The Pondo Trail

The Pondo Trail

The Pondo Trail

Blog post with #NANANtravel
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We recently did the Pondo trail, one of the most scenic and beautiful trails in South Africa, the planning started almost a year before when our friend asked if we would join them on a trail, he knows us very well so he knew it had to be a fully serviced trail, what do I mean by that? Well, firstly, we needed someone to help carry our bags, definitely not sleeping in tents. Secondly, we wanted food cooked for us and obviously, drinks, so, yes! The Pondo trail is just like that, you carry a small bag with whatever you might need during the day, basically a water bottle, a long sleeve sweatshirt or jacket just in case, preferably a rain jacket, snacks, and sunblock, that is what I had in mine. 

The way the trail works, you start from Mtentu, just outside Port Edward, this can be, by road, a couple of hours on a bumpy road, or by boat, if the sea conditions are good, now, to get there you fly to Durban, we spent the night before there and then met everyone at the airport to start the 3-hours drive to the Estuary hotel in Port Edward, where we spent the night, next morning we go on a 2-hours drive to the starting point of the trail, some people were very lucky, actually, just Jan, because one of the guys doing the trail didn’t want to do all the driving so he went on a Helicopter and since they charge for a minimum of 2 people Jan got to go with him. We all met at the edge of the Mtentu river mouth and the adventure started with us going across the river. No, we didn’t swim, and although a few of the guys did, we went on a Kayak. 

Day 1. (15km)

We start the trail and it’s all very exciting and fun, within 45 minutes of starting we find a waterfall and we jump in the water, then we keep going, we stop for lunch at a very nice natural pool, now, the first dat we walk across a nature reserve so although we didn’t see any, we could have seen some wildlife, wait, we did se Zebras. 

Day 2. (18km)

Now, we are out of the nature reserve, and I have to admit, it was the less exciting day of the 5, the landscape was pretty much the same all day, lots of grasslands and not much diverse scenery, it got quite windy at one point, but it ended majestically!

As we were reaching the end of the day we saw far away in the distance, these massive waves crashing against the coastline making giant splashes, I immediately thought, ah! It would be so cool if we could walk right next to them, well, guess what? We walked right next to them, the splashes were huge and very often and that rocky coastline was about 1km long, at the end of all this splashing and fun was our campsite, right next to the river mouth which they had organized a bonfire and plenty of G&T waiting for us, (wine for me please)

Day 3. (17km)

 

This is supposed to be the most exciting day, we are going to see the waterfall Bluff, one of the few waterfalls that go straight into the ocean. According to our guide, there are only 12 waterfalls like this in the world, and 3 of them are on this trail but only this one is accessible. OK, only this one has easy access. Lots of uphill and downhill, we even went to see a cave, and then we came up to the waterfall, very impressive. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side so we didn’t walk down to it and got totally wet, I should have done it! So, yes, it was the best day.

Day 4. (10km) 

On our last day walking, we did walk a lot, a total of 10 km. Day 3 is the longest and the best day, today. It wasn’t as long but it took us across 7 headlands and 6 beaches, each one more beautiful than the other. When we reached the top of the last hill, the view of the estuary where we ended the trail was just amazing. We arrived there at midday and spent a fabulous afternoon by the river, drinks, friends, and fun, all around a fantastic bonfire.

Day 5.

We head back to where it all started, Durban. Word of advice, if you can take a helicopter back, DO IT! It was a long drive and of course, we were all super tired. In my opinion, it was a bit too much, about 7- hours drive back, but when you think about the trail and how beautiful everything was, it was all worth it.

In summary, The Pondo Trail is a Must-Do, especially if you love nature and like the outdoors. However, you have to like walking. A total bonus are the beaches, rivers natural pools, and waterfalls. The best time to do it is between April and May, but you need to book this well in advance, almost a year in advance.

Want to join the next Pondo Trail Hike?

Book a FREE 30-minute consultation with German – for the perfect advice on where to stay, what to do, and how to get the best out of your travels.

Pondo Trail Video Journal

What Our Clients Say

Nick Depner
Nick Depner
2023-03-16
German pulled together and incredible itinerary for us! His fantastic recommendations during our entire trip, great lodging, attention to detail, and personalized service made this a truly unforgettable vacation!
Rafael Balaguer
Rafael Balaguer
2023-01-26
There's a certain ease and excitement when you don't have to worry about the rest of your trip living up to an incredible yesterday, because today and tomorrow are going to be EVEN BETTER. That's what you can expect from a South African trip planned by Nanan Travel. Just when you think it can't get better, it does. German planned every detail, so we didn't have to worry about a thing. Excursions were varied and executed flawlessly. Transfers between properties were seamless and hassle-free. And check-ins were actually fun and some of my favorite moments. Our trip had a perfect pace of relaxation, sightseeing, adventure, and surprises. It took us off the beaten path (literally) one day and 10 feet from a lion’s mouth the next. I arrived home after nearly 3 weeks with a full heart and memories I will never forget. Thank you, German, for helping to make my first time in South Africa so unforgettable.
James Laing
James Laing
2023-01-23
We had an amazing experience using Nanan Travel for our recent family trip to South Africa. German was a pleasure to work with and went far above and beyond our expectations. German's recommendations for our two week trip were amazing, from the incredible accommodations we stayed at (shout out to the Royal Portfolio) and delicious restaurant recommendations, to the seamless transfer services and extremely fun excursions we went on. For my mother's birthday, German even planned for a safari photographer to join us on our safari drive! I would highly recommend using Nanan Travel if you're looking to have an amazing trip to Africa. Thanks again German!
Valentina Morris
Valentina Morris
2023-01-23
My husband and I recently returned from a week-long trip in Egypt all arranged by German. All we basically had to do was board the plane and disembark. German arranged every little detail. What a wonderful person to work with. If at all possible, we would like German to arrange every single trip that we go on. Thank you German - for your friendliness and utter professionalism. You have made our trip all the more memorable!!! Love you lots and we'll be in touch.
chris laing
chris laing
2023-01-21
We had the most amazing trip! It was flawless, German at Nanan Travel did an excellent job of making our trip very special. Many thanks!
Andre M Saade
Andre M Saade
2022-12-27
Nanan travel made this trip wonderful - lots of great memories were made. All the arrangements (flights, hotels, cars, restaurants ) went as planned..... to be precise everything exceeded my expectations. I really appreciated the team’s patience, answering all my questions and giving me tips. I was hesitant about planning my trip with an agent as I am used to plan everything myself.. but this turned out to be the best decision especially for a place like South Africa that has so much to offer. I look forward to be back in SA and working with Nanan travel on future travel plans! Thank you everyone x
Jay Byars
Jay Byars
2022-12-08
German set us up on a trip of a lifetime! An African safari has been on my bucket list for a long time, he made sure it was an unforgettable experience. We had a car service set up to/from the airport, stayed at an epic five star lodge on Kariega Game Reserve, and got to see beautiful animals up close on game rides. While in CapeTown he also hooked us up with the best recommendations for spots to visit and all of the must try food stops. If you go to South Africa, do yourself a favor and reach out to German!
Ernesta Swanepoel
Ernesta Swanepoel
2022-12-07
This was the second time that German from Nanan Travel arranged accommodation for us during our holidays. And every time he delivers ! German understands what it is that you are looking for in accommodation and he makes sure that you gets what you want. He is quick to respond and happy to answer all questions. We recently travelled to the Maldives and he patiently guided us through the 1000+ options until we found what we were looking for. The accommodation that he suggested exceeded our expectations. Everything went smoothly and all our transfers were arranged. Nanan Travel is the company to use when you want to have a picture perfect holiday !
Jessi Boseman
Jessi Boseman
2022-12-01
My husband and I have always wanted to go on a safari and German made our bucket list trip top notch! There are so many safaris to chose from it can get overwhelming to plan it yourself, but German has extensive knowledge from visiting so many and the one he highly recommended to us was at Kariega Game Reserve. And oh my gosh, it was the most amazing experience my husband and I have ever had (and we have traveled a lot!) From the moment we left Capetown, German had set up everything even down to the private transfer we had to the lodge. This specific safari was full of so many different wild animals that made each game drive so exciting and full of activity. He was very quick to respond to any questions we had and checked in on us to make sure we were having a good time! Germans recommendation did not disappoint! Would definitely use German again for future endeavors and would recommend him to anyone!
Maria Isabel Armejo
Maria Isabel Armejo
2022-11-29
We had the best experience with our honeymoon trip. German booked our tours, pick up taxis and even our local flights. The trip exceeded our expectations and we had a lot of fun, and enjoyed each day, just like we wanted. Very lucky to find Nanan travel. Cant wait to book another trip with them. Thank you ❤️

Top African destination by month – DECEMBER IN SOUTH AFRICA

Top African destination by month – DECEMBER IN SOUTH AFRICA

Top African destination by month – DECEMBER IN SOUTH AFRICA

Blog post with #NANANtravel
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For December I would say that South Africa is the best destination, why? Well, it’s summer, it’s the holiday season and South Africa has everything you need for adventure,  family fun, and tradition, you can celebrate in a beautiful city, go on a fantastic safari and enjoy incredible beaches, all this in one country. 

December is the peak season for South Africa, especially Cape Town, and it is when we welcome the most tourists as well as people from other parts of the country, making Cape Town a city full of energy, vibes and of course events, the beaches are full, the weather is perfect and as always, there are lots of things to do here. 

When it comes to a safari, it’s the beginning of the rainy season so the vegetation is not as dry as in winter, making it a bit more beautiful (if this is possible).

But also it’s babies season, most of the animals would have given birth in September or October so it’s a great time to see all the newborns. When I say rainy season, please don’t be alarmed, it’s sporadic rainfall and not as often as it would be in January or February. It rains in bits and not necessarily everywhere.  

Oh! Another bonus, the river starts filling up, and if you like thunderstorms, you will definitely get those in Johannesburg.

What to do and where to go.

In Cape Town, I would recommend the Pod hotel, or The Marly hotel, not only because they are fantastic hotels but also because they are within walking distance from the beach. If you prefer something closer to the city, for me, The Winchester Hotel is the best, halfway between the city bowl and the beaches, right on the promenade it is perfectly located. I normally don’t recommend hotels in the city bowl just because I personally prefer the ocean views and the closeness to the sea. However, if you insist, La Botessa would be one that I’d recommend, also Gorgeous George and Camissa House, without forgetting the Silo Hotel and The Cadogan Boutique Hotel.

A day in the Winelands is a must as well as the Cape Point Tour, but also taking a couple of days to relax and enjoy the beaches, Camps Bay, Clifton, Llandudno, etc. There are also a lot of activities to do all year round but some of these are much more fun in Summer like Scuba diving through a Kelp Forest or Snorkeling with seals, an Ocean Safari to look for whales and dolphins, Paragliding, Kayaking, Sandboarding, Skydiving, and plenty more. There’s something for everyone. 

Something a lot of people love to do is the Garden Route, it’s a great way to enjoy a road trip visiting some incredible beaches and then end up with a Safari near Port Elizabeth, if you are not the type that likes road trips, you can always fly to the Kruger National Park area and do a safari in one of the most fabulous private game reserves in the country for example, Royal Melawane, Singita, Earth Lodge, Saseka, etc.

Need some help planning your December holiday?

Book a FREE 30-minute consultation with German – for the perfect advice on where to stay, what to do, and how to get there & back.

What Our Clients Say

Nick Depner
Nick Depner
2023-03-16
German pulled together and incredible itinerary for us! His fantastic recommendations during our entire trip, great lodging, attention to detail, and personalized service made this a truly unforgettable vacation!
Rafael Balaguer
Rafael Balaguer
2023-01-26
There's a certain ease and excitement when you don't have to worry about the rest of your trip living up to an incredible yesterday, because today and tomorrow are going to be EVEN BETTER. That's what you can expect from a South African trip planned by Nanan Travel. Just when you think it can't get better, it does. German planned every detail, so we didn't have to worry about a thing. Excursions were varied and executed flawlessly. Transfers between properties were seamless and hassle-free. And check-ins were actually fun and some of my favorite moments. Our trip had a perfect pace of relaxation, sightseeing, adventure, and surprises. It took us off the beaten path (literally) one day and 10 feet from a lion’s mouth the next. I arrived home after nearly 3 weeks with a full heart and memories I will never forget. Thank you, German, for helping to make my first time in South Africa so unforgettable.
James Laing
James Laing
2023-01-23
We had an amazing experience using Nanan Travel for our recent family trip to South Africa. German was a pleasure to work with and went far above and beyond our expectations. German's recommendations for our two week trip were amazing, from the incredible accommodations we stayed at (shout out to the Royal Portfolio) and delicious restaurant recommendations, to the seamless transfer services and extremely fun excursions we went on. For my mother's birthday, German even planned for a safari photographer to join us on our safari drive! I would highly recommend using Nanan Travel if you're looking to have an amazing trip to Africa. Thanks again German!
Valentina Morris
Valentina Morris
2023-01-23
My husband and I recently returned from a week-long trip in Egypt all arranged by German. All we basically had to do was board the plane and disembark. German arranged every little detail. What a wonderful person to work with. If at all possible, we would like German to arrange every single trip that we go on. Thank you German - for your friendliness and utter professionalism. You have made our trip all the more memorable!!! Love you lots and we'll be in touch.
chris laing
chris laing
2023-01-21
We had the most amazing trip! It was flawless, German at Nanan Travel did an excellent job of making our trip very special. Many thanks!
Andre M Saade
Andre M Saade
2022-12-27
Nanan travel made this trip wonderful - lots of great memories were made. All the arrangements (flights, hotels, cars, restaurants ) went as planned..... to be precise everything exceeded my expectations. I really appreciated the team’s patience, answering all my questions and giving me tips. I was hesitant about planning my trip with an agent as I am used to plan everything myself.. but this turned out to be the best decision especially for a place like South Africa that has so much to offer. I look forward to be back in SA and working with Nanan travel on future travel plans! Thank you everyone x
Jay Byars
Jay Byars
2022-12-08
German set us up on a trip of a lifetime! An African safari has been on my bucket list for a long time, he made sure it was an unforgettable experience. We had a car service set up to/from the airport, stayed at an epic five star lodge on Kariega Game Reserve, and got to see beautiful animals up close on game rides. While in CapeTown he also hooked us up with the best recommendations for spots to visit and all of the must try food stops. If you go to South Africa, do yourself a favor and reach out to German!
Ernesta Swanepoel
Ernesta Swanepoel
2022-12-07
This was the second time that German from Nanan Travel arranged accommodation for us during our holidays. And every time he delivers ! German understands what it is that you are looking for in accommodation and he makes sure that you gets what you want. He is quick to respond and happy to answer all questions. We recently travelled to the Maldives and he patiently guided us through the 1000+ options until we found what we were looking for. The accommodation that he suggested exceeded our expectations. Everything went smoothly and all our transfers were arranged. Nanan Travel is the company to use when you want to have a picture perfect holiday !
Jessi Boseman
Jessi Boseman
2022-12-01
My husband and I have always wanted to go on a safari and German made our bucket list trip top notch! There are so many safaris to chose from it can get overwhelming to plan it yourself, but German has extensive knowledge from visiting so many and the one he highly recommended to us was at Kariega Game Reserve. And oh my gosh, it was the most amazing experience my husband and I have ever had (and we have traveled a lot!) From the moment we left Capetown, German had set up everything even down to the private transfer we had to the lodge. This specific safari was full of so many different wild animals that made each game drive so exciting and full of activity. He was very quick to respond to any questions we had and checked in on us to make sure we were having a good time! Germans recommendation did not disappoint! Would definitely use German again for future endeavors and would recommend him to anyone!
Maria Isabel Armejo
Maria Isabel Armejo
2022-11-29
We had the best experience with our honeymoon trip. German booked our tours, pick up taxis and even our local flights. The trip exceeded our expectations and we had a lot of fun, and enjoyed each day, just like we wanted. Very lucky to find Nanan travel. Cant wait to book another trip with them. Thank you ❤️

The Sardine Run

The Sardine Run

The Sardine Run

Blog post with #NANANtravel
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Two years and 1 month, lots of emails, and lots of back and forward arrangements, were what it took us to finally be able to do the Sardine run.

It all started with an email from a friend saying that his uncle was doing the Sardine run and had invited him, he asked if I wanted to join then all of a sudden we were 8 people, all super excited and happy. Then Covid came along and put everything on hold. After covid, a few people had to cancel, and we were only 4, and later on, at the venue, we were joined by two more travelers from Italy and now we can call them friends. 

Let me start by explaining what is the Sardine run and what makes it so special. The Sardine run is a seasonal movement of fish and predators along the Eastern Cape coastline to the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal, in South Africa. The biggest natural event on Earth, and the only animal event that can be seen from space.

The sardine run of southern Africa occurs from May through July when billions of sardines spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank and move northward along the east coast of South Africa. Their sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline. The run, containing millions of individual sardines, occurs when a current of cold water heads north from the Agulhas Bank up to Mozambique where it then leaves the coastline and goes further east into the Indian Ocean.

In terms of biomass, researchers estimate the sardine run could rival East Africa’s great wildebeest migration. However, little is known about the phenomenon. It is believed that the water temperature has to drop below 21 °C in order for the migration to take place. In 2003, the sardines failed to ‘run’ for the third time in 23 years. While 2005 saw a good run, 2006 marked another non-run. 

Thank you, Wikipedia. 

Now, I don’t want to bore you with specific details but I will try to go day by day and explain briefly what we experienced. Oh… We did a 4-day safari in Kariega Game reserve before the sardine run and that was amazing. It was halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London, although you can fly directly into East London. 

DAY 1 – Sunday

 

We arrive midday and had lunch and in the afternoon we had a briefing and went to try on the wetsuits and fins, etc.

DAY 2 – MONDAY

 

Very early morning wake-up call, and we had to be ready to leave for the launching area by 7:45 after a while we arrived at where the boat was, and off we went, the first day was full of excitement for what we might see and we did see thousands of Dolphins, I’m not exaggerating, I have never seen so many dolphins together, but we didn’t see the actual sardines.

DAY 3 – TUESDAY

 

Wasn’t a good day, didn’t see much, maybe a couple of whales on a mission so we didn’t get to spend time with them (keep in mind one day of the week is the rest day), when we came back we were considering taking the rest day on Wednesday, but when we spoke with the organizers they told us that Thursday was going to be a bad weather day so we decided to go out on Wednesday.

DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY

 

We went out very early again and we were quite unlucky but we did see dolphins and some whales, no sardines, our spirits were down and very tired. 

DAY 5 – THURSDAY

 

We didn’t go out to sea, rather we enjoyed a nice chilled day we went to do some quad biking at a nearby reserve which was lots of fun. Although next time I’ll choose the Horse riding experience though.

DAY 6 – FRIDAY

 

we went out with the hope of finally seeing what they call a bait ball, that’s when the dolphins force the sardines into a group and that’s when all the predators around join the feast and go crazy. How do we know when there’s a bait ball and where it is? Well, first of all, we always follow the birds, specifically the gannets, they are the key to finding them, anyway, back to day 6, we saw a couple of whales some Humpbacks and a couple of Bryde’s whales, now, the amazing thing about seeing the Bryde’s whale was that they are usually very fast and sneaky, difficult to see but this one, in particular, was going very slow and decided to hang out with us for a while, it was great, then we ran into a seal and we swam with it. But besides these few amazing encounters, no Sardines, and no Bait ball.

Now, we are back at the beach resort and we are feeling really bad because it is very exhausting to be at sea for so many hours and getting wet and the wind and all that, We had great weather and were super lucky with that, but we weren’t happy, to say the least.

DAY 7 – SATURDAY

 

it’s a windy morning, we’ve changed the boat launching spot, much closer to the resort. We get on the boat, it’s windy, we are getting splashed all over and the sea is a bit rough so after 45 minutes I am ready to quit!  

I tell myself, give it another 15 minutes and then complain, well, 10 minutes later our Sea Biologist and guide, Mark spots lots of Gannets quite far away and we don’t see any dolphins (which is kind of a prerequisite for a bait ball) but as we approached the birds we see it. A WHALE…. Yes!!!! A whale and there were lots of Dolphins and thousands of birds!!! 

YES! FINALLY, we’ve found it, A BAIT BALL! Mark screams, and we all get super excited and jump in the water, now what happened next is indescribable, dolphins, seals, sharks, a whale, and birds all going crazy for the sardines. In the beginning, we just thought it was dolphins and birds and that one whale, but then, we saw the sharks and seals and we were right in the middle of the Bait ball, we had no clue as to where to look at or what to do there was so much action all at once, but we were lucky enough to be there for about 45 minutes. 

Then all of a sudden just like that the birds dissipated and rested on the water and the dolphins started moving away and Voila, it’s over. All I can say is that those 45 minutes were worth all those other days of nothing and bouncing and wind and tiredness and all the complaining we might have done and all the early wake-ups and all that. SO WORTH IT!

I highly recommend it and I am definitely going to organize a group for next year, Who is in? 

Sardine Run 2022 – such an adventure!

 

Do you think you would like to do the sardine run?

Do you know someone who would want to do it with you?

Share this blog with them and contact us on:

[email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

5 Top Luxury adventures in Africa

5 Top Luxury adventures in Africa

5 Top Luxury adventures in Africa

Blog post with #NANANtravel
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1. Train Journey between East Africa & West Africa 

Imagine a 15 days journey on board the most luxurious train in Africa crossing from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic, crossing the entire African continent, and experience incredible adventures on the way, from visits to cultural villages to great game drives in some of the best national parks of the continent, Join the Rovos Rail on this expedition traversing Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. This is the first time that a passenger train travels the famous east-to-west copper trail on this route.

The journey includes a two nights fly-in into South Luanga National Park for a safari then joining the train to go to DRC and finish in Angola.

How does this adventure sound?

Would you be interested in joining the Rovos Rail journey?

For more information please contact us via email [email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

2. Fly around Namibia & Botswana

The best way to visit these two beautiful countries, is by traveling on private charter flights between each destination, visit the beautiful red sand dunes of the Kalahari desert in Sossusvlei, fly over the amazing Skeleton Coast and stay overnight in one of the amazing lodges, visit the famous Etosha national park and then fly across to the Okavango delta in Botswana, after that you can fly south to the Makgadikgadi plains to finish this adventure in the well-know Chobe National Park.

This is an incredible adventure trip, the best part of it is that you travel through so many different echo systems, from the arid desert areas of Namibia, its incredible coast to the wetlands of Botswana and its salt pans to end in the amazing Chobe river. Here’s a tip, why not cross over to Zambia or Zimbabwe and visit the fantastic Victoria Falls.

Doesn’t this sound interesting?

Would you be interested in joining this adventure?

For more information please contact us via email [email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

3. Luxurious South Africa adventure

 

When visiting South Africa, there are so many things one can do, we always recommend a minimum stay of 4 full days in Cape Town but 5 is better, Stay at a private villa, fully serviced with a private chauffeured vehicle to take you around the city and all the places it has to offer, but even though your villa will include a chef, don’t miss out on the amazing restaurants the city has to offer, take some time to relax while sipping champagne on a private yacht watching the sunset, or maybe a nice helicopter flight over the city, even better, a helicopter flight to the Winelands to spend 2 or 3 nights there, after that fly out to the Kruger Park area and spend 3 or 4 nights in a 5-star luxurious Safari lodge.

If you are a beach person we can also add some time at a beach in a coastal town near Cape Town or maybe even fly out to Mozambique after the safari and stay at a fabulous beach resort in one of those amazing islands, enjoy some time under the sun or go Scuba diving, etc.

City, country side, safari, and beach what else can you ask for?

Would you be interested in an adventure like this?

For more information please contact us via email [email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

4. The complete East Africa experience, & Seychelles

 

We know that when someone thinks of Africa they are usually thinking of East Africa, the never-ending plains full of wildlife and fabulous landscapes, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Wildebeest migration, this is Kenya and Tanzania, but why not add Rwanda to the show and finish this adventure with an amazing beach destination like Seychelles, Right? 

Rwanda is a beautiful country to visit and learn about their struggle and how they overcame all the tragedy to become one of the best countries in Africa but it also has some of the best Gorilla sightings in the world, so let’s start our adventure there and then fly to Kenya to start our safari, visit the most famous African national parks and if we are lucky we will witness the river crossings of the millions of wildebeests and Zebras, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro are three of the most well know parks and why not, let’s do this in style, fly on private charters to each park, that way we can concentrate more on the game drives, after a couple of days on a fantastic safari, we can go and relax at one of the most beautiful and fantastic islands in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles.

How does this adventure sound?

Would you be interested in seeing the migration and the Gorillas?

For more information please contact us via email [email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

5. South Africa & Antarctica

Whether it is on the top 5 of your bucket list or not, imagine flying into Antarctica for 5 nights, visiting the south pole, walking with the Emperor Penguins and experiencing no nights at all, and then having a wildlife safari in South Africa, this adventure sounds crazy but awesome at the same time, right? 

Direct flights from Cape Town to Antarctica, So we need to plan a few days in the mother city and when you come back from the South Pole fly to Kruger and do a 4-days Wildlife safari at one of the best luxury lodges South Africa has to offer, why not add a couple of days in the wine lands to make it more exciting…

The flights to Antarctica are limited and only from November to early February so this needs to be planned very much in advance.

Antarctica! I’m in, are you?

Would you be interested in joining this adventure?

For more information please contact us via email [email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

BONUS TRIP* – Egypt and the Red sea

OK, OK, I did say 5 top luxury adventures but I couldn’t leave Egypt out of this list for Africa, Egypt is Incredible and a luxury cruise along the Nile visiting the breath-taking temples of ancient Egypt, a short flight to see Abu Simbel and then some downtime at the beach in Sharm el Sheik in the Red sea, one of the best places on earth for Scuba Diving, how does that sound? 

Spend a few days in the crazy, buzzing city of Cairo, enjoy the Pyramids and one of the biggest museums in the world with an incredible display of artifacts from most of the Egyptian dynasties, that date almost 5000 years, and much more, the night market, the hanging church, Visit the Siwa Desert, Alexandria, etc. all in the luxury and comfort of your own private vehicle with your guide, and if this doesn’t sound adventurous enough how about we add Petra to the list? OK, we might as well add the Dead sea. 

How does this adventure sound?

Would you like to visit Egypt and its Pyramids?

For more information please contact us via email [email protected] or via  WhatsApp +27767687708

We would be happy to plan your luxury adventure to any of these destinations or any other place in Africa that you would like to visit. The options are endless and the possibilities limitless. Let us know when you’d like to travel?, for how long? And, how many of you? 

What Our Clients Say

Thank you German for organising an unforgettable trip, your flexibility and the fact that you were on top of everything making sure everything went marvellously, I hope I can come back soon to see more! #GermanKnows

Yessica Flores Camborda
Peruvian

Unfortunately I was not able to travel with German to South America but he did provide the best touring and personalized service in Cape Town. Would highly recommend to anyone, for anywhere, at any time! Thanks an epic trip German!!

Jack Herman
USA

Excellent Organisation, Beyond our expectations! Thank you German!!

Salvador Rodriguez
Peruvian

He organised 10 to 28 friends of mine in Cape Town (#30Peruvians)… they definitely showed them the best of the city, the wine lands and a Safari!… Thank you very much German!

Fico Pastor
Peruvian

They organised our trip to Cape Town and everything was incredible, we did everything and it was all A1 a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Thank you German. Blindfolded the best option to get to know South Africa.
Tera Ascuna
Peruvian
The best way to see and fall in love with Africa! Thank you German for your advice and recommendations!

Vanessa Luna

What to visit on your first trip to South Africa?

What to visit on your first trip to South Africa?

What to visit on your first trip to South Africa?

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Safaris, amazing wild  flora and fauna, stunning waterfalls, adventure sports, paradisiacal beaches, are just some of the wonders that you can see and experience in South Africa.

Are you looking for a really different vacation? Traveling to South Africa is all you need. Here you can observe and admire wildlife on a safari, visit fantastic vineyards and taste some of the best wines in the world or do adventure sports at all levels.

If you do not know where to start, we recommend 10 unmissable ways  to enjoy your trip to South Africa to the fullest. Our experience in Nanan Travel guiding travelers in search of new adventures in a personalized way, allows us to give you the best information and tips for your first time in South Africa or perhaps your second time or third or …

 

What to visit and do in South Africa?

1. Lion’s Head

If you want to have a breathtaking view of the entire Cape Town and the coast, this mountain is the ideal point. It is known as the Lion’s Head because the rock formation on the top form a crouching lion. Some say it is also because in the days of the colonizers, the mountain was home to a pride of lions that terrorized the settlers.

Reaching the top does not require a good physical condition, but it is not a walk in the park either. Depending on your fitness it can take between 40 minutes to an hour and a half to climb, the time you stay at the top will depend on you. Of course, carry water for the hike.

If you are going up to see the sunset, take some warm clothing; as soon as the sun goes down the temperature drops. If it is very windy, we recommend not going up, you can do it another day.

And if you made it to the top, look for the rock where everyone takes a photo, it’s one of the most photographed sites on Instagram, and the views are great!

2. Cape Point

It is a nature reserve located in the Table Mountain National Park, a World Heritage Site. These are stone mountains at about 200 meters above sea level. You can go hiking or mountain biking and enjoy the incredible views when you reach the top or you can also opt for a helicopter flyby to enjoy an aerial view of this magnificent reserve. In this reserve you can find the famous Cape of Good Hope and there are many beautiful beaches to visit.

Many think it is the southernmost point in Africa, but this title really belongs to its neighbor Cape Agulhas, 250 kilometers away, which is not as famous as Cape Point.

As a tip we recommend that you bring some warm clothing as it is generally very windy. When you go, you might  get lucky and see some ostriches, there are many around this area.

3. Boulders Beach, Penguin colony

On this beach you will find a colony of African penguins that have populated this place since 1982. You will be able to walk among the nests until you reach the beach where they are all gathered. The beach has the perfect name since it is full of these huge  Boulders.

There is a smaller beach to which, by paying a small sum, you can literally enter and swimm with penguins, beware that they do not let you touch them, but they will swim around you and the truth is that it is a spectacle to see them swim.

Before you go, find out how the tide is. It is not good to go at low or high tide, when it is a little more than half low it is best. Don’t leave your swimwear at the hotel!

4. Franschhoek and Stellenbosch

If you want to enjoy some of the best wines in South Africa, these are two mandatory stops.

Franschhoek (French corner) is known as the “gourmet” capital of South Africa. Its vineyard plantations are made up of: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay and Semillon. It has several of the best restaurants in the country and very impressive art galleries.

Stellenbosch has renowned wine estates and also has a couple of the best restaurants in the country: Look for Graff Delaire, Hidden Valley, Cavalli Estate, etc. In addition, it is also recognized for having the best university in the country, which is why it is considered a student town and therefore a town with a lot of life.

Among our services, we can take you to tour some of these vineyards. Ideally, choose a vineyard with a good restaurant for lunch and it’s always best to book in advance. If you like art, you can visit the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Stellenbosch, which is one of our favorites.

5. Hermanus

If you want to continue admiring the fauna of South Africa, this place will give you an unforgettable experience, since it is one of the few places in the world where you can do whale watching from the mainland.

Extra fact: From the 27th to the 29th of October the Whale Festival is celebrated in this coastal city.

You can also enjoy wonderful beaches, the valley of “Hemel en arden” Vineyards (probably the best wines in South Africa), Hamilton Russell, Ataraxia and Creation, among others.

We recommend doing the Cliff Path, it is very beautiful and will give you access to several beaches that are not usually very well known. The road is long but you can do a part starting at Grotto Beach, and do it at your own pace.

On the other hand, Hermanus is only 40 minutes from Gansbaai where the great white shark sighting activities take place.

6. Kruger National Park

Time to see the Big Five! Without a doubt this is the most known stop, as it is the most important animal reserve in South Africa. In order to see the big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino), the best way is to have a ranger (guide), since they know best what they are doing, so do not take risks when you go to Kruger Park and stay outside the park you might not see even 1 of the big 5. We will help you choose the best Lodge with the best rangers.

Kruger Park is the best known and largest, but it is not the only safari site in South Africa. There are many other reserves, such as: Madikwe, Phinda, Shamwari, Gondwana, etc. We will recommend which one to go to, depending on your itinerary and budget.

Keep in mind that although the Kruger Park is the best known, it is possible to go to a reservation that best suits your trip.

7. Garden Route

On this roadtrip you can enjoy both lush vegetation, mountains and heavenly beaches, that’s why it was recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 2017.

749 kilometers that run between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and vice versa. On the route you can choose between different activities, such as: humpback whales and dolphins watching, safaris, doing water sports, hikes, diving with white sharks and much more.

If you go from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, almost at the end of the road you will find the Tsitsikamma National Park, where you will enjoy its forests, mountains and natural beaches. You will be able to explore them by car and on foot, where you will pass an impressive suspension bridge and finally rest on beautiful white sand beaches.

It is recommended to take between 6 to 8 days to make the most of this route.

Tip: Do not stay for one night in each place, preferably stay in one place for two nights and take the opportunity to travel to neighboring places to get to know. For example Plettenberg Bay is a good place to see everything around.

8. Panorama Route

Ruta Panorama is very close to the Kruger National Park, which is why it is a must-see after being in Safari. On this route you will be able to see impressive places, such as:

The Blyde River Canyon, the third longest canyon in the world and the second in Africa, and its height reaches 800m. Without a doubt one of the most inspiring landscapes in Panorama. Another very peculiar nature formation is Bourke’s Lucky Wells. It is rock formations that have holes that resemble wells.

If you like waterfalls, here you can also enjoy beautiful 90m falls, such as the Lisbon Falls, one of the highest in this area, or the Mac Falls, which you can see from a viewpoint that will give you a breathtaking views.

You can do these tours by car, but hiking is a very good option to enjoy the landscapes and have the best photos. Depending on the physical condition of the tourist, excursions of a few hours or up to 5 days are available.

If you are only going to spend one night there, try to arrive as early as possible to visit some of the important sites, and the next day visit the ones that you have left pending.

9. Rovos Rail

If you are looking for a luxury experience, Rovos Rail is definitely a must. It is a train with the classic 1920s style, mixed with the comforts of this era, which runs on different routes on the African continent. A less luxurious but just as interesting option would be the Shongololo Rail.

Rovos Rail at its maximum capacity has 20 wagons that can accommodate up to 72 passengers. It has suites that measure 16 square meters with air conditioning, bathroom and even its own living room.

On this train, you will be able to make round trips from Cape Town to Pretoria, from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, from Pretoria to Durban or to Victoria Falls and from Pretoria to Swakopmund, in Namibia. Every day there is a stop with excursions or visits to some important place along the way.

Dinners are formal, so you have to bring a jacket and tie or something suitable for the occasion. Take a good book, enjoy the landscapes and relax on board this luxury train.

10. Johannesburg

Johannesburg is considered the financial and economic capital of the country, and one of the most important cities in South Africa. In this multicultural and global place, there are many activities to do, such as: visiting museums, learning about the history of South Africa and the fight led by Nelson Mandela, as well as getting to know theaters, art galleries and markets to taste traditional dishes.

You can visit Soweto (where Mandela lived) and if you are very interested in the history of our ancestors, you can visit the Cradle of Humanity.

On the other hand, you can take a tour of a gold mine, the Crown Mine Shaft, and if you like amusement parks, you cannot miss the Gold Reef City which houses the most impressive roller coasters in South Africa; a zoo, themed areas, restaurants and, of course, you can visit the World Cup stadium.

As a last tip, we recommend you visit the Neighbourgoods Market on weekends and if you can, go to Maboneng, an area that is very fashionable, but always attentive to your belongings.

Do you want to know more destinations, outside South Africa? Get to know them here.

What did you think of these places in South Africa and surroundings? Surely more than one caught your attention for your next vacation, so do not hesitate to contact us to organize your trip in the most personalized way possible. Send us a whatsapp a +27767687708  or an email to [email protected] and we will reply to you shortly.

What Our Clients Say

Thank you German for organising an unforgettable trip, your flexibility and the fact that you were on top of everything making sure everything went marvellously, I hope I can come back soon to see more! #GermanKnows

Yessica Flores Camborda
Peruvian

Unfortunately I was not able to travel with German to South America but he did provide the best touring and personalized service in Cape Town. Would highly recommend to anyone, for anywhere, at any time! Thanks an epic trip German!!

Jack Herman
USA

Excellent Organisation, Beyond our expectations! Thank you German!!

Salvador Rodriguez
Peruvian

He organised 10 to 28 friends of mine in Cape Town (#30Peruvians)… they definitely showed them the best of the city, the wine lands and a Safari!… Thank you very much German!

Fico Pastor
Peruvian

They organised our trip to Cape Town and everything was incredible, we did everything and it was all A1 a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Thank you German. Blindfolded the best option to get to know South Africa.
Tera Ascuna
Peruvian
The best way to see and fall in love with Africa! Thank you German for your advice and recommendations!

Vanessa Luna

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