I sat on this review for a while because the experience was so beautiful, I wanted to make sure I captured it the right way. No matter where you are in life, make the time and effort to enjoy this experience. You won’t regret it!
When we arrived in Cape Town, we were met by Stephanie, who greeted us with great energy and made sure things went smoothly from Day 1. Our driver, Saahid, was AMAZING and always helpful and on time. The brother was a Godsend. On day 1, we got to experience the talents of the local youth while exploring a local shopping spot.
I am a picky eater, and I’m not a foodie, but every restaurant Stephanie chose for us was unique and offered something special and different. I enjoyed Mama Africa for the drumming and face-painting experience. The BEST restaurant Stephanie took us to, in my opinion, was an Indian restaurant named Faeeza’s Home Kitchen in BoKaap. The Samoosas were DELICIOUS, and the owner was extremely sweet. YOU MUST VISIT THIS PLACE!!!!! I enjoyed Cape Town for the wonderful views from places like Tabletop Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and a few other places that showcased the country’s natural beauty. I was initially hesitant to go to Stellenbosch winery since I don’t drink, but I am glad I did. The winery was gorgeous and peaceful. I had a wonderful time with my group, and the chocolate and juice options were sooo good. One of the biggest highlights for me was Robben Island. I was the only one in my group who was really excited to go, and when we found out it was sold out, I was honestly disappointed since it was our last day in Cape Town. But Stephanie went above and beyond and made it happen. I truly can’t express how much that meant to me. Learning about what Nelson Mandela and other prisoners endured was powerful and unforgettable. If you visit South Africa, you should definitely visit Robben Island.
I visited Johannesburg to learn more about the history of the Zulu Culture, Apartheid, and Nelson Mandela. Stephanie scheduled us to visit an Elephant Sanctuary, and that was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. We got to feed, walk with, and touch the elephants. Then we visited the Lesedi Cultural Village, which definitely satisfied my hunger for learning more about the Zulu Culture. They really went into detail about how to enter the kingdom and the differences of each tribe in that culture. After that, we went to Pilansberg National Park. I enjoyed seeing the animals in their natural habitat. I was able to take a lot of beautiful pictures of Rhinos, Hippos, Gazelles, Buffalo, Crocs, Giraffes, Lions, and Elephants. It was worth every second. We went to the art district, which was different from what I imagined. There were so many beautiful murals there. After that, we went to a Turkish restaurant in or near Joburg, which was good, but go there hungry because they give you a lot of food for your money. The wraps were good. I did get the opportunity to take the Gautrain to visit the Rosebank Arts & Crafts Market. They have EVERYTHING at this market, and you meet some really nice vendors from everywhere in Africa. We got to eat dinner with a local South African family. They were very welcoming. I spent time with the youngest family member, Mia, who had me laughing and learning about South African desserts. The Apartheid Museum and visiting Nelson Mandela’s home were emotional but important experiences. We also visited the Hector Peterson Memorial, which was deeply moving.
Overall, this trip was worth every cent. Trying to please people with different personalities, tastes, and interests is challenging. If you’re looking for a way to explore another country stress-free, with everything well-planned, you definitely want to do it with Grateful Wanderer Travel. Stephanie, I appreciate everything you invested in this experience. It was truly unforgettable.