A Journey Beyond Landscapes - South Africa

Beaches, mountains, wildlife, marine life, city vibes -what more can one ask for on a holiday? When I sat down to write about my last trip of 2024 to South Africa, I found myself struggling to put this incredible journey into words. Known for its pristine beaches, scenic coastal drives, penguins-inhabited shores, world-class culinary experiences, stunning hiking trails, and an absolute paradise for wildlife lovers, South Africa is a total package. Working on the itinerary was quite a challenge as there was so much to experience in a short period of time. December being peak vacation season meant everything had to be booked well in advance. Our flight route: Chennai (India) – Ethiopia – Johannesburg – Cape Town. This was our first time flying Ethiopian Airlines, and during this trip, we flew on multiple African airlines (FlySafair, Airlink, CemAir). This was also our most Airbnb-packed trip ever—seven different stays in 12 days! Renting a car from the airport made things much easier, especially with all the day trips and luggage in tow.

Nelson Mandela once said, “The Cape is South Africa’s gift to the world.” We couldn’t agree more. The contrast of mountains, oceans, and beaches left us awestruck on Day 1 itself. The contrast between mountains, beaches, and the ocean was breathtaking.

Driving along Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads, which became even more famous after the Mercedes-Benz & BMW commercials, felt surreal. Every few kilometers, we were tempted to stop and take in the blue-green Atlantic against the towering cliffs. We also made it to Boulders Beach, where we watched hundreds of African Penguins, the only ones breeding on the continent, waddling around—one of the most unique wildlife experiences ever. Cape Point National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site, with the South Atlantic Ocean and white sandy beaches on one side and the colorful foliage of the Fynbos belt on the other side, the drive itself was beautiful. It is a southern sub-section of Table Mountain National Park which in itself is a rich pool of unique flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the world. The Table Mountain can be reached via a Cable Car or by hiking. The panoramic view of the entire Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain is spectacular. (Fun fact—South Africa has a total of 12 UNESCO Heritage Sites!)

The country is a major wine producer and exporter, and we spent a day in Franschhoek, a town famous for its wineries. We did a tasting tour, learned about the region’s wine culture, and even tried our hand at Sabrage (opening a bottle with a sword!).

Although we tried to cover all the major attractions in Cape Town, time constraint always demands for some tough decisions, so we had to skip a few too.

A visit to South Africa is incomplete without going on some marine adventures. Gansbaai, a small fishing town a few miles from Cape Town, is known as the Great White Shark Capital of the World. It’s one of the top spots for shark cage diving. For the thrill seekers in us a shark cage diving experience was a must-do. The overall experience was both thrilling and humbling. We also stayed in Hermanus, a town known for shore-based whale watching. Even though the whale season had passed, just being by the ocean in such a beautiful place was an experience in itself.

But for me, the most unforgettable part of the trip was our safari in Kruger National Park. After visiting Kenya in 2023, wildlife experiences have become one of my absolute favorites, and I couldn’t wait to explore Kruger. We spent four days at Sabi Sand Nature Reserve , going on six incredible game drives, where we had close encounters with lions, leopards, and elephants. Unlike Kenya, where game drives must stick to designated paths, here we could go off-road—getting as close as possible while ensuring we didn’t disturb the animals. This gave us countless spine-tingling moments.

And then came the real adventure—a self-drive safari in Kruger National Park . With no real-time internet access and only limited mobile coverage in some areas, we had to prepare the old-school way. We mapped out routes, marked waterholes, planned our must-visit lookout points, and made sure we reached the camp where we had booked our night stay before 6:30 PM (because getting locked out in the wild was NOT an option!). This experience took us back to a time when we weren’t glued to GPS and technology but had to trust our instincts and make real-time decisions.

Beyond Travel: The Bigger Lesson

Looking back, this trip was more than just about exploring a new country. It reminded me of the importance of adaptability, time management, and being open to the unknown. Whether it was choosing between must-visit spots in Cape Town, or navigating Kruger with just a map and a plan, or even simple things like sorting and organizing luggage based on the number of days of stay at a place, every experience was a lesson in itself.

It made me wonder—how often do we over-rely on technology and forget the power of intuition, planning, and quick decision-making?

Have you ever had a travel experience that changed your perspective on work or life? Would love to hear your stories!