There’s nothing like seeing The Mother City from the air, so when I had the chance to join a helicopter flip, I was very excited. We started our adventure at Mugg & Bean in the V&A Waterfront, where one of the friendly staff members from NAC Helicopters collected us and transferred us to the heli pad. We were met upon arrival by staff who were…
On the 6th August, I departed London for Cape Town to embark on a two week holiday in South Africa. This time I was in tow with my husband and two kids (aged 8 and 11). We hired a car for the duration of our stay in South Africa. Our first stop was Cape Town for two nights – we stayed in Sea Point at the…
On Saturday 15th June, with one of us (that would be me) nursing a searing sore throat and hacking cough, the two travel companions gently set off, up the west Coast (on the N7) for the Cedarberg. It was a beautiful day for driving – autumnal sunshine and very light traffic. According to the clever navigation gadget, the trip would take 2hrs 40min. We must…
For generations the universe has fascinated mankind and that’s possibly the reason you may want to enjoy a night of stargazing in the Klein Karoo. Light polution is almost non existent, so the planets and stars are even more impressive to view here. A FEW FACTS TO WHET YOUR APPETITE Even the days of the week have been named after the planets and moons and…
From the moment you enter the gates of Steenberg, you know that you’re in for a treat. The hotel is set on a working wine farm, as well as a championship golf course/estate. Even though you are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the peninsula (and suburbs), you don’t feel any of that! It’s a unique oasis, largely thanks to the hotel and facilities…
Ok, so somebody had to do the job of visiting and experiencing Kapama’s new luxury 5 star lodge, I was glad it was me! Kapama Karula has positioned itself as a lodge that could compete with the likes of the high-end 5* Sabi Sand product. Effortless elegance is probably the best way to describe the design. The Villas are spectacular, they are massive. They feature…
There is a phrase that I love that embodies the reason I travel… “Life is a journey not a destination” ..and for me this is never truer than when travelling by rail. There is a connection you make with the environment when you travel by rail that you miss when you are travelling by plane or even when driving. Rail travel affords you the luxury…
When I was asked to go on an educational to Leopard Hills in Sabi Sands, I just knew I was in for a goodie! It was a 3am start as I set off to Cape Town airport to catch a quick flight to Johannesburg. After meeting up with our group, we headed off to the Federal Air lounge for a quick cappuccino before boarding our…
We flew straight from Cape Town to Jo’burg to Vic Falls and all very smooth, but for a client’s itinerary, you’d probably split up the flights and even have them stay in Vic Falls before going on to Hwange. Anyway, upon arrival at Vic Falls we were met and taken to the Flight Logistics lounge to wait for our flight to Manga Airstrip in the…
Hermanus is only a 90-minute drive from Cape Town and is perfect for a stopover on any Western Cape itinerary. I can highly recommend taking the scenic Route 44 which skirts along the coast from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi-Els and onwards to Hermanus. I was lucky enough to stay at The Marine Hotel for 1 night which is in the centre of Hermanus. This hotel…
I was fortunate to spend two nights at the Pafuri Camp in the Makuleke Concession, Northern Kruger National Park. The location of the camp is very special, as it overlooks the Luvuvhu River. The camp is set higher up on the banks, offering spectacular views of the river with an abundance of wildlife frequenting the river. Birding is especially big in the area. About 75%…
Tony (Product Director and General Manager of our Cape Town office) recently visited The Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenort Hotel for an evening of food and wine pairing. The theme was ‘Life and death of trees’. There’s been a lot of hype recently around The Greenhouse’s 9-course tasting menu. They’ve taken the route of incorporating unique aspects of South Africa, and the tasting menus are inspired by…
I recently had the pleasure of being in the V&A Waterfront for lunch and decided to take a walk to the new Silo complex. I was aware of the museum due to it taking up approx. 6 floors with the Silo Hotel (part of The Royal Portfolio) being built on top. It is an iconic building and an architectural masterpiece. The grain silo was the…
I was recently invited by the owners for a 1-night visit to Lalibela Game Reserve on the Eastern Cape. Private charter flight included! This was obviously a treat to remember, and accompanied by some of my industry colleagues and peers. This was to showcase the reserve, the conservation efforts and initiatives, as well as look at the improvements made at the camps. Historically Lalibela was…
Flying from Cape Town directly to Victoria Falls is such a breeze, just 2 hours and 35 minutes on Kenya Airways and we were there. A great flight which goes onto Nairobi so only a handful of people disembarked which made immigration really easy. I have been to Vic Falls and waited a few hours to get through, but luckily this time it only took 20 mins….
I enjoyed a fantastic fam trip to the Kruger (well I actually stayed in the luxury private reserves which border the national park) in August, and as it was my first time up there, I was super excited for what was in store and eager to check out the different properties and awesome wildlife South Africa had to offer! Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge was our…
I recently had an opportunity to visit Maboneng on a short fam trip. The area has been hyped by various hotel partners we deal with, South Africa Tourism and even just in the media. There was some intrigue for sure, but a lot was unknown. Maboneng is part of the Johannesburg regeneration project, trying to convert the old, dirty, abandoned parts of Jo’burg into a…
I’ve always been a fan of Village N Life properties and this one didn’t disappoint. After a very easy check-in at the Village N Life office we drove around to the Bluff entrance of the Waterfront Village – a perfect location for those who want to be in the heart of the action, but still far enough away to enjoy some peace. We had a…
One night away without the kids was just what we needed and One&Only made it even more special! Arriving is so much nicer when there’s a valet service and you don’t have to worry about parking. Maybe I’m just getting lazy in my old age, but what a great start to our stay. The hotel provides such a nice welcome, from the lovely scent you…
The Northern Cape is one of those destinations that has a certain allure and mystique about it attracting visitors that seek something ‘more’ from their trip to South Africa. In the words of one of our hosts, visitors to the Northern Cape can expect three things: Honest People, Honest Food & Honest Weather! I’m very lucky to have visited South Africa on numerous occasions, but…
I was lucky enough to host a small travel agent fam trip to Cape Town, Winelands and then onto an Eastern Cape Game Reserve. We work very closely with all the hotels and lodges, so it was a real pleasure to experience some of them (The Commodore Hotel, The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, Kariega Game Reserve – The Homestead…
I had the great pleasure of heading to Orange Grove Farm (OGF) for a lovely long weekend with my family, and as it’s only a mere 2 hours from Cape Town, and 10 minutes’ drive from Robertson town itself, the location was just perfect. OGF offers visitors a unique view of farm life, whilst providing a place for guests to simply unwind with breath-taking views….
Wow, where do I even start? Back in the late summer I had the amazing opportunity to stay at the Mosaic Private Sanctuary in Standford, Hermanus for 2 nights with my partner and another couple. If beautiful nature, sunsets, peaceful surroundings and pure serenity is what you are craving, Mosaic is the place to find the combination of these bound together to satisfy just what…
So, it appears on most people’s bucket list, and Senior Consultant, Nathan, got to tick it off. A weekend in the company of the magnificent Victoria Falls and all the adrenaline filled activities that come with it! Here’s what he had to say about a life long dream coming true. Arrived at OR Tambo International Airport and checked in for my flight to Victoria Falls. On…
I was the lucky one to host a group of USA travel agents for the VIRTUOSO symposium in April. Our stay was broken up between the Western and Eastern Cape where we had the pleasure of staying in two luxury properties. The Cellars Hohenort is a hidden gem in the heart of the winelands of Constantia – a southern suburb of Cape Town. From its…
After clearing immigration at OR Tambo International we boarded our SA Airlink flight to Vilanculos – flying time 1hr 20 mins . On landing at Vilanculos the humidity hits you. Immigration can take time but make sure you get your Visa beforehand from your nearest Mozambique consulate. I remember visiting in 2006 and you could get a Visa on arrival when traveling on a UK…
Why the Kalahari? I ask myself. It’s a schlep: it’s in the middle of nowhere, access is expensive, no elephants (with whom I believe I have a special affinity – don’t we all?!), seriously hot at this time of the year. So, why? And more specifically why Tswalu? Horizons as far as the eye can see, smooth, vibrant red road cutting discreetly through the vast…
In our fast-paced lives, it is always rewarding to find a destination which gives us time to recharge – but also allows you time to enjoy these precious moments with family. A recent 2 night visit gave time to reflect on some of the offerings available, whilst soothing the mind, body, soul and taste buds. We were lucky enough to have a hosted stay at…
The first decision we made was to stay in Soweto, rather than take a day trip in from Johannesburg – the more typical option. The hotel runs along one side of Walter Sisulu Square, also home to the Freedom Monument. The exterior isn’t exactly inviting – the building, raised on stilts, is reminiscent of Communist Russia: a wall of concrete with narrow windows. What a…
In a global context of rapid inner city regeneration, Johannesburg’s Maboneng district has to be one of the most exciting case studies. Actually, forget case study, this is Johannesburg, the gateway to Africa. And this is new Africa. Case study to observe from afar, this is not. A must-visit, and immerse yourself in, place of life, this most definitely is. What artists start, others build…
I could hardly contain my excitement on hearing that I would be staying at Rhino Camp on the shores of Lake Kariba, a fantastic bush lodge that offers the perfect combination of back to nature with just the right amount of nurture. Kariba is one of the largest manmade lakes in the world that is fed by the wild waters of the mighty Zambezi river…
With most safaris, the fun does not begin until you arrive at the game reserve. However, when you visit Eagle Island Camp in the heart of the magical Okavango Delta, the fun begins when you step on the tarmac at Kasane airport to see the plane that is going to take you there. No super jumbo awaits, just a high wing, single engine, propeller powered…
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