Africa digs very long roots into your heart. Some of our best travel memories come from that trip. It wasn’t just the close encounters with the wildlife, the stunning scenery, and crazy adventures we had, but the beautiful people we met, who welcomed us in like family.

Today we’ve partnered with KLM airlines to share our bucket list items of things to do in Southern and Eastern Africa to help you with your Africa travel planning.

Actually, these are way more than travel bucket list things to do, these are awe-inspiring experiences that will give you stories to share around the campfire for the rest of your life.

1. Sit with gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

If you want an adventurous African experience then go on a trek through the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to sit and play with the gorillas for an hour.

Bwindi means impenetrable and you can certainly understand why as your guide hacks his way through the undergrowth with his machete; a machete that certainly comes in handy as a scare tactic when the gigantic silverback decides to charge you in an effort to mark his territory.

Whoaaa heart-thumping stuff and an incredible story to tell!

There is a whole lot more to Uganda then just gorilla treks. The people of this nation are so warm and friendly, and the mountainous countryside scenery is just spectacular to explore. And while there make sure you do highlight number three below!

We tell this tale and 3 other incredible Ugandan adventures in our podcast episode: Tales from Uganda

2. Masai Mara safari, Kenya

This was the first safari game park we visited and so has the “first love” attachment for me.

The memory of riding through the savannah in an open-topped van is still strong in my mind.

Experiencing the plains dotted far and wide with zebra and wildebeest; giraffes loping by in the distance, stopping for lunch under the shade of an acacia; watching cheetahs on the hunt and seeing my first ever lion kill of a wildebeest in front of us will never leave me.

And then at night, we camped around the fire talking to a Masai warrior as he shared tales with us of life as a fierce nomadic warrior who fight lions and leopards with their bare hands.

Eye-bulging, jaw-dropping AWE!

3. White water raft the Nile River, Uganda

Wash away the dirt of the trek on the white water rapids of the Nile River at Jinja, the source of the world’s longest river.

These grade 5 rapids are a churning mass of white wash fear waiting to pick you up and flip you out. Serious adrenalin-pumping fun. There are eight sections of rapids on the 4 hour, 30 km section of the Nile River you raft. I was flipped 4 times. So.much.fun.

I’ll let you decide for yourself whether the charging silverback or the final grade 5 rapid “The Bad Place” gets your heart racing more.

If you’re wondering whether the Nile is better than the Zambezi for white water rafting, we asked our guides who had guided both, and they said both were very similar in fear and fun levels, although The Bad Place trumped it as the Ultimate Rapid.

I also think rafting the world’s longest river has an extra layer of cool to it.

4. Catch a Zanzibar sunset, Tanzania

Speak to anyone who has been to Zanzibar and they will reply, “Ahh, Yes Zanzibar!”

Their eyes will glaze over as their mind takes them to a place of paradise, where the sun fires up the night sky as it dips below the horizon and bids farewell to the traditional dhow that passes before it, and the passing travellers sipping their beers from the hammocks between two palm trees above the powdery white sand.

Once darkness becomes the dominant light source, they make their way to the beachside restaurants to sit on plastic chairs and gorge themselves on inexpensive and fresh seafood barbecued in the spices this island has always been famous for.

5. Chill out at Mayoka Village Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi

We arrived at Nkhata Bay, on Lake Malawi, with the intentions of staying just a couple of days. It took us two weeks to finally, heels kicking, drag ourselves out from under the Mayoka’s spell and continue on our way.

Mayoka sits on the rocky headland of the Nkhata Bay down the end of a small, dusty track winding its way in from Nkhata Bay town. The water can only be reached by a scramble over the rocks or from a quick jump from your chalet’s balcony, that sits near to the water’s edge.

You can relax at Mayoka or explore the lake during the day through canoeing, fishing, snorkelling or swimming.

6. Sunrise on top of Sossusvlei, Namibia

Often referred to as the highest sand dunes in the world, Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert is definitely a place worth exploring on your Africa adventure.

Start the day with an early morning climb 85m up Dune 45 for a panoramic view of a spectacular sunrise that changes the colour of the shifting sands through varying shades of red.

After the sunrise, explore the surreal Deadvlei, a favourite for photographers for its white baked clay pan, dead camel thorn trees, and surrounding red dunes. An eerie oppressive heat sets in here by mid morning, which has you racing for the nearest exit.

If you have enough energy you can attempt the climb up the ridge of the 390m Big Daddy, reported to be the highest dune in the world. Why not roll all the way down its face into Deadvlei as we witnessed some people doing?

Read More: 5 Extraordinary Places to visit in Namibia

7. Climb Table Mountain, South Africa

In Cape Town, everything comes back to the mountains.

No matter where you stand in the surrounding areas of the city, your eyes are always drawn back to the imposing grandeur of Table Mountain and her sister’s Lions Head and Signal Hill standing stately above guarding the wealth of the metropolis below

We climbed Table Mountain starting from Kirstenbosch Gardens along a strenuous rocky path to the summit. The clouds, however, were not our friend on this day, obstructing all views and making it feel like a pointless exercise.

We caught the cable car down through the fog, disappointed for not having the experience we craved, but not loving her any less because of it.

There are many trails leading up Table Mountain – choose the one that suits your fitness level.

Read More: 7 Best Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa

8. Animal viewing at night at Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha, meaning “Great White Place” is dominated by a massive dry salt pan which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time.

This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts impressive flocks of flamingos and the perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

Etosha is one of those parks known for night-time animal viewing around the waterholes. We, unfortunately, went during the wrong season – the rainy season. The best time to visit Etosha is from May to September.

We didn’t see many animals at the floodlit waterholes near our camp, as the animals had ample watering holes elsewhere in the park. We did, however, see a lot of animals during the day.

9. Addo Elephant Park, South Africa

Addo Elephant Park is growing and is increasing its borders and variety of animals.

Apart from running into hundreds of elephants as they go about their day eating, bathing, playing and chasing lion cubs around waterholes, you will see an abundance of antelope, warthog, zebra, lion, buffalo, and rhino.

The popular main rest camp of the park offers a wide variety of accommodation units to suit all tastes and budgets with plenty of activities to keep visitors busy.

A unique feature is the waterhole lookout point, floodlit at night, within the camp as well as the underground hide, allowing close encounters with wildlife at the waterhole.

We saw a Mumma elephant chase away a lion cub from the waterhole to protect her baby. Incredible. We also saw a herd of elephants enjoying a mud bath together. One of the best things I’ve ever seen!

10. Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa

Kruger National Park is well known for having one of the best African wildlife viewing experiences. Kruger has all the African wild animals you could ever hope to see, including the Big 5.

After spending four months backpacking Africa and visiting many African game reserves, we finally saw two leopards and even the very rare wild dogs.

Kruger is massive so choose one area to stay at and base your drives near there. We found the Lower Sabie area to be the best for viewing. Bear in mind though that animals move with the wind.

Camping facilities and lodges at Kruger are superb. We found it the best place to take an organized night time safari drive.

If you are a thrill seeker, then I highly recommend a walking safari. Nothing beats walking freely around as a guest in the animal’s kingdom. We came frighteningly close to black rhino, and almost to lions except the big scaredy cats flew off into the distance. Yeah! Who’s the King now??

11. Experience Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The world’s biggest waterfall is probably on everybody’s bucket list. It’s a mesmerizing and beautiful place.

Victoria Falls is named a Place of Peace. I did not read the plaque that stated this until after I traipsed along her ridges with the feeling surrounding me that I was walking amongst a deeply spiritual and peaceful place.

When David Livingstone first walked out of the jungle and stumbled upon the falls he wrote, “On sights as beautiful as this, angels in their flights must have gazed.” 1.7km of gushing waterfall thundering into the deep gorge below is truly a sight worth gazing at.

Take time to let the spray from ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ soak into your skin. Walk up and down the cliff face, stand further back into the forest so you can see and feel her ‘smoke that thunders.’

We spent Christmas Day here in 2003 and it was so memorable. On Christmas Eve, we went on a boat cruise on the Zambezi River with some local Zimbabweans and then during the day sat beside her thundering smoke to a delicious lunch.

Make Victoria Falls an experience, not just a badge of honor.

12. St Lucia Wetlands, South Africa

St Lucia is a small estuary town in the St Lucia wetlands in Zululand, South Africa. St Lucia wetlands is a world heritage site and is uniquely comprised of five ecosystems, at your doorstep to explore.

St Lucia is a very small town, full of relaxed charm, and completely in tune with its natural surroundings. We camped in the gardens by the river where hippos are known to frequently graze at night.

Not only that, hippos are often sighted roaming around town in the evening, eating from the gardens of the neighbourhood homes, or even walking down the street outside the local pub.

We spent our days crawling through the underbrush and lantana of the dune forests, getting dunked in the surf of the wild coastline, on the hunt for leopards in the wetlands, (having to settle for crocs instead), drive by hippo hunting at night, and invading isolated hippo pools known only to the locals. These free tours were hosted by our hostel Bibs.

The evenings were spent with other travellers enjoying cultural Zulu dancing shows put on by Bibs, games of volleyball at dusk by the banks of the rivers watched by the crowd of hippos and crocs, games of Frisbee golf, night time braais, drinks, and bonfire parties on the beach. Epic memories.

(*note – I don’t mean hunting literally. It just sounds better than stalking or searching for!)

13. Boulder’s Beach at Simon’s Town, South Africa

Get up close and personal with a colony of penguins at Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town.

You wouldn’t think South Africa would have penguins until you swim in the ocean and realize that it’s certainly cold enough for them.

2,500 penguins live and play on the beach at Simon’s Town and you are allowed to hang out with them. If you are brave enough to swim in the freezing water, you can also play Marco Polo with them.

The penguins are unfazed by the tourists sitting amongst them on the rocks and are happy for you to get up close for a photo.

Boulder’s is a picturesque beach, with boardwalks for you to walk along to view the mating, nesting, and sunbathing penguins. Simon’s Town is on the Cape Peninsula not far from Cape Town.

Tours of Southern Africa

If you did not want to travel to Egypt as an independent traveler, G Adventures offer guided tours. We partner wtih G Adventures for their commitment to the supporting the environment and conserving local cultures.

• 40 Days Nairobi to Cape Town
• 55 Days Ultimate Africa Cape Town to Nairobi

Plan Your Trip to Southern & Eastern Africa

We’ve been traveling 20 years and have come to rely on a few trusted websites that save us money and time when booking accommodation, flights, and car rental. Below are our preferred partners. If you book through these links, we do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us continue to provide inspiring and helpful travel content for free on this site.

More Africa Travel

I could write thousands of words on things to do in Southern & Eastern Africa. Have you been?

The rainbow nation, as it’s often referred has it all from vibrant cities and sexy beaches to untamed wilderness and rural beauty.

No matter what you are looking for, South Africa is an idyllic setting for a honeymoon. Experience sunrise in the bush, “Sundowners” (South Africa’s version of Happy Hour) in wine country or at the beach and no shortage of over-the-top luxury hotels and restaurants.

The hard part is choosing where to go in South Africa for your honeymoon!

I recommend spending the bulk of your honeymoon in and around Cape Town as well as including a trip to Kruger Park for a safari.

I have 7 reasons that will ensure that wedded bliss ensues on your South African honeymoon.

1. The Cape Peninsula

Cape Town is one of the country’s most beautiful cities. It’s unique because although it’s a major metropolitan city, it’s also overflowing with natural beauty and wildlife.

Spend a day taking in Cape Town’s stunning landscapes in and around Table Mountain National Park.

Hike to the top of Table Mountain and admire the sweeping views (or take a cable car to save time and energy), explore the Cape of Good Hope, soak in the panoramic views at Cape Point and even check out an African penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach.

2. The Garden Route

Take your first road trip as a couple along The Garden Route, a stretch of road along South Africa’s southeastern coast.

The drive takes at least a few days but there are excellent stops along the way in some amazing towns and nature reserves.

You’ll find secluded bays, stunning flora and fauna and tons of wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales and dolphins that often swim close to shore near Plettenberg Bay.

Oenophiles will also rejoice at Bramon Wine Farm, located just outside of Plettenberg Bay.

Sedgefield, Calitzdorp, and Knysna are also well worth a stop.

3. Eat Your Heart Out

Whether you’re in the bush or in one of the country’s major cities like Cape Town, there is a flourishing foodie revolution and an impressive level of culinary sophistication.

Be sure to try South African specialties like biltong and a braai (a unique style of barbecue) and other local delicacies like Cape Malay cuisine.

I highly recommend taking a cooking class together in Bo-Kaap (famous for all the rainbow-colored buildings). Do a class with Faldela Tolker, who invites you into her home and teaches you not just how to cook, but also about the country’s history.

These skills are an excellent souvenir you’ll enjoy for years to come. (Cooking with Love 072 483 4040 or faldelatolker@gmail.com)

Once you’ve mastered the art of cooking, make some reservations at the hot restaurants in Cape Town. At the top of my list is a visit to Pot Luck Club, a unique tapas-style restaurant located in the Biscuit Mill. You’ll experience expansive views of the city from this rooftop restaurant that offers killer cocktails and trendy small plates.

The city’s most exclusive restaurant, The Test Kitchen is nearly impossible to snag a reservation so reserve a table as far in advance as you can. Trust me, you want to experience its thoughtfully prepared tasting menu expertly paired with amazing South African wine.

You’ll also love Bistro Bizerca and Signal if you’re looking for romance. And be sure to pop by Charly’s Bakery for craft coffees and the most photogenic desserts you’ve ever seen.

4. Get to know South Africa’s story

No trip to South Africa is complete without learning about its people and understanding the history.

Take a trip to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner for nearly 20 years. You’ll learn about the experience first hand from guides who are former inmates.

If you want to learn more I highly recommend signing up for a tour with Coffee Beans Routes. This local company offers a tour called the Revolution Route where you can learn about the lesser-known players in the South African revolution.

Many couples also want to visit the Townships (the living areas created for non-whites during the apartheid). Many tours leave visitors feeling like outsiders and almost even intruders, barging into someone’s home.

To avoid a situation like this, I recommend booking with Uthando South Africa, which promotes responsible tourism.

Uthando introduces visitors to residents who work on community development projects. You’ll learn about the wonderful work going on to rebuild communities and all tour fees go directly to benefit the projects you visit and the people you meet.

5. The Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands are only about an hour away from Cape Town. I highly recommend that honeymooners take at least a few days to unwind and relax in this stunning part of the country.

There are several gorgeous regions filled with many of the world’s most beautiful hotels. I recommend visiting both Franshhoek – a quaint region with lots of family-owned vineyards and French influences, and also Stellenbosch – the most popular and lively region.

I highly recommend a visit to Môreson, La Petite Ferme, and Haute Cabrière vineyards. To get to the vineyards safely, book a tour with Escape to the Cape Tours, which will arrange all of your tastings and transportation.

If you have a smaller budget, many couples do the The Franschhoek Wine Tram, a hop-on/hop-off tram that will take you to various wine vineyards.

You also can rent bikes and ride between vineyards if you’re hoping for an active day.

Two of the most gorgeous hotels in the world are located in the Cape Winelands.

La Residence, voted by Conde Nast Traveler as the best hotel in the world, is a stunning masterpiece as you can imagine. If you have more modern tastes, you’ll enjoy Delaire Graff Hotel.

The Cape Winelands are also home to some of the city’s most amazing restaurants!

Visitors must check out The Tasting Room in Le Quartier Francais – another stunning hotel. You’ll be wowed by a unique dining experience, no menus and plenty of fun surprises.

And for a brunch that will blow your mind, visit The Tasting Room’s sister restaurant, Bread & Wine.

6. The Beaches

You may not have realized, but your honeymoon to Cape Town can also include a beach vacation!

While Durban is supposed to be fantastic as well, Cape Town has some of the most breathtaking beaches.

For a trendy and lively beach escape, visit Camp’s Bay where you’ll find plenty of waterfront restaurants (my recommendations are Umi and Paranga) and loads of nightlife.

And you must stay at The Marly, a sleek and modern boutique hotel.

If you’re looking though to unwind and relax just the two of you, you must go to Hout Bay, which is a sleepy, romantic getaway minutes from Cape Town.

Tintswalo Atlantic just might be the most romantic hotel I’ve ever stayed in – deep soaking tubs, waterfront rooms and a romantic restaurant to boot!

7. Go on a Safari

Even the least outdoorsy person will feel in touch with nature in Africa.

There is nothing more romantic than driving through the bush and witnessing African wildlife in its natural habitat at dawn. Connect with the earth while you bond with your newly minted spouse.

Splurge for a luxury lodge in a private game reserve within the greater Kruger National Park. Sabi Sand, Thornybush, and Manyeleti are some of the best.

You’ll usually experience closer encounters with the animals in private reserves since drivers (as long as they’re being respectful) have a little more leeway to go off the beaten path.

Plan your trip to Cape Town

We’ve been traveling consistently for 17 years and have come to rely on a few trusted websites that save us money and time when booking accommodation, flights, and car rental. Below are our preferred partners:

Pin to share to Pinterest

Author Bio – Katie Lara has been blogging and freelance writing for over 10 years. She has lent her travel expertise as a writer and photographer to outlets like U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Fodor’s, Fox News and Forbes. Katie is also an accomplished travel host and has filmed several series for About.com. Katie also blogs as her edgy alter-ego on Travelingpanties.com giving luxury and honeymoon travel advice. When Katie isn’t traveling the world you can find her in New York City shopping or basking in the sun in Central Park. Keep up with Katie’s adventures on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Spending some time exploring Cape Town and South Africa’s wine region is a great way to begin your exploration of South Africa, a truly diverse and fascinating country.

With the Australian dollar strong against the South African rand, travelling in South Africa is affordable – think a glass of wine with dinner for about $2, main meals for around $8 and accommodation in a boutique hotel for about $60.

Where else can you enjoy world-class wine, fine dine, see spectacular coastline and spot a vast array of animals on safari without breaking the bank?

You can easily spend a week or two exploring Cape Town and the nearby wine region. Here are my favourite things to do when visiting South Africa.

1. Camps Bay

One of the best things about Cape Town is its location so plan on spending lots of time enjoying the outdoors while you’re here.

Camp’s Bay is my pick of places to stay – it’s a lovely seaside suburb that is very safe and offers great views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the Atlantic Ocean. It means you’re close to the Cape Peninsula and everything it has to offer, as well as the Table Mountain cableway. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Camp’s Bay into the centre of Cape Town.

Camp’s Bay has a great stretch of beach lined with cafes, restaurants and bars. Make sure you try a steak at the Hussar Grill on Camps Bay Drive. This was a local recommendation and is THE place to go for steak in Cape Town. You won’t be disappointed.

2. Central Cape Town

Exploring central Cape Town is a must and can be done in a day if you get going early. The colourful buildings of Bo-Kaap make for some great photos before moving on to visit the Victoria and Albert Waterfront.

The waterfront is very commercial and you’ll feel like you could be anywhere, but there are certainly lots of places to eat, drink and enjoy the views to Table Mountain from here.

The Waterfront is also the departure point for tours to Robben Island, the infamous prison complex that once held Nelson Mandela. A trip to Robben Island can be a frustrating experience because of the poorly organised nature of the tours where visitors face long queues for the ferry and are then loaded onto buses and driven around the island.

I just wanted to get out and explore but unfortunately, you can’t do that here. However, it is interesting to learn about the prison complex from the former inmates (all ex-political prisoners) who run the tours and you do get to view Nelson Mandela’s cell.

3. Exploring the Cape of Good Hope

Spend a day driving around the Cape Peninsula and you’ll see some of Cape Town’s most iconic attractions.

The Cape of Good Hope is an area of the Cape Peninsula featuring dramatic headlands, beautiful beaches and rugged scenery. The remote and unspoilt atmosphere of the peninsula will make you feel a million miles away from the city.

The cape forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and is the only part of the Table Mountain National Park that is fenced as it is home to a number of animals including zebra, eland and the red hartebeest.

Begin your drive on the Muizenberg side of the peninsula so you will be able to enjoy the setting sun on your return along the Chapman’s Peak Drive and Camps Bay side. The untouched beaches along the Atlantic side are really very beautiful.

Chapman’s Peak is one of the most popular drives in all of South Africa. The short drive (about 15 kilometres) runs to Hout Bay and hugs the side of Chapman’s Peak. The views are spectacular, particularly if you’re arriving in the late afternoon when the sun is starting to set.

4. Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach

The penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is another must-do in Cape Town.

You can walk along boardwalks down to the beach to watch the penguins as they go about their business. These little guys are funny to watch, particularly as they surf into the beach and climb around on the rocks.

Remember to look out for the penguins as you walk down towards the beach as they are often hanging out under the trees away from the water. The main boardwalks down by the beach can get rather crowded so take your time to enjoy the penguins on your way down to the end of the main boardwalk.

If you drive past the first access point to Boulders Beach and keep going to the second, there’s a small car park and a little café/restaurant with views over the ocean if you feel like a coffee break.

Accessing the penguin colony from this side means you follow a boardwalk back to the main entrance, but you will often spot penguins along the way. There is also a pretty little beach if you feel like a swim.

5. Cape Point

Cape Point is at the very tip of the Cape of Good Hope and there are a number of things here to keep you busy. Make sure you do the Cape Point walk for some great scenery – at some points the cliffs are up to 200 metres above the ocean below.

The walk up to Cape Point is quite steep. If you’d prefer, you can catch the Flying Dutchman Funicular up instead.

Try and get a table on the deck of the restaurant at the base of the Flying Dutchman and enjoy lunch with spectacular views out over the peninsula and False Bay.

6. Hiking Lion’s Head

Hiking up Lion’s Head is a fantastic way to get outdoors and enjoy Cape Town’s spectacular scenery.

The trail circles the mountain and gives great views over the city – particularly Camp’s Bay, Green Point and of course, Table Mountain itself.

This is one of Cape Town’s most popular hikes and with good reason. When you get towards the top of Lion’s Head the views of Table Mountain are simply stunning with the city nestled at its base.

The hike is steep but undulates enough to provide some respite between the particularly challenging sections. There are chains and ladders along some of the rocky sections to help you climb the mountain.

The views from the top are stunning and you’ll get views of the city with Table Mountain in the background – something you don’t get from the top of Table Mountain.

7. South African wine: Franschhoek and the wine region

Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, South Africa’s wine region is internationally recognised for its outstanding food and wine and is a true foodie paradise. I suggest you stay in Franschhoek, which is smaller and more picturesque than neighbouring Stellenbosch.

Franschhoek is set among the Groot Drakenstein Mountains and is home to an incredible amount of outstanding wineries, restaurants and cafes.

A great way to explore the many wineries on offer is to book a ticket on the Wine Tram, which will shuttle you to and from many of the wineries, meaning you can sample plenty of wine and food while enjoying the views without having to worry about driving.

There are plenty of places to eat but I recommend you book well in advance for The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais, which is one of the world’s top restaurants. If you don’t manage to get a reservation, they offer light meals in their bar and outstanding cocktails.

Lunch at La Petite Ferme is also highly recommended. Not only is the food outstanding, the views are simply superb.

The chef’s menu at Le Bon Vivant is fantastic – go for the wine pairings so all you need to do is enjoy the experience. The glass window through to the kitchen means you can watch the chef at work.

Finally, be sure to visit the historic Grande Provence Estate Restaurant which is one of the loveliest in Franschhoek. The cellar door is a great spot for tasting local wines and you can order from a small menu here.

Need more tips for South Africa?

Popular Tours in South Africa

• Worried about traveling alone and the logistical hassle of planning a trip to South Africa? G Adventures is our preferred recommendation for group tours for their quality, adventure and service to giving back to local communities. See all South Africa group tours here. 
• You may also want to compare Intrepid Tours, another small group tour company we can recommend. See their South Africa tours here. 
• Our partner, the Get Your Guide tour company offers tour operators with many  South Africa tours and attractions tickets. They have the lowest prices, guaranteed — no booking fees or hidden charges.

You can pre-book tickets and skip the line at top attractions and cancel up to 24 hours before.

Plan your trip to Cape Town

We’ve been traveling consistently for 17 years and have come to rely on a few trusted websites that save us money and time when booking accommodation, flights, and car rental. Below are our preferred partners:

Do you have any tips for exploring Cape Town? Share in the comments below.

There’s nothing like camping out under the African stars, listening to the roars of lions in the night, and then going in search of the BIG 5 the next day.

Kruger, and South Africa, gets under your skin.

I have fond memories of cooking a traditional South African braai as the sun goes down, and rising early with the animals as they go on the hunt for their food. It has me craving for more, especially now we have kids as another excuse to go back.

Besides seeing the big cats in the wild, we love watching the elephants and can spend hours admiring them in their family units.

And of course there’s the hilarious baboons and the search for the rare African wild dog and getting close, but not too close, to the hippos.

After spending months rough travelling through east Africa and visiting many African game reserves, we finally, at Kruger, saw a leopard AND the very rare African wild dog.

Kruger National Park in South Africa is well known for having one of the best African wildlife viewing experiences, with a high concentration of animals and a developed park system of roads and accommodation.

And if you are a thrill seeker, then I highly recommend the Kruger walking safari. Nothing beats walking freely around as a guest in the animal’s kingdom tracking rhino and lion and learning first hand about their habits (accompanied by armed rangers of course).

We were fortunate to return to Kruger a second time back in 2006 during our visit to South Africa for Caz’s brothers wedding, but still haven’t seen it all.

Kruger is massive and it’s a good idea to choose one area to stay at and base your drives near there. We found the Lower Sabie area to be excellent for the concentration and variety of wildlife.

Below is a collection of our photos (unfortunately we weren’t into blogging back then so our photos are smaller than we’d now like)

Kruger National Park South Africa in photos

Safari Tips for Kruger National Park

• Research the optimal season for viewing a Game Park. In the dry season the grass is short making it easier to spot wildlife and the choice of drinking water holes for the animals will be fewer, so your chances of watching them congregate at waterholes in any given area is easier.
• Research carefully the optimal seasonal viewing of the Game Park. In the dry season the grass is short making it easier to spot wildlife and the choice of drinking water holes for the animals will be fewer, so your chances of watching them congregate at waterholes in any given area is easier.
• Animals are most active at dusk and dawn. It is very hot in Africa, so during the day the animals are usually hibernating in the shade. Get up early to catch the animals at play, rest during the day, and then go out again just before sundown.
• Lions like to sleep on the road at night to soak up the day’s heat trapped in the tar. If you’re up early enough you have a much better chance of seeing them up close and personal on the road. There were several times we turned a corner to find a lioness resting on the warm tar.
• Do yourself a favour and buy a 600mm zoom lens (we didn’t and missed a lot of photo opps). Animals won’t deliberately come close for a portrait shot, and it’s not safe to get out of your car and pursue them. You’ve spent all the money, time, and energy to put yourself in a place of contact and you’ll want to have something to show for it.
• Keep a safe distance when you encounter a wild animal and when in your vehicle keep your windows rolled up at all times.

More Africa travel tips

Have you visited Kruger National Park before?

As the first white people to enter the school grounds, I’m not surprised by the response.

In July, I found myself in a rural area – not quite a township but very similar – of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, volunteering with friends. Found myself not only physically, but metaphysically looking at life in a new way. It was the most incredible two weeks of my life, and, in that context, the best travel experience I’ve ever had.

My first taste of life as a volunteer in South Africa was in a small primary school in the Valley of 1000 Hills, a beautiful area full of – yep, you guessed it – hills. The primary school was in KwaNyuswa, which sits next to a wealthy white suburb. (I have to admit right now that it took me a while to refer to people as “black”, “white” or “coloured” and I’m still not comfortable with it, but it’s how people in South Africa refer to each other, and here, it’s how I can distinguish between the stark differences that still exist in post-Apartheid South Africa.)

Let me first give you some background on where I was. KwaNyuswa is an area that is characterised by high crime rates, rape, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS (estimates for the area are that around 40% of the population throughout the area are infected, a statistic which is beyond comprehension), and unemployment. As you drive down the one paved road, dirt tracks spiral off like tree branches, leading to the simple huts and homes that people live in. Only black and coloured people can be seen standing along the roads, waiting, waiting, waiting, as I’ve seen so often in developing countries.

It was easy to forget all of that in this school, though, as we watch the kids put on the most energetic and talented performances I’ve ever seen, everyone dancing and singing together. The performance was put on especially for us, their special guests. I sit in the audience with the children,  but while I’m looking at the stage,  the kids around me can’t take their eyes off me.

The primary school, Empilweni, is supported by three of my Australian friends now living in South Africa. They spend hours each week – in addition to their paid and other volunteer jobs – running Connections Community Outreach Project (CCOP), a non profit that aims to link Australians wanting to help people in need in South Africa. Through the amazing work they do, they managed to raise enough funds to provide over 60 kids with school uniforms and stationery sets, and pay for some of the students’ school fees.

Over a long, exhausting day, kids, all incredibly curious about us, touching our skin, our hair, our clothes, surrounded us as we interviewed and photographed them. This information we then turned into profiles to be sent back to the wonderful people who had provided the sponsorship funds.

The next day we were in Durban, at McCord Hospital, interviewing the caregivers of young boys with HIV who lived at a Childrens’ Home. These are boys who not only have HIV, but who have been orphaned or abandoned by their families because the stigma of HIV remains so strong in South Africa. The stories of these kids were heart-wrenching, but we pushed through, diligently writing down every word to be recorded and sent back to their own sponsors in the US. Later, we met the boys to photograph them, and they were sweet and funny and flirty and cheeky, everything that a normal boy is. Each of them displaying no evidence of the huge burden that they carry; a burden most people would find impossible to deal with.

These were just some of the things that I experienced in South Africa. And I certainly didn’t do anything amazing – many people spend every day of their life in far worse situations striving to help people far less fortunate than themselves.

But for me, it was a chance to do my bit, however small. It was also a chance for me to realise how lucky I am and how I should be grateful for everything that I have. To complain about having a boring day at work? That I can’t afford the newest gadget? Even that I can’t just pack and up leave to go travel overseas right now?

Meaningless.

Rebecca is a self-confessed travel addict. Currently stuck at a desk in the corporate world, she’s going back through her travel memories and writing about them at Rebecca and the world. You can also follow her on Twitter at @rebecca_arnold.