This is my South Africa travel reflection after spending a full week in Cape Town before continuing through three more countries: a Lesotho travel experience hiking what Time Magazine called the greatest hike on Earth, an Eswatini travel guide moment that cost me dearly, and a Mozambique travel experience that finished the trip off.
If you want the full picture of Southern Africa in one post, this is it.
SOUTH AFRICA, LESOTHO, ESWATINI & MOZAM
I normally do a reflection post for my entire trip, but when you visit a country like South Africa, I feel it warrants its own post, it has sprung up the list of my favourite countries!
I am currently sitting in Joburg airport after having had an incredible week in South Africa! The family were obviously happy to see me as they are all fast asleep while we wait for our departure to Botswana.
WHERE IS SOUTH AFRICA?
EXPECTATIONS
My expectations were pretty high as I had been 10 years before and had spent the previous month researching and drooling over Instagram photos of Cape Town!
This is my trip in a nutshell. If you want to delve further in and or find out why I spent 5 hours being questioned by police, check the related articles at the bottom.
THE DETAILS….
- 4 Countries
- 5 Hikes
- 4 Flights
- 1 Late bus!
LOCALS
Considering the current economic problems, the spread of wealth and one of the worst droughts in years, the locals were always chatty, and I never felt there was an ulterior motive. The same goes for the last time I was here; it’s something that can make or break a trip for me.
SECURITY
South Africa gets a terrible name for being one of the most dangerous countries in the world, but the entire time I was there, I didn’t feel intimidated or threatened. Of course, you have to have your wits about you, but that’s the same with any city.
I would, however, say if you are in Cape Town or Long Street at night, then I would not recommend walking alone at night. But again, this goes for the majority of cities I have visited. Camps Bay is its own little bubble, and if you are planning on staying there, then you will have even less to worry about.
Arriving in Cape Town on the first day, I was pumped for the week ahead and the huge itinerary I had arranged.
The first full day was spent hiking mountains with some of the best views of Cape Town. Going to Table Mountain is probably the top thing to do, but I would recommend hiking it instead of the Gondola; it’s by no means difficult, and you can take all the time in the world. Later, Ruben and I chased up Lion’s Head to catch sunset, and again we were rewarded with some stunning views!
The Lion’s Head hike in Cape Town is one of those experiences that is genuinely hard to overstate.
The circular trail takes around 2 hours at a relaxed pace, and the summit delivers a 360-degree view of Cape Town, the Atlantic Seaboard and Table Mountain that is simply unlike anything else in the city.
Going up for sunset, as we did, is the move. Get there an hour before golden hour and find your spot on the rocks.
GREAT WHITES
Diving with Great White Sharks has been at the top of my bucket list ever since I completed my first bungee jump. I will admit the seasickness and the cold water did not make it easy, but it was all worth it in the end when we were joined by a Great White!
The cherry on the cake was watching the whales break the water in Hermanus
WINE TASTING
As South Africa is considered one of the wine capitals of the world, it was only fair that I go to a winery. Or five. I am by no means a wine drinker, but I felt I had enough to do me until I return in a few years!
HIGHS & LOWS….
- HIGHS
- Diving with great whites
- The hiking
- The weather
- The beaches
- LOWS
- The city centre is not safe at night
DEVIL’S PEAK
After a tour of BoKaap and some Butter Chicken, I met up with a family friend who moved out a while back. It’s safe to say he’s living the dream, but I think for most people who move to another country, home is always where you were brought up as a child.
The adventures continue for my last full day, when Ruben and I decided to take Vincente up to Lion’s Head for sunrise before my paragliding in the afternoon. Leaving the best till last, Ruben and I took advantage of our last morning to climb Devil’s Peak, which was, without doubt, the most insane climb in Cape Town
RATINGS….
- PEOPLE – 8/10
- BACKPACKING – 9/10
- WEATHER – 8/10
- THINGS TO DO – 10/10
- FOOD – 7/10
- VALUE – 8/10
- BEACHES – 8/10
- PHOTOGRAPHY – 8.5/10
Lesotho Travel Experience
After South Africa it was onto Lesotho for a traditional village tour and hiking The Time’s “Greatest Hike On Earth” which was spectacular.
The Lesotho travel experience is one that most visitors to Southern Africa skip entirely, and that is exactly why it is worth including. Lesotho is a tiny landlocked kingdom entirely surrounded by South Africa, sitting up in the Drakensberg highlands.
My trip then took me off to Eswatini, where I would wait around for 7 hours for a bus to Mozambique, which cost me £700!
Mozambique Travel Experience
The Mozambique travel experience that followed was a genuinely different kind of Africa from everything that had come before it.
After the organised infrastructure of South Africa, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, and the transit chaos of Eswatini, arriving in Mozambique felt like stepping into something much more untamed.
The coastline, the food, the Portuguese colonial influence and the general sense of adventure made it the perfect final chapter of this Southern Africa trip.
SUMMED UP….
- MVP (most valuable player) – Ruben
- LVP (Least valuable player) – N/A
- VISIT AGAIN – Can’t wait!
- RATING – 9/10
FINAL THOUGHTS
Considering my expectations were pretty high, South Africa did nothing but blow them out of the water! I am already counting down the days until I am able to return!
If this South Africa travel reflection has done anything, I hope it has pushed South Africa higher up your own list.
Between the Lion’s Head hike in Cape Town, the cage in the water with the Great Whites, the paragliding Cape Town experience, and then continuing into the extraordinary Lesotho travel experience and beyond, this was one of the most varied, moving and unforgettable trips I have ever done.
And it landed a 9/10 despite high expectations. That says everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lion’s Head hike in Cape Town worth doing?
Absolutely. The Lion’s Head hike in Cape Town is one of the finest short hikes in the world. The circular trail takes around 2 hours, involves some fun scrambling near the top, and rewards you with a 360-degree panoramic view of Cape Town, the Atlantic and Table Mountain.
What is shark cage diving in Cape Town like, and is it worth it?
Shark diving in Cape Town departs from Gansbaai, around 2 hours east of the city, and most operators run full-day trips. Most South African travel reflection posts rate it as a career highlight. Worth every rand.
What is the paragliding experience in Cape Town like?
The paragliding Cape Town experience is a tandem flight that launches from Signal Hill, just above Sea Point. No experience is needed, and the whole thing takes around 15 to 20 minutes in the air. You glide over Camps Bay, the Atlantic Seaboard and the city bowl with Table Mountain right beside you.
What is the Lesotho travel experience like for hikers?
It is a multi-day hike, and most people approach it through operators based in Underberg on the South African side of the border. It is the kind of place that changes how you think about hiking. The country sits entirely within the Drakensberg range at high altitude, meaning cooler temperatures even in summer.
How do you travel overland from South Africa through Eswatini to Mozambique?
From Johannesburg or Durban, you can take buses through Eswatini, crossing at the Lomahasha or Namaacha border crossing into Mozambique. Bus schedules are unreliable, and connections can cost you far more time and money than planned.
NEXT UP
Heading over to Botswana to meet the family for the next 3 weeks! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
122/229
This post is part of the Southern Africa Series, click to explore.
Or for episode 1 click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Have you been to South Africa?
- What did you do?
- Do you recommend anything to do?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
