| Does the bizarre nature of travel ever leave you a bit | | | | The amazing part is you can leave the UK late |
| dazed? One moment trudging down the M4 in the | | | | Wednesday evening, fly home Sunday night and be in |
| dreary drizzle, 12 hours later dining on a gourmet | | | | the office by 9am for work, giving you four fabulous |
| breakfast on the Western Cape whilst watching the | | | | days holiday but only two days annual leave and no |
| beautiful Southern Right whales breech & flip their | | | | jet lag! |
| tails in the Atlantic Ocean? It certainly had my husband | | | | The next part was for me an absolutely amazing |
| confused but absolutely ecstatic! | | | | experience - Tintswalo Atlantic. A newly opened lodge |
| South Africa is such a wondrous country, its diversity | | | | in the private reserve of Chapman's Peak near to |
| astounding:- two oceans, cosmopolitan winelands, | | | | Hout Bay and thirty five minutes from the city bowl. |
| arguably the best and most diverse game viewing in | | | | The lodge is nestled right on the oceans edge, with |
| Africa, breathtaking marine life, magnificent flora and | | | | waves crashing around you - you really feel part of |
| fauna, hip cities, adventure sports including the most | | | | the elements! Beautiful & extremely stylish |
| terrifying shark diving, deserts, swamplands, snow | | | | décor but kept low key and with minimal |
| capped mountains, fascinating and sometimes eye | | | | impact on the nature that surrounds it. For those that |
| opening culture - the list is endless. | | | | love the ocean and want to watch whales from your |
| The best part of South Africa I find is the hospitability | | | | bed this is truly second to none. I shall do my best to |
| and the food. It is heaven for any wine and food | | | | put it into every itinerary I can! |
| lovers. | | | | My journey then ventured from the spring like Western |
| I decided my husband needed to escape the doom | | | | Cape to the desperately dry Kruger National Park. My |
| and gloom of England's current economy and potential | | | | first experience was Rhino Walking Safaris (and I have |
| recession and with British Airways offering such | | | | to say that in one game drive I saw at least 30 |
| fantastic airfares it was an opportunity I could not miss. | | | | rhinos!!). My two night visit included a rather dramatic |
| The icing on the cake was the GBP pound became | | | | African storm and being rescued from our sleep out |
| so strong during my time there, it was amazing value! | | | | excursion! The camp itself is a rather colonial, historical |
| So he had an action packed four nights. From seven | | | | camp - no frills but hot running water and flush toilets. |
| course meals overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at | | | | We did see all the Big Five in the first game drive, very |
| Grootbos Private Nature Reserve on the Atlantic | | | | impressive.also ventured to Sabi Sands, to the |
| Ocean, where one can watch whales and dolphins, | | | | gorgeous Exeter properties - where a morning drive |
| seals and sharks, ride horses in stunning countryside to | | | | involved a two hour lion hunt and some of the most |
| the north of Cape Town, to farming communities | | | | thrilling hours I have spent on a game drive recently. |
| where an old family farm has been converted into a | | | | Followed by the Sabi Sabi concession with four lodges |
| beautiful lodge, reminiscent of an English country house | | | | that vary from the old, to the current and the future. I |
| - all candelabra & silverware. Surrounded by | | | | stayed overnight at Earth Lodge. A stylish, eco |
| mountains, with a beautiful lake for fly fishing, and | | | | interpretation of the future, all clean smooth lines |
| acres of land full of plains game for you to walk or | | | | created to merge into the backdrop, almost becoming |
| cycle until your hearts content. For those that just wish | | | | invisible. At night it is like dining in a candlelit cave, all |
| to unwind...it is heaven. My favourite part was watching | | | | mood and atmosphere. |
| the weavers work away making their nests just under | | | | From there I travelled further north to Tintswalo Safari |
| your nose. | | | | in the Manyeleti Reserve concession - a lush, exclusive |
| From there we made the short journey to | | | | lodge nestled between the Timbavati Private Reserve |
| Franschhoek winelands - where the culture is either to | | | | to the north, Sabi Sand Reserve to the south, and |
| sip wine in the huge variety of wine estates, or to dine | | | | open to the Greater Kruger National Park on its |
| in the many beautiful restaurants that line the town. | | | | fenceless eastern boundary. Heaven for romance - |
| We were very lucky to stay in the historical Grande | | | | the suites are just stunning. I enjoyed my breakfast |
| Provence wine estate, where the Owners Cottage is | | | | with two huge elephant bulls playing in the waterhole in |
| a private villa to be sold exclusively to guests. Five | | | | front of me. |
| bedrooms, beautiful lounge and dining area finished off | | | | My final stop was the Timbavati Game Reserve to |
| by a gorgeous swimming pool. One must not refuse | | | | the funky, fun and family orientated Motswari. Family |
| the wine tasting nor the gourmet dinner that is offered | | | | run and beautifully designed with a rawness that I have |
| too. | | | | not experienced for a while - this is Africa as I |
| From there Cape Town is a necessity - from the | | | | remember it. For those who wish to relax and feel like |
| hectic waterfront, where the hustle and bustle wakens | | | | home away from home for the family - this is perfect. |
| up your senses after the peacefulness of the | | | | Please note: We are offering amazing deals to South |
| winelands. Our stay was only very brief but we saw | | | | Africa until 15th December due to the Rand's recent |
| Table Mountain in all its glory without its usual blanket | | | | decline, so if you need some sunshine and a great |
| of cloud. After once again visiting more wine estates in | | | | holiday, do contact us on 01285 880980 to discuss |
| Constantia (yes the detox is a must upon return to | | | | further, you will not be disappointed! |
| England!) my husband flew home. | | | | |