WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA! Review

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA!

Hi Lise –

I was hoping to send you an email upon my return home, but you beat me to it.

We had a wonderful time in Southern Africa! The people, food, art, sights, scenery, and beauty made the experience beautiful and everything we expected + more!

We were very happy with all of our hotels and lodges. Table Bay Hotel was very convenient, pleasant and the staff was very accommodating. Needless to say, La Residence was ‘over the top’. We loved it there and wished we had at least another day.

Simbambili was a great lodge. I think everyone was very happy with that choice. Tongabezi was excellent! We had a fabulous South African experience staying there. And we LOVED &Beyond. The food, people, and scenery was ‘beyond’.

We really enjoyed our time with Faizel and our touring days with him. We would highly recommend him to others.

Some of the restaurants we chose were just okay. The La Colombe experience was disappointing since we drove a distance to get there. But all in all, we never went hungry! For the most part, we were very happy with our restaurant selections.

We enjoyed the bike day in the Winelands and we liked L’Ormarins, Delaire Graff for lunch, Tokara, and Lanzerac. I would highly recommend these wineries. I’m sorry we missed the Waterford experience.

We all came home exhausted! We were nonstop/night and day for 3 weeks but we loved every minute!

As I stated previously, we would have liked an extra day at La Residence. I feel we cut our time a little short there.

As far as the other stops, I feel we really took full advantage of every opportunity each location had to offer. And we loved it.

Thank you, Lise, for all of your help, guidance and assistance in helping us plan a ‘dream’ experience. We had a wonderful vacation.

It was hard for us to believe how much territory we covered! Thank you for your organizational skills and the detailed itinerary you provided to keep us organized. We greatly appreciated that.

Lastly, thank you for the delicious bottle of wine you sent us at &Beyond. We enjoyed it together on our last night of a perfect vacation.

Best part….we saw the Big 5 ++++++ cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, etc, etc….

Thank you!!

Elise

Trip Details

Accommodation: Table Bay Hotel, Leeu Estates, La Residence, Simbambili Game LodgeDestinations: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Chobe National Park, in the northeast of Botswana, is the country’s second largest national park and is blessed with one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. With an elephant population numbering close to 30 000, nowhere else in Africa has more of the iconic animal and you are all but guaranteed some amazing elephant sightings. Chobe is also the scene of the annual zebra migration - a truly moving spectacle to witness - which brings the whole park to life. Nearby to both the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, a visit to Chobe National Park works well when combined with the two and is sure to provide a truly memorable safari experience.

At the heart of the V&A Waterfront with stunning views of the ocean and Table Mountain, The Table Bay Hotel offers five-star luxury in a prime Cape Town location. The 329 air-conditioned rooms all have wonderful views over ocean, harbour or mountain, but perhaps most in demand are the higher floors looking out over the mountain.

5-Star luxury tucked away in the heart of the Cape Winelands - that’s what you can expect when you pay a visit to the immaculately refurbished Leeu Estates. This exclusive resort, located in the historic Franschhoek valley, overlooks vineyards, indigenous Fynbos and dramatic mountains. Leeu Estates is the perfect place to pause between your busy sightseeing days in Cape Town and your exciting time on safari.

Nestled between the slopes of the Hottentots Holland and Drakenstein mountains in the Western Cape of South Africa lies a valley that has gained recognition for its unparalleled beauty and dignified presence. This is Franschhoek – a narrow slip of land that is now considered by many to be South Africa’s über wine region. Franschhoek has become the place to go to enjoy superlative wines of distinction at awarded wine farms; to dine in most of the country’s premier restaurants and to stay in exceptional establishments. It's hard to beat, and this is where La Residence Hotel Villas is situated. Surrounded by vineyards, fruit trees, knotty olive trees and flushing fountains that whisper whimsically in the background, you drive up a sweeping drive and you know that you are in for a special experience. Understatedly appointed, the interiors are relaxed, yet oh-so luxurious. Eleven suites are individually decorated with a specific theme in mind. And here, beautiful antiques and Persian rugs are juxtaposed with luxurious rugs and objets d’art. Fine dining is key at La Residence, and despite a strong emphasis on luxurious, upper-crust service, this is most certainly also a family friendly hotel where children run free. A whole range of kiddie activities are on offer: from exploring nearby wildlife safari parks to butterflies farms to baking to painting to fishing to a nearby motor museum. And when you've collapsed from sheer exhaustion, babysitters are on hand to help – together with the La Residence chefs, who will prepare meals just how the little ones like them. The facilities available are almost too many to list, but highlights include a spa, a gym and a library. And that's just at the hotel. There is of course also the world of Franschhoek, and beyond, to explore too! You could take a trip into town utilising our complementary transfer service. Or, if you're seeking more adventurous activities, La Residence can book golf, trout fishing, helicopter trips, hot-air ballooning or paragliding, to mention a few. The only snag? You may very well find you want to stay longer than intended.

Simbambili Game Lodge, located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, is a must for the romantic at heart. Each of Simbambili Game Lodge's Suites has been designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, whilst being carefully positioned to enhance privacy. The Central kaleidoscope to all Suites is the sweeping savannah, which can be viewed from the privacy of your own en-suite bathroom or private plunge pool.

Sitting right at the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Town regularly features highly on the lists of the top destinations in the world. A naturally beautiful city, the world-famous Table Mountain - a majestic backdrop that was recently named one of the natural wonders of the modern world - watches over Cape Town to the one side while the Atlantic Ocean caresses her shores on the other. Spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches close to the city center and luxury accommodation options will ensure you have a memorable stay. Fill your days with shopping at the buzzing V&A Waterfront, take a ferry trip across the bay to Robben Island or enjoy scenic drive to Cape Point. Kids will love interacting with penguins on Boulder’s Beach or running on the lawns of the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens, home to the famous Summer Concerts. The city is a gourmet’s delight with a vast selection of restaurants, trendy beach café’s, cocktail bars and pubs. With some of the world’s best wine farms a short, scenic drive away, the foodie is well and truly catered for and palette satisfaction is guaranteed. For those seeking thrills when the sun sets, Cape Town is home to some of South Africa’s best nightclubs too. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy tandem paragliding off Lion’s Head, great surf spots like Muizenberg and Llandudno or shark cage diving in Gansbaai. After your fill of extreme sports, why not take in a play at one of Cape Town’s well-established theatres or check out the Iziko Museum for great child friendly exhibits and art. In Cape Town, you are limited only by your imagination.

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. The fertile valley of Franschhoek boasts a rich heritage showcased at the fascinating Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village remains remarkably well preserved. The town’s proximity to Cape Town allows for pleasant day trips during which visitors can explore the area’s many world-class wine estates and impressive range of excellent restaurants or simply browse the quaint, upmarket boutiques strewn along the town’s lovely tree-lined avenues.

Without question one of the most famous National Parks in the world, the Kruger National Park is the pride of South Africa and her people. Established in 1898 and covering some two million hectares, it is home to over 1000 different species of plant, bird and animal life. Boasting all of the Big Five plus a wide range of other magnificent fauna and flora, the Kruger National Park has become a South African institution. With an abundance of accommodation options – ranging from the ultra rustic to the super luxurious – the Kruger National Park can be made to suit every taste and budget.

Nicknamed ‘The Rainbow Nation’ for its ethnic diversity, the country with 11 official languages seemingly has nearly as many mother tongues as it does ecological zones. With developed cities, two oceans, mountain ranges, savannas, deserts and forests all within its borders, it really is the world in one country. Highlights include the famous Kruger National Park, the picturesque Garden Route, Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town, The Drakensberg Mountain Range and the City of Gold, Johannesburg. With golden beaches, abundant wildlife and everything in-between, South Africa is the perfect African safari destination.

Excellent

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA!

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA!

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA!

Summary

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA!

Trip Details

Featured Accommodations

La Residence

Leeu Estates

Table Bay Hotel

Simbambili Game Lodge

Featured Destinations

South Africa

Cape Town

Franschhoek

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

EXPLORE AFRICA’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY DESTINATIONS WITH US