southafricachic by The Chic Collection

southafricachic www.southafricachic.com

“Of course what makes it really spectacular, is the beauty, the décor, the food, the staff, ‘Sibella’, the history and the preservation of a very important corner of the world...” Samara Private Game Reserve

“South Africa is such a superb destination, and visiting at this level of comfort and luxury puts it at a different level again” Chitwa Chitwa

“Absolute luxury is so appropriate to describe this beautiful, tranquil home. Absolute bliss!!!!” Azure Luxury Villa

“Thank you – the hotels were fantastic and everything ran smoothly. Honestly, it was magic, the perfect honeymoon”

Publisher

Nigel Bolding

Editor

Jo Klofta

Contibutors

Carrie Hampton & Fiona McIntosh

Art Direction & Design

Jeremy Leamy www.absolutebrandcommunication.co.uk

Research

Anna Cort Meggan Ireland

It’s not that surprising. South Africa is a year round destination that offers everything to make up a great holiday, be it a honeymoon, a quick break from the European winter, wine tasting, sports related travel or just hanging out in the bars and restaurants of Cape Town. You can drive yourself around, jump on a cheap flight or treat yourself to a luxury train ride from one end of the country to the other. Chances are I am preaching to the converted if you have picked this up in one of the fabulous game lodges in these pages as you are already there. Many of our clients just keep going back for more and, let’s be honest, watching the Big Five in their own habitat with the prospect of great cuisine and fine wine over dinner can become quite addictive. Enjoy looking through southafricachic and do let us know if we can help with any personal advice as, chances are, we will have visited the property and can tell you whether it’s right for you or not. Not many fall into the latter category in the Chic Collection. Call us on +44 [0] 845 604 4553 or email stay@chiccollection.travel. There are about 60 reasons to visit South Africa in the following pages. Finally, a huge thank you to Jo Klofta, Fiona McIntosh, Carrie Hampton and Jeremy Leamy for making this happen.

For our full range of chic hotels, go to www.southafricachic.com where you can also register for our monthly newsletters and be the first to receive our fantastic discounted offers. For more information, contact stay@chiccollection.travel or call +44 [0] 845 604 4553.

Welcome

Welcome to the 2011 edition of southafricachic – the 4th edition spanning a period of 6 years. In this time we have published over 30 print editions in the Chic Collection, from South Africa to Mexico to Shanghai. More importantly we have developed into a travel advisory business with a global client base of over 2,000 independent, discerning travellers who come to us for impartial advice on the very best places to stay around the world. And our number 1 destination? South Africa.

Contents

Gauteng 20 22 24

AtholPlace Talana Riverside The Marion on Nicol

Mpumalanga 32 34 36 38 40 42

44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58

Chitwa Chitwa &Beyond Kirkmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kamp Lion Sands 1933 Lodge Lion Sands Ivory Lodge Lion Sands River Lodge Ngala Tented Camp, &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve Royal Malewane Sabi Sabi Selati Camp Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge Singita Boulders Lodge Singita Ebony Lodge Singita Lebombo Lodge Singita Sweni Lodge Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Limpopo Province 66 68 70

Makweti Safari Lodge Marataba Safari Company Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge

KwaZulu-Natal 78 80

Teremok Marine Thanda Private Game Reserve

Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg

Sabi Sabi Sabi Sabi Sabi

Sand Sand Sand Sand Sand

Kruger Thornybush Sabi Sand Sabi Sand Sabi Sand Sabi Sand Sabi Sand Sabi Sand Sabi Sand

Welgevonden Waterberg Waterberg

Umhlanga Rocks Hluhluwe

North West Province & Northern Cape

88 90 92 94 98 102

Jaciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Safari Lodges Makanyane Safari Lodge Mateya Safari Lodge Molori Morukuru Family Tswalu Kalahari

Madikwe Madikwe Madikwe Madikwe Madikwe Kalahari

Eastern Cape 110 112 114 116 118 120

Elephant House Addo Gorah Elephant Camp Addo &Beyond Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Addo Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve Port Alfred Samara Private Game Reserve Graaff-Reinet Shamwari Game Reserve 75km from Port Elizabeth towards Grahamstown

Garden Route

126 128 130 132 134 136 138 140

Augusta de Mist Birkenhead House The Manor House at Fancourt Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Schoone Oordt Country House The Marine Hermanus The Plettenberg

Swellendam Hermanus George Knysna Breede River Valley Swellendam Hermanus Plettenberg Bay

Winelands

146 148 150 152 154 158 160

Delaire Graff Estate Grande Provence Hawksmoor House La Residence Le Quartier Franรงais Mont Rochelle Waterford Estate

Stellenbosch Franschhoek Stellenbosch Franschhoek Franschhoek Franschhoek Stellenbosch

Cape Peninsula

166 168 170 172 174 176 178 180 184 186

Azure Luxury Villa Cape Cadogan Cascades on 52 Cascades on the Promenade The Cellars-Hohenort More Quarters POD The Last Word Tintswalo Atlantic Winchester Mansions

Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town

Less than 20 rooms

Fitness facilities

Urban

Under R2000 PPS PN

Restaurant

Child friendly

Beach

R2000-R4000 PPS PN

Spa

Safari

Vineyard

$$$

Over R4000 PPS PN

Introduction

South African chic is usually accompanied by unexpected twists that make you broaden your understanding of the concept of chic. It’s the African spirit which is both innovative and traditional. You may find the colours, textures and forms that epitomise Africa, but used in ways you have never seen before. This applies very much to décor, which is forging a new path and inspiring totally original South African chic. It also applies to lifestyle and when somebody says, “Africa will get in your blood,” don’t reject the notion. It may just turn out to be true for you as it has for so many visitors who can’t help but return, or even stay. They become incorporated into Archbishop Tutu’s so called ‘Rainbow Nation’, which encompasses people speaking the 11 official languages and many more besides, along with immigrants from Africa, Europe and Asia. So why do so many people want to live in South Africa; a country not devoid of crime or corruption? Because it’s got soul, it’s got future, it’s got intention to succeed and the belief that this will be so. It’s got beauty on the inside and most certainly on the outside. South Africa is one of the most picturesque countries in the world – whatever that means to you – because its extraordinary diversity can satisfy the desire for just about any outdoor and nature experience. It’s a huge country – twice the size of France and three times the size of Germany – and where you would take a two-hour flight in Europe and find yourself in a new country, in South Africa you would only have travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town. •

It All Started in Cape Town Some say Cape Town is called the ‘Mother City’ not because this was the first settlement founded by Europeans in South Africa, but because it takes nine months for anything to happen! Cape Town may be renowned for being chilled out, and you have to take this in your stride and learn to slow down and get in tune with nature, but all the bikers, hikers, joggers, paragliders, climbers, surfers and horse riders make you realise that laid back doesn’t necessarily mean lazy. The mountains and oceans are beckoning and any time is a good time to pick up the pace. Capetonians have developed the ability to switch from idle to active without losing their cool. Limpopo

North West Province Northern Cape

Gauteng Johannesburg

Free State

Mpumalanga

KwaZulu-Natal Durban

Eastern Cape East London

Western Cape Cape Town

Port Elizabeth

The further you go towards Cape Point – the south western tip of the African continent – the more the drum beats to a slower rhythm and surfers take chilled out to its ultimate level. Not so in the heart of the city or at the trendy beachfront of Camps Bay, where South of France sophistication is de rigeur. This contrast has some similarities with the growing settlement that evolved after Jan van Riebeeck arrived in 1652 to set up a re-victualing station for the Dutch East India Company trading ships. The indigenous San (hunter gatherers) and Khoi (herders) had long learned to take the path of least resistance to survival, while the industrious settlers worked themselves to a frenzy, then forced slaves to work even harder. There was however a need for some escapism from the daily grind and within a couple of years van Riebeeck got some vines growing to produce what by all accounts was a dreadful concoction. Even after 30 years it was described by Governor Simon van der Stel as “exceptionally harsh”. Being a well-cultured man, van der Stel set out to dramatically improve it and after another 30 years was producing wine from his Constantia farm attributed with “strength and deliciousness not inferior to the best red Persian wine”. The white was “so pleasing that it was hard to distinguish it from a good Tuscan wine”. The wine industry took a new turn with the arrival of the French Huguenots who were settled in the French Corner – Franschhoek, now one of the most chic Winelands towns. It became clear that wine could successfully be made within sight of the sea or much further into the hotter, dryer interior. As a result, the Cape Winelands extends far and wide through mountains and valleys to regions including Worcester and Robertson, where olive groves are becoming as commonplace as vineyards.

200 year old bottle of wine returns to the Cape Several wine estates evolved in the Constantia Valley and their highly alcoholic, sweet wines became a favourite of the courts of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries and Napoleon favoured it above all others. Some Groot Constantia wine bought by the 2nd Duke of Northumberland in 1791 lay forgotten for about 200 years until a bottle was found in his cellar only a few years ago. It was returned to South Africa for a ceremonial tasting and this deep amber liquid scored an incredible 18.7 points out of 20 by a panel of experts.

Introduction

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Climate & Topography Although South Africa is classified as semi-arid, this is too broad a sweep to inform anyone what to pack for a visit here. For example, the Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate of warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Johannesburg has quite the opposite with hot thundery summers and cold dry winters. While you never get frost at the coast, Table Mountain, towering 1km high with its feet dipping into the Atlantic Ocean, had a dusting of snow during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. When the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are snow-clad, the beaches of the same province are a pleasant 25ºC with the Indian Ocean hovering around 21ºC. The same extreme contrasts apply to the range of sights that can be seen in one day. For example, you could see elephant and rare black rhino in KZN’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve in the morning and loggerhead turtles laying their eggs at the coast that evening. You could witness the entire Big Five, the most dangerous animals, during a dawn game drive in the Greater Kruger National Park and find yourself looking into the abyss of the Blyde River Canyon that very afternoon. One of South Africa’s greatest contrasts is doing business in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town one minute, and hiking in the pristine wilderness of Table Mountain National Park within five minutes of leaving the city centre. Mountains certainly feature strongly in South Africa’s geography, with mountain ranges running parallel to the coast for much of its 2,500km of coastline. Along the Garden Route this creates a lush coastal belt bordered on one side by the rhythmic Indian Ocean and on the other by purple-hued granite and sandstone peaks, traversed via stunning scenic passes. Go over these mountains and the next range too and you enter the Great Karoo; a plateau covering a vast area of the country. It is here that the determination ‘arid’ can rightly apply. But it wasn’t always like this. The Karoo was once a vast basin with inland deltas, lakes and swamps supporting reptiles and amphibians. Cataclysmic volcanic eruptions, however, covered the land in molten lava, destroying all plant and animal life. Erosion over millennia now reveals exactly what lived in the Karoo and fossils are easily found – if you know where to look. Beyond the Karoo, in the far north-east of the country, the Highveld plateau drops dramatically at the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment into the Lowveld, known for its warmer temperatures, private game reserves and Kruger National Park. Then in the extreme north of the country the Tropic of Capricorn makes its existence known with sunshine, and plenty of it!

Madiba’s Thoughts... Over centuries Table Mountain has stood as a symbol of human capacity for hope and freedom, whether for the Khoikhoi tribes fighting colonial domination, for Indonesian and Malaysian slaves who for generations have buried their leaders and holy men on its slopes, or for twentieth century political prisoners. It is a sacred precious place. To us on Robben Island, Table Mountain was a beacon of hope. It represented the mainland to which we knew we would one day return. ‘Nelson Mandela’

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Customs & Language

The other legacy the San Bushmen left before being persecuted almost out of existence is their rock art and South Africa has a rich inheritance of Bushmen paintings. But much further back in history, paleo-anthropological sites such as the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Gauteng provide huge insight into man’s evolution. South Africa has today evolved into a multi-cultural, multi-lingual society where most people speak at least two languages. While English is the official language for politics and business, you may not always find South African English easy to understand. Here are a few examples as to why... English the South African Way (adapted from Cape Town Tourism’s Survival Guide for Visitors to South Africa).

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IZIT? Derived from the two words ‘is’ and ‘it’, this can be used when you have nothing to contribute but you are expected to say something.

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JAWELLNOFINE. Another conversation fallback derived from the four words ‘yes’, ‘well’, ‘no’ and ‘fine’, meaning roughly ‘how about that’.

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VROT (pron. frott). An Afrikaans word meaning rotten or putrid used by all language groups to describe anything they really don’t like. Most commonly referred to food, but a pair of smelly socks can be vrot. So could a movie, as in this headline: ‘Slick Flick, Vrot Plot’.

•

NOW. This is a seemingly innocuous word designed to fool you; NOW means very soon but not at this exact moment. NOW NOW means the same as NOW, which doesn’t actually mean now, and JUST NOW refers to an indeterminate time later that day (if you are lucky)!

Photo: Gordon Ernstzen

It’s not just the scenery that changes dramatically as you travel through South Africa; it’s also the tribes, customs and languages. The few clicking sounds incorporated into Zulu – the most widely used South African language – increase as you head to the Eastern and Western Cape where the dominant Xhosa language includes three letters representing different sounding clicks. This is a legacy of the indigenous Khoi Khoi and San, who used more than 30 clicking consonants.

Oceans & Rivers

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Go on safari. Wildlife films don’t compare with the real thing. One of the most unique options is to spend a night on a romantic sleeping platform in the bush. Think champagne and a four-poster bed with billowing mosquito netting high above the animals that come to drink at the waterhole. Many luxury safari lodges now offer this.

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Get an adrenaline shot. Try galloping on horseback along a beach or even in a game reserve. Adrenaline junkies have a whole range of edgy adventures to opt for – shark cage diving, scuba diving, bungee jumping or bridge swinging, abseiling and paragliding, to name a few.

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Table Mountain. Climb it or take the cable car up to the top of this mighty symbol of Cape Town. The mountain is made of sandstone and granite, both containing large amounts of quartz, which means Table Mountain is in effect a giant crystal, emitting enormous concentrations of natural energy. Tap into this and realise your latent psychic abilities or healing powers.

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Talk the talk. With eleven official languages in South Africa, it is not always easy to communicate, but English is widely understood. Get chatting to friendly locals by learning some basic words. “Hello, how are you” is the way in which all conversations are started in whatever language.

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Watch whales. July through to October is the best time to see southern right whales from land or boat along the entire southern Cape coast. Reaching up to 18m long, they loll around in small groups and usually do a trick the moment you look away. Winter in the Cape is unpredictable and can be beautiful or very stormy.

The cold Benguela current laden with plankton, sweeps up from the Antarctic and gives South Africa’s West Coast its renowned chilly waters. A much warmer Mozambique/ Agulhas current flowing from north to south meets the Benguela current at Africa’s southernmost point, Cape Agulhas. Herein lies the answer to whether the two oceans meet at Cape Point. They don’t! The two currents dramatically influence South Africa’s climate, with evaporation of the warmer sea providing generous rainfall to the eastern coastline, while the cold current retains moisture creating an arid environment up the west coast leading to desert conditions further north in Namibia. There are few natural perfect harbours, the coastline being fairly smooth, but that has not stopped South Africa from creating huge shipping harbours such as those at Cape Town, Mossel Bay, East London, Richards Bay and the newest man-made port outside Port Elizabeth, the Port of Ngqura. •

Top Ten Things to do in South Africa •

While South Africa is neighbour to six other countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho), its biggest neighbour by far is water; the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.

Wildlife Each game reserve and national park has its specialities, with certain animals more prevalent; Sabi Sand Game Reserve is renowned for lions and leopards, while Hluhluwe is the place to see black rhino. Welgevonden has a pair of usually shy klipspringer antelope perched on every other boulder, but for great herds of impala go to Kruger. The rangers working in the reserves and game lodges get to know territorial individuals and with the help of an expert tracker (usually from a local tribe), they can locate most of the animals you are desperate to see. Most people want to tick off the Big Five; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, so called because they are the five most dangerous animals to hunt, as when wounded they will turn and chase you. They don’t even need to be wounded to do that and rhino (in particular the worse tempered black rhino) may just charge first and ask questions later. This is mainly due to poor eyesight, so the beasts with better eyesight most often do a mock charge first. This is not to be encouraged though, as something the size of an elephant running towards you, trunk raised and ears flapping can scare the living daylights out of you, even if it is just a practice run. Hippo may not be on the Big Five list, but they kill the most humans, who live in proximity to their grazing grounds and use the same stretches of water for fishing. There is rarely the need for avoidance action, since you are actively looking for the animals, usually from the back of a safari vehicle, so sit back, cameras at the ready and enjoy the ride.

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Go slack packing. Hiking is a national sport in South Africa. The Drakensberg is one of those special places with big sky, towering mountain peaks, a green sea of rolling foothills and a sense of freedom that is good for the soul. One of the best fully portered and catered slack packing hikes is the luxury Table Mountain Hoerikwaggo Trail.

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Head for the Winelands. The mountainous Winelands of the Cape are not just about wine. They are about scenic beauty and superb food, genteel living and tranquillity. This captivating combination of pleasures has tempted more than a few Europeans into buying properties here.

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Hear the battle cry. KwaZulu-Natal’s battlefields were the scenes of terrible clashes during the Anglo-Zulu wars and Anglo-Boer war. In oral storytelling tradition, listen as a guide recreates the sights and sounds of war and explains military strategy on the very spot where the battle took place.

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Visit the waterfalls of the Panorama Route. There are dozens of waterfalls around the small town of Sabie and many are perfect for a refreshing swim; hike down to the bottom of Lisbon Falls and look for treasure in the pool at the end of the rainbow created by the spray.

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Township tour. Experience the other side of life in a township. Locals are eager to show you around and you need not fear feeling like a voyeur. Your visit creates jobs and encourages the spirit of ubuntu (a philosophy of solidarity, morality, humaneness and communal responsibility).

Photo: Tom Solo

Introduction

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Dassies and Elephants Think of the most unlikely creature to be directly related to an elephant, and you might choose the ‘dassie’. This local name refers to the rock hyrax, which resembles an overgrown guinea pig with a short temper. It is found on all rocky outcrops around the Cape, particularly on the top of Table Mountain. The relationship to its cousin the elephant is in its genes, but the evolutionary path from one to the other is quite bewildering.

Top Ten Things to do in South Africa •

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Photo: Tom Solo

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Introduction “Unbelievable!! Our first safari…but not the last! Your lodge is beautiful and the staff so attentive! We had to keep pinching ourselves to check that we were actually here! And the animals… we fell in love Singita Boulders Lodge with beautiful South Africa”

Photo: flyinghorse.co.za

Gauteng

Transformed in the late 19th century by the discovery of gold, Gauteng is the country’s commercial and financial hub. At first glance, Johannesburg is a fast, sometimes brash, sometimes edgy city, but you’ll quickly find that it has a soft centre. And for all their aggressive driving, multiple mobile phones and gaudy bling, ‘Gauties’ are a warm, welcoming bunch, with a real pride in the place they call home. Both the most cosmopolitan and African of the major cities, Johannesburg is where you’ll find the widest range of restaurants, biggest sporting events, best cultural shows and most professional service. It’s also a dispersed city, spread out over several suburbs. Most visitors base themselves in the so-called Northern Suburbs, around Sandton and Melrose Arch, but the old CBD has undergone a facelift in recent years and some interesting venues have sprung up in the gentrified, trendy Newtown. In between are the leafy suburbs of the parks and Saxonwold – the city’s green lungs. The slick and efficient Gautrain, www.gautrain.co.za, can whisk you between an expanding range of locations – including OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton – but you’ll really need a car or taxi if you want to explore what Gauteng has to offer. Gauteng’s museums provide a sharp insight into the forces that shaped this country’s eventful and often traumatic past. You can go all the way back to the beginning, and visit the Cradle of Humankind, www.cradleofhumankind.co.za, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. There’s also Museum Africa, www.museumafrica.org, which focuses on early indigenous cultures and contains an impressive collection of rock art. A defining event in South Africa’s history was the migration in 1838 of over 10,000 Boer families from the Cape. It was a long, incredible, often bloody journey, as they bumped violently into the tribes who inhabited these lands, including the Matabele and Zulus. The Great Trek is commemorated by the Voortrekker Memorial, 012 326 6770, www.voortrekkermon.org.za, a tall, commanding if rather unaesthetic building, which contains many exhibits, a bas-relief telling the story of the Trek, and also provides superb views over Pretoria and Midrand. South African history took a shameful turn in 1948, with the introduction of overt, state-sanctioned racial discrimination. The moving yet dignified Apartheid Museum, www.apartheidmuseum.org, illustrates what it meant for the vast majority of the population, who were on the wrong side of the racist laws. In the same genre, the interactive museum of Liliesleaf Farm, www.liliesleaf.co.za, once the HQ of the ANC’s military wing, casts an interesting angle into these dark times, before the advent of the first multi-racial election in 1994, as does the Mandela Family Museum in Soweto, Limpopo www.mandelahouse.com. And if you’re keen on military history, the understated South African Museum of Military History (known by locals as the ‘War Museum’), 011 646 5513, contains some interesting exhibits, including Nancy the Springbok, who served with the troops in the First World War trenches. It’s next to the charming Johannesburg Zoo, North West Mpumalanga though this clearly isn’t the best Johannesburg Province place to see wild animals in South Africa.

Gauteng

Northern Cape

Free State

KwaZulu-Natal Durban

Eastern Cape East London

Western Cape Cape Town

Port Elizabeth

New restaurants, bars and night clubs come and go with alacrity in Gauteng. This is a city with a short attention span, where the in-crowd all congregate and then move on. This is also a city that rises with the sun (many locals are in the gym by sunrise), so most restaurants will be winding down not long after 10pm. Reservations are advisable when a venue is in fashion. The current popular restaurants include: San, www.sandtonsun.com, in Sandton City, for fine, modern cuisine and fantastic sunset views; Orient, 011 684 1616, for dim sum, sushi and Asian fusion; Koi, 011 883 7247, for sushi and Thai; Moyo, www.moyo.co.za, at Melrose Arch and Zoo Lake, for modern African fare with entertainment; and the upmarket Auberge Michel, 011 883 7013, for excellent French and Italian cuisine. Some established favourites that have survived the Gauties’ fickle favour include Linger Longer in Sandton, 011 884 0465, a favourite with well-heeled and business travellers. The extensive Butcher’s Grill in Mandela Square, www.thebutchershop.co.za, is the place for carnivores. Cranks, in Rosebank, 011 880 3442, serves up great Thai food in an interesting setting, which you have to see for yourself! The trendy suburbs of Parkhurst and Parktown North have a good selection of lively bars and restaurants including Georges, 011 447 7705, and Wombles, www.wombles.co.za. The menus at both are extensive, with steaks a highlight. The cosy atmosphere at Wombles makes it a good place to escape the highveld winter chill. On the outskirts of the city at the Cradle of Humankind, Cornutis at the Cradle, www.thecradle.co.za, and Roots, www.forumhomini.co.za, are particularly popular for weekend lunches. Good coffee and wireless Internet both came late to Gauteng, but they’ve finally arrived and the coffee bar set has multiplied. Favourite spots for breakfast, cappuccino and catching up on e-mails include Europa in Village Walk, 011 884 2194, Doppio Zero in Rosebank and Melrose Arch, www.doppio.co.za, Tashas in Melrose Arch, 011 684 1781, and the ubiquitous Mugg and Beans, www.themugg.com

“The training of the staff is at a different level to many places I have stayed in Joburg. AtholPlace Really good value for money”

Gauteng

A large chunk of Gauteng social life takes place in air-conditioned shopping malls, where you’ll find the full gamut of shops and restaurants, including designer stores, jewellers, www.veronicaandersonjewellery.co.za, fine dining and cinemas. Many are attached to top hotels and, good news if you’re not a fan of malls, most include open-air squares. The major malls are in Sandton City, www.sandtoncity.com; Hyde Park, www.hydeparkshopping.co.za; Melrose Arch, www.melrosearch.co.za, 011 288 3737; and Rosebank, www.themallofrosebank.co.za. In complete contrast to this 21st century glitz is the Rosebank African Market, where haggling, hustling and bartering for carvings, textiles and other local goods is all part of the game. The city boasts some excellent organic markets, the best of which are the Thursday and Saturday Bryanston Organic & Natural Market, www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za, the Sunday Blubird Whole Food Market, 083 311 4768, near Houghton, where you can taste and buy a range of local and international dishes including unusual Eastern European breads and cheeses, the new green and sustainable food and design market, Market on Main, www.marketonmain.co.za, at Arts on Main, and the Jozi Food Market, held every Saturday morning in Parkhurst, www.jozifoodmarket.co.za SAB World of Beer, www.worldofbeer.co.za, is also worth a visit. Although South Africa is internationally renowned for its wines, its brewing industry started even earlier than its wine making (in 1658, whereas wine production can be traced back to 1659). The South African nation is sports mad: success on the sports field welded the fledgling multi-racial nation, and defeat will plunge the entire country into despair. Traditionally rugby is the national sport, but cricket and soccer are matters of life and death too. The sports venues capture this intensity. Try and catch the Boks (national rugby team), Proteas (cricket) or Bafana Bafana (soccer) at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria (rugby), Ellis Park, www.ellispark.co.za, (rugby, soccer), the Wanderers, 011 340 1500, Centurion (cricket) or at the largest stadium in Africa, the FNB stadium in Soweto, 011 494 3640, known for the duration of the 2010 World Cup as ‘Soccer City’. Even if you don’t catch a game, try to fit in a tour of the venue, described by FIFA as “one of the most artistic and awe-inspiring football venues on the African continent”, www.stadiummanagement.co.za South Africans are also handy at golf. You can watch the Million Dollar at Sun City or otherwise play a round yourself at one of the surprising number of long, leafy courses around the city (Bryanston, Wanderers, Royal Johannesburg and Parkview). Note that local etiquette includes taking a drinks break at the half-way house. Gauteng is also the centre of the country’s arts and entertainment industry with everything from international ballet to vibrant local productions, stand-up comedy to drama showing at the State Theatre, www.statetheatre.co.za, Joburg Theatre, www.showbusiness.co.za, Market Theatre in Newtown, www.markettheatre.co.za, Barnyard Theatres, www.barnyardtheatres.co.za, and the SA Ballet Theatre, www.saballettheatre.co.za. If it’s in town (it moves between the major cities) Madame Zingara’s Love Magic Tour, www.madamezingara.com – an exuberant evening of fine dining, acrobatics and other entertainment in a wonderfully decadent 25m velvet big top tent – is a show you mustn’t miss. Montecasino, www.montecasino.co.za, offers a range of entertainment options, including theatre, movies and, of course, gaming in a Tuscan-styled village as well as sporting events at its Outdoor Event Area. Tickets can be booked at the theatres or through Computicket, www.computicket.com Other must do’s include a township tour, www.sowetoalivetours.co.za, and a drive across the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge, which spans the railway that separates Newtown from Braamfontein, near the city’s central business district. Built in 2003 at a cost of R38-million, it’s the largest cable-stayed bridge in southern Africa and a fitting tribute to the ex-president, the man who led South Africa across the apartheid divide.

The compact Big Five Pilanesberg Game Reserve, less than 90 minutes drive from Joburg (see North West Province, page 82) offers superb game viewing in a beautiful setting, but there are a number of smaller reserves within Gauteng, which are also malaria-free. The Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve in the Cradle of Humankind, www. rhinolion.co.za, is home to some 600 head of game from 25 species including lion, cheetah and the endangered Cape wild dog. The Elephant Sanctuary at Hartbeespoort Dam, www.elephantsanctuary.co.za, is home to impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and, the stars of the show, four magnificent young African elephants with whom you can interact and wander trunk-in-hand through the forest. The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre – De Wildt, www.dewildt.co.za, offers a range of educational tours on which you’ll learn about and view cheetah, African wild dog, caracal, African wild cat, vultures and various antelope species. Not surprisingly in this highly charged city, there are plenty of thrills for adrenalin junkies. You can bungee, swing, abseil, rapp or base jump at an old power station, Orlando Towers, www.orlandotowers.co.za, or go abseiling, rock climbing or kloofing (canyoning) with Outside Edge, www.outsidedge.co.za And if you’re looking to recharge your batteries, or escape to the open veld, options include: • Wandering or picnicking in the leafy Emmarentia or Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, 086 100 1278, or Zoo Lake, 011 646 5803 • A sunrise balloon ride over the majestic Magaliesberg mountains, followed by a champagne breakfast with the wonderfully entertaining host, Bill Harrop, www.balloon.co.za • A trip to the mining town of Cullinan, a 20 minute drive east of Pretoria – where the largest rough diamond in history was discovered in 1905. • A visit to Maropeng, www.maropeng.co.za, the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Go down the nearby Sterkfontein Caves, world-famous for the discovery of hominid and animal fossils, some dating back more than 4 million years. A day trip to South Africa’s Las Vegas, Sun City, which has a sinful past, and now offers more wholesome attractions including world-class golf courses, occasional world-class concerts, an exciting water park, the neighbouring Pilanesberg Game Reserve, plus, of course, the infamous casino. (see North West Province, page 82) •

Useful Web Sites www.gauteng.net www.joburg.org.za

“Stunning location on the banks of the Jukskei River – it feels like you’re miles away from the city” Talana Riverside

Gauteng

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was truly wonderful and we will treasure our stay. The hotel is magnificent and the The Marion on Nicol rooms are gorgeousâ&#x20AC;?

AtholPlace location

Sandton, Johannesburg

rooms

5 superior suites, 4 deluxe suites, 1 mini deluxe suite

www

www.atholplace.co.za

telephone +27 11 783 3410 email

info@atholplace.co.za

AtholPlace Boutique Hotel’s park-like grounds, large swimming pool and comfortable outdoor areas are the perfect spots to enjoy Johannesburg’s excellent year-round weather, before retreating indoors for pre-dinner drinks and canapés or curling up with a book from the library. Situated minutes from Sandton, the shopping hub of Johannesburg, and the new Gautrain station with a direct link to the OR Tambo International Airport, AtholPlace is ideally located for visitors stopping over in Johannesburg. The spacious suites (no suite is smaller than 50m2) are high-tech, individually designed and luxuriously finished, including iPod docking stations, wireless Internet, underfloor heating in the bathrooms and white percale Frette bed linen imported from Italy.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The substantial rooms are modern and sumptuous. The staff are attentive and not intrusive, as a consequence the service is truly excellentâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Talana Riverside location

Fourways, Johannesburg

telephone +27 11 467 7791

rooms

10 suites

www

www.talanariverside.co.za

info@talanariverside.co.za

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A really good, and different, option if you need to be close to Sandton...â&#x20AC;?

Overlooking the Jukskei River, Talana Riverside is far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life making it an ideal stopover in Johannesburg en route to one of the safari destinations including the Kruger / Sabi Sand, Waterberg or Madikwe. All suites are individually decorated, and feature extra length beds and luxurious linens, designer bathrooms with free-standing baths and showers, iPod docking stations, home entertainment systems and complimentary wireless Internet. Hotel facilities include a pool and deck with stunning river views, wellness centre and gym, and a variety of intimate dining settings. The tranquil environment and African Zen dĂŠcor with modern chic touches makes for a secluded retreat that you would not expect to find in Johannesburg.

The Marion on Nicol location

Hurlingham, Johannesburg

telephone +27 11 783 7816

rooms

19 king bed and 5 twin bed rooms

www

www.mariononnicol.co.za

info@mariononnicol.co.za

Tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined street 5km from the hub of Sandton, The Marion on Nicol reflects Johannesburg’s unique vibe – chic, classy and contemporary. This recently opened hotel combines classic colonial design with modern comforts, extra length beds and a choice of pillows and duvets to ensure a restful slumber having unwound in the room’s free-standing bath tub. The floor to ceiling windows invite streams of light to enter the rooms, highlighting the plush fabrics used throughout the hotel. Guests can take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, enjoy a cocktail on the terrace, or sample fine local cuisine in the opulent dining room. For the perfect treat, you’ll love the therapies and facilities offered at the spa, including a sauna, steam room, sensation shower and outdoor treatment area for couples.

“The spa treatments were decadent. Wow – what an experience”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Mpumalanga

This semi-tropical region in the north-east of South Africa is one of the greatest places on earth to observe an abundance of African wildlife in its natural habitat. Mpumalanga has a profusion of private game reserves, many sharing a fenceless border with the world-famous Kruger National Park. This extraordinary wildlife haven extends along the Mozambique border to the far north-west corner of South Africa and spreads from Mpumalanga into Limpopo Province. Animals are unaware of political boundaries, it’s only fences that can restrain them, of which there are very few and the animals roam freely in an area of nearly 2 million hectares; the size of a small European country like Wales or an American state such as New Jersey. But Mpumalanga is more than the sum of its animals – which incidentally amounts to 147 species of mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles, 49 fish, 34 amphibians and 336 different types of trees – it also has exceptional natural wonders showcased in an easily accessible area of the Drakensberg escarpment, known as the Panorama Route. •

Wildlife Watching a leopard in a tree, lion on a kill, or elephant splashing at a waterhole, are the main reasons people come to Mpumalanga. Kruger National Park is the safari hub of South Africa, equally venerated by residents as by foreign visitors. You are going to want to see the famed Big Five; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, but don’t focus on these at the expense of missing the rest, like sitting a while and watching the hilarious antics of a family of baboons, or seeing a dung beetle rolling a ball of dung uphill that is several times its size. The wonders of African nature are there for you to witness and one way to appreciate them is on a guided game walk in big game country. Most private safari lodges offer guided game walking, which is not as scary as it sounds because the animals don’t really want to meet you and your armed ranger is skilled at keeping them at a safe distance. A game walk focuses mainly on small detail, like medicinal uses of plants or bush survival tips, but coming across larger game gives the guides a chance to fill you in on some strange and fascinating African animals facts; • •

Limpopo

Elephants have to eat 4%-6% of their body weight every day (170-300 kilos of vegetable matter) and they have such a passion for oranges that some parks don’t allow you to bring them in. Spotted hyena are bathed in

North West Gauteng Province Johannesburg Northern Cape

Mpumalanga

Free State

KwaZulu-Natal Durban

Eastern Cape Cape Town

East London

Western Cape Port Elizabeth

• •

•

testosterone in the mother’s womb and come out fighting. Females are dominant, with males way down the pecking order even after the juveniles. Black-backed jackals are monogamous and often get an older son and daughter to help guard the new litter. Giraffe have the same number of vertebrae as humans. They walk in the same way as a camel, with both feet on the same side moving together and the neck helping with balance.

Safari Lodges & Activities All southafricachic’s selected safari lodges in Mpumalanga offer a thrilling African safari in big game country. The differences are not so much in the game experience but the lodge experience. You may therefore choose your lodge according to its style and décor, or because of extra facilities like a lap pool, gym and spa. Environmental or social responsibility policies may influence you, or the additional activities that they offer over and above game drives and walks.

•

Regional Activities

•

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. See rare, vulnerable and endangered animals at this heart-warming conservation centre, whose main focus is cheetah. The Vulture Restaurant is a sight to behold, with hundreds of rare African vultures feeding on carcasses. Tour lasts 1-1.5hrs. www.hesc.co.za

•

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre www.moholoholo.co.za Injured and orphaned animals are nurtured back to health for release into the wild. Those not so fortunate, due to their injuries, are cared for in captivity. Tour lasts 2.5hrs.

•

Helicopter Flights www.mhelicopter.co.za Swoop over the Blyde River Canyon and cascading waterfalls for an exhilarating scenic flight with spectacular views.

•

Mapusha Weavers Community Tour www.mapusha.org The beautiful rugs, tapestries and bags made by the Mapusha Weavers are entirely hand-made and each one is unique. The ladies of the Rooiboklaagte community spin and dye the wool and cotton themselves and carefully weave each piece.

•

Shangana Cultural Village www.shangana.co.za Shangaan are known as expert trackers in tune with nature and their environment. This village allows you a glimpse at the Shangaan way of life, including history and customs, initiation ceremonies, the practice of polygamy and an encounter with a Sangoma (traditional healer), who will throw the bones for a reading if you wish.

•

Village Tours Safari lodges employ many people from their local communities and often arrange cultural tours and empowerment projects that their guests can visit. Ask at your lodge.

•

The Elephant Sanctuary www.elephantsanctuary.co.za This family-run sanctuary focuses on education through interaction, so you get to learn about elephants and also touch, feel, feed and walk trunk-in-hand with these magnificent animals. Tour takes 1.5hrs.

“Truly magical – the incredible service, sightings and style have secured a place in our hearts forever” &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp

Mpumalanga

•

Hot air ballooning www.balloonsoverafrica.co.za Lift off at sunrise to float gently wherever the wind takes you in this area of incredible scenic beauty.

•

Golf www.hansmerensky.com or www.leopardcreek.co.za Share the 18 hole, par 72 Championship Hans Merensky Golf Course, with a resident giraffe and dodge hippos and crocodiles in the water hazards. Leopard Creek is another top golf-with-game experience, set on the banks of the Crocodile River with wild animals frequenting the fairways.

•

Horse riding www.waitalittle.co.za Experienced riders will want to ride with Wait A Little, African Big Five Horse Safaris in the Karongwe Reserve. Novices should ask at their lodge for more sedate horseriding options.

It is wise to note that being on safari can be very tiring; you are up at dawn and on another game drive in the late afternoon returning after dark. There is barely time to sit by the pool or have an afternoon nap in between breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea and dinner (or an assortment of these). It is best to schedule a few extra days in the area to experience some post-safari activities in the fertile landscapes of Mpumalanga and the Panorama Route. •

Panorama Route West of Kruger is the Blyde River Canyon, a well-watered escarpment with majestic canyon scenery and rivers that tumble via spectacular waterfalls into rocky pools, inviting the adventurous for a swim. Being the third largest canyon in the world – carved over millennia by the Blyde River, with some of the deepest precipitous cliffs – every vista is breathtaking. This has given rise to viewpoint names like God’s Window and Wonderview, but perhaps the best is the ‘Three Rondavels’, where rounded dolomite domes rise out of the canyon floor like rockets about to take off. Unlike other canyons, this is incredibly lush and green due to its subtropical climate and the area is perfect for touring by car or motorbike. Expect long rolling roads and vast stretches of pine and eucalyptus plantations. Good eateries and watering holes are infrequent between the major viewpoints, so satiate your hunger at the famous Harry’s Pancakes in Graskop. If you don’t know what a bobotie pancake is, give it a try, it’s delicious. Tel: 013 767 1273 Along the way, pull into Bourke’s Luck Potholes for a touch of the extraordinary. Where the Blyde River (‘river of joy’) and the Treur River (‘river of sorrow’) meet, eons of swirling water-formed cylindrical rock sculptures are linked by a series of dark pools, into which people throw good-luck coins. It’s very surreal. A detour off the R532 viewpoint road leads to the old gold-rush town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Alec ‘Wheelbarrow’ Patterson struck lucky in 1873 and found the telltale glint of gold in alluvial river silt. Within a year, Pilgrim’s Rest had 21 stores, 18 canteens and several houses of ill repute. Today the entire town is a National Monument paying homage to the allure of gold, which still brings people to this living museum. Stroll through the delightful main street which is in a Victorian time-warp, stopping at the fascinating museum and try your hand at panning for gold. For panning call 013 768 1471

Top 5 Panorama Route Waterfalls

• • • • •

•

Mac Mac Falls: This twin waterfall tumbles 100m into a narrow ravine. View it from a caged viewpoint after descending many steps. Shop at the great craft market at top of the steps. Location: between Sabie and Graskop Lisbon Falls: This double waterfall dropping 80m creates a fine veil. There are good views from the top car park, but hike to the bottom through alpine-style scenery for a swim in the pool. Location: north of Graskop near Blyde River Canyon viewpoints. Berlin Falls. A sheer drop with excellent vantage points reveals the entire falls and a deep pool at its foot. Location: just north of Lisbon Falls. Bridal Veil Falls. Walk 15 minutes on a forest path to find this 70m canopy of water that covers you in a veil-like mist. Location: 7½km west of Sabie. Lone Creek Falls. Swim in the pool at the base of these secluded falls in an attractive forest setting, only 2 minutes from the parking area. It is in a private pine plantation and worth the small entry fee. Location: 12km west of Sabie.

Adrenaline Adventures www.indunaadventures.com or www.sabieriveradventures.co.za Induna Adventures and Sabie River Adventures will take you abseiling, rafting, quadbiking, kayaking, mountain biking or tubing. Call Induna 013 737 8308, Sabie River Adventures 013 737 8266 Up on the escarpment, the landscape provides the perfect place for a big swing and highwire to witness the Graskop Falls from a different angle. Contact 013 767 1621 www.dirtyboots.co.za/operators/big-swing-highwire-graskop

•

When To Go Mpumalanga is subtropical and the summer months from late October to March are hot and humid with dramatic thunderstorms. It is a wonderful time for seeing the birth of many young but game viewing is more restricted because of dense undergrowth. A summer haze on the scenic Panorama Route is common. Winter from April to September is warm and dry with cold nights and roaring fires, with hot water bottles in your bed. The vegetation dies back and water is restricted to main water holes making game viewing easier.

•

Safari Tips •

Malaria exists in Kruger, predominantly in the rainy season. See malarial advice on www.malaria.org.za/Malaria_Risk/Risk_Maps/risk_maps.htm

•

The cuter the animal the more dangerous it is; the Big Five are so called because they are the five most dangerous animals to hunt

•

Animals are up at dawn, ‘if you snooze you lose’

•

Don’t leave food or belongings on your veranda at night; hyenas have been known to eat leather shoes, monkeys steal clothes and ants and scorpions crawl into bags

•

Your guide will have animal and bird identification books, so you don’t need to bring your own

•

Having your own binoculars is a plus

•

Look the part in the bush and wear khaki clothing

“AMAZING! This was our first adventure to South Africa, but it won’t be our last. The staff, food, wine and accommodation were all exceptional” Singita Boulders Lodge

Photo: Tom Solo

•

Mpumalanga â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ngala was once again a great experience... we had a great time and excellent sightings!â&#x20AC;? &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp

Chitwa Chitwa

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 13 744 0876

rooms

8 suites & 1 Chitwa house

www

www.chitwa.co.za

reservations@chitwa.co.za

Chitwa Chitwa’s location on the banks of one of the largest lakes in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve makes it superbly positioned to attract a multitude of wildlife that the Sabi Sand is renowned for. The public areas and luxury chalets have been designed to maximise the views of the lake – whether it’s from a daybed on the sunset deck, or submerged in your private plunge pool, not unlike the hippo that you’re likely to be observing! Screeded floors and walls, and natural hues create the impression of the lodge seamlessly blending into its surroundings – although creature comforts such as the four poster beds and massive free-standing baths clearly mark where the untamed ends and luxury begins.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

&Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp

Photos: &Beyond

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 11 809 4447

rooms

18 cottages

www

www.andBeyond.com

safaris@andBeyond.com

Dating back to the 1920s, &Beyond’s historic Kirkman’s Kamp is filled with snapshots of the pioneering explorers of the region. The original homestead still stands, and retains the charm of a colonial safari lodge, complete with deep verandas perfect for afternoon tea. The nostalgic setting extends to the suites which have old fashioned bedsteads and claw-foot bathtubs, updated with modern facilities. Located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kirkman’s Kamp also has a long history of remarkable Big Five game viewing, particularly leopard. The trackers and rangers are highly trained to spot the vast numbers of game concentrated in this part of the Sabi Sand and the reserve stipulates strict vehicle limits ensuring the exclusivity of animal sightings.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Lion Sands 1933 Lodge

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

rooms

res@lionsands.com

4 suites – exclusive use safari lodge Children’s dormitory – sleeps 8

telephone +27 11 880 9992 www

www.lionsands.com

Built as a family home, 1933 echoes the sentiments of Guy Aubrey Chalkley, the current owners’ great-grandfather, who purchased the land in 1933 and built a family retreat on the banks of the Sabie River. Similar in location to that original camp, 1933 is available to families and small groups on an exclusive use basis, with all the comforts of a private home, as well as the luxuries of a five star lodge, including a private chef and ranger. The open plan living and dining areas lead onto a large deck and 13.5m lap-size swimming pool. In addition to the four luxurious suites, a children’s dormitory sleeps up to 8 kids, with an inter-leading bedroom for an au-pair.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 11 880 9992

rooms

6 suites

www

www.lionsands.com

res@lionsands.com

The contrast of the ebony and ivory tones used at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge highlights the juxtaposition of the wilderness and the understated opulence of the lodge. The black and cream theme extends to the outer structures â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cream walls, glass panels encased in black timber, and charcoal thatch roofs. Inside, this contrast creates a sophisticated, yet natural effect. Think light, crisp linen and pale stone free-standing bath tubs punctuated by dark wood. All details have been carefully selected to maintain the yin and yang theme, down to the layout of the deluxe private villas, which have a courtyard deck and private heated plunge pool flanked on either side by the bedroom and living areas, all overlooking the Sabie River.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Lion Sands River Lodge location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 11 880 9992

rooms

20 rooms

www

www.lionsands.com

res@lionsands.com

$$$

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

“Magical experience. Our first safari and we can’t believe what we’ve seen! Thanks to all at Lion Sands!”

With kilometres of exclusive Sabie River frontage forming a natural boundary with the Kruger National Park, Lion Sands teems with wildlife, attracted year-round by the water, and is renowned for its ‘big cat’ sightings. Lion Sands River Lodge is built on the banks of the river, maximising the opportunity to see game, especially from the river island deck, which is suspended over the river under a canopy of 800-year-old trees. Raised wooden platforms connect the individual thatched bedrooms, tranquil retreats of natural hues and modern comforts. Dining under the skies is a memorable experience at Lion Sands, from bush breakfasts, to safari picnics next to a waterhole, and boma dinners.

Ngala Tented Camp, &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve location

Kruger National Park

telephone +27 11 809 4447

rooms

6 safari tents

www

www.andBeyond.com

safaris@andBeyond.com

“It was a wonderful experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The hospitality and personalised service we received certainly exceeded our expectations”

$$$

The first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park, &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp offers a classic safari stay – an abundance of wildlife, luxurious yet unpretentious accommodation, and very personal service. With only 6 tented suites, Ngala is an intimate camp for those seeking an authentic bush experience. The camp is built on the banks of the seasonal Timbavati River, fenced off only to keep the huge herds of breeding elephant out. In addition to the Big Five, sightings of leopard and African wild dog are prevalent, whether from a game viewing vehicle or on foot. Ngala offers a number of specialist activities, including walking, birding, tracking and photographic safaris.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

“It was a wonderful experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The hospitality and personalised service we received certainly exceeded our expectations”

Royal Malewane location

Hoedspruit

rooms

telephone +27 15 793 0150 email

$$$

info@royalmalewane.com

6 one bedroom suites & 2 two-bedroom suites

www

www.royalmalewane.com

Located on a 13,000 hectare Big Five private game reserve forming part of the greater Kruger National Park, Royal Malewane is a fusion of colonial splendour and luxurious comfort. Antique furniture and Persian rugs accent the thatched main areas and six ultra-luxurious suites, each with their own rim-flow pools frequented by thirsty elephants! Two additional two-bedroom suites comfortably accommodating up to four guests each, come with the complimentary services of a butler, chef, private game drives and up to four complimentary massages per suite per day. Moroccan-inspired meals beneath Bedouin tents are alternated with crystal and silver service, and fireside dinners. The spa is a royal treat for the body and mind which has first-class facilities including a large heated pool, Jacuzzi, and casitas perfect for relaxing after indulging in African-inspired therapies.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our stay with you was literally the best combined hotel/resort/ lodge experience any of us have had anywhere in the world. Outrageously great food, stunning accommodation and a safari adventure to matchâ&#x20AC;? www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Sabi Sabi Selati Camp

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 11 447 7172

rooms

8 suites

www

www.sabisabi.com

res@sabisabi.com

Reminiscent of a bygone era, Sabi Sabi Selati Camp conjures up images of being on safari at the turn of the century. The lantern-lit public facilities and eight luxury suites are dotted with historic railway memorabilia, a testament to the Selati railway line that transported gold from the Drakensberg escarpment in the late 1800s, traces of which can still be found on the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Sabi Sabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff are extensively trained and eager to share their knowledge of the reserveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, and the diverse fauna and flora including the Big Five and over 300 species of birds, which may be encountered during a day or night game drive, or on foot before a hearty breakfast.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 11 447 7172

rooms

13 suites

www

www.sabisabi.com

$$$

res@sabisabi.com

Whilst Selati Camp reflects on the past, Earth Lodge looks to the future, breaking away from the traditional safari lodge style. Literally built into the earth, Earth Lodge has been designed to have a minimal impact on the environment, without compromising in luxury or style. Indeed, the avant-garde design heightens the symbiosis between man and nature, the ultimate objective. Sabi Sabi is deeply committed to conservation and eco-tourism, and invests substantially in skills development. The result is highly trained staff who are passionate about what they do, evident in the level of service. This, combined with deluxe facilities such as a 6,000-bottle wine cellar and indulgent spa, and some of the best game viewing in South Africa, makes Earth Lodge a rare safari experience.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Absolutely the most amazing place. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fault a single thing. We had the most incredible timeâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Singita Boulders Lodge

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 21 683 3424

rooms

12 suites

www

www.singita.com

singita@singita.com

Aspiring to be ‘the best safari experience in Africa’, it seems that Singita has achieved this goal if their numerous awards are anything to go by. Located within one of the best game viewing regions in South Africa, the unique Singita mix of exceptional wildlife, stunning accommodation and five-star service has put Singita firmly on the map as one of the ultimate luxury safari destinations in Africa. The twelve suites at Singita Boulders Lodge are pure bliss – private heated swimming pools, game viewing decks, double-sided fireplaces and exquisite glass-fronted bathrooms. The lodge’s namesake is a giant boulder around which the wine cellar was built – stocking some of the world’s finest wines that can be enjoyed with dinner under an African sky.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Singita Ebony Lodge location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

telephone +27 21 683 3424

rooms

12 suites

www

www.singita.com

singita@singita.com

“This place was simply a dream! An adventure one cannot imagine without actually seeing it all! We loved our room, the staff and the bush!”

$$$

Imbued with vibrant colours, African artefacts and hand-crafted antiques, Singita Ebony Lodge is the quintessential colonial safari experience. Sink into a deep leather sofa with a glass of rare vintage wine selected by the lodge’s sommelier from the 12,000-bottle wine cellar, whilst scanning the banks of the Sand River for a herd of elephant quenching their thirst. You may come across a book on Shangaan culture in the library, and learn that the word Singita means ‘miracle’ – an apt term to describe the perfect blend of luxury accommodation, impeccable service and phenomenal game viewing. You may even spot a leopard in the trees whilst taking a dip in your private heated plunge pool, or languishing in your Victorian bathtub.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This place was simply a dream! An adventure one cannot imagine without actually seeing it all! We loved our room, the staff and the bush!â&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Singita Lebombo Lodge location

Kruger National Park

telephone +27 21 683 3424

rooms

15 cliff-side suites

www

www.singita.com

$$$

singita@singita.com

Ever the trendsetter, Singita Lebombo Lodge is quite literally at the pinnacle of safari chic – flawless service, gourmet cuisine, cool, contemporary interiors of bleached wood and reed – all ensconced in glass boxes that are perched on stilts against a sheer cliff-face. The lodge overlooks the N’wanetsi River, which is best observed from the cliff-side lap pool, or from your private outdoor day bed swathed in Egyptian cotton. Luxury facilities include a wine cellar, spa and gym, and Dermalogica products and iPods in the suites. Lebombo is situated in a remote, exclusive 15,000 hectare concession on the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park – hunting grounds for some of the biggest prides of lion in the world.

“...peaceful calm days, awesome animals, excellent food and staff who have welcomed us into their family. Thank you all!”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Singita Sweni Lodge location

Kruger National Park

telephone +27 21 683 3424

rooms

6 riverside suites

www

www.singita.com

singita@singita.com

$$$

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

“Such a majestic experience that it is best left unsullied by the written word. We will treasure the memories made at Singita Sweni forever...”

Singita Sweni Lodge is a luxury safari hideaway in the N’wanetsi concession in the Kruger National Park. With only 6 secluded suites on the edge of the Sweni River, the lodge balances on stilts among the tree tops. Emulating the landscape, the interior is a chic combination of greens and khakis, offset by dark timber decks, reed ceilings and screens, and massive glass windows. Singita Sweni Lodge is situated on an exclusive 15,000 hectare concession on the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park. This part of the Park is largely unexplored, and supports a vast array of wildlife including the Big Five – which can be tracked on a day or night game drive, bush walk, or for a more thrilling experience, on a mountain bike with an experienced guide.

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

location

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

rooms

telephone +27 11 325 4405 email

enquiries@ulusaba.virgin.com

Rock Lodge: 4 rooms & 6 suites Safari Lodge: 10 rooms & 1suite

www

www.ulusaba.virgin.com

Ulusaba, ‘Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve’ in game-rich Sabi Sand, comprises two distinct lodges – family friendly Rock Lodge, incorporating Cliff Lodge, perched on top of a rocky hilltop with breathtaking views of the savannah below – and Safari Lodge, elevated tree house style suites linked by swing bridges. Whether you’d prefer the sophistication of Rock Lodge or the adventure of Safari Lodge, both lodges offer a range of facilities to while the day away between first class game drives and bush walks – from heated pools, to gyms, spas and even a tennis court. Dining settings are varied to experience the best of the views and incredible surroundings. Local community visits and photographic safaris are also a highlight.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Limpopo Province

Limpopo’s position forms an irregular square in the remote north-east corner of South Africa, where it rubs shoulders with no less than three other African countries; Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, as well as three South African provinces; Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West Province. It’s hard to summarise a province the size and geographical position of Limpopo, because it has everything from tropical forests and semi-desert, to mountains and flat lands. It is peopled by Pedi, Venda, Tsonga and Ndebele tribes, amongst others, and inhabited by wild animals in numerous game reserves and national parks. •

Limpopo’s Top Attractions

•

Kruger National Park www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/people/heritage/thulamela.php Limpopo’s most significant tourism attraction is the enormous Kruger National Park, more than half of which lies in this province along the far eastern border of the country. The southern part of the park is more visited, but up here in Limpopo you can get away from the crowds and into untamed Africa. This area of Kruger also boasts two important national heritage sites; the iron-age Masorini heritage site close to the Phalaborwa Gate and Thulamela in the far north Pafuri area, believed to have been inhabited from the 15th to the mid-17th century. A guided tour of Thulamela can be booked at the Pafuri Entrance Gate.

•

Mapungubwe World Heritage Site It has become clear that Limpopo was home to ancient civilisations and the 13th century Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the Limpopo River Valley, has become a World Heritage Site. This is where gold artefacts, including the Golden Rhino, have been discovered, revealing a sophisticated society trading with Indian, Arab, Chinese and Indonesian traders. Mapungubwe was the forerunner to the Great Zimbabwe civilisation with an estimated 5,000 people living around Mapungubwe Hill, which is now incorporated into Mapungubwe National Park. What was once inhabited has now returned to the wild with a rich variety of animal and bird life and tall trees distinctive to the area such as giant fever trees and upside Gauteng North West down baobabs. Johannesburg Province

Limpopo

Northern Cape

Free State

Mpumalanga

KwaZulu-Natal Durban

Eastern Cape East London

Western Cape Cape Town

Port Elizabeth

•

The Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre by Peter Rich Architects Won the coveted overall winner of the World Architecture Festival’s Building of the Year 2009, for its unique vernacular African form. See this winning design on the Wits University website http://web.wits.ac.za/Academic/EBE/CEE/News/ WAF2009Winner.htm

•

Transfrontier Peace Park The concept of extending the borders of Kruger to form a Peace Park that reaches into neighbouring countries, resulted in the Ministers for the Environment of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2000 to establish the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The intention is to drop fences between Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and Kruger National Park in South Africa. The Transfrontier park can only be said to have been fully established once there is free movement of animals and people along the length of the international borders within park boundaries;- a process that could take a number of years to implement.

“What an unbelievable experience. Marataba has far surpassed any expectation.Experiencing a lion kill a warthog was the cherry on the top” Marataba Safari Company

Limpopo Province

•

Waterberg On the western side of Limpopo is the rugged malaria-free Waterberg region, where natural underground aquifers fill with water seeping from the mountains. Extraordinary vertical cliffs – some half a kilometre tall – glisten with moisture and rock fissures give vent to mini waterfalls. It is evident that caves in these cliffs were used by Stone Age man and Bushmen, as substantiated by tools, artefacts and rock art. The valleys are flat and sandy and farmers came to realise that the best thing to farm here is game. The main town of the Waterberg, Vaalwater, is well known for its game auctions, where antelopes, giraffe, wildebeest and many other African animals are bought and sold. This is to help introduce new blood lines and stock into public and private game reserves.

“Very welcoming and friendly, staff did everything they could to make our stay perfect. Beautifully furnished with great attention to detail” Makweti Safari Lodge

Vaalwater is also one of the best places in South Africa to buy venison and the ‘Biltong Go Back Butchery’ (named after the many signboards telling you to go back if you missed it), is probably the best place to buy it (call 082 425 0043). Think steaks, kebabs, sausage, salami and biltong from kudu, warthog, springbok, impala, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and gemsbok, the most popular being tender eland fillet. It is a fair certainty that your safari lodge will offer you some local game meat for dinner. For conservation of the precious Waterberg biodiversity and as a sanctuary for wild animals (in particular white rhino), the whole Waterberg Biosphere was proclaimed a UNESCO Savanna Biosphere Reserve in 2001. The privately owned Welgevonden Reserve, within this proclaimed area, has the largest collection of white rhino on private land in the world and numerous safari lodges. Other reserves that make up this enormous protected landmass include Lapalala Wilderness to the north and Marakele National Park in the south-west, abutting the huge Marataba Concession. •

Adventure www.magoebaskloofcanopytour.co.za There’s as much adventure to be had outside Kruger as inside, like a Tarzan rope glide through the canopy, quad biking through indigenous forests, gecko tubing in the river gorge and – not for the faint hearted – abseiling down a 30m smooth rock face landing in the river below. Situated between Polokwane and Tzaneen, contact Magoebaskloof Adventures 083 866 1546

•

Useful Web Sites Limpopo Tourism & Parks Welgevonden Private Game Reserve South African National Parks Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

www.golimpopo.com www.welgevonden.org www.sanparks.org/parks/marakele www.sanparks.org/parks/mapungubwe www.greatlimpopopark.com

“Roaring with praise! We loved every minute of our stay – the gracious hospitality, beautiful rooms, delicious food, and memorable safari adventures” Marataba Safari Company

“Very welcoming and friendly, staff did everything they could to make our stay perfect. Beautifully furnished with great attention to detail” Makweti Safari Lodge

“Roaring with praise! We loved every minute of our stay – the gracious hospitality, beautiful rooms, delicious food, and memorable safari adventures” Marataba Safari Company

Limpopo Province

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been fortunate enough to have travelled to many places and stayed at many beautiful hotels. Makweti Lodge ranks in our top fiveâ&#x20AC;? Makweti Safari Lodge

$$$

Makweti Safari Lodge

location

Welgevonden Game Reserve

telephone +27 11 8376776

rooms

5 suites

www

www.makweti.com

makweti@global.co.za

Dramatically set overlooking a gorge, with views of rolling hills, Makweti Safari Lodge utilises the best of the Welgevondenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rugged landscape. The lodge has been constructed using natural rock, thatch and teak. Each of the five suites has an indoor and outdoor shower, Victorian bathtub, log fire and private deck. Some suites also have private plunge pools. This malaria-free game reserve is home to a diversity of wildlife including the Big Five and over 300 species of birds, and is only 3 hours from Johannesburg. Makweti is a member of the Chaine de Rotisseurs, which recognises excellence in food and wine.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Marataba Safari Company

location

Waterberg

telephone +27 44 501 1111

rooms

15 tented suites

www

www.hunterhotels.com

res@hunterhotels.com

Marataba Safari Company, an ultra-chic tented camp, is located on a 23,000 hectare private concession in the malaria-free Marekele National Park at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains, 3 hours from Johannesburg. Vast expanses of glass and hand-crafted stone masonry typify the contemporary design of the public facilities, whilst the pool area is a manicured oasis with sun loungers and hammocks, ideal for relaxing after searching for the Big Five. The epitome of bush luxury, the airconditioned safari tents have full en-suite bathrooms with free-standing stone baths, flowing indoor and outdoor showers, and private viewing decks overlooking the reserve. Marataba is a member of Relais & Ch창teaux and part of the Hunter Hotels group.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge location

Waterberg

rooms

4 double rooms & 2 double rooms with lofts (maximum 16 guests)

www

www.zebrascrossing.com

telephone +27 11 788 66 58 email

res@zebrascrossing.com

$$$

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was stupendously quiet... the nature is overwhelming... after relaxing by the pool we were surrounded by a whole variety of antelopesâ&#x20AC;?

As the name implies, Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge is a small and intimate wildlife reserve, suited for guests seeking privacy and tranquillity. The manager Promise and his team have been part of the lodge for over 10 years, focusing on unobtrusive service and preparing organic South African-Italian inspired cuisine. In addition to game drives, it is possible to walk in the reserve, either guided or alone, to experience the bush up close and possibly encounter giraffe, zebra, meerkat and different species of antelope. Located in the Waterberg region, just under 2 hours from Johannesburg, Zebras Crossing is ideally combined with one of the Big Five game reserves such as the Kruger / Sabi Sand area, or Madikwe.

KwaZulu-Natal

With its diversity of culture and landscape, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is one of the country’s premier holiday areas. Perhaps more than any other of the nine provinces, it encapsulates the feel of contemporary Africa. Modern sophistication meets traditional ritual; vibrant cities and towns offer an array of cultural, shopping and sporting activities; while the Big Five roam through many game reserves. Visitors to KwaZulu-Natal are spoiled for choice. With its fabulous climate - average temperatures vary between 28°C in summer and just 23°C in winter – it is not surprising that the province is renowned for its outdoor events, nature-based tourism and varied sporting and adventure activities. Durban, South Africa’s third largest city, has a world-class sports precinct which includes the state-of-the-art Moses Mabhida stadium built for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, rugby and cricket stadia, Olympic-size indoor swimming pool, a cycling track, archery range, athletics tracks and world-class golf courses, all set against a backdrop of the beautiful Indian Ocean. Great sporting events such as the famous Comrades Marathon (read ultra-marathon), the Dusi Canoe marathon, the Midmar Mile swim event, and the Durban July, one of the country’s premier horse races, attract huge numbers of participants, supporters and fans. In addition, thousands of visitors flock to the province annually to enjoy the wonderful beaches of Durban and the north and south coasts. Some of South Africa’s top game reserves are situated in KZN. These include Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – famous for its white rhino population – numerous state and up-market private game reserves, and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, www.isimangaliso.com, situated on the north coast, is known for its exceptionally beautiful lake system consisting of two estuarine-linked lakes, four large freshwater lakes and a marine reserve. The uKhahlambaDrakensberg Park, www.drakensberg-tourism.com/ukhahlamba-drakensberg-park.html, which borders Lesotho in the north west of KZN, safeguards precious water resources, various indigeneous animal and plant species and more than 600 fascinating sites of ancient San rock art. But it’s not just about the outdoors. Today KwaZulu-Natal is home to more than 10 million people and the melting pot of cultures means there’s a wonderful choice of music, theatre, dance, food, art and crafts and fascinating museums, as well as a richness of spirituality apparent in the numerous churches, historic cathedrals, mosques and temples. Many of the pivotal events that shaped South Africa took place in KwaZulu-Natal – so named after South Africa’s historic 1994 democratic elections when the nominally independent homeland of ‘KwaZulu’ (place of the Zulu), was joined with ‘Natal’, named by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1497. North West

Province

Northern Cape

Limpopo

Gauteng Mpumalanga

Johannesburg

KwaZulu-Natal

Free State

Durban

Eastern Cape Cape Town

East London

Western Cape Port Elizabeth

It was in KZN that the descendants of Boer, Brit and Zulu struggled for control of the country. The battles fought some 120 years ago in the beautiful hills and valleys of northern KZN changed the course of South African history. The sites of famous battles that rocked the British, weakened the Boers and broke the mighty Zulu nation continue to draw tourists from all over the world. Some of the more famous sites are perhaps Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, but there are many more throughout the province that are worth visiting. •

Useful Web Site www.kzn.org.za

•

Umhlanga & Surrounds With its extensive golden beach, relaxed seaside ambience and proximity to King Shaka International Airport, it’s hardly surprising that the charming town of Umhlanga Rocks just north of Durban is popular with beach-lovers and holiday makers. The town has a plethora of bars and restaurants including those of the recently renovated Oyster Box Hotel, 031 514 5000, www.oysterboxhotel.co.za, which enjoys an idyllic setting right on the seafront overlooking the lighthouse. The Lighthouse Bar on the top level has hip red décor in the cosy interior and a spacious outdoor balcony area that’s the ideal sundowner spot, while the Ocean Terrace, which also has spectacular views, offers an excellent curry buffet. Umhlanga may be a small town but it’s big on shopping. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping, www.gatewayworld.co.za, 031 566 2332, was the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere when it opened a decade ago. The one-stop entertainment venue boasts numerous movie theatres, an IMAX theatre, wave pool, climbing wall, night clubs, restaurants and The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway, 031 566 3045, www.barnyardtheatre.co.za, an intimate relaxed venue (the design of which is based loosely on that of the Globe Theatre in London) where you can watch live music revue shows. Art Africa, 031 561 1515, in the heart of Umhlanga, is the place to head for curios, while if you want to learn more about the apex predators found off the southern African coast and the way in which the area’s beaches are protected, head to the Natal Sharks Board, www.shark.co.za/visit.htm. But most visitors are happy to stroll along the promenade, play in the waves, check out the marine life in the rockpools or walk along the beach to the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve just north of town. Other good beaches in the area include Salt Rock and Umdloti, which are popular with windsurfers and kiteboarders. Durban’s wonderful coffee shops, bars and restaurants deserve a visit, w w w.r e s t a u ra n t s .c o. z a/d u r b a n.a s p. Morningside is particularly lively and eclectic and you can wander among the book and coffee shops or stroll down Florida Road until a lively watering hole or enticing menu takes your fancy. North of Umhlanga, Ballito and

“A few minutes to the beach, the bars and the shops – a real home from home” Teremok Marine

KwaZulu-Natal

Salt Rock also have a good selection of eateries. Good coffee shops include Salt Rock’s organic Sage Café, Restaurant and Deli in the Hybrid Living Centre, www.sagecafe.co.za, Cinnamon and Silk, 032 946 1985, www.cinnamonandsilk.com, and Coast, 032 946 0229, in the Ballito Lifestyle Centre, www.ballitolifestylecentre.co.za. The cosmopolitan café/restuarant Mange Tout, housed in a beautiful building in the Dunkirk Estate, is a good choice for Sunday lunches, www.mangetout.co.za The stylish Tin Roof Restaurant, 032 947 2548, in Ballito, specialises in fusion food and has a wonderful veranda with a view over the lush coastal vegetation and sugarcane fields, while Moz-am-bik, an authentic Mozambique-style, rustic restaurant is great for a casual dinner or a long, decadent lunch followed by a lazy afternoon in a hammock. It serves up seriously good food and is always packed so you need to book, 032 946 0979, www.mozambikrestaurant.com And you can’t visit the Durban area without going to a curry house. One of the North Coast’s best is Cindy’s in Umhlali, 031 947 1495, where you can feast on gourmet curries made from organic veggies, accompanied by tasty home-made pickles and preserves. If you enjoy golf, play a round at the stunning, coastal Zimbali Golf Course at Umhlali, 032 538 1041, www.zimbali.co.za. Zimbali also offer horse riding, 083 231 6458, as do Wellesley Riding Stables at Umdloti, 083 788 1881. A scenic flight, 031 563 7226, or microlight flip, 084 266 3359, gives you a different perspective on this beautiful stretch of coast, or you can head out to sea on a dolphin and whale watching cruise with Ocean Ventures, 031 561 7350, www.oceanventures.co.za, or deep sea fishing with Casea Charters, 031 561 7381, www.caseacharters.co.za. Some of the north coast’s best scuba diving sites are off Umhlanga – Calypso, 031 332 0905, www.calypsoushaka.co.za, offer dive trips up the coast from their base at uShaka Marine World. And if the open ocean is not your scene, you can dive among the tropical fish that inhabit uShaka’s warm, shallow lagoon, then enjoy the water park, dolphin, seal and penguin shows and the superb aquarium, which is housed in a sunken ship, www.ushakamarineworld.co.za, 031 328 8000. Diners at the ship’s Cargo Hold Restaurant can eyeball sharks in the adjoining predator tank through a glass wall, while other facilities in the uShaka complex include a myriad shops and restaurants including Moyo. •

Useful Web Site www.umhlanga-rocks.com

•

Elephant Coast

Photo: TKZN

There’s plenty to do in the iSimangaliso (formerly Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park World Heritage Site and tours can be booked through your lodge to the major attractions – Lake St Lucia, famous for its hippopotamus and crocodile sightings, the fever trees of Lake Sibaya and the Kosi Lakes where fishermen still utilise an ancient system of fish traps. A rare highlight during the summer months (November to February) is the opportunity to view female leatherback and loggerhead turtles dragging themselves up the beach to lay their eggs at night or the incredible spectacle of the young hatchlings leaving the nest and running the gauntlet of predators to the sea. Cultural tours, game viewing, bird watching, horse riding, hippo and crocodile tours and snorkelling at the beautiful beach of Cape Vidal are also on the menu. Scuba diving trips to Sodwana Bay, South Africa’s scuba diving mecca, can also be arranged. Sodwana boasts some of the world’s most southerly coral reefs and the diving here is exceptional. In addition to the spectacular corals and sponges on the pristine reefs, you’ll see vast numbers of colourful tropical fish, and, if you’re lucky, ragged tooth sharks, dolphins and even whale sharks.

Zulu Croc, 035 562 0313, www.zulucroc.co.za near Hluhluwe, is also worth a visit. You can interact with elephants at Bayete Zulu Game Lodge, 035 595 8089, www.bayetezulu.co.za, or see wild cheeth, serval and caracal at the Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre, 035 562 7000, www.emdonenilodge.com/rehabilitation-centre.htm. Ilala Weavers, in the town of Hluhluwe, is great for lunch and craft shopping – particularly for Zulu bead and basket work, 035 562 0630, www.ilala.co.za, but the area’s best-kept secret is the superb False Bay Park, www.kznwildlife.com. It may not be a Big Five reserve – though they do have plenty of crocodiles, plains game, small mammals, birds and butterflies – but you can boat and fish on Lake St Lucia, hike self-guided trails, search for fossils in the rocks of the old lake bed (there are also some in the interpretive centre if your search is in vain) or watch the birds and wildlife as you sip your sundowners on the viewing platform. •

Travel Tip The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a malaria area. Consult your doctor before visiting.

•

Useful Web Sites www.elephantcoasttourism.com www.stluciainfo.co.za

“Thanda exceeded our expectations from the moment we arrived. The warm and caring welcome set the tone for the rest of our time here. Every member of the staff has been exceptional” Thanda Private Game Reserve

Teremok Marine

Photo: TKZN

“This hotel is one of the best we have ever stayed in!”

Photo: George Irwin

The town of St Lucia, the gateway to the southern part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is more than just a jumping off point for the magnificent beaches, dunes, wetlands and reserves of the area. It’s an attractive place with plenty of curio shops, coffee stops and restaurants, where building height is restricted to below the tree level. The Illy coffee shop is a good place to start the day before heading on a boat or kayak trip on the estuary, to fish, explore the mangroves and the islands, gaze at majestic fish eagles soaring overhead and to get up close and personal with crocs and hippo. If that sounds too close for comfort, you can see all the African species of crocodile – the Nile, long-snouted and dwarf crocodile at the St Lucia Crocodile Centre, www.kznwildlife.com/index.php?/Crocodile-Centre-St-Lucia.html, as well as hippopotamus, crocodile, leopard and other game in the adjacent game park.

KwaZulu-Natal

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The lodge is amazing, the accommodation out of this world, and the service excellence of the staff something to be proud ofâ&#x20AC;? Thanda Private Game Reserve

Photo: TKZN

Teremok Marine location

Umhlanga Rocks

telephone +27 31 561 5848

rooms

8 suites

www

www.teremok.co.za

marine@teremok.co.za

Meaning ‘little hideaway’ in Russian, Teremok is a beautifully restored residence of the Vladykin family who built the luxury holiday home in the 1960s. Today, Teremok Marine is a 5-star boutique lodge in Umhlanga Rocks, known for its balmy ocean waters, and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal’s game reserves. Accommodation comprises 8 individually decorated suites with extra length beds, home entertainment systems and iPod docking stations, and designer bathrooms. Guests can relax next to the pool framed by a giant Milkwood tree, work up a sweat in the gym or be pampered in the spa, which has been styled with an unusual mix of vintage and Oriental influences.

“I cannot imagine staying anywhere more beautiful, more stylish or more caring”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Thanda Private Game Reserve

location

Hluhluwe

rooms

Main Lodge: 9 luxury bush villas

telephone +27 35 573 1899

Tented Camp: 6 luxury tents

Royal Private Villa: 5 suites

reservations@thanda.co.za www

www.thanda.com

Thanda Private Game Reserve is located 23km north of Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal, approximately three hours from Durban. Thanda’s close proximity to the Indian Ocean makes it an ideal ‘beach and bush’ destination as the lodge is able to arrange a number of ocean-based excursions including diving, snorkelling and seasonal whale watching. The 14,000 hectare Big Five game reserve is also home to wild dog and the endangered black rhino. Luxury accommodation options include the main lodge with 220m2 villas which have their own private plunge pools, bomas and outdoor day beds, a colonial-chic tented camp with four poster beds and outdoor showers, and the Royal Private Villa ideal for families and small groups.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

North West Province & Northern Cape

These two provinces stretch across the north and west of South Africa, yet access to this vast expanse of South Africa is limited as the population is low and there are few large towns. Most people live in small villages in rural areas. Afrikaans is more widely spoken in the Northern Cape than in any other province, while the Khoisan languages of Nama and Nu are almost lost as there are so few native San Bushmen speakers left. Only their rock art lives on. •

North West Province In the far north of the North West Province, only 3½-4 hours’ drive from Johannesburg, you’ll find the Madikwe Game Reserve. In 1991, one of the largest movement of animals occurred in Madikwe, with 10,000 head of game from 27 different species re-located to this newly created park. Now, the malariafree Madikwe is Top Ten territory, with wild dog, rhino (black and white), hippo, lion, leopard, spotted and brown hyena, cheetah, giraffe, buffalo and elephant. The park’s existence contributes to the preservation of some rare species and provides a sustainable future for the local people. It is a great example of community and business working towards a common goal. www.madikwe-game-reserve.co.za Sun City Resort is the ‘Las Vegas’ of the North West Province and provides a fantasy world in which to have fun and gamble. This African-themed resort has jungles and gardens tumbling off cliffs and water for every activity. Water-ski and parasail in the river courses and even surf the perfect manmade wave at the sub-tropical water adventure park, the ‘Valley of Waves’. Whatever sport you want, from horse riding, to squash, tennis or golf, you can do it here, along with a number of activities for the whole family, including the Birds of Prey Centre and Cascades Aviary, Animal World and a Crocodile Sanctuary. Moreover, a Cultural Village presents the lifestyles and crafts of eight African tribes and if that isn’t enough, there’s hot air ballooning and big game safari in the Pilanesberg National Park only 15km from Sun City. Limpopo www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Resorts/SunCity

North West Province

Gauteng Mpumalanga Johannesburg

KwaZulu-Natal

Free State Northern Cape

Durban

Eastern Cape Cape Town

East London

Western Cape Port Elizabeth

The Hartebeespoort Dam, en route to Sun City and Madikwe Game Reserve, is a popular weekend getaway for ‘Gautengers’, although the Chameleon Village is worth a stop for its restaurants of every persuasion from Italian to Indian, and an undercover market selling traditional arts and crafts, www.chameleonvillage.co.za Easily accessible as a day trip from Johannesburg, head to Magaliesberg at the north west boundary of Gauteng, where sheer cliff edges contrast with warm gentle slopes and secretive valleys – the perfect place for outdoor activities: think canopy tours, horse riding, mountain biking and fishing, www.magaliesmeander.co.za Get a bird’s eye view of this scenic region with Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris, www.balloon.co.za, or from the open cockpit of a Thunderbird Microlight with Davies Aircraft Corporation, www.tde.co.za

“We really enjoyed SA. Umhlanga was a great choice but the real highlight was Makanyane in Madikwe. Thank you!” Makanyane Safari Lodge

“We had the most wonderful stay at Jaci’s. The staff were incredibly attentive, warm and welcoming and the guides incredibly knowledgeable!” Jaci’s Safari Lodges

North West Province & Northern Cape

•

Northern Cape What the Northern Cape lacks in people, it gains in one particularly valuable natural resource; diamonds. These are found in the farthest east of the province at Kimberley and the extreme west at Alexander Bay. Conditions have to be just right for the carbon to become one of the hardest minerals in the world and for us to find them 3 billion years later, after they have come to the surface in molten lava or river sand. A testament to the diamond rush of the 1870s is Kimberley’s 1km deep ‘Big Hole’ dug by hand with home-made tools and sheer determination. It is now a museum where 3-4 hours is recommended to experience everything on offer, such as the Underground Mine Experience and a daring suspended observation post over the hole. There’s time to shop too, but the 616 carat uncut diamond on display is not for sale and you can’t afford it anyway! www.thebighole.co.za, tel: 053 833 1557. The Orange River, carving its way through the eerie, arid landscape encompassing boulders, desert and dunes, rocky mountain peaks and hazy plateaux, brings life to the Northern Cape and is at its most powerful at Augrabies Falls National Park near Upington. When in flood, the 56m waterfall is a sight and sound to behold. www.sanparks.org/parks/augrabies Just north of here you enter a world of red Kalahari sands in an amalgamation of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (South Africa) and the Gemsbok National Park (Botswana). This is called the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – one of very few conservation areas in the world in the magnitude of 3,6 million hectares. Not such a desert as you may imagine, the park sustains a multitude of animals including the black-maned Kalahari lion, gemsbok desert antelope and meerkat, www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi One of the most significant drawcards of the Northern Cape is the spring flower phenomenon that covers Namaqualand in swathes of bright colours, anytime from August to October. Highly adapted succulents known as vygies erupt onto the arid surface, particularly in and around Springbok, Garies, Nieuwoudtville and Kamieskroon’s Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve, www.namaquainfo.co.za

•

Useful Web Sites www.tourismnorthwest.co.za www.northerncape.org.za

“A beautiful getaway. Time stood still for the short time we spent here. What a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing way to begin our lives together as a married couple” Jaci’s Safari Lodges

North West Province & Northern Cape

“The rooms were beautiful, the food exceptional and the safaris breathtaking – the highlight had to be finding the lioness and her cubs” Morukuru Family

Jaci’s Safari Lodges

location

Madikwe Game Reserve

rooms

Tree Lodge: 8 tree houses

telephone +27 83 700 2071

Safari Lodge: 8 tented suites,

jaci@madikwe.com

2 exclusive-use family suites

www

www.jacislodges.com

accommodating 6 & 8 guests

Situated on the western part of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Jaci’s Safari Lodges consists of eight thatched tent-style rooms at Safari Lodge, and eight wood and thatch tree houses linked by suspended wooden walkways at Tree Lodge. Having raised three children whilst establishing Jaci’s, the owners designed Safari Lodge and structured the activities to cater for families, yet maintaining a luxury safari setting. Supported by wooden stilts and overlooking the Marico River, the whimsical tree houses at Tree Lodge are ideal for couples, screened by a canopy of trees. While both lodges have an air of adventure, luxury comforts such as underfloor heating, massive stone baths, gourmet cuisine, impeccable service and informed guides ensure a five-star safari experience.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Makanyane Safari Lodge

location

Madikwe Game Reserve

telephone +27 14 778 9600

rooms

8 suites

www

www.makanyane.com

enquiries@makanyane.com

Designed to make the most of the riverside setting, the main lodge and glass-walled suites have viewing decks looking right on to the Marico River, frequented by hippos, elephant and an abundance of wildlife including the Big Five. Whether you’re relaxing next to the rimflow pool after a game drive or bush walk, dining under the stars, or being treated to a massage on your private deck, the emphasis is on experiencing the rugged landscape of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Makanyane even offers an exhilarating ‘night under the stars’ experience with a romantic bush bed setting on top of one of their hides next to a waterhole.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Mateya Safari Lodge location

Madikwe Game Reserve

telephone +27 14 778 9200

rooms

5 suites

www

www.mateyasafari.com

reservations@mateyasafari.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We truly have loved every second we have been here at Mateya, look forward to the day we return againâ&#x20AC;?

$$$

With an impressive collection of original African art and sculptures, elegant furnishings, rare African literature in the library, and an 8,000-bottle wine cellar stocked with local and French wine and champagne, Mateya Safari Lodge embodies a sophisticated bush experience. Built along a rocky outcrop, the lodge has sweeping views of the Madikwe Game Reserve, best enjoyed from the private plunge pools at each suite. Dining is a gastronomic experience, under the stars around the fire, in the glass-walled main lodge, or in the wine cellar. A maximum of four guests per game viewing vehicle ensures a very personal safari encounter with the abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We truly have loved every second we have been here at Mateya, look forward to the day we return againâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Molori location

Madikwe Game Reserve

rooms

telephone +27 14 778 8000 email

info@molori.com

2 premier suites, 1 executive suite & 2 presidential suites

www

www.molori.com

$$$

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

“ Five stars are not enough for Molori, they need to create a new category...”

There are probably few other lodges – in the world – that can match the sumptuous luxury and comfort of Molori. Combining local design and décor with international standards, this über-chic lodge is the ultimate in service and luxury in the African bush. Aptly meaning ‘to dream’ in seTswana, Molori’s ‘dreamy’ suites range in size from 232 to 619m², featuring infinity pools, outdoor day beds, fully retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors, stoneclad fireplaces, private lounges and dining areas, and glamorous bathrooms. Each suite also has a telescope, Bose iPod system, espresso machine and wireless Internet. From the world-class cuisine to the planetarium equipped with one of the largest privately owned telescopes in southern Africa, the sheer luxury of the lodge is complemented by the natural landscape of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

Molori location

Madikwe Game Reserve

rooms

telephone +27 14 778 8000 email

$$$

info@molori.com

2 premier suites, 1 executive suite & 2 presidential suites

www

www.molori.com

Ranger of the Year – Greg – and his wife Riana look after you so well from arrival to departure making Molori one of those ‘exceptionally difficult places to leave’. Cocooned in such luxury for a few days makes this a very special experience. It’s tough enough going out on game drives let alone leaving altogether. But with Greg’s expert guidance you soon remember the prime reason for your trip – to see outstanding wildlife from the Big Five to the small five.

“As they say... ‘Heaven is a place on earth’ and to us, Molori is it”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Morukuru Family

location

Madikwe Game Reserve

rooms

Farm House: 5 presidential suites

telephone +27 11 615 4303

Lodge: 3 presidential suites & 1 kid’s room

Owner’s House: 2 presidential suites

reservations@morukuru.com www

www.morukuru.com

The Morukuru Family comprises three exclusiveuse villas – the Lodge, Owner’s House and Farm House – great for small groups or families travelling together. Imagine having your own private bush home, with all the luxuries you’d expect from a five star lodge, without having to share it with other guests. Unlike many other lodges in South Africa, Morukuru welcomes children of all ages and is fully geared up for younger visitors, from the Morukuru Kidz backpack filled with educational and entertaining goodies that each child receives upon arrival, to the safari activities and nanny service for when mom and dad want to have their own private game drive on the Big Five Madikwe Game Reserve or a romantic dinner under the stars.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Morukuru Family

location

Madikwe Game Reserve

rooms

telephone +27 11 615 4303 email

Farm House: 5 presidential suites Lodge: 3 presidential suites & 1 kid’s room

reservations@morukuru.com

Owner’s House: 2 presidential suites www

www.morukuru.com

The luxury villas combine contemporary African décor and ambiance with personalised service – all villas come with a private chef and butler, as well as a private ranger and tracker, who cater to all needs without following a set schedule as is the custom at other lodges. Each villa has beautifully appointed indoor and outdoor living and dining areas, heated infinity pools, high-tech entertainment systems and ‘out-of-Africa’ style bedrooms with bathrooms overlooking the bush. All rooms are fully kitted out with board games, DVDs and electronic gadgets. The Lodge also has a separate kid’s bedroom sleeping up to four children. Morukuru is also actively involved in the ongoing conservation of the Madikwe Game Reserve, and has initiated a number of projects to help empower the nearby communities.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

101

Tswalu Kalahari location

Kalahari

rooms

res@tswalu.com

$$$

Unlike any other safari experience in South Africa, Tswalu is about vast, open spaces, arid bush and dunes, and awe-inspiring African sunsets. Located on the largest game reserve in the country – over 100,000 hectares in the southern part of the Kalahari desert, Tswalu means ‘new beginning’ in Tswana, a tribute to the rehabilitation of the Kalahari to its original state. Although only traces remain of the San in their rock art, the endangered black rhino, black-maned Kalahari lions and 90 other animal species, many of them rare and unusual, are thriving as a result of the conservation efforts. Tswalu’s safari chic style combining African elements with contemporary luxuries makes it a truly sublime oasis in the desert.

The Motse: 6 suites & 2 family suites Tarkuni: 5 suites – exclusive use

telephone +27 11 274 2299 www

www.tswalu.com

“What impressed me most was the quality of staff. With an ‘anything is possible’ attitude, nothing was too much trouble”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

103

Eastern Cape

The homeland of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s most famous son, the Eastern Cape is one of the most colourful and varied of South Africa’s provinces with both scenic beauty and a proud heritage. Encompassing the verdant Tsitsikamma, the bristling peaks of Hogsback, the arid plains of Karoo, the wilderness of the Baviaans, the rolling green hills and empty beaches of the Transkei, and the surfing meccas of Jeffrey’s Bay and Cape St Francis, it’s a place of spectacular natural beauty with extensive, Big Five malaria-free game reserves, indigenous forests, deep gorges and pristine beaches. A transition region for almost all the major South African biomes, the Eastern Cape is incredibly diverse in terms of its flora and fauna. The history of the Eastern Cape, the stronghold of the isiXhosa people, is equally fascinating. This was settler country and the English and German place names bear witness to the waves of immigration in the 18th and 19th century. Take a drive through the towns of Graaff-Reinet, Cradock or Middelburg, the centres of the largely agricultural region, and you can imagine the ox-wagons of yesteryear rolling down the wide streets. Rock art sites and shell middens litter the region, the legacy of the San and Khoi people who lived off the land and sea, while museums and monuments tell of the bloody series of Xhosa (Cape Frontier) wars that were waged with European settlers from 1779 to 1879. •

Eastern Cape’s Top Attractions

•

History & Culture The Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, which highlights the gifts Mr Mandela received from around the world when he became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994, www.nelsonmandelamuseum.org.za ‘Old four legs’, the coelacanth at the East London Museum. The prehistoric fish that lived in the Indian Ocean for 400 million years was thought to be extinct until it was re-discovered in 1938, www.elmuseum.za.org Rock art sites near Rhodes and Balloch and in the Baviaans Nature Reserve, Mountain Zebra and Camdeboo National Parks, www.sanparks.org

•

Limpopo

Natural Wonders Hogsback, in the Amatola Mountains. A magical place said to have inspired Tolkien (who was born in South Africa) when he wrote Lord of the Rings. Dominated by three ridges said to resemble North West the bristles on a hog’s back, it’s Province a hikers and anglers’ paradise, www.hogsback.com

Gauteng Johannesburg

Mpumalanga

Free State Northern Cape

KwaZulu-Natal Durban

Eastern Cape Cape Town

Western Cape

East London Port Elizabeth

•

The Tsitsikamma National Park www.sanparks.co.za One of the country’s great indigenous forests and a marine reserve, the ‘Place of Running Water’ is home to massive ancient yellowwoods, the ‘Big Trees’. The spectacular Storms River Mouth, in the park, is the starting point of South Africa’s premier hiking trail, the Otter Trail. The unspoilt Shipwreck Coast between Port Alfred and East London is the graveyard of countless ships and a wonderful place to wander empty beaches.

•

Adventure Jump off the Bloukrans bridge. At 216m, this is the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. 042 281 1458, www.faceadrenalin.com Barrel in J’Bay’s Supertubes. Surfers come from all over the world to ride some of the best waves on the planet. 042 296 2563, www.infojeffreysbay.com Join the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’, the annual migration of sardines up the Wild Coast with their attendant predators - sharks, whales, dolphins, pelagic fish and diving gannets. Boat-based and diving trips to catch the action are offered from Port Elizabeth and on the Wild Coast in June/July, www.prodive.co.za Feel the wind in your sails. Port Elizabeth, aka the Windy City, is the water sports capital of Africa and a major venue for hobie cat, kite surfing and other sailing events, www.nmbt.co.za

•

Flora & Fauna Addo Elephant National Park and several private reserves are home to the Big Five and offer easily accessible, malaria-free game viewing. Vast herds of elephant, buffalo and antelope once roamed the area but were driven almost to extinction by widespread hunting. Addo Elephant National Park, proclaimed in 1931 as a sanctuary for the remaining 11 elephants, is now the most concentrated elephant reserve in Africa with over 400 elephants. Mountain Zebra National Park was proclaimed in 1937 to save the Cape mountain zebra from extinction, www.sanparks.org The vast wilderness of the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve, the only part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site located outside the Western Cape, is the meeting place of six of the country’s seven biomes - fynbos, thicket, nama-karoo, grassland, savannah and forest. This mix has resulted in a diversity of habitats supporting a huge variety of flora and fauna, www.baviaanskloofmegareserve.co.za

•

Things to do around Port Alfred www.portalfred.co.za A quaint town on the banks of the Kowie River, Port Alfred has a wonderful array of eateries, crafts and outdoor adventures. Get your caffeine fix at Zest Café, 046 624 5783, the Swiss-style, gourmet Qibli bakery in van der Riet Street, 084 612 1485, The Country Shoppe in Southwell Road, 046 624 3733 (also a good spot to browse for curios), Green Fountain Farm restaurant, 046 624 5859, and The Pillar Box in the Postmasters Village, 046 624 3042 – a complex of eateries, delis, and galleries. Down a pint or grab a bite at Links Restaurant, 046 624 4533, www.linkscoastalinn.co.za or The Highlander, a Scottish-style pub, 046 624 1379. Enjoy fresh fish at the Wharf, 046 624 4947 Shop till you drop at the Wharf’s antiques and crafts shops, 046 624 1722 Watch brewers at work and taste the local ‘Kowie Gold’ at the Little Brewery on the River, 046 624 5705 Check out the East Side Art Gallery, 046 624 2793

Eastern Cape

Play a round at the famous Royal Port Alfred Golf Course, one of SA’s top links courses laid out a century ago and given royal status from King George V in 1924, 046 624 4796, www.rpagc.co.za Saddle up with Three Sisters horse trails, 082 645 6345, www.threesistershorsetrails.co.za, Fish River Horse Safaris, 082 433 5662, or Beachcomber Horse Trails, 083 281 3322 Hike to the Dias Cross. In 1488 the Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias, searching for a trade route to India, sailed east from Cape Point to the Keiskamma River. On his return journey he landed at Kwaaihoek and erected a padrao, a limestone pillar surmounted by a cross and bearing the Portuguese coat of arms, and an inscription relating to the voyage. The original stone cross was destroyed but fragments were recovered from nearby pools in 1938 and the reconstructed padrao is now stored at the University of the Witwatersrand. The replica, erected on the original site in 1941, is on a headland a few kilometres east of Boknes Strand which boasts the best surfing waves along the coast. Visit the historic town of Bathurst, www.bathurst.co.za, an artist’s hub famous for its quaint antique, and arts and crafts shops. Check out the Big Pineapple, 046 625 0515, wander up to the Toposcope on the ridge above town where the names of the 1820s settlers and their farms are recorded, then slake your thirst at the Pig ‘n Whistle, the oldest licensed pub in SA, 046 625 0673, www.pigandwhistle.co.za •

Things to do around Graaff-Reinet www.graaffreinet.co.za •

outh Africa’s fourth oldest town is rich in history and enjoys a dramatic setting in the starkly beautiful S Karoo – the Place of Thirst.

•

Gaze at the stars. The sparsely populated Karoo offers some of the best stargazing in the world.

•

Enjoy a snack at Sarmies, 049 891 0768, or divine coffee, handmade chocolates, local art and artefacts at the Chocolat Art Gallery, 082 307 9332 Browse Die Smous, 049 891 0676, an interesting little shop with beautiful glassware, porcelain and jewellery which the owner, Brian Hough, has collected on his many travels.

•

Check out the magnificent Cape Dutch architecture of Graaff-Reinet, the Eastern Cape’s first town. Its Drostdy (magistrate’s court), which is now a hotel, is the oldest building in the Eastern Cape and the town has over 220 heritage sites – more national monuments than any other in South Africa, www.graaffreinet.co.za

•

Pack a picnic for a ride on Tubby the Train, 082 573 0827, www.windmilljunction.co.za. A trip with Blaauwater Railways up the Lootsberg Pass in a railway trolley is a great way to enjoy the fabulous Karoo air.

•

Be a culture-vulture. Graaff-Reinet’s fascinating museums are housed in wonderful old C19 houses, www.graaffreinetmuseums.co.za

•

Wander the leafy streets and numerous art galleries of the quaint village of Nieu-Bethesda. Admire the cement statues at the Owl House, 049 8411 733 – the works of the reclusive artist Helen Martins – then visit the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre, 011 717 6682, next door for a trip back to the days when prehistoric creatures roamed the Karoo, www.wits.ac.za/geosciences/bpi/kitching/index.htm

•

Sample Karoo ale, smoked kudu salami, cheese or freshly roasted coffee at the 2 Goats deli and micro-brewery, 049 841 1602, www.nieu-bethesda.com

•

Travel Tip •

•

There is no petrol station, bank or credit card facilities in Nieu-Bethesda so fill up your car and wallet before you visit.

Enjoy Addo •

Big Five game viewing, pristine beaches in Port Elizabeth, and historic Grahamstown are just a few of the region’s drawcards.

•

Visit the cathedral city of Grahamstown. The city, in the heart of Settler Country, boasts 70 declared National Heritage sites including the highest church spire in the country, outstanding examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture and several fine museums.

•

Head to Café Dulce, 046 622 8728, www.dulce.co.za, for coffee, have a drink and a meal at the Rat & Parrot gastro-pub, 046 622 5002, try the chocolate chilli steak at Henry Ate, 046 622 7208, www.hotelvictoriamews.com, or enjoy a taste of Italy in a beautiful setting at La Galleria, 046 622 2345

•

Catch a winter game at the Addo Polo Club, 042 234 0391 www.sapolo.org.za

•

Visit Port Elizabeth. Start with a coffee and freshly baked treats at the trendy Boccodillos Café & Bakery, 041 581 1523, have a drink at one of PE’s oldest restaurants, Barneys Tavern on the Beachfront, 041 583 4500, www.barneystavern.co.za (great views of the bay and live entertainment), www.tcr.co.za, slurp oysters at the Oystercatcher, 041 582 1867, and feast on seafood at De Kelder, 041 583 2750, www.dining-out.co.za

•

Look back in time at No. 7 Castle Hill Museum, 041 582 2515, one of the oldest surviving settler dwellings in PE or pay tribute to the liberation struggle against apartheid at the Red Location Museum, 041 408 8400, www.freewebs.com/redlocationmuseum

•

Take a cruise on the Sundays River Ferry, 041 468 0140, on-board a double decker ferry enjoying the birdlife and stopping off at the Alexandria Dune Fields.

•

Check out SAMREC (SA Marine Rehabilitation & Education Centre) – PE’s newest attraction – and learn more about how the volunteers are working to save the environment, in particular the endangered African Penguin. Guided hikes in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve are also available, 041 583 1830, www.samrec.org.za

•

Hit the beach. PE boasts two Blue Flag beaches – Wells Estate and Humewood.

Travel Tips •

Check out Port Elizabeth’s dining out website, www.lets-eat.co.za

•

If you’re visiting during July don’t miss the annual Grahamstown Festival (30 June -10 July 2011).

Useful Web Sites Eastern Cape Tourism Board Eastern Cape Parks Board

www.ectourism.co.za www.ecparksboard.co.za

“What a fabulous stay, wonderful location, one of the Big Five on the porch, amazing food and friendly, attentive staff and a superb guide” Gorah Elephant Camp

“The crown jewel of private game reserves” Shamwari Game Reserve

Eastern Cape

“An unexpected and luxurious treat... wide open spaces and total luxury” Samara Private Game Reserve

Elephant House location

Addo

telephone +27 42 233 2462

rooms

8 colonial rooms

www

www.elephanthouse.co.za

info@elephanthouse.co.za

Elephant House is a gracious colonial farmhouse situated in the Sunday’s River Valley, 8km from Addo Elephant National Park. Furnished with the owners’ private collection of antiques and Africana art, Elephant House has eight spacious, elegant bedrooms that open onto courtyards and private verandas. Light lunches are served on the terrace or beside one of the two pools, and three-course meals using the freshest local produce are prepared for candle-lit dinners. Relax with a book and a G&T on the porch or opt for one of the various activities available, including horse riding, elephant back safaris or a game drive into Addo, conducted by the resident field guide who is an authority on the Addo elephants.

“Thank you for making our holiday so special, we discovered a true gem, with old-world charm”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

111

Gorah Elephant Camp location

Addo

telephone +27 44 501 1111

rooms

11 tented suites

www

www.hunterhotels.com

res@hunterhotels.com

$$$

112

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been one highlight of our visit to SA and we are heading back home with memories we will treasure!â&#x20AC;?

Evoking nostalgia for the great African safaris of yesteryear, Gorah Elephant Camp is a non- electrified luxury tented lodge located in the heart of the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park. Gorah was the first private concession to be awarded in the Addo, which was declared a conservancy in 1931 to protect the remaining eleven elephants in the area from hunting. Today, the park has the densest population of elephants in the world, alongside the endangered black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and a plethora of wildlife. The romantic tents are set beneath thatched canopies with sweeping views of the savannah plains, and an original colonial manor house serves as the communal area, overlooking a waterhole where the animals gather day and night. Gorah is a member of Relais & ChateĂ˘ux and part of the Hunter Hotels group.

&Beyond Kwandwe Private Game Reserve location

Great Fish River

telephone +27 11 809 4447 email

$$$

safaris@andBeyond.com

www

www.andBeyond.com

rooms

Ecca Lodge: 6 suites

Melton Manor: 4 suites or exclusive use

Great Fish River Lodge: 9 suites

Uplands Homestead: 3 rooms â&#x20AC;&#x201C; exclusive use

&Beyond Kwandwe Private Game Reserve’s 22,000 hectares of pristine wilderness offers excellent Big Five game viewing in the heart of the Eastern Cape. With 30km of Great Fish River frontage, wide open plains interspersed with burnt orange flashes of aloes and dense thicket against hill slopes, the landscape provides a perfect backdrop to the four luxury safari lodges on the reserve. Exhilarating morning and afternoon/ evening game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles are led by &Beyond-trained rangers and trackers. Guests can also enjoy interpretive bush walks, fishing (catch-and-release), bush sundowners and picnics. Kwandwe, which means ‘place of the blue crane’ in Xhosa, is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with the fish eagle and endangered blue crane among a wide variety of birds found on the reserve.

Photos: &Beyond

“We had a wonderful time there and got pampered by the staff. The game drives were exciting, the food was good and we could relax at the perfect accommodation” www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

115

Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve location

Port Alfred

rooms

telephone +27 83 616 0605 email

reservations@oceanareserve.com

$$$

Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve lies along a secluded stretch of beach bordered by verdant vegetation where rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest and numerous species of antelope roam freely. The unique combination of beach and bush is conducive to various activities including beach and bush walks, game drives, fishing, horse riding and whale watching in season. The three suites in the main lodge, four private chalets and an exclusive-use ocean house all have stunning 180 degree views of the Indian Ocean. Oceana is located within close proximity to the picturesque seaside village of Port Alfred, just under two hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from Port Elizabeth, and is ideally combined with the world famous Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

3 lodge suites, 4 ocean suites & 3 bedrooms at private ocean house, exclusive use

www

www.oceanareserve.com

“It doesn’t get better than this, the best beach and game lodge experience”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

117

Samara Private Game Reserve location

55km from Graff-Reinet

telephone +27 49 891 0558 email

reservations@samara.co.za

$$$

Samara Private Game Reserve is an extraordinary place in the heart of the Great Karoo, covering nearly 30,000 hectares of rehabilitated plateaux grassland, nama Karoo, savannah and thicket. It is aptly described as ‘quiet, but not silent’ – buffeted from civilisation by mountains and semi-desert, which sustains over 60 mammal species. An encounter with the elusive aardvark is almost a given during a night game drive, and tracking cheetah on foot or searching for Khoisan rock art in the mountains is the order of the day. Guests can choose from a lodge suite, a private Karoo suite reminiscent of the early settler era, updated with modern conveniences, or the Manor House. The Mountain Retreat, as well as the Manor House, can be booked on exclusive use basis.

www

www.samara.co.za

rooms

Karoo Lodge: 3 lodge suites & 3 Karoo suites Mountain Retreat: 5 rooms – exclusive use

Manor House: 4 rooms

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe in my heart that there are a few who come to Africa for a rest and to restore our souls and this is most definitely the place for thatâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

119

Shamwari Game Reserve

location rooms

75km from Port Elizabeth

telephone +27 41 407 1000

towards Grahamstown

reservations@mantiscollection.com

Eagles Crag: 9 suites

www

www.shamwari.com

Bayethe Lodge: 12 tents

Riverdene Lodge: 9 rooms

Long Lee Manor: 18 suites/rooms

Sarili Lodge: 5 suites

$$$

Shamwari Game Reserve is regarded as a pioneer in conservation in the Eastern Cape. Over 25,000 hectares of land across five eco-systems has been restored to its natural state over two decades, resulting in the return of the Big Five to this region after more than 150 years, and the largest concentration of game in the Eastern and Southern Cape. A Born Free Foundation Animal Rescue and Education Centre has also been established on the reserve. Only 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth, Shamwari is a natural extension to the Garden Route, with seven intimate lodges to choose from. Whether you prefer contemporary safari chic, colonial grandeur, a luxury tented camp or family friendly facilities, each of the five-star lodges operates individually and offers a superlative safari experience.

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www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

$$$

Garden Route

The Garden Route, which stretches from Mossel Bay to the Storm’s River in the Tsitsikamma, is one of the most scenic drives in the world with a magnificent mountain backdrop, and a wonderful place to amble along white sand beaches and secret coves. Lapped by the Indian Ocean, the region is renowned for its mild climate (according to the Guinness Book of Records, the second mildest in the world after Hawaii) and dense, lush forests which include the subcontinent’s largest (and amongst its last) mountain forests. Some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, including the famous surfing beach of Victoria Bay, are close to George, the main town and airport serving the Garden Route. As you drive east down the Kaaimans Pass, the long empty sands of Wilderness stretch out before you and you’ll often see paragliders soaring above the dunes. Tandem flights are offered by Cloudbase, www.cloudbase-paragliding.co.za, but if you prefer to stay grounded, pack a picnic, swimming costume and a dive mask and wander the golden sands stopping to snorkel in the rock pools of Gericke’s Point. Knysna, with its sublime setting on a lagoon, is regularly voted SA’s favourite town and was named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World by the Trip Advisor 2008 Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards. The other major tourist centre, Plettenberg Bay, christened Bahia Formosa (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers, is only 37km away. Both are tranquil places to relax, but make time for at least some of the following activities: Play a round of golf. The area boasts some of South Africa’s most spectacular courses including Fancourt, www.fancourt.co.za and Pezula, www.pezula.co.za. Take a trip across the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, www.featherbed.co.za, or sip champagne on a sunset cruise, www.springtide.co.za. Join the party at the annual Oyster Festival in July, www.oysterfestival.co.za or the Gastronomica Food Festival, www.gastronomicakny.co.za, in September. Enjoy the coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants of the Knysna Waterfront and Thesen Island. Top spots for a caffeine fix include Vida Café, 044 382 7907, Coffee Connection, 044 382 2845 and Chaplins, 044 382 3667 in the town centre, and Ile de Pain on Thesen Island. Knock back a few oysters at Quay Four Tavern on Thesen Island, 044 382 4204, www.quay4.co.za, or at the Oyster Bar, 044 382 9995. While you’re enjoying the mouthwatering dishes at the seafood emporium and deli 34 Degrees South, 044 382 7331, www.34-south.com,

North West Province

Northern Cape

Limpopo

Gauteng Mpumalanga

Johannesburg

Free State

KwaZulu-Natal

Garden Route

Durban

Eastern Cape

Cape Town

Western Cape

East London Port Elizabeth

check out another famous local, the endangered Knysna seahorse – found, you’ll be relieved to hear, in a display tank, not on the menu! The beautifully crafted curries at the Firefly Eating House, www.fireflyeatinghouse.co.za, are sublime. The Courtyard Café, 044 533 3331, in Plettenberg Bay, is the place to watch the world go by as you enjoy the aroma of freshly ground beans. Other good options for coffee and light meals include the Kitchen Café, 044 533 3693, Enrico’s in Keurbooms, 044 535 9818 and the bistro-style Grand Café. The Look Out Restaurant & Deck, 044 533 1379, www.lookout.co.za, is renowned for its breakfasts and views, but also serves up great seafood and steaks, as does Nguni, 044 533 6710. Scott Ramsay, of Scotty’s in Longships Drive, was recently named runner up in the Sunday Times Chef of the Year Awards so treat yourself to a meal there. Take an ocean safari or a sea kayaking trip with Ocean Adventures, www.oceanadventures.co.za, Ocean Safaris, www.oceansafaris.co.za, or Dolphin Adventures, www.dolphinadventures.co.za, and check out the whales, dolphins and the Cape Fur Seal colony of the Robberg Peninsula. Explore the beaches and forest on horseback, www.pletthorsetrails.co.za, cruise around on a Harley, www.bunduma.co.za, or hire a mountain bike – and a guide if you need – and explore the Harkeville forest, home to some of the best mountain biking trails in the country, www.mountainbikingsouthafrica.co.za Visit Birds of Eden and enjoy the indigenous forest and elevated walkways of the world’s largest single free flight aviary, www.birdsofeden.co.za Enjoy a bird’s eye view of this dramatic coastline on a scenic flight, www.aframble.co.za, or helicopter flip, www.helicoptercharter.co.za Explore the Tsitsikamma. A good way to get a taste of the region – home to South Africa’s most famous multi-day hike, the Otter Trail – is to totter over the famous Storms River suspension bridge then take an eco boat trip up the Storms River Gorge, www.sanparks.org. Stroll to the ‘Big Trees’ (ancient yellowwoods), slide through the trees enjoying the birds on a forest canopy tour, www.canopytour.com, ride a zip line over deep gorges and waterfalls, www.tsitsikammaadventure.co.za, or, if you’re into adrenalin kicks, brave the world’s highest bungee jump (216m), off the Bloukrans Bridge, www.faceadrenalin.com Head inland over the scenic mountain passes to the fascinating Cango Caves, www.cangocaves.co.za, at Oudsthoorn – the ostrich capital of the world. Here you can learn all about the vast flightless birds at The Ostrich Show Farm, www.safariostrich.co.za, or visit the oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre in the world, the Cango Wildlife Ranch, www.cango.co.za •

Useful Web Sites www.visitknysna.co.za www.plettenbergbay.co.za

“We all wish we could have stayed longer and we want to go back. We saw every big animal except for leopard. We even saw white lion cubs” Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Photo: flyinghorse.co.za

Garden Route

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The space and tranquillity offers a memorable and special experience, absolutely incredibleâ&#x20AC;? Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Augusta de Mist location

Swellendam

telephone +27 28 514 2425

rooms

7 suites

www

www.augustademist.co.za

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info@augustademist.co.za

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

“Augusta de Mist has made Swellendam a destination, which is saying something. Incredibly nice people and an incredibly nice place”

With a history spanning two centuries, Augusta de Mist is a Cape Dutch country estate and boutique retreat centrally located in the ‘historic quarter’ of Swellendam. The focus is on true country living, and guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to relaxing; in the lounge or outdoor veranda with a book from the library, strolling through the rambling, indigenous gardens, or curling up next to the fireplace during the cooler winter months. Accommodation consists of three secluded garden suite cottages, two spacious suites located in the Coach House, and two glamorous heritage suites in Park Villa, the estate’s 1802 manor house. End the day by sampling traditional Cape table classics over a delicious four-course dinner at Augusta’s African Kitchen, complemented by Augusta’s own estate wine.

Birkenhead House location

Hermanus

telephone +27 28 314 8000

rooms

11 rooms

www

www.birkenheadhouse.com

info@birkenheadhouse.com

Set atop a seaside cliff in Hermanus, Birkenhead House has front-row seats to observe the magnificent southern right whales that frequent these waters every year from May to November. The hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandiose setting complements its style and character, yet it maintains a relaxed beach atmosphere. Hand-crafted and French silk-clad antiques, original African works of art and marble bathrooms with free-standing Victorian bathtubs are comfortably mixed with white-washed walls, pure white linen and white-shuttered French doors. Enjoy an alfresco lunch on the patio overlooking the ocean, or indulge in the freshest seafood for dinner prepared by internationally-experienced chefs. The hotel has direct access to two swimming beaches, and several walking trails along the cliffs and in a nearby nature reserve.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your hotel is the best we have experienced in the world! Everything was completely charming & luxurious... perfect location & perfect staff...â&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

129

The Manor House at Fancourt

location

George

telephone +27 44 804 0000

rooms

Manor House: 18 rooms

www

www.fancourt.co.za

reservations@fancourt.co.za

The Manor House at Fancourt is the original homestead built on the property in 1859, recently completely restored to reveal its historic charm. The large, sun-lit rooms are appointed in a classic contemporary style, complemented by Egyptian cotton sheets, king-size pillows, DVD player, Bose iPod docking system, a complimentary mini-bar with premium beverages and a 24-hour on-call butler service. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the room, on the balcony, in the library or beside the pool, or in the garden lounge, where an elegant high tea is also served. The lush Fancourt grounds encompass three championship golf courses, numerous walking and jogging trails, a luxury spa with a Roman bath, and two restaurants in addition to Henry Whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at The Manor House.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

131

Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa

location

Knysna

rooms

reservations@pezula.com

56 luxury suites, 20 superior suites 2 presidential suites & 5 family villas

telephone +27 44 302 3333 www

www.pezula.com

Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa is located on the Eastern Head of Knysna, one of two massive sandstone cliffs standing sentinel over the Knysna Lagoon, world-renowned for its oysters. The 1,000 hectare estate has striking views of the Knysna Lagoon, Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains, and features a top-class hotel, award-winning spa with heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room, gourmet restaurant and a championship golf course. Pezula, proclaimed the Best Luxury Development in the World, is an outdoor paradise, with hiking trails through an indigenous forest, canoeing on the Noetzie River, horse riding on the estate, and a shuttle service to the secluded Noetzie Beach, where the exclusive Pezula Private Castle is built into the cliff-face.

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Sanbona Wildlife Reserve location

Between Barrydale and Montagu on the Route 62

telephone +27 41 407 1000

$$$

rooms

Tilney Manor: 6 suites Gondwana Family Lodge: 12 suites

www

www.sanbona.com

Dwyka Tented Lodge: 9 tents

reservations@mantiscollection.com

An excellent safari combination with the Garden Route, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a three-hour drive from Cape Town, just off the Route 62 in the Little Karoo. At 54,000 hectares, Sanbona is one of the biggest private reserves in South Africa, sustaining a rich diversity of fauna and flora, including over 600 plant species, the Big Five and the only free-roaming white lions in the world. The landscape is a vast expanse of plains and mountains with rock art that bears testament to Sanbona’s namesake – the San people who inhabited this land 1,500 years ago. Sanbona has three luxury lodges: Dwyka Tented Lodge, a chic tented camp surrounded by rock formations; the family-friendly Godwana Lodge, overlooking a vast expanse of water; and Tilney Manor, an intimate Cape Georgian house.

“I’m still reeling from returning from Sanbona... it was really just the most amazing place I have ever been to”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

135

Schoone Oordt Country House

location

Swellendam

rooms

telephone +27 28 514 1248 email

info@schooneoordt.co.za

8 luxury suites, 1 honeymoon suite & 1 family suite

www

www.schooneoordt.co.za

Dating back to 1853, Schoone Oordt is a meticulously restored Victorian homestead presiding over 5,000mÂ˛ of lush grounds in the quaint farming town of Swellendam. Perfectly positioned between Cape Town and the Garden Route, Swellendam is an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Schoone Oordt features eight luxurious suites, a romantic honeymoon hideaway and a private, spacious family suite set amongst tranquil fountains, fragrant gardens, manicured lawns and an invigorating salt-water pool. Each room has been fitted with every modern convenience whilst retaining the Victorian feel of the manor house and a bygone era. Meals are extensive, delicious, and served in the light-dappled conservatory at leisure. The emphasis at Schoone Oordt is on luxurious elegance, quality and acute attention to detail without pretence.

136

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The Marine Hermanus location

Hermanus

telephone +27 28 313 1000 email

hermanus@relaischateaux.com

The Marine Hermanus is perched atop a sheer precipice in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in southern Africa. Set on the sea front, the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedrooms have spectacular ocean and mountain views, and arguably the best land-based whale watching in the world. Seafood at The Marine is relaxed and informal with emphasis on the fresh fish from Walker Bay, whilst The Pavilion at The Marine is a glamorous, edgy restaurant that encompasses the beautiful views. The chic Sun Lounge and Bar is the perfect place to sip a cocktail before dining at one of the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurants. Guests can relax at the spa, enjoy the heated pool, or swim in the tidal pool situated below the hotel where whales are often only 100m away.

www rooms

www.collectionmcgrath.com 2 single, 16 standard double, 11 luxury double rooms

5 suites & 8 premier suites

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A classically elegant hotel that sits perfectly alongside spectacular scenery... The bar is quite simply a great place to relaxâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

139

The Plettenberg

location

Plettenberg Bay

telephone +27 44 533 2030 email

plettenberg@relaischateax.com

rooms

8 standard double rooms,

2 bedrooms at The Lookout Villa

9 luxury double rooms,

(exclusive use)

7 luxury double rooms with sea views,

2 bedrooms at The Beach House

5 suites, 7 premier suites,

(exclusive use)

www

www.collectionmcgrath.com

The Plettenberg is built on a rocky headland and has one of the most breathtaking vistas of sea, mountains and miles of golden sand in Plettenberg Bay. All rooms and suites are individually appointed and offer a truly idyllic and indulgent experience. Two swimming pools, one of which is heated, visually flow into the ocean below. Beach House and Lookout Villa are separate family-friendly houses situated next to the hotel, consisting of two or three en-suite bedrooms, lounge, dining room and service kitchen, as well as their own private swimming pools with spectacular views of the bay and the mountains. Sand at The Plettenberg serves progressive South African cuisine with a special emphasis on fresh seafood and local produce, and The Sandbar is perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

141

Winelands

Wine is a big business in the Western Cape and sustains around 600 wine estates in 21 regions and wards. Food features highly in the Winelands, with many award-winning restaurants in the region. Add to this a range of speciality cheeses, hand-made chocolates, olive oils, country jams and relishes, and touring the Winelands soon becomes a gourmet experience. Many wine farms have expanded from wine tasting and cellar tours, to offer such diverse activities as; cheetah petting and eagle encounters at Spier, www.spier.co.za, estate safaris at Waterford Estate, www.waterfordestate.co.za, wine tasting on horseback in Franschhoek, www.paradisestables.co.za, horse-drawn antique carriage rides at Blaauwklippen, www.blaauwklippen.co.za, vineyard tractor rides at Diemersfontein, www.diemersfontein.co.za and an art gallery at La Motte, www.la-motte.com •

Stellenbosch Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest town and is considered the heart of the Winelands, and one of the most architecturally important. Almost every building in Dorp Street is a National Monument, each a beautiful example of white-washed Cape Dutch, symmetrical Georgian or ornate Victorian. A must-see is Dorp Street’s 100-year-old curiosity shop, Oom Samie Se Winkel (Uncle’s Samie’s Store), selling the most peculiar assortment of unexpected items, 021 887 0797 Spier is superb for families, with plenty to do and a safe place for kids to explore while you have a picnic, do some wine tasting or eat at their popular Moyo Restaurant, www.spier.co.za. It is noteworthy that four of the Top 10 South African restaurants according to the 2010 Eat Out Guide are in Stellenbosch; Jordan Restaurant, Terrior at Kleine Zalze Wine Estate, Overture at Hidden Valley Wine Estate and Rust en Vrede, which won the Top Restaurant, Chef and Service of the Year awards (2010), www.eatout.co.za

•

Franschhoek

Limpopo

This exquisitely beautiful valley hemmed in by mountains, translated to ‘French corner’, is named after the Huguenots who fled to the Cape in 1688. They brought with them knowledge of viticulture

North West Province Northern Cape

Gauteng Mpumalanga

Johannesburg

Free State

KwaZulu-Natal

Winelands

Durban

Eastern Cape

Cape Town

Western Cape

East London Port Elizabeth

and to this day, many estates and families still bear French names. The feisty winemaker at Cabrière Estate is renowned for continuing an old French tradition – using a sabre to lop the top off his celebrated Pierre Jordan Cap Classique (champagne).Witness this every Saturday at 11am, www.cabriere.co.za/tasting-room. Lovers of bubbly should also visit Graham Beck Wines, www.grahambeckwines.com and Colmant, www.colmant.co.za Franschhoek is considered to be the gourmet capital of the Cape, with around 35 restaurants and several 5-star chefs’ venues such as Le Quartier Francais, Rubens, Grande Provence, Monneaux at Franschhoek Country House, Bread and Wine at Moreson, Pierneef à La Motte and Le Bon Vivant, to name just a few, www.dining-out.co.za. Other foodie highlights include cheese from France at La Cotte, www.lacotte.co.za, and handmade chocolates at Huguenot Fine Chocolates, www.huguenotchocolates.com There are also some fantastic art galleries and museums in Franschhoek; a Pierneef and modern art collection at La Motte, www.la-motte.com, leading and emerging South African artists at Grande Provence, the atmospheric Cape Museum at Solms Delta, www.solms-delta.co.za, Franschhoek Motor Museum, www.fmm.co.za, and the Huguenot Memorial Museum, www.museum.co.za •

Paarl Each town in the Cape Winelands rests in its own valley and Paarl is no exception with many notable estates and restaurants. Bosman’s Restaurant at Grande Roche is noted not only for its cuisine but also for its wine list, bestowed with the 2010 ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ by the American magazine, Wine Spectator, www.granderoche.com. It is here that you will indulge in a champagne breakfast if you take to the skies at dawn in a hot air balloon over the Winelands. The 5am start is worth it for the 1 hour scenic flight, www.kapinfo.com Don’t miss Fairview Estate for goat’s cheese tasting from their own goats housed in a castle turret. Paarl’s Backsberg Estate is the first SA winery to achieve carbon neutral status and they launched the Tread Lightly brand, bottled in an innovative soft bottle made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Next door is Seidelberg, with the Leuwenjagt Restaurant serving typical Cape Malay dishes, within sight of the Red Hot Glass Studio where brightly coloured glass is blown into artworks.

•

Worcester & Robertson The journey through the mountains to this fertile inland area is so dramatic that you may require several photo stops. While Worcester is known to produce chiefly for the brandy industry, Robertson is renowned for white wines. Olives also thrive in the hot, dry summers of both areas. Some of the most fun events in the Winelands are organised in these two outlying districts about 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town; full moon canoe trips on the Breede River in Worcester, and the Hands-on Harvest, Wacky Wine Weekend, Wine on the River and Robertson Slow in Robertson. Great restaurants include Fraai Uitzicht 1798, set amongst vineyards, and Rubens Restaurant at the Robertson Small Hotel in the historic heart of town.

•

Winelands Tip The Platter’s South African Wines is an indispensable guide to cellars, vineyards, winemakers, restaurants and accommodation, www.wineonaplatter.com

•

Useful Web Sites www.stellenboschtourism.co.za www.franschhoek.org.za www.paarlwine.co.za

www.worcestertourism.com www.robertsonr62.com

“This is a magical place – a beautiful Cape Dutch house in the middle of vineyards and with excellent staff. What more could you want?” Hawksmoor House

Winelands

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...combines home comforts and a cosy feel with the highest level of customer service... secluded in beautiful groundsâ&#x20AC;? Mont Rochelle

Delaire Graff Estate location

Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch

rooms

telephone +27 21 885 8160 email

info@delaire.co.za

4 deluxe, 4 luxury, 1 presidential & 1 ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lodge

www

www.delaire.co.za

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www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

Delaire Graff Estate is a stunning realisation of Laurence Graff’s dream to create an unparalleled hospitality destination combining premier wines, food and accommodation in one of South Africa’s most scenic locations. Commissioning prominent architects, designers and landscapers, Graff has accomplished this vision, culminating in an award-winning, state-of-the-art winery, two commendable restaurants, ten super luxurious lodges – each with its own private heated pool – and a unique spa. Located on the summit of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, almost every part of Delaire Graff Estate has endless views over vineyards, rolling hills and towering mountains. The visual masterpieces extend to the indigenous gardens, and the owner’s rare and coveted collection of paintings and sculptures found throughout the estate.

Grande Provence location

Franschhoek

telephone +27 21 876 8600

rooms

5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; exclusive use

www

www.grandeprovence.co.za

enquiries@grandeprovence.co.za

$$$

Grande Provence, a heritage wine estate dating from 1694, is located in Franschhoek, one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. The Ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cottage at Grande Provence is a synthesis of traditional Cape Dutch architecture and contemporary luxury, and offers a glimpse of the pastoral lifestyle synonymous with Franschhoek. The cottage accommodates between two to ten guests on an exclusive-use basis and comprises five bedrooms, a designer kitchen, and an elegant yet cosy lounge. A conservatory opens up onto a swimming pool and spa pool, and the vineyards beyond. Gourmet meals are prepared by a personal chef, or guests can dine at The Restaurant. This modern glass-and-steel building reflects the juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary design and wine making inherent at Grande Provence.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Total privacy ensured in a really cozy warm cottage...â&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

149

Hawksmoor House

location

Hawskmoor House

telephone +27 21 884 4815

rooms

www

www.hawksmoor.co.za

reservations@hawksmoor.co.za

Hawksmoor House is a peaceful Cape Dutch country retreat set on a 220 hectare wine farm 15 minutes’ drive from Stellenbosch, an ideal base from which to discover the Winelands. Thoughtful touches such as water decanters on your bedside table and fresh-cut flowers in your beautifully-appointed bedroom will make you feel as if you’re staying in an old friend’s elegant country farm house – complete with horses, cows, porcupines and hawks. Listen to jazz in front of the fireplace, indulge in a home-baked cake in the afternoon, or stroll through the fragrant rose, herb and vegetable gardens. Watch the sun rise over the vineyards in the morning, and end the day with sundowners next to the pool while the sun sets on Table Mountain in the distance.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

151

La Residence location

Franschhoek

telephone +27 21 876 4100

rooms

11 suites

www

www.laresidence.co.za

$$$

info@laresidence.co.za

Drawing on the French heritage of Franschhoek, La Residence is akin to an exclusive chateau, amid rows of vines, a plum orchard and sweet-scented roses. This sublime boutique hotel flaunts its opulence whilst maintaining a relaxed, welcoming ambience. The elaborate interior is an eclectic fusion of French and Eastern influences, manifested in the plush velvets, exquisite silks and ornate antiques. Each of the eleven individually themed bedrooms has a decadent bathroom fit for royalty, with free-standing bath tubs and French doors leading out onto secluded balconies or verandas. The dining hall resonates with regal grandeur, from the dramatic chandeliers suspended from the double volume ceiling, to the black and white chequered marble floor and high-backed red velvet dining chairs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a most enticing venue to enjoy the superb cuisine.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You really feel as though you are in some fantasy-land, from the palm trees, to the majestic hills and mountain range in the background, all set to the music of the swans swimming in the adjoining lakeâ&#x20AC;? www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

153

Le Quartier Français

location

Franschhoek

telephone +27 21 876 2151 email

res@lqf.co.za

rooms

10 Auberge rooms

www

www.lequartier.co.za

3 Grande rooms

2 Auberge suites

2 Petite garden suites

4 Four Quarters suites

Le Quartier Français is a charming ‘auberge’ in Franschhoek, a quaint village with French roots, lauded for its gastronomy and superior wines produced in the surrounding valley. Recipient of numerous accolades in the last decade for both the hotel and its gourmet restaurant The Tasting Room, Le Quartier Français has undeniably played a role in the region’s reputation for good food and wine. The boutique hotel, whilst having a rustic allure by virtue of its location (and the wood-burning fireplaces in the bedrooms), is also distinctly modern. The Auberge and Grande rooms have been individually styled using bold, fresh colours, and all rooms and suites have flatscreen TVs, DVD players and wireless Internet access. In addition, the Petite Garden Suites have their own secret gardens,

154

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Le Quartier Franรงais location

Franschhoek

telephone +27 21 876 2151 email

res@lqf.co.za

www

www.lequartier.co.za

rooms

10 Auberge rooms 3 Grande rooms

156

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

2 Petite garden suites 2 Auberge suites 4 Four Quarters suites

“What makes Le Quartier superior is the food, the warm staff, abundant amenities and knowing what people want before they know it themselves!”

and the Auberge Suites are ideal for families, having a second bedroom and private pool. The super-luxurious Four Quarters suites are set around a secluded courtyard and pool. The hotel is located just off the main road of the village, within walking distance of the quaint shops, galleries, chocolatier and numerous restaurants and cafés, although you may not want to try anything else after treating yourself to the five course or nine course surprise menu at the Tasting Room, voted among the top 50 restaurants in the world. For a more casual, but by no means less tasty menu, try the ‘lip smacking delights’ from The Common Room, also part of the LQF gourmet experience, or have a go at baking bread with their Culinary Concierge. Le Quartier Français is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Mont Rochelle

location

Franschhoek

telephone +27 21 876 2770 email

info@montrochelle.co.za

rooms

2 Cap Classique suites

www

www.montrochelle.co.za 6 Cabernet rooms

1 Reserve suite

6 Merlot rooms

3 Pinotage suites

4 Shiraz rooms

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards is a feast for the senses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; marvel at the 360 degree views of the Franschhoek valley; taste the farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boutique wines at the historic wine cellar, or go on a horse back wine tasting tour through the vineyards; treat your taste buds to fine dining at Mange Tout, or a Mediterranean-inspired lunch at the Country Kitchen, or even a picnic beneath a weeping willow at the dam; and luxuriate in your spacious room or suite, each one named after a varietal of wine produced on the estate. The rooms are spread out among three wings of the thatched, Cape Dutch manor house, and the hotel also has a fitness and wellness centre, colonial bar and a stunning pool.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

159

Waterford Estate location

Stellenbosch

telephone +27 21 880 0496

rooms

N/A

www

www.waterfordestate.co.za

info@waterfordestate.co.za

Celebrating ‘prosperity, life, food, wine, family and friends’, Waterford Estate is a picture-perfect wine farm in the Blaauwklippen valley in Stellenbosch. Countless rows of vines are intertwined with citrus groves, rolling lawns, lavender beds and lakes. Explore the estate by foot or on an open top Landrover, stopping at one of the scenic spots to sample some of the first-rate Waterford wines, including the exclusive flagship red wine ‘The Jem’, affectionately named after the owner Jeremy Ord, the Family Reserve released only in exceptional vintages, the cellar master’s Kevin Arnold Shiraz, the Waterford and Waterford Estate wines, and the Pecan Stream wines. Evocative of a classic Bordeaux chateau, the terracotta winery and cellar converge around a beautiful fountain, the heart of the estate.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;No visit to the Winelands is complete without a trip to Waterford... the best wine in South Africa?â&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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Cape Peninsula

Francis Drake coined it ‘The Fairest Cape’ and there’s no doubt that the Cape Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The oldest city in South Africa and the melting pot of different cultures, Cape Town appeals to everyone whether gourmand, culture-vulture, botanist or adventure junkie. •

Cape Peninsula Must Dos Hit the beach. The exquisite bays and golden sands of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno on the Atlantic seaboard are enticing if chilly, while Muizenberg, Glencairn and the other beaches of the False Bay coast are warmer and better for swimming. Hike, or ride the Rotair revolving cable car up Table Mountain, www.tablemountain.net. Take time to smell the flowers en route – the Cape Floral Region is the smallest but most diverse floral kingdom in the world. Enjoy the twists, turns and dramatic scenery of Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world. Visit the lighthouses and beaches of Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Reserve, or follow a trail through pristine fynbos and plains game, www.capepoint.co.za Waddle among feathered friends at the African penguin colony at Boulders’ Beach near Simons Town, www.tmnp.co.za Check out the working harbour, galleries and trendy shops of Kalk Bay, and stop for coffee at the Olympia Bakery or a drink at The Brass Bell, www.capepointroute.co.za/seeit-kalkbay.php Take a township tour or enjoy authentic African fare at one of the city’s most famous township eateries, Mzoli’s Place in Gugulethu, 021 638 1355 Watch the whales. Southern right whales are regular visitors to Cape waters between June and December. Boards at the viewpoints aid identification or you can view the behemoths from a boat, www.whalecoast.info Tour the Constantia vineyards. The picturesque wine farms of Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Constantia Uitsig, Steenberg Estate and Eagle’s Nest lie on the flanks of Table Mountain, www.constantiawineroute.co.za

Cape Peninsula

Northern Cape

Limpopo

North West Province

Gauteng Mpumalanga

Johannesburg

Free State

KwaZulu-Natal Durban

Eastern Cape

Cape Town

Western Cape

East London Port Elizabeth

•

Retail Therapy

•

Haggle for African art, clothing, souvenirs and CDs and meet the Egg Man at Green Market Square or visit some of the craft markets. Two of the best are the Sunday market in Hout Bay and the Saturday ‘neighbourgoods’ gourmet market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, www.theoldbiscuitmill.co.za •

Travel Tip Take the MyCiti shuttle from the airport to the city centre, 0800 656463 www.capetown.gov.za

Shop ‘til you drop at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. With its glorious setting and designer shops, arts and crafts markets, trendy bars and restaurants, it’s one of Africa’s biggest attractions, www.waterfront.co.za •

Useful Web Site www.capetown.travel

Adventure Climb Lion’s Head. Scaling the chains and ladders to the summit for the full moon is a Cape Town tradition but it’s a wonderful adventure at any time of day, www.tmnp.co.za

Culture & Entertainment Wander the cobbled streets of Bo Kaap, on the lower slopes of Signal Hill. The colourful houses and the architecture are typical of the traditional Malay quarter of the city, www.bokaap.co.za Pay a visit to the Castle, the oldest building in South Africa, www.castleofgoodhope.co.za, or visit Nelson Mandela’s cell and enjoy views of the city on a trip out to Robben Island, www.robben-island.org.za Dine out in style. A fusion of world cuisines, creative chefs, fresh seafood and other local products make Cape Town one of the gourmet capitals of the world. The Constantia vineyards are home to some of the city’s most outstanding restaurants including La Colombe, www.constantia-uitsig.com and Jonkershuis, www.grootconstantia.co.za. Aubergine, rated as one of SA’s top 10 restaurants by Eat Out magazine, www.aubergine.co.za, The Greenhouse, www.cellars-hohenort.com/greenhouse, 95 Keerom, www.95keerom.com, Jardine, www.jardineonbree.co.za, Beluga, www.beluga.co.za and Five Flies, www.fiveflies.co.za offer fine dining at its best. Blues, overlooking Camps Bay beach, is a good choice if you want to gaze out to sea as you enjoy your meal. Nearby, Codfather, www.codfather.co.za, Willoughby & Co, www.willoughbyandco.co.za, in the Waterfront or Wakame, www.wakame.co.za, in Green Point are the top spots for sushi. Panama Jacks, www.panamajacks.net, set in a wooden shack in the harbour, also does sushi but a drawcard is choosing your own live abalone or crayfish (rock lobster) from the saltwater tanks. Kitima in the gorgeous Cape Dutch Kronendal Manor in Hout Bay, www.kitima.co.za, offers excellent sushi and Thai food. Haiku, www.haikurestaurant.com, in the town centre, has four kitchens serving up stylish Asian tapas, while Bukhara, www.bukhara.com, serves up top notch Indian fare. If you want to enjoy South African cuisine, head to Emily’s, www.emily-s.com, at the Waterfront. For steak and fine wine, try Belthazar, which boasts the largest wine bar in the world, www.belthazar.co.za, or Nelson’s Eye, www.nelsons-eye.co.za. For a funky evening, head to Bombay Bicycle Club, www.thebombay.co.za, and try the chilli-chocolate steak. Join the street parties. Among the most festive are the annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, the International Jazz Festival and Cape Town Carnival, www.capetown.travel.co.za

“Wonderful accommodation! Truly dear people and fantastic service! Love the country of South Africa!” More Quarters

Photo: Cape Town Tourism

•

Photo: POD

Get an adrenalin rush. Abseil off Table Mountain, www.abseilafrica.com, or go cage diving with great white sharks – one of only three places in the world where you can get up close and personal with these magnificent predators. www.apexpredators.com

Cape Peninsula

“My first choice in Cape Town, wonderful location with awesome views, fabulous staff and personal attention, a truly dreamy place to stay...”” Cascades on 52

Azure Luxury Villa location

Camps Bay, Cape Town

telephone +27 82 882 1833

rooms

3 bedrooms â&#x20AC;&#x201C; exclusive use

www

www.azure.co.za

hilary@azure.co.za

Picture yourself in a dream home in one of the most beautiful places in the world, with endless ocean views, the ultimate in home comforts and all the luxuries of a five star boutique hotel, and you may be hard pressed to leave after a few days of living like a celebrity. Located in Camps Bay, Cape Town’s version of the Côte d’Azur, the suitably named Azure Luxury Villa is an ultra-mod home with Moroccan and Indian inspired furnishings, three bedrooms with fabulous en-suite bathrooms, and indoor and outdoor entertainment areas including a solarheated pool. Only five minutes’ walk from the Camps Bay promenade and beach, the exclusiveuse villa is a wonderful alternative to a hotel if you’re seeking ultimate privacy and exclusivity.

“We loved every minute in this outstanding, immaculate villa. To sit and watch the sun sink into the ocean after a day on the town was sheer heaven!”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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Cape Cadogan

location

Gardens, Cape Town

rooms

telephone +27 11 880 9992 email

res@capecadogan.co.za

1 owner’s villa, 6 luxury rooms & 6 standard rooms

www

www.capecadogan.co.za

Located at the foot of Table Mountain in the trendy Cape Town suburb of Gardens within walking distance of the city centre with its vibey roadside restaurants, cafés and boutiques, Cape Cadogan is a gorgeous double-storey Georgian/Victorian boutique hotel, originally a farmstead dating back to the 19th century. Described as ‘classic modern bohemian chic’, the interiors are an expression of Oscar Wilde’s bohemian lifestyle and incorporate stylish contemporary and antique furniture accentuated with white, stone and slate. Typical of the era, the rooms have high ceilings, wooden floors, French doors and both sash and bay windows, letting in streams of light. Complimentary port and mini cupcakes are served in the evenings and the exceptionally helpful staff can assist with restaurant bookings, cabs and day tours.

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Cascades on 52

location

Bantry Bay, Cape Town

rooms

telephone +27 21 434 5209 email

info@cascadescollection.co.za

1 penthouse suite, 1 two-bedroom suite 2 superior rms, 1 deluxe rm, 1 standard rm

www

www.cascadescollection.com

Cascades on 52 is a small, ultra-modern boutique hotel set against the slope of Signal Hill in Bantry Bay, an exclusive suburb on the Atlantic Seaboard sheltered from the wind by Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head. The lodge was designed to allow as much light as possible, accounting for the double volume spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows, which also frame the endless sea views. Most of the rooms have private balconies, and all rooms are fitted with king size beds, Apple Mac computers with complimentary WiFi access, iPod docking stations and Nespresso machines. The self-contained two-bedroom suite with its own pool is a great option for families. With its personal yet discreet service and amazing location, Cascades on 52 makes for a fabulous start or end to your South African journey.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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Cascades on the Promenade location

Sea Point, Cape Town

telephone +27 21 434 5209

rooms

6 deluxe rooms & 1 standard room

www

www.cascadescollection.com

info@cascadescollection.co.za

“First experience in Cape Town could not have been better, stylish and relaxing, with excellent service”

The latest addition to the Cascades Collection, Cascades on the Promenade shares the trademark characteristics of its sister hotels: highly personalised service, trendy décor and cutting-edge in-room facilities including an Apple Mac computer with wireless Internet access, iPod docking station and Nespresso machine. The rooms are ‘compact but complete’, with the latest in hotel technology and furnishings. Its Cape Dutch exterior belies the designer interiors, hinted at by the bright orange Vitra tub chairs on the terrace of the hotel’s bistro, which serves contemporary cuisine throughout the day. Join the joggers along the Sea Point promenade, master your strokes at the open-air Olympic size swimming pool two minutes from the hotel, or book one of the many excursions available to explore Cape Town.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;First experience in Cape Town could not have been better, stylish and relaxing, with excellent serviceâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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The Cellars-Hohenort location

Constantia, Cape Town

telephone +27 21 794 2137 email

cellars@relaischateaux.com

www

www.collectionmcgrath.com

8 luxury doubles

rooms

1 Dove-Cote honeymoon suite

21 doubles

9 premier suites, 9 suites

3 single rooms

The Cellars-Hohenort is nestled amid the beautiful Constantia Valley in Cape Town, with sweeping views across nine acres of world-renowned gardens and vineyards. The hotel has two heated swimming pools, a tennis court, a Gary Player-designed putting and chipping green, a spa and hair salon. Enjoy fine cuisine by awardwinning chef Peter Templehoff, paired with the best South African wines at The Collection’s flagship restaurant, The Greenhouse, situated in the historic Hohenort building. For a taste of local Cape Town, guests can book a Cape Malay Cooking Experience with Chef Martha Williams who will demonstrate the art of mixing spices for a truly memorable meal. The Martini is the perfect place to have a pre-dinner cocktail or taste some of the very best wines of the Constantia Valley.

“This place is a gem, and without a doubt one of the best country hotels I’ve ever stayed in”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

175

More Quarters location

Gardens, Cape Town

telephone +27 11 880 9992 email

res@morequarters.co.za

www

www.morequarters.co.za

rooms

14 one-bedroom apartments

4 bedrooms at Redcliffe House

2 two-bedroom apartments

– exclusive use

“Our experience at More Quarters was above & beyond! Everything is beautiful and the staff were so gracious & accommodating”

More Quarters combines the convenience of a luxury apartment with the service and hospitality that you would expect of a boutique hotel – wireless Internet, premium guest amenities and robes and slippers in the apartments, a concierge desk manned by efficient staff to assist you with restaurant bookings and day tour suggestions, and a chic breakfast room serving a delicious breakfast daily. The apartments are spacious and light, enhanced by the use of pure white in the décor. Both the one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, lounge with dining area, and a luxurious bathroom. A four-bedroom house is also available for families or groups. More Quarters is centrally located in a quiet road just off the lively Kloof Street, with easy access to Cape Town’s attractions.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our experience at More Quarters was above & beyond! Everything is beautiful and the staff were so gracious & accommodatingâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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POD

location

Camps Bay, Cape Town

telephone +27 21 438 8550 email

stay@pod.co.za

rooms

2 mountain rooms

www

www.pod.co.za 3 luxury rooms

2 classic rooms

with private pools

6 luxury rooms

& 2 deluxe suites

POD is the epitome of fine living and contemporary design, framed by the Twelve Apostles Mountains in the background, and the panoramic Camps Bay beach and trendy promenade a few steps away. The chic rooms range in size from 22m² to 75m², and all come standard with an ultra-slim 40” LED TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, complimentary high speed wireless Internet access and luxurious bathrooms with walk-in rain shower for two. Most rooms have a private balcony with mountain and/or sea views, and three of the luxury rooms have their own plunge pools, although the hotel has a fabulous wrap-around pool overlooking the ocean, and also offers a beach service with umbrellas, towels and deck chairs if you want to feel the sand under your toes.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553 179

The Last Word

location

Cape Town

telephone +27 21 794 6561 email

info@thelastword.co.za

rooms

Constantia: 3 superior rooms & 6 suites

www

www.thelastword.co.za Sea Five (Camps Bay): 1 standard room

Bishopscourt: 1 standard room,

2 superior rooms, 2 suites &

1 superior room & 3 suites

2 penthouse suites

Long Beach: 3 superior rooms & 3 suites

Franschhoek: 3 superior rooms & 3 suites

The Last Word is a selection of small, intimate hotels dotted around some of Cape Town’s best locations; individual retreats that collectively bear similar characteristics defining The Last Word brand. Whether you’re staying at The Last Word Bishopscourt, Constantia, Long Beach or Franschhoek, you’ll experience the same levels of attentive service, comfortable luxury and tranquil, picturesque settings at each hotel. The emphasis is on privacy and safety, surrounded by charming vistas, stylish interiors and welcoming staff. Each hotel has an in-house chauffeur service, oversized rooms, suites and bathrooms, landscaped gardens with solar heated swimming pools, and personal hosts who go the extra mile to ensure that your stay in Cape Town or the Winelands is memorable.

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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The Last Word

location

Cape Town

telephone +27 21 794 6561 email

info@thelastword.co.za

www

www.thelastword.co.za

rooms

Constantia: 3 superior rooms & 6 suites

Sea Five (Camps Bay): 1 standard room

Bishopscourt: 1 standard room,

2 superior rooms, 2 suites &

1 superior room & 3 suites

2 penthouse suites

Long Beach: 3 superior rooms & 3 suites

Franschhoek: 3 superior rooms & 3 suites

Set away from the busy city centres, The Last Word hotels are located in exclusive, peaceful suburbs amid stunning natural beauty, ensuring that almost every room across the collection has a gorgeous view. If you choose The Last Word Bishopscourt, you’ll be awestruck by Table Mountain towering over you, while The Last Word Constantia and Franschhoek lie within South Africa’s most famed and arguably most scenic wine valleys. With picture-perfect panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean, The Last Word Long Beach in Kommetjie, and The Last Word Sea Five in Camps Bay are the embodiment of an intimate beach hotel, both within walking distance of the ocean. So whichever intimate hotel you choose, or better yet combine a couple to get a taste of each unique location, you’ll be assured of a restful, indulgent experience with The Last Word.

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Tintswalo Atlantic location

Foot of Chapman’s Peak, Cape Town

telephone +27 11 300 8888

rooms

10 Island suites & 1 Presidential suite

www

www.tintswalo.com

reservations@tintswalo.com

Tintswalo is tucked away tucked away beneath Chapman’s Peak on the way out of Hout Bay just half an hour south of Cape Town. This is an incredible location – there is no other building anywhere near Tintswalo and you are right by the water’s edge. You can walk extensively in the area or better still just lie there and watch the ocean whilst being pampered by the superb staff. The suites are themed on different islands around the world, each with a supreme ocean view set in total privacy so you can shower whilst gazing out to sea and wishing you never had to leave. If you can drag yourself away from your suite then you have a treat in store with the informal personal kitchen and dining room. You can even learn to cook but I would suggest you just sit there and enjoy!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;From beginning to end, absolutely nothing we could fault. This hidden little gem in my mind is the 8th Wonder of the Worldâ&#x20AC;?

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

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Winchester Mansions location

Sea Point, Cape Town

telephone +27 21 434 2351 email

sales@winchester.co.za

www

www.winchester.co.za

12 Winchester, 7 Modern Winchester,

rooms

33 Classic rooms

5 Colonial & 2 Balcony suites,

15 Modern Classic rooms

1 Robben Island & 1 Harvey suite

This fabulous 4 star boutique hotel is a great option for anyone visiting Cape Town on business or pleasure. Not only is it great value for money in what is by South African standards an expensive city but it is also in the perfect location for the city, the Waterfront, and the southern Atlantic ocean smashing on to the rocks and the promenade directly in front of the hotel. There is no better way to start the day in Cape Town than to go for a bracing walk along the edge of the ocean and possibly a dip in the salt water pool half a mile away. You can also walk to the Sea Point shops just minutes away. With a combination of different sized rooms in various designs – all spacious and well appointed – what little time you are likely to spend in your

“A great base for experiencing Cape Town and the nearby coastline”

www.southafricachic.com stay@chiccollection.travel +44 [0] 845 604 4553

187

Winchester Mansions

location

Sea Point, Cape Town

telephone +27 21 434 2351 email

sales@winchester.co.za

www

rooms

33 Classic rooms

7 Modern Winchester,

www.winchester.co.za

15 Modern Classic rooms

5 Colonial & 2 Balcony suites,

12 Winchester,

1 Robben Island & 1 Harvey suite

room in this stunning city is going to be extremely comfortable. All rooms are set around a delightful internal courtyard and have either sea or mountain views. Ask for a sea view if possible! And if you don’t want to venture out to experiment with the vast number of restaurants in Cape Town then why not stay in and enjoy Harveys: bistro by day restaurant by night. Under the expert guidance of long serving general manager Nils Heckscher the food and beverage outlets of the hotel have undergone extensive renovations in the last year and the net results are both chic and contemporary – and great value. The Sunday jazz brunch is an absolute must – what better way to spend a lazy summer Sunday!

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“Thank you – the hotels were fantastic and everything ran smoothly. Honestly, it was magic, the perfect honeymoon”

Publisher

Nigel Bolding

Editor

Jo Klofta

Contibutors

Carrie Hampton & Fiona McIntosh

Art Direction & Design

Jeremy Leamy www.absolutebrandcommunication.co.uk

Research

Anna Cort Meggan Ireland

hotels safari lodges resorts vineyards restaurants

www.southafricachic.com

Photo: flyinghorse.co.za

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