This trip to South Africa had us complete all 5 continents on the planet. A noteworthy milestone for a traveller!
And what a beautiful country, South Africa is! From unparalleled natural beauty to great service, people with a heart, with great wines and even better hospitality.
I was there in Johannesburg to be with Robert & Kim Kiyosaki at the National Achievers Congress. The trip began with a well timed South African flight to Johannesburg at the Sandton Sun hotel just around Mr Mandela's residence in hedderville. A Gold Reef City Tour followed by 2 inspiring days at NAC made Johannesburg the perfect start to a wonderful 2 weeks to follow. We flew to Port Elizabeth from Jo'burg and were driven to the 25000 hectares Shamwari Game Reserve at the long lee manor lodge. Quaint and spa like romantic out cottage set the tone for some amazing game drives on the Reserve. On our first day on the drive we witnessed a rare 12 lions preying an Impala amongst cheetah, zebras, giraffe, elephants, water buck, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and wild buffalo. Africans style Poeke dinner at the Barn by the fire place set the perfect evening ambience. The next day we followed four lion cubs on their trail to find prey and watched them prey a bush pig. The game got even more interesting each day as we watched the big five closely in their habitat. Leaving Shmawaari after a good 3 days we then drive down to one for the most beautiful Plattenburg Bay regions around Kysna. Tsala Tree Top lodge with our tree top pool villa was Plattenburg bays best kept secret. In the middle of the forest on top of trees on the edge of the valley was one of the most romantic hotels we have stayed at. It houses one of SA's most romantic rated restaurant called Zinzi. Around Plattenburg bay is also the worlds highest bungee and for those with an adventurous streak should try the shark cage diving. We did visit an interactive animal farm where we fed cheetah and lions.
We then drove down the garden route towards Outshoorn where we rode an ostrich on an Ostrich Farm before checking into a Garden Lodge at La Plume. Further next morning we drove to Gaansbaai and checked into Groot Bos - a five star 2500 hectare farm with local fynbos and flowers of all type. We delighted the Protea, did some horse riding on the farms and enjoyed our excquisitely crafted 6 course meals each night at Groot Bos.
And then 3 days later we drove further to Cape Town and checked into the Taj Cape Town right across the Company Gardens. Beautiful city, we watched a traditional dance Zulu dance show
over dinner. And then were driven with our historical guide to the Table mountain, Bo Caap, Cape of Good hope and several other great spots in Cape Town. The highlight was a Cirque Style Dinner Show "Madame Zingara" which dazzled the senses and amused us. Well entertained, the next couple of days we went wine tasting at Boschendal's, Shtellendosch, Spiers, Anura wineries and sampled some great wine from the region and chocolate pairings as well as cheese pairings. My favourite turns out the Pinotage from the locally grown red grape and some excellent Sauvignon Blanc from Anura and some Chardonnay from Boshcehdal.
It was the last night and we ended the finale with a 6 course dinner at Bombay Brasserie at the Taj Cape Town. A trip to SA is incomplete without a praise for Nelson Mandela, Madiba as they fondly refer to him, I watched Invictus on my flight back to Mumbai and was inspired by his greatness in abolishing the Apartheid movement in SA. A man responsible for bringing confidence and dignity back to South Africa and African people.
South Africa I am coming back, for more!!!
And what a beautiful country, South Africa is! From unparalleled natural beauty to great service, people with a heart, with great wines and even better hospitality.
I was there in Johannesburg to be with Robert & Kim Kiyosaki at the National Achievers Congress. The trip began with a well timed South African flight to Johannesburg at the Sandton Sun hotel just around Mr Mandela's residence in hedderville. A Gold Reef City Tour followed by 2 inspiring days at NAC made Johannesburg the perfect start to a wonderful 2 weeks to follow. We flew to Port Elizabeth from Jo'burg and were driven to the 25000 hectares Shamwari Game Reserve at the long lee manor lodge. Quaint and spa like romantic out cottage set the tone for some amazing game drives on the Reserve. On our first day on the drive we witnessed a rare 12 lions preying an Impala amongst cheetah, zebras, giraffe, elephants, water buck, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and wild buffalo. Africans style Poeke dinner at the Barn by the fire place set the perfect evening ambience. The next day we followed four lion cubs on their trail to find prey and watched them prey a bush pig. The game got even more interesting each day as we watched the big five closely in their habitat. Leaving Shmawaari after a good 3 days we then drive down to one for the most beautiful Plattenburg Bay regions around Kysna. Tsala Tree Top lodge with our tree top pool villa was Plattenburg bays best kept secret. In the middle of the forest on top of trees on the edge of the valley was one of the most romantic hotels we have stayed at. It houses one of SA's most romantic rated restaurant called Zinzi. Around Plattenburg bay is also the worlds highest bungee and for those with an adventurous streak should try the shark cage diving. We did visit an interactive animal farm where we fed cheetah and lions.
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A national geographic moment,
12 lions preying an Impala, Shamwari
Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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A national geographic moment,
12 lions preying an Impala, Shamwari
Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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| Bengal Tiger |
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| Cheetah at the Klien Karoo |
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| A sleeping Bengal Tiger! |
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| The sleeping Lion! |
We then drove down the garden route towards Outshoorn where we rode an ostrich on an Ostrich Farm before checking into a Garden Lodge at La Plume. Further next morning we drove to Gaansbaai and checked into Groot Bos - a five star 2500 hectare farm with local fynbos and flowers of all type. We delighted the Protea, did some horse riding on the farms and enjoyed our excquisitely crafted 6 course meals each night at Groot Bos.
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| Riding an ostrich, Outshoorn, SA |
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| Hippopotamus, at Klien Karoo |
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| Penguin Colony, Cape Town |
And then 3 days later we drove further to Cape Town and checked into the Taj Cape Town right across the Company Gardens. Beautiful city, we watched a traditional dance Zulu dance show
over dinner. And then were driven with our historical guide to the Table mountain, Bo Caap, Cape of Good hope and several other great spots in Cape Town. The highlight was a Cirque Style Dinner Show "Madame Zingara" which dazzled the senses and amused us. Well entertained, the next couple of days we went wine tasting at Boschendal's, Shtellendosch, Spiers, Anura wineries and sampled some great wine from the region and chocolate pairings as well as cheese pairings. My favourite turns out the Pinotage from the locally grown red grape and some excellent Sauvignon Blanc from Anura and some Chardonnay from Boshcehdal.
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| Boschendal's Winery! |
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| Dinner at "Madame Zingara" show! |
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| "Madame Zingara madness" |
It was the last night and we ended the finale with a 6 course dinner at Bombay Brasserie at the Taj Cape Town. A trip to SA is incomplete without a praise for Nelson Mandela, Madiba as they fondly refer to him, I watched Invictus on my flight back to Mumbai and was inspired by his greatness in abolishing the Apartheid movement in SA. A man responsible for bringing confidence and dignity back to South Africa and African people.
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| Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, SA |
South Africa I am coming back, for more!!!
