<![CDATA[So by now, you all know I love South Africa and each visit feels different. I had my first visit to the beautiful rainbow nation for the year, earlier this May.
Ahead of the travel and trade exhibition, South Africa Tourism’s West African arm, hosted some delegates from Ghana and Nigeria and I was amongst the lucky bunch! My journey started off with a night stay at the OR Tambo International Southern Sun Hotel; and an early morning flight on SA Express to George.
https://youtu.be/1FZYrBs_PPk
This was my first time visiting George, located in the Western Cape. I fell in love with the town, almost immediately when we landed in the functional and funky ‘fun-size’ George Airport. The décor at the luggage pick up area was simply a work of art.
We got into our Hotel Transfer and made our way to Oubaai Golf Resort, which become home for the next few days. Situated 8 minutes from George Airport, the resort is a hidden gem, which comes with 180-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Oubaai is designed to blend in with the natural splendor of the Cape, with an eco-friendly ethos that creates a natural paradise and haven to an array of wildlife.
And if you are a golf lover, the resort boasts of its Ernie Els 18-hole ‘Signature’ Championship Course, which has one of the most awe-inspiring settings of any course in the world.
Sadly, we couldn’t experience much of that, not that I’m a gulf enthusiast. But we did head out of the resort for some great fun while we stayed in George. First on the list was the Knysna Elephant Park.
The Knysna Elephant Park (established 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals.Some have become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs.
While there, we had the chance to walk, feed and touch the elephants; of course under close supervision and guidance of professional elephant handlers from the park.
From the park, we dashed off for lunch at the Look Out Deckin Pletternberg Bay. The Lookout Deck offers unobstructed ocean views, gentle breezes, and of course some scrumptious cocktails and seafood.
We also experienced a Power Boat cruise in the Knysna Lagoon courtesy Knysna RIB Adventures. The breath-taking scenery of the pristine estuary offered most of us the ultimate boating experience and thrill!
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We ended the day of adventure by visiting Augusta Grill & Patisseriefor dinner before returning to Oubaai.
All too soon, our stay in Oubaai Resort came to an end and we departed for St Francis Bay, which is in the Eastern Cape. En route Cape St. Francis Bay, we passed by WildX Adventures Helderberg, in Somerset West for some Quad Biking. This was my third quad biking experience in South Africa but the course, up the Helderberg Mountain and between natural bush and grapevines, made it feel like an all-new experience for me.
From there, it was time for what I had been looking forward to this entire trip; Bungee Jumping! I was pumped up and excited about it until we made our way to the Bloukrans Bridge, where our tour guide told us “this is where you would be jumping from”, as we drove past it from the other side.
Suddenly, all of the enthusiasm in me, ‘leaped and jumped’ outside of me like a bungee. The view from Africa’s highest bridge captures all the majesty and tranquility of the Bloukrans River valleybut throwing myself more than 200-metres down towards an unknown ending, was an adventure that I would live to do on another day; regardless of any advanced pendulum bungee technology within the ankle connection!
Yes, all this grammar is to say that I couldn’t do the bungee jump this time around but I will surely do it any time I get the opportunity to. 9 people in the group got on the bridge to jump, and only one of them failed to take the giant leap of faith.
After my ‘missed-adventure’, we made our way to Cape St Francis Resort. The resort is an exclusive paradise on the Eastern Cape coast, just 90 minutes from Port Elizabeth airport. Its unique setting, with a selection of accommodation options from conventional hotel rooms, three and four bedroom cottages or luxury beach villas, would appeal to anyone who loves a beach holiday. All are suitable for either a bed and breakfast choice or a self-catering option.
The resort is renowned as a water sport paradise for activities such as surfing, kite surfing, surf ski and canoe paddling. There was no water sports on the cards for us but we enjoyed a Canal / river cruise.
Built in 1967, the canal system of St Francis Bay has become a leading South African tourist destination. A cruise on the tranquil canal waters presents a wonderful view of the architecture, wildlife and spectacular sunsets.
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Our stay in Cape St. Francis was however not just an experience with water bodies; we also enjoyed relaxing and revitalizing body massages at the Spa, as well as a beach picnic lunch before bidding our lovely hosts farewell.
We left the Eastern Cape via the Port Elizabeth Airport on an SA Express to Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
On arrival in Durban, we had lunch at Moyo Ushaka (African restaurant) before checking into the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani for INDABA 2018. Read my article on INDABA 2018 here.
https://ameyawdebrah.com/beyond-destinations-africas-travel-indaba-2018/
After 3-days of the Travel Indaba, we moved to Johannesburg via a Mango flight (my first time on that airline), and checked into the African Pride in Melrose Arch. We stayed there overnight, and after a late check out. We made our way to the airport and flew back home to Ghana.
Phew…what an adventure right? I cant wait for the next one! Till then enjoy one of my favourite meals from my trip, at the Cargo Hold restaurant inside the Ushaka Marine World.
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