Standing on the edge of a cliff, hitting a golf ball towards a green in the shape of Africa 560m below, is not what
I expected on my eight-day tour of South Africa. I have a serious fear of heights and was banned from playing golf with my dad at a young age because, apparently, I lacked natural skill. Right now, I most fear the shame of completely missing the ball in front of an audience.

Fortunately, I am concentrating so hard on just hitting the ball that I forget about the height and as my ball sails off (landing nowhere near the green), I can finally step back and enjoy the view. Stretching out before me is Entabeni Game Reserve and we are about to be taken down by helicopter to explore it.

We base ourselves at the beautiful Legend Golf & Safari Resort where we enjoy early morning and evening safaris with our guide JD, a true bushman with endless stories and knowledge to share. His unbridled enthusiasm is incredibly infectious, giving us a real feeling of adventure as we scout for elephants, lions and leopards.

The resort’s main attraction is its golf course, with 18-holes each designed by international golfing legends, including New Zealand’s own Michael Campbell. But for those of us who are not into golf, the resort’s beauty spa is the place to go! After some serious pampering there, I resume my journey.

South Africa is currently in the final stages of preparing to host June’s Soccer World Cup. I am ashamed to admit that prior to my trip, my soccer knowledge extended only as far as the words “Beckham” and “Cole” – and, even then, it was probably for all the wrong reasons. However, looking around the impressive Soccer City Stadium located just out of Johannesburg, I can easily imagine the crowds and the excitement. As an event, it’s going to be simply amazing.

Soccer City is a just short car ride from Soweto. Here we take a tour that includes the Hector Pieterson Museum. It’s dedicated to the students who clashed with Apartheid-era authorities during the Soweto uprising of 16 June 1976, resulting in the death of hundreds of young people. Reading their stories while looking out
over the township is incredibly moving.

South Africa is undoubtedly a land of contrasts and its answer to Las Vegas – Sun City – seems a world away from Soweto. We stay at the beautiful and opulent Palace of the Lost City, which I’ve heard will be home to the English soccer team’s wives and girlfriends during the World Cup.

In just two days, I get some serious sunbathing done, swim in a wave pool with its own man-made beach and feed an elephant. I enjoy an African tribal dance and opera evening, ride a quad bike on the game park and traverse the resort by Segway.

Our final stop is Sabi Sabi, located in the Sabi Sands at the base of Kruger National Park. Staying here isn’t cheap but if you can stretch your budget, you won’t be disappointed. We stay at Bush Lodge, one of four separate lodges on the property. After arriving, we walk out onto the communal deck area and spot giraffes wandering past in the distance – a surreal, picture-perfect African scene.

Each day, after enjoying delicious, fresh coffee, we set out on safari drives. Afternoon excursions are preceded by high tea, served from ornate wooden tea boxes with dainty little cakes on the side, and we return each night to the most incredible dinners, served outdoors around an open fire. Tin lanterns hang from the trees above, casting light and shadows over the beautifully set tables. No detail here is overlooked – there is even a personalised note on my bed each night with the weather forecast for the next day.

The real highlight, though, is the wildlife. On one excursion, I hold my breath as a lion casually wanders past
our open safari truck, looking straight at us then sauntering off. Our guide, Will, assures us we are perfectly safe, as long as we don’t stand up, make sudden noises or try to touch the lions. They come so close to the vehicles and seem so relaxed, though, it’s tempting to reach out and stroke their tails!

During our stay, we see so many wild animals that after a while, our group starts making specific requests, “No more rhinos, we’ve seen enough” and, “More lions, but only if they are hunting…”

Our ranger tries his best and after seeing a hippo floating in the water on our final morning, we are satisfied. I don’t think anyone could ever feel ready to leave this place, though, and I’m certainly not.
This was my first trip to Africa, but I know for sure it won’t be my last.