Okay, I know I’ve been holding on to this trip for way too long now lol—but the first night was just a teaser. The rest of the trip? That’s why I’m already plotting my return.
The next morning, we were up bright and early to head to Aquila Safari, which doubles as a safari and spa. I’m not sure I’d stay there overnight (though the rooms did look gorgeous), but the safari itself was better than any zoo experience I’ve ever had. Being that up close and personal with the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo—was unforgettable.
I stayed on theme and wore Jhttps://shopsoacg.com/products/jessica-cargo-romperessica—the perfect piece to embody the spirit of the safari. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with a complimentary drink and a buffet of delicious food before our tour. Once we hopped on the safari truck, we got a rundown of the rules and then hit the trail.
First up: hippos, giraffes (my current fave), zebras, water buffalos, and elephants. They were all stunning, but it was the lions for me. I was both in awe and slightly terrified—definitely the closest I’ve ever been to one and likely the closest I ever want to be.
Midway through, we had a chance to stretch, grab another drink, and use the restroom at their rest stop. Once the break was over, we rode back toward the main building and caught an even better view of the elephants as they crossed the road to go about their day. It was truly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen—I still watch the videos from that day at least twice a day.
That night, we went out again. Started with drinks at a cool LA-inspired taco spot that had all the margarita deals and flavors.
My fit for the night was simple but effective: a high-cut bodysuit, baggy jeans, and sandals. Perfect for the kind of night we were about to have. After dinner, we hit up three different bars and a club. Just know—a time was HAD!!
The next day was the one I’d been waiting for. The Pisces in me needed water, and Clifton 4th Beach delivered (before all that, Egghead served up a good breakfast)! Yes, it was winter, and yes, Cape Town winters can get chilly, but this one day? Perfect.
The water was freezing, but the views—and this body—were both top tier. I wore one of my favorite swimsuits from Shein, layered under a backless black dress that carried me through the day. After a few hours on the beach, we had dinner at The Bungalow.
Delicious food, endless views, and a vibe you can’t recreate. If you ever make it to Cape Town, please treat yourself to this beautiful restaurant and lounge—you deserve it.
Now of course, it decided to rain the day we booked our ATV ride—but thankfully it wasn’t bad enough to cancel. Our guide, Divine, was amazing. If I ever ride ATVs in Cape Town again (which I will), I know who to ask for.
I kept it cozy in a hoodie I packed last minute and some jeans, which definitely saved me from being drenched and miserable.
For our last night, we closed the trip with dinner at GOLD Restaurant, which describes itself as offering “an authentic African experience.” And it truly is more than just a restaurant—it’s a full-on immersive night with a 14-dish tasting menu, traditional Mali puppets, drumming, and live entertainment. The food was so good, and I even got to try meats I’d never be able to find at home. This is an absolute must for your itinerary if you visit Cape Town—you won’t regret it.
I wore this long, colorful dress from PrettyLittleThing that always makes me feel pretty, and the face painting they gave me at GOLD sealed the deal. I fully felt like a fairy. YUP YUP.
This trip unlocked something in me.
I’ve always known I wanted to see more of the world, but Cape Town made it crystal clear—I need to travel more, and I need to start planning ASAP. If you’re looking for your next destination, do yourself a favor and put South Africa on your list. Cape Town, specifically. It’s worth every second.
See you in the next one
Xoxo, Jonice 💋
Styles of a Curvy Girl 