With summer around the corner, I’ve been feeling nostalgic for traveling! Whether you’re planning your next trip or wishing to get inspiration for places to travel, this is a must-see guide for one of my favorite and most magical places I’ve traveled.

In 2018, I visited Africa and experienced some of the most amazing views, hotels, food, and experiences. We loved every part of our trip and would recommend any of the following to someone who is looking to travel here. We loved visiting here because of the unique mix of adventure and lux.

Giraffe Manor

Starting with the iconic Giraffe Manor-- this is on the top of my list for must-see spots in Africa. This is that hotel where you can feed giraffes while enjoying a beautiful view for breakfast! We loved the experience of walking up to this property and seeing the giraffes wander around the property. The Giraffe Manor grounds are so breathtaking, they look like it is out of a storybook-- it’s surrounded by an indigenous forest outside of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The property is home to a herd of giraffes as well as many different types of birds, large families of warthogs, and wildlife. Not only can you snap some amazing photos, but you’ll remember this unique experience forever. Do keep in mind that you need to prebook this far in advance and it is mandatory to stay here in order to visit.

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge

The Lion Sands Lodge is where I recommend staying to do a safari! The lodge is located on the Sabie River, right in the best spot for spotting lions and other wildlife, because it’s in the Kruger National Park. For the food, rooms, customer service I would all give a 10/10. We had a full schedule every day which kept us really busy but we enjoyed it because there was so much to see we didn't want to miss out on anything. We were lucky enough to see the ‘Big 5’, originally referred to the difficulty in hunting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo. We even got to tuck a rhino on foot which, to be honest, was terrifying, but I’m grateful for the amazing experience.

Some of my favorite things I did while here:

Looking at the stars- The night sky is incredible here. You can spend the whole night looking above and watching the stars.
Game Drive- Definitely come here for the safaris and drive along the river. You’ll see the wildlife in a whole different way.
Hippo Tour- When you are on the regular game drive, you don’t get a chance to see the hippos. Take some extra time to see them and the African Nile crocodiles!
Get a massage- Lion sands had an incredible spa.

A few incredible shots of the animals while we were on our safari by Weston Tisch.

Victoria Falls

We stayed at the magical Victoria River Lodge while visiting here! The lodge is so close to the falls but far enough away to feel secluded. From our room, we saw hippos and elephants every day. While here we had breakfast lunch and dinner served by an amazing chef that works on site. With beautiful African sunsets and lux comfortability, you’ll want to make sure to spend a few nights here.

Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World! It’s a must-see stop for the insane views of the Falls and nature that will take your breath away. We got to swim in the Devil’s Punchbowl and you can walk through the rain forest and see notable sights like the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, Cataract Island, and Livingstone Island.

Cape Town

Stay at the Taj Mahal-- it’s a luxury, 5-star hotel set in the heart of Cape Town. This historic building has an incredible architectural design and stunning for photos.

While In Cape Town

Bo Kaap/Cape Malay Quarter- This neighborhood is filled with culture and adventure. It has a lot of history to learn about that you will want to experience first hand!
Boulder Bay- You get to see African penguins in their natural habitat!
Top of Table Mountain- You’ll see spectacular views of the city! You can take a cable car up and take in the breathtaking views. At the top, you’ll find great restaurants, coffee shops, and viewing decks.
Company Gardens- This garden is the oldest in the country! The Company Gardens in the middle of the CBD is also home to a beautiful rose garden, Japanese garden, fish pond, and bird aviary. It is adjacent to numerous important landmarks, including the present-day Houses of Parliament, the Iziko SA Museum and Planetarium, the SA National Gallery, and other historical buildings.
Castle of Good Hope- One of the oldest buildings in South Africa. It was built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a maritime replenishment station.

Winelands

The Cape Winelands is one the most scenic! It’s a perfect mix of wine, adventure, and stunning views. The historic estates are Cape Dutch-style and have spacious vineyards that date back centuries. They are bordered by: the Hottentots, Holland; the Franschhoek Mountains; and in the North, by the Wemmershoekberg. The most popular and well-known are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.

Paarl- Paarl is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. It offers historical charm, culture, architectural heritage, wine and fruit farms, breathtaking scenery, and many cycling and nature trails.
Historical Stellenbosch- Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa full of charming scenes and rich in history. Old oak trees line the streets and frame the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Stellenbosch Wine Route is the oldest in South Africa!
Franschhoek Valley- This lies against the backdrop of the majestic Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains. It’s a beautiful setting with many guesthouses, café lined streets, antique stores, art galleries, bakeries, and the chocolatier demonstrate a truly French flair.

Other Must-See Spots in Cape Town

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve- Cape of Good Hope is one of the two world-renowned landmarks within the Table Mountain National Park, the other is Table Mountain. This part of the park is home to an array of fynbos, over 250 species of birds, buck, baboons, and Cape mountain zebra.
Clifton and Camps Bay Beaches- Mother City has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton are white and sandy offering spectacular views and sunsets.
False Bay - The largest bay in Southern Africa- False Bay has one of the Cape Peninsula's most tranquil and picturesque stretches of coastline. Known for its scenic beauty, it encompasses small seaside villages along the coastline. The most popular small towns include the historical naval village of Simon's Town,
Boulders - African Penguin Colony Boulders Beach in Simons Town is home to the 'Jackass' African penguin, now said to number over 3000, though the species as a whole is listed as endangered. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in the natural habitat.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden founded in 1913 is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

What To Wear

Pack casual and comfy items you don't mind getting dirty. Especially for the safari, I would suggest bringing items that you don't mind will possibly get destroyed. Throughout the trip, I wore a lot of leggings, basic tops, and Adidas. Packing versatile clothes that you can walk around in and wear in different ways is my top tip! Also-- there are bugs so I would try and stay covered, but dress in lighter layers since it can get hot!

For the Giraffe Manor and other resorts, I would recommend packing flowy dresses and casual sneakers to take photos in!

Ready to Pack Your Bags to Africa?

Altogether, we loved visiting Africa and getting to experience all-new places! To be exact on the length of our stay-

3 days at Giraffe Manor
3 days at Tamarind Tree Hotel
4 days at Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
4 days at Victoria Falls River Lodge
4 days at Taj Cape Town

Our Africa trip