Heaven on Earth: 3 Highlights from My Planes, Trains & Safarimobiles Vacation

1) Hiking Along the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range

Cape Town is a scenic wonder. I have witnessed this first hand when I toured around the bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, enjoying the sights and sounds of the harbor and when I took the iconic cable car to the top of Table Mountain to take in the mesmerizing vistas of the city.

My daughter at Camps Bay

But Cape Town is full of delightful surprises—previously I had never ventured up the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and what a thrill that was! The mountain range extends north from Table Mountain and runs adjacent to Atlantic Ocean coastline. As a guest at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, which sits at the foot of the mountain range, I had direct access to the hiking trails that run up the mountainside. The trails are well maintained and feature conveniently placed benches. My daughter and I enjoyed the wealth of flowers and birds that we saw along the trail, but the highlight was the breathtaking views of the ocean and coastline down below. When we reached the top of the hiking trail, we felt like we were on top of the world!

2) The Elegance & Nostalgia of the Blue Train

An elegant dining experience aboard the Blue Train

When I climbed aboard the Blue Train in Pretoria I was expecting a luxurious and memorable experience. The Blue Train’s staff, however, made sure my expectations were quickly exceeded. After checking in to the lounge in Pretoria for refreshments, we were escorted by a butler to our deluxe cabin. From that moment onward, my daughter and I experienced 5-star service throughout our train journey. The staff was nothing short of phenomenal too. The service had a distinctly personal touch as the Blue Train’s staff took the time to get to know us and to make sure we had everything we needed.

The observation car on the Blue Train

The train itself was the picture of elegance. The classic wood interior lent an old world charm to the atmosphere of the train. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the passengers and staff took the train’s nostalgic feel to heart—people put down their tablets and smartphones to enjoy the pleasure of one another’s company. In the observation car, it was a delight to engage in the art of conversation with other passengers while we watched the gorgeous South African landscapes pass by.

3) Kapama's Abundance of Animals

A giraffe at Kapama

One of the most exciting aspects about going on safari is anticipating what animals you may see on your game drive. Will this be the safari where I see cheetahs? How about elephants? Or maybe giraffes? You never know what awaits you in the bush and that is what makes it so thrilling! At Kapama Private Game Reserve, I was blown away by the wildlife that we witnessed. The variety of game was absolutely breathtaking.

Kapama's playful lions

Over the course of our three days at Kapama we saw some truly remarkable sights. One of my favorite moments was watching a pride of lions and lion cubs playing with one another. Their wrestling and antics kept us entertained for over an hour! We also came across a famous rhino that the guides had nicknamed Mr. Grumpy, because of his curmudgeonly nature. Zebras, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, vultures and more were also in abundance. It was an amazing game viewing experience—one of the best I’ve had in Africa. The spectacular game viewing combined with the luxurious accommodations at Kapama made for an idyllic trip, it was truly heaven on earth!

Mary Ellen traveled on Planes, Trains and Safarimobiles in South Africa. This unique & luxurious 10-night safari vacation package has an incredible price starting from US$3,999 for travel on select dates in December 2016. Click the link below for more information.