OH, THE PLAcES YOU WILL gO

Craving time away? Downtime in a new setting, far from the crowds? We’ve got you covered…

Pod life

One of the most faraway locations in the country is the Karoo’s Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve near Graaff-Reinet where they have a few mountain-top Apex Glamping pods. Guests can opt to stay in the eco-friendly Eagle’s Flight wooden pod, with an outdoor hot tub boasting swoon-worthy views of the Camdeboo, plus fire pit and private boma – and perhaps a lion strolling past your cabin. newmarkhotels.com

Windows on a wilderness

Besides game drives in a 50 000-hectare private wildlife reserve, at Habitas Namibia, you might want to simply sit back and stare across an uninterrupted wilderness. With its emphasis on soaking up the breathtaking emptiness (which is less than an hour from Windhoek’s airport), this 12-tent lodge also offers innovative spa treatments and opportunities to better understand local culture. ourhabitas.com

Where’s that at?

Find freedom in these outdoorsy destinations

Barrydale

On 16 and 17 October, Barrydale in Bloom sees townsfolk opening their gardens to the public. No need to point – the wonders of Nambia’s empty wilderness are abundantly clear

Mauritius

The island paradise has reopened to travellers, with beds near epic beaches and warm water waiting for you to dive in.

Limpopo star bed

Why sleep indoors when you can sprawl out in cushy comfort with only the stars (and a mozzie net) overhead? In Limpopo’s game-rich Timbavati, you can do just that with a sleep-out at Motswari’s Giraffe’s Nest Hide, which overlooks the Xanatsi Dam. It’s a luxuriously-kitted out raised bedroom affording the exhilaration of camping in the bush, but elevating you to a safe height in your own private treehouse – and where when the sun starts to show, you get a bewildering glimpse of the enfolding wilderness. And in case the stars get too bright, there’s

Below Giraffe’s Nest Hide is the gorgeous sleep-out opportunity within Limpopo’s Motswari Private Game Reserve

Paarl

On the slopes of Klein Drakenstein, Avondale wine farm has launched Africa’s longest mountain bike flow trail. a retractable canvas roof, too. Back at the main lodge (or at the smaller Geiger’s Camp) on this private game reserve, there are more traditional safari quarters, graciously hosted game drives, bush walks and the entire lodge acts as a gallery for work by the artist-owner, Marion Geiger-Orengo.

Stellenbosch

Make an appointment to visit the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, where a vast open-air gallery awaits.

Urban oasis

With a dearth of interenational travellers, many of Cape Town’s secret spaces are waiting to be discovered. Dock House is a handsome boutique hotel occupying what was once the harbour master’s residence. The heritage building has been transformed into an intimate bolthole with just six individually designed neo-baroque bedrooms – it’s so discreetly situated, hardly anyone knows of its existence. Overlooking the V&A, it is a great base for exploring the Waterfront and neighbouring Green Point on foot.

A new Winelands idyll

Golf, wine-tasting, hiking trails across the Klein Drakenstein mountains… Paarl has plenty going for it, including Brookdale Estate, a rejuvenated wine farm that recently launched its villa as a private getaway for 12 people to share. Apart from being able to explore the 67-hectare estate, you can sample the winemaking talents of Kiara Scott who is being hailed as a prodigy. The manor house is built in the modern Cape Dutch style with five bedrooms and loads of different living spaces – and there’s a sixth en-suite bedroom in the adjacent building. There’s a full-on kitchen in which to operate if you’re self-catering (you can also opt to have all meals catered); outside, a magnificent pool will take the edge off those piping-hot Paarl summer days. brookdale-estate.com

Top Brookdale Estate’s manor house in a serene part of Paarl Left The pool at Dock House overlooking the V&A Waterfront

Pleasure cruise

Three reasons to book one of three Chobe Princess houseboats in Namibia.

Endless space

Once aboard, you are in a world unto itself. Moving at a languid pace up or down the Chobe River.

Floating safari

Forget bumpy roads and leaning over fellow passengers in a 4x4 – this is a 360-degree game-viewing.

Lazy daze

It’s perfectly acceptable to do nothing but laze on deck.

zqcollection.com

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Garden Week Stellenbosch 1 - 10 October 2021

Garden tours, workshops and talks. 300+ event items.

Street Soiree (Tasting) 27 Oct, 10 & 27 Nov, 9 Dec 2021

Summer evening wine tasting in the street.

Wine Town Stellenbosch 3 - 7 November 2021

Various events celebrating wine in and around Stellenbosch.

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Rich History and Culture

Stellenbosch is a cultural centre abuzz with vibrant textures and interesting people.

Adventure Playground

A mecca for golfers, cyclist and hikers alike.

Art Lover’s Paradise Vibrant and colourful galleries everywhere around Stellenbosch.

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Family Friendly Town

Stellenbosch is the perfect place for fun family adventures.

Culinary Capital of SA

Food enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with a wide selection of gastronomic experiences.

Biggest and Oldest Wine Route in South Africa

50 years old with more than 100 tasting centres.

Tel: 021 886 4310 www.visitstellenbosch.org

dIsCoVer

People. Ideas. Things.

How does your garden grow?

Meet Megan McCarthy. She oversees the produce gardens at Spier, a destination wine estate just outside Stellenbosch. Megan believes that growing your own food is critical to overcoming many modern-day challenges. Megan occasionally conducts public foodgarden workshops, and Spier is also part of Stellenbosch’s inaugural Garden Week which continues until 10 October. The festival showcases nature’s abundance through talks, tours, art, wine and food. visitstellenbosch.org

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