We spent two weeks in South Africa and we were captivated and already want to go back. The far southern Western Cape boasts a beautiful, rugged coast that simply doesn’t look like what you expect from Africa. This area begs further exploration… and hopefully we’ll get that opportunity again. And our time on safari in the northeast corner of South Africa, near Kruger NP, was simply amazing. It was an immersive incredible experience being in the African Bush with the animals and our friends and our guides. We want to go back!

Animal Portraits in Sabi Sabi

The animals are rightfully the star of the show on our visit to South Africa so I will start there. We did game drives at sunrise and at sunset and each one gave us a glimpse into the world of the African bush. From a family of elephants lounging in their early morning breakfast of small trees, to the majesty of lions walking as if they own the place, to the leopards quietly moving through the trees… it was all so incredible. We enjoyed drinks at sunset in the bush and quiet, meditative rides back to camp under and amazing star filled southern sky.

Sky Dance of the Yellow Billed Storks

From out of nowhere we saw the most amazing, graceful, arcing dance in the sky as a group of Yellow Billed Storks flew overhead. It was so graceful and mesmerizing to watch. Even our guides were in awe, telling us we just witnessed a very rare occurrence. It was an unexpected thrill of our afternoon game drive.

Afternoon Light In Walker Bay

We spent a few days on the Grootbos Nature Reserve and while we were there we enjoyed a magical late afternoon on the coast of Walker Bay. We explored a sea cave with evidence of the earliest human civilizations, and we explored the rocks and coves nearby.

And in the last hour or two of light, while the rest of my friends were enjoying gin & tonics and other refreshments as the sun set, I wandered up and down the coast making photographs.  The light could not have been better.  I couldn't stop clicking the shutter because each frame was an interesting new combination of light, waves, clouds, and color.  By the end, as I heard them calling out my name telling me it was time to go back, I was breathless with the excitement of creativity.  

Boulders Beach Penguins

South of Cape Town, heading towards the Cape of Good Hope, we visited Boulders Beach… home of one of the most famous penguin colonies in Africa. Penguins in Africa?? We didn't know either! It’s a beautiful beach and it’s just impossible not to smile when you see these little things walk and waddle!

The Cape Of Good Hope

We beat the incoming bad weather and rode the cable car to the top of majestic Table Mountain. The Cape of Good Hope, seen in the distance, is at Africa’s southwestern tip. Once a key waypoint for sailors between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, it now lies within Table Mountain National Park, offering coastal vistas, fynbos covered slopes, wildlife (ostriches, baboons, Cape penguins), hiking trails, and lighthouses that reflect its maritime history.

Sundowner

Each day, at the end of the afternoon game drive, we enjoyed the African tradition of a sundowner. Our guides would pull the safari trucks into an open area as the sun was setting and set up a table and drinks and snacks. We enjoyed many a gin & tonic as the sun set on the African bush. And after that, it was a meditative drive back to camp in an open air safari truck under a star filled sky in the southern hemisphere. Magnificant!