Wednesday 6 January 2010

Saif's South Africa Trip

Here you can read in Saif Haque's own words about a safari he's just been on

Saif is our UK Country Manager based in our lovely Select Collection Travel Boutique in Mayfair, London

Safaris in general never appealed to my senses until my recent trip to South Africa, which changed not only my perception of Safari trips but also what one can get out of it. My attitude changed having come a few feet from wild lions and appreciating their majesty or seeing elephants stroll around without a care in the world.

A trip lasting two weeks managed to cover Cape Town, Franschhock, Garden Route and finally to Kruger National Park. There is not one hotel or one place that I can say was my favourite since each part of the country had something different and unique about it.

Cape Town is the southernmost city in the African Subcontinent, lies just beneath Table Mountain and originally was the stopping post for seafarers travelling from Europe to Indian Ocean. This is a vibrant city and its heart and soul seems to be around the waterfront with its multitude of shops and restaurants. The Place to stay is the One & Only Cape Town, though there are other wonderful hotels such as Cape Grace which is also located on the waterfront.

Franschhock is the ideal place to visit if one is a connoisseur of wine and the places to stay here are Franschhock Country House and Villas, Mont Rochelle and Grand Provence. If staying in Cape Town then a visit to this place is a must.

The Garden route consists of such a varied landscape. One minute you could be driving past vineyards and next there are rolling hills with cattle grazing without a care in the world. The place to stop en route is Knysna or Plettenburg Bay. Hotel Pezula in Knysna is world renowned for its service and golf course. Further along the route is Plettenburg Bay and here the must stay place is the Plettenburg Park Hotel, located on a cliff with fantastic view out to the Indian Ocean – if one is lucky this is the route the Whales take in their migration and one can see them out of their windows.

Kruger National Park – home to the big 5 and also numerous other creatures, is a must visit destination. Singita Lebombo Lodge was less of a Safari Camp but more like staying with one’s favourite relatives – the staff and the whole place had a welcoming feel to it and the staff here made the safari experience even more worthwhile with their friendliness.

Watch out – I have a new passion in life now: Safaris!

You can call any of our offices and they will help you to get answers from Saif to any questions you have on this exciting safari trip. We have some other safari-locations as well, so please feel free to ask anything, we'll usually have a person whose been on location and can give you all the insight to make your trip personalised and perfect from the very booking moment all the way till you are back home.

Some pictures from the trip below

Dining Room Grand Provence - Franschhock


Foot bridge to Grand Provence


View of the ocean from Pezula Castle - Knysna


Myself and Fiona Cuerden of Pezula Sales & Marketing Team


Foyer of Plettenburg Park Hotel


Pool at Saxon House Jo'burg


Painting by Nelson Mandela - Saxon House


View from lodge at Lebombo Camp at Singita


Lion sleeps tonight - good song title


Where is the sign post!!!!


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