Sarah's Big 50

Cape Town holds some of my most formative years. I went to college at UCT, and those years were, quite simply, the very best version of student life one could imagine.

My memories aren’t tied to landmarks alone, but to moments — the kind that quietly become part of who you are. Sunday evening picnic concerts at Kirstenbosch, wrapped in blankets with friends as music drifted through the gardens. Long, unhurried afternoons wine tasting in the Winelands. Sundowners at Clifton, watching the light soften and the day slow almost imperceptibly. Brownies at Melissa’s, stopping in not because we planned to, but because that’s just what you did.

Cape Town is layered with laughter, freedom, friendship, and the sense of possibility that comes from living somewhere that feels endlessly alive. It shaped me then, and it still restores me now.

I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in a family that valued South Africa’s natural reserves. From a young age, we spent time in many of the places I now dream of bringing my own children to one day.

Being out in the bush — where the land is vast and unscripted, where animals move freely and the wild is fully itself — restores me in ways I can’t always explain. There is a quiet recalibration that happens on safari. Mornings that slow your breathing. Evenings that remind you how small and connected we all are.

That sense of awe, humility, and grounding is something I hope every person here gets to feel.

KZN is not essential for every first-time trip — and I say that intentionally. It’s a region best suited for those with oodles of time and the desire to go beyond the classic route. But we included it because it is where we go home to. It’s where we grew up. Where our families are. Where our sense of belonging lives quietly, without needing an itinerary.

This guide is shaped by love — not the glossy, postcard kind, but the deep affection that comes from having lived, grown, and returned again and again. My hope is that it helps you experience South Africa not just as a place you visit, but as somewhere that stays with you long after you leave.

The Forest Whisper Treehouse in George (Ballot’s Bay) — a stunning 4-sleeper treehouse in the forest with dramatic views. Check Cliff Top Houses for availability.

Bloukrans Bridge bungee — the world’s highest commercial bungee at 216m. Optional but unforgettable. Kayaking on the Knysna Lagoon. Whale and dolphin boat trips from Plettenberg Bay. Robberg Peninsula hike for dramatic ocean views and Cape fur seals.

Two game drives per day (dawn and dusk), all-inclusive meals and drinks, night drives and bush walks. Arrive at the lodge by 3pm for your first afternoon drive. Wear neutral colours only — no white, red, or bright colours in the bush. Bring binoculars and a light fleece for early mornings (50–59°F / 10–15°C).

South Africans drive on the left. Self-drive is great for the Garden Route, Winelands, and Kruger. Hire a driver for wine tours and nights out. Uber works brilliantly in Cape Town and Durban. Pre-book a dedicated driver for wine tours — around R800–1,200 (~$49–73) for a full day.