4 July 2019
Mad About Mana
Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools offers a truly remote and rugged wilderness experience. Named after the four large ‘pools’ that are remnants of ancient lakes carved by the famed Zambezi River, the region...
Read MoreYou’ve arrived! Welcome to our travel diaries. We share the best in luxury travel, news and stories. And we like to keep it short and sweet!
Enjoy the journey.
3 June 2019
The story of the 'underdog'
We recently received a video about one of the most unbelievable and unusual sightings we've heard about in a while, and just had to share this with you! Calvet Nkomo, one of the expert gu...
Read More16 May 2019
Adventure to the South: Experience the wildest places on Earth
For more than 25 years, Singita has been synonymous with the life-changing wildlife experiences to be had in the vast wilderness where it operates in Africa. Driven by a 100-year purpose that seeks to protect this land and its flora and fauna for future generations, Singita is committed to the continued conservation of the continent’s most iconic landscapes. Now, Singita is taking this ...
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29 April 2019
Into the wild: Uganda
For a fairly small, landlocked country, of which almost 25% is lakes and rivers, Uganda is full of adventure! The highlight for most of our clients is the opportunity to trek the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – a very intimate, spiritual experience in itself. But, it has...
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23 April 2019
Gorilla Trekking - Where, When, Why, How
The Long And The Short Of It: The short of it - if you are on a time-crunch, go to Rwanda; if you want to immerse yourself in a country, spend time with the people, and go somewhere off the beaten track, go to Uganda; if you are an avid Africa traveler and want some serious bragging rig...
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14 March 2019
Revealing Rwanda
Africa's easiest and most accessible gorilla trekking is the main draw card of a Rwandan safari. After arriving at the capital city of Kigali, you are only a few hours' drive away from the legendary Volcanoes National Park and its habituated but still wild gorilla families. Rwandans ca...
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8 March 2019
The best of both worlds
One of the most alluring pairings when considering a trip to Africa is the idea of combining a truly wild safari experience (or two!) with some postcard-perfect beach bliss. We’ve penned one of our favourite, off-the-beaten path combinations just for you. Enjoy an authentic Zambian safari in ...
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18 February 2019
Zimbabwe's Greats
A treasure trove of natural wonders and a nation of charm, ZIMBABWE is one of the friendliest and most exquisite countries in Africa. An iconic travel destination. This is an authentic, rugged destination that we especially recommend to clients returning to Africa for an off-the-beate...
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7 February 2019
Binoculars to bikinis
For most, the idea of planning a safari evokes an emotional need to escapes the hustle-and-bustle, connect with nature and restore the soul. Africa is a vast and highly diverse continent full of fascinating cultures, dramatic scenery, extraordinary animals and offers amazing island destinat...
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1 January 2019
A Ripple For Change
Six years ago we made a commitment to changing young lives. Because we believe that the solution to poverty is through the fundamentals of education. Because we believe children are a product of their nucleus. And because, as Mandela so aptly once put it, ‘overcoming poverty is not a gesture ...
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16 August 2018
The Cape Town Foodie Scene
We've been out and about lately... It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks leading up to Caroline's 40th birthday celebrations this past Sunday - an absolutely lovely day spent with her nearest and dearest at La Grapperia, an utterly delightful bistro at Spice Route just outside Paarl in the Ca...
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10 August 2018
Living my best life!
This past weekend, I took the opportunity to experience the newly launched Morukuru Beach Lodge in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. What better way to spend some special time away than to share it with Pieter, baby Matie and our dearest mothers (aka dedicated baby sitters!). The start of the whale...
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12 July 2018
The perfect 10
A dazzling blend of dramatic scenery and secret charms, Cape Town is a place where, from the city centre, one can be sipping world-class wine on a tranquil vineyard within thirty minutes, lazing upon a pristine beach in ten or strolling on a mountainside in five. The cosmopolitan mix of accl...
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5 July 2018
The legend of Chem Chem
Tanzania’s Chem Chem private concession stretches across 50,000 acres of pristine wilderness connecting the immense savannahs of Tarangire National Park and the bird-rich waters of Lake Manyara, where dense palm forests meet lush grasslands rolling down to the lakeshore. Privately owned and ...
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28 June 2018
New kid on the block
I like to consider myself a part of the Morukuru family, having worked with them so closely over the years. No words can describe how thrilled I am with the opening of their latest addition, Morukuru Beach Lodge on 07 July 2018. It’s the perfect complement to Ocean House, their private vi...
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22 June 2018
Island escapes - our top picks!
When most people think of sunny beach holidays, their minds jump to the Caribbean or Mediterranean. There are, however, a fair share of island getaways in Africa where you can get that quintessential white sandy beach and palm tree photograph. The continent is home to some of the best beaches...
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8 June 2018
The great reveal - Lions Sands River Lodge reopens!
I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to hop on a plane for the reveal of the evolved Lion Sands River Lodge last weekend hosted by the More family – I knew it was going to be something beyond extraordinary. Beautifully situated in the southern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kru...
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24 May 2018
The haunting beauty of Namibia's Hoanib
The idea of a trip through Namibia often conjures images of rusty red tinted sand dunes stretching for miles, the shipwreck strewn Skeleton Coast, the seemingly empty and desolate Damaraland or the oasis that is the Etosha. It’s a country of contrasts, big skies and dramatic s...
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17 May 2018
Celebrating Franschhoek
Winter in the Cape Winelands can be an amazing time of the year. The good days are filled with crisp and clear blue skies, soft sunlight, not a breath of wind and at times touches of snow capping the mountain ranges in the background. While it’s probably a bit too chilly to laze along the...
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11 May 2018
Spotlight On Vic Falls - 48 hours on the Zambezi
It's hard to accurately imagine the scale of the Victoria Falls, but when you witness the sprays created by unimaginable amounts of water tumbling downwards to create the world's largest curtain of falling water, you'll soon see how it got its original name; ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smok...
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3 May 2018
The greatest show on Earth
The Great Migration is a natural spectacle like no other and a life-changing experience to witness. The ground vibrates with the thundering of millions of hooves as heaving herds of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and antelope fill the Serengeti & Mara plains in the most epi...
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26 April 2018
Spotlight On South Africa - 48 hours in Johannesburg
Johannesburg has busily redefined itself over the past decade, breathing new life into old warehouses and derelict buildings, while slowly reclaiming sidewalk spaces for markets, cafes, and art galleries. ‘The City of Gold’ is South Africa’s largest city, and traces its roots to g...
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20 April 2018
Under African skies
Sleeping beneath a sky decorated with stars is indeed many travelers' idea of the perfect way to spend a night in Africa. Experiencing the sights, smells and sounds of the surrounding bush is an essential part of any safari experience, and the deep-seated desire to reconnect with oneself and ...
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12 April 2018
Spotlight on Kenya - 48 hours in Nairobi
Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, is a popular gateway for international travelers accessing the East African safari circuit, heading to iconic destinations like the Serengeti, Masaai Mara and the Ngorongoro Crater. The city certainly has a cosmopolitan charisma about it. As one of largest and m...
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8 March 2018
The wonderful world of Lake Kariba
Early Friday morning I was packed and ready to board my flight from Cape Town to Harare via Johannesburg. By the afternoon, after connecting with a charter flight to the Bumi Hills private airstrip, I’d met the friends I was travelling with en route and we were welcomed by the team of staff w...
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1 March 2018
A treasure trove of opulence - a night at The Silo hotel
Last week Friday, Pieter and I decided to escape for a night out, a ‘babymoon’ if you will. Keeping it fresh and local, we packed our bags and travelled all 20 minutes to The Silo hotel. If you haven’t yet heard the name, it’s an iconic building, rich in local history, located at the V&A ...
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14 February 2018
Country living, modern styling & classical charm
We took the opportunity just last week to stretch our legs and escape Cape Town city life – and the path that followed led us to La Cle Country Lodge. Recently opened, the lodge is located on a working wine farm a stone’s throw from the heart of Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, South Africa...
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8 February 2018
East African Family Holidays
While really only scratching the surface of the endless options for the perfect family safari in Southern Africa last week, it's important to remember that a safari through East Africa is just as captivating. Traveling as a family through this region exposes one to so many treasures that ...
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1 February 2018
For your next family holiday
You are never too old, or too young, to fall in love with Africa. Multi-generational travel was a hot topic first spoken about a few years ago, and even labelled a 'trend' for quite some time. It's no longer a 'trend' - it's a way of life. In todays world of fast-paced living and...
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25 January 2018
Zimbabwe's Big Five
One can’t really sum up the magic of Zimbabwe in one sentence, but one thing that really stands out is the quality of the guides, their warmth, friendliness and knowledge – the best ingredient of any safari! The mighty Victoria Falls, the beautiful Hwange National Park, the majestic Lake Kari...
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19 January 2018
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - What you need to know
While Africa’s contribution to the seven summits ranks high on the to-do list of serious mountaineers, scaling the 19,300 feet dormant volcano requires no technical skill. Climbers with a moderate level of fitness, positive attitude, and a body that adapts reasonably well to altitude have a g...
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11 January 2018
Botswana Dreaming
It’s late November, and I had five glorious days flitting across Botswana. The Okavango Delta regionis an interestingly complex, natural system where everything revolves around the ebb and flow of water - it’s easily a year-round destination, where the miracle of the ‘high water’ and ‘low wat...
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2 November 2017
THE ART OF TRAVEL
Dubbed as ‘Africa's Tate Modern’, Cape Town’s Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz-Mocaa) had the social scene buzzing with the launch weekend in late September 2017, and it’s continued to be the talking point for both locals and international visitors alike. This privately-owned mu...
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12 September 2017
Escape to your own private island
Travel to Tanzania is synonymous with the dreams of the Serengeti National Park, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro and adventuring the Ngorongoro Crater. Not many are aware, though, of Thanda Island - a private island home to a five-bedroom villa on a 20-acre isle in the warm Indian Ocea...
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13 July 2017
Foraging and Foliage in Franschhoek
Franschhoek in the winter time is simply magical. The light is soft; the air is crisp, and the scenery is verdant. What’s more, because this pretty, popular little Cape winelands village is quieter now than in summer time, you feel as though you have it all to yourself. Which we ...
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27 June 2017
Three thrilling days in the Okavango
I recently set off on a whirlwind escape to Botswana's Okavango Delta. By whirlwind I mean three carefully calibrated days of authentic and high-luxe safari; which with direct SA Airlink flights from Cape Town to Maun is easy enough. One of my most favoured safari escapes on the African...
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23 April 2017
Kruger’s Renewed Ivory Lodge ~ More Than Just Luxury
With a footprint in both the Sabi Sand Reserve and the Kruger National Park, Lion Sands Game Reserve has not only garnered an assemblage of global awards, but it bridges the divide between man and beast. Their flagship - Ivory Lodge- recently revamped at the behest of the More Family is an ex...
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23 April 2017
Springfontein Eats – Michelin Stars in the middle of the Overberg
From the misty Elgin apple farms, and gentle Hemel-en-Aarde Vineyards to the Kleinrivier Mountains, you will discover another world worth visiting. The Overberg – a tranquil, step back in time, abundant with wineries and restaurants, but you can’t visit without a lingering lunch at Springfo...
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12 April 2017
Marigold - A debut for the French Fine Dining Town of Franschhoek
A debut for the French Fine Dining Town of Franschhoek, Marigold on the main street is the first authentically Indian restaurant of its kind and it’s making a fiery impression. Having recently opened its doors, Marigold, reminiscent of authentic India, evokes the exotic with its small plated...
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9 March 2017
Inside The Tiny Heart Of Africa
When was the last time you visited a place that touched your soul? That’s Sabyinyo Silverback’s strapline and it couldn't be more congruous if they tried. Nestled in the tiny heart of Africa, as Rwanda is affectionately named, Sabyinyo is owned and managed by the award winning Governors’ Ca...
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28 February 2017
Caroline Dub’s Her Top Three
“What’s your favourite fine-dining restaurant in Cape Town?” I must have heard that question a thousand times in my two decades of luxury travel. The trouble is our Mother City has become a culinary destination with world class restaur...
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15 February 2017
KWANDWE MAGIC ON A WHIM
In the midst of the New Year madness, I had the opportunity to travel to Kwandwe in early January for a mid-week break. It took me a milli second to say yes, and several hours of questioning whether I should be abandoning the high season madness. I still went, and I’m more than glad I did. E...
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15 December 2016
NORTHERN ZIMBABWEAN ADVENTURES
We recently explored the incredible and undervalued travel destination of Zimbabwe. Nicknamed God’s own Country in 1970's despite the ongoing Bush War at the time, remains one of the most beautiful, unfettered countries on earth. Their economic and tourist slump doesn’t seem to hav...
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15 December 2016
ZAMBIA - MY LATEST OBSESSION
Being a travel maestro is undeniably the best job in the world. Who wouldn’t want to spend their lives exploring new lands, immersing themselves in new cultures and having the pleasure of sending clients to experience the same magic? It’s a happy job! In fact for me it doesn’t feel like a job...
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2 December 2016
Testing the new Test Kitchen
Cape Town’s world class Test Kitchen in the artsy neighbourhood of Woodstock has been redefined. And I was one of the first to experience it a couple of weeks ago. This may not sound particularly impressive for someone who never misses a beat when it comes to culinary, but given their c...
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3 November 2016
SAFARI ROMANCE AT IVORY LODGE
In the spirit of special offers we take a sneak peak at the new look Lion Sands Ivory Lodge located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park, South Africa. We think it's perfect for a romantic safari. Here’s how and why: Each villa is furnished with a...
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3 October 2016
Elevate your Safari with a Private Guide
If you’re serious about safari or you’re a passionate photographer, being accompanied by a private guide will undoubtedly elevate your travel experience - whether you’re trekking for gorillas in Rwanda, exploring the rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia, or searching for the perfect photographic op...
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26 September 2016
TEN THINGS TO PACK ON SAFARI ... AND WHY
There’s nothing quite like the embarrassment of posing like a Kardashian in front of your light aircraft en route to your safari, only to be directed to unpack your bag because it’s over weight! Over-packing for a safari is common, but not surprising as the International luggage allowance is ...
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22 September 2016
THE MAGIC CARPET - BLOOMING WONDERFUL
Spring flowers of the Cape West Coast, Cederberg and Namaqualand in the Northern Cape, have a worldwide reputation. Regions that, for 80% of the year could be described as arid and desert-like, are miraculously transformed into a carpet of colours crammed with flowers as far as the eye can se...
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12 September 2016
The Right Way to Whale Watch
Though better known for its geographic diversity, natural beauty and wildlife, South Africa remains one of the best places to get close to these gargantuan yet gentle giants. Every year, from July to November, the Southern Rig...
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9 September 2016
Experiential Escapes
Use this advice with caution. These activities could become addictive and possibly cause you to miss your flight back home! Cape Town is quickly becoming the go-to place for adrenaline-seeking travellers, for good reason. It has one of the kindest climates on the continent and e...
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29 August 2016
FLIRTING WITH FRANSCHHOEK
We live in Cape Town, we love wine and Franschhoek is full of places we adore. So we decided to escape there for a night, because we can! For those who share the same sentiments, or are seeking a head start on exploring this vastly admired ‘French quarter’, our narrative i...
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25 August 2016
Objet d'art Obsession
Let’s face it … holidays are not just about beaches, safaris, wine, cuisine and relaxation. Retail therapy forms an essential part of the R&R mix! In fact, if the truth be known, you don’t need to be on holiday in Africa to shop in Africa ! We always say avoid the urge ...
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24 August 2016
MADIKWE MAGIC
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I returned to the rugged landscapes of the Madikwe Game Reserve bordering Botswana, with a short, but very sweet two-night stay at Jamala in July! Our one hour flight from Johannesburg ...
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17 August 2016
The Silo: Cape Town’s take on The Tate Modern/ Eiffel Tower
Liz Biden, South Africa’s ‘Hotel Honey’ is doing it again! She’s busy building the soon-to-be six-storey Silo Hotel on top of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) in The Mother City! Overlooking Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, the site took The Bidens fifteen years to find! The ma...
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14 August 2016
UNEARTHING ETHIOPIA’S ENCHANTMENT
On 21 July I stepped into a time machine of the Ten Commandments with a seven-day, flash-in-the-pan trip to Northern Ethiopia’s historic route. If you were anything like me, your knowledge of this undervalued country would probably be limited to conversations with friends, David Attenborough’...
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10 August 2016
Delaire Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend!
Diamonds, wine, art, fine dining and spa treatments are my best friends! And I got to spend time with all five of them this weekend at the jewel of the Cape Winelands. As Cape Town’s wayfaring connoisseurs of discerning travel, we arrived promptly on Sunday afternoon for an overni...
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28 July 2016
COMING BACK DOWN TO EARTH, AFTER ELLERMAN
Two weeks into my job as Marketing Manager for Classic Escapes and I get given a ninety-minute massage at Ellerman House! I’d never had such a long massage! How was I going to enjoy it when I knew that, one day, just like a good dream, it would come to an abrupt end? Then I remembered my moth...
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20 July 2016
IDIOM CUTS THE MUSTARD
On Sunday we spontaneously lunched at Idiom, the Cape Winelands newest restaurant, tasting venue and a tribute to the Bottega family! It's so new that I’m confident in this case we are the grapevine you are hearing it from for the first time! The Bottegas have taken South African wine d...
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23 June 2016
WHEN YOU’VE ARRIVED - OUR DOUBLE DOSE AT THE STACK
Let’s face it; these days we rarely have time to reconfigure our corkscrews without another restaurant popping up in Cape Town! This is good news right? It displays our pioneering popularity when it comes to food and wine on a global scale. But this is no restaurant. The Stack is a venu...
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2 June 2016
MORE-ISH BREAKFAST AT LADY CADOGAN
Built at the turn of the 19th century and ‘Victorianised’ at the turn of the 20th century, this national monument in the heart of Cape Town is home to the now hip and historic Cape Cadogan hotel – owned and operated by the More Family. As foodie enthusiasts we found our Muesli Mecca her...
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28 May 2016
LOVE AFFAIR IN THE ARCHIPELAGO
In May this year a group of girls, unofficially known as Cape Town’s Luxury African Travel Guru’s, and I humbly include myself, left the city distractions to a place where we thought we’d died and gone to heaven for four nights! Specifically, in Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago. A ...
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20 March 2016
OUR TABLE UNDER THE TREES
In March of this year I headed off on a special trip to Machaba Camp in the beating heart of Africa with three of my favourites, my boyfriend Pieter, who coincidently is also in the travel game and of course my beloved folks. Machaba, set in the north eastern Okavango, is the local Setswana ...
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30 November 2015
TANZANIA TO OURSELVES
There’s no doubt that East Africa captures the soul and mine’s lucky enough to have been captured by this captivating country a few times! This time round for three weeks in a life altering exploration of Tanzania’s Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti regions. And, we ...
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8 November 2015
LIVING ON LIFE - AN ORANGE KLOOF INVITE
The wisest Sunday morning decision I’ve made in a long time was undoubtedly accepting an Orange Kloof invite! Kicking off at Cape Town’s Constantia Neck in the early hours on a fresh summer’s morning, determined to defy the regulars on their standard trails, we headed up Orange Kl...
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15 October 2015
IMPECCABLE MANNAS
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M. Schulz. Nor does a trip to Manna Bay! Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of The World, this beauty of a boutique hotel is the perfect romantic getaway! You’d expect nothing l...
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1 October 2015
SCOT’S SEARING WINTER SPECIAL
If you haven’t yet graciously welcomed Winter Twenty Sixteen in The Mother City, then La Calombe will give you one good reason! Their celebrated winter special, which I had the privilege of experiencing this time last year, is back! Which, by the way cost a mere R350 per person for a three-co...
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