Gotta get there: Cape Town, South Africa
Published: 06/15/2009 by KAREN STEINGER; travelgirl
In fact, so many things are possible in this dream destination it's impossible to list them all. A global travel celebrity when it comes to wildlife, wine, history and cultural distinction, South Africa draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each month, flying in from every point on the planet. You expect to see the giraffe and the elephant, and you've probably read the rave reviews of the Cape winelands, but you can just as easily create a trip all about fashion, sports or spiritual awakenings.
Mother Nature stocked South Africa with some of her prize possessions; there are more than 20 Blue Flag beaches, diverse natural landscapes for hiking and caving and unparalleled wilderness reserves. If it's history you seek, visit the Mandela Family Museum in Soweto, or reflect on the contributions of South Africa's most famous son while touring Robben Island, where he was imprisoned before his release in 1990. Johannesburg is the country's business capital known for its golden opportunities - but it's also a groundbreaking city for eco-tourism.
Meanwhile, travelers flock to Cape Town, South Africa's oldest city, for its mild climate, gorgeous scenery and wide selection of accommodations, entertainment and attractions. We chose Cape Town for a whirlwind tour: Karen Steinger made the journey and gives us this smattering of highlights from the "Mother City" of South Africa.
Touch down, Cape Town. Although a trip from the United States is a lengthy one, South African Airways offers a comfortable journey, replete with attentive flight attendants, varied entertainment with personal screens and well-maintained restrooms. We arrived safely, on time and very well fed. The first thing I noticed is the air in Cape Town has an invigorating quality and the lighting is reminiscent of Provence; it's soothing to the soul and wipes away any traces of jetlag.
CAPE TOWN HIGHLIGHTS
A must-see is the view from Table Mountain, the icon of Cape Town; just a ten-minute ride to the top via the Table Mountain aerial cableway will take your breath away. Brave souls can take the pathway and hike to the top after booking a registered guide at the base of the mountain. From there, several short walks guarantee spectacular views of the city and the ocean below. You'll also spy Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years as a political prisoner. If the winds are too strong or weather unsuitable, the cableway is closed. Contact the weather line or visit the Web site for constant updates.
You read about it in the history books, now it's time to take your own photos - the Cape of Good Hope features a jagged and rocky coast boasting unforgettable scenery along with its famous lighthouse. The area is fenced due to the wildlife, such as eland, zebra or red hartebeest. The baboons have learned to fish and can be seen running wild on the roads, babies in tow, much to the delight of visitors.
About 24 miles from Cape Town is Boulders Beach and Penguin Colony, an African Penguin breeding spot. You can swim at the beach, picnic and walk among the penguins. It's a parade of great photo opportunities. The restaurant here served a sea bass that was truly fabulous and we were introduced to South Africa's signature dessert - malva pudding, a spongy cake made with apricot jam.
East of Cape Town is the popular Garden Route, where you'll find a diversity of gorgeous scenery from beautiful beaches, to majestic mountains and idyllic rivers.
The Cango Caves feature stunning ancient stalactites in the massive Van Zyl Hall. Take the standard 60-minute tour through several sections of these fascinating caves, or opt for the adventure tour, which lasts 90 minutes and leads deeper into the caves with more difficult terrain. One of the highlights is Lot's Chamber, where you'll see a Bible scene in stalagmite form: Lot, his wife and two daughters, each turned into a pillar of salt.
Animal lovers will be thrilled with a stop at the Elephant Sanctuary and the Ostrich Show Farm. At the Sanctuary, make a small donation and you will receive a bowl of fruits and vegetables to feed the elephants. Eat lunch at the ostrich farm, dining on variations of ostrich, while you overlook the Schoemanshoek Valley. After lunch, a lesson on the life and anatomy of the ostrich, a chance to pose on an ostrich egg, sit on an ostrich for another photo-op, perhaps ride this ungainly creature and watch the jockeys race them. To further extend your ostrich indoctrination, the gift shop has many ostrich feather items, ostrich leather purses and wallets and, hard-to-resist but not-so-easy-to-pack beautifully painted ostrich eggs and egg lamps.
Wines from South Africa are becoming increasingly prized around the world and Stellenbosch is considered the center of the South African wine industry. The Stellenbosch Wine Route, the oldest in South Africa, is lined with dozens of cellars producing wines. Many are open to the public so indulge yourself in a wine tasting as you are introduced to the fine South African viticulture. A stroll around the quaint, inviting university town of Stellenbosch, home to one of the top universities in the country (Stellenbosch University), makes for a most memorable day. A 45-minute drive from Cape Town or a short train ride, you may decide to stay the night in one of the charming inns or guesthouses.
Knysna, a small town situated in the heart of the Garden Route, has a waterfront of shops and restaurants. Be sure to take the "Featherbed Experience," which takes you to a privately owned nature preserve. It starts with a short ferry ride, followed by a 4x4 trailer experience up the mountain for a panoramic view of Knysna and the basin. Then you are on your own for the steep, downhill trek (walking sticks provided) to finally arrive at the stretch along the coastline, followed by a fine lunch as your reward.
With a number of award-winning game reserves and lodges, the Eastern Cape is the perfect place to see the big five elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Blissfully, what you won't see are mosquitoes, making the area a malaria-free zone.
Two outstanding game reserves are Shamwari Game Reserve and Pumba Private Game Reserve. Shamwari, an award-winning luxury fenced game reserve, is the larger and older of the two, with seven distinct lodges to choose from. There's Lonbengula Lodge, located deep within the bushveld, and Bayethe Lodge, a tented stone-walled and thatched-roof lodge that is quite popular with honeymooners. This all-inclusive property offers two thrilling game drives per day with knowledgeable rangers. Visit the Born Free Foundation where you can learn about their efforts to save wild animals and view a few of the big cats that have been rescued.
Pumba, a newer and smaller game reserve than Shamwari, is no less luxurious. This reserve is not fenced in, so the animals can meander on property, requiring a guide to accompany you to and from your cottage. There are two lodges here, one along the watering hole, for views of birds and hippos, and the other in the thick bush. Both have thatched roofs, indoor and outdoor showers, plunge pools on the deck, beautiful furnishings, animal and bird books, binoculars and homemade cookies. Included are two game drives per day, gourmet meals, your choice of accommodation and sensational daily adventures. A highlight, if you are lucky, is to see the pride of white lions that calls Pumba its home.
source material - http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/consumer/outdoors/story/774198.html
