THE REALLY WILD SHOW
SWIMMING WITH SHARKS AND WATCHING LIONS EAT BREAKFAST MAKES SOUTH AFRICA THE ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST DESTINATION FOR
LOOKING out of the cage into the deep blue sea, a shark emerges from the murky depths.
Within seconds I am face-to-face with the two-metre-long predator. Before I know it a dozen others are circling the cage.
While my heart is racing, the terror soon gives way to awe as the black tip sharks majestically glide around me.
A terrifying, but exhilarating half-an-hour, it is one of the many reasons why South Africa is simply breathtaking – a country filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
I had flown into Durban, which sits in the south-eastern coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal, just days earlier.
Cycling down the dazzling stretch of coastline known as the Golden Mile is an enjoyable way of getting to know the area, and with daytime temperatures hitting the 20s even in the winter, a great stop-off is at the seafront Circus Circus Cafe where you can enjoy some fresh seafood along with a crisp pint of Castle or a glass of cool dry South African white.
Durban has a fantastic culinary scene, and no visit is complete without trying a braai (a traditional South African barbecue) at Under the Moon in the Inanda township – where Mahatma Gandhi once lived.
The art-deco Suncoast Towers, just metres from the sea, is the perfect place to base yourself – a short cab ride, from all the main bars, restaurants and city sights.
No trip to South Africa would be complete without a safari, and seeing my first wild lion at Nambiti Game Reserve is a moment I will never forget.
After what had been a fairly quiet morning drive, the guide suddenly stopped the open-top vehicle.
In the grass just several metres away lay a lioness and her two adult sons, sleeping next to the body of a kudu they had just brought down.
One lets out an almighty yawn and slowly strides over to the carcass and feasts on his breakfast – seemingly oblivious to the watching tourists.
The reserve itself is home to ‘the big five’ and you are likely to spot game such as zebra, eland and impala during one of the early morning or sunset drives.
I was also lucky enough to watch a giant elephant demolish a small tree for its supper – as well as end up in the middle of a herd of buffalo.
But most of the time spent on safari though is in the lodge – and the Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge is a fine place to holiday in splendour.
With just five private suites this quiet lodge sits on top of a giant cliff face above the Sondagsrivier – providing magnificent panoramic views of the reserve. If you are lucky you can lounge away in the infinity pool watching rhinos in the valley below.
Getting there couldn’t be easier, with the reserve just 25km from the town of Ladysmith.
Away from the sea, sharks and safari parks lies the Drakensberg Mountains, the highest range in South Africa and one of the most picturesque places in the world.
Its spectacular landscape is filled with lush fields of yellow grass, huge brown mountains and incredible river valleys and gorges.
To get a closer look, I took an hour-long helicopter ride with Westline Aviation from Dragon Peaks resort. It is like riding a rollercoaster in the most beautiful theme park in the world.
A more leisurely way to explore Drakensberg is by horseback with Ushaka Horse Trails. I’d never sat on a horse in my life but found it surprisingly easy to pick up and start to take in just where I was. It was indescribably beautiful and relaxing.
Above me was the clear blue sky and beaming sunshine, with the only sound the clip clop of my horse as she moved through the yellow grass fields.
It is a magical way to spend a morning. There are also hundreds of hiking trails in Drakensberg – from treks which take a couple of hours to walks which last days.
One easy hike is around the bowl-like Giants Castle - an area named after the huge imposing mountain faces which look more like the walls of a fortress.
A great place to base yourself in this part of South Africa is the Drakensberg Sun Resort.
The hotel, which has an almost Alpine lodge feel to it with its wooden furnishings, sits in the heart of Drakensberg, making it an ideal place from where you can explore the area.
South Africa is a stunning country filled with unique experiences – it is the ultimate bucket list destination.