by Tony Huffman, Founder & Chairman

Having visited numerous times over the years, South Africa is one of my most favorite places to explore. Whether it is for safari or for city culture, it will never disappoint. My most recent trip confirmed my deep fondness for this part of Africa.

My wife, Pokey, and I planned our trip last spring to coincide with a Virtuoso agency owners’ meeting in Cape Town. For this year’s itinerary, I decided to explore an area that was new to me, but very intriguing; The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. This spectacular area, located approximately 2.5 hours east of Cape Town and nestled between mountain and sea, affords an entirely different experience to the traditional African safari. Grootbos is a five star eco-paradise showcasing the incredible flora and spectacular marine life on the Southern Tip of Africa. This area is well known to be home to the “Marine Big 5”: whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, and penguins. While there, Grootbos reconfirmed its growing reputation as being a very family-friendly destination and a wonderful compliment to a traditional safari experience.

There is a wealth of nature-based activities to be experienced on the property such as nature walks in the gardens, visiting caves, and exploring beautiful beaches. I was delighted to see so many interesting, animal-oriented experiences, including early morning visits to collect eggs from the chicken coop, feeding pigs, fishing for trout, and riding horses (or ponies). How about swimming with sharks or whale watching? Gansbaai is just off the coast of Dyer Island, home to South Africa’s white shark diving industry and home to a large colony of seals, penguins, and bird life. Surrounding the island is a huge population of great white sharks. Each year, between the months of June and December, hundreds of southern white whales congregate in the sheltered shallow waters of Walker Bay to mate and calve their young.

When we left Grootbos, we headed to Cape Town. The drive is beautiful and for those who are still seeking more animal experiences, a stop at Betty’s Bay to see the largest colony of penguins is a must!

Cape Town is a city that is on the move. It is growing and changing at such a rapid pace. What struck me so much on this trip was the exploding restaurant scene. Cape Town has always had great dining choices, but now more than ever, it is a ‘foodie paradise’. The Test Kitchen is arguably the city’s most acclaimed restaurant and, while reservations are hard to come by (must book 30 days in advance), it does not disappoint. We had a very enjoyable meal at a pretty courtyard restaurant called Bizerca Bistro, where the relaxed French menu featured seasonal specialties. Camps Bay is a lovely suburb of Cape Town that warrants a visit. We particularly liked our meal at The Round House, where sampling African seafood specialties while dining outdoors is a real treat.