Kruger & Seychelles’ Islands

Fly out from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to Tintswalo Safari Lodge where you are collected at the airstrip in a 4×4 and driven to your wilderness home. In the native Shangaan language, Tintswalo can be translated as ‘the intangible feeling of love and peace bestowed upon someone offering you a meaningful and worthy gift’. From the moment you arrive until your departure, every staff member at the lodge embodies this spirit, ensuring your absolute well-being and comfort.

Set on a private concession in South Africa’s Manyeleti Private Game Reserve, this exclusive safari lodge is nestled under mature sycamore trees along a seasonal riverbed that overlooks a waterhole frequented by herds of elephant and buffalo. Open to the Greater Kruger National Park on its unfenced eastern boundary, Manyeleti offers a variety of game-viewing activities unavailable inside Kruger, such as spot-lit night drives and guided walking safaris. Tintswalo has an extremely low vehicle density, which ensures an exclusive safari experience. Action-packed afternoon game drives are concluded with a sundowner stop on a lookout hill or with views of a dramatic bend in the river.

Share epic bush tales with other guests around the campfire before enjoying the innovative dinner menu, which carefully balances classic French and traditional South African cuisine. Meals are paired with exquisite South African wines and served in a number of scenic locations that complement the lodge’s captivating surroundings.

Offering supreme comfort and privacy, your elegantly appointed African-themed suite is decorated to recall the pioneering times of the 19th-century explorers. An adjoining viewing deck, private plunge pool and outdoor shower tick all the boxes for an excellent safari home. Indulge in a heavenly massage at the secluded spa or outside on the deck of your suite overlooking the Nwaswitsontso River. Pick a book from the lodge’s library’s rare collection or select a bottle of wine from the private cellar to enjoy with your dinner.

If you would like to experience more of your surroundings while at Tintswalo, spend time with cheetah at a nearby animal rehabilitation centre or an interaction with the local Shangaan community. For an incredible bird’s-eye perspective of the reserve, hot-air ballooning trips can also be arranged.

After a morning game drive, you are flown out from Tintswalo’s airstrip back to Johannesburg from where you are transferred in a Rolls Royce to The Residence. Situated in Johannesburg’s affluent neighbourhood of Houghton, this boutique hotel features spacious suites with spa tubs and balconies that have spectacular views of the manicured garden, tennis court and swimming pool. The interiors are elegantly decorated with crystal chandeliers, velvet drapes and Persian rugs, while the king-sized beds are adorned with duvets of fine Egyptian cotton and soft goose-down pillows.

In summer, relax with a drink on the spacious porch while afforded marvellous views of the expansive property, and on chilly days curl up on a sofa in the lounge in front of a crackling log fire. Treat yourself to a massage from one of the well-trained therapists at the spa or catch up on your email using the hotel’s complimentary Wi-Fi.

After breakfast you are driven to the airport where you board a flight to the Seychelles. From the international airport, you are transferred by road to Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort. Set on the idyllic Seychellois island of Mahé, these private villas are perched on the jungle-lush hillside and offer panoramic vistas of the sweeping bay beyond. The hotel blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings of coconut palms, hibiscus flowers, mango trees and the large granite boulders typical of the Seychelles.

Situated just north of Beau Vallon – the most popular of Mahé’s beaches – the hotel also has its own private beach where hours can be lost sunbathing on the silky-soft sands captivated by the cerulean ocean. An infinity pool allows you to cool off, and umbrellas and comfortable loungers alongside the sparkling water typify a serene sanctuary of relaxation.

Those who prefer more active sun-worshipping have an array of activities to choose from, both at sea and on land. Snorkel right from the beach and discover colourful fish darting between the rocks of the coves dotted along the coastline. Look back with delight on your island home from a kayak bobbing behind the breakers or savour a cocktail as the sun dips behind the horizon on an idyllic boat cruise.

Dine inside or alfresco, formally or laid-back, at one of two restaurants with the option to enjoy dinner service by candlelight on the deck of your opulent villa. Sightseeing in Mahé and guided excursions to neighbouring islands can also be arranged.

This morning you take a boat transfer to Silhouette Island for your stayover at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa. Supposedly acquired by the Dauban family in return for a violin in the 19th century, Silhouette Island is located northwest of Mahé and is tucked away in tropical forest next to the historic village of La Passe. Guarded by Mount Dauban, with its lush slopes and mist-covered peaks, this island retreat is one of barefoot-luxury that features white-sand beaches met by the turquoise Indian Ocean which stretches all the way to the horizon.

Carnivorous pitcher plants, rare hardwoods and incense trees are just some of the rare botanical treasures you might discover while exploring the island. Walk the mountain paths with the resident naturalist or marine biologist who are experts on the island’s ecology. Visit the giant tortoise sanctuary and feel privileged to meet enormous animals over a century old.

Water babies can take advantage of warm-water swimming and straight-from-the-beach snorkelling. Scuba diving is perhaps the most fascinating way to explore the underwater wonderland of this Indian Ocean island where just offshore lies a pristine coral reef teeming with a host of exotic fish species.

Your villa of chic, contemporary design offers spectacular views of Mount Dauban’s forest-covered slopes from the furnished terrace. On balmy days enjoy island-inspired cocktails and a variety of light meals at Lo Brizan bar and in the evening sample New World wines paired with Seychellois-inspired cuisine at Grann Kaz restaurant. Enjoy a blissful spa treatment in the island’s facility set on massive boulders emerging from the forest and, for uninhibited sun worshipping, put down your towel and soak up the rays anywhere you see fit along the island’s immaculate coastline.

After breakfast you take the boat back to Mahé for your road transfer to Seychelles International Airport. From here board a plane back to Johannesburg and onto your connecting flight home.