South Africa April 2011 Galleries

Kruger National Park April 9-15 2011 : We spent 6 nights in Kruger National Park and rented a car to self drive. This was a fantastic experience, we saw so much. We spent 3 nights at Berg-en-dal, 2 at Skukuza and 1 at Lower Sabie (our favorite but it is very popular and we could only get one night). Berg-en-Dal was also very nice, we especially enjoyed the perimeter walk around the camp and were able to observe 3 rhinos right after our arrival. Skukuza was ok but a much bigger camp. We also did a walking safari from Berg, this was incredible being out there with only a couple armed guards to protect us. I highly recommend doing at least one of these. We were overjoyed with our experience here and can't wait to get back one day.

Kruger National Park April 9-15 2011

We spent 6 nights in Kruger National Park and rented a car to self dri ...

Updated: Jul 14, 2011 9:14am PST

Umkumbe in Sabi Sand April 15-18 2011 : We spent 3 days in Sabi Sand at Umkumbe. We loved this place. The camp is small, 6 or 7 rooms and the service is personal, welcoming and comfortable. Herman and Celeste are excellent hosts and we will definitely be back again. Sabi Sand to the east touches Kruger, and in fact there are no fences between the 2 parks. The best part is getting really up close and personal here to the animals as this is private property and the jeep can go off road ( and I couldn't believe some of the bush we plowed through with that thing !).

Umkumbe in Sabi Sand April 15-18 2011

We spent 3 days in Sabi Sand at Umkumbe. We loved this place. The ca ...

Updated: Jul 14, 2011 1:15pm PST

Arrival JNB : We spent one night at the Protea Hotel at Johannesburg airport before hitting the road to Kruger

Arrival JNB

We spent one night at the Protea Hotel at Johannesburg airport before ...

Updated: Jul 05, 2011 12:38pm PST

Berg en Dal Rest Camp : Our first stop in Kruger was Berg en Dal for 3 nights. This camp is smaller and quieter than the others we stayed and we really enjoyed our time here. We had a perimeter bungalow that was huge and we loved walking around and spending time just being in the camp.

Berg en Dal Rest Camp

Our first stop in Kruger was Berg en Dal for 3 nights. This camp is s ...

Updated: Nov 19, 2011 11:52pm PST

Walking Safari near Berg en Dal : We did an early morning walking safari out of Berg-en-Dal, this was an amazing experience. After receiving strict safety instructions from our (armed) guides we were headed off into the African bush on foot. This is an absolute don't miss. We were able to observe Rhinos at less than 50 meters and elephants in the distance, as well as learning about the different plants and how to differentiate white rhino poop from black rhino poop.

Walking Safari near Berg en Dal

We did an early morning walking safari out of Berg-en-Dal, this was an ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 2:15am PST

Skukuza Rest Camp : Our second stop in Kruger was at Skukuza where we spent 2 nights. This is a lot bigger than the other camps we stayed in, so a different feel to it. Least luxurious of our bungalows but also less expensive. Great area for game-viewing.

Skukuza Rest Camp

Our second stop in Kruger was at Skukuza where we spent 2 nights. Thi ...

Updated: Oct 09, 2011 11:21am PST

Lower Sabie Rest Camp : Lower Sabie Rest Camp-we were only able to get one night here as it is a very popular camp, and with good reason. It is an excellent location for game viewing and their restaurant is on a terrace overlooking the Lower Sabie River where many animals can be seen. Our bungalow was the nicest of the 3 camps we stayed, recently redone and overlooking the river. We will definitely return.

Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Lower Sabie Rest Camp-we were only able to get one night here as it is ...

Updated: Nov 18, 2011 10:58pm PST

Umkumbe : We spent 3 nights at Umkumbe, an all-inclusive camp. A small and personal camp, I highly recommend it. We were able to get so close to the animals, just an amazing experience.

Umkumbe

We spent 3 nights at Umkumbe, an all-inclusive camp. A small and pers ...

Updated: Oct 09, 2011 11:34am PST

Cape Town V & A Waterfront and Red Bus Tour : Our first day in Cape Town. We had the Robben Island tour scheduled so we headed down early for lunch. There ended up being a strike and our tour was canceled and we had to reschedule. By then it was late so we ended up on the last Big Red Bus tour of the day which was an enjoyable and windy introduction to Cape Town for me.

Cape Town V & A Waterfront and Red Bus Tour

Our first day in Cape Town. We had the Robben Island tour scheduled s ...

Updated: Sep 24, 2011 3:24am PST

Simonstown Great White Shark Cage Diving : Up before dawn to head out to Simonstown for diving with the Great Whites. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but it took some convincing to get Yannick to go along with my madness. We went out with African Shark Eco-Charters and I highly recommend them. They only take up to 12 people and the day we went we were only 6. It was early in the shark season and unfortunately all we got to see was a fin (I did get a photo of it !), but I have no regrets. We even got suited up and got in the cage (water at 13 C! ) which was a riot even without the sharks (only 3 of us 6 did it).

Simonstown Great White Shark Cage Diving

Up before dawn to head out to Simonstown for diving with the Great Whi ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 2:54am PST

Cape Town Long Street and Waterfront : Late lunch at Long Street Cafe and stroll around Long Street with its lovely Victorian architecture. Back to waterfront by cab to see Nobel Square.

Cape Town Long Street and Waterfront

Late lunch at Long Street Cafe and stroll around Long Street with its ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 8:45am PST

Robben Island : Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were held during apartheid. Due to a strike, we had rescheduled our trip to Robben Island. Looking out from our hotel, the seas are very rough and we are doubtful about our departure. By the time we got over to Waterfront, it was a calm and beautiful day.

Robben Island

Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners ...

Updated: Sep 24, 2011 5:44am PST

Table Mountain : We had a beautiful afternoon to go up Table Mountain. On cloudy days, the clouds form a tablecloth over the mountain and restrict the views. There can also be a lot of wind that can quickly shut down the cable car. If you are on the mountain and hear a siren, you better get back to the cable car or else you will be walking down or spending the night.

Table Mountain

We had a beautiful afternoon to go up Table Mountain. On cloudy days, ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 3:06am PST

Cape Peninsula Tour : We hired a car and driver to take us on a tour of the Cape for a day. Highlight was definitely the penguins at Boulder's Beach !

Cape Peninsula Tour

We hired a car and driver to take us on a tour of the Cape for a day. ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 11:55am PST

Cape Town Townships Visit : We wavered back and forth about doing this tour. We really had mixed feelings, on one hand it seemed too voyeristic, and on the other, it is a part of not only South Africa's history, but its reality as well. Many people go to Cape Town and don't look beyond the "pretty" stuff, but it was important to us to see a more complete picture, and hopefully learn a bit in the process. During apartheid, non-whites were forced out of their homes and into townships. We were first driven around District 6 where many of the people were living before apartheid. Most of the area was razed and not much is left today. We were to stop at the District 6 Museum but unfortunately it was closed for Easter Weekend. Apartheid ended in 1994 but you can see there is a long way to go in the fight for equality here.

Cape Town Townships Visit

We wavered back and forth about doing this tour. We really had mixed ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 9:49am PST

Cape Town Stroll Seapoint to Waterfront : A walk from our hotel Bantry Bay Suites through Seapoint, lunch at La Perla, ending up at Waterfront. Tapas at Fork for dinner.

Cape Town Stroll Seapoint to Waterfront

A walk from our hotel Bantry Bay Suites through Seapoint, lunch at La ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 3:26am PST

Cape Town Winelands : We hired a driver to take us through the winelands on our last day (also Easter Sunday) before catching our flights back. First stop Uitsig in Constantia. Onto Stellenbosch with a stop at Hidden Valley (Overture), lunch at Pomegranate Restaurant on Vergenoegd Wine Estate and a quick stop at Delaire.

Cape Town Winelands

We hired a driver to take us through the winelands on our last day (al ...

Updated: Oct 01, 2011 1:21am PST

Bantry Bay Luxury Suites : Bantry Bay Luxury Suites. Great location in Seapoint on the border of Bantry Bay where we spent 6 nights. Since Yannick was already in town when I reserved, so he stopped by to check out the hotel and ended up getting us upgraded to a Penthouse Suite !

Bantry Bay Luxury Suites

Bantry Bay Luxury Suites. Great location in Seapoint on the border of ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2011 9:04am PST