sipping a nice cocktail or a swim or both. There is an option for a two-hour night safari from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. It can be booked at the safari desk. 

    DAY 6 FULL DAY KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

    After breakfast leave for a self-drive full day Kruger safari. The hotel is located at a minute drive from the Paul Kruger Gate, a major safari gate of the National park. Carry enough water, snacks, hats, and sunscreen. Wear light clothes. There are multiple safari options to choose from at the hotel that can be pre-booked. If you take the safari tours from the resort then you will have to pay the conservation fees along with the safari charges. But if you opt for the self-drive tour, own vehicle, you only pay the conservation fees.

    The kids upto 12 years pay only 50% of the conservation fees. The self-drive tours are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is advised to download or carry a map, soft copy or paper version for easy access. There is no network inside the safari park. The directions are marked at all possible location in case you forget one. 

    Kruger National Park

    The park is easily accessible and the animals are friendly when not disturbed. The wildlife viewing is excellent. We spotted the Big 3 of the 5. The other animals are equally spellbinding and attractive. We saw zebras, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, deers, wildebeest, wild dogs, African elephants, wild boars, African Lions, African Wild buffaloes to name a few. There are many exotic birds that you will come across during your visit. 

    Come back to the resort after a thrilling day and undergo a spa treatment, pre-booked. Dinner at Lapa, an outdoor sitting, inside the resort. 

    DAY 7 ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN FROM NELSPRUIT

    Post breakfast leave for the Nelspruit Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for flight to Cape Town. Driving time is approximately 2 hours. Take the white river route. This is a famous holiday town in the region. Drop-off the rental at the rental returns, located outside the departure gate. It was a quick and easy process. Pre-book the flights as the cost tends to be higher last minute. We paid around ZAR4800 per person. There are two direct flight options from Nelspruit to Cape Town. Fly time is 2 hours 45 minutes. 

    Land in Cape Town and admire the views of the Table Mountains. Take an Uber and check-in at The Protea Hotel Cape Town, North Wharf. Spend the evening at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Shop, dine, cruise, or simply admire the beauty of the most visited place in South Africa. Dinner at The Raj, loacted in V&A mall. Take an Uber back to the hotel. Beware of petty crimes at night. 

    Also Read Road Trip Bliss: A Western Australia Itinerary You Can’t-Miss

    DAY 8 CAPE TOWN CITY TOUR IN HOHO BUS

    Post bf. Take a Hop on-Hop off bus and tour the capital city of South Africa. There are multiple pass options to choose from that vary from one-day to three days pass. Travel through the Red, Blue, or Yellow Line routes with your one-day pass. Opt for a complimentary walking tour at one of the stops. There are two walking tours, available at every hour. The historic city tour takes you through the main historic buildings and the histories behind them. Whereas the Bo-Kaap tour takes you through the famous Malay quarters. Both are informative and recommended.

    The guides are not paid any salary for the tours, they solely rely on tips from the tourists. Make sure to tip them on your free will. Take the Blue bus and debark at Champs Bay for Lunch at The Raj. Take the last bus to the Aquarium and walk to the V&A waterfront. Enjoy an evening sunset cruise with champagne and snacks on board. Even better opt for a pirates cruise party. Call off the beautiful and tiring day with a nice hot meal at one of the many eateries at the waterfront.

    HOHO Bus, Cape Town

    DAY 9 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

    Post bf. Check out the apartment and take a car rental from a nearby SANI Rentals. We rented a Volkswagen T-Roc for 7 days at ZAR16052 plus a security deposit of ZAR6000, refundable on return within 14 days. During the peak tourist season, the cars are not readily available, so make sure to pre-book them. Visit the Table Mountains, if weather permits, and indulge in mesmerizing views from atop. The aerialways do not operate on windy days. You can opt for a one-way or return ticket. Hike one way. Please beware as there are high robberies and thefts on the Table Mountain route. Drive to the Cape of Good Hope. Use the Cape Peninsula route.

    The views are splendid. Make a stop at the Ostrich Farm, 2 kilometers before the Cape entrance. There are feeding options available on request. Amaze at the largest birds and magnificent surroundings. Continue to the cape entrance, and after ticketing, drive 10 kilometers uptil the Cape Point. A thing of beauty and a must-visit place. Marvel at thousands of sealions basking in the ocean. Hike up for the most spectacular views of the two endless oceans. Some say that on a clear day, Antarctica is visible, which is situated almost 4000 kilometeres away. 

    The Cape Of Good Hope, Cape Town

    Go back to the Scone Shack, 3 kilometers backwards for some amazing cake and tea. Then drive to Simon’s Town for an overnight stay at the Boulder’s Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop for ZAR1440 with bf. It was a cozy and comfortable room with a friendly receptionist. Go over to the Lighthouse cafe or Saveur for dinner near the Jubliee Harbour.

    DAY 10 VINEYARDS OF SOUTH AFRICA

    Post bf. Check-out. Proceed to the Penguins Colony at the Foxy Beach in Simon’s Town. Enjoy the African Penguins, previously called Jackass penguins because of their donkey like braying. Talk a forest bushwalk and let the ocean cool your soul. Drive to Stellenbosch, the city of oaks, and the second oldest town in South Africa. It is an hour’s drive from the penguin colony. Indulge in wine tasting tour, one or many, at the numerous vineyards located in the town. Head to Klein Joostenberg, Stellenbosch for the Acrobranch Tree-top Adventures, picnics and more. For further information check out here. Lunch at the Joostenberg Bar & Bistro. 

    Opt to travel to Paarl for some more wins tasting tours. Or the WildX adventures. It is around 20 minutes from Joostenberg. Else drive to Franschhoek. Located 30 kms from Acrobranch. Check-in at Protea by Marriott Hotel, Franschhoek. After a quick rest, go for supper at Allora, an Italian restaurant at the Franschhoek Square. Alternatively you can opt for a hike to the Lookout point or the Mount Rochelle Nature Reserve. Enjoy the evening watching a movie or reading your favorite book in the quiet of this peaceful yet admirable town.

    DAY 11 WHALE WATCHING IN HERMANUS, SOUTH AFRICA

    Post bf at Hussar Grill at Protea. Check-out. Opt for the famous tram Franschhoek wine-tasting tour. Pre-booking is recommended. Drive to Hermanus. Take the Jan Joubertsgat Bridge route and check for closures. Else take the Stellenbosch route, which is 30 minutes longer. Takes around 2 hours. Reach the cruise point at least 15 minutes before time to get briefed about the tour.

    There are numerous slots to choose from starting at 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Many liners and boats tend to cancel or postpone their trips due to turbulent weather conditions. Make sure to be informed and updated regarding the same. We opted for the Hermanus Whale Cruise. Adults ZAR1200 and children up to 12 years at ZAR600. The tickets are non-refundable. If you are prone to motion sickness, take a pill at least 1 hour before boarding. And do not board on full stomach.

    Hermanus Whale Watching Cruise Port

    Lunch at Mount Everest Indian Restaurant, Hermanus. You can choose to stay a night in this beautiful town and opt for a Shark cage dive early in the morning at 4 a.m., next day, at Gansbaai. Or depart for Riversdale via Swellendam. It is around 2.5 hours drive from Hermanus. Arrive Riversdale around 7.30 p.m. Check-in at De Doonrnkraal Historic Country House Boutique Hotel at ZAR1900 with bf. Dinner at the property. Kitchen closes at 8 p.m. Request for a late closure beforehand.

    DAY 12 GARDEN ROUTE SOUTH AFRICA

    Post bf. Leave for Mossel Bay. This happens to be the starting point of the best-known Garden Route. Around an hour’s drive from Riversdale. Go to Santos beach for calm and peace. It has savoring views and is known for families and kids. Visit the visitor’s center located opposite the Protea Hotel by Marriott. Get informed about everything to do in the Bay Area. Avoid going to the Shark Lab. We had a disastrous experience. Poor hygiene and deceitful staff.

    Visit the heritage Mosaic tunnels at the Pinnacle Point Golf Club. Stop for lunch at one of the many eateries in the Da Nova arena. Here, you will find Indian, Chinese, Thai, and more takeaways options. There is a supermarket complex as well.

    Herold’s Bay, George

    Other things to do at Mossel Bay include Seal Watching or Whale watching again. Alternatively for thrill seekers, indulge in a skydiving experience at the bay from 10k to 14k feet, highest in Africa. Done above the Diaz beach. The mossel bay zip-line is the longest over-the-ocean in the world. It is  90 meters above sea level. The zip-line is located outside the Shark Lab Aquarium. Opt for a helicopter tour for other-wordly views. VIP charters are available too. There is a hot pool and water park at the Diaz Hotel for your whole family. Spend the evening at the Heiderand Mall and spend the night at one of the beach facing rooms. Take a trip to Glentana to see ship-wrecks laid out in open for public display. Visit the Redberry farm enroute George. It closes at 4 p.m. so time it accordingly. Go to Herold’s Bay. It is a 40-minute drive from Mossel Bay. A small beach with no crowd. It is a perfect location to spend a quality evening with your family. Take a dip or arrange a play time or both. Make your next stop at Victoria Bay. Around 25 kms from Herold’s Bay. The Garden Route Mall lies on the way in case you want to make a quick stopover for refreshments. It closes at 6 p.m. Arrive at Victoria Bay, for a super wavy yet calm evening. The stroll here still happens to be one of the best memories I have of the entire trip. 

    Check-in at the self-catering, Yellowwood suite at Hamilton House, Wilderness at ZAR1590. Dinner at the Blue Olive Restuarant, 500 meters from HH.

    DAY 13 PETTENBERG BAY

    Start a lazy day with unmatched views of the beach and garden at this wilderness stop. Check-out late and head to Ilali Restaurant for Brunch. Head out to the Map of Africa for stunning views of the valley. Visit Garden Route National Park for the hiking trails, canoeing, or a river boat safari for bird watching. Take the Hoekwil Road to Knysna and stop at one of the  Horse Trails. Pre-booking recommended. Go to Sedgefield for a paragliding experience. Drive to Knysna. Stop at the Buffels bay, en-route.

    Knysna Heads, Knysna

    Visit the Knysna Visitor’s Center. Pick up maps and ask for things to do at the desk. Start with visiting the Knysna Head’s Viewpoint. This is the highlight of this town. Next visit the Leisure Isle bowling club for a game and drinks. Click a few pictures at the Bollards Bay beach. Go on hiking trails at the Steenbok Nature Reserve. Give a visit to the Thesen Islands. This island has more private properties and public access is limited to some areas.

    Many cruises and boats leave for the Head’s tour from this point. Make a stop at the Knysna Waterfront for window shopping at the market. Leave for Plettenberg Bay. It is a 30-minute drive from Knysna. Stop at Hankerville, Garden of Eden & Monkey Park. 

    Check -in at The Bungalow by Raw Africa Boutique Collection at ZAR3000 with bf. The hotel location is wonderful. Indulge in authentic Thai dinner at Thai Ying. Both dine-in and take away available. Spend the evening sipping a nice cocktail or champagne across a bonfire. Do not forget to book your water sports at the reception for the next day. 

    DAY 14 JEFFERY’S BAY VIA TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

    Post bf. Swim with the seals at ZAR895 per person. The kids are charged at the same price. Opt for a jet-ski ride or another whale-watching cruise. Late check-out. Lunch at Curry & Spice in Plettenberg Bay. This place is not open for dinner. They have a laundry next to it, Clean Queenz, in case you want one. Leave for Jeffrey’s Bay via Nature’s Valley, Tsitsikamma National Park, and St Francis Bay. 

    Swimming with the Seals at Plettenberg Bay

    Make a stop at Jukani Wildlife Sanctaury, 15-minute from Plettenberg Bay. Go to Karoo Donkey Sanctuary or the Snakes park. Alternatively opt for Elephant Sanctaury and Monkeyland. Else straight away visit Nature’s Valley via Lagoon drive. Cross the Tsitsikamma Reserve via Bloukran’s bridge, off to Jeffrey’s Bay. Toll to be paid ZAR63.50. Opt for Wolf Sanctuary, if open. It closes at 3 p.m. Check-in at Dio Dell Amore at ZAR1450 with bf. This is an aged property with beautiful architecture. There are 12 rooms in total. The garden and room views are excellent. Go over to Nina’s for dinner. Do try their gelato.

    DAY 15 PORT ELIZABETH

    Post bf. check-out. Go to the Dolphin beach for the Jbay Waterpark. Or try a surfing lesson in this surf town. Indulge in a beach horse trail at Papiesfontein. Go to the points beach for incredible views. Leave for Port Elizabeth. It is around an hour’s drive. Check-in at Radisson Blu Hotel, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. Pick a sea-view room for alluring views of the Nelson Mandela Bay. Go to Boardwalk Mall located 1.5 kms from the hotel, on marine drive. Lunch at Royal Delhi Restaurant on Richmond Hill Street. Visit the King’s beach or the Hobie beach. Both in Summerstrand for your last viewful evening. Enjoy dinner at Tabu Grill, Bar & Lounge, at Radisson Blu

    DAY 16 BYE BYE SOUTH AFRICA

    Early check-out for flight to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth. Multiple options are available. FlySafair fare approximates ZAR800 per person. Drop your rental at the PE airport, easy and quick. The counter opens at 7 a.m. The car drop is located outside the departure gate. Fly back to Mumbai via Addis Ababa from Jo’burg. It was a fantastic holiday. 

    END THOUGHTS

    South Africa makes for a delightful holiday destination. It has something for everyone. It is a place for the ocean lovers and the mountaineers alike. Whether you love to surf or go on hiking trails, it will provide an equal opportunity for both. Head to South Africa for an unforgettable experience and bag full of memories. Oh! my bad! A gallery full of memories. For a better understanding click on the links and check-out the places for yourselves. Let me know if you have already been to this beautiful country and what additional places you visited that I might have missed. So that I can cover them on my next visit to South Africa.

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