Cape, Kruger & Seychelles’ Mahe Island

Arriving at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Four Rosmead Boutique Guest House. This charming abode dating back to 1903 has been lovingly restored and decorated, and is situated in a quiet street in the tranquil Oranjezicht neighbourhood of central Cape Town, nestled on the leafy slopes of Table Mountain.

Cape Town ranks as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the friendly staff at Four Rosmead will be more than willing to assist you in booking tours and activities that take your fancy.

The winemaking tradition in the Cape goes back hundreds of years, and there are many exceptional vintages and varietals to enjoy. Set in a spectacularly scenic landscape of rearing mountains and sea views, the wine country is reminiscent of Provence, with an African twist. Beautifully gabled Cape Dutch buildings characterize the older estates, which are set in verdant rolling vineyards on mountain slopes. Visit several estates for tastings of their finest offerings and stop for lunch at one of them. Enjoy a delicious, indulgent meal in a setting that will take your breath away- a mountains and vineyards that is truly unique.

If you take a drive along the peninsula to Cape Point, you can enjoy a delicious seafood lunch in Kalk Bay, gazing out over the ocean, before heading back to Cape Town to ascend the famous Table Mountain. The cable car to the top of the mountain rotates 360°, offering incredible views of the city below. Arriving at the top, there are networks of paths to wander, with viewpoints dotted along the way. From here you can see Lion’s Head, Robben Island, the distant mountains of the Winelands and all the way to Cape Point in a series of breathtaking vistas.

The city itself has the attractions of the V&A Waterfront at your doorstep, stunning beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard and the ‘Riviera’ atmosphere of Camps Bay with its beachside café culture to absorb.

Depart Cape Town on a scheduled flight to Johannesburg, where you board a chartered flight to Hoedspruit, outside the world-famous Kruger National Park. Your guide will meet you and take you on a game drive into the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Together with its neighbour, the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands forms 2.7 million hectares of unfenced, protected wilderness. Game roams freely between the two reserves, forming one of Africa’s most bio-diverse wildlife populations. The short drive from the airstrip whets your appetite for game viewing and delivers you to Simbambili Lodge, an elegantly luxurious lodge overlooking the Manyeleti River.

Simbambili is set in the heart of Big 5 country and is tastefully decorated in elegant neutrals and gorgeous African textures. The architecture is best described as organic – the lodge seems to have sprung forth from the wilderness around it. Your suite is spacious with lovely views over the river below from your private viewing deck, complete with a plunge pool and enticing loungers.

Once you have settled in, it is time for an expedition into the wilderness. Who knows which of the Big 5 will make an appearance on your very first game drive? As the sky comes alive in a vivid sunset palette, your expert ranger selects a spot for sundowners, making the most of this beautiful time of day. On your drive back to camp, your guide deftly wields a spotlight to seek out the rare nocturnal wildlife as it emerges – you keep a sharp lookout for porcupines, genets and even leopards and hyenas.

After your game drive or a lazy morning at leisure, you depart Simbambili Lodge and return to Hoedspruit for your flight to Johannesburg. Spend the night at The Residence, which exudes charms and understated luxury, in this vibrant metropolis in preparation for your morning flight to the Seychelles. 

Your flight from Johannesburg arrives at the International Airport on Mahé Island, where you are met by a representative and taken to the exclusive Ephelia Resort.

Mahé and its neighbouring islands, Praslin and La Digue, form the cultural and economic hub of this island republic. The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands and a fascinating melting pot of cultures from the four corners of the world. You hear the rich Seychellois heritage in the melodic mingling of French, English and lilting Creole, see it in the exotic traditional dances, and taste it in the blending of spices and flavours of this beautiful nation.

Arriving at the resort, you find it tucked away in the lush tropical vegetation of a huge estate, overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The fragrance of frangipani blossoms on the soft ocean breeze and the elegant spaces, restful décor, sparkling pools and graceful service all combine to soothe your mind and awaken your senses.

The pampering treatments on offer at Spa de Constance may beckon you or the equally enticing Shiseido Pavilion. Exploring the stunning granite reefs and tropical waters of the Port Launay Marine Park may tempt you to paddle out in a sea kayak, snorkel or dive. Flex your fitness with mountain biking, tennis and yoga, or take a highly recommended Island Tour. Wandering perfect beaches or strolling through coconut groves, you can laze away the afternoon over a picnic or discover the island’s giant tortoises.

After breakfast on the deck, admiring the start of yet another perfect day, you depart for the airport and your flight home. What photographs and anecdotes you carry with you! Close your eyes and recall the thrill of seeing your first leopard. Mid-hunt, its muscles bunching for a deadly leap, the distinctive fur rippling, your heart racing, torn between sympathy for its prey and admiration for its fearless beauty. You are among the privileged few whose memories evoke the exotic flavours of Creole cuisine, the underwater wonderland of teeming coral reefs, and the happy clink of sundowners lit by the radiant luminosity of an African sunset.