South Africa – Where Wanderlove Took Root (1 Month)
Every great journey has a beginning, and for us, South Africa was far more than the first pin on a growing world map. It was where marriage, freedom, and adventure merged into a single unforgettable chapter—where our shared life on the road truly began.
Fresh from our wedding in England and a civil ceremony in Cape Town, armed with nothing but backpacks and an open-ended sense of curiosity, we set off to explore South Africa at a beautifully unhurried pace. One month. Endless memories.
From City Streets to Forested Valleys
Our adventure began in Johannesburg, but the road called almost immediately. With a rental car and a head full of anticipation, we headed east toward Hoedspruit, breaking the journey in the picturesque town of Sabie in Mpumalanga. Nestled along the Sabie River and wrapped in emerald-green forests, Sabie felt like a deep exhale after the city—quiet, refreshing, and deeply rooted in nature.
Our riverside stay became a gateway to some of the region’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Water cascaded dramatically at Mac Mac Pools and Falls, Bridal Veil Falls lived up to its romantic name, and Lone Creek Falls roared with untamed beauty. Each stop felt like a private performance by nature, unfolding just for us.
High above the Lowveld, God’s Window delivered a moment of complete stillness—one of those rare pauses where the world feels impossibly vast and wonderfully small at the same time. Nearby, the sculpted rock formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the sheer scale of Blyde River Canyon revealed the quiet artistry of time itself.
Safari Dreams in the African Bush
From scenic self-drives to pure indulgence, our journey continued deep into the bush at Makalali Private Game Lodge. Trading backpacks for safari vehicles, we experienced Africa at its most cinematic. Dawn game drives, golden sunsets, and close encounters with wildlife unfolded against a backdrop of both luxury and wilderness.
It was five-star comfort wrapped in raw, untamed beauty—a contrast that made the experience even more powerful. Watching the bush awaken each morning together, surrounded by silence broken only by nature, felt like stepping into a dream we never wanted to end.
Cape Town Calling
After returning to Johannesburg, we flew south to Cape Town, where another self-drive adventure awaited. Few cities in the world blend dramatic landscapes and cultural depth as effortlessly as Cape Town, and it delivered at every turn.
Table Mountain stood tall and constant, watching over the city as we explored. A visit to Robben Island added historical weight to our journey, while the Cape Peninsula revealed rugged coastlines, sweeping ocean views, and roads that begged to be driven slowly, windows down.
Along the Legendary Garden Route
The road east from Cape Town unfolded into one of the world’s most celebrated coastal journeys—the Garden Route. Each stop added a new texture to our experience.
In Hermanus, the ocean teased us with the possibility of whale sightings, a reminder that nature often rewards patience. Mossel Bay raised the adrenaline with shark cage diving—heart-pounding, humbling, and unforgettable. Oudtshoorn pulled us inland, where the ancient chambers of the Cango Caves echoed with wonder and history.
Knysna and Plettenberg Bay softened the rhythm once more—lagoon views, forest walks, and moments that felt tailor-made for newlyweds discovering the joy of shared travel.
A Perfect South African Farewell
Our journey came full circle in the Cape Winelands, where vineyard-covered hills rolled gently toward the horizon. Wine tasting in Stellenbosch slowed time just enough to truly savor the moment, while seafood feasts in Melkbosstrand—fresh, simple, and deeply satisfying—offered the perfect coastal goodbye.
South Africa wasn’t just a destination for us; it was a beginning. A month that set the tone for everything that followed—choosing curiosity over comfort, experiences over excess, and holding a shared belief that the world is best discovered together.
