Now Is The Ideal Time To Visit South Africa And Micato Can Create Your Ideal Itinerary

If you are one of those travelers who are looking for a more dazzling summer holiday, South Africa is the perfect choice. Visitors will of course be thrilled to see a family of lions frolicking or a dazzle of zebras having lunch. But the country also offers amazing food (and wine!), art, history and some of the most luxurious accommodations.

South Africa has amazing wildlife and more

Steven Lake, Micato Safaris

I have traveled to South Africa on numerous occasions, visited again recently and was once more delighted by the country’s beauty, resilience and extreme welcome. And Micato created a seamless itinerary filled with unique surprises that made our adventure even more special. Below are five reasons to visit right now.

A family photo

Steven Lake, Micato Safaris

1.The wildlife

Of course, almost everyone who plans a trip to South Africa is going for a safari. South Africa has some of the best and most diverse viewing on the Continent. A visit to Kruger, Sabi Sand or the Kalahari will almost guarantee a tremendous safari experience. While some travelers are keen to see the Big Five, and probably will, don’t forget the fun of watching a herd of impalas, a group of friendly meerkats or a giraffe or two. You will find all your favorites, as well as a numerous Southern African birds to keep continually in a state of happy awe. Your Micato guide will be with you for your entire journey and will also serve as a terrific and enthusiastic safari guide.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

2.The other amazing activities

I personally can watch animals all day long, but South Africa also has so much more to offer. Cape Town is one of the top culinary cities in the world. You can expect an exceptional mix of European, African and Asian cooking that utilizes local game, organic veggies and some of the most creative cooking styles. One Cape Town favorite is Aubergine where you can find a seasonal tasting menu with treats such as kudu loin with white poppy seed sauce and souffléd hazelnut pudding with five-spice ice cream. Another terrific option is Marble, a boisterous waterfront place where you can indulge in numerous meaty options. (Linefish and salmon are also on the menu). One perk of traveling with Micato is that they will pick up the tab for any local restaurant you choose—you are on vacation after all!

Nelson Mandela’s prison cell

Getty Images

One of the most meaningful excursions is a trip to Robben Island. This World Heritage Site is the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years of his imprisonment. Looking into his tiny cell is a very powerful experience. We were incredibly lucky that Micato was able to arrange a meeting with Cristo Brand, who was one of Mandela’s guards who forged a powerful relationship with Mandela and ultimately worked in his government. It was quite a thrill to hear Brand recount his favorite and very personal Mandela stories.

Zeitz MOCAA

View Pictures/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Other ways to spend an afternoon include a visit to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art, the largest museum of contemporary African art. In addition to marveling at all the amazing art, guests will be delighted by the redesigned architecture of this historic grain silo complex. And while on the V&A Waterfront, visitors can shop for local crafts, join “An Amazing Race” like experience, take a waterfront tour or hop on the Cape Ferris Wheel.

And if you find yourself in Johannesburg, you can plan a Soweto tour, an art gallery tour or spend an afternoon at the Rosebank mall, shopping for local crafts. Visitors with more time, can explore the Cradle of Humankind, which documents the development of humans over the last few million years. And if you are traveling with kids, I can recommend, Bounce, a nearby trampoline park.

Your luxurious and sustainable lounge

Cheetah Plains

3.Have the ultimate sustainable safari

One of the most luxurious safari experiences in South Africa is also one of the most sustainable. The recently opened Cheetah Plains has created an unparalleled bespoke safari lodge where small groups of families and friends have private villas and share a huge, art-filled living area, pool, private wine cellar, and a staff of 10. Your staff includes a sommelier, several chefs, including a pasty chef, your own massage therapist and a house manager. There is also an onsite art gallery, a curated shop and a well-equipped gym.

A room with a view

Cheetah Plains

But even more impressive is Cheetah Plains’ sustainability commitment. All the villas and suites operate entirely off grid and utilize solar power to provide energy needs. All safari vehicles are custom-built electric Land Cruisers, which means a cleaner and quieter experience for both guests and wildlife. There is no plastic on-site; rooms are stocked with refilled and sealed glass bottles of water that come from a filtrated natural borehole and which goes through a reverse osmosis system. Waste is divided and collected bi-weekly by a local community organization that makes a living reusing, recycling and upcycling materials. This is the ultimate green safari experience.

Give back with your Micato safari

Micato

4.Feel good about your South Africa trip with Micato’s commitment to local communities

Many visitors are interested in giving something back to the communities that they have visited while in Africa. Micato has created and an amazing program called the “Micato One for One Commitment.” For every guest that books a safari, Micato has committed to pay for a child’s education. This includes a child’s desk, uniforms, books, supplies, and term exams; these are all school costs that are the responsibity of the family. Micato can also arrange for guests to visit the Red Hill Library and Community Centre, which is close to Cape Town. This Micato-funded community center provides a computer lab, an impressive library and local teachers to help both kids and their parents learn the basics, as well as help with resumes, and fun after-school activities.

Feel the zebra love

Steven Lake, Micato Safaris

5.Travel to South Africa is relatively easy

While any trip to Africa is a “big” trip, South Africa is a relatively easy to get to with direct flights from the East Coast. The weather, especially in the U.S. summer months, is terrific, with cool mornings and warm afternoons and the region boasts about 300 days of sunshine. The dollar is still relatively strong against the South African rand. And the South African people are incredibly welcoming and love to share their country with American guests.

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