BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Stacy Heinlein, from Detroit Lakes in Minnesota, USA, is a busy wife and mom of four. She wears many hats as an Inner Alignment Coach, Reiki Practitioner, Real Estate agent, Jewelry maker, and Executive Administrator at a local business. Stacy loves nature, being outdoors, and traveling – especially to destinations renowned for their spectacular sunrises and sunsets! She recently spent just over two weeks traveling across three provinces in South Africa and was deeply impressed by the warm hospitality she encountered.
I recently visited South Africa for 17 days at the invitation of a dear South African friend, who lives in Minnesota. This was my first trip to South Africa. She organised a trip for a group of 10 to explore her beautiful country. Our itinerary included stops in Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park and Hazyview, in Mpumalanga, and Cape Town.
Accommodation
Throughout our 17-day stay, we enjoyed impressive accommodations. In Johannesburg, we stayed at the Mint Hotel 84 on Katherine, which offered beautiful rooms and fantastic staff. In Hazyview, we split our time between Woodlands Guesthouse and Hotel Numbi & Garden Suites, both of which were clean, charming, and had friendly staff. In Cape Town, we were at the City Lodge on the canal near the V&A Waterfront. However, one of the highlights of our trip was our time at Kruger National Park. We stayed at Skukuza Rest Camp and experienced unforgettable sunset game drives and sunrise safari walks.
Food
The food in South Africa was exceptional, and I had several favorites during my trip. In Johannesburg, I enjoyed a delicious steak at the Pablo restaurant in the Mint Hotel, and I also loved the food at Tashas restaurant in Melrose Arch – their service was outstanding. In Cape Town, I relished an avocado toast at Quay Four at the V&A Waterfront. Hazyview offered delightful home-cooked breakfasts at both Woodlands and Hotel Numbi. I also looked forward to the wide selection at Hotel Numbi’s weekend dinner buffet. In the Kruger, we indulged in delicious meals while watching elephants across the river at the Cattle Barron restaurant, and we also enjoyed a mouthwatering meal at the Kruger Station restaurant.
Activities
During our time in Cape Town, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus, which allowed us to xplore many attractions. We marveled at the bright-colored houses in Bo-Kaap, enjoyed a breathtaking sunset over the ocean in Camps Bay, and savored a glass of wine while taking in the stunning wine-country views. We also went up Table Mountain in a cable car. We included a day trip with the City Sightseeing Company to Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, and Boulders Beach, where we delighted in seeing penguins.
Near Hazyview, we visited the gorge and pothole canyon in Graskop. In Johannesburg, we immersed ourselves in history and culture. We visited the Mandela House Museum and Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando West, and KwaKhaya Lendaba, Credo Mutwa Cultural Village, in Central Western Jabavu, Soweto.
Shopping:
This trip was about experiences. I bought a couple of canvas paintings, a beautiful wrap skirt, and souvenirs for my family from street vendors.
My favorite part of my vacation in South Africa was Cape Town—it was simply stunning. Overall, my experience of South Africa was incredible! The people of the country are very friendly and genuine. I left a piece of my heart there when I left.
I wish we had more time. Though 17 days seemed like a lot, it wasn’t enough to fully explore all the areas we fell in love with.
We arrived in mid-April, which marked the transition to winter in South Africa. While the weather was still warm for us, having just come out from winter in Minnesota, I would advise first-time visitors to plan their sightseeing in Cape Town for later in the day to avoid mist in the mornings.
I will definitely return to South Africa! I would love to revisit Cape Town and also explore other cities or places we didn’t get to visit on this trip, like Durban.
