South Africa
South Africa’s travel slogan, “A world in one country” is very fitting as South Africa has something for everyone. From lush tropical forests to open savannah, from arid deserts to pristine beaches, from the mountains to the bushveld. You can escape to wild and remote parks and experience exceptional game viewing and then just an hour’s flight away, experience modern cities and sophisticated hotels that compete with the best in the world. South Africa is a fascinating society where African meets European, and modern meets traditional, where global trends rub shoulders with ancient customs. A mosaic of influences and traditions, a melting pot of cultures. Come and visit a rainbow nation!
Perhaps it’s a night drive in the African bush or a multi-national business deal. Maybe it’s soaring over Table Mountain or being pampered in style. Whatever you’re looking for – a warm African welcome to South Africa!
Cape Town and the Garden Route
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world’s most desirable and beautiful destinations, nestled under Table Mountain and situated between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a city with broad boulevards, bustling markets and the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront next to the harbour. Cape Town offers a host of cultural and adventure activities, as well as a wealth of marine life (including whales, seals, penguins and great white sharks). Cape town also offers a vibrant nightlife with great jazz clubs, superb world class restaurants and many hip and trendy bars. A short ferry ride from the V & A Waterfront is the historic Robben Island, a symbol of triumph and hope where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than 27 years. We can arrange personalised tours with Mandela’s friend Christo who was his prison warden on Robben Island.
A mere 40 minute drive from the heart of Cape Town is the dramatic beauty of the Cape Winelands, home to the charming historic towns and gabled manor houses of South Africa’s oldest wine estates. The Winelands were established in the 17th century by French Hugenots fleeing persecution in Europe. One of the Winelands most beautiful towns is Franschhoek, a historic hamlet which lies in a picturebook valley deep in the heart of Cape wine country. Flanked by towering blue mountains and bright green vineyards, Franschhoek is famed for its natural beauty and acknowledged as the culinary capital of South Africa, attracting serious foodies from around the world.
The spectacularly beautiful Garden Route is renowned for its rugged coastline, pristine beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges and great hiking trails. Golf is also an integral part of the Garden Route with several championship courses to choose from. Plettenberg Bay is a paradise for lovers of sun, sea and laid-back living while Knysna offers a vibrant cultural life and many sophisticated arts and craft shops as well as the majestic beauty of the Knysna Heads. We offer spectacular whale watching opportunities at some of our Garden Route properties.
Mpumalanga and the Game Reserves
Mpumalanga is home to the world renowned Kruger National Park, the flagship of South Africa’s national parks. This two million hectare reserve offers an unrivalled wildlife experience. Private concessions within the Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges, a number of which offer tailor-made safari activities led by excellent rangers and trackers. In general the accommodation is romantic, intimate and individualised and offers an up-close-and-personal experience of the South African wilderness. Most of these lodges offer open 4×4 safari vehicles, sensitive off-road driving, professional game rangers and night-drives.
Sun City
Sun City, Africa’s kingdom of pleasure is a resort of glamour, excitement and entertainment located in the North West province. The resort offers a huge range of sporting facilities including floodlit tennis courts, squash, horse riding, nature trails, lawn bowls, windsurfing and water skiing. It’s Valley of the Waves has a wide selection of exciting water adventures from surfing to river rides. Sun City also has two world class golf courses and is home to one of the largest casinos in the Southern hemisphere. The Entertainment Centre offers slot machines, novelty and arcade games, fast food arcades, a bingo lounge and several live shows. Its close proximity to the Pilansberg Game Reserve means that guests can also enjoy a Big Five game experience. The PALACE OF THE LOST CITY at Sun City is characterised by impressive stone architecture and unique design details. Each of the 338 opulent en suite rooms and suites, all complete with intricately hand-carved furnishings, offer royal hospitality with wonderful views over water or jungle. In-room facilities include air-conditioning, mini-bar, 24 hour room service, television and telephone. The Palace has two elegant restaurants and four bars.
The “SUN CITY HOTEL” overlooks a magnificent landscape of subtropical gardens and sparkling pools in a choice of 340 luxury en suite rooms and suites all with air-conditioning, mini-bar, 24-hour room service, telephone and television. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, five superb restaurants, which serve a variety of cuisine, as well as two bars. There are conference facilities for up to 1200 within the Sun City complex.
Londolozi
Londolozi is situated on the banks of the Sand River, in the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park. Going on safari at Londolozi allows you to have an exclusive and luxurious experience of the area. In 1993, Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be accorded with Relais & Châteaux status. Londolozi is one of South Africa’s original private game reserves. A pillar of global ecotourism and a proud family-run business, Londolozi is a beacon of light for many. The word Londolozi comes from a Zulu word and means ‘Protector Of All Living Things’.
Each of the five exquisite Londolozi camps offer luxury accommodation, stunning views, and exceptional cuisine. All camps offer the same access to 34,000 acres of the best big five game viewing in Africa, led by some of the continent’s finest rangers and trackers.
The camps vary in price according to the exclusivity of the accommodation. The Private Granite Suites are the crème de la crème of the Londolozi portfolio, followed closely by Pioneer Camp and Tree Camp.
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
This award winning private game reserve offers world-class standards in luxury accommodation, exceptional close wildlife encounters, personal service and delicious cuisine.
The Sabi Sabi philosophy of ‘yesterday, today and tomorrow’ stems from over 100 years of safari experience; a history richly woven into the atmosphere of each of its four uniquely individual lodges – Selati Camp, Bush Lodge, Little Bush Camp and Earth Camp. South Africa and its warm hospitality echo through the style and flavour of each and every one.
Singita
Located in the Sabi Sand Reserve, Singita is the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity and comprises two lodges, Boulders Lodge and Ebony Lodge. Boulders, a blend of stone and thatch is decorated in contemporary African style.
Rough hewn timber, leather and stone meet thatch and wild views. At both lodges, each suite enjoys absolute privacy with a view of the river below and private plunge pools and viewing decks.
Ebony Lodge is set amongst the shade of Knobthorn and Jackalberry trees with the Sabie River below. Quietly romantic, Ebony is decorated in a colonial style and is considered among the finest resorts in the world.
The epitome of every stay at Ebony and Boulders is a treatment at the exclusive Bush Spa. Most of the special treatments can be done in the privacy of your suite or on your private deck overlooking the Sand River. There is also a modern fitness centre.
The cuisine is a celebration, centred on fragrant herbs, grilled seafood, meats, vegetables and fresh fruit. Enjoy exquisite luxury, rare solitude and perfect tranquillity in a jewel-like setting where dedicated staff seek to pamper and please guests.
Thornybush
The Thornybush Collection of Lodge offerings consist of twelve Lodges, eleven of which are located in the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve and one in the Northern part of the Sabi Sand.
A well-known destination for local and international visitors Thornybush has earned its reputation as one of the country’s finest bush experiences.
Simbambili
Simbambili is located in the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve and forms part of the Thornybush portfolio of Exclusive Game Lodges. Simbambili lies on the banks of the seasonal Monwana River.
Accommodation is in eight individual thatched chalets on the banks of the riverbed. All rooms have an inside/outside shower facility and split air-conditioning units. Each unit has decking that leads onto individual plunge pools and a thatched sala where one can go to relax. Each suite has spectacular views whether from the unique en-suite bathrooms and salas or from the plunge pools. A maximum of 12 people can be accommodated at the lodge, ensuring privacy and exclusivity. All this is complemented by elegant cuisine, a selection of fine wines and warm hospitality. Simbambili is on a fully inclusive basis (excluding premier brands).
Tanda Tula Bush Camp
Tanda Tula is situated on 20 000 acres of bushveld in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park.
Guests are accommodated in 12 superbly appointed East Africa style tents. Each Tent appointed with en-suite bathroom plus an outdoor shower and private patio overlooking the riverbed. Enjoy exciting dawn and dusk safaris in open landrovers, and on foot, with professional game rangers and trackers. With a limited number of game-viewing vehicles, and no fences between the Kruger Park and Timbavati, the words “private”, ”secluded”, and “tranquil” best describe the Tanda Tula experience. Delicious meals are served in the dining room or in the open boma around a fire. The lounge and swimming pool overlook a waterhole where animals come to drink throughout the day and night. Guests can relax around the pool, game spot from the viewing hides or simply enjoy the serenity and sounds of the African bush.
Shamwari Game Reserve
Eastern Cape, between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth, Shamwari Game Reserve stretches along the Bushmans River, 14,000 hectares of game rich land inhabited by rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, hippo and more than 18 antelope species.
Guests at Shamwari can enjoy early morning and evening game drives and will also have an opportunity to see the various ongoing research and conservation projects on the reserve. Shamwari is malaria free. Overlooking the plains leading down to the Bushmans river, Long Lee Manor is an Edwardian Manor House, originally built in 1910 and refurbished to its former glory. Long Lee accommodates 38 guests in luxury en-suite rooms, all with air-conditioning or ceiling fans and underfloor heating. Meals are enjoyed in the main dining room or around the open fire at The Barn. Between game drives guests can relax around one of two pools, have a game of tennis or enjoy the beautifully appointed garden lounge. Shamwari is approximately one and a half hour’s drive to Port Elizabeth airport.
Corporate package - combining business with pleasure
Cape Town, Thornybush Game Lodge - 7 nights
Work in the most beautiful city in the world and then unwind at Thornybush Game Lodge, where unrivalled big game viewing is complemented by exquisite accommodation and sublime cuisine.
Day 1:
Meet and greet at Cape Town International and transfer to the Commodore Hotel, situated at the V&A Waterfront.
4 nights’ accommodation at the Commodore in a standard room on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 5:
Road transfer from the Commodore airport to Cape Town International. Scheduled flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit Airport where you will be met and transferred by road to the elegant Thornybush Main Lodge (approx 1 hour).
3 nights accommodation at Thornybush in a Standard room on a fully inclusive basis.
Day 8:
Light aircraft transfer from Thornybush to Johannesburg International Airport.
Package includes:
Return airport transfers to the Commodore Hotel
4 nights accommodation at The Commodore Hotel – BB basis
Transfers to/from Thornybush
3 nights’ accommodation at Thornybush Main Lodge – Fully Inclusive basis
Luxury Leisure Travel Package
Cape Town and Simbambili Game lodge - 8 days
“Deep in the African wilderness lies a place called Simbambili where the warmest African smiles and an ambience of romance and discovery await you”. Simbambili is situated in the world renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Simbambili boasts eight luxury suites each with private plunge pool and spectacular views.
Day 1:
Meet & greet at CPT airport and transfer to the intimate and elegant Victoria & Alfred Hotel, situated at Cape Town’s famous V&A Waterfront. 5 nights accommodation in a mountain- facing room, on a BB basis.
Day 2:
Half day City Tour plus Table Mountain.
Day 3:
Full day Peninsula Tour. Enjoy spectacular coastal scenery including the Cape of Good Hope.
Day 4:
Full day Cape Winelands Tour, home to the charming historic towns of South Africa’s oldest wine estates.
Day 5:
At leisure.
Day 6:
Road transfer to Cape Town Airport. Scheduled flight Cape Town to Hoedspruit. Road transfer from Hoedspruit to Simbambili Private Game Lodge, a member of the exclusive Thornybush portfolio. 2 nights’ accommodation at Simbambili in a luxury suite on a fully inclusive basis.
Day 8:
Light aircraft transfer from Simbambili Game Lodge to Oliver Tambo International Airport.
Package includes:
Meet & greet at CPT International Airport
Transfer to V&A Hotel
5 nights at the V&A Hotel in a mountain-facing room
Road transfer to Simbambili Private Game Lodge
2 nights at Simabambili in a private suite on a fully inclusive basis
Light aircraft transfer from Simbambili Game Lodge to Oliver Tambo International Airport.
