South Africa
- Selena Ryan
- Jun 25, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 4, 2022
Theoretically, this was my second time in Africa, the first one being in Sinai, Egypt. But who counts Egypt as being an African country though? :)) For me, Egypt is my middle eastern neighbor.
I was required a visa, and i must tell you that it was a very long and complicated experience. I mean, much more c
The feelings when I reached South Africa were mostly of excitement and not too much fear, as there are few pretty simple rules that you must respect and you should be fine. I am talking about Cape Town only.
The city looks deserted once the sun sets, and it is recommended to stay off the streets at night.
South Africa was the place where I tried a lot of “first time” things.
I started with a helicopter ride above Cape Town. I never thought how unstable you feel in a chopper, and how the wind throws you all over. That part was pretty scary, but mostly ignored due to the fascinating views of the city, mountains and sea. YES, it’s worth it!
The views are great also from the top of Table Mountain ( I went by cableway) and from Lion’s Head, another mountain peak to which I hiked to. They are both different experiences that will repay the effort with some breathtaking views.
Usually when I travel to new countries, I try to avoid taking tours and just try to experience everything as the locals do. But in South Africa, I chose mostly tours, due to safety reasons, relatively low prices, and the wish to see and do as many things as possible.
Also, you can not really get to Robben Island swiming. :)) You need a tour.
Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
The tour is very touching, done by a former political prisoner that spent there 7 years locked.
After liberation, he decided that the best way to process everything that has happened to him, was to continue living there.
So he became a tour guide and made a family on the island that once was his prison.
Diving with sharks is a once in a lifetime experience. I didn't think too much about it; just saw the possibility and went for it. How it works is that you are put in a cage and submerged under water and sharks roam around you. 🦈Occasionally they might come and bite the bars.
It's definitely safe and not scary at all.
This I think was the most adorable moment of my entire life. Holding little rockhopper penguins in my arms, and have them hugging me…there is nothing better than that! At the Two Oceans Aquarium, they allow for 1h per day private interactions with their happy and friendly rescue penguins. 🐧
I also went to visit Boulders Beach Penguin Colony. Here, thousands of African penguins are breeding and living their best life.
Interesting fact! The African penguins all have a set of spots on their stomach that's unique to them, like fingerprints to humans.
I continued my trip to the Cape of Good Hope - the most southern western point of the African continent, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet.
On the way, we had some traffic as a baboon 🦍 and her baby decided to cross the road.
Cheetahs are so fascinating! So why not go see them?! 🐆
A mix of adrenaline, awe and understanding; that was my experience from this encounter. Such majestic animals! Just to be able for a little while to sit next to such a creature changes something in you.
In the Cheetah Outreach preservation and education center, you can either choose to have close encounters with an adult cheetah or cubs and see from close other fascinating african animals.
For me, in general, traveling is about history, culture, nature, and people. I am all for blending into the place I am in, living like a local, as they say.
So, I decided to go to the slums near Cape Town to understand first hand how it is to live there. I must say that what I saw is that it’s not about poverty.
People there just simply like to live in dirt, with no interest to clean or make their living pleasant. You don’t need that much money for a broom and a cloth to clean.
I also compare it with my experience in Cambodia, which is, for real, a poor country, and there, the level of self respect that people have is beyond any imagination.
After walking around, and getting deeper into the social and political history of the place, it was time for a break.
So I was taken to Shebeen - the township pub - in reality, an ugly container with no level of hygene or esthetics whatsoever and tried some locally brewed beer (which I didn't like at all, but I was polite :))
The most important thing is that I didn't get sick from it. :))
Then, I visited a Shaman that gave me some blessings and lucky charms.
I must say I never came in direct contact with such people or practices so I was a bit (just a bit 😂) freaked out that he won't do any weird spells on me.
Last, but not least, I went to the safari. I chose Fairy Glen safari - not one of the most famous ones - and good I did.
I must mention that my trip to South Africa was in September, right before the start of touristic season; that means - no tourists! As I was alone or with very few people on all my experiences in S.A., I ended up alone, as well, on this magical tour that lasted almost double then it was supposed to.
Deon - my tour guide - and I, bonded immediately after realizing we’re born on the same day and that we are so much on the same page when it comes to nature and animals.
I took my time with the mighty elephants, which are twice the size of the ones in Asia.
This came a bit as a shock :)) they look like giants!
The zebras were kinda shy so I had to be happy just with seeing them from far, the hypos have tragic stories as they are attacked by poachers even there, in the reserve!, and a mom donkey and her baby were cute enough to accompany us through a good part of my journey there.
The lions where super lazy and didn't even bother to look at me, so they don't even deserve a photo in this post. :))
When in South Africa...diamonds! The country is a world leader in diamond production, so I decided to go see how they do it. It was really interesting to see an unpolished diamond next to a finished piece. And I also got to check my pendant that I bought from the Great Bazaar in Istanbul. It's legit! :D
On the culinary side, I just want to tell you that you MUST try the Malva Pudding, a South African desert that will make you melt in pleasure!
I am no foodie and not mad about sweets, but this is definitely in my top 3 most delicious cakes I have ever eaten.
Now, as I said, I usually am against tours, as often you are confined to sticking to a strict schedule. However, I wouldn’t have made it such a great trip otherwise. South Africa is still a dangerous place afterall, where walking in certain areas is not recommended even during day time. I tried to experience a lot in a small amount of time and for me it was all worth it.
I left South Africa with a lot of new experiences, enriched in feelings and knowledge, and with a wish to continue visiting more African countries in the future.
As recommendations, bellow are most of the links that helped me build my wonderful trip:
Private Tour - with Bo-Kaap, Cape of Good Point and Boulders Beach Penguin Colony as some of the highlights
Shark Cage diving
Visiting a township
Cape Peninsula, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Scenic Helicopter Flight
Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunset Hike
Fairy Glen Safari
Cheetah Outreach
Private penguin encounter at Two Oceans Aquarium
Roben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
Diamond cutting factory tour
*The events above aren’t written in chronological order.
**Some of the tour prices have changed a lot, some haven’t. It also depends on the time period.
***My experience is from the perspective of an off-season traveler, who was alone most of the time - meaning no crowds, and being the only participant in most of the group tours I booked.
**** I was lucky enough not to experience any extreme weather conditions
If you are interested in custom built tours, feel free to reach me at Contact
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