Following the Rhythm Through Joburg, Kruger, and Cape Town
I have always been a huge lover of amapiano, so when South Africa came up as a destination, the choice was immediate. For me, it wasn't just another place to tick off a bucket list; it was the chance to go directly to where the sound I love so much originates from, and that alone made it feel special before we had even left. Going with Trip Cooks meant getting to see it all with a group, and our route took us through Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Cape Town. Three stops that each had a completely different personality: Joburg gave us the nightlife and the energy of a big city, Kruger gave us the safaris, and Cape Town gave us the kind of scenery that makes you wish you had booked a few extra days. What I loved most is that the trip never felt rigid. There was a plan, but there was also plenty of room to breathe, and some of the best moments happened entirely in the gaps.
Unscripted Magic: Seeing Dlala Thukzin Perform Live
The absolute peak of the trip was completely spontaneous and wasn't on the official itinerary at all. We, the group, simply heard that a party was happening and decided on a whim to go check it out. And then guess what? One of my favourite amapiano artists, DLala tHUNKZIN, was right there performing on his home turf. I stood there thinking, huh? I had come to South Africa hoping to soak up the music, and now I was watching one of my favourite artists live, not in the country where I live, but in the place he is from. That made it feel completely different. We all had so much fun together, and it was just a really great vibe being surrounded by people who loved the music just as much. Ask me to relive 60 seconds of the entire trip on repeat forever, and it's that exact moment. Seeing one of my favourite artists in his home country with our whole group there is something I'd happily experience over and over again.
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A Rediscovered Childhood Classic: Parmalat Custard
While South Africa has an incredible food scene, my standout favorite discovery did not happen in a restaurant. Growing up in Ghana, I loved a specific brand of custard that I had been searching for everywhere for years without luck. Stepping into a South African grocery store, I looked up and saw it sitting right on the shelf: Parmalat custard. I immediately bought four, opened the first one that afternoon, and finished it on the spot. It took me straight back to childhood and ended up being the most comforting treat of the entire journey.
Warm Welcomes and Unmatched Vibes
Before leaving, I'd heard the usual talk about xenophobia in South Africa, as many people have. It's the thing everybody seems to bring up when the country comes into conversation, so I'll admit it was in the back of my mind when we landed. But here's my honest experience: it wasn't really that prevalent while we were there at all. The people were very warm towards us, and that warmth is what I came home remembering most. If a friend told me they were on the fence about booking a trip with Trip Cooks, my pitch would be simple: come for the vibes. The people make it, and you can see it all over Instagram when people see us having fun and go "wow." My group didn't know each other before the trip, and it didn't matter one bit because Trip Cooks just brings the vibe
