Reset search
Southern Africa
  • Pat Esler
  • Tracey Esler
Current
  • Pat Esler
  • Tracey Esler

Southern Africa

A 30-day adventure by Pat & Tracey Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Currently in
    🇳🇦 Namibia
  • Southern Africa
    Vergelegen Wine Estate
    Vergelegen Wine EstateVergelegen Wine EstateVergelegen Wine EstateLunch at Tokara Wine EstateDelaire Graff EstateFrom our bedroom windowHike from Franschhoek Pass to Uitkyk

    Franschhoek

    Aug 27–29 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    On the way today, we passed some antelope in a paddock outside Kleinmond.

    Saw baboons on the road in Betty's Bay. There were people waving red flags to warn drivers to slow down.
    Beautiful drive along the coast to Gordon's Bay, some whales spotted.
    We visited Vergelegen Estate, granted to the Governor of the Cape in 1700, and had a coffee in the Rose Terrace Tea Room.
    Lunch was amazing at the Tokara Wine Estate, after which we visited the Delaire Graff Estate across the road then made our way to La Villa guesthouse in Franschoek for a two night stay.
    The next morning we drove out to Franschoek Pass and did the hike to Uitkyk. This is a very scenic hike but unfortunately all the vegetation was burnt in a recent fire.
    That evening we had another very good dinner at Arkeste restaurant. Really interesting starter (salmon, soft meringue, savoury icecream!), and delicious venison main (kudu).    Read more

  • Southern Africa
    Peter summiting Mt Kilimanjaro on the 3d relief map of Africa at Cape Agulhas
    Peter summiting Mt Kilimanjaro on the 3d relief map of Africa at Cape AgulhasUlla, Anita & Tracey at the southernmost point of AfricaCape AgulhasCape AgulhasMark at the CapeRock towers at the Cape

    Cape Agulhas

    August 26 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Cape Agulhas is a windy place! The Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at the southernmost tip of Africa. Today, the sea was choppy and spattered with white caps, thanks to the 50 km/ hour Easterly. Everyone enjoyed exploring the surrounds, including having fun identifying the different famous bits of Africa on the giant relief 3d continental model.
    Good coffee nearby at "Coffee & Blues " Cafe.    Read more

  • Southern Africa
    Knysna guesthouse
    Knysna guesthouse

    Montagu

    Aug 25–26 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    A picturesque day of driving today, from Knysna to Montagu through the mountains.
    We passed a troupe of baboons on the road early in our trip.
    The sedimentary? rock formations in the gorges and mountains are a real feature. Bands of orange and yellow intermingle with the more usual rocky off whites and the patterns made by the fracturing in the rock create artworks of the cliffs and gorges.
    Pat enjoyed his Ostrich burger for lunch at Nostalgia Restaurant in Outdshoorn.
    Springboks? In a paddock outside town.
    Our guesthouse, tonight, the Montagu Vines, was superb. Open fires in all the rooms, classic solid colonial style with big verandas and lots of pleasant places to sit, both inside and out.
    This evening, we celebrated Ulla's birthday in style at the Bloupunt Winery restaurant, an eclectically elegant establishment. The food - baked Kingslip all round- was excellent. As we were lucky enough to be in the luxury room, everyone gathered there after dinner to round out the evening by finishing off the complimentary wine.
    After a relaxed start, we were treated to another exceptional breakfast and enjoyed the guesthouse grounds for an hour or so. The lovely big mastiff dogs and the abundant and varied birdilfe kept everyone entertained.
    Leaving Montagu, we drove South to Cape Agulhas.    Read more

  • Southern Africa
    Lazy Lion guesthouse, Knysna
    Night 1. Kynsna, Dinner overlooking the specky narrow sea inlet with the waves surging.Lazy Lion guesthouse, KnysnaRobberg HikePeter & Trace Robberg PeninsularThe crew on Robberg PeninsularRobbergIt was steep and at times treacherous.Lots of seals around the PeninsularPeter conquering RobbergPat conquering RobbergA bit of a scramble over sometimes wet rocksMark RobbergLooking back along Robberg towards "The Island"

    Knysna and Robberg Hike

    Aug 23–25 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    After our beach walk, we started our road trip. First stop was at a deep, gorge carved into very fragmented multi-coloured rock. Lunch was on the deck of The Lookout, a beautiful sunny spot overlooking the beach/ sea.
    The Lazy Lion guesthouse. Knysna, was a very welcoming and comfortable stay, which I'd highly recommend - lovely hosts (a Dutch couple) and beautiful breakfast. This is a family run guesthouse and employs a number of young women to help with cooking, serving and cleaning. Unemployment is at 50% in the Eastern Cape province. At every roadworks, you can see multiple people (usually black women) waving flags to alert motorists to the works.
    Dinner at Pizza e Vino.
    24th August. We backtracked a half an hour to reach the Robberg Peninsular, a beautiful outcrop into the Indian Ocean & home to many seals. dolphins, white pointers whales, birds and dassies (rock rabbits). Another mongoose dashed across the road at the entry to the walk. We didn't see the sharks or whales.
    It was a tough but beautiful walk, incorporating steep climbs, rock scrambles and narrow ledge sections.
    Anita & Tracey chose to do the more moderate 5.7km loop while Ulla, Mark, Peter & Pat did the full hard core 8.7km. It took them 3hrs 40mins.
    At dinner at Freshline Seafood Restaurant we all ordered Kob and it was delicious.
    Everywhere we travel, the houses and estates are protected by high fences often topped with electric wires. On the outskirts of major cities are extensive shanty towns and along the roads, many black people walk into and out of town, many trying to hitchike, some touting cash for a ride.    Read more

  • Southern Africa
    View from 14th for of Radisson
    View from 14th for of RadissonPeter, Anita, Ulla, Mark, Tracey& PatReturning from Beach walk to coffee at the end of the pierBeach walk, Port ElizabethOn the pier, PE

    Port Elizabeth

    Aug 22–23 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Leaving Jo'burg we encountered a very"helpful" porter (wearing a uniform & looking very official) who almost grabbed our passports and checked us in at one of the automatic machines. When we got to bag drop we discovered he'd taken us to the wrong place, printed out useless bag tags & tried to request payment. Fortunately, we hadn't yet acquired any rand and neither had we asked for assistance, so he left empty handed.
    Continuing in this eventful South African arrival, the wind at Port Elizabeth was gusting to 80km/ hour. Sure enough, as we started to land the plane was buffeted wildly. About 4 metres off the ground, there was a surge of power and we lifted off again. Luckily, after a tense 10 minutes, we landed on our second attempt. The passengers applause was heartfelt.
    Peter & Anita greeted us at the airport & after check in at the Radisson, we headed to Ziggys waterfront pub and enjoyed a lovely lunch & live music. South Africa is abuzz with expectation, as tonight the Springboks play the All Blacks.
    Peter & Anita took us on a guided tour around Port Elizabeth and its beautiful coastline. A mongoose (we think) scooted across the road at one point. The day ended with dinner at Charlie's Pizza & Pasta, a cosy resto next to our hotel.    Read more

  • Southern Africa

    Johannesburg

    Aug 21–22 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Just another night's sleep between flights. The flight from Singapore was ok, landing about half an hour early.
    When we got to the baggage carousel Pat's bag was missing. There were no more bags to come from our flight, and there was a similar bag on the carousel, except it was a bigger size, had a padlock on the zip, and had a Priority tag, indicating Business Class. The staff managed to phone the owner of that bag, who obviously had my bag. Fortunately he was still at the airport.Read more

  • Southern Africa

    Melbourne

    August 20 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We had an early birthday celebration for Willow last night, and Matthew very kindly dropped us at the airport this morning.
    Just as we were getting in the car we had a video call from Tim, Charlie and Jessica, which was lovely. Charlie is looking super happy and healthy for a two-week-old.
    Although we are a bit sick of airports and flying, having only been back from Europe for a month, at least we are flying with a proper airline this time (Singapore).    Read more

  • Trip start
    August 20, 2026