#travologue

Thinking about where to go after this pandemic is over? Well, worry not! I have a place where you can relax and have fun.I went to South Africa back in 2018 and it was one of the best trips I have ever had. I really enjoyed the beauty of the place. It was a long travel from home to Cape Town but worth it. I have noted down some of the must place to go to if you are visiting South Africa: 

A. TABLE MOUNTAIN 

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. The cableway has a rotating floor so that we can see everywhere while climbing up (just like a spiral!). The view from the top is mesmerizing and even though it is quite cold and windy on the top, you forget everything and fall in love with the city.

 B. NOON GUN 

The Noon Gun has been a historic time signal in Cape Town since 1806. It consists of a pair of black powder Dutch naval guns, fired alternatingly with one serving as a backup. The guns are situated on Signal Hill, close to the center of the city. The tradition stands that at 12 noon they fire up the canon to let the sailors know that it was 12 p.m.

 C. BO-KAAP  

The Bo-Kaap is an area of Cape Town, South Africa formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former township, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city center and is a historical center of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. It used to be a slave colony. The slaves didn’t have much good in their lives so to make themselves happy, they painted their houses in beautiful and bright colors. This resulted in their hopes, of freedom, not being crushed.

D. CANGO CAVES AND WILDLIFE RANCH 

Tours are conducted at regular intervals on most days— there is a "Standard Tour" which takes an hour and an "Adventure Tour" which takes an hour and a half. The "Adventure Tour" consists of crawling through narrow passages and climbing up steep rock formations guided by small lights. The caves contain halls and limestone formations (on both tours) as well as small passages on the Adventure Tour. The smallest passage that tourists will have to pass through on the Adventure Tour is just under 15 cm to exit. The Cango Wildlife Ranch is a few kilometers from the caves. The Ranch has a restaurant and safaris. There are a variety of animals there. We can also get our photos clicked with cheetah or leopard in person. Well, of course, they tell you not to take any loose object with you and to keep your hair tied up but it is pretty awesome! 

E. OSTRICH FARM

 Safari Ostrich Farm is a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Garden Route, South Africa. This is the only tractor tour on an ostrich farm in South Africa. They have ostrich races and also let us feed the ostrich. But be careful while feeding them. They tend to get a little carried away and can also eat your dangling earrings! 

F. TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK 

Well, I know that it is a difficult name to pronounce but a little tip: T’s are silent. The Tsitsikamma National Park is a protected area on the Garden Route, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. The Otter Trail starts at the Storms River camp and the South African National Parks has laid out several short trails for day visitors. Set in the Garden Route, the trails lead through coastal and forest scenes, as well as various waterfalls, streams, and rivers. The Waterfall Trail is a short but demanding hike that follows the first 2.65 kilometers (1.65 miles) of the Otter Trail; hikers may not walk beyond the waterfall unless hiking the Otter Trail. These trails are adventurous and the hike is refreshing.

G. BONGANI MOUNTAIN LOGDE 

These lodges are built in the middle of a jungle. They provide basic housing there where we can connect with nature. The food is basic and if we want, we can also get the authentic food of South Africa. There is a local safari offered where a lot of animals like elephants, leopards, rhinoceros, impalas, giraffes, zebras, and wild bore can be seen up close ( I mean as close as one can get without getting eaten!) It is a place where one can relax and tune out the outside world.

H. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

 Kruger National Park is one of the best national parks I have ever visited. The variety of animals there is enormous. When I visited, I saw impalas, red-beaked hornbill, hippopotamus, zebra, crocodile, antelope, and many more animals. I even saw the three most rare animals which are not seen by every visitor: hyena, cheetah, and wild dogs. Having them so near that I could touch them was scary and at the same time amazing.