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One of the most beautiful cities and countries I have ever visited, thus far. Definitely in my top 3 places I've traveled and it was my first solo trip. Once I landed in Cape Town, I like to get the lay of the land so I made my way to the V&A Waterfront, a large outdoor port and shopping/dining area. I had done my research that Cape Town may not be the safest place to travel, let alone as a solo female so I made sure I stayed in busy tourist areas during the day and was home by dark. That said, I never had a single issue or felt unsafe. Uber is readily available and the drivers where very friendly and helpful. I made Cape Town my homebase for about 8 days while exploring the region. Truly so much to see in do in one area of the country. 

While here, I also got to experience "load shedding." I didn't know what it mean in the letter the hotel left for me but I quickly found out! Since the infrastructure of the country is relatively new (in the last few decades), it cannot withstand the current demand so there are scheduled rolling blackouts. Stores have signs that they'll be closed if one is scheduled and I found out while I was in the shower!

The history of Cape Town goes back hundreds of years or just decades. It was the basis for the African slave trade hundreds of years ago as explorers made their way around the southern point of Africa. You can explore the colonial slave quarters, I took a walking tour which gave the history of the area. Then there is the modern history - the period of apartheid which was a mere 30 years ago. You can see it depicted in these benches outside of the city courthouse. The bench on the left, now scratched off, once read "Whites Only," and the bench on the right reads "Non-Whites Only." 

It wouldn't be a trip to Africa without a safari! While most of the safari's are around Kruger Park in the north east part of the country, I found a 3 day tour from Cape Town that took us to Garden Route Game Lodge. It was an absolutely incredible experience to witness these stunning animals up close! I went on two game drives and saw lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, ostrich, cheetah, hippos and more! I was even able to see lions and the aftermath of a zebra kill. The lodge was stunning as well. I experimented and ordered the gemsbok for dinner and it was delicious - similar to filet mignon.

 The Cape Winelands offer a perfect blend of world-class wine, stunning mountain and vineyard scenery, and exceptional farm-to-table dining, making it one of South Africa’s most beautiful and flavorful regions to explore just outside Cape Town. Enjoy a glass of local Pinotage while visiting.  My favorite winery was Muratie - known for their centuries old cobwebs that the original owner has deeded down for generations as a sign of good fortune.

 Boulders Beach is famous for its rare colony of African penguins and calm, sheltered shoreline, offering a unique chance to see endangered wildlife up close while enjoying one of Cape Town’s most scenic beaches.  The water was a beautiful crystal clear blue but very very cold as it comes off the coast of Antarctica. While this is the most famous colony of penguins, I saw them quite frequently on this trip in other areas.

A visit to Cape Town isn't complete without taking the guided tour of the District 6 Museum. Visiting the District Six Museum in Cape Town offers a powerful and moving glimpse into South Africa’s past. The museum tells the story of the vibrant, multicultural community of District Six, which was forcibly cleared during the apartheid era. Through personal stories, photographs, and artifacts, you’ll learn about the daily lives, resilience, and cultural heritage of the residents who were displaced, gaining a deeper understanding of the human impact of apartheid and the city’s journey toward reconciliation. It’s both an educational and emotional experience that brings history vividly to life. It's incredibly sad to think this happened during my lifetime and not some distant historical era.