South African Splendour

The friends’ South African journey began with a sumptuous five-night stay at The Taj Hotel in Cape Town. With a dedicated guide for the duration of their stay, the travelling companions took in a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Atlantic seaboard and took in views from the top of Table Mountain via cable car, notwithstanding a booking for six guests to go paragliding! Day three saw the couples on a full-day private tour of the Cape Peninsula, while days four and five were dedicated to a visit to the impressive Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, followed by some shopping and lunch and a Cape Sidecar adventure in WWII vintage sidecar motorbikes, with drivers, stopping at various wine farms where they could enjoy wine tastings and a picnic lunch.

The companions celebrated New Year’s Eve in Franschhoek, staying at Sir Richard Branson’s Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyards – the perfect, luxurious spot from which to venture out and visit Spier Farm for a Segway tour of the vineyards, followed by a tour of the historic Boschendal Farm. On day seven, the friends made their way to the wine region of Helderberg for award-winning olive and olive oil tasting at Morgenster, wine tasting at Waterford Estate, a visit to the Cheetah Outreach and Vergelegen Estate.

Checking out of their Franschhoek accommodation, Yassin and friends made their way to the Madikwe Airstrip via scheduled and charter flights. Upon arrival at Morukuri Farm House, the group was met by their host who discussed their stay’s activities. With a four-night stay in three exclusive-use houses in the southeast corner of Madikwe Game Reserve, the guests had access to premier safari and wildlife exeriences that were tailored to their preferences. From game drives in private vehicles with guides and trackers to bird-watching, fishing, romantic starlit sleep-outs in the hide, bush breakfasts and lunches, candle-lit dinners, memorable mountaintop or riverside braais, guided Big 5 bushwalks, African drumming lessons and massages by onsite therapists, there was plenty to entertain and delight.

After breakfast and their final safari activity, they were transferred to the nearby airstrip for their private charter to Johannesburg, where they had time to enjoy a guided half-day tour of the city. After their tour, they returned to OR Tambo Johannesburg International Airport for their international flight home.