Inspired Travelers,

With May upon us, we are excited to present some amazing experiences and some golf trips with direct booking for this summer to Scotland and Ireland.  

One of our featured experiences for Safari by Distincte has me reflecting on a recent journey exploring the stunning Garden Route in South Africa.

Our adventure commenced in George, (an ideal gateway with regular flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg) which serves as the gateway to the Garden Route. The serene landscapes of George set the tone for the remarkable journey ahead. The first stop along the route was the Simola Golf Resort, nestled in the hills above Knysna. Simola’s course is a great test of golf with panoramic views of the Knysna Lagoon, not to mention it was our home for a few days while we visited our South Africa partner for his birthday. 

As we said our goodbyes, we continued on our journey via Tsitsikamma National Park, a haven for nature lovers, we hiked along trails that meandered through ancient trees, crossed suspension bridges, and marveled at the diverse wildlife that calls this park home (no lions though, thankfully). The beauty and serenity of Tsitsikamma was something that we won’t ever forget, it’s certainly a must-visit.

Our route then took us to Cape St. Francis, a charming coastal fishing community famous for some of the best calamari in the world – yes, we did dine at an amazing local restaurant that has some of the best seafood you will ever eat! We also played a morning round at the St. Francis Bay Golf Club and spent the afternoon on the beautiful beaches at the bottom of the steps from our hotel.

The grand finale of our journey was the Kareiga Game Reserve, a sanctuary that epitomizes the wild beauty of South Africa. To enter the reserve, you leave the main road and travel for a few miles before you get to the main lodge. About 10 minutes in, we rounded the corner and were met by a massive bull giraffe standing “very” tall in the middle of the road.  Our time at Kareiga was filled with many wow moments as we embarked on game drives that brought us up close to Africa’s magnificent wildlife. Our experience included elephants and more giraffes, stealthy predators, and a plethora of bird species, Kareiga offered a window into the untamed splendor of the African wilderness.

This journey along the Garden Route was more than just a travel experience; it was a journey of discovery and reflection. I’m a big believer in trying the impossible – slow time down so you can soak it all in. South Africa allowed us to do that and after a three-week tour, they had to pry me back onto my flight home; Needless to say, we cannot wait to return! See our suggested Garden Route experience on our home page and give me a call when you are ready to go! 

Thank you for being a part of our Experiences by Distincte community

Sean Winton
Founder & President, Experiences by Distincte