Ask an Expert: South Africa

What was your favourite destination?

It’s a tough one to pick, but Kruger National Park really got the holiday off to a flyer! Every game drive is different from the last, and you get a real thrill from spotting the wide variety of animals.

Rietspruit Private Game Reserve, where Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor is located, spans 5,500 hectares against the beautiful backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountain range, and is home to an abundance of wildlife. The lodge overlooks a nearby watering hole; zebra, giraffe, warthog and impala all stopped by to hydrate on our first day alone!

I am lucky to say this is my third safari experience in Africa, and I’m now convinced I’ll never get bored with seeing the amazing wildlife on offer across the continent.

Where was the best place you stayed?

Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor was exceptional from start to finish. It provided a comfortable stay, unforgettable game drives and impeccable service throughout our stay. We saw four of the Big 5 (sadly no leopard) as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and ample birdlife.

The food was sublime, the infinity pool overlooked the watering hole, and we even had time for massages to decompress!

Each member of our group said they hope to go back in the future and reunite with the amazing staff who made our time there so flawless.

What was your favourite local tipple?

On all of our morning game drives, we would stop for a tea & coffee break, usually in a very scenic location near a body of water. Our wonderful driver Terence and spotter Kemie would pour in a shot of Amarula, a South African cream liqueur, to give our hot drinks a bit of a kick—we certainly weren’t complaining! It gave our coffee a creamy and Bailey’s-esque flavour.

Tipples on safari perfectly combat those early wakeup calls.

Did you pick up any souvenirs?

Rest assured, plenty of souvenirs were purchased for my friends and family! Oranjezicht Market in Cape Town, a waterfront farmers’ market, was excellent for culinary gifts. I picked up some spices, herbal teas and magnets here, but it also offered a great spot for lunch with an abundance of local food vendors.

Did anything surprise you about South Africa?

Perhaps I didn’t have high expectations for Cape Town compared to my excitement to visit Kruger, but the topography, interesting neighbourhoods and natural beauty made it a special place to be.

Waking up to the surrounding scenery of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the cityscape each morning was a joy. Table Mountain would even light up at night, which really elevated its dramatic presence. Bree Street offered some excellent bars, and the Waterfront’s popularity as a tourist spot for eating out and shopping is well-deserved.

How was the food?

South Africa is big on meat and fish—that being said, our group didn’t seem to mind too much when we were served sublime steaks at our Safari lodge or freshly-caught fish on the coast! The fruit and vegetables were always fresh and in season to balance out our plates a little bit.

Khaya Ndlovu offers a braai experience in their Boma (a circular outdoor enclosure traditionally used to house cattle, now repurposed as an outdoor dining and campfire area) every few nights for those on Llama Travel’s Kruger Safari extension.

I can highly recommend the following restaurants: Baía Seafood Restaurant, Waterfront, Cape Town; The Athletic Club & Social, Bree Street, Cape Town; Codfather Seafood & Sushi, Camps Bay; and Tuk Tuk Microbrewery & Bistro, Franschhoek.

How were the guides?

Genuinely exceptional. As previously mentioned, the staff at Khaya Ndlovu for the Kruger leg of the tour were so friendly and professional, and made our stay stress-free. We simply didn’t want to leave by the end of it.

Terence and Kemie were awesome on all our game drives, asking us what animals we’d like to see and trying their absolute best to make it happen. Their knowledge of the animal kingdom was second to none, and made each encounter that little bit more special.

We also did a Cape Peninsula tour during our time in Cape Town and had the pleasure of being driven around by Ruben, who might just be the sweetest and most informative man in South Africa!

The tour was packed with interesting stories, historical context and gorgeous views along some of the most unforgettable roads in the southern hemisphere. It goes without saying that we all felt completely safe throughout our tours too, which was of the utmost importance to our guides.

How was the journey there?

We had direct flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow. The flights took just short of 11 hours both ways, and the direct connection made for a straightforward journey. British Airways also flies direct to both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

What's your favourite photo from the trip?

Kruger is home to thousands of rhino.

This was the highlight moment on safari for me. Seeing a rhino so close, let alone two, blew my mind and made me appreciate the sheer size of these magnificent beasts. They feel as close to dinosaur status as any other animal on safari and carry a real elegance and grace to how they travel through the bush.

Where's next on your travel list?

I have a couple of European weekend breaks coming up to Brussels and Copenhagen. The next big one will be going back to Canada in June to visit my friends in Vancouver, on the West Coast. I’m hoping for a return to the magical Vancouver Island for some camping and exploring.

Inspired by Otto's experience? Contact us here to talk to one of our experts and start planning a safari holiday to South Africa, or explore our full range of safari holidays here.

Our newsletter spotlights our travel experts' experiences in-destination, along with the latest Llama Travel updates & offers. Sign up here to be the first to hear all that and more.