After leaving a demanding job, Valerie gave herself permission to take a year-long travel sabbatical. What began as a quest for rest became a transformative adventure across Africa from the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the Cape Of Good Hope. This was just the part of her amazing journey..
“I gave myself permission to take a year of sabbatical and go travelling.”
Letting Go and Saying Yes
I didn’t love my job anymore. The board I’d served for over the years had changed, and the appreciation for what we’d achieved together seemed to have faded. So, I made the decision to leave. I gave myself permission to take a year-long sabbatical and travel — something I’d always dreamed of doing.
My first trip was a three-month adventure through Europe (I’ll share more about that in another post). That was already booked when I received an unexpected email from Richard Field of African Family Safaris, whom I’d met through a business program. As a single woman “of a certain age,” I could easily have hesitated but I didn’t. The invitation sparked something in me; my whole body said yes. It was for a mobile safari in Botswana with Kane Motswana.
A Week in Cape Town
Having never been to Africa before and unsure if I’d ever have another chance, I decided to begin with six nights in Cape Town, South Africa. After talking with South African friends and recent travellers, I booked into the Commodore Hotel on the V&A Waterfront, a safe and lively area filled with restaurants, shops, and attractions like the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and the departure point for Robben Island tours.
Robben Island: A Journey Through History
Using the hotel concierge, I arranged a list of small-group tours to make the most of my time. One absolute must was the tour of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Standing near his tiny cell and hearing the firsthand stories from former inmates — who still live on the island — was a deeply moving experience.
Another highlight was visiting the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-westerly point of Africa. Along the way we spotted antelope, ostriches, and baboons including one mischievous baboon who famously jumped into a tourist’s unlocked car and made a meal of the snacks inside!
We also stopped at Boulders Beach to see the charming Cape Penguins which stand 60 to 70 cm tall with distinctive black and white markings unique to each bird. They’re critically endangered. I could have watched them waddle up the sand for hours.
And, of course, no visit to Cape Town is complete without Table Mountain. On a clear day, I took the Hop On Hop Off bus to the cable car station. To my surprise, the floor of the cable car rotates during the ascent, offering every passenger a panoramic view of the city, ocean, and mountain. Once at the top, I wandered the trails, enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine, and even spotted a hyrax — a small, furry animal that looks like a guinea pig but is, incredibly, related to the elephant!
On my final day, I joined one of the city’s free walking tours which I highly recommend. My first, Apartheid to Freedom, was led by Cameron, a former PhD student turned screenwriter. We visited St George’s Cathedral, where Desmond Tutu led anti-apartheid rallies, and the balcony where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech as a free man.
After lunch, I joined the Best of Bo-Kaap tour. This colourful, historic neighbourhood once known as the Malay Quarter which dates back to the 1760s and is famous for its brightly painted houses and cobbled streets. The area, home to Cape Malays brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and across Africa, remains rich in Muslim heritage and community life.
Declared a National Heritage Site in 2019, Bo-Kaap’s charm is as vibrant as its history. Cameron pointed out that if two houses are the same colour, they likely belong to the same owner!
As I wandered the vibrant streets of Bo -Kaap, I felt transfixed by the history and colourful culture around me. From leaving my city job in Sydney to embracing the unknown, I revelled in rediscovering and exploring the world on my own terms.
Cape Town, with its rich history and boundless energy, will always hold a special place in my heart, as will the rest of South Africa.
Follow Valerie’s First Safari in Botswana here.
