One of the countries that is on the top of my bucket list, has to be South-Africa. So when I came across the new campaign by South Africa Tourism, where you can win 2 tickets to this amazing country, it sat up straight right away.
Find the “Hidden Gems” of South Africa
This is what we all like: undiscovered places, beautiful small villages, endless views and off the beaten path. Real insider tips. It’s one of the reasons I started Mappin Monday on Pinterest.
I have gotten to know so many cool travellers, that I always turn to them first when wondering where to go and what not to miss on a trip.
If there is a country that is diverse and has lots of hidden gems, it has to be South Africa. You will find hospitality, stunning nature and real unique experiences. Broad brown rivers and red sand dunes are right next to endless green plains and subtropical wilderness. And don’t forget the Big Five! I am also very curious about world cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Dreaming away, I asked my Mappin Monday Community what I should really see on my dream South-Africa journey. This is what they told me:
Cape of Good Hope
Esther of MooisteStedentrips.nl tipped me to take a day trip from Cape Town to “Kaap de Goede Hoop” (Cape of Good Hope). You get to see amazing bays, cliffs and cozy coastal towns. And even penguins, ostriches and whales!
Unknown North Cape
Being the couple that knows everything about off the beaten track places, I love to listen to Dan & Audrey of UncorneredMarket.com when they tell me that a road trip to South Africa’s most North-Western Province of North Cape is an incredible experience.
Cape Town City Break: Paternoster
Melvin of traveldudes.org advices me to visit the fisherman’s village of Paternoster, 2 hours from Cape Town. You can rent a house and enjoy your relaxed beach break.
Drakensbergen
‘The Roof of Africa’, or Drakensbergen, is a real must, says Natalie of MapOfJoy.nl. Not only because of the incredible nature, but also because you get the chance to see bushman paintings’ in a real Zulu Village. Impressive!
Riding an Ostrich at West-Cape
Dave & Deb of ThePlanetD.com are always in for a bit of adventure… and fun! And that is exactly what riding an ostrich at the Cango Ostrich farm looks like.
Self Drive through Addo Elephant National Park
When you’re in South Africa, of course you want to see some wildlife. Lies of NonStopDestination.com tells me to do a game drive in the Addo Elephant Park National Park. There are over 600 elephants, but also lions, waterbuffalo’s, rhinos and zebra’s. Wow!
Share Your South-Africa Tips: www.mijnzuidafrika.nl/juweeltjes [Dutch website, but I’m sure you can enter in English too!]
Wine tasting at Groot Constantia
“Are you visiting Cape Town during your trip through South Africa? Then you have to taste the amazing African wines. From Cape Town, you don’t have to go far at all to taste good wine” says Esther of MooisteStedentrips.nl. And when I look at her photos, this is a true hidden gem!
Johannesburg & Soweto
Natalie of MapOfJoy.nl thinks that a visit to Johannesburg not complete if you haven’t been to Soweto (South Western Townships). This part of the city is one full of contrasts, activity and creativity. I would love to visit myself!
Corinne and Jim of ReflectionsEnRoute.com also visited Soweto and share their experience with visiting a child care centre.
There are many more pins on the Mappin Monday Board around Johannesburg, so check it out for more tips!
Spotten Wildlife at the Kruger National Park
Sab of JustOneWayTicket.com is currently in South Africa, and she shared her beautiful wildlife photos. Check the Pinterest board for more of her pictures, soon to be updated with interesting articles!
If you want to hear more about South Africa, definitely listen to the podcast of Chris of AmateurTraveler.com, in which he talks to photographer Susan of TheInsatiableTraveler.com about her experience at the Timbavati Game Reserve.
Win a trip to South Africa
Excited to visit this beautiful and varied country?
At www.mijnzuidafrika.nl/juweeltjes [in Dutch], you can add your own top tips for a South Africa Trip. You then have the chance to win 2 tickets to South Africa, including 3 nights at a luxurious & beyond (sounds exciting, right?) Lodge in Phina Private Game Reserve. Man, I would love to win that!
Good Luck!
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