For the Wine Lovers

Cape Town is unique in so many ways, but perhaps none more so than the diversity of world class wine routes right on the doorstep.

Constantia Valley Wine Route

The Constantia Valley is the closest wine route to the city, and no more than 20 minutes away.   This region is home to both the country’s oldest established wine farms and some of the newest.  Constantia wines are largely cool climate offerings, so look out for world class Sauvignon Blancs, wonderful reds and infamous sweet wine offerings.

Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes

The Stellenbosch Wine Route was the first wine region in South Africa to establish a wine route along an organised network of wineries. The route boasts almost 200 wine and grape producers and due to its vastness is divided into a number of sub regions…
Stellenbosch Berg
Stellenbosch Hills
Greater Simonsberg
Bottelary Hills
Helderberg (Somerset West)

The historic student town of Stellenbosch is the ideal place to start your exploration of this region and is not to be missed.

Helderberg Wine Route

The wineries that fall under the Helderberg Wine Route’s jurisdiction are all in and around the Somerset West area, a 30 minute drive from the city. Historic estates line up alongside cutting edge modern cellars, all producing a wonderful diverse array of wines.  In recent times, it has acquired a reputation for producing impressive white wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.


Durbanville Valley Wine Route
A short drive north of the city will quickly have you in the Durbanville Valley. Most of the wine estates here offer wonderful dining in addition to their fabulous wines and many with spectacular views back across the ocean towards Table Mountain.


Franschhoek Wine Route

The Franschhoek Valley is a spectacularly beautiful wine route.  With many of the wine farms sharing a French Huguenot heritage, expect to find enormous French influence here and not surprisingly a Champagne-inspired sparkling win sub-route, the “Cap Classique Route”.  The gorgeously quaint village of Franschhoek abounds with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and boutique hotels.


Activities also on offer in the winelands

Live performances, spas, birdwatching, brandy tasting, art galleries, cheese-making, fly-fishing, game drives, horse riding, olives, food and wine pairings

For more information please contact us at 

info@southern-africa-travel.com

www.southern-africa-travel.com

South Africa An Unforgetable Experience

 

South Africa is a unique country that offers experiences that leave an indelible mark on anyone who visits here. Renowned for its great weather, friendly hospitality, good infrastructure, wildlife, culture, adventure and scenic beauty - these are some aspects that keep incentive travellers coming back for more.

An incentive tour in South Africa will entice and excite even the best-heeled traveller. We have a flair for the unusual; a penchant for the decidedly different. Many of South Africa's unforgettable experiences you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world.

Here, you can walk with elephants, swim with dolphins, dive with great white sharks, cruise among whales, share your stretch of beach with a colony of penguins, be a game ranger for a day, or learn business lessons from nature.

 

Whether it’s at a bushveld breakaway, a wilderness team building experience or an overnight stay in a luxury game lodge, no visit to South Africa is complete without a brush with the wild.

For adrenalin junkies, hardcore adventure options include abseiling, paragliding, microlighting, kloofing and diving with predators. For softer options there’s horse riding on the beach, hot air ballooning, fishing, angling, and surfing and cycling. For those who enjoy the water, there are thousands of kilometres of coastline to explore.

Your Camping Holiday in South Africa

Whether you crave open landscapes to feed your mind or mountain country to stimulate your emotions, there is a place for you on the South African map. A camping holiday is not about the equipment or the planning; it’s about the journey, the destination and the adventure.

 What destination features interest you? Is it jaw dropping scenery, stunning seascapes or the mysteries of the forest? Are you following a bucket-list, or wanting to see some of the Earth’s last great wilderness areas? For many it’s about the activities – how to keep your kids busy and what you can do to forget about day to day worries and live in the moment.

 Here are some of the most popular destinations for a camping holiday in South Africa:

  

The Eastern Escarpment

Do you long to get in touch with mountains, canyons, or waterfalls?
The Blyde River Canyon area is just the place for you. Choose among several camping sites and remember to visit the must-see places: God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and Pilgrims Rest.

The Kruger National Park

Observing wildlife in its natural habitat is the holiday of your dreams?
The world-renowned Kruger Park is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. It has many delightful camps.

The North-East Coast

Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay, iSimangaliso, St Lucia: all of these places have camping sites with good, tidy facilities. You will stay close to the beaches and get a chance to visit the nearby game reserves abundant with wildlife. Activities include turtle nesting tours, whale watching, game viewing tours, fishing, kayaking, hiking, etc.

The South and Wild Coast

If you yearn for the bustle and the excitement of holiday crowds, you should opt for a camping site near popular holiday resorts such as Margate. Others will head for more secluded sites on the South Coast. Or, even better, head further south to the Wild Coast. Having successfully resisted the onrush of property development, the Wild Coast community is now concerned with the proposed highway construction and strip mining. So, visit it while it is still in its unspoiled beauty!

The Drakensberg Mountains

Lush greenery in the summer, all hues of yellow, red and brown in the autumn...
Whatever the season, camping in the Drakensberg is an unforgettable experience. You can set base in one of the many camping sites and venture onto day trails; you can hike with a tent on your back and sleep in the mountains; you can even sleep in a cave (do book ahead of time, or you may find “your” cave already occupied).

The Great Karoo

The stark beauty of the Karoo semi-desert is best enjoyed from one of several good camping sites. Spending a night or two out in the South African great wide open is a must, because the Karoo is one of the best places in the world for star gazing.

The Garden Route

This part of South Africa has it all: giant yellowwood forests, lagoons, gorges, sandy beaches, rocky headlands... Set your tent in a camping site near the coast, in the vicinity of Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Wilderness or Mossel Bay, and immerse yourself into the beauty of the Garden Route.

The Western Cape

In this area, you will find camping sites situated along the coast, in the mountains and at several dams and lakes. When in Western Cape, visit the Table Mountain, Cape Point and, of course, at least two or three wine farms.

The West Coast

Surfing in summer and a carpet of flowers in the spring: that, in a nutshell, is why the West Coast is a favourite among surfers and nature lovers. There are several good camping sites in the area.

Franschhoek Wine Tram

Discover the Vineyards of Franschhoek

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history.

 

 

 

:The Blue Line Strips:

Franschhoek Village : World renowned for its spectacular beauty, Franschhoek Village rests invitingly amongst the breathtaking mountains in the Cape winelands and serves as the departure point for the tour. 

  La Bri

: One of the first of nine farms granted to the Huguenots in 1688. Today it is a vibrant boutique winery. Visit the cellar door to experience this mix of old and new and enjoy their award winning, signature styled wines. Join them for a bespoke chocolate and wine paired tasting of Belgium chocolates hand crafted by a local chocolatier and carefully selected by their wine maker to complement and accentuate the wine’s characteristics or savour local estate cheese from Dalewood, a perfect companion to their wine.

 Holden Manz : Positioned in the most beautiful corner of the Franschhoek valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and enclosed by two rivers, the Estate offers award winning wines, al fresco dining in the midst of the vineyards and an exclusive country house retreat in the manor house. Visit the Estate for wine tastings, picnics, lunches and dinners and find a bit of heaven on South African soils.

Dieu Donne : Located high on the steep south-west facing slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, a cool climate combined with the rocky soils of weathered granite create a unique terroir for wine making. Visit the wine tasting facility, enjoy a glass of wine on the upper terrace while soaking in the scenery or dine at the exceptional ROCA Restaurant overlooking the picturesque Franschhoek Valley.

  Chamonix : Situated on the eastern mountain slopes of the fertile Franschhoek Valley, the wine estate was originally part of the first farm, LA Cotte, granted to the Huguenots in 1688, of 290 hectares. Chamonix boasts some of highest planted vineyards in the Cape producing a range of premium wines that capture the essence and splendour of the estate.

Rickety Bridge : This celebrated 18th century winery is a popular destination in the Cape winelands with its long winemaking history, award winning wines and sophisticated tasting centre. The rich land of the Rickety Bridge estate can tell many tales of the past, but the wine making has a focus on the future and today is undoubtedly one of the most progressive boutique wineries in the Cape.

Grande Provence : The 300 year old Heritage Wine Estate, voted in the top 100 wine estates in the world, offers a unique 5-star experience that is testament to period grandeur and contemporary luxury. Here, Cape Dutch architecture blends harmoniously with modern design. While touring the grounds guests can visit The Tasting Room and enjoy the multiple award winning wines, The Jonkershuis, The Gallery, The Restaurant or The Shop or simply enjoy the views from The Sculpture Garden. Upon arrival, you will be transported by a vintage farm tractor to the estate.

TOP 10 TRIPS - SOUTH AFRICA

CAPE PENISULA AT DUSK
Surely one of the most beautiful regions on the planet, the Cape Penisula is a treasure of mountains, beaches, scenic beauty and protected fauna and flora. Take day trips its beaches, table mountain, cape point or immerse yourself in its natural on the trip a lifetime.

 GARDEN ROUTE

Lush with evergreen vegetation, beaches, rivers, lakes and friendly towns, the Garden route is the most extraordinary natural beauty. Play golf, dine, sunbathe and experience one-of-a kind marine, nature and adrenaline sports activities amid it's dramatic mountain scenery and ancient forests.

CAPE WINELANDS

 Any time is a good time to visit the winelands in the Cape. Rated among the best in the world, the well priced wines and diversed wine routes will leave devotees of the grape spoiled for choice.

PANORAMA ROUTE

From beginning to end, the Panorama Route is breathtaking – a joyride of geological wonders encompassing the splendour of the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck potholes, waterfalls, and sweeping lowveld vistas as far as the eye can see.

JOHANNESBURG TO DURBAN

Free State grasslands near Harrismith, and the majesty of the Drakensburg Mountains near Ladysmith. The green hills of the Midlands lead you to Victorian elegance in Pietermartizburg, and your final destination: Durban – South Africa’s Golden Mile of sea, sun and fun. A detour to the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, and small town stops along the way are de rigueur.

JOHANNESBURG TO CAPE TOWN

From the City of Gold, follow the N3 all the way through varied landscapes - Highveld flower fields and farmlands, golden Head out on the N1 to the City of Roses, Bloemfontein. All the way, magnificent scenery and small towns filled with history and character beckon. From Beaufort West, spectacular mountain passes, nature reserves and lush farmlands keep you company until you arrive in Cape Town – one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
Explore Pietermartizburg’s colonial heritage, then head for the Midlands scenic landscapes to explore its art galleries, craft studios, country pubs and bistro’s, old fashioned farm stalls, artisanal and organic farmers, micro-breweries and home-style hospitality.

Cape West Coast
Absorb the attractions of the West Coast at a gentle pace; relish the unspoiled coastline, acres of wildflowers, bird life, lakes, fresh seafood and warm hospitality this coastal treasure trove at the southern edge of Namakwaland presents.

ELEPHANT COAST 

In northern KwaZulu-Natal, track the coastline to the World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso - a natural Eden where each season brings fresh wonders: whales in November, turtles in December, world-class scuba diving, and Big 5 reserves in landscapes barely changed since time began.

 Route 62

Laid-back adventurers will relish the world’s longest wine route. Lose yourself for a day, a week or more on a sybarite’s journey of discovery that includes wine tasting, dining, country shopping, homely hospitality and a host of unforgettable characters.

♠ Wild Coast Horseback Safaris ♠

Saddle-up for a Seaside Safari

Horseback safaris don’t come much better than those on offer at the Wild Coast. Not only is the rugged, untamed landscape mesmerizing  but the seemingly endless coastline fulfills every horse rider’s dream: free-spirited gallops along deserted beaches.

Horseback safaris along the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape are one of the most exciting and riveting ways to see this magnificent slice of South Africa's coastline. An absolute must for your Wild Coast holiday, horse riding trails allow you to truly experience this diverse region in all its natural splendour.

Ride for a week, a day, even an afternoon; trace sheer cliff paths for endless ocean views, with whale and dolphin sightings along the way; pause for ship wrecks and ancient shell middens, evidence that the earliest San people once gathered molluscs for sustenance here.

A number of routes, of varying lengths, are available, including beach trails, bush-and-beach packages, and combined beach and cross-country routes. This provides for varying riding conditions, from undulating hills to lofty cliffs, rolling green savannah to coastal forests. All the trails provide ample opportunity for you and your trusty steed to enjoy a cool dip in the ocean. Almost all the trails pass through small coastal hamlets, bursting with the warm and friendly hospitality for which the Wild Coast is famous. Overnight trails – of up to 14 nights – include stays at these rural retreats which, with their hearty meals and comfortable (if often basic) accommodation, will leave you refreshed and ready for another day in the saddle. 

The Wild Coast is steeped in culture and dotted with traditional Xhosa villages that maintain the tribe's customs and rituals of years gone by. Most horseback safari operators include visits to these villages as part of their trails, allowing you to meet the people, immerse yourself in their culture and enjoy a genuine African cultural experience.

The trails cater for all levels of riders, including children and beginners, are conducted by professional guides, and utilise reliable, well-schooled trail horses that are familiar with the landscape and terrain.   The Wild Coast is an exceptionally beautiful area, and in between rides you can enjoy boat rides, beach walks, bird watching, game viewing, fishing and sunset river cruises. There are also a number of backpacking trails in the area.

How to get there:

Many of the trails are within an hour’s drive of East London. Fly direct from any of South Africa’s major cities to East London or, if you’re driving, from Johannesburg take the N1 highway to Bloemfontein and then the N6 to East London; from Cape Town and Durban take the N2 east and west respectively to East London. Beware, though, the drives from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban are long and arduous ones.

Best time to visit:

The Wild Coast is an all-year-round destination due to its temperate climate. The dry winter months (April to August) are particularly suited to horse riding.

Length of stay:

Anything from a weekend to two weeks.

What to pack:

As you will be spending much of the time on horseback and outdoors, make sure to pack appropriate riding gear (jeans and boots), a hat and plenty of sunscreen.

To Book your Coastal Horseback Safari please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

South Africa’s (Do Stuff) Destination.

MOSSEL BAY

More than 60 kilometres of beaches - and warm, beach-going weather throughout the year 

(with at least 300 days of sunshine in every 365!) 

 The riches of the Indian Ocean, the Cape fynbos, and the Outeniqua Mountains; Culture that stretches back over 164,000 years; 21st century infrastructure; and accommodation for every budget. 

FROM Scubadiving, diving with Great White sharks, Ski-Diving, Surfing ....... to Hiring Classical Cars and taking Boat Tours

Mossel Bay is situated exactly half way between Cape Town - the provincial capital of the Western Cape Province – and Port Elizabeth (both 400 km away), so it’s your ideal holiday destination, and the logical place to stop and relax on any local itinerary.

But it won’t all be relaxing – because there really are so many things to do here.

We hope you enjoy browsing - so many adventures, so many attractions! – and that we’ll see you soon in Mossel Bay.

BERG & BAY LODGE

For Luxury, comfortable and Affordable Accommodation in Mossel Bay. 

 

To Book your PERFECT Holiday in Mossel Bay

Please contact Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com 

In the ♥ of Cape Town - STELLENBOSCH

L'Avenir Country Lodge

R44 Klapmuts Road Stellenbosch, South Africa

L'Avenir Country Lodge in South Africa, located at the foothills of the Simonsberg mountain, five kilometers from the historic town of Stellenbosch and in the heart of the Cape Wine lands of South Africa, is a haven of peace and tranquility.

Surrounded by well-tended vineyards and breathtaking views of the majestic mountains of Stellenbosch, this newly renovated lodge offers the best of South Africa wine tasting and a 4 star luxury accommodation in South Africa, award winning wines & true hospitality on a working wine farm.

Each of the 11 elegant individually decorated en-suite bedrooms are equipped with direct-dial telephone, bar fridge, coffee/tea, making facilities, air-conditioning & ceiling fans, wireless internet, under floor heating, flat screen TV & DSTV, digital safe, hairdryer & shaving point.

Honeymoon couples are treated to a private patio with a heated splash pool & personal outdoor shower.

Whether you here for business or to explore the winelands, historical villages & scenic mountain passes, L´Avenir is the perfect base from which to start. Stellenbosch with all its splendours is also a mere 40 minutes drive away. We will embrace you with our friendly hospitality & ´refresh your senses´.

For further information or to make a booking please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservation.com or visit www.namibiareservations.com