South Africa — Every Sunrise Brings an Adventure

A 10-Day Romantic Escape for Couples.

For more than a century, most people thought of apartheid whenever they heard the name South Africa. For Indians, there was the bitter memory of Mahatma Gandhi getting kicked out of a first class train compartment, despite having a valid ticket, simply because he was not a white. In the last three decades, however, Indians think cricket when they think of the country, especially the iconic players who have emerged from there. Yet, there is much more to South Africa from a traveler's perspective. It offers you some of the most beautiful natural scenic sights, the opportunity to observe wildlife at close quarters, and a rich cultural heritage which is reflected in their food, especially the fine dining and wine experience.

Keep these details in mind before you go

A 10-day schedule is ideal for couples, honeymooners, and luxury travelers. You need to have a minimum budget of ₹4.5–6 lakhs, including flights, for two people. Depending on how early you book your return tickets, they could cost between ₹60,000–90,000 per person. The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Indian passport holders need to acquire a South African tourist visa before traveling there. Your flight time could vary between 14–17 hours. One of the easiest options for reaching South Africa from India is via the Middle East.

Remarkable value for money

Compared to the Indian Rupee (INR), the South African Rand is relatively weak. This ensures that stays at luxury hotels, fine dining, and even world-class wines here are not as expensive as in Europe or North America. September is one of the finest months to visit. Since it is in the southern hemisphere, it is spring in the Cape. With flowers beginning to bloom, and the weather pleasantly mild, there are no extreme temperatures to worry about. At this time, wildlife sightings at the Kruger National Park are at their peak as animals gather around shrinking waterholes. For couples, it is an ideal getaway for a leisurely, even romantic vacation.

Get ready to be seduced by Cape Town

Reserve days 1–4 for Cape Town. With the Table Mountain watching over the city while the Atlantic Ocean sparkles below, it is one of the world's most livable cities. Roam around the city to savor the elegant cafés, admire the colonial architecture, be blown away by the colorful Bo-Kaap houses, and enjoy meals at the award-winning restaurants. You could stay at the Commodore Hotel, where it costs ₹18,000–24,000 per night per person; or at the Southern Sun Newlands which is more affordable at ₹7,000–9,000 per night per person. The additional attraction is the acclaimed Indian restaurant onsite.

Start your vacation on a relaxed note

Expect to spend day 1 on your arrival, and settling in. In the evening, you could stroll through the V&A Waterfront, and wind up the day with dinner at the Pier Restaurant, where the fresh seafood is exceptional. It is likely to cost ₹6,000–8,000 for two. On day 2, you can take the cable car up Table Mountain – the name originating from the flat plateau top which runs for 3 kms. It is home to the dassie or rock hyrax, porcupines, mongooses, snakes, lizards, tortoises, and a rare endemic species of amphibian the Table Mountain ghost frog. The rotating aerial cable car up to the summit offers a panoramic view of Cape Town, the harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Vary your experiences

Visit Bo-Kaap which is a historic, culturally vibrant neighborhood in Cape Town, located on the slopes of Signal Hill. It was a settlement built to house workers brought from Malaysia. Remember to visit the Awal Mosque, which is South Africa's oldest mosque. Later, head to Camps Bay to enjoy the sunset. With the Twelve Apostles mountain range and Lion's Head as its backdrop, palm lined promenade, and the icy blue waters of the Atlantic, a walk on the white sand beach is an experience to remember. Round off the day with dinner at La Colombe, which has consistently ranked among Africa's finest restaurants. Typically, a meal would cost around ₹14,000–16,000 for two, excluding wine.

Make day 3 about breathtaking scenes

The drive to Chapman's Peak showcases dramatic cliffs, sparkling ocean vistas, and the rugged beauty of Table Mountain National Park. From there you could visit Cape Point, which is a promontory at the southeast corner of the Cape Peninsula at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent. Next try visiting the Cape of Good Hope which was first rounded by Bartolomeu Dias enroute to India. Though it was named Cape of Storms by him; the Portuguese King John II renamed it to Cape of Good Hope as signaling the opening of the spice route to India. Then, Boulders Beach should be on your itinerary. Watching hundreds of African penguins waddle across the sand is one of the most unforgettable experiences in South Africa. Round off the day with dinner at The Codfather, Camps Bay. It is likely to cost ₹5,000–7,000 for two.

Dedicate days 4, 5, and 6 to visiting Robben Island, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch

To get a better understanding of South Africa's history, you should take the ferry to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in imprisonment. You can spend the afternoon shopping at the Waterfront. Visit the wine country on days 5–6. Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are in the Western Cape, and lie only an hour from Cape Town. While the former is celebrated as the gourmet food and wine capital with its iconic hop-on hop-off Wine Tram to go hopping between vineyards; the latter is a university town, notable for the Dutch architecture which often distinguishes the region. It is considered one of the world's prettiest wine regions. Even if you aren't a wine enthusiast, the scenery alone is worth the journey. Rolling vineyards stretch endlessly beneath rugged mountains. Stay at the Le Franschhoek Hotel, which would cost ₹15,000–22,000; or at the slightly more affordable Protea Hotel Stellenbosch, where each night stay costs ₹11,000–15,000 per person.

Flatter your taste buds

The estates you might like to visit are Boschendal, Babylonstoren, La Motte, and Grande Provence. The cost of wine tasting could vary from ₹600–1,500 per person. Round off the day with dinner at Le Coin Français, which offers one of South Africa's finest dining experiences. The cost for two would range from ₹10,000–14,000.

Complete your vacation with a trip to Kruger National Park

Take a 2 hour flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then connect to Skukuza or Nelspruit. Alternatively, you could drive onward to your safari lodge. Domestic flights typically cost ₹7,000–15,000 per person depending on when you booked your flights. You have the option of staying at the Kruger Gate Hotel, which would cost anything ₹18,000–28,000; or you could stay at the Skukuza Safari Lodge which would cost between ₹20,000–30,000 per person. Book your safari trip for the morning game drives which usually begin around 5.30 am. Look forward to encountering lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and hippos. September offers some of the year's best wildlife viewing as vegetation is sparse, and animals congregate around water sources.

Food will be the least of your worries

Most safari lodges include breakfast and dinner. Savor the traditional South African cuisine which include grilled fish, vegetarian curries, and various kinds of fresh breads rounded off with excellent desserts. If you need to go shopping to take home mementoes, look for South African wines, Rooibos tea, handmade jewelry, Ostrich leather products, and African artwork.

Keep in mind these travel tips

Hire a self-drive car in Cape Town for maximum flexibility, or use Uber within the city. Keep valuables out of sight, and avoid deserted areas after dark as you would in any new travel destination. Carry layered clothing as Cape Town mornings and evenings can be cool even in September. It is customary to tip about 10% of your bill value in restaurants.

What makes September so special?

The arrival of spring in the Western Cape in September brings with it mild temperatures, colorful wildflowers, and fewer tourists than the peak summer months. It is also one of the prime seasons for whale watching around Hermanus, and for special game viewing in Kruger National Park as animals congregate around shrinking water holes.

Galaxia Quest verdict: Head for South Africa in September to enjoy a collection of unforgettable moments. You could be sipping a crisp Chenin Blanc one day while taking in the lush vineyard covered mountains one day. The next day you could be observing a leopard slip silently through the African bush. Scenic coastline complement world class cuisine, while the hospitality provides you with excellent value for money. This kind of multidimensional experience earns South Africa a place on every traveler's bucket list. For couples seeking romance, adventure, and luxury in equal measure, few destinations can match the Rainbow Nation.