Firstly you need to understand that I’m an outdoor man. Although I live in a city, everything I do for pleasure will be to get away from city life. While in Australia, I read somewhere that “If you can’t get lucky in Darwin, you should stop trying”. So if you’re looking for big, busy cities to party, don’t follow my advice and if you want to get lucky, go to Darwin.

I believe anybody coming to visit South Africa should try to spend a couple of days in Knysna and Drakensberg. Although there are many other places worth visiting, these two are my favourites.

Most international flights in South Africa arrive or depart in Johannesburg or Cape Town and I would recommend you arriving in Cape Town and departing from Jo’burg. For a bit of wine tasting, do a 1 or 2 day wine trip to Stellenbosch or something around Cape Town and then head off to Mossel Bay (personally I would spend 1-2 days in Hartenbos, just outside of Mossel Bay). Cape Town waters are pretty cold due to Atlantic ocean, so if you want to spend some time on beach, don’t even bother before Mossel Bay. However, I would save my beach-time for Plettenberg bay and Jeffreys bay. Mossel Bay is around 400Kms from Cape Town. From Mossel Bay, I’d go straight to Knysna (+/- 120Kms), although there are a couple of beautiful places along way, so it depends on your time and budget.

I grew up in Knysna and though it is a much bigger and commercialised town now, it is still a stunning place to visit. If you like hiking, spend time in Knysna. When I was a little boy, our family got lost on a hiking trail and at some point we had to cut through an immensely dense fern growth. Being too young to know dangers, I thought it was most amazing thing because we were walking (or crawling) on top of these ferns probably 1 meter or so above ground and ever so often I would see our little fox terrier down on ground looking up at us. The Knysna forest has an amazing variety of plants and trees and on many of hiking trails you will constantly be covered by a huge tree-top covering. In my opinion it is beautiful and I can spend many hours just enjoying beauty in a small area. The town itself is now well developed and has many activities for tourist. Many stunning restaurants on waterfront and make sure you have a couple of drinks on a sun-downer trip on lagoon. Try to spend at least 2 days in Knysna.

Your next stop must be Plettenberg Bay. It’s only about 60Kms from Knysna and with its stunning beaches, Plett is one of my favourite bird-watching destinations Those would be bikini-clad type of birds, of course. I must admit that I only know Plett for its beaches, but just for my love of beaches and “birds”, I would gladly spend 2-3 days in Plett.

After Plett you may want to look into Storms River mouth, but I’ve only been there twice many years ago. There is a friggin big tree there in case you’re interested in seeing an 800 year-old Outeniqua Yellowwood. It is also a beautiful area for hiking similar to Knysna forests.

Checking in …

-if valet parking is available, use it. If not, park by lobby doors and ask for a hotel escort into parking lot or garage. A small tip to person assisting you is well worth to protect your safety.

-travel lot to park in most safest space possible. Check to make sure no one is loitering and where you park is well-lit. Try to park as close to lobby as possible.

-take out all personal items, laptops, electronic devices, money or any other valuables out before you or valet parks your vehicle. Take items with you or lock them in your trunk.

-when registering, use only your first initial and your last name. Use your business address and phone number.

-request for a room not on a first or second floor (more thefts occur on these two levels especially if there is a sliding glass door, window or balcony) and available with an inside corridor. If hotel has many buildings, get your room within main building of hotel.

-ask front desk attendant to write down your room number, not said out loud to have bystanders overhear what room you are in.

- ask hotel staff about safety of jogging nearby or walking from your hotel to nearby restaurants, movie theaters or parking lot. They are often most reliable source of information about neighborhood. Don't hesitate to ask about transportation shuttle services and escorts to your car or room. If you inquire about or walking areas at front desk, verify employee giving you advice has knowledge of area.

-if your room key is labeled with room number, take care not to let others see that number. Safeguard your key at all times. Especially in public places. Don’t leave it at a restaurant table, by swimming pool, bar or gym. Don’t give it to others. Don’t leave it in room or in hotel room door.