Insider scoop on life as an
Australian in Cape Town
We share the story of an Aussie girl, Sophie who moved to Cape Town!
“Danica and Jonathon have asked if I would kindly share my story with you, so here goes.
I am an Australian girl living in Cape Town and have recently celebrated my one-year anniversary in this beautiful city. This has given me inspiration to share with fellow Australians my whirlwind of experiences so far. Thanks Encompass Africa for the chance to share it here.
In August 2016, my boyfriend and I relocated to Cape Town from Brisbane. My boyfriend, Drew, was born in South Africa and emigrated to Australia at the tender age of 9. His childhood years were fundamental in establishing strong roots in South Africa. Four years ago Drew graduated from University and decided to travel back to his motherland for the first time as an adult. He brought a mate and travelled the country, spending 2 weeks in Cape Town. Naturally, he fell in love all over again and vowed that he would be back one day to call it home.
Moments after landing in Cape Town I had already decided that this was the city for me.
As soon as you enter the fold an energy rushes through you, a feeling most can’t explain.
Oozing with ethnic diversity, the Rainbow Nation is home to an epic 11 official languages, not to mention the countless other dialects spoken. Along with this, its dark history has been fundamental in the ever flourishing creativity and artistic expression in this city. Nelson Mandela has created a sense of ‘there’s nothing you can’t do’, inspiring many to create and do to get by in this ever evolving city.
The combination of surreal natural beauty, a melting pot of cultures and a niche food and drink scene makes Cape Town the leisure capital of South Africa, a place where all the senses are aroused. Table Mountain has a strong, imposing effect on the city it serves with endless hiking trails, picnic spots and sundowner spots free for anyone and everyone.
There is an endless list of things to do and see, however, we felt that there was an over saturation of tour operators doing the same thing.
We wanted to open up different areas of Cape Town not yet explored by most visitors. This is how the Kiff Kombi Tours idea was born.
The aim of creating Kiff Kombi Tours, was to offer alternative experiences that facilitate good times, explore beautiful landscape, showcase the unique food and drink scene, while also learning about the history and culture of the city. Many travellers have a limited amount of time and this can be stressful when you start having to eliminate from your list of ‘must sees’.
We wanted to curate an authentically African experience that encompasses everything that Cape Town has to offer in one day. In doing so, finding an old school VW Kombi, a vehicle synonymous with African adventure, was a no brainer.
We launched with the Urban Safari in January this year and haven’t looked back.
Urban Safari Cape Town
This tour starts off with culture and history in Bo Kaap and District Six. These neighbourhoods play a pivotal role in the slave and Apartheid history of Cape Town with some powerful street art murals on display.
A visit to a craft brewery follows in one of the oldest suburbs in South Africa including lunch and beer (or wine!). Hop back in the kombi and road trip via the windy roads of Constantia, an area home to the oldest wine farms in the Southern Hemisphere.
We then take Chapman’s Peak Drive, arguably one of the most beautiful roads in the world cut into the rock face of the mountain range.
Next up we head to a vineyard to sample some wine with an unbeatable combination of ocean, mountain and farm views. For the finale we take you to a local and secret sundowner spot perched on boulders with views of the incredible Twelve Apostles mountain range and Clifton beaches.
Cape Town Tours
what else are we doing?
We now offer three other experiences that uncover Cape Town’s niche food and drink scene; Craft Beer Safari, The Gin Jol and Wine, Beer & Biltong Safari.
Craft beer safari
Being so accustomed to the astronomical price of craft beer in Australia, Cape Town has been an absolute pleasure to live in as a beer lover, with good beer being almost a third of the price. As a result, I had no choice but to sample beer far and wide in the Cape. As many know, Cape Town is historically known for its production of wine, however in recent years it has made a name for itself as a craft beer mecca. With over 30 craft breweries in the Cape, there are plenty to visit, but to make it easier for you, we’ve opened up two tours which showcase a number of the coolest craft breweries in town. The Craft Beer Safari visits four breweries to corners of Cape Town unknown to tourists. When it comes to beer drinking ambiance, there aren’t many places I’ve been to that can rival Jack Black Brewing Co. Situated in the middle of an industrial zoned area in Diep River, the effort of getting there is well worth it once you check out their tap room and get stuck into their amazing beers.
Wine, beer and biltong safari
Our Wine, Beer & Biltong Safari speaks for itself, with a day full of South African food (braai and biltong) and drink (wine and beer).
We journey out to Stellenbosch and visit two wineries and two unique breweries, where you can try perhaps the most uniquely South African beer ever: A Rooibos (Indigenous South African bush used for herbal tea) infused lager and indulge in a South African braai (coal fired barbeque).
Along the way you meet great people passionate about food, the Cape and South Africa. What more could you want on your South Africa holiday?
The gin jol
I may be biased, but I feel Cape Town is leading the way in Gin production. You can’t leave without indulging in local Gins infused with wild ingredients found in the Western Cape and nowhere else in the world. From local Fynbos (fine bush), such as Buchu (my absolute favourite) to the national flower, Protea, these unique botanicals are flavours your taste buds are yet to meet.
Let’s just say you’ll be making sure there’s enough room in your luggage for your trip home. The Gin Jol visits three Gin distilleries and finishes off with a drink at the fabled Secret Gin Bar in town.
My love for this country grows stronger every day.
The more places I travel within South Africa and the more people I meet has made me feel much more connected to the world I live in.
Of course, we both have strong ties to Australia because of our families, however I hope we stay for a while longer. In the wise words of Ernest Hemingway “I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy”.
We adore Sophie and Drew. Their company Kiff Kombi Tours is a refreshing change many of the usual city tours available in and around Cape Town. Run by two passionate professionals with a zest for life and exploration you will have a fabulous time if you go on one of the tours. We can book the tours or even a private tour if the Kombi and Drew are available.
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