“I came away with an even better understanding of South Africa as a destination and how to build a really well-paced itinerary that combines city, scenery and safari in one trip." Paul HA Destination Manager, South Africa. South Africa is one of those destinations that offers a huge amount of variety within a single trip, there is so much to do there from cities, to coast to safari. A solid plan will go a long way. In March, Paul spent just over two weeks travelling through the country, exploring how its different elements come together, not just as individual highlights, but as a well-paced, cohesive trip. Here are some of his favourite bits that stood out to him along his journey. Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula I started in Cape Town, which is a city I always connected with as it’s one of those places where you’ve got mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, and there’s a lot you can do without it ever feeling overwhelming. I spent time around the waterfront, went up Table Mountain, and drove out along the Cape Peninsula. That drive was probably one of the first moments where the trip really opened up. Heading towards Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the landscape changes constantly, cliffs, open coastline, different viewpoints, and it’s also where you start to get a feel for the wildlife side of South Africa, even before heading on safari. We stopped at some of the smaller bays and picnic spots where there were hardly any people, and that’s where we saw the most wildlife and really got a feel for the place. One of my favourite little moments was stopping at a tidal pool where we were the only car there, it was about 25°C so we ended up paddling while watching wildlife nearby. It was one of those unexpected little stops that you don’t plan but ends up being one of the nicest parts of the day. It’s a good place to begin, because you ease into everything quite naturally. Paul at Cape Point. The Winelands From Cape Town, I headed into the Winelands; Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, which are probably my favourite stops outside of the city. Even if you’re not into wine, they’re such picturesque little towns, surrounded by mountains and vineyards, and they’re just really nice places to spend a couple of days wandering around, having long lunches, and generally taking things at a slower pace. In terms of where to stay, one place that really stood out to me was Spier Hotel. It’s a property that ticks a lot of boxes in one place, the grounds are beautiful, there are multiple restaurants, plenty to do on site, and it’s just a very easy place to settle into. You could quite easily base yourself there for a few nights instead of staying in Cape Town the whole time, and it would make a really good start or end to a trip. Along the Garden Route From there, I travelled along the Garden Route, stopping in Hermanus, Swellendam, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The driving itself is a big part of the experience. You’re constantly moving through different scenery, coastline, forests and small towns. Hermanus stood out for the coastal walks, and Knysna for places like Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you get a completely different perspective looking back over the lagoon and coastline. It’s a really good way to see another side of South Africa, outside of the cities and safari. Paul, walking through the Featherbed Nature Reserve in Kynsna. Safari in the Eastern Cape Paul at Lalibela Wildlife Reserve. The next part of the trip was the Eastern Cape for safari, and Lalibela Wildlife Reserve is probably my favourite place to stay. The lodge itself is phenomenal, from the service to the wildlife experiences, the facilities and the overall standard, it really did feel like a proper five-star safari experience. What stands out most, though, is how much you could tell that conservation was at the forefront of everything they do. There is a deep focus on responsible tourism and they’re very involved in conservation and community projects, and it felt like everything was being done properly, not for tourism, but for the reserve and the wildlife itself. The game drives were relaxed and not too busy, but we still saw a huge amount. For many travellers, it’s an ideal way to begin a safari as it is so accessible and well-managed. You can really tell that the wildlife and the environment come first here. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Paul HA Destination Manager, South Africa ” Finally, Kruger National Park Taken by Paul, Lion sleeping in the Kruger. After that, I flew up to Kruger for the final part of the trip. The scale up there is completely different to anywhere else in the country. It’s so vast and packed with such a huge amount of wildlife, it won’t take you long to understand why it’s such a popular safari spot. I was incredibly lucky with what I managed to see. Lions, elephants, and not one, but two separate leopard sightings were all huge highlights! Some of my favourite moments are actually the quieter ones, just sitting in the vehicle with the engine off, watching animals move around naturally and listening to the bush. You realise very quickly that you’re just a guest in their world, and it’s quite a humbling experience. Game drives here are slightly different, you’re covering more ground, and there’s always the sense that something could happen at any moment. The guides also make a huge difference to the experience. Their knowledge is unbelievable and they don’t just focus on finding animals, they explain behaviour, tracks, the landscape, and how everything fits together. You come away feeling like you’ve learned a lot. Evenings tend to centre around the lodge, often outdoors, around a fire, where the experience becomes as much about the setting as the wildlife itself. It was a pretty special way to end the trip. The wildlife experience The wildlife is always the standout part of the whole trip for me. Even just watching animals going about their day, whether that’s elephants, lions, or something smaller, you realise how lucky you are to be there. It’s one of those experiences that makes you slow down and really take in what’s happening around you. What makes Lalibela Wildlife Reserve special is how private and exclusive the whole experience feels. Because it’s a private reserve with very few vehicles, you don’t get the feeling of lots of cars crowding around wildlife. Often it was just our vehicle watching the animals, which makes it feel much more personal and much more like you’re actually in their world rather than just visiting. Taken by Paul, A couple of elephants holding trunks and tails. Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [content] => You’re not going to a zoo and looking at animals in enclosures, you’re in their environment, and they are completely wild. There are no guarantees you’ll see anything, which is what makes it even more special. [name] => Paul [location] => HA Destination Manager, South Africa. [text_color] => [quote_color] => [admin_label] => Item 1 ) ) “ You’re not going to a zoo and looking at animals in enclosures, you’re in their environment, and they are completely wild. There are no guarantees you’ll see anything, which is what makes it even more special. Paul HA Destination Manager, South Africa. ” Food and the experience around it I am definitely a food lover, but wow, the food throughout this trip was on another level. I ate very well everywhere I went. In Cape Town, in the Winelands, and especially on safari, where the meals become part of the whole experience rather than something to be squeezed in between activities. My favourite meal was on my last night at Bateleur Safari Camp in the Kruger. They lit the boma and we had a traditional braai, cooked over the fire. Sitting under the stars in the bush, warmed by the fire, with great food and an even better atmosphere, was such a magical safari experience. It was probably one of the evenings I’ll remember most from the trip. There’s just something about it. There’s so much spirit, you’ll find yourself properly present in the moment. And that’s quite a rare feeling in this day and age, I think! It felt relaxed, unforced, and authentic through and through. During dinner around camp. What I took away from the trip The absolute biggest takeaway for me was the people. I genuinely don’t think I’ve met more welcoming people anywhere I’ve travelled. Everywhere you go, hotels, restaurants, and lodges, people were incredibly friendly, helpful, and proud of their country. The people really add to any experience, and the interactions I had and connections I made in South Africa are what will stay with me most now I’m home. And of course, it goes without saying (and without wanting to repeat myself too much!), all of the wildlife experiences were unforgettable. Those moments where you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an animal in the wild are such an honour. I’m very conscious that it’s a privilege so many people may never have the chance to experience, and I feel beyond lucky. Taken by Paul, a giraffe captured in the safari. Final Thoughts South Africa is a destination that works because of how its different parts come together. Paul’s journey reflects what we aim to create, not just a collection of places, but a well-paced experience that moves naturally from one region to the next. If you’re considering South Africa, it’s a country that rewards thoughtful planning, and when done well, it’s one of the most complete and memorable journeys you can make. Paul doing the Cliff Walk in Hermanus. Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [content] => It’s one of those experiences that really makes you slow down and just watch what’s happening around you, and I’m under no illusion how privileged I am to be able to do trips like this. The wildlife and the safari experiences here in South Africa are just second to none. [name] => Paul [location] => HA Destination Manager, South Africa. [text_color] => [quote_color] => [admin_label] => Item 1 ) ) “ It’s one of those experiences that really makes you slow down and just watch what’s happening around you, and I’m under no illusion how privileged I am to be able to do trips like this. The wildlife and the safari experiences here in South Africa are just second to none. Paul HA Destination Manager, South Africa. ” A trip tailor-made to you Speak to a South Africa expert today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS