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Visit Cape TownCape Town in South AfricaCape Town is the most popular destination in South Africa — and for good reason....
12/04/2021

Visit Cape Town

Cape Town in South Africa

Cape Town is the most popular destination in South Africa — and for good reason. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city with lively bars, delicious food, great weather, lots of nature and hiking nearby. In addition to the city’s amazing beaches, the waterfront is bursting with things to do as well.

Go Surfingsurfing in South AfricaBoth the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean coasts of South Africa offer world-class s...
11/04/2021

Go Surfing

surfing in South Africa

Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean coasts of South Africa offer world-class surfing. Jeffrey’s Bay on the south coast near Port Elizabeth is the most famous surfing destination in South Africa and offers big waves and multiple breaks.

There are also a number of good surfing locations near Cape Town, including Dungeons in Hout Bay and a number of others further south on the Western Cape, such as Long Beach.

If you’re a beginner, Durban is a great option for surfing lessons because of the reliable waves and warm water of the Indian Ocean. Expect to pay around 500 ZAR per person for a 2-3 hour lesson.

Go on a safaria zebra on safari in South AfricaMost people come to South Africa to go on a safari — and for good reason....
11/04/2021

Go on a safari

a zebra on safari in South Africa

Most people come to South Africa to go on a safari — and for good reason. It’s home to some of the best game drives in the world and you’ll want to spend at least a couple of nights in one of the hundreds of national parks. There’s truly nothing like it.

The most well-known safari destination is Kruger National Park, which has incredible diversity and tons of amazing wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and Cape buffalo).

I went to Kruger a few years back, and it was everything I’d expected and more. Although you can drive yourself around the park, I actually recommend using a guide because they’ll be much better at spotting animals and will also give you heaps info about them, their habitat, and the park itself. Since this is one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences it’s worth spending the money to get a knowledgeable guide.

While Kruger is the most famous safari destination, there are dozens of other options across South Africa. Here are a few I recommend:

Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park – Located in the east of the country and is known for its rhino populations.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – On the border with Botswana in the north, it’s known for its black-maned lions.
Addo Elephant National Park – Near Port Elizabeth on the south coast, this is a great choice for self-drive safaris.
Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve – Home to the Big 5 and is doable in a day trip from Johannesburg if you’re short on time.
Safaris are so common in South Africa that pretty much every price point and budget is covered. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly campsites to upscale guesthouses and resorts.

Etosha National Park — NamibiaA stunning photo from a safari in Etosha National Park, Namibia(etoshanationalpark.org)Eto...
10/04/2021

Etosha National Park — Namibia

A stunning photo from a safari in Etosha National Park, Namibia
(etoshanationalpark.org)

Etosha (meaning the “great white place of dry water”) in northern Namibia was my first-ever safari. The best part is the Okaukeujo camping ground, located near a watering hole that is floodlit at night. Since most of the animals are active at night, you get a good look at their natural behavior. I remember watching a sole rhino having a drink, when an enormous bull elephant entered the frame. The lone rhino swiveled 180 degrees, snorted, scraped all four feet on the dusty ground and charged. The elephant panicked and accelerated into the crunchy Namibian bush. The rhino returned to his spot, finished his drink, and finally waddled off into the darkness. Opening hours change weekly and are based on sunrise and sunset. A one day pass for adults is NAD 80 NAD. Children under 16 years are free of charge.

Kruger National Park — South AfricaA photo of an elephant from a safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa(+27 21 424...
10/04/2021

Kruger National Park — South Africa

A photo of an elephant from a safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa

(+27 21 424 1037, krugerpark.co.za)
Kruger’s proximity to South Africa’s main hub of Johannesburg and its easy accessibility make it a favorite with locals and visitors alike. It’s one of the most popular parks in Africa, and the Kruger camps are definitely the flashiest I’ve ever stayed in. You can take your own car, and many of the roads are paved, but you can also go on game drives on unsealed tracks. The camps are surrounded by electric fences, so you won’t have to fear coming across a large cat if you need a toilet break at night. If the planned extensions into Zimbabwe and Mozambique take place, Kruger will become the largest nature reserve on the planet. Because of its high standards, though, Kruger can sometimes feel like a massive zoo. Try to avoid the school holiday periods when the camps are usually full. I loved my time there.

Kruger National Park is pretty easy to visit if you have a car (you can just drive there and stay at a lodge), but while I noticed a lot of people self-driving through the park, having a guide to spot animals and explain the ecosystem of the park made the experience much richer (these guys have eagle eyes!). If you’re going to Kruger, the end of the dry season (August–November) is the best time to visit, because the lack of watering holes means animals have fewer places to congregate around, making them easier to see.

Avenue of the BaobabsA wide avenue with large baobab trees In MadagascarBaobab trees are massive trees that can grow 98 ...
09/04/2021

Avenue of the Baobabs

A wide avenue with large baobab trees In Madagascar
Baobab trees are massive trees that can grow 98 feet tall and 36 feet wide and can live up to 1,000 years (that’s about the height of an eight-story building). The reason they get so wide so that they can absorb and store water since the climate is so dry (as much as 1,000 gallons of water can be stored in a single tree).

While there are similar trees in the genus, baobabs are completely unique to Madagascar. They’re an impressive sight, especially when your guide casually mentions that the massive one you’re hugging is just a baby — at 400 years old. Unfortunately, the trees are an endangered species due to clearcutting and agriculture.

While the trees can be found throughout the country, this road lined with them (just an hour outside Morondava) — and straight out of a postcard — is one of those iconic images of Madagascar. The best time for photos is during sunrise or sunset. The worst time for crowds? Those same times. Pick your poison.

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