South Africa had been a dream destinationof mine for many years. In planning a tripI decided on the popular ‘Garden Route’

experience. A route which offers much of whatSouth Africa is famous for: breathtakingscenery, outstanding cuisine, outrageousactivity experiences and of course thosefamous world-class wine lands, not to mentionstunning safari adventures. I opted for the Westto East route flying into Cape Town andspending five days in the Cape peninsula.

Prior to travelling I had made contact with ourIPA friends in Cape Town and was invited to atraditional braii (barbecue) in the IPA house‘Timour Hall Villa’, on the edge of the beautifulConstantia Valley. The manager, DeonHuysamen and his daughter Jo, welcomed usproudly. The villa is set in large and beautifulgardens with guinea fowl roaming free. The19th century house is a triumph of restorationand has become a popular bar with itsenormous collection of police memorabilia. Ican honestly say it is amongst the most cosyand friendly places I have ever had thepleasure to stay in.

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful,interesting and vibrant cities I have visited. Thetourist will inevitably be drawn to the Victoriaand Alfred Waterfront, which is still a livelyworking harbour, having an eclectic mix ofshopping, entertainment and dining withboardwalks and esplanades. First stop in CapeTown has to be the city bus tour combiningexcellent value for money with a fascinatingand educational insight into the city and thegreater Cape Peninsula. I would thoroughlyrecommend it for getting your bearings early onand establishing the locations of attractionswhich you may want to explore further.

Naturally, Table Mountain viacable car (or indeed thestrenuous hike up) is a mustsee. Despite glorious weather,Table Mountain is regularlyshrouded in a tablecloth of lowcloud which often precludesany opportunity to visit. Theview from the top however is asight you will not forgetquickly. My other toprecommendations for visits inthe Cape Peninsula wouldinclude: Camps Bay – a smallupmarket resort or picturesque Simonstown –home of the South African Navy and of courseyou cannot miss Cape Point and the Cape ofGood Hope, the most southerly part of theAfrican continent.

For eating out, Cape Town offers a plethora ofrestaurants and my top tip is try the mixed grillof crocodile, kudu, ostrich and venison atMama Africa’s in Long Street. A venue wheremeals are accompanied by live marimba andother swinging African sounds to fuel theatmosphere. Or, for a more relaxing evening, trythe Green Dolphin down at the V&A Waterfrontwhich has excellent food and some very laidback quality jazz. I would say five days is anappropriate length of time needed to see thebest of Cape Town.

On leaving we made the short 45 minute driveto Stellenbosch, a stunningly beautiful smallpicturesque Dutch colonial town, gateway to theremarkable wine lands of South Africa. Thereare over 150 vineyards close by, most of whichoffer wine tastings. Whilst it would beimpossible to visit them all I can recommend LaMotte, Boschendal and the fabulously‘Hollywood style’ Delaire Estate withunparalleled views from its manicured terraces(but you will need your platinum card!).

Next stop was Franschoek, a tiny one streettown, noted for some of the best cuisine inSouth Africa and a collection of quaint littleshops offering local crafts. With no shortage ofsublime restaurants to choose from, we picked

the very non vegetarianfriendly Grill Room, which wescored at a creditable9.5/10. Located on thebeautifull L'Ormarinsvineyard is the Franschhoekmotor museum. Thismuseum houses arguablyone of the most exquisitecollections of motor cars inthe world including severalunique and pricelessexamples. As an ex trafficpoliceman and motorenthusiast, this place was likeheaven to me, but I would defyanyone not to be extremelyimpressed by the beauty ofL'Ormarins and the dazzlingquality of the museum.

If you choose the NorthernR62 route towards Oudtshoornyou will be treated to a varietyof spectacular and everchanging scenery whichbecomes more semi-arid‘karoo’ as you travel east. It is afive hour drive. Oudtshoorn isfamous for the miraculous

Cango caves, ostrich country and of coursethe Swartzberg Pass, a barely developed roadbuilt by convict labour in 1888. This road,despite offering some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in South Africa, alsopresents an unnerving challenge for a driver.

Leaving Oudtshoorn our route took us south inthe direction of Knysna, again a beautiful

drive, where you can absorb scenery whichhas to be seen to be believed. Unfortunatelywe saw none of it because it started to rainand visibility was reduced to one hundredyards. Knysna’s beautiful lagoon was alsoobliterated by the weather and it was the nextmorning before we could appreciate thedelights of the Featherbed Nature Reserveand the Knysna Elephant Park. Being up closeand personal with these beautiful and gentlecreatures was an experience we will neverforget. Knysna is also a convenient base forexploring the Plettenberg Bay area and I wouldrecommend stopping for lunch at ‘TheLookout’. Knysna also offers one of themagnificent ‘34 South’ chain of restaurants, abizarre but fascinating mix of restaurant,delicatessen, wine and gift shop with a worldclass collection of model cars on display.Undoubtedly the most interesting restaurant Ihave visited in years.

Leaving Knysna en route to Port Elizabeth, amust see attraction is the Bloukrans Bridge, at216 metres, the highest bungee jump in theworld. It’s not difficult to stand and watch,incredulous, as people pay £70 to launchthemselves off this engineering marvel intoapparent oblivion. Tempted though I was, Iacceded to the call of maturity and common sense.

Less daunting, but in its own way equallyspectacular, is Tsitsikamma National Parkwhich was our next stop. The tranquil 900meter board walk to the wobbly suspensionbridges is an excellent way of working off yourpicnic lunch or impromptu barbecue.

After a brief overnight stop in Port Elizabethwe gave up the hire car and were transferredto Rippon Safari Lodge which is part of theShamwari Game Reserve. This was arguablythe high point of the South African adventure.The food and hospitality and ambience atRippon was simply second to none and thetwo day safari exceeded all our expectations.With two three-hour safaris each day therewas barely time for a snooze and a picniclunch between but there was an overwhelming feeling of becoming one withnature. Photographing lion, white rhino or bullelephant in the wild in their natural habitatfrom about ten feet away was high on my‘bucket list’* and is an experience Irecommend you should have on yours. Beprepared for 5.30am starts, cold earlymornings and a rough Land Cruiser ride, butbe prepared also to treasure those amazingmemories forever. Many folk wouldrecommend leaving the safari until the end ofa South African trip and I would have to agree.After that, the short internal flight from PortElizabeth to Johannesburg and subsequentlyhomewards paled into insignificance.

We barely scratched the surface of thetreasures which South Africa has to offer.Although this was my first trip to this splendidcountry I can guarantee it will not be my last.There is too much to see and experience tolimit yourself to one visit. If you arecontemplating South Africa as a traveldestination in the near future my simpleadvice is this, ‘just do it’.

*Editors Note: A bucket list is a wish list ofthings to do before you die.

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Police World Vol 56 No.3 2011 17Police World Vol 56 No.3 201116

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Breathtaking scenery, world-class vineyards and areputation for culinary excellence and sporting prowess.South Africa has all this and so much more. Brian Kennedy,Publicity Officer for 2 Region, Northern Ireland, takes upthe story.

Timour Hall Villa

Cape Town

Brian samples the local produce

Some of the local inhabitants of the Shamwari game reserve

Brian and Deon

Want to visit South Africa then contact Deon or Jo at: www.timourhall.comor visit: www.ipa-iac.org/houses/

Just do it!