From breathtaking scenery of coastal region to bustling city nightlife, from sun soaked white sand beach to famous national park full of magnificent big five, all of this makes south Africa a exotic travel destination. Here is my story of solo travelling along the country's coastal region along with one of the spectacular attraction in the world, the Victoria falls located at Zimbabwe-Zambia border.
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE PENINSULA
CAPE POINT
Located at the tip of cape peninsula in the table mountain national park,this is the most popular site to explore.The view of the horizon and the deep blue sea from the sheer cliffs towering over 200 mt. above the sea level is the real treat of eyes.Hiking the trail to iconic old light house and the new one are well worth.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
It is located just 2 km south-west of cape point and is the most south-western point of the African continent.Go for a hike from cape point to cape of good hope along the high cliff and make sure to make a stop at Dias beach.
DIAS BEACH
Spectacular beach surrounded by high cliffs located in between cape point and cape of good hope.Easily accessible from the cliff by a wooden stair.
The best way to explore the cape peninsula is by 2 days trek with night stay near cape point.You can book it through https://www.sanparks.org/
Only problem is that they don't allow solo.You have to be in the group of atleast 2 pax.You can also explore it by self driving,biking and cycling.
For solo traveller one of the most convenient and cheapest option is Buzbus.They cover the hout bay,duiker island seal colony,cape peninsula,cycling and hiking in cape reserve and boulder's beach penguin colony.
HOUT BAY -DUIKAR ISLAND SEAL COLONY
It is a fishing village surrounded by mountains from three side and atlantic ocean to the south.The main attraction is the boat ride to duiker island which is full of cape fur seals.
CHAPMAN'S PEAK DRIVE
This is a spectacular mountain cliff road on the vertical slope of chapman peak mountain overlooking the atlantic ocean connecting the hout bay and noordhock.The best way to appreciate the view is by cycling or biking.
CHAPMAN PEAK
The mountain is located in between hout bay and noordhock.There are many hiking trail surrounding the mountain area and to the peak.From the peak the view of the atlantic ocean,hout bay,fish hoek,gordon's bay and the mountain range are breathtaking.
SIMON'S TOWN-BOULDER'S BEACH PENGUIN
It is located on the shores of false bay.Main attraction is the boulder's beach.There are a colony of african penguins since 1985.
CAPE TOWN
Magnificent coastal city nestled in between mountains and atlantic ocean,one of the popular travel destination in south africa.
TABLE MOUNTAIN
This is the most iconic mountain of cape town.The view from the top is spectacular.There are a cable car to the top.But if you are a adventure lover then hiking is the best way to explore the mountain and spend your time on the lap of nature.
I spent a whole day in the mountain hiking and exploring the valleys and gorges.I took the pipe track trail and kasteelspoort trail to hike up the mountain.Then went to old cableway station,valley of the red gods,echo valley and then took the skeleton gorge to hike down the mountain to the kirstenbosch national botanical garden.
LION'S HEAD
Located just end of the atlantic ocean towering over 669mt above the sea level.The hiking to the top is very thrilling and the 360 degree view from the top is breathtaking.Highly recommended to go before sunset.
SIGNAL HILL AND NOON GUN
Flat topped hill beside the lion's head.It also offer great view of capetown city,waterfront,robben island and atlantic ocean.Good for elderly people and who are not fit to hike the lion's head for watching sunset.
Noon guns are situated on the signal hill.It has been a historic importance as a time signal since 1806.These are the oldest guns in daily use.They fire every day at 12 noon except sunday.
ROBBEN ISLAND
Island in atlantic ocean around 7 km offsore from capetown.It has historic importance.Former president of south africa,Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here for 18 yrs.
KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDEN
this is located at the eastern foot of table mountain.There are several walking and hiking trail.You can also hike up the table mountain through skeleton gorge hiking trail which start from the botanical garden.
EXPERIENCE GAME MEAT
One of the best place to satisfy your taste-buds and hungry soul.Experience game meat like springbok,kudu,venison,warthog,crocodile etc.Best place to taste these at mama africa restaurant.
GARDEN ROUTE
This is a 300 km stretch of diverse landscape and seascape along the south-eastern coast of south africa and extend from Mossel Bay to Stormsriver. From mountains to beaches and lush green forest to city nightlife,the garden route has everything to offer.Also adventure sports like bungee jumping,skydiving,surfing,kayaking,diving,snorkeling,whale watching,shark cage diving are popular here.The highest bridge bungee from Bloukrans bridge should be on the top of your bucket list.
KNYSNA
This is a small picturesque town beside the knysna lagoon.Best place to stroll around and dining is the knysna waterfront.A sunset cruise,testing oyster at waterfront,spectacular view from knysna heads,a trip to goldmine and leisure walk in the Hoekwil forest trail to see the big old yellowwood tree are the best way to spend few days in the knysna.
One of the best place to taste seafood is Freshline Fisheries.
MOSSEL BAY
This is a seaside town and one of the best place for beach holiday and adventure activities such as scuba diving,shark cage diving,whale and dolphin watching,sky diving and hiking the St. Blaize trail along the seaside cliff.Rock art at pinnacle point caves,cape st. blaize lighthouse and cave are some famous point to visit.
One of the best place to experience your stay in the train is santos express train lodge just beside the santos beach.
WILDERNESS
This is a seaside town known for long white sand beach and lagoons to spend few relax day.Also there are so much to do for adventure lovers like paragliding,mountain biking,hiking,dolphin and whale watching.
The famous "Map of Africa" view point gives a breathtaking view of mountain,forest and the cloud covered valley.
STORMSRIVER-TSITSIKAMMA NP
This is a coastal national park known for it's beautiful landscape,magnificent coastline,indigenous forest and excellent coastal hiking trail,literally a paradise for backpackers,nature lovers and adventure lovers.The main two hiking trails are storms river mouth hiking trail and tsitsikamma waterfall hiking trail.The best adventure to experience are bloukrans bridge bungee and storms river kayaking and lilo.
TSITSIKAMMA WATERFALL HIKING TRAIL
beautiful hiking trail along the coast line,around 3 km and take almost 45 minutes,a must visit place in tsitsikamma national park.At the end,a spectacular waterfall with a deep pool is waiting for welcome you.
ZIMBABWE AND ZAMBIA
VICTORIA FALLS-DEVIL'S POOL
This is one of the largest waterfall on the zambezi river at the border of zambia and zimbabwe.It is also known as mosi-oa-tunya,that means "The Smoke That Thunders".During march-april,after the rain,the falls is in it's full glory.
This is an infinity pool on the edge of victoria falls.Only accessible during low water season,from mid august to mid january.Swiming in the pool is absolutely safe but not for the faint hearted.The view from the very edge is really exhilarating.
ZAMBEZI RIVER WHITE WATER RAFTING