Cape to Kruger 4 Star (10 Days) CPKR4S

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, lying on the slopes of the Table Mountain National Park, is one of the great botanic gardens of the world. They are part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering 528 hectares, of which 36 are cultivated and the rest supporting natural forest and fynbos along with their wildlife inhabitants, the Kirstenbosch estate is unparallelled in terms of the grandeur of its setting. Walks and trails wind their way through this natural beauty, allowing you to explore to your heart’s content.

In the 17th and 18th centuries thousands of trees were felled for timber. Since the gardens were established in 1913, the natural forests have been protected, alien species eradicated, and the original forest left to recover naturally. Fynbos, including proteas, ericas and restios, is unique to the Table Mountain area and Kirstenbosch supports these 3 different varieties.

There is an abundance not only of plant life but also birds, insects and butterflies, including the resident Spotted Eagle Owl and the spectacular butterfly, the Table Mountain Beauty.

Most of the animals that live and breed in the Gardens are mostly active at dusk so are seldom seen.

The magnificent landscape of Kirstenbosch is perfect for both outdoor and indoor art exhibitions, sculptures, and dinosaurs! Five life-sized, anatomically correct dinosaurs and a pterosaur, sculptured in tin, hover among the cycads in the Cycad Amphitheatre. The picnic-style summer concerts are a delightful way to spend an evening surrounded by the impressive Cape Fold Mountain range, enjoying good food, wine and excellent music.

Sea-going vessels can see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the legendary Table Mountain over 150km away from Cape Town. It is this instantly recognizable section of the Cape Fold Mountains that makes Cape Town famous. Once called Hoerikwaggo - 'the Mountain in the Sea' by the indigenous Khoisan people of the Cape, Table Mountain, rising 1086m out of the ocean, is thought to be one of the oldest mountains in the world - approximately 600-million years. It was once 3 times higher than it is now. It’s the only terrestrial feature which gives its name to a constellation. Very late at night, around midnight, in mid-July, Mensa, meaning The Table, can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere, below Orion.

Table Mountain is the only natural wonder of the world situated in an urban area. Flanked by Devil's Peak to the east, and by Lion's Head to the west, this broad sweep of mountainous heights, together with Signal Hill, forms the natural amphitheatre in which much of the Mother City nestles. 

The plateau’s vegetation forms part of the Cape Floral Region protected areas which are a World Heritage Site. An estimated 2,285 species of plants are confined to, and are endemic to, Table Mountain. The mountain is also home to a varied range of animals, birds including extremely rare raptors, and amphibians, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. The world's highest concentration of Peregrine Falcons live in the Table Mountain National Park.

Since the first recorded ascent of the mountain in 1503, there are now 350 trails one can take to climb the rugged cliffs to the 3 km-wide plateau. Exploring the mountain is an experience not to be missed. The 3 walks on the plateau are fairly easy as they are on level ground and are easy to navigate. With stunning 180o views and spectacular 360° aerial views of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, the Dassie Walk and the Agama Walk respectively will take your breath away. The Klipspringer Walk takes hikers along the edge of the plateau to the top of Platteklip Gorge. Short, guided walks are also available.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway carries the nearly 800 000 visitors a year to the top. Wheelchair ramps, elevators and routes as well as paved pathways at the summit make this experience completely accessible for visitors in wheelchairs. Table Mountain is so intertwined with the identity of Cape Town that a visit to the Mother city isn’t complete without having stood on the rugged, wind-blown edge of this unique landform.

Based on the report brought to them by shipwreck survivors, the Dutch East India Company realized they had found the perfect refueling spot for their ships sailing to the East and Australia. After months at sea, ships could stop here and stock up on fresh produce grown in what would become Cape Town. Jan van Riebeeck arrived in Table Bay on the 6th April 1652. One of the first things he planted was a saffron pear tree. It still exists today, propped up on huge steel crutches. In 1662, the Company’s Garden was just over 18 hectares in size. Apart from vegetables ad fruit, there were herbs and medicinal plants, various ornamental plants including roses, pine trees and Cape Town’s now famous oaks. In 1679, there was also an elaborate system of canals and water furrows.

Over time, the Garden was reduced to the 3.2-heactares which remains today. By 1913, the Company's Garden had evolved into a public pleasure park. The Garden was proclaimed a National Monument in 1962, it is also a Provincial Heritage Site.

Other star floral attractions include the ginkgo tree with no living relatives, the towering rubber tree, the 80-year-old bamboo plantation. The fountains, fishponds, and tree lined walkways shielding the area from the bustle of the city, make the Company’s Garden Cape Town’s green lung. Its function as a place of peace and leisure has increased as the surrounding city has grown. Buskers strum guitars while office workers enjoy the lunchtime sun and squirrels, among a variety of other fauna, frolic and tease people for food. 

Within walking distance are monuments and buildings worth seeing for their history or art. For example, the WWI Dellville Wood Memorial Garden, The Slave Lodge, the South African Parliament and Tuynhuys. Across the street is St George’s Cathedral, known as the ‘people’s church’ as all races have always been welcome, even during the apartheid era. The South African Museum is nearby, as is the Cape Town Holocaust Centre along with South Africa’s oldest synagogue. The South African National Gallery houses an impressive permanent collection of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art including contemporary photography, African beadwork and colonial paintings. Contemporary works like Judith Butler’s The Butcher Boys make this gallery worth visiting.

The Company’s Garden Restaurant is a big hit with locals. With a huge outdoor seating area, interspersed with human-sized weaverbird nests to clamber in, or simply sitting in the dappled shade, you can enjoy simple but delicious food. Among the reeds and beneath the large trees, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in the country.

South Africa has 3 capital cities: executive Pretoria where the government’s administration is based, Bloemfontein which is the judicial capital, and Cape Town as the oldest city is South Africa is the legislative capital. 

The Houses of Parliament are located in the heart of Cape Town across from the Company’s Garden. Charles Freeman designed the original building with its Corinthian portico and huge dome.  Well-known architect Sir Herbert Baker designed the House of Assembly.

There are guided tours which you can join to explore the buildings which are not only historically valuable in terms of their architecture but also for political history which they have seen. Here’s a brief timetable of some of those events:

1885 – the Houses of parliament were built.
1890 – Cecil John Rhodes was elected prime minister of the Cape Colony.
1895 – He was forced to resign for his backing of the ill-fated Jameson Raid’s attempt to overthrow Paul Kruger.
Between 1895 and 1960 fierce debates took place regarding the Anglo-Boer War, South Africa’s involvement in both World Wars, and the rise of the National Party under Jan Smuts.
1960 – British prime minister, Sir Harold MacMillan made his famous ‘Winds of Change’ speech which predicted Britain’s intent to grant freedom to her African colonies and usher in a new era.
1966 – Hendrik Verwoerd the then prime minister of South Africa, and one of the grand masters of apartheid was assassinated by Dimitri Tsafendas.
1994 – Nelson Mandela rose to take his place as South Africa’s first democratically elected president. After this, members of the National Assembly and Senate, met as a body called the Constitutional Assembly to write a new Constitution.
1996 - the new Constitution was finally adopted. Lauded as one of the most-progressive constitutions in the world, it laid the foundation for an open society based on democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights. It is the supreme law of our country and ensures government by the people under the Constitution. It is the highest law in the land. Everyone, including Parliament itself, must act according to its provisions and principles. As a constitutional state, all laws made by Parliament must pass the test of constitutionality to ensure that the laws it makes are always in keeping with no only the letter of the law but the spirit of the Constitution as well.
2022 – The January Arson attack badly damaged the National Assembly Chamber as well as other areas. Thankfully, the 4000-odd pieces of artwork which are on display with the Parliament buildings, as well as historical documents, were saved. Among the artworks is the famous, and enormous 120m long Keiskamma Tapestry. Created in the tradition of the Bayeaux Tapestry this is a woven depiction of the intricate history of the Eastern Cape frontier. It was created by 100 women of the Eastern Cape village of Hamburg.

If you go to Cape Town, one place you must visit is the second oldest public space in Cape Town - Greenmarket Square. Dating back to 1696, this cobbled square is one of the city’s oldest markets. It began life as a trading spot for passing ships.

Despite being well over 300 years old, the only thing that has changed are the wares. It started life as a slave market, then became a vegetable market selling the produce of the Dutch East India’s Company Gardens, and a period as a dull parking lot but now is the vibrant arts and crafts market. The sound of the marimbas filling the air, the colourful and eccentric stall holders, artists and buskers make this historical monument a snapshot of the heart of the city. Stalls stuffed with crafts, clothing, jewellery, nick-nacks, African arts and crafts, surround the hand-operated water pump in its centre which used to supply clean drinking water to the city’s early inhabitants. The square itself is surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops and historical buildings, each of which are well worth a visit.

The history of the square and the part it played from slave market to hosting anti- apartheid protests make it a unique spot in South Africa.

Art, culture, food, music, people all make Greenmarket Square a bustling, lively, and almost timeless place to visit.

The oldest colonial building in South Africa, the bastion fort known as the Castle of Good Hope, is a pentagonal fortress built by Dutch colonialists in the 17th century. The majority of the work was carried out by soldiers and sailors. The well-known landmark is central to the history of Cape Town, having served as the seat of government and military operations for two centuries. A tour of the Castle’s two museums and expansive grounds offer fascinating insight into Cape Town’s military and cultural past. It is considered the best-preserved example of a 17th century architectural structure in the entire world. The pentagonal stone fortress replaced an older fort constructed from clay and timber and built by Jan van Riebeeck, the first Commander of the Cape. It served as the official residence of the Governor of the Cape for the first half of the 19th century. Designed in the Cape Dutch style, the Kat housed the residences of the governor and the second-in-command, a lodge for visitors traveling to the East Indies, and a large council hall that also served as a church.

A bell tower was built in 1684. The original bell, the oldest in South Africa, was cast in Amsterdam in 1697 and weighs over 300 kilograms. It could be heard 10 kilometres away.

The fortress housed a bakery, various workshops, living quarters, shops, and prison cells. It was painted yellow as yellow paint lessened the effect of heat and the sun. The Kat Balcony is the entrance to the governor’s residence and is known for its fluted pillars, wrought-iron railings, and curved staircases designed by the renowned sculptor Anton Anreith. It was from this balcony that announcements and judicial sentences were read to the inhabitants of the Castle. Today the Kat houses the Iziko William Fehr Collection of historical paintings, antique furniture, and ceramics that have special relevance to the early Cape.

Its military function never changed. During the Second Boer War between 1899 and 1902, part of the castle was used as a prison. The Castle acted as local headquarters for the South African Army in the Western Cape, and today houses the Castle Military Museum, and ceremonial facilities for the traditional Cape Regiments. The Castle is also the home of the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment, a mechanised infantry unit. The Castle Military Museum houses an impressive array of military artifacts and exhibits from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Other attractions include the Dolphin Pool, bakery, officers’ living quarters, and the Donker Gat – the Dark Hole - where prisoners awaiting trial were held. The De Goewerneur Restaurant serves delicious Malay, Dutch and French cuisine on-site.

The changing of the guard takes place at noon and the Key Ceremony, replicating the ceremonial unlocking of the Castle, at 10am and noon every weekday, both of which are worth seeing.

We can guarantee that you’ve never had a foodie experience like the one you’ll enjoy at GOLD Restaurant in Cape Town. It’s more than just a restaurant. It’s an immersive experience with a 14-dish taste-safari bringing you flavours and ingredients from across the African continent. Combine that with learning where the meals originate, how they’re cooked and what they’re spiced with and you have a taste experience like no other.

The entertainment at GOLD is as original and memorable as the food. The ancient and somewhat mystical art form of Mali puppetry, as well as storytelling through praise singing, dancing to the utterly authentic marimbas and the pre-dinner, interactive djembe drumming, not to mention the delicate and sophisticated Xhosa face-painting, Zulu warriors and calabash serenades brings diners face-to-face with the wild, colourful and beating heart of Africa.

The GOLD team come from all over Africa. Their traditions and creative ideas are part of their traditional costumes. They even hand-stitch their ideas and personalities into the table linens intricate patterns.

From Uganda to Burundi, Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the history of spices and how they impacted not just food but world politics, are an integral part of the Spice Experience at GOLD. Spices were once used as currency and now you can taste, smell and delight in an aromatic new world thanks to the African spice pastes and well-known African spice mixes to which the team at GOLD will introduce you. This private, one-on-one curated experience will take you on a unique story-telling and aromatic adventure.

Whether you come for dinner or the Spice Experience, GOLD Restaurant will transport you right into the beating heart of the vibrant African continent through their one-of-a-kind world.

The Company’s garden has been supplying food, on and off, to the residents of Cape Town since 1650. The first Europeans arrived in Cape Town to grow food and fresh produce to restock the Dutch East India Company’s ships on their way to the East and Australasia. Feeding the settlers themselves was also on the menu, so to speak. Today, the Garden itself has been greatly reduced and is now more of a pleasure garden than a vegetable and fruit farm. Still in the heart of the city, the tasty meals and tea-time treats are now supplied by a neat restaurant called The Company’s Garden. Perhaps, as mothers are traditionally the ones who cook meals and provide sustenance for their families, the Garden was where Cape Town’s nickname, The Mother City, originally came from.

Built for children, families, office workers, and visitors alike, this is both an iconic and historic space, inspired by nature and by tales rooted in the past. And speaking of rooted, it’s not hard to imagine people in 1650 costume wandering the lanes and meeting under some of the oldest trees in the country. The 400-year-old pear tree is still fruiting!

As part of the city’s revitalisation project, the Garden holds pride of place for many Capetonians. Here not only is there excellent food, indoor and outdoor seating, but there is also a large chess board, large structures reminiscent of weaver bird nests, art, and squirrels with an appetite for whatever’s on your plate! Cape Town is a buzzing metropolis, but here at its heart is a peaceful enclave surrounded by historic buildings.

Your qualified guide will walk with you through the more than 300-year-old streets of Stellenbosch and while admiring the charm and harmony of the Cape Dutch Architecture, your guide will tell you tales about the interesting history of Stellenbosch. The tour will not only give you the opportunity to admire some of the best art and art galleries in South Africa, but you will also meet some of the artist at their studios and admire their art.

Surrounded by the spectacularly rugged Western Cape Simonsberg Mountains, is the heart of South Africa’s Winelands. The six main wine regions of the Winelands make up the country’s largest wine-producing area. An area known locally as the Boland, which in Afrikaans means ‘uplands’. And there’s a lot of ‘up’ in this mountainous region. The first wine recorded in South Africa was grown in 1659 by the founder of Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck. South African wines have always been popular even becoming one of Napoleon’s favourite drinks. The beauty and history of the Cape Winelands were acknowledged in 2004 when they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in the Cultural category.

It’s in this beautiful and productive lands that the famous Delaire Graff Wine Estate sits. The vineyard was named Best Winery in Africa by The World’s Best Vineyards in 2020 and has achieved First Growth status in South Africa for creating the country’s most desirable wines on first pressing. The Delaire Graff’s art-filled Wine Lounge, the Estates’ wine tutors will awaken your senses to the unique qualities of the wines with a Tutored Wine Experience on the spacious terrace in the summer, or inside in front of a crackling log fire in winter. Learn what makes a good wine and how to recognize it by its aroma, taste, labelling and lingering notes. Discover what makes a wine smell of chocolate or vanilla and why a cork doesn’t always mean a good quality wine.

In addition to the wines, a variety of produce made at Delaire Graff or in the surrounding area, including honey and olive oil, and artisan chocolates, is also available at the Wine Lounge.

A picnic lunch in the Boschendal Rhone Rose garden under the dappled sunshine of the oak trees surrounded by Cape-Dutch architecture of the Rhone Homestead, the Cellar Door, exhibition vineyards, and the Winery is a wonderful way to take time out, relax and enjoy a delicious, hearty yet sophisticated rustic lunch within view of the picturesque Simonsberg mountain range. The tranquil location, lazing on the grass or at the carefully laid-out tables, sipping world-class Methodé Cap Calssique, Blush, White and Red wines, or local artisan brews, ciders, G&Ts, and freshly squeezed juices, certainly improves ones appetite.

The picnic baskets are filled with delectable food created from the wine estates natural farm. Tear into freshly baked ciabattas and smother each section with Boschendal Butchery charcuterie, homemade preserves, or liver paté, onion marmalade, lemon atchar, camembert or parmesan cheeses. Dig into green salads from the Werf Food Garden, roast free-range chicken, aubergine and mushroom salad, mustard and spring onion salad with miso dressing or almond and garlic emulsion – your taste buds will thank you. Finish off with one of the celebrated desserts like the white chocolate cheesecake, vegan chocolate mousse. These are just a sample of the foody delights that await you at the Boschendal Rhone Rose garden picnic feast.

It’s important to note that the food, while having the occasional vegan dish as part of the options, is not halaal, kosher or allergy friendly. All of the estate kitchens use ingredients that may contain milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish etc. As the menus are created based on the seasonal food availability of fresh farm produce every visit to the Boschendal Rhone Rose garden picnic experience will be different. But they will always be delightful and delicious.

Guest accommodation ranging from the historical Herbert Baker designed Cottage 1685, to beautifully restored farm cottages. With an emphasis on stylish simplicity, the guest cottages are authentic and rural yet contemporary in character.

With privileged access to the farm, guests staying in the cottages will be able to savour the best of farm living. Join a farm tour or explore the estate on foot, following trails that take you through orchards and mountain fynbos. There are mountain biking routes, walking paths, caves to explore, wine tasting, cellar tours, swimming in the dams and plenty of opportunities to sit, read, relax and generally take in the goodness of life.

Dining options include eating at The Werf Restaurant, The Deli, Rhone Homestead or picnic area. You can have breakfast or braai baskets brought to your cottage; or pick up some fresh farm produce at our Farmshop and Butchery and prepare in your cottage. All cottages have a full kitchen (kitchenette in the smaller cottages) and are serviced daily. Ideal for couples, families and groups of friends.

The wine and chocolate tasting is a unique flavour experience. Boschendal's wine makers, together with the chocolatiers, have created a series of beautiful chocolates, that when paired with the wine, result in a flavour sensation unlike any other.

Idyllically situated in the Cape Winelands, this peaceful country retreat is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. The once sleepy little village was named Franschhoek, meaning 'French Corner' as it was founded by French Huguenots in 1688 alongside the original inhabitants, the Khoisan, who still live here. To the French Huguenots, fleeing violent religious persecution, the fertile valley must have seemed like heaven. The Huguenots named their farms after places in their old homelands, many of which continue to this day.

The original Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village is remarkably well preserved. Renovation and building restrictions are in place to preserve the spirit of the original settlers.

Completely closed off from the rest of the world on its eastern flank by the Franschhoek Mountains, the town can only be accessed from two routes. One of which Franschhoek Pass, is, in terms of valleys, gorges, and mountain peaks covered in snow in winter hard to beat for natural beauty.

World-class wine estates, quaint, upmarket boutiques, museums such as the Huguenot Memorial Museum where the signature of every 1685 Huguenot settler is on display, the Franschhoek Motor Museum with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia from over 100 years of motoring history (by appointment only), and South Africa’s first Perfume Museum with an extensive and comprehensive permanent collection including antique masterpieces as well as workshops are just some of the unique delights of Franschhoek. Exploring the charming town’s centuries-old tree-lined streets, art galleries, world-class restaurants, Illustrious wine estates and secluded countryside retreats, delicious delis and spectacular scenery, all adds up to an unforgettable experience.

The Restaurant of Grande Provence project a chic industrial presence. High-backed chairs upholstered in white leather draw the eye to the centre of the deep blue-grey Restaurant, while deep, slotted windows frame the picturesque view from the interior. The menus exude culinary excellence, with the signature dishes of The Restaurant hitting all the right notes – honest, fresh and delicious. Prepared from local fare and flavoured with global influences both modern and classical, the cuisine is characterised by a philosophy of innovation through passion and simplicity.Opening times

The Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner.

• Dubbed Cape Town's Riviera, the magical Atlantic Seaboard runs from the famed V&A Waterfront on the north shore of Table Mountain all the way down to Hout Bay.

While South Africa is completely bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean from Namibia south to Cape Agulhas, only the small, albeit impressive 3 km stretch between the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, along the coastline of Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head to Hout Bay is considered the ‘Atlantic Seaboard’. It’s bizarre, but then South Africa’s ‘South Coast’ is south of Durban and physically located on the east coast of the country rather than the south of the country, and the East Coast lies south of the South Coast rather than north of it, so one shouldn’t be too surprised.  Historically, this area is directly tied to the Atlantic Ocean and the influx of European settlements. The small Atlantic Seaboard has some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa and is characterised by its beaches, cliffs, promenade, and hillside communities. One of these is Camps Bay, home to the highest concentration of multimillionaires in Cape Town. It has the highest number of mansions in South Africa exceeding R20 million.

As the Atlantic Seaboard, known as Cape Town’s Riviera, is close to both the ocean and Cape Town’s inner city it’s a destination enjoyed by both locals and visitors. One of the suburbs, Green Point is nearest to Cape Town’s city center. It’s home to a world class sports stadium built when South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a century-old golf course - the Royal Cape Golf Club which was established in 1885, and a huge public park. Built in 1823, the eye-catching lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in South Africa. Casual walkers, joggers, skaters, cyclists and dog-walkers all take advantage of the wide walkway and sprawling lawns of the Sea Point promenade that starts at the lighthouse and runs along the coast leading to Sea Point.

The Atlantic Seaboard is renowned for its varied beauty. Sheltered beaches, steep cliff sides, famous surfing spots with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, as well as restaurants offering exceptional sea food dishes and seaside charm. At the southernmost end of the Atlantic Seaboard is a sharp mountain peak jutting into the air like a rhino horn. This is The Sentinel and guards the historic fishing village of Hout Bay.  

Starting on the southern edge of Hout Bay and ending at Noordhoek, is Chapman’s Peak Drive, a startling engineering achievement as it was carved out of the face of the sheer cliffs. It is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Locals call the road ‘Chappies’. Noordhoek, although small, has a large artistic population and a large horse population as well as riding on the long Kommetjie Beach is a favourite pastime.

Originally a small fishing village, Hout Bay (Wood Bay) or the Republic of Hout Bay as it’s affectionately called by the locals, has a name which dates back to 1653. The town was properly established in 1867 and is nestled in a once-deeply wooded valley on the Atlantic Seaboard between Llandudno and Noordhoek. The ancient, once-huge forests are still in evidence, but only in small, highly protected pockets. At the northern end of Hout Bay Valley, the Orangekloof Forest is the most intact and oldest indigenous mountain forest on Table Mountain.

Hout Bay is a popular day-trip destination for tourists thanks to its old-world charm, colourful multicultural ambience, stunning views, its beach and busy fishing harbour where tuna, crayfish and snoek are the regular catch of the day all make for a delightful experience. The bustling port area has seafood restaurants, craft stores and boating activities as well as fresh fish for sale.

Humans aren’t the only ones interested in the catch of the day. As many as 6 thousand Cape Fur seals reside on Duiker Island, a 40-minute boat cruise from Hout Bay Harbour. This child-friendly cruise is the perfect opportunity to see these exuberant and delightful creatures up close and in their natural habitat. To get there you travel past some of the most rugged scenery on the Western Cape including the bay, the Sentinel and Chapman’s Peak.

Duiker Island is a ‘pick-up’ spot for the Cape Fur Seals. The males congregate here while they wait to ‘come of age’ and breed with the females. The water around the island is far too rough and dangerous for pups forcing the females go elsewhere to give birth. The seals are a popular snack for Great White sharks, and you may be lucky enough to see one or two, as well as whales and dolphins while on your cruise.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, or as it is known locally, Chappies, is a nail-biting 9 kilometres long, stretching from Noordhoek to Hout Bay. Vehicles swoop around 114 bends bounded on one side by huge vistas of the cold Atlantic Ocean, and on the other by the warm, russet-coloured granite and sandstone mountain, whose almost sheer cliff face soars 593m out of the sea. The views are spectacular and locals as well as tourists stop at the viewpoints to gaze over towards Hout Bay, the Sentinel Peak and the kilometres of pristine sand at Noordhoek Beach. Building Chapman’s Peak Drive was an extraordinary feat. It was carved out of the west-facing cliffs by convict labour between 1915 and 1922. Engineers said it couldn’t be done as the mountain was plagued by rockslides and bad weather. But the Cape Administrator, Sir Nicolas Frederick de Waal, believed otherwise. At first, it seemed the engineers were right. During its first 80 years, rockfalls and weather proved to be an enormous hazard. In 2009, the road was closed. The rockfall situation had to be solved. Engineers employed every new technology imaginable to tame the cliffs above. And they’ve succeeded. Their solutions as seemingly miraculous as the original construction. This spectacular drive forms the backdrop to two of the largest mass participation races in South Africa, the Cape Argus Cycle Race, and the Two Oceans’ Marathon. The 109 km long cycle race is the first event outside Europe to be included in the Union Cycliste Internationale's Golden Bike Series. it’s the world's largest individually timed cycle race with over 35 000 cyclists taking part. The Two Oceans is the world's most beautiful marathon. This56km ultramarathon and a 21km half-marathon is held annually on the Easter weekend.

There’s no snow, no ice, no polar bears… but there are penguins at Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town lies with the Table Mountain National Park. It consists of 1 penguin viewing area and 3 boardwalks lining the cove of 3 pristine, soft, white beaches which are sheltered by immense boulders from currents, wind and large waves. It’s the perfect place for the penguins to call home. The wheelchair-firendly boardwalks were built to allow visitors access across the dense vegetation to view these wonderful birds, while keeping the birds safe from poking fingers and the humans safe from razor sharp beaks. If the birds feel threatened they are likely to bite fingers or noses.

The penguins are known as the African Penguin, Cape Penguin, South African Penguin, Black-footed Penguin, or the Jackass Penguin because of their loud, donkey-like bray. They are the only penguin that breeds in Africa, the only one found on the south-west coast of Africa and live in only 24 colonies.

These delightful creatures are highly endangered and great care and respect must be shown towards them and their habitat at all times. In 1910, they numbered approximately one and a half million. By 1982, there were only 2 breeding pairs left. Huge conservation efforts were undertaken, and the Boulders Beach population rose to 3 900 birds in 2005. Since then there has been a decrease. The 2011 figures sit at around 2100 birds at Boulders Penguin Colony. To try and ensure their safety, the Table Mountain National Park services have banned alcohol and smoking in the area, as well as all vessels including canoes and kayaks. Under no circumstances may marine life or vegetation be removed.

The Cape of Good Hope was once called the Cape of Storms because of the often-terrifying weather and violent oceans which have wrecked ships on its coast since sailors first began to explore beyond the horizon. The most enduring legend is the phantom ship known as The Flying Dutchman. According to the tale, a sea captain found himself struggling to round the Cape of Good Hope during a ferocious storm. He swore that, even if he had to sail until Judgment Day, he would succeed. The Devil heard and the Flying Dutchman was condemned to stay at sea forever. Apparent sightings claim it glows with a ghostly light, spelling doom for anyone that sees the Dutchman. Rounding the Cape meant the possibility of finding a sea route to India and the East, so John II of Portugal renamed it the more optimistic Cape of Good Hope. The Cape has seen a lot of history. The Khoikhoi had lived in this area for about fifteen hundred years before the first European, Bartolomeu Dias, arrived in 1488. The Portuguese government erected two navigational beacons to commemorate the achievement. When lined up, the crosses point to Whittle Rock, a large, permanently submerged shipping hazard in False Bay. The Cape became such a proficient supply station for ships, especially those of the Dutch East India Company on their voyages east, that Cape Town became known as the Tavern of the Seas. In 1687, a community of Huguenots, fleeing religious persecution in France arrived and over the next 150 years the Cape colony gradually grew stretching hundreds of kilometres to the north and north-east. In 1795, it was occupied by Napoleon’s troops and then the British. Today, Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, is also the country’s most cosmopolitan, thanks to its varied roots and layers of cultural influences. It’s also home to the the first world-class, custom-built, film studios in Africa rivalling both British and American film studios thanks to its stunning location, and weather.

The Cape of Good Hope is an integral part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. This comprises a treasure trove of 1100 species of indigenous plants, a number are endemic, including the fynbos and the iconic proteas. The wildlife of the Cape of Good Hope is as much a treasure trove as the flora.

An hour's drive from Cape Town is the Cape Point Nature Reserve, one of the most scenically beautiful parks in South Africa. Mountains, oceans, history, wildlife on land and in the water, legends and views that are as vast as the horizon. Framing this wild and dangerous coast are the two peaks - Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Cape Point is the south-western most point of the continent and Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip and it’s Cape Agulhas where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Wild and unpredictable oceans through which sailors struggled for centuries before finally being able to navigate their way around the tip of Africa. Even on a good day, the icy wind blowing in from the Antarctic, is a good indication of why it was such a perilous journey. The Flying Dutchman funicular will carry you up to the old lighthouse standing among the thick fynbos, the panoramic views, and, in the springtime – August, September and October, possibly even the sight whales in the ocean below. The impressive old lighthouse was built in 1859, but instead of guiding ships to safety, it was often the cause of mishaps. Ironically, it sits too high above the ocean, so ships approaching from the east saw the light too clearly and approached too closely ending up on the rocks. The Cape Point Shipwreck Trail is the short – 3kms - easily accessible Oliantsbos trail leading down to the beach where you can see the remains of the SS Thomas T. Tucker. Once a WWII transport vessel it’s now a popular photography subject and home to the local birdlife.

Nearby are the crosses erected by the Portuguese King John II to Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias in recognition of their expeditions to and around the then named Cape of Storms. 

There are a number of secluded beaches in the reserve. Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif are relatively sheltered beaches. Their tidal pools are great for a post-hike dip. Diaz Beach is without a doubt one of Cape Town’s most beautiful but is a steep climb down and you can’t swim when you get there. Edged by wild, natural fynbos, with at least three shipwrecks, Olifantsbos Beach is also a marine protected area and has a nearby shallow lagoon, a favourite haunt of coastal birdlife.

Being a nature reserve Cape Point is home to a large variety of animals and bird life. Over 270 species of birds live here as well as antelope, Cape foxes, genets, polecats, mole rats, porcupines, mongooses, tortoises, and snakes.

The Cape Point is notorious for its strong icy winds even if the sun is shining. For the best experience you may want to consider a professional guide.

In Johannesburg, a city larger than New York or London, is another city, the largest black township of its kind in South Africa. This is Soweto, the South Western Townships, which started as housing for gold mine workers. It’s made up of 32 different townships and running through it for less than half a kilometre is one of the 5 most famous streets in South Africa, Vilakazi Street.  

The street is named after Dr BW Vilakazi, a poet, novelist and intellectual. Employed as a 'language assistant' because Apartheid law didn’t allow black lecturers, he was the first black man to teach at the University of the Witwatersrand. With a PhD in literature, he helped develop the written form of both isiZulu and siSwati and helped put together the isiZulu dictionary.

While Diagonal Street, Donkin Street, Long Street and Victoria Embankment are famous for skyscrapers, hotels, churches and trendy shops and restaurants, Vilakazi Street is famous for the fact that 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners lived here, at the same time. Nelson Mandela went on to become the world’s most famous political prisoner and the first democratic President of South Africa. Desmond Tutu became the first black Bishop of Johannesburg and Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town.

Between 1946 and 1962, Nelson Mandela lived at 8115 Vilakazi St, Orlando West and where he spent the first few nights with his former wife, Winnie Mandela, after his release from 27 years of imprisonment. This home is now the Mandela House Museum.

Across the road, is the home of The Arch, as Desmond Tutu is fondly called. When he’s in town can occasionally be seen strolling along Vilakazi Street.

On the corner of Vilakazi and Moema Streets is the Hector Peterson Museum and memorial. The young student, Hector Peterson was killed by police during the June 16, 1976 uprising. Today, June 16 is the South African public holiday, Youth Day. Nearby is Uncle Tom’s Hall. One of the few government buildings left alone during the riots because of the integral part it played as a community centre for the people living in Soweto.

A couple of well-known restaurants, Nambitha and Sakhumzi, with local cuisine as their speciality, the only community television station in the city, Soweto Tv which is broadcast from a classroom in the local primary school, art, and dance troupes are now all found on Vilakazi Street. A guided tour is definitely the best way to visit and experience this small but vibrant stretch of history.

One of the most famous addresses in Johannesburg, South Africa is 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto. The Street is named after the first black man to teach at the University of Witwatersrand, Dr BW Vilakazi, an intellectual, poet and novelist. Unfortunately, while the ‘rules’ of apartheid kept him at the level of a language assistant, he went on to obtain his PhD in Literature and helped develop the isiZulu dictionary and the written form of isiZulu and siSwati - two of the eleven official South African languages. The street also honours 12-year old Hector Pietersen who was killed by police in the 1976 student uprising against the Apartheid government. Vilakazi Street is most famously home to two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates – Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

Built in 1945, Mandela House was the home of Nelson Mandela from 1946 to 1962. And while he didn’t spend all of his life here the museum strives to tell the story of President Nelson Mandela’s family home and his life as a whole in an environment of democracy, dignity, human rights, mutual respect, reconciliation and tolerance as a world-class visitor attraction. Mandela, then a lawyer and political activist, lived here with his family, his first wife, Evelyn and, after their divorce, with his second wife, Winnie – before going on the run from the law. His family continued to live here while he was in jail.

It was such an important place to Nelson Mandela that he said, “That night I returned with Winnie to No 8115 in Orlando West. It was only then that I knew in my heart I had left prison. For me, No 8115 was the centre point of my world, the place marked with an X in my mental geography.”

In 2008, Nelson Mandela turned 90, and on July 18 a major restoration and restructuring of the home was begun. Construction of a new Visitor Centre, sourcing original fabrics, designing, and installing exhibitions took place and the museum reopened a year later. The Mandela House is managed by the Apartheid Museum on behalf of the Soweto Heritage Trust. While maintaining an effective, efficient, and meaningful experience for all visitors, the museum is also a leading centre for the preservation, presentation, and research of the historical heritage and Mandela Family legacy. The Mandela House was declared a Public heritage site in 1999.

The Restaurant is situated on the popular & historic Vilakazi Street, in Orlando West surburb of Soweto in Johannesburg. Vilakazi Street is host to original homes of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu, not least it also hosts the site upon which Hector Peterson (the 13yr old) as 1st victim of Soweto Student Uprisings was shot dead by Apartheid police.

As a result of the restaurant's location on Vilakazi Street which is at the epi-centre of tourism in Soweto/Johannesburg the restaurant caters primarily for foreign tourist market and blue-chip corporate (team-building) group bookings. This target market informs the nature of ambience & cuisine offered by the restaurant. The cuisine is African township whilst the ambience aspires to complement heritage tourism theme.

Vuyos restaurant is located in Vilakazi Street, one of the most historically significant streets of Soweto and which is steeped in history. The restaurant provides an opportunity for local and overseas visitors to relax and indulge in a very stylish surrounding and enjoy authentic African cuisine. Visitors will also be a stone's throw from the house where Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962.

The Apartheid Museum is vitally important – it’s the heart the apartheid story. It is the pre-eminent museum in the world which chronicles the rise and fall of the apart-ness forced upon 11 million people under the Population Registration Act of 1950. The museum relies on donations, contributions, and sponsorship to operate. While a superb example of design, space and landscape, offering the international community a unique South African experience, a visit to the museum is vital for anyone wanting to learn about the past, and how South Africa has become the warm-hearted, multi-racial country it is today.

The exhibits, assembled and organised by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, film-makers, historians, and designers, include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories of Apartheid.

There are three main types of exhibits at the Apartheid Museum:

• The Permanent Exhibition

South Africa’s struggle for liberation was long and difficult. After centuries of colonialism, and more than 40 years of apartheid, freedom for all South Africans was finally achieved in 1994. The permanent exhibition is a trip through time from those dark days to a place of healing founded on the principles of a democracy.

Apartheid was founded on racial classification. To ensure everyone knew ‘where they belonged’, people were classified as, ‘native’, ‘coloured’, ‘Asian’ or ‘white’. Many identity documents, the main tool used to enforce this, are on display in the museum.

To make everyday reality under apartheid a more visceral experience, visitors are arbitrarily classified as either white or non-white on arrival. Once classified, visitors can only enter the museum through the appropriate gate.

• The Mandela Exhibit

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, was central to South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. He spent 27 years in prison, many of them on Robben Island, as a result. He was pivotal to the 1990 negotiations, and built a new nation, one very few believed was possible. In prison, Mandela discovered the power of forgiveness, and in 1995, one year after South Africa’s independence, he appointed Archbishop Desmond Tutu to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to promote re-conciliation and forgiveness among perpetrators and victims of apartheid.

• The other exhibits are constantly changing and always well-worth experiencing.

No other South African prison incarcerated the number of world-renowned men and women as those held within the walls of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort, Women's Jail and Number Four. During its 100-year history as a prison, tens of thousands of ordinary people, men and women of all ages, races, creeds, social standings, and political agendas, as well as children, were incarcerated here. Most recent prisoners included Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Joe Slovo, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Fatima Meer.

The history of every South African can be traced through its existence. It began in 1893 as prison, and while it continued to function as one, it also evolved into a military fort, a prisoner of war camp, a prison for strikers, women, neo-nazis, and political prisoners fighting against apartheid. In the worst period of Apartheid, it became a national monument.

Almost 100 years after it was commissioned, it was closed. Never in the best of repair, it was now left to fall into even worse decay.

After becoming newly democratic South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela appointed the Constitutional Court judges. They choose the Old Fort prison complex, commonly known as Number Four, as the site of the new Constitutional Court premises, partly because of its accessibility and the space it provides, but primarily because of its historical and symbolic importance. It was fitting that the Constitutional Court was inaugurated on Human Rights Day, 21 March 1995 by then President Thabo Mbeki. Constitution Hill is open to the public and provides visitors with a unique perspective on South Africa’s remarkable transition to democracy, from the injustices of the past represented by the prison complex, to the democratic future represented by the court which endorses the rights of all citizens.

It’s a passion born from the time spent waiting for a fish to bite, a love fed by spending days alone outdoors and the sense of satisfaction that arises when reeling in a record-breaking trout.

Whether you’re a beginner learning how to tie a Royal Coachman or a long-time fisherman perfecting your dry fly-fishing technique, you’ll enjoy Dunkeld Country & Equestrian’s high-quality fly-fishing environment.

Dullstroom is recognised as South Africa’s premier fly-fishing destination and Dunkeld – with its 19 well-stocked still water dams – gives visitors the chance to experience this for themselves. Trout were introduced into the area in the 1900s because the cool waters and climate provided ideal conditions. Stocked with Rainbow Trout, Dunkeld offers enthusiasts the chance to spend time in pursuit of the perfect catch.

Learn more about this exciting operation that keeps our dams stocked and supplies the northern hemisphere with 60 million live trout eggs!

Our trail centre horses are well trained and trustworthy, giving even the most novice rider the confidence to enjoy a ride in the Dullstroom countryside. Our Equestrian Centre is a popular destination for short weekend riding workshops for the more experienced rider.

Named for the year of Dullstroom’s founding, 1883 is a fine food establishment where hunger meets heart and where the charm of Dullstroom is represented in every dish.

The experienced chef and his team bring a delicious à la carte menu to diners with fresh, local produce in each meal. The trout for which the area is so well-known for, features in some of the dishes and comes highly recommended. Pair this with a bottle from the extensive wine selection for a memorable dining experience in this beautiful country setting.

Take a bit of the magic home with you and visit the deli section where freshly baked rusks, biscuits, bread and locally produced confectioneries and jams.

Taking the ‘Panorama Route’ in South Africa means falling head long into an immersive adventure. The Panorama Route is steeped in history, famous natural land formations, incredible waterfalls, caves and canyons. Set deep in the Mpumalanga Province, it is centred around the Blyde River Canyon. There is no other canyon like it in the world and is uniquely African. It is the third largest canyon in the world and is exceptional for being the largest forested canyon in the world. The views from the rim are spectacular. They seem to stretch forever filled with waterfalls, wildlife and of course the indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The forest is home to an enormous diversity of wildlife, from fish and other water inhabitants such as crocodiles and hippos, antelope species and every primate species South Africa has. Among the many species of birds found here is the beautiful and much sought Narina trogon, a bird named after the mistress of French ornithologist François Levaillant. And when you hear the haunting cry of the African fish eagle, you’ll have heard the heart of Africa.

The area was once home to mysterious civilizations whose presence is only felt through the hollow terracotta sculptures dating back to 500AD which they left behind. These are known as the Lydenburg Heads. Many of the small towns found along the route, such as Pilgrim’s Rest- a small museum town, was created as a result of the gold rush of the late 1880s. The village holds the National Gold Panning Championships every year.

Famous for its many mountain passes, the panorama route has a number of viewing spots revealing the different faces of this amazing location. Among them are the views to God’s Window, the Lowveld Viewpoint, the Pinnacle Rock view, and the view of the Three Rondavels.

Famous for its many mountain passes, the panorama route has a number of viewing spots revealing the different faces of this amazing location. Among them are the views from the Lowveld Viewpoint, the Pinnacle Rock view, the Three Rondavels, and of course, God’s Window.

A steep footpath cum stairway leads heaven-ward from the car park. At the edge of the escarpment a boardwalk meanders through the peaceful rainforest. Moss covered trees, little streams, and boulders lead the way to the highest and most inspiring viewpoint, appropriately called God’s Window. From here you will gaze down across the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet into canyons that seemingly stretch forever laced with plunging waterfalls, and thick indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The Blyde River Canyon has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. From God’s Window, this nearly 250km long unbroken rampart of cliffs, it feels as if one can see forever on a clear day. When there are no clouds to obscure the view, you can see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. And on an exceptionally fine day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

Lisbon Falls, the highest in this Province are at the centre of Mpumalanga’s Waterfall heart. There are more waterfalls in this region than anywhere else in Southern Africa, and all of them are both beautiful and dramatic. The Lisbon’s crystal-clear waters cascade 300 feet into the canyon below. And they are especially dramatic when see from the footpath where this tributary of the Blyde River crashes to the ground, splitting into two and disappearing into the lush subtropical foliage. Tree ferns, cycads, orchids, lilies and proteas all nestling under the shade of the green canopy of trees, line the banks of the rivers.

In the late 1800s, when gold was discovered in the region, people from all over the world flocked to South Africa. Gold panners from Portugal flocked to the Mpumalanga region. These falls were named after the Portuguese capital.

Before the gold rush of the late 1800s, Tom Burke found himself in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. He had a feeling the land was rich in gold, so he staked a claim. Although he was right about the region as a whole, his claim, as luck would have it, came up empty. It’s after this unfortunate prospector that Bourke’s Luck Potholes are named. These bizarre natural water features, hewn by centuries of swirling, rushing water and the sand and debris they carried, mark the start of the Blyde River Canyon. Tom Burke might have enjoyed the irony that although he was unsuccessful, the rock formations named in his honour now glisten with ‘gold’ – coins tossed in by others using the huge, cylindrical Holes as natural wishing wells. The Bourke’s Luck Potholes are otherworldly and dramatic. So much so that Frommer's 500 describe them as one of the places your kids should see before they grow up. Sitting at the confluence of the Treur, ‘the river of sorrow’ and Blyde, ‘the river of joy’, this abstract art of a geological phenomenon is famous for its giant’s kettles, potholes, smooth-sided cylinders, intricate network of tunnels, lines, rock layers and dark plunge pools. It’s a 700m walk to the potholes. A walk consisting of a network of pathways and metal footbridges which take you right above the potholes. Other walkways that go around the ridges open out different views of one of the most popular natural attractions in South Africa. They mark the start of the Panorama Route around the Blyde River Canyon.

Depending on which way you travel the Panorama Route, the Three Rondavels either start or end your journey. Together with God's Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels are three of the most famous natural wonders of the largest green canyon in the world. Over millennia, the softer stone around the more resistant quartzite and shale sections have been eroded away, leaving these three towers behind. There are actually 4 sections of free-standing quartzite and shale, but only 3 have the iconic conical tops. Together these formations with their forested summits are also known as the Chief and His Three Wives. The Chief, the flat topped peak next to the rondavels is called Mapjaneng. It is named after the Chief who opposed invading forces from Swaziland in a battle still remembered to this day. His wives, Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto after whom the three other formations are named, were troublesome women to say the least. So, why are they known as the Three Rondavels? A rondavel is a traditional circular African dwelling with a conical thatched roof - which is exactly what they resemble. It may also be to avoid confusion with another trio of rock formations far to the South in the Northern Cape known as the Three Sisters.

From the lookout point, the view of the Blyde River Canyon across the Three Rondavels is breath-taking and is widely considered the best in South Africa. The fact that it looks like a Lost World may have something to do with it.

If you were looking for a lost world, the Blyde River Canyon would be a perfect fit. The 35-mile long, 30 000 hectare, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet to the valley below. From this nearly unbroken rampart of cliffs it feels as if one can see forever. It’s not surprising then that one of the most famous views is called God’s Window. It’s possible to see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

The canyon hosts the world’s highest cable gorge swing - freefalling 230 feet at 87 mph in under 3 seconds. Once in the valley, it’s 400 steps back to the top, but for a moment you’d be forgiven for thinking you could hear angels!

There are a number of iconic landforms in the canyon, from the Three Rondavels, the Weeping Face of Nature, Bourke’s Luck Potholes to Pinnacle Rock, not to mention the highest concentration of waterfalls in the regions, one of which is Lisbon Falls.

Its southerly position is what gives the canyon its green fame. Among the lush subtropical foliage, a large diversity of life dwells in and under the canopy, and in its rivers, including numerous fish, antelope species, hippos and crocodiles. Every species of primate in South Africa calls this place home.

Numerous species of birds, from black eagles to rock kestrels, bald ibis to white-faced owls, golden-tailed woodpeckers to malachite sunbirds enjoy the forested landscape and the vast open skies above the canyon floor.

If you have an adventurous spirit, a love of nature or are a keen photographer, Blyde River Canyon will be a feast of joy

Offering an authentic African safari experience and stretching across 13 000 hectares, towards the Kruger area, Kapama embodies a range of stylish accommodation across four sophisticated bush camps and lodges. Each one is meticulously positioned within this wildlife sanctuary.

Located in the extreme south of the reserve, the spectacular Kapama Southern Camp offers luxury-thatched suites. All suites are discreetly hidden in the surrounding indigenous forest that’s alive with birdsong. Families are also catered for at Southern Camp, with three luxury suites specially created for this purpose.

The Spa is also located at Kapama Karula, so a pampering for body and mind is close at hand. With four deluxe treatment rooms and a range of revitalizing health and beauty treatments, this spa uses only the finest quality products.

Kapama is known for its diverse wildlife experiences and is home to the big five, with its two daily game drives, fascinating encounters with the prolific wildlife is ensured.

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Feel Africa underfoot on a guided bush walk with a highly trained game ranger. The experience offers an intimate encounter with nature and wildlife, and medicinal and other plants are identified en route.

Rangers also teach walkers to track wildlife in the traditional way, using animal footprints and scat. Expert trackers are able to tell the gender of many animals just from their footprints. Large and dangerous animals are avoided on walks, but many other species can be viewed from a safe distance at ground level. A bush walk through Kapama Private Game Reserve is a truly memorable and authentic encounter.

The Kapama Romantic Sleep-out offers a million-star overnight experience. Sleeping in the open air on the reserve, elevated high above the ground under the African night sky, is a uniquely romantic experience. A raised platform is evocatively furnished with an oversized bed festooned in white linen and billowing mosquito netting. It’s completely safe, while being surrounded by only wilderness and wildlife. The experience is guaranteed to take your breath away.

You’ll arrive before sunset to watch the changing colours of evening and sip a sundowner. The African bush fairytale continues with a five-course dinner served to you by a personal chef at an intimate table for two on the platform. Or you can enjoy dinner at the lodge and arrive at your romantic sleep-out venue afterwards. By night, it will be encircled by a ring of golden lantern light.

The platform and luxury bathroom underneath are both animalproof, but both a two-way radio and cellular phone are supplied for additional peace of mind. With a flush toilet, shower and his and hers basins, the bathroom has all comforts catered for.

Your private night in the African bush continues until after dawn, when you will call your ranger by radio to transfer you back to your lodge. An appointed pick-up time may also be arranged in advance.

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Surrounded by stillness and sweeping bushveld, the Kapama Wellness Centre takes safari spa treatments to new heights. Considered one of the finest safari spas in Africa, the sumptuous treatment rooms evokes a sense of calm.

Five uniquely created African-inspired treatments are also on the menu to provide rejuvenation and complete relaxation. Soak up the signature four-hour Marula Miracle Moments - which includes a body wrap, facial, massage and more - or opt for other enticingly named treatments such as the Kapama Pinotage Bliss, which uses vine-infused products, or the Marula Sensual Steam Treatment. Various treatments are also available to couples. The luxury safari spa treatment menu includes a full range of body and beauty treatments.

Highly trained and experienced beauty therapists remain abreast of global treatment trends while giving them a uniquely African twist for Kapama’s Wellness Centre. After your treatment, take a swim in the lap pool or relax under bushveld skies before heading back to your luxury game lodge accommodation.

Alternatively, if you’d like to work up a sweat, the state-of-the-art mini-gym is fully equipped. There is both cardio and weight-lifting equipment, depending on if you want to tone or build muscle. What is guaranteed is that a visit to the Wellness Centre will energise and uplift you for the day.

Stretching across 13 000 hectares and part of the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) in South Africa, Kapama Private Game Reserve provides an authentic African safari experience. The reserve offers a range of stylish accommodation options across four refined lodges and bush camps from a traditional African safari camp to top-notch luxury suites. Kapama is home to the Big Five and is known for its diverse wildlife experiences which can be enjoyed on one of many game drives offering fascinating encounters with plentiful wildlife. Visitors can look forward to a variety of wonderful activities including: excellent game viewing, enjoying a relaxing spa experience and stargazing after a lamp-lit dinner under the African night sky.