A South African Visit: Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg (with a stop in Dubai)

Cape Town

Cape Town

As a guest of Emirates Airlines and the SA Gvt tourist office, it was my first time flying on Air Emirates from SFO to Dubai (15-16hr flight). Comfortable, great service, excellent inflight entertainment and a compassionate staff. We had 3 nights at the Anantara Resort on Palm Island during which time they took great care of us and ‘showed us the best of Dubai’.  Not only because they wined and dined us and exposed us to all parts of Dubai, but because this is one of the most fascinating, clean, desirable cities I have ever visited. I consider this stopover as one of the highlights of my trip.  Please do yourself a favor and make this a stop if you’re traveling to South Africa.

Some of the Highlights that you may consider including in your trip are:

  • Fly in a Seawings float plane over the Palm Island and past the Burj Al Arab.
  • Ski Dubai facility inside the Mall of the Emirates, where we were completely outfitted into snow gear to tour the facility  In addition to skiing, one can zip line, play in zorbs, sled, have a penguin encounter.  I thought this was hokey when it first was built but have a whole new respect for what they have done here, just amazing!
  • Tour to the top of the Burj Kahlifa, the tallest building in the world and see how tiny you feel!
  • Visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall and see King Croc, weighing in at 3,700 lbs and enjoying his new home in Dubai (having transferred from Australia )

Interesting bits:  If you want to live in Dubai you must have a job.  They give you 3 months (if you are coming from another country) to get one and if you aren’t successful, they require you to leave.  There is no homelessness, no graffiti, everything is clean, modern, over-the-top.  Definitely has the wow factor.

Durban:

Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. It is also the second most important manufacturing hub in South Africa after Johannesburg. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa and Africa. It is located on the East Coast on the warm Indian Ocean with a lot of Zulu influence.

Stayed along the newly restored Golden Mile, or promenade that stretches along the Durban waterfront and is home to numerous restaurants, pubs, hotels, shops and the world class uShaka Marine World aquarium which we visited. We visited such popular sights as Durban’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, Mitchell Park Gardens and we visited a spice market.  The highlight was taking the ‘full Mandela tour’, seeing Phoenix Settlement where Gandhi had his home, then onto the Luthuli Museum (first African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize) and his home where Mandela came to visit after being released from prison.

Interesting bits: The Zulu call it eThekwini, from itheku, meaning bay or lagoon – a reference to the large natural harbor and the large lagoon (Blue Lagoon) formed where the Umsundusi River meets the Indian Ocean

Table Mountain

Table Mountain

Cape Town:

Called The Mother City, is home to soaring Table Mountain, golden beaches and bountiful vineyards. All of which we could see and experience from our beautiful property, the Table Bay Hotel (5 Star). The great location with rooms facing Table Mountain provided for an incredible visit. We visited Table Mountain on the most magnificent and clear day (always book this excursion on your very first day in Cape Town so you will have day 2 and 3 to reschedule because 1 out of every 3 days it’s cloudy or too windy up top and you will see nothing!) The cableway up Table Mountain does not run if it’s too windy either. We explored Stellenbosch (art galleries, architecture, history) and surrounding winelands. The Peninsula Tour is a must!  Beautiful drive along the coastline, breathtaking ocean views, unexpectedly saw zebra along the way!  Saw Simons Town and the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach. We passed Grooe Schuur Hospital where the world’s first heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in Cape Town in 1967.

Interesting bits: South Africa has 11 official languages, though most people can speak English. Afrikaans and Xhosa are also widely spoken in Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Safari!!

Settler's Drift

Settler’s Drift – Lion Pride

Settler's Drift

Settler’s Drift – Elephant Herd

Easily the highlight of any African visit!  Flew to Port Elizabeth and drove 1.45 to the brand new Settler’s Drift in Kariega (Malaria Free!), one of the best game viewing areas in the Eastern Cape.  There were 9 units and we took 8 of them!  Hugh, spacious, luxurious suites, tented, private (all glass looking out), personal chef.  Saw 3 of the big five, the entire lion pride walked right past our vehicle! (very specific instructions NOT to ever stand up in the vehicle and boy did we obey!)  The entire elephant herd (adults, young adults and babies totaling 12) walked out of the forest and surrounded our vehicle one rainy afternoon which was such a thrill.  Saw the endangered rhinos as well, hippos were hiding, giraffe and zebra, kudu and antelope and wildebeest were plentiful, wished I could have stayed a week instead of just 2 nights.

Interesting bits: The Kariega Game Reserve is set high above the spectacular Kariega River Valley, in the heart of 1820 Settler Country. Next to Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard, guests can also see Hippo, Hyena, Eland, Zebra, Giraffe, Wildebeest.

Johannesburg:

Joburg

Joburg

Joburg

With Mandela

Stayed at the Maslow in the heart of Sandton, good location, good business hotel. With a full day of touring Soweto (South Western Township), home to over 2 million people including Winnie Mandela and visiting the Hector Pieterson Museum, we learned about the riots which lead to his death, passed Mandela House, and toured Liliesleaf which holds a position of esteem among struggle landmarks in South Africa.  We learned a lot of history and particularly of the events and circumstances leading up to the infamous raid of the Rivonia farm and of the revolutionary members who were there that day and how that raid helped shape SA’s democracy.

Interesting bits: There is only one other city on the continent that is bigger than Joburg, and that is the bustling metropolis of Cairo in Egypt. Johannesburg is the second biggest city on Africa.

All in all, a most magnificent visit to a # 1 place on my Bucket List!
Pam Paterson, Carefree VacationsPamela Paterson
Vacation Specialist
Branch: Encinitas
1084 N El Camino Real, Suite C | Encinitas, CA | Google Directions
Toll-Free: (800) 683-1556 | Direct Line: (760) 479-4330
E-mail: ppaterson@carefreevacations.com

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