Sundays in Cape Town are generally quiet with most shops and restaurants closed so that their staff can maintain a work life balance that Capetonians pride themselves on. Visitors should follow the lead of locals and head to the wine lands for a seriously delicious Sunday lunch. On my latest foray to Cape Town, I chose to spend my Sunday wining and dining at Waterkloof Wine Estate in Somerset West.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in Namibia is the most stunning lodge that I have visited in all of my adventures across Southern Africa in no small part because of the the surreal landscape of undulating sand dunes, punctuated by rocky hills, and sustained by a riverbed that flows once a year bringing life to this dusty, dry desert. The giraffe, elephants, and lions seem incongruous with the habitat, but they have adapted to their harsh environs which is perhaps why animal viewing here is thrilling.
An hour into my 9.2 km hike on the Robberg Nature Reserve, I looked over an expansive vista with several other hikers. No one said a word. All five of us soaked in the moment and even though we were a crowd, we were all enjoying a solidarity moment staring at the ocean and no doubt, reflecting on something private. It was a lovely moment. It was an in-the-moment moment.
A friend recently proposed the question, “Does going on safari aid conservation?” Protecting the land and all the species that inhabit the land is critically important to ensure this incredible resource is available for the generations of local community members and tourists. I believe sustainable wildlife tourism is a critical component to ensuring this happens.
Every safari is different and what animals you see can be influenced by the time of year, weather conditions, sheer luck, and the incredible skill of the ranger and tracker. This latest trip to Phinda Private Game Reserve was replete with incredible predator sightings, including lions.
Eleven Madison Park is unabashedly candid about striving to be the best restaurant in the world. Instead of producing an off-putting earnestness the restaurant proclaims greatness, as if it is merely waiting for the recognition it knows it deserves.