South Africa
South Africa has been described as 'a world in one country' and the diversity it offers to the visitor is extraordinary, ranging from the huge Kruger Park in Mpumalanga where one can go on safari to the beautiful 'Mother City' of Cape Town which nestles under the shade of Table Mountain. Largely unspoiled beaches run from Durban westwards all the way to Cape Town, including the aptly named Garden Route which takes in many of the Cape Province's most beautiful areas. Outside Plettenberg Bay it is still possible to find quiet and beautiful beaches and it is on the Garden Route that the migration of the Southern Right whale takes place and, if one is careful, one can dovetail a visit with the blossoming of the wild flowers, or "fynbos" as the local flora is commonly known.
One reason that we all fall in love with the Cape is the winelands - with its magnificent Cape Dutch or French Huguenot architecture, all framed by the mountains and, of course, some of the finest vineyards in the world.
The best way to get around South Africa is by car, self-driving which allows flexibility and freedom. We have negotiated a special rate with car hire companies who have branches conveniently located throughout South Africa; one-way rental is no problem. We have spent large amounts of time driving the length and breadth of South Africa, researching the finest places to stay, retaining typical architecture and serving excellent food and wine.
In contrast, we have also sought places which typify true wilderness and remoteness and give a genuine feel of Africa. Our favourite region is KwaZulu Natal, which probably provides more contrast than anywhere else in South Africa. Here one has the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains which can be explored by car, on foot, and by horse and there are gorgeous stud farms and fly fishing in dramatic scenery. A visit would not be complete without staying at Richard and Mouse Poynton's beautifully situated home in the Drakensberg, just off the multi-faceted "Midlands Meander", where Richard boasts the finest food and the most impressive cellar for miles around!
Away from the mountains there are the famous battlefields and one can take a battlefield tour with a famous historian such as David Rattray. There are superb game reserves. "KZN" also has unspoiled, beautiful, beaches running as far as the eye can see, a magnificent coastline that runs right up to Mozambique where one can stay in lovely lodges and see Bottle Neck dolphins (the diving is excellent) and monitor and watch the migration of the Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles as they come to nest.
Lucia van der Post wrote an enlightened article about staying at the more genuine older properties and working farms that one can find in South Africa which represent such good value for money. Julian Melck's property offers just such a place, and the 18th Century buildings on his property are listed as a National Monument. A passionate aviator, Julian will also indulge anyone who is wanting a bird's eye view of the west coast... Nic and Nicole Dupper have opened up their home set on the Klein Rivier Mountains, close for whale watching, and Nicole's cooking is legendary! Or there is Ant and Tessa Baber who close their home in the Waterberg Mountains to families and groups of friends; their sister establishment is an excellent place to share and learn about conservation with Ant - and ride in this magnificent territory. Grootbos is another of our favourites, one is hosted by botanists and marine biologists, another excellent place for seeing the Southern Right whale and they have the largest fynbos reserve in South Africa. In Franschoek, Camil and Ingrid Haas own a lovely converted house and Camil's cuisine is exquisite!
For those only interested in sheer luxury, South Africa abounds in suitable hotels and lodges, including several Relais et Chateaux. We tend to prefer the smaller, very high quality, establishments where there is an overall sense of calm with tranquillity and perfect views. However there are some wonderful, sensibly priced, hotels suitable for families who may want to at least consider the budget which we can recommend, too, as well as some super small, owner-managed, lodges in the Mpumalanga region where white water rafting, horse riding, golf, flyfishing and interesting drives on an artist's route are all possible.
In terms of game viewing and safaris in South Africa there are many excellent lodges and camps to choose from, ranging from the more basic tented camps in the Kruger to the utterly spoiling and lavish lodges! In most camps one can walk to a greater or lesser extent or, of course, do the more standard form of game viewing by vehicle. Kruger National Park is the size of Wales, and the reserve is broken into three areas - the Sabi Sands, Manyeleti and Timbavati regions. Thornybush is adjacent to the Kruger and is home to some of the most luxurious lodges. However, both game viewing and safaris in South Africa is far from just being the Kruger: Natal, the Waterberg, Madikwe (the latter Malaria-free)and certain areas along the Cape coast are all good places to see game and, as ever, we choose the right places to suit each individual or family.
Lastly, for those wanting to explore in a more relaxed style, Rovos Rail and the Blue Train offer luxury train journeys. Pretoria to the Kruger Park takes 24 hours and the trains run Johannesburg to Cape Town and vice versa, these are some of the most luxurious trains in the world offering a wonderfully relaxed way to travel. Jo'burg to Victoria Falls is a splendid journey and a wonderful way of combining the two countries. The Blue Train is a relatively modern train; Rovos Rail has carriages deliberately evoking travel from a bygone era.
