Honeymoon: Bush & Beach in Southern Africa
Destination
South Africa & Mozambique
Travel Period
March-December
Duration
24 days | 23 nights
- 1 800 414 3090
- info@africansafarico.com
Cape Town is a true fan favorite, with its exciting Mediterranean vibe, amazing culinary scene, beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, thriving art community, and successful sports teams – all set to the backdrop of iconic Table Mountain and the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is no wonder it is called The Mother City. This vibrant, trendy city has broad appeal. Local attractions include Table Mountain, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, boutique shops, numerous museums, wineries, and world famous restaurants. For those venturing beyond the city, the Cape Winelands and Cape Peninsula are a day trip away. Cape Town’s rich cultural heritage dates back more than 300 years and its diversity is evident in the city’s architecture, art, and food. It is the second most populous city in South Africa and sits at the southwest tip of Africa.
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel is part of the Kloof Street Neighbourhood and is a grand old dame (with National Monument status) dating back to the early 1800s. The hotel is elegantly styled in beautiful emerald green, classic black and white, and touches of gold. This sophisticated style brings her firmly into the 21st century, without losing any of her charm. Each room is individually designed around her historic uniqueness. Enjoy relaxed guest areas that includes two pools for the warmer days. A focus on wellness includes calming therapies at the onsite spa, and the hotel gym makes it is easy to keep up a training routine.
The hotel restaurant Upper Union has a buzz all of its own. The expertly curated menu of indulgent dishes, split into big plates and smalls, is all about punchy flavours packed into hearty dishes and served potluck style. Upper Union’s style of dining encourages a shared experience, best enjoyed with a bespoke cocktail made by expert mixologists.
Luxury Room
Enjoy a little more room to unwind in, with a spacious bedroom and bathroom and your own sun terrace. Each of the seven Luxury Rooms has a king-sized bed or ¾-bed set, shower, or shower and bath, TheraNaka bathroom amenities, robes and slippers, sitting area, Nespresso coffee machine, pre-stocked minibar, air conditioning, and wifi.
Your first full day in Cape Town will include a visit to The Cape Peninsula. The Cape Peninsula is a complete contrast to the more cosmopolitan city. With its wild national parks, artistic bohemian seaside villages and working fishing harbours this day will be about embracing the locals and spending as much time out of the vehicle as possible. Our first stop is for Cape Town’s coolest coffee spot at Muizenberg’s Surfers Corner the epicentre of South Africa’s surf culture. We head to Simon’s Town to find our own rogue penguins on a local beach. Snorkel and stand-up paddle in sheltered coves, getting a unique perspective of the penguins (weather permitting).
After visiting Cape Point, we’ll venture deeper into the Peninsula to explore secluded wild beaches, lesser-known coves, rock pools and shipwreck hiking trails away from the tourist crowds. This part of the Table Mountain National Park is home to ostrich, baboons, tortoises and mountain zebra. Our return journey along the Atlantic side is a story of amazing views, hidden local cafes and watering holes full of character. We stop en-route for a sundowner at a local hang-out, wrapping up our day out.
Please note: During your morning brief your guide may advise changing the route of your tour to allow for us to beat any pending crowds into certain areas during peak seasons, so that we can spend maximum time exploring outside the vehicle.
Your last day in Cape Town will be spent exploring the Cape Town inner-city. This is the grittier, real Cape Town. Edgy, artsy and bursting with culinary flavour and creativity. We don’t call Cape Town the ‘Mother City’ just because it is the highlight of SA. When you come into contact with some of our mesmerizing locals who take their skill set to outta-this-world levels of expertise and resourcefulness, you may well come to believe that “mother city” is code for “mother ship”. Our first point is the top of the mountain, the cable car spreading the city out before our eyes as we rise above the rest of the world.
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve, named for the Sabie and Sand Rivers which flow through it, is renowned for its wildlife density and predator interactions; seldom will a visitor not see the Big Five. Although it shares a fenceless boundary with Kruger National Park, much of the wildlife in the Sabi Sand stays more or less in the reserve. Over the years, the animals have become used to the presence of safari vehicles, resulting in close encounters, particularly with the elusive leopards. Roaming packs of African wild dogs, territorial lions, and large herds of elephants are also signature sightings. As well as having a consistently high density of wildlife, the reserve’s conservation ethos keeps vehicle numbers to a minimum at wildlife sightings. This offers a more exclusive safari experience while ensuring the welfare of the habituated animals. Being in the private reserve generally affords more flexibility with opportunities to off-road, enjoy night drives and bush walks, all of which make visiting this area a truly unique experience.
An exclusive 5-star lodge, Savanna is situated in the internationally famous Sabi Sand Reserve within the greater Kruger National Park Conservancy. The internationally acclaimed lodge offers an exclusive, personalised and intimate safari experience to guests, with a unique style of tented accommodation. This five-star luxury lodge offers nine exquisite suites. Seven of the suites have tented roofs, blending the elegance of a by-gone colonial era with all the convenience of modern facilities. Each suite offers guests private patios, plunge pools and outdoor showers, as well as air-conditioned interiors, minibars stocked with inviting treats, a coffee machine and décor that epitomises the elegance of understated luxury.
Executive Suite
The three large Executive Suites have canvas roofs for an authentic safari ambience and the romance of sleeping in Bedouin-style tents. Canvas roofs are set above solid walls for comfort, privacy and security as well as efficient air-conditioning and fans.
Each Executive Suite has an outsized bathroom with freestanding bath, double vanities, double shower and toilet as well as outdoor shower atrium. The bedrooms have plush sitting areas and glass doors that open onto covered patios with private plunge heated pools facing waterholes in the bush.
In an area studded with dams that attract large herds of game, and traversing more than 10,000 hectares of prime bushveld, a Savanna safari provides exceptional opportunities to see the ‘Big 5’ as well as cheetah, wild dog, hippo, crocodile, an abundance of general game and over 400 bird species. The emphasis at Savanna is, first and foremost, on the safari experience, on the activities of the many rare and beautiful creatures encountered.
The lodge lies in an area where ‘Big 5’ sightings are so frequent, it is not unusual to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino in a single game drive. This specially designed game viewing vehicles and highly trained guides with a vast knowledge of the African bushveld, take guests on close and intimate encounters with a large variety of wildlife. Numerous nearby dams and a series of waterholes in front of the lodge attract many species, especially in the dry winter months when elephants are daily visitors.
Covering 1,320 km2 (510 mi2), the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago sit inside a stunning marine environment that provides unique aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The four main islands are formed of pale, sloping sand beaches that dip gently into exquisite azure coloured waters. Swim with dolphins, experience the annual migration of humpback whales, sail on traditional dhows, dive impressive coral walls, snorkel and try to spot endangered Dugongs. This pristine national park is an aquatic wonderland and the Robinson Crusoe-esque islands are some of the most picturesque in the Indian Ocean, rivaling those of the Seychelles and Mauritius.
Elevated on the red cliffs of Kingfisher Bay, Santorini Mozambique astounds with endless Archipelago views from every angle. Its sprawling villas are nestled amidst coconut trees and lush landscaping, forming a private oasis in Vilanculos. This unspoiled patch of paradise is positioned above a long stretch of beach strewn with colourful sea shells and warm waters that shift gently with the changing tides. Here, guests can experience the charm of a Greek-inspired village mixed with the wild beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean.
A short 30-minute drive from the airport in Santorini’s open 4×4 converted safari vehicle through the coastal town of Vilanculos allows glimpses of traditional daily life along the way. A warm welcome awaits with refreshments, cold scented face cloths, and beaming Santorini smiles. For beneath the cool blue-and-white domed villas of Santorini beats a warm African heart. Authentic hospitality encourages you to settle into a newfound state of being.
Santa Carolina Suite
Santa Carolina Suite is the only suite situated on the first floor of the Main Villa. The suite has a king size bed and an en-suite bathroom with shower, double vanity unit, and separate toilet. It has a large lounge area overlooking the archipelago as well as an outdoor private patio with lattice shade cover, loungers, and table and chairs.
Being on the mainland, guests have the opportunity to experience everything this magical place has to offer from spending a day out on the magical waters surrounded by the flamboyance of flamingos to exploring the colourful markets and local shops of Vilanculos town. There is an assortment of kayaks, stand up paddle boards, snorkelling gear, fishing gear and even a gym in a bag for a quick workout session or yoga on the sunset patio as the sun rises above the silhouette of Magaruque Island. These are all complimentary onsite activities.
Additional activities include scuba diving, bill fishing, horse riding, dhow safari trips, kite surfing, and scenic helicopter flights. For guests wanting complete exclusivity, luxury, and privacy when it comes to outsourced activities and experiences such as diving or fishing, there is the option of chartering the motorized super cat, Aphrodite.
Whether you are up for adventure, complete relaxation or simple romantic walks on the beach – the Santorini family are ready to make this experience exactly as you dreamt it: A holiday worth treasuring and memories to last a lifetime.
Let our Africa and Latin America travel experts start putting together the perfect itinerary for your next big adventure! Call or email us to schedule a meeting to discuss your dream safari or tour.
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