South Africa (2019)

In November 2019, I embarked on an extraordinary 11-day journey to South Africa, a trip that turned out to be my last for an entire year due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This remarkable adventure wasn’t a solo endeavor; it was a group expedition comprising seven clients and myself. Group trips can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, but with the right mix of people, they can also be incredibly rewarding. Fortunately, this particular group was fantastic, and it included my sister, brother-in-law, my dear friends Misty and Robyn, and three other incredible individuals: Ms. Birda, Shameka, and Ms. Renee.

The trip was meticulously planned a year and a half in advance, allowing everyone ample time to make payments and get prepared. Although it was an escorted journey, we had some free days to explore on our own. Given that we all hailed from different locations, we arranged our flights individually.

My initial plan was to arrive in South Africa a day ahead of the group, affording me some much-needed time to acclimate and rest after the long flight. However, Mother Nature had different ideas. A rainstorm in Las Vegas wreaked havoc on flight schedules, causing delays and diversions to Los Angeles. While en route to my gate, I received a text informing me of my flight delay, which ultimately had a ripple effect on my connecting flights. Thankfully, I had opted for first-class tickets to ensure comfort on this long journey.

Upon reaching the airport, I encountered harried desk agents grappling with the chaos of numerous cancellations and delays. It was a hectic scene, and the fact that this transpired just a week before Thanksgiving made it all the more frenetic. Observing an agent with no one to assist at the moment, I hastened over to her and explained my predicament. She valiantly attempted to rebook me on the next available flight with connections that would allow me to reach my intended destination on the original date. Unfortunately, her efforts proved fruitless, so she made a call for assistance. After about 30 minutes of waiting, I was finally rebooked, although I’d have to accept a delayed arrival.

As I sat waiting for my rescheduled flight, I received a text from Allianz, the company I use for travel insurance, notifying me that they had deposited $100 into my account due to the flight delay. This was a clear reminder of the importance of travel insurance, especially when venturing abroad.

The first leg of my journey took me from Las Vegas to Detroit, where, in my opinion, first-class seats on domestic flights don’t offer significant advantages in terms of legroom. However, we were treated to a full meal onboard. What did make the difference was access to the airline’s lounges during layovers. In Detroit, my time was limited, but I did manage to swing by for some cookies.

Next, it was Detroit to London with a lengthy 7-hour layover. The lounge access was a welcome reprieve. On this flight, I was seated in one of the lie-flat seats. The attentive flight attendants wasted no time offering snacks and beverages, even before the entire flight had boarded. Roughly 15 minutes later, they handed out menus, allowing me to place my dinner order. The experience of flying first class on long international flights was, without a doubt, well worth the investment. With my journey mostly uneventful, save for an encounter with a fellow passenger who thought it wise to remove his shoes and tend to his feet mid-flight, I watched a movie or two and then slept soundly for the rest of the journey.

The final flight segment took me from London to Cape Town, where the first-class service continued to impress. The seats, which reclined completely flat, provided a level of comfort that is much appreciated on long flights. After dinner, the flight attendant kindly asked whether I’d prefer to be awakened for breakfast 30 minutes before landing or upon arrival. I opted for the latter, watching half a movie before a peaceful slumber until the flight attendant roused me upon our arrival.

At last, I had reached my destination. Navigating through customs and retrieving my luggage was a smooth process, and I had previously contacted the transfer company to inform them of my delayed flight. Finding my driver took a brief 15 minutes of searching, as he held a diminutive sign bearing my name. From there, we set off to the hotel.

During our stay in Cape Town, we chose the StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl hotel, a well-located establishment within walking distance of shopping, dining, and nightlife. After settling into my room and awaiting the arrival of the others, we set out for an exploratory stroll through the city.

While exploring the city, I was recording on my cell phone when a local lady kindly cautioned me about the theft potential, advising me to be careful when holding my phone in such a manner. Grateful for her advice, we continued our exploration and soon came across a charming establishment named Tequila Town. There, we discovered a delightful combination of hookah, cocktails, and food. We secured an outdoor table, and the hookah and drinks began to flow. We even made the acquaintance of some friendly locals, who joined us for drinks. The evening culminated in a round of shots, and we returned to the hotel with contented spirits.

The following day, after a satisfying breakfast, we were picked up by our private tour guide and driver. Our journey took us along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, a winding road that meanders through striking red boulder formations along the coast. At Cape of Good Hope, we marveled at the breathtaking coastal vistas. Some in our group even braved the ascent up numerous stairs to the lighthouse, securing an even more spectacular view. Following our visit to Cape of Good Hope, we dined at a restaurant near Boulder’s Beach, which was a prelude to our delightful encounter with the charming penguins at Boulder’s Beach. This beach serves as a sanctuary for endangered African Penguins, providing us with the opportunity to witness these remarkable creatures up close. Regrettably, we had to postpone our visit to Table Mountain due to inclement weather. Nevertheless, our guide’s knowledge about Cape Town’s history enriched our experience, and we concluded the day with dinner at The Station.

The subsequent day offered us a chance to explore Cape Town at our own pace. Following breakfast, the majority of the group ventured to Greenmarket Square, the second oldest public space in Cape Town. Haggling was the order of the day as we explored the market’s myriad stalls, shopping for leather goods, handcrafted jewelry, artwork, and much more. My own purchases included some exquisite fabrics. In the group, one lady even had her hair re-braided, while two others had custom dresses tailored. After returning to the hotel to stow our purchases, we made our way to Table Mountain, where the panoramic views made us feel as if we were on top of the world. Following our cable car ride, we enjoyed cocktails and dinner at B&L, a short walk from the hotel. The meal was delicious, although the service left something to be desired, with our server appearing new and somewhat disorganized.

With our time in Cape Town drawing to a close, we packed up and headed to the airport for a short flight to Kruger National Park. The small airport we landed at was unlike any I’d ever seen. Words almost fail to convey the experience. Drivers from our lodge were waiting to assist us with our luggage, and it was a 25-minute drive to Moditlo River Lodge.

Along the way to the lodge, we caught glimpses of various animals, which added to our anticipation. Upon arrival, we received an orientation briefing and were escorted to our cabins. We were informed about the mandatory escort requirement at night when moving from the community area to our cabins for safety reasons. The lodge staff also familiarized us with the emergency button in our rooms, in case of any unforeseen circumstances. They also reassured us not to be alarmed if we spotted an elephant or another animal walking past our windows while we were in the shower.

After settling into our rooms and receiving our luggage, we reconvened in the community area for afternoon tea before our first safari. My sister had an amusing encounter when she was chased by a monkey while walking from her cabin to mine, a moment I wish I had captured on video.

Over the course of our four-day stay at the lodge, each day comprised two safaris in Kruger National Park, one in the early morning (at 5:00 am) and another in the late afternoon. The park itself ranks among the largest reserves in South Africa. Our group was fortunate to have a vehicle to ourselves, complete with an outstanding driver and tracker. They provided fascinating historical insights, not only about the animals but also about the local flora. They went to great lengths to ensure our enjoyment, even tracking on foot at times, which did give us a few heart-pounding moments. They brought us up close and personal with various animals, including elephants, lions, and rhinos. Sundowners at the end of each late afternoon safari became a cherished tradition, offering us a chance to witness stunning sunsets while sipping on refreshments and enjoying snacks set up by our guides.

Our next destination was Johannesburg, and we returned to the airport for a short flight to this vibrant city. One of our group members found herself reprimanded during the flight for not removing her headphones as instructed for takeoff, but aside from this incident, the flight was largely uneventful. We arrived in Johannesburg, where our tour guide and driver awaited us outside customs. Our hotel was located in Sandton, Johannesburg, directly across the street from Nelson Mandela Square. The hotel was Garden Court. Once we were dropped off and had checked in, we had the rest of the day to explore at our leisure. We settled into our rooms and arranged a meeting time to venture out. We enjoyed dinner at one of the restaurants in Nelson Mandela Square.

The following day, after breakfast, we were picked up and taken to the Apartheid Museum, a thought-provoking, educational, and somber experience. Next, we journeyed to Soweto, where we dined, visited Nelson Mandela’s House, and interacted with street vendors. The day was filled with exploration and shopping, and we even revisited Soweto for more tours before returning to the hotel. Once back at the hotel, we decided to explore the mall in Nelson Mandela Square, where post-Thanksgiving sales were in full swing. I acquired a South Africa Pandora charm, a delightful memento of our time there.

This was unquestionably one of my top trips of all time. The prospect of returning to Cape Town for a more in-depth exploration is an exciting one. On my next visit, I plan to spend time in Bo-Kaap, visit Robben Island, tour some of the wine vineyards, and enjoy the beach. So, who’s ready to join me on the next adventure?