This was one of the most incredible trips my family and I have ever taken and I just couldn’t wait to tell you all about it. This bucket list trip was a celebration of my husband and I’s 20th wedding anniversary, my husband’s 50th birthday and my son’s 16th birthday. So it was only right to make it an unforgettable trip.
Cape Town
After an 11 hour flight, we were glad to finally get our heads on our pillows at The Commodore Hotel. The Hotel is right on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront so you’re really close to all the shops and restaurants. With panoramic views of Table Bay and Table Mountain, it was the perfect location. Our first full day was spent doing a Cape Point Tour. Firstly, we drove all the way down to the Cape of Good Hope – a spectacular array of rugged landscapes. After stopping at a few other destinations, our tour ended in the best possible way. We were at Boulders Beach, home to the cutest waddle of penguins. It was actually my birthday on this day, so we had a very nice meal out in the evening, which was a traditional African barbeque.
The next morning, we decided to continue the magic with a sunrise air balloon ride. This serene and weightless experience with panoramic views of the sun rising over the horizon. I can’t describe how breathtaking this was. The fun didn’t stop after that as we headed up Table Mountain. Overlooking Cape Town, rolling clouds and the ocean in the distance – it is truly a photographer’s dream. Lucky for us, my daughter had gotten a camera for her birthday so we have some amazing pictures to preserve those views forever.
Oudtshoorn
After such an eventful day, we hired a car and took a scenic route along Route 62. We savoured the views that accompanied us from Cape Town all the way to Oudtshoorn. We opted to stay in what can only be described as, a secluded oasis that feels as though you are staying in a country house rather than a hotel – La Plume. La Plume is an ostrich, alfalfa, and cattle farm so there were ostriches everywhere and it is surrounded by beautiful lush green gardens. This hotel also offers surrounding views of the Swartberg Mountains and the Olifants River Valley making it feel like a private oasis.
The next day, we took the kids to visit the ostrich farm and they had a great time. They were feeding them and there were babies there too. My son was standing on the eggs as they’re so hard. It was all very interesting and nice to see the kids interacting with the animals.
Plettenberg Bay
After that very nice morning, we drove down to Mossel Bay for lunch before taking the garden route into Plettenberg Bay. As you leave Cape Town, you drive out through these mountains where the scenery is just stunning. It’s as though you’re in an English forest somewhere with pine trees everywhere and ever-changing scenery as you drive along. Plettenberg embodies the atmosphere of a small beach town, very quaint but still so beautiful. Bright blue waters line its shores and we stayed in a fantastic hotel. There were only two restaurants that stayed open in the evening, so we were quite limited with nighttime options but that was the only thing I could possibly critique.
The next day the kids and my husband went scuba diving with seals. They had an absolutely brilliant time and said that the seals were like little puppies – just wanting to bite and play and jump all over them. I, however, opted to go to the Birds of Eden, the biggest aviary in the world. Currently it is home to over 3,500 birds from over 220 species, with the main focus being African birds. This is a free-flight sanctuary so not only do you get to learn about the unique species of birds but they fly right above you – swooshing and squawking as they please.
After an eventful morning, we then dropped the car at Port Elizabeth and got picked up for the safari. We went to Pumba Private Game Reserve, about 110km from The Port Elizabeth International Airport.
Pumba Private Game Reserve
We had the same ranger for all six of the game drives we did which was nice as we had a familiar face each day. It was torrential rain for the full three days that we were on safari so we weren’t sure whether we were going to see anything or not. However, these majestic South African creatures were ready to prove us wrong, within the first ten minutes, a zebra had graced us with its presence. The Safari was just the perfect way to end this trip. We saw elephants, lions, zebras, hippos, monkeys, giraffes and even had a close encounter with a rhino. The ranger was always very calm and very informative and I can’t recommend doing a safari enough.
Everywhere we went, we were well looked after and we always felt very safe. This was just the perfect holiday and I’m so grateful that these are memories my family will share forever. If you weren’t thinking about it already, you NEED to add South Africa to your bucket-list.
If you want to hear more about Helen’s amazing trip or fancy booking something similar of your own, you can give her a ring on 01543 212 059.