From Penguins to Lions

Trip taken from 7 to 23 November 2006. Itinerary: Air France flight Bologna-Paris-Johannesburg, then a South African Airways flight to Cape Town. Pick up the rental car at the airport and... off we go:-)

Day 1: arrival in Cape Town

Visit by cable car to Table Mountain to enjoy the wonderful landscape. Relax at the Waterfront, the real "centre" for after dinner in Cape Town.

Day 2: Cape Town - Cape Town

The penguins of Boulder's Beach. It doesn't happen every day to be able to see penguins in their natural habitat. The promontory of the Cape of Good Hope. A beautiful walk to the tip of the peninsula. The promontory is stunning. The views of Hout Bay. Along the road you come across ostriches and baboons.

Day 3: Cape Town - Hermanus

The penguins of Betty's Bay. Another area inhabited by penguins, much rockier and wilder. Whale Watching in Hermanus. The sea was frighteningly rough, yet we managed to see one and it was truly worth it... For info:

Day 4: Hermanus - Swellendam

Jogging in the De Hope Reserve Cape Agulhas, the last strip of African land that divides the two oceans with an imaginary line. Night in Swellendam, the first town built in South Africa by Europeans. We slept at the Greystone Guest House, the oldest house in the town. I recommend dinner at the restaurant "The Vegebond", where, besides taking a step back in time, you eat really very well.

Day 5: Swellendam - Knysna

The Garden Route towards Knysna. Visit to the Elephant Park Reserve. It's an excellent way to touch elephants with your own hands before seeing them in the wild. Understanding their habits, their diet and the dangers they have faced or may face now.

Day 6: Knysna - Jeffrey's Bay. Jeffrey's Bay is the ideal destination for surfers. The waves are never lacking.

Day 7: Jeffrey's Bay - Durban

Arrival at Port Elizabeth airport, return of the car and low-cost Khulula flight to Durban. In Durban, pick up the rental car and visit the city aquarium. The aquarium stands in the southern part of the city, directly on the sea. It is part of a larger structure where dolphin shows are also held, etc... The aquarium is very good and above all well made (it feels like being inside an old merchant ship).

Day 8: Durban - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve Park

Photo safari in the kingdom of the rhinos.

Day 9: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve Park - Santa Lucia Boat visit on the Santa Lucia estuary with views of hippos and crocodiles. Unfortunately the sea didn't allow us to make another boat trip to see the whales.

transfer to Kruger Park

Day 10-11-12-13-14: Kruger Park

Intense days dedicated to the photo safari. We split the days, spending the first part in the south (Skukuza Camp) and the second in the centre-north (Olifant Camp). We saw everything and more...

Day 15: Kruger Park - Lydenburg

Visit to the Echo Caves Blyde River Canyon Bourke's Luck Potholes, famous for their views, but not on the day we passed through. Fog like you wouldn't even find in the Po Valley...

Day 16: Lydenburg - Johannesburg

Return to Italy Johannesburg-Paris-Pisa

USEFUL LINKS: you'll find hotels, guest houses and B&Bs information on all the parks of South Africa, with various info and the possibility of booking.