My 20 Days vacation in Cape Town and Johannesburg: A Journey Through South Africa’s Heart and Soul.
Indeed, the Rainbow Nation of South Africa is a place of beautiful people, beautiful land, diverse culture and historical backgrounds which makes a tourist memorable.
My 20 days as i journeyed through the business district of Johanneburg to the stunning beaches of Cape town. This was not just a holiday: it was an immersion into the rich and living spirit of a country which is as varied as it is colourful.
Days 1-5: Johannesburg: The City that Beats the Heart of South Africa
Day 1: Accommodation and Getting Started
My journey started in the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg that is famously known as the largest metropolitan economy in Africa. When touching down at O. R. At Tambo International Airport, the vibrancy of this city was tangible.
The accommodation was the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, a beautiful haven of peace in the middle of the Johannesburg chaos. Getting off the plane after a long flight I needed to relax and the option to visit a spa was great.
Day 2: Touring Soweto and the Apartheid Museum
Soweto is derived from South Western Townships, it is an area with deep cultural and historical background. A guided tour led to the Vilakazi Street that was named after two Nobel Prize winners namely, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Going to the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum and seeing the struggles of 1976 students reminded me of the struggle that South Africa has been through and going to the Apartheid Museum was both informative and emotionally moving.
Day 3: Exploring the Hidden Cultural Gems of Johannesburg
The city is more than just a business hub, but a blend of cultural diversity as well. The mode of operation of the Maboneng Precinct is in a rejuvenated urban creation and innovation atmosphere. Wall paintings and murals, art studios and small shops are located here, and I had a fun day walking around the city, visiting art stores and eating street food.
Day 4: This paper, A Day with Nature – Lion & Safari Park, aims to explore the importance of the conservation and protection of wildlife through a visit to the Lion & Safari Park in Kenya. The Lion & Safari Park, a small park with a glimpse into South Africa’s leading tourist attraction, is a car ride away from the city.
Lions, cheetahs, and other animals can be viewed freely from a near distance as the park often provides protection. A guided safari tour and possibility of touching the lion cubs were some of the options which were only for the day.
Day 5: Shopping and Nightlife are two factors that are very popular among people today. They are considered aspects of leisure and entertainment, so people try to devote time to them in their free time.
I still had to get a modern look for the show and decided to appear in Sandton City which is one of the leading and prestigious shopping malls in Africa. The mall has both local brands that are familiar from street fashion and international brands that are also easily recognizable.
During the evening, I went to Montecasino which is one of the best areas for night leisure and entertainment, and found good restaurants as well as a wonderful casino.
Days 6-10: This journey is specifically referred to as ‘the road to Cape Town’ due to the numerous beautiful sceneries that one has to marvel at before getting to the city.
Day 6: Out and about for the Garden Route
I then hit the road for the 6-hr scenic drive along the Garden Route, considered by many as one of the most picturesque coastlines anywhere in the world. The actual trip started with a flight to George and then an hour’s drive to this beautiful town known as Knysna which is positioned between a forest and a quiet lagoon.
Day 7: A paradise on earth—Knysa is situated at the foot of the great Knysna Heads, between forests and lagoons. Knysna is undoubtedly one of the precious stones that line the Garden Route.
The Featherbed Nature Reserve, which was our next destination, provided the adventurers with an exotic trip through the lagoon by ferry, and a guided trek through the coast and the fynbos. An outing to the cliffs known as the Knysna Heads which hang majestically above the sea was awe inspiring.
Day 8: The town is a small and picturesque coastal town with beautiful beaches and wildlife. Just a few kilomtre from Knysna, there are great beach resorts and perfect sandy beaches in Plettenberg Bay.
With trails boasting ocean views, the Robberg Nature Reserve is a hiker’s dream irrespective of whether the visitors wish to spot seals or dolphins. The rest of the evening was otherwise spent lazing around the sun-kissed beaches that were devoid of any outside interference.
Day 9: Travelling Experience in Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park, the place with the indigenous forests, dramatic coastlines, and the Storms River Mouth is everybody’s wish. I went through a zip line in trees and also went for a boat ride in the storm’s river gorge. The walk on the suspension bridge was thrilling as there were impressive bluffs on the rocky shores.
Day 10: Check-in and Transport to Cape Town
The last part of the garden route drive leading me to cape town. I have been fortunate enough to experience the overwhelming beauty of the one & only cape town at the V&A waterfront, with views to table mountain and the harbour. The evening was devoted to the shops, restaurants and nightlife centers situated by the Waterfront.
Days 11-15: Mother City: Cape Town
Day 11: In the landscape setting, one of the most outstanding features of Cape Town is the Table Mountain and the Kirstenbosch gardens. It would therefore be unfair for anyone to visit Cape Town and not have a feel of the Table Mountain. The rotating cable car continued to give them a panoramic view of the city that included the Atlantic Ocean.
I reached the top and admired the beauty of nature taking a walking tour around the area. I also went for a walk in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which is the National Botanical Garden and UNESCO World Heritage Site, focusing on South African plants.
Day 12: Cape Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places with features such as Cape Point and Boulders Beach. Visiting the Cape Peninsula in one day was one of the most interesting activities I could do in Cape Town. A scenic drive to Chapman’s Peak Drive offered an exhilarating view of the coast.
Standing on the cliffs of Cape Point, the most southwestern tip of Africa, I climbed to the lighthouse to watch the spectacular confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. On the way back, a brief halt was made at Boulders Beach to have a chance to take some shots at the colony of African penguins.
Day 13: The Robben Island and District Six Museum
The island of Robben, on which Mandela was imprisoned for eighteen years, holds great historical value. A trip on a ferry to the Island and a guided tour by an ex-con gave the group a rather nasty glimpse of how things were in South Africa in the past.
The District Six Museum that was honoring the forcibly removed residents of District Six during apartheid was a tragic symbol of human spirit and the struggle against injustice.
Day 14: Wine Tasting-tour in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
Specifically, these areas as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are famous for vineyards and wineries all over the Cape Winelands. Through cab tours of wine country, vineyard estates, and chic wineries, as well as wine sampling sessions with tours. These beautiful towns have houses in the traditional Cape Dutch style with some of the best fine dining restaurants.
Day 15: Studying at Camps Bay.
Camps Bay with its beautiful sandy shores and overlooking the Twelve Apostles mountain range is among the most picturesque destinations in Cape Town.
On the last day, I decided to relax by the sunbeds to swim in the warm sea and explore the colorful beachside restaurants and cafes. The sunset that day was touching over the Atlantic as the day was spent on leisure.
Days 16-20: Cape Town is one South Africa’s popular tourist destinations, which is well known for the stunning natural scenery, architecture and tourist friendly culture amongst other things.
The city is not only a beauty to behold on face value but it also has a rich heritage in history. The beauty of Cape Town can be described as the fabulous views, red roofs, mountains, bay and the iconic Table Mountain.
Day 16: They discussed the Bo-Kaap and Woodstock – two culturally significant districts in Cape Town – and their intersection with apartheid. The buildings in Bo-Kaap painted with pastel colors and the numerous winding lanes, is undoubtedly a historical and architectural marvel.
In order to get to know more about the Cape Malay history of the area and especially the foods they are famous for, I go for a walking culinary tour in which I also take cooking classes on how to prepare bobotie and koeksisters amongst other dishes. Astonishingly, Woodstock, another restless neighborhood, came to be known as the center of the street art and the Old Biscuit Mill, a food and craft market.
Day 17: Whale watching in Hermanus is an incredible experience which has attracted many visitors to come and feel the thrill of watching these marine giants in their natural habitat. I still remember the amazing day I spent traveling to Hermanus, a lovely town affectionately referred to as the whale watching capital of South Africa.
During theperiod from June to December, one can view the whales from cliffs. This is one of the reasons why I took a boat tour to have a personal view of the creatures, and it turned out to be inspiring.
Day 18: For a taste of the fantastic, there is a magnificent marine life in the waters surrounding Gansbaai, especially due to the Shark Cage Diving activity. As a tourist activity adventure, I went shark cage diving at Gansbaai.
Used to be even famous for the appearance of great white sharks through movies, Gansbaai is one of the best locations to experience the excitement of coming face to face with these incredible creatures. Thus, I was very served with a professional crew who guaranteed a safe yet thrilling dive.
Day 19: A Break-Down of the Activities Offered in Table Mountain National Park.
Cape Town remains one of the most scenic cities in the world and exploring her on foot is always fascinating. It was a day packed with adventure, especially when I went for a hike in the Table Mountain National Park where I was able to hike on trails that contain spectacular views of the city, the ocean and other nearby ranges. Thus, the trail that passed through the Platteklip Gorge area was considered quite adventurous although the views offered were stunning.
Day 20: Farewell Dinner and Reflections
On the last day in Cape Town, I decided to explore some of the local food offerings of the city. A final dinner at what some may argue is Africa’s best restaurant, Test Kitchen, was the perfect way to bring the adventure to a close.
Upon the reflection of this trip, I understood that South Africa had provided not only stunning views and exciting activities, but also a meaningful cultural experience, and a feeling of belonging to this culturally diverse country.
Conclusion
My 20 day sojourn in Johannesburg and Cape Town was a carnival of events that painted the picture of the rainbow nation. From the historical rich city of Johannesburg to the natural beauty of Cape Town and its environs, each day was a discovery filled and memorable.
South Africa is a place of contrasts and I was lucky to remember this once again during the trip thanks to beautiful sights and inspiring spirit of people.
