The Devon Hotel - South Africa

Devon detour

Devon Valley is one of Stellenbosch’s best-kept secrets, both scenically and viticulturally. Vines have flourished here since the 18th century and it has an enviable reputation, not only for the red wines produced here, but also as a source of premium grapes.

The Devon Valley Detour offers an unforgettable journey through the picturesque Devon Valley. Experience the abundance of flavours and renowned wines of the Vintners of Devon Valley, read more here.

Whiskey, Wine and food pairings

The Devon Valley Hotel is surrounded by its own working SylvanVale Vineyards that produce handmade boutique style wines that are only available for sale to guests to the property. Gourmet Food and SylvanVale wine pairing are available all year round either in Flavours Restaurant or on a smaller sample tasting scale of Flavours food canapés and a flight of three SylvanVale wines.

The Cedarwood Lounge & Bar is home to one of the most definitive collections of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in South Africa and is frequented by self-confessed Whisky lovers from all over the globe. Whisky tastings and pairing menus are also available and presents the perfect opportunity for Whisky and food lovers to indulge in these simple pleasures while visiting the Stellenbosch Winelands.

Golfing in the fields

From its location in a beautiful and peaceful corner of the Devon Valley, just outside Stellenbosch, The Devon Valley Hotel offers golfers the ideal home-base from which to explore the surrounding area and play some of the best golf courses in the Western Cape. Within an easy driving distance radius of 10 to 30 minutes from the hotel, golfers can enjoy a choice of at least eight excellent golf estates. The options within this radius are DevonVale, De Zalze, Pearl Valley and Erinvale to name a few.

Visit the wine route

Wine lover or not, a visit to the Cape Winelands is an absolute must as the region is one of breathtaking vistas and majestic mountain backdrops while being steeped in rich culture and history. Rolling vineyards and quaint Cape Dutch homesteads await you, as well as award-winning wine farms offering some of the country’s best wines.

The Winelands are divided into various regions, each offering their own ‘wine route’. The most popular and well-known are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl. Not to be forgotten are the highly acclaimed wine estates in the Constantia Valley. Also located in beautiful surroundings with stunning mountain backdrops, the Constantia Valley boasts some of the oldest estates and homesteads along with award-winning wines.

Sun, Surf and sand

As The Devon Valley Hotel is situated in the very heart of the Winelands region and uniquely positioned in its own working SylvanVale Vineyard, guests find themselves surrounded by lush gardens and vineyards and basically everything that celebrates the fine art of wine making. If however, they wish to enjoy a day out on the beach, it is only an easy 20 kilometre’s drive to the nearest beach at Strand (about 20-25 minutes’ drive).

A further 5 kilometres along the coast is Gordon’s Bay and the ever popular Bikini Beach, adjacent to the harbour and yacht club. Boating and fishing can be done from the harbour and swimming in Gordon’s Bay’s beach area is probably the safest of all the False Bay beaches. Guests can enjoy long, leisurely walks along the Strand beach or opt for the more active beach activity options of swimming, boogie-boarding, surfing, paddle-skiing, kite-surfing and sailing.

Whale watching in Hermanus

Approximately an hour and a half from Devon Valley is the seaside town of Hermanus. Hermanus is hailed as offering the best land-based whale watching in the world. From May onwards Southern Right Whales pay homage to these warm, shallow waters in order to calf their young and to mate. The best time for whale watching is between August and November and at this time the bay is dotted with whales.

Cape Town SPECIAL

Table Mountain

 Table Mountain is the most iconic landmark of South Africa.

It is also the country’s most photographed attraction and its famous cable car took millions of people to its top.

 

Table Mountain has become the single most welcoming icon to not only our people, but travellers from all over the world.

 

But this mountain hides many surprises that wait to be discovered.

 

Besides the parks, the whole area has a biodiversity that is rare to find in other places on earth. Its many valleys and streams make it an idyllic getaway from Cape Town. The national park’s most unique feature is its "fynbos" vegetation that is displayed here better than anywhere in the world.

 

At the Southern Tip Of Africa

The Agulhas Country Lodge is built from natural lime stone and blends into the background of a rocky hill. The Lodge, with its elevated position has spectacular sea views from nearly every vantage point.

Accommodation

The Agulhas Country Lodge  has 8 en suite bedrooms – all with seaview balconies. There are bedrooms with ¾ twin beds and rooms with queen sized extra length beds. All rooms have showers; some have baths and showers and the two honeymoon rooms (room 4 and 8) have Jacuzzi baths and double showers. A tea/coffee station is provided. All rooms have TV’s with a DSTV selection; all rooms have heaters and most rooms have air conditioning. An overnight laundry service is available if laundry is submitted before 17h00 in the afternoon.

Dining

They serve a four course set menu and rely on local and seasonal produce and weather conditions when determining the menu. The menu is representative of local country cuisine and is well matched with a wine list. They also have a bar with a lovely enclosed balcony with stunning sea views. The cigar lounge is very popular for after dinner cognac and cigars ( they stocked excellent cognacs and Cuban cigars).

Activities

Visit the southernmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.The second oldest working light house in South Africa.Take a walk on the coast passing the historic Soldiers’ Pool to the light house. Ghost Corner hiking trail along the coast and up to the look-out on top of the hill behind the Lodge (± 1½ hours). Circular route starting at the Lodge. Bird watching, whale watching (July to early December). Nature Reserves: Guided or self-drive visits to De Hoop.

For more information please contact us at

 info@southern-africa-travel.com

www.southern-africa-travel.com

Famous Waterfalls of South Africa

The Tugela Falls

Located in the Drakensberg, and part of the Tugela River, the Tugela falls are the world’s second highest waterfall and drop a total of 950 meters in five cascades (also making the Tugela Falls the highest cascade of falls in the world). During the winter months, the upper Tugela Falls can freeze, forming ice pillars – a sight not often seen in sunny South Africa!

 The Howick Falls

Howick is a small town in the Natal Midlands, and it’s most famous for its falls. The Howick Falls were most likely first seen by European explorers in the early 19th century as transport riders and wagon trains cut routes inland from the coast. The Howick Falls are easily accessed from Pietermaritzburg (24 kms away), Karkloof and Lions River.

  The Mac Mac Falls

The Mac Mac Falls in the province of Mpumalanga are 65 metres high, and have been declared a National Monument. The waterfall was originally a single stream, but gold hungry Scotsmen, hoping for an easier grasp of the reef over which the river streamed, and therefore an easier grasp of the precious gold the reef contained, dynamited the river in an attempt to divert its flow.  The result is today’s spectacular twin waterfalls, a favourite spot for photographers.

   The Augrabies Falls

Probably the most impressive falls in South Africa, the Augrabies Falls are located about 120km downstream of Upington on the Orange River.  The river, after flowing slowly along sandy soils begins to move through a massive canyon and then descends through a ravine to the main gorge.  Here, the falls drop, through a series of cataracts to a rock enclosed pool 200 metres below.

 

For more information please contact us at 

info@southern-africa-travel.com

www.southern-africa-travel.com

Landscapes in South Africa

South Africa is filled with rolling mountains, beautiful rivers and oceans, and stunning vistas which all contribute to a variety of lovely landscapes.

1.Motlatse Canyon

On the border of the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo you find beautiful natural wonders like 'God's Window' and the Blyde River Canyon (also known as the Motlatse Canyon), one of the largest in the world.

2.Camdeboo National Park & Valley of Desolation 

Inland, in the Karoo region, we find the Camdeboo National Park and the spectacular Valley of Desolation, which draws visiters from across the world. These formations are said to have been caused by hundreds of thousands of years of volcanic activity and erosive forces. 

3. Majestic mountains

The southern-most province in South Africa is the Western Cape, home to majestic mountains like Table Mountain and natural wonders like Cape Point. Towards Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, you'll find Grootvadersbosch, an area known for its beautiful nature trails, fantastic bird-watching opportunities and indigenous forest.

Drakensberg mountain 

The spectacular Drakensberg mountain range falls within the province of KwaZulu-Natal and forms part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its scenic beauty, rock art and diverse flora and fauna.

For more information please contact us at 

info@southern-africa-travel.com 

www.southern-africa-travel.com