Sparkloft’s Discovery Trips are all about exploration—of new places, cultures, and even yourself. For one Spark, South Africa offered the perfect opportunity to connect with a destination she had previously only experienced through work. From the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the breathtaking landscapes of the Cape of Good Hope, discover how this journey sparked new inspiration and unforgettable experiences.
When deciding where to go for my Discovery Trip, South Africa immediately came to mind. I had never been to the African continent, and having previously worked with Visit South Africa, I already had a lot of knowledge about the destination. Managing their social accounts has always sparked my desire to visit and experience it firsthand. As I researched further, I became increasingly excited about the opportunity to immerse myself in South Africa's culture, history, food, and natural beauty. I ultimately decided on Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek as my destinations. This trip was also particularly special because it coincided with a college friend's wedding and marked my first time traveling solo.
In the lead-up to my first solo trip, some people in my life expressed hesitation about me traveling so far alone. However, I was eager to embrace the adventure. Although I’m accustomed to doing things independently—like dining solo—I hadn’t done so in a while. This trip felt like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with myself. My goals were to be fully present, meet new people, and enjoy the freedom of creating my own schedule and being flexible with it.
Fortunately, I had a fantastic network of friends who had been to South Africa and shared their recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. Renata, our VP of Client Services, was particularly helpful, and I even reached out to our former client contact from Visit South Africa for advice on hotels and transportation since I chose not to rent a car. My college friends also spoke highly of Cape Town, reassuring me that I would love it. While I did some additional online research, most of my planning was shaped by these personal connections.
Cape Town: The Highlights
On my first full day, I booked a guided tour to visit Cape Town’s main attractions. We began in Bo-Kaap, a vibrant neighborhood known for its colorful houses. Originally established by the Dutch, these homes were built for enslaved people and political exiles. When slavery was abolished, formerly enslaved people bought their homes and painted them in bright colors to celebrate their freedom.
Next, we visited the iconic Table Mountain, reaching the summit via cable car (hiking is an option but quite challenging!). I was amazed at the vastness of the mountain and the stunning views of Cape Town from so many angles.
The tour continued through Camps Bay, followed by lunch in Simon’s Town, where I visited the famous African penguins and learned about their history in the region. We then drove along the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak, ending the day at Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.
On my second day, I toured Robben Island, where political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, were held. This deeply educational experience began with a bus tour of the island, highlighting where prisoners worked, lived, and went to church. The prison tour itself was led by a former political prisoner, who shared personal stories and explained the harsh systems of the time, including how they were graded from D to A. All the prisoners began with a ‘D’ rating and could get to ‘A’ depending on good behavior. We also got to see their cells, including Nelson Mandela’s.
The Food
Cape Town’s culinary scene is incredibly diverse. From BBQ and seafood to sushi and traditional African dishes, there’s something for everyone. Every meal I had was delicious, but two adventurous choices stood out: an ostrich burger and goat kebabs—both highly recommended!
One memorable dining experience was at Mama Africa, a restaurant recommended by Renata. The space is beautifully decorated with traditional African art and artifacts. The waitstaff, dressed in traditional clothing, offers a hand-washing ritual before the meal, adding a meaningful cultural touch to the experience.
A Safari Adventure
On my third day, I ventured to Aquila Private Game Reserve, just two hours outside Cape Town. It’s a fantastic option for a safari without traveling all the way to Kruger National Park (though Kruger is on my future travel list!). I was thrilled to see four of the Big Five, missing only the leopard due to the heat. My favorite part was seeing the elephants—my favorite animal. We didn’t think we would see them as we were nearing the end of our tour and they still weren’t in sight. But then we got lucky and even saw two baby elephants! Our tour guide was amazing and gave us fun facts about the animals - did you know hippos can get sunburnt?
Wine Country
The next day, I headed to Stellenbosch with a friend I met through the wedding party. We visited Radford Organic Wines, where I learned about organic winemaking and enjoyed my first proper wine-tasting experience. It was both informative and fun!
The last two days of my trip were a mix of celebrating my friend’s beautiful wedding and exploring more vineyards around Franschhoek. We visited four different wineries, savoring the local flavors and discovering new favorite wines.
Reflections
The highlight of this trip was reconnecting with myself, immersing in nature, and making new friends. The beauty and scenery of Cape Town evoked a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to travel and experience new sights, cultures, and cuisines. This journey has inspired me to explore more of Africa in the future, and I can’t wait to see where my next adventure takes me.
