South Africa Weekend: 10 Photos to Inspire You to Book the Ticket

South Africa stole my heart. Cape Town, Gondwana Game Reserve, the people, the animals, the landscape. A dream.

Table Mountain Hike, Cape Town - This hike was an absolute highlight for me. There is a cafe on the top so a coffee in hand and the cable car back down to the city - a slice of Heaven. The cable car does run both ways so if hiking is not in the cards for you, take the ride up so the breathtaking views of Cape Town.

Checking In: I flew to Cape Town a few days before meeting my group to make this my first solo adventure. This was my first time flying alone and checking in to a hotel internationally without a companion. The Twelve Apostles was the perfect place to choose - the stunning accommodations and welcoming staff made me feel right at home. Solo travel can be intimidating and I can not explain how I felt before walking down to breakfast the first morning - I had never eaten in a restaurant alone and I found this idea incredibly daunting. The moment I sat down, I knew I found my new favorite activity- don’t forget to take yourself on dates! The confidence boost and joy that came from sipping coffee, looking over the view of Twelve Apostles Mountain range, following only my own thoughts, ideas, and needs is a powerful experience. Highly recommend.

Boulders Penguin Colony: Penguins waddling down the beach… I am there.

Gondwana Game Reserve: Located only a few hours drive outside of Cape Town, Gondwana provides an ideal safari experience when visiting South Africa. I stayed in the Kwena Lodge and the eco accommodations combined with the exceptionally knowledgable staff, this safari was a dream come true.