A Texan Retreat in South Africa

Arriving at Cape Town International to a VIP meet-and-greet service, the group was transferred to Cape Grace Hotel, where they could check in and relax after a late-night flight arrival.

After a restful night’s sleep and a sumptuous hotel breakfast the group met their local guides and were transferred by coach for a local township philanthropic experience. The visit took place in the expansive townships located on the eastern part of the city known as the Cape Flats. During the drive, our expert guides provided an in-depth overview to the history of South Africa and particularly the role that apartheid and institutionalized discrimination and inequality played in creating these communities. The focus of the tour was visiting a broad range of inspiring and innovative community projects: a new school being built out of tyres and recycled materials; an incredible community vegetable garden; a soccer project at Greater Commission United in Heideveld – all done in an ethical and sustainable way, and not to ‘view poverty’. A delicious lunch with an exquisite, almost roof-top view of Cape Town from the dining tables of Utopia then awaited the group.

After lunch they took part in a fun and interactive tour of the city through an Amazing Race Experience, full of Instagram-worthy moments. They had to learn to gumboot dance, drum in unison at the craft market, identify Malay spices in the Bo-Kaap and haggle for flowers from the colourful flower sellers. After completing their race adventures, the couples travelled by cable car to the top of Table Mountain and enjoyed the stunning views from a variety of vantage points at the top before returning to the hotel to freshen up. Not wanting to waste an opportunity for adventure, the group headed to dinner in Camps Bay in classic sidecars. After a delicious hotel breakfast, the group left early to visit Boulders Beach via the iconic Chapman’s Peak for an hour-long, magical adventure in one of our twin-seater buoyant kayaks with experienced guides to witness penguins skimming the water below, diving and dancing in the waves. After whipping up an appetite, the group headed off for a coastal-inspired interactive experience at the Glasshouse with foraging talks, food demos and cooking over fire followed by a multi-course, season-inspired meal, featuring seaweeds and shellfish, paired with local wines and botanical drinks. After returning to the hotel to freshen up for dinner, the travellers went for dinner at Gold of Africa to feel the heartbeat of Africa with a pre-dinner interactive djembe drumming session, followed by an immersive dining experience that will took our guests on a 14-dish taste safari, paired with traditional Mali puppets and entertainment.

After another exceptional Cape Grace breakfast, the Texan travellers were transferred to Cape Town International Airport for their flight to Hoedspruit, where they were met and transferred the short distance to the Kapama Karula Lodge for a three-night stay. After checking in and taking lunch guests had time to settle into their suites and enjoy the bush views. Afternoon tea was followed by their first game drive in the company of an expert ranger. At dusk they stopped for drinks and a perfectly lit group photo, continuing by spotlight searching for nocturnal animals.

Day five featured the group’s major highlight of their trip: a rhino notching experience. The couples were invited to participate in game capture, treating wounds, attaching anti-poaching tracking devices, and even relocating animals where necessary. The group took measurements and DNA samples taken from the rhino horn to help rangers conserve these magnificent wild animals. With rhino populations under constant threat of poaching and habitat loss, rhino notching has become a necessary method of conservation and is a crucial and effective way to help track and monitor each individual animal. Prior to venturing out, guests were given a comprehensive briefing and specific roles. During their stay, this group had access to twice-daily game drives and bush walks where they could experience the African bush on foot under the guidance of a skilled ranger. Guides point out medicinal plants, insects and birdlife along the way, and share traditional tracking skills such as using animal footprints and scat to identify animals. The reptile lecture is another highlight at Kapama where a local expert explains the important role these animals play in nature. In between wildlife sightings, guests could enjoy spa treatments, swims in the lodge pool and gym visits. After a meaningful and exciting visit to South Africa, the group checked out of their lodge to retrace their steps back home to Texas.