I recently returned from a 10-day trip to South Africa with G Adventures - National Geographic Journeys. As a luxury travel advisor, part of my job requires me to experience destinations so that I can better advise my clients when they are choosing their own vacations. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. The tour I joined took me from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and I got to enjoy both city life and safari over the course of the ten days. Here are 5 things I learned from exploring South Africa.
- South African cuisine is delicious. One of the great things about traveling with G Adventures, is that they make sure you interact with locals and try local foods on their trips. Some of the delicious things we sampled included: Cape Malay Curries (these were my absolute favorites - very flavorful, but not as spicy as Indian curries), Boboti (a sort of shepherd's pie but with a custard crust), and Braai (South African barbecue, best eaten outdoors). So I came home with seasoning mixes and recipes (generously shared by some of my hosts) and hope to try some of these at home.
- You need more than two days to see Cape Town. Cape Town is a beautiful city with lots to offer, and the 2 days we had to explore were not enough. There is something for everyone here: the views from Table Mountain, the penguins at Boulders Beach, Greenmarket Square for shopping, the waterfront, and more. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are not to be missed, and you must also make time to visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.
- You need to pack cold weather layers, even if the forecast looks warm. Day time temperatures in Cape Town and Kruger were generally warm (highs in the mid to upper 70s most days) but the wind can make the temperature feel much colder. I was glad to have a jacket and windbreaker with me during the trip, especially the early morning game drives in the open vehicles.
- Game drives are one of the most fun activities you can do while traveling. Driving around with a ranger in an open top jeep looking for wildlife is much more fun than you can imagine. When you find yourself face to face with these beautiful animals (we saw rhino, giraffe, zebra, lions, cheetah and more....) in their natural habitat, it changes your perspective. Plus, you can take amazing photos.
- You don't have to spend a fortune for a quality safari experience. Many people think a safari costs at least $10,000 per person, but the small group safari tours run by G Adventures deliver a great safari experience for less than half that. And they offer camping tours and other options that are even less.
If you're interested in a safari, contact me to set up a consultation. As your expert travel advisor, I can help you determine what the best option is for your vacation. And if you're interested in a G Adventures trip, you can save 15% on most G Adventures tours when you book with me by June 15, 2017. To learn more, call me at 888-251-3096 or use the link below to request a consultation.
