Two Destinations for Two: Exploring Cape Town and A Big 5 Safari

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, Juliana and Alfredo were met by an agent in the arrivals hall for their transfer to The Manor at Queen Victoria Hotel where they stayed for three nights.

After a leisurely day settling into their accommodation and exploring the V&A Waterfront, the pair departed on a full-day bespoke tour of the Winelands. A visual feast of lush green valleys, rugged mountains, fine cuisine and world-class wine-producing estates make up the Cape Winelands. Its many historic wine estates, characterized by classic Cape Dutch-style buildings with distinctive gables and thatched roofs, and massive vineyards, date back centuries. Wine estates are bordered by the Hottentots Holland, the Franschhoek Mountains and in the North by the Wemmershoekberg.

Day three of their stay was dedicated to a full-day private tour of the Cape Peninsula. Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Funicular and Boulders Beach were high points on the drive, with one of the world’s most scenic drives along Chapman’s Peak Drive thrown in for good measure. Spotting penguins in their natural habitat was a special sight for the couple, as they are only found in the southern hemisphere, outside of aquariums.

After breakfast, Juliana and Alfredo transferred from their hotel to Cape Town’s airport for their domestic flight to Hoedspruit, where they were met and transferred to Camp Jabulani. The pair took in The Elephant Experience, which includes observing the herd in close proximity, learning more about their behaviour, their unique character traits, their incredible story and what it takes to take care of them. Much of the experience takes place while the elephants are in their natural environment, foraging in the bush, walking through the reserve or swimming at the waterhole. Plenty of photographic opportunities with the elephants are prioritised.

A typical day at Camp Jabulani involves an early wake-up call, followed by a visit to the elephants’ stable to meet up with the herd at the start of their day and embark on an early morning walk with the massive pachyderms. After an early morning refreshment, the couple would depart with their ranger on a game drive in search of predators and other iconic African species living in the wild.

With tummies rumbling, it was then time to return to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast of freshly baked confectioneries, cereals, fruits and a specially prepared hot breakfast made to order. Juliana and Alfredo could then choose to head to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour to learn why this progressive conservation facility has earned is place as one of South Africa’s most successful. Other activities included a guided bush walk, private spa treatments, a helicopter flip over The Blyde River Canyon, or a round of golf on an esteemed local course.

After a beautiful stay at Camp Jabulani, the couple departed the lodge on the scenic route to enter the most prestigious game reserve in South Africa, Sabi Sands. Ulusaba Safari Lodge became their home for the next few nights as they packed in Big 5 game drives daily, along with buffet breakfasts, lunch on the sundecks and afternoon teas with dinners in the heart of the bush under the African skies around a blazing log fire. During dinnertime the couple and other guests were entertained by tribal dancers and singers for a truly authentic African experience.

Juliana and Alfredo checked out of the lodge and transferred to the airport for their flight back to Cape Town for their final night in Africa.

Not quite ready to end their romantic vacation, the happy couple made the most of their final few hours in the Mother City before heading to the airport for their return trip home.