Raise a Glass to Africa’s Many Happy Returns

Recently, in my weekly late Friday afternoon Pilates class in Edinburgh, I stumbled into a conversation that sparked my soul. A fellow class attendee was raving about a recent visit to South Africa and expressed his delight at discovering how good the country's sparkling wine is, which he said was, and I quote, "Just as good as champagne for half the price". Let's take a peek into why it's making waves across the globe...

A Unique Name for a Unique Sparkling Wine

The sparkling wine produced in the Cape Winelands in the Méthode Cap Classique (MCC), or more recently just called Cap Classique (CC), style is a celebrated export. Presiding appellation laws prohibit it from being called champagne due to its provenance being outside France's wine-producing region, Champagne.

"Delicious and so affordable! Excellent value!" my friend exclaimed, extolling South Africa's gastronomic virtues. I nodded enthusiastically, smiling broadly, my heart swelling with national pride for my country of birth.

Just then, Karen Blixen's quote, author of the epic novel "Out Of Africa", synonymous with Kenya, popped into my mind: "There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne – bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive," prompting me to share that I hail from the Rainbow Nation. His eyes shone with the joy of a shared wonder.

Class attendees continued to trickle in steadily, and his circle of wide-eyed listeners grew. Emboldened by the keen interest in the travel-savvy pearls he was dropping, he expanded that he was looking forward to popping a bottle for this weekend's special occasion, citing notable names Graham Beck and Simonsig. I noticed one of the ladies in his enthral let the information wash over her, and each drop of inspiration she lapped up piqued her interest further. I fancied from the faraway look in her eye that she was making a mental note to contact her travel agent later to inquire about visiting South Africa.

Location, Location, Location

As he talked, I ruminated that Africa holds a wealth of enriching experiences for curious visitors and presents compelling reasons to return. Some will revisit the same places to relive the emotional connections formed during soul-stirring experiences rooted in Africa's epic nature. Africa's cities also offer a unique blend of cultures and histories, some as old as time.

Humans are creatures of habit, and returning to a known destination provides a restful framework underpinned by knowing what to expect. These criteria are essential for fostering a more inclusive travel sector catering to the neurodivergent and mobility impaired.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

There's so much to explore; some travellers who revisit the continent return to the same places, while others move on to new destinations and fresh travel discoveries.

For example, riding Tanzania's thermals in a hot-air balloon experience over the Serengeti, dune trekking in the ancient Namib Desert, or a helicopter flip over the Okavango Delta with an island picnic en route to a secluded luxury eco-camp deep in the heart of Botswana's sparkling UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Kigali, Rwanda's welcoming capital, is a shining example of turning chapters in its history marked by conflict into an opportunity for enlightenment through tourism.

Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, is as magnetic as it is vibrant. Affectionately known as the "City of Gold", this land bears the artificial scars made by its mining industry. Meanwhile, the Apartheid Museum showcases a nation's emotional scars and its complicated human rights history.

Open-minded travellers with a penchant for music, art and enriching history revel in its many captivating experiences, from vibrant Vilikazi Street to Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African statesman Nelson Mandela's one-time sanctuary, Liliesleaf Farm.

Cape Town is a must-visit destination with its stunning natural beauty dominated by esoteric Table Mountain, fynbos floral kingdom and its cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city's culinary star continues to rise and consistently delivers out-of-this-world gastronomic experiences.

Food, like travel, is a great connector of people and could underscore conversations within peer circles, encouraging repeat and referral visits to Africa. Instagram, TikTok, and Zomato are popular online sources for checking out travel reviews.

You've Got the Power

Ubuntu is an expression meaning "I am because we are". Passing on information about positive travel experiences is so potent. A vibrant, close-knit, relational travel community that offers trusted advice based on first-hand experiences is vital for tourism to thrive.

Whether your go-to is travel review platforms, travel media or your trusted travel consultant, their intrinsic value is founded on paying it forward through tried-and-true knowledge sharing.

If a travel experience in Africa has made your heart sing, share it. Do your part to bring awareness and share the love for the continent within your circle of influence. Walk and talk about it, type about it, even shout about it. And if you're so inclined, write a song about it. What inspired Toto's "I bless the rains down in Africa"?

Africa: A Rewarding Cornucopia for Repeat Travellers

By experiencing Africa's diverse cultures and stunning landscapes, travellers can better understand the continent's rich heritage and contribute to sustainable tourism. Sustainable Travel International highlights that tourism can promote peace and understanding between different cultures.

Talking about travel experiences and discoveries while visiting foreign lands sparks connection, broadens horizons and builds bridges of tolerance.

All the Places in Africa You'll Grow

As the Pilates class folded to a languid close, my fellow South African advocate and wine enthusiast packed up sharpish and strode purposefully toward the door. The only thing standing between him and his liquid fortification now was the journey home.

I took the chance to bestow on him a parting suggestion – one newfound travel community member to another. He should spirit himself to South Africa expeditiously in favour of sending his palate on another tasteful discovery trip.

He shot a look over his shoulder as he swung the door open, smiled warmly and nodded emphatically, eyes twinkling with quickening wanderlust and the promise of an MCC mousse enlivening his tastebuds.

I smiled, knowing how many epicurean delights remain in store for him. May his craving for South Africa's soulful food and drink drive him back to our borders. May it be sooner than my next trip. He'd be the lucky one.

Did This Whet Your Appetite?

Ready to indulge in the magic of Africa? Taste, see, and experience all it has to offer. Contact our Travel Experts today – we’ll have the bubbly on ice, waiting for you!