I spent six glorious weeks in South Africa and just crunched the numbers — turns out it’s one of the most affordable countries I’ve traveled. Average accommodation is $15 a night, and bottles of wine cost under $2. When can I go back? Continue reading
Time to click those ruby slippers! My final day in Africa is super chill (think milkshake and a movie) before I head to the airport to fly back to JFK. Continue reading
Townships are underdeveloped settlements found on the outskirts of cities in South Africa. I visit the country’s most popular one near Johannesburg: Soweto, where both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu have lived. Continue reading
My time in Johannesburg is seriously limited so I settle on a bus tour of the city. It’s not an in-depth way to explore a place, but I appreciate seeing highlights like Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, and Constitutional Hill. Continue reading
I spend a somber afternoon learning about the history of apartheid in South Africa. It’s a giant museum and the architecture (both interior and exterior) are impressive. Continue reading
Lion Park outside of Johannesburg offers a lion cub encounter in which one sat on my lap! It was neat (and a little terrifying) to see these giant cats up close. Continue reading
One of my favorite days in South Africa — I drove along the Panorama Route, stopping at waterfalls and gorges and the most beautiful green-covered canyon. Just spectacular views. Continue reading
Welcome to small town South Africa: I enjoy my stay in Graskop, a convenient stopover in the area. The historic town of Pilgrim’s Rest has its charms but the highlight of the area is Harrie’s Pancakes. Continue reading
My last safari park in Africa… and this time I’m behind the wheel. Here’s the story of that time I drove my rental car in close proximity to wildlife. Continue reading
Want to visit Swaziland? It makes a great side trip to tack onto a South African vacation. I put together this recap of my brief time in this country, including itinerary tips and info on driving and currency. Continue reading