Western Cape to the Bushveld
We wanted this trip to be the ultimate vacation and explore as much as we could. Our journey took us to the Western Cape on South Africa’s southwest coast, then across the country to Kruger National Park on the east coast for a safari. Between these two places, we experienced everything we hoped for in our honeymoon.
We hope you enjoy this recap of our adventures, our first travel blog. Please click the arrows to scroll through the photos.
Where We Unpacked
Bosjes Farm
Bosjes is in the Breedekloof Valley at the foot of the Waaihoek Mountains. It is a working farm surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and wide-open views that feel almost unreal. Our honeymoon suite felt peaceful and was beautifully designed. The balcony doors opened up to sweeping mountain views, and if you were lucky, you could sometimes spot giraffes wandering in the distance. The style of Bosjes blends historic Cape Dutch buildings with striking modern architecture, creating a space that feels both timeless and fresh.
Erinvale Hotel & Spa
Erinvale sits right in the middle of a beautiful suburban town, adjacent to it’s famous golf course and private neighborhood. We were surrounded by greenery and open countryside. The property was a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Our room was comfortable and cozy, with lots of natural light and beautiful views from the window (clearly a theme in South Africa)! Our favorite part of the hotel was the breakfast - the assortment of food, baked goods and fresh fruit juices was amazing. To be fair, we ate our hearts out wherever we went.
Thornybush Game Lodge
Staying at Thornybush Game Lodge felt like a real safari experience from the moment we arrived. The lodge sits inside a private reserve that shares open wilderness with the Greater Kruger area, so wildlife is everywhere you look. Our suite was spacious, quiet, and the decor was unreal! It had a comfy bed, a large en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor shower options, and big glass doors that opened onto a private deck. From there you could sit with coffee and watch animals wander past the nearby dried up waterhole or listen to the sounds of the bush. In the mornings, monkeys playing on the roof !
How We Explored
Thursday November 6th - Friday November 7th - A Detour, A Spa, and a Wedding
To be transparent, the first part of our adventure is not pictured because we were fighting for our lives. Google Maps skipped the toll road and sent us driving along the side of a cliff, lol.
When we first arrived in South Africa, we were already a few hours behind due to a flight delay. We picked up our rental car and headed to Somerset West, about 45 minutes from the airport, to pick up the cake from the baker’s house. We met the baker, loved the cake, and then headed to Bosjes Farm, which was now about an hour and a half away. Midway through the drive, Bakari’s Google Maps shut off. He turned it back on, and this is where things got interesting. The farther we drove, the fewer cars we saw on the road. Eventually, there were no cars but us. Then the wind started howling. We had no idea the wind in this country is as serious as Chicago wind and is often a sign of how the day will be. The car started shaking, and it was pitch black. We could barely see, so we turned on the bright lights. We realized we were driving on the side of a mountain called Bainskloof. Bakari said, “Baby, stay in the middle of the road. I do not want us to fall off the cliff.” Every five minutes I asked how much longer. My throat had a lump from fear, and my voice was cracking. What should have been a 15 to 20 minute drive, since the mountain portion is only about 13 miles, took us 45 minutes to an hour because we drove about 5 miles per hour out of precaution. We eventually made it to Bosjes Manor and Farm, and whew, what an adventure. Lesson learned, take the toll road, as we did for the rest of the trip.
Every time we mentioned being on Bainskloof to a South African, they gasped and said, “Oh shame”. Their version of “oh dear”. We laugh so hard about it now because life can be so funny. After that unexpected detour, we were greeted by the kindest staff at Bosjes Manor. The chef prepared a special chicken salad for us at our request. Ingredients we have never had together before somehow became a salad Mel now craves often. It was so delicious!
The next morning, our wedding day, we woke up, had a delicious breakfast, explored the grounds, and enjoyed massages. The views from the massage table were unreal. God truly is an artist, and nature never ceases to amaze us! A big thank you to Erina Wagenaar who helped us throughout the whole elopement process , the two lovely ladies who helped me get dressed, and the chef (the term “chef’s kiss” perfectly defines every meal she creates).
Saturday November 8th - Whales, Art & Table Mountain
We kicked off the day with a whale-watching trip in Hermanus with Southern Right Charters. Not only did we spot a few enormous Bryde’s whale (hard to see it’s hump amongst the waves), but we were also surrounded by literally thousands of dolphins and seals. It was a surreal experience that felt like stepping into a nature documentary.
After we headed back to Cape Town and ate lunch at the eclectic Kloof Street House, a restaurant sitting in an old house filled with character. Then we headed to Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), where we wandered through galleries filled with cool installations and featured collections. The most powerful was an installation showcasing a quote by Robert Sobukwe, the anti-apartheid revolutionary and founding president of the Pan Africanist Congress - “I refused to accept that I can be a refugee anywhere on the continent. How can I, when the whole of it is mine“.
And to cap it off? An afternoon ride up Table Mountain via the Aerial Cableway that spun around the entire way up, so that we would all have a beautiful aerial view of Cape Town.
Sunday November 9th - A Day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram
We spent Sunday cruising along the Franschhoek Wine Tram Navy Line, one of the most scenic and relaxing ways to go wine tasting. Honestly, it was nice not having to drive. We hopped between a few wineries, including Allee Bleue, Bartinney, and Boschendal Wine Estate. As we moved on and off the trams and buses, we chatted with tourists from all over, including a few from back home in the US. Each stop had its own vibe, with lush gardens, sweeping mountain views, and consistently delicious wines.
Wine tastings varied by location but were mostly around $5 for three to five wines. The pours felt closer to a full glass by American standards rather than a typical tasting. The charcuterie boards were massive and really tasty. By the end of the day, it all felt a bit like a dream, though the wine may have had something to do with that.
Sunday November 10th - Honeymoon is ‘On Par’
We kicked off the day on the fairways of Erinvale Golf Club, where Bakari played his best round yet. Mel was on fire too (only putting lol but with surprising accuracy. Sinking it in on the first try at 75% of the holes). We were paired with a friendly father-son duo who were from just outside Cologne, Germany, and the son even had an upcoming wedding, which made for easy conversation. The course itself was so beautiful, nestled between mountain ranges with views that just never got old. A special thank you to Mel’s coworkers at the Feeding America National Office for the generous engagement gift that covered our golf day!
By the time we finished, hunger set in and the hunt for food began. We decided on a Portuguese restaurant and ordered prawns, chicken, and by accident squid lol, all drenched in garlic butter with a touch of peri-peri sauce. The sangria rivaled the kind in Spain, and the chocolate cake was the exact kind Bruce from Matilda would risk it all for. A solid 1000/10. No crumbs. No notes.
Sunday November 11th - Penguins, Peaks, A Glimpse into the Past
We woke up and set out for Cape Town, stopping first for breakfast at a quirky local cafe called Pajamas and Jam Eatery. After that, we headed to Boulders Beach to see the penguins. We visited two different entrances for two completely different perspectives. First, we found a local beach, often called the “road less traveled.” If you walk past the main beach, climb over massive boulders, and squeeze through narrow openings between them, you eventually reach spots where you can get incredibly close to the penguins. Later, we visited the more traditional entrance to see them from the boardwalk. Both experiences were absolutely worth it.
Next, we drove the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, where every curve brought jaw dropping ocean views and dramatic, canyon like cliffs.
In the afternoon, we headed to Robben Island. The ferry ride took us to the historic site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Our bus tour guide kept us laughing with witty commentary, including a running joke about him seeing a snake and allowing it on the bus, so we could finally film “Snakes on a Bus: The Sequel.” The most powerful moment came from hearing the story of a former political prisoner who guided us through the maximum security prison. He spoke about his imprisonment for resisting the government, the “each one teach one” culture among inmates, and the challenges of rebuilding life after freedom, including support from the Red Cross that helped him transition. It was heartfelt, sobering, and unforgettable.
After the ferry ride back, we had some time before our dinner reservation and visited the local waterfront mall. We ended the night at The Potluck Club, enjoying creative dishes alongside a stunning view from above the city at night.
Sunday November 12th - Saturday November 15th - Into the Wild
Over three days, we went on six game drives, every morning at 5 AM and every afternoon at 4 PM. The reward was unforgettable. We saw the Big Five and countless other animals, witnessing the raw beauty of the South African bushveld up close. Thornybush Game Lodge itself is absolutely stunning. The decor and overall aesthetic of the lodges were everything, and the food was once again unreal. The staff were incredibly kind, and the other guests we met were truly the icing on the cake. We made so many new friends along the way.
One of the most unforgettable parts of our time in South Africa was being out in the bushveld. From the moment we set out on our first game drive, it was clear we were in the hands of highly skilled professionals. The trackers and guides are experts who must pass rigorous testing and certification before ever leading a drive. Their knowledge is incredible, from identifying animals by the faintest tracks in the dirt to recognizing dozens of bird calls by sound alone.
There were moments when they would pause, listen, and then confidently guide us in a new direction, only for us to come face to face with a lion or a rhino minutes later. Pure skill and talent at work. Once, a male rhino felt threatened by us because he was pursuing a female and apparently decided our vehicle was competition, lol. He slowly started to walk toward us in preparation to ram the car, but thankfully our guide reacted quickly and drove off just in time. Our guide and tracker, Kilmon and Lot, were truly the best of the best. They made it their mission to ensure we saw the Big Five and on our last morning searched high and low so we could finally see giraffes (although we saw them the night of our wedding - two live at Bosjes Farm - go back and see the photo of us looking out the reception area window). Kilmon and Lot’s respect for the animals and the land was evident in everything they did. Anti poaching is critical. There are zero benefits to consuming a rhino’s horn. Zero. These animals die at the hands of greedy and selfish people, and it devastates the entire ecosystem.
Our last night at Thornybush was the group dinner, where our guide joins us all. It also happened to be Bakari’s birthday, and the staff surprised him by singing Happy Birthday. He had absolutely no idea it was coming. He was told it wasn’t for him as the beat could be heard in the distance lol, which made it hilarious and somehow even more special. Fun Fact: Our wedding date November 7th, is in the middle of our birthdays - Mel’s November 2nd and Bakari’s November 14th. Shout out to Lorraine and Clifton for making magic happen throughout the entire trip, especially our private honeymoon dinner.
