Luxury Africa Travel’s Blog

The much anticipated Royal Wedding is around the corner and you are invited whilst being in Cape Town to share in the excitement by viewing the nuptials of HRH Prince William of Wales, K.G. and Miss Catherine Middleton at the award-winning Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.

To celebrate the day, you can enjoy a royal feast of ‘Tea by the Sea’, a delicious high tea with all the trimmings including scrumptious scones with clotted cream, smoked salmon sandwiches and chocolate éclairs, or toast the groom and his new princess with champagne and oysters from the comfort of the Leopard Bar with its panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean, or the Conservatory with the Twelve Apostles Mountains sprawled beyond.

Big screen televisions will ensure you do not miss the much aniticipated big moment. Viewing starts at 11:00 am on Friday, 29 April until 3:00 pm. For R95 per person you can take part in this celebration whilst being here on holiday in South Africa. For bookings, email us or call +27 21 556 94 37.

'Tea by the Sea' to celebrate the Royal Wedding

Located in the prestigious Sandton suburb of Morningside in Johannesburg, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa might be the city’s best kept secret – you will certainly feel like hiding away from the world in this serene setup, certainly forgetting about being in South Africa’s largest city.

From the moment you get there – or in our case before you even reach the hotel - the friendly and professional staff will make sure that you are well looked after and that your requirements are met to your full satisfaction. After a twenty minute ride with the super modern Gautrain from O.R. Tambo Johannesburg Airport, we were met and greeted at the Gautrain station by Peet, the Guest Relations Manager who accompanied us for the 5-minute ride to the hotel.

Service at the Fairlawns starts already at the time of booking – it is personal, yet natural and always with a smile.
Nothing seems to be too much to arrange for its guests, a niche hotel that strives not only on a stunning location and personalised experience but also on a passionate approach to hospitality. With the influence of the owners Anna and John Thacker, each room has been individually named and designed with lots of flair and character. Whether it is the elegant African theme, the modern Miami styled suite or the funky-extrovert Asian style suite that catches your liking, each room boast state-of-the art equipment such as 42 inch flat screen TV, DVD player, free wireless internet connection throughout the hotel and a generous bathroom to die for! And for those wanting more space, privacy and luxury, the three-bedroom Presidential Suite over two stories will exceed all expectations.

Fairlawns recently completed the renovation of The Grande Chateaux suites, offering now 40 suites in total, spread over three buildings.

“We were all involved in the renovation process”, explains Michael Kewley, the General Manager of Fairlawns. Passionate about the hotel and with in-depth knowledge of the property and each single suite, Michael joined only 15 months ago, after having been the General Manager at the Saxon Hotel, and previously the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hilton Hotel in Durban, where he originates from.

With the new décor and facilities Fairlawns also implemented environmentally friendly practices. Wherever possible, the additional part of the hotel was built with green material. The waste systems, power consumption and water systems all correspond to the latest green standards, making the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel a leading South African company in global consciousness.

One of our favourite places at the hotel is – without any doubt – the spa. The Fairlawns Spa seeks to recreate the principles of holistic healing in a pampering environment. Incorporating nature, the Balinese Garden, with its hydrotherapy treatments, relaxation and dining pavilions and outdoor massage areas is another world on its own and a not-to-be-missed experience. The incredible feeling of peace and tranquillity which one enjoys after even a few minutes listening to the sound of running water and bird twitter in the bamboo groves has to be experienced in order to be truly appreciated.

The fully self-contained Balinese Spa Villa is designed for couples to enjoy in total privacy, a wonderful honeymoon or to celebrate a special anniversary.
The Romantic Sunset Retreat is the Signature Package which promises pure indulgence, relaxation and private time together in the exclusive and secluded Spa Bali Garden. The welcome drink is followed by a relaxing soak for two in the soft glow of candlelight, proceeded by a side-by-side pressure point foot massage and a candle wax massage. Following the spa treatments, a 3 course fine dining dinner in the Spa Villa with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine rounds off a truly romantic experience.

After having experiences Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa first hand, we are not surprised that this hotel has received many accolades including a nomination for Best Boutique Hotel in Africa – it has certainly become one of our favourites.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel - view from garden

Tswalu Kalahari is offering an exciting and innovative package for foodies and adventure lovers who would like to search for the elusive desert gold – the Kalahari Truffle (formerly Terfezia pfeilii, now known as Kalaharituber pfeilii).
Called !nabas by the San, these truffles are distantly related to French truffles but are not as aromatic and have a smooth brown skin. Like the French truffle, which is always found near the roots of oaks, the Kalahari truffle has a symbiotic relationship with a plant - the desert melon.

Russel Binks, MD of Tswalu Kalahari said that the truffles found at Tswalu are a naturally occurring desert truffle specific to the Kalahari.  “This year, because the area has had excellent rainfall, we are expecting a bumper season in April and May.
“The truffle season is brief, lasting only until the first frost, and searching for them is an adventure because they grow beneath the ground within the sandy crevices.”
Tswalu Kalahari’s Truffle Safari package includes the truffle hunt, with the option of cooking and eating your own truffles, or allowing Tswalu’s chef, Theresa Fehrsen, to prepare and cook them for you. Scheduled flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg are complimentary.

The four day package allows guests to experience all the luxury of award-winning Tswalu, with its vast expanse of malaria-free wilderness, and superlative game and sightings of some of South Africa’s rarest and most extraordinary wildlife, including the desert black rhino, black-maned Kalahari lions, meerkats, cheetah, and rare antelope.

Tswalu Kalahari caters for just 30 guests in two luxury lodges, and the emphasis is on privacy, flexibility and exclusivity, where the guests can tailor their own experience to include game drives, bush walks and horseback safaris, animal encounters, sundowners in the dunes, star-gazing and sleep-outs, spa treatments in the indigenous Spa Garden, bush dining, boma dinners or intimate meals for two on your own private deck.

Families are welcome and children will revel in the special children’s programme which includes bush walks, picnics and tracking lessons.
Says Binks: “This is Africa’s most unique safari package…we don’t guarantee that you’ll find truffles, but we guarantee you an unforgettable experience.”

Truffle Picnic at Tswalu Kalahari

For more impressions on Tswalu Kalahari, read more on our website.

Tintswalo Atlantic takes pleasure in announcing the arrival of their newly appointed Executive Chef – Johan Lamprecht. Having focused and developed a passion for seafood, Johan ensures every guest’s expectations are not only met but exceeded by capturing their tastes and preferences, guaranteeing that every meal suits each pallet.
Johan loves to experiment, thus one can enjoy various exciting dishes such as, a starter of Scallops Zucchini Ribbons, Dill and Saffron Butter, main courses like of Kingklip served with Olive Polenta and a roast butternut salad finished off with a Fennel Cream sauce and desserts of Caramelised Pineapple and Ginger Tart Tatin.

Johan Lamprecht - new Executive Chef at Tintswalo Atlantic

Tintswalo Atlantic is situated in one of the most stunning locations in South Africa. Positioned at the base of Chapman’s Peak, Tintswalo Atlantic overlooks the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay. With only 10 suites, personalised service and privacy are guaranteed. The lodge offers home-away-from-home comforts, discreet service and mouthwatering culinary creations.

Respecting its natural environment, the lodge was built without removing a tree nor a branch from the Milkwood trees that grace the shoreline.

We find Tintswalo Atlantic the perfect getaway for honeymooners and those who want to rediscover themselves in an almost spiritual environment with the ocean literally a stone’s throw away from the pebbled beach.

Read more about Tintswalo Atlantic and contact us for your booking enquiry.

Popular Gourmet Catering in the Cape Winelands

Stir is a true culinary leader who regularly caters for high profile events, as well as private fine dining. Their focus is on elegance and they only use the best quality ingredients sourced locally. Stir foods maintain a delicate balance between traditional excellence and the latest fashionable trends.

These culinary food artists constantly develop new recipes and dishes, adding to old favourites with innovation and flair. They believe that every event is unique and as such, consult with each client individually when compiling menus and decoration, taking into consideration personal preferences and needs.

The People behind Stir

The company is headed by Executive Chefs Piet Marais and Gustaaf Boshoff. Piet and Gustaaf have gravitated to an artistic and health conscious approach to food, always on the lookout for exceptional new experiences for themselves and their diners.

Together they bring an exceptional combination of international experience to the table. Having cooked professionally and travelled Europe, the United Kingdom, South East Asia, the Americas, Pacific Islands, Australasia, the Middle East and Southern Africa.  As you can imagine they have a great knack for fusion along with a vast repertoire of interesting flavour combinations  and recipes.

Sustainable living

Going green is not just a lifestyle trend; it’s a mode of sustainable living that is here to stay. As a contemporary catering company, Stir is inspired to take the lead in the industry by adopting an environmentally aware approach in how they run their business.

With the help of some innovative thinking, there are several ways in which Stir has gone green. Amongst them include supporting local suppliers and farmers, using more organic and free range products, recycling wastage and reducing electricity consumption. They are committed to creating a sustainable future and hope to inspire other companies to do the same.

Life should be treasured and enjoyed to the fullest. When you really need that time off or simply have a desire to be taken away with a mind blowing relaxing spa experience, treat yourself by completely unwinding at one of these upmarket luxury spas in Southern Africa.

All of these hotels are situated in South Africa, Seychelles, Maldives and Namibia. The 15 luxury hotels featured in the gallery can be booked on our website, luxuryafricatravel.com. We have taken extra care to select them, it was not hard, please enjoy!

Mmmm, which one is your favourite?

The Jacuzzi on the Luxurious Nautilus Yacht

Nothing on the Nautilus has been overlooked as the yacht caters for every possible wish. The 35-metre motor yacht is the embodiment of sleek beauty and luxury.

The deck has a Jacuzzi and a large fly bridge area with a bar, perfect for sipping sundowners while admiring the view. This yacht is ideal for weddings and birthday parties.

Berthed in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the Nautilus cruises around Cape Town, Robben Island, Langebaan and even as far as the the Garden Route in Knysna. The yacht not only offers cruising but also luxury accommodation.

The fully air-conditioned vessel has six luxury cabins that sleeps 16 people quayside and 12 at sea. It is currently licensed to carry 58 people at sea and can easily host a party of 110 people when moored at quayside.

The Nautilus Yacht in Cape Town

The Nautilus has nine crew members and when required includes a hospitality manager, VIP bodyguard, chauffeur, chef and butler.

The longest chauffeur-driven 25-seater limousine in the country will be available with the yacht for sightseeing party trips around the Cape Peninsula and further afield.

On board is a rubber duck for fishing and water-skiing and equipment for jet skiing, scuba diving and fishing.

Royal Madikwe, an exclusive game lodge in South Africa’s North West Province, confirms Africa’s standing in the thriving fold of private luxury safari lodges after being honored at the coveted 2010 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

Royal Madikwe, Luxury Game Lodge Winner

Competing with the crème de la crème of the world’s hotel destinations, this 5-star bush retreat, situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, excelled globally as the top Luxury Game Lodge amongst the top seeded contenders in the Luxury Game Lodge grouping of these annual awards. Royal Madikwe is the only South African property to take top honors in the Global Award Category.

Selected from votes cast by travel industry delegates from across the globe, Royal Madikwe was crowned overall category winner.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards was established in 2007 as a celebration of the ultimate achievement in the hospitality industry, with finalists and winners - representing all categories in the luxury hotel industry - acknowledged for world-class facilities and service excellence.

Situated in a game-rich wilderness region, adjacent to the Botswana border, luxury Royal Madikwe succeeds in creating an unrivalled safari experience beyond the ordinary for the discerning traveler.

Royal Madikwe, Romantic Dinner at night

The exclusivity of this 5-star private ’safari home’, which offers undivided use to each reservation, allows a single party of up to only 10 guests to interact with nature in a lavish milieu where exceptional accommodation, service and cuisine prevail.

Royal Madikwe is unlike any other luxury safari destination and welcomes families with children of all ages.

Royal Madikwe is passionately committed to responsible tourism practices and is the first establishment in the North West Province to carry the esteemed Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FITSA) Trademark, which embodies its devotion to combining tourism, environmental management and local economic development.

Pezula Golf Course in Knysna

South Africa has been named “Africa, Indian Ocean and Gulf States Golf Destination of the Year 2011″ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

The announcement was made in Valencia, Spain, at the annual international awards ceremony for the golf tourism industry. South African Tourism’s UK Country Manager, Lebo Mokhesi, said: “With over 600 golf courses providing every type and level of golf experience, we are proud to be announced as winners of this prestigious award.

This is a significant acknowledgement by IAGTO that South Africa is fast becoming an irresistible golfing destination for golfers of all abilities across the world, as well as one of the most diversely appealing destinations on the planet.”

The selection for winning golfing destinations is made through votes cast by over 300 golf tour operators from 50 countries who consider customer satisfaction; quality of golf courses and accommodation; value for money; support from suppliers, tourist boards and airlines; professional conduct of suppliers; and accessibility to tee times.

Article courtesy of Tourism Update.

We are pleased and proud to announce that Cousine Island was voted as the World’s Leading Green Destination for 2010 at the 17th World Travel Awards held on Saturday 7th November in London.World Travel Awards is the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought after awards programme in the global travel and tourism industry. Votes are cast by 183,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe. Established 17 years ago, World Travel Awards is committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

Cousine Island came first amongst nominees such as Amazon Tur, Brazil; Bouma Natural Heritage Park Taveuni,Fiji; Jock Safari Lodge – South Africa; Kanha National Park – India; Machu Picchu – Peru and The New Forest – England. The award is a great honor for the Seychelles as a whole and reflects the pristine beauty of our environment. In 2007 Cousine Island was honored as Indian Ocean’s Leading Ecotourism Destination by World Travel Awards.

Cousine Island is an Exclusive 5-star nature sanctuary covering 25 hectares of land with 100% commitment to the conservation of the environment. In the effort to balance nature and development, Cousine Island also offers 4 luxurious French Colonial style villas with private pools. The villas are nestled within the lush vegetation and positioned on the beach with spectacular Indian Ocean views.

Cousine’s systematic rehabilitation programme has struck a unique and striking balance between nature and tourism making it one of the world’s most spectacular nature observatories. The vegetation consists of 95% endemic plants and the remaining 5% of vegetation is made up of indigenous fruit trees and vegetable plants.The Island also consists of established colonies of Seychelles endemic birds; home to more than 7 species of endemic land birds and 9 species of endemic seabirds. Thousands of migratory birds consider Cousine as their home during 6 months of the year. Hawksbill Turtles also come ashore to nest and Green Turtles, rare to the Seychelles, nest occasionally throughout the year. Visitors can experience firsthand these phenomenal and life transforming processes.

Learn more about Cousine Island here.