Driving from Wild Coast, the Drakensburg mountains welcomed us. Green, rugged, beautiful. We took a great hike with majestic views. And next we took a guided day trip up Sani Pass. Accessible only with a 4×4. Highest pub in Africa 😄. We traveled out of SA to Lesotho. Visited a native home – little kitschy. Our guide shared insight. Many citizens are herders living a very traditional tribal life. Rondaval are homes. Sheep & goats are herded. Very simple life. At top of pass we traveled on a beautifully paved road built by Chinese. There are some very valuable minerals in Lesotho. Our Airbnb is a cottage with a thatched roof. Very common in SA.

Underberg was our first stop in Drakensburg mtns. Next we toured a fabulous waterfall in Howick and next was inspirational Nelson Mandela Capture site. Our guide – a young woman from Howick informed us on the history of SA – filling in gaps about the socio- political situation.

Leaving southern coast of SA & Garden Route starts a new adventure for us. The Eastern Cape has significant manufacturing & much less tourism. It is grittier. We drove – fairly straight through from Tsitsikammatto Port Alfred. Port Alfred is a charming Oceanside community & we totally lucked out by staying at Mandy’s Airbnb. She is a knowledgeable & fun host. We learned about the community & toured the amazing coast. Then sharing dinner gave us a bit of insight to SA life.

Bulungula Lodge is next stop. Directions & road to lodge are horrible. Huge Adventure. The lodge is off-grid & managed by the local tribe. The drive there takes you past the local tribes & farms. Very simple life. Schools are present. At lodge location, a river empties to ocean. Beautiful swimming, fun wave jumping. Surfing available. Sharks not a problem for us. Whew! We stayed in a rondaval amongst goats & cows. Donkeys & pups love us!

And we experienced our first rocket shower. Propelled by paraffin.

One morning at 5:15a we met for an Oceanside hike & crepes at beach. Made over a campfire – fabulous! Next day we toured a few local homes & learned lots about the locals. Many generations of families live together. Most are self sufficient. Some work in mines – coming home 1/mo. Volunteers teach at the local school. We shared their home made beer- unique taste!

When if was time to leave – Tania led us out. Tania & her family run a hardware/general store/ building supply company. We are so fortunate to have her lead. The night before our departure, a family broke a car axle trying to leave. And two days after we left – rains caused flooding wiping out a bridge! We are so fortunate.

This area is so beautiful and now we are off to Drakensburg mountain area.

SA has been an adventure.

Starting in Cape Town- a bustling city with fun cafes, historic buildings, bustling sea port and perhaps the most stunning natural beauty. Ocean – beaches & cliffs are stunning. Table Mountain is a geological force. The surrounding beach- side communities of Green Point, Muizenberg, & Kalk Bay are charming. Simon Town has penguins. Cape Point a stunning peninsula. a Braai at Simon Town along with snorkeling in a kelp forest is memorable – stunning- love it!

Moving east, Wilderness in Garden Route and staying in a backpacker lodge right at park is fun, tough & stunning waterfall hike.

Knysna with Sue’s forest hike including Biomimicry is amazing. The Knysna Heads area is a beautiful gateway to their beach & lagoon. Sea Horses live there. Robberg Peninsula is stunning with shear cliffs & huge dunes. Lots of seals & missed sharks.

Tsitsikamma is eastern edge of Garden Route & hikes along ocean are stunning. This is also home to the bungee jumping site at the bridge.

We are loving the mighty tortoises of Kruger National Park. These fearless rascals cross busy roads and stand up against much larger foes. And they live for 100 years! So much for elephants, lions, & hippos!

This extraordinary museum located in Howick gives one a good insight into Mandela’s journey. Captivating.