Think white lion and we think Timbavati, because the white lions have been said to be indigenous to the South Africa’s Timbavati region. However, the earliest recorded sighting there was in 1938. Later, in the 1970s, the white lions were brought to greater public awareness when Chris McBride published his book The White Lions of Timbavati.

In the Eastern Cape, Pumba Private Game Reserve has been home to a flourishing pride of White Lions since 2006. The white lion rehabilitation project is one of Pumba’s key biodiversity projects, and attracts many interested guests from different parts of the world.

Pumba introduced a new White Lioness to the pride late in 2009 to enrich the gene pool. She was held for three months in a rehabilitation boma, where she acclimatized to her new environment and got to know members of her new pride incrementally through the fence of her enclosure. The carefully managed and monitored acclimatization process finally culminated in her release into the reserve to join the white Pumba pride. Despite a hair-raising set-to with the dominant male, the new lioness was accepted into the pride at Pumba.

In Africa the white lion is regarded by tribal elders as the most sacred animal on the continent, embodying the essence of African wisdom.

Pumba Private Game Reserve occupies a pristine tract of bushveld in the Eastern Cape – a prime safari destination free of malaria and supporting all of the Big Five. Pumba has two five-star luxury lodges to choose between: Water Lodge set on Lake Cariega, and Bush Lodge overlooking a flood plain. Both are gorgeously luxurious. A safari at Pumba is likely to reveal all of the Big Five, as well as giraffe, cheetah, warthog, hyena, wild dog and more. Stargazing, bass fishing, birding and health spa treatments are also part of the Pumba experience. More about Pumba.

Mail our Getaway Consultants for more info, or call us 0860 102 907 (local) +27 11 803 8669 (international).

Majeka House in Stellenbosch is hosting a Gourmet Week from 8-15 February 2011. That includes Valentines Day!

Expect superlative food and wine at Makaron, the elegant restaurant at Majeka House. Michelin-famed Aurelien Gransagne from L’Esperance in Burgundy, France will be at Makaron for this taste-tantalizing week. Exquisite menus will be paired with Lourensford wines on each night of the week. From 10-13 February there will also be special lunch menus.

A mouthwatering menu at Makaron on 14 February, followed by an overnight stay at the stylish Majeka House is a wonderful way of celebrating Valentines Day.

Majeka House is situated on a garden-estate on the periphery of Stellenbosch in the heart of wine country. All the comforts are on hand to create a luxurious stay: plush linens, gowns, in-room hot beverages, flat-screen TV and DVD player, and more. You’ll also have your own balcony or terrace.

Mail our Getaway Consultants for additional info, or ring us 0860 102 907 (local) +27 11 803 8669 (international).

The tour originally came about in 1978, when Bill Mylrea and John Stegmann organised the Big Ride-In to raise awareness for much-needed cycle paths. The Ride-In caught the interest of several hundreds of cyclists. Among them was the Mayor of Cape Town.  This birthed the idea of a long-distance race. From its early beginnings with 525 participants, the race is now one of Cape Town’s big drawcards, which is hardly surprising when there is so much to see and do before and after the race.

Accommodation in Cape Town gets snapped up pretty fast leading up to the cycle tour, so it’s best to book well ahead. The choice of getaways in Cape Town is exceptional.

Enjoy some pampering before & after the race at the Twelve Apostles Spa Gazebo

The Atlantic Seaboard is a huge contributor to Cape Town’s phenomenal reputation as a city of unmatched beauty. Near trendy Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa basks magnificently against the mountain and sports sprawling ocean views. Here you’ll enjoy the best of luxury 24/7. Also on this incredible piece of coastline, at sought-after Llundudno, there’s a stunning sole-use villa with six suites, if you’re going to be staying in Cape Town as part of a group: 26 Sunset Avenue Llandudno even has its own private access to secluded Sandy Bay! 

After the race, a glorious sunset at Les Cascades in Bantry Bay

Bantry Bay is yet another of our red-carpet beachside suburbs, where Les Cascades offers chic and contemporary guesthouse accommodation.  Green Point’s Romney Park All-Suite Hotel & Spa has stunning ocean-facing suites not far from the V & A Waterfront.

The Constantia Wine Valley holds rank as the birthplace of South Africa’s wine farming industry. Stay at the premier Glen Avon Lodge in Strawberry Lane, or luxuriate at Steenberg Hotel on the prestigious Steenberg Wine Estate, which incorporates a championship golf course designed by Peter Matkovich.

Up on the mountainside on the False Bay coast, and overlooking a breathtaking lake district, Colona Castle Manor House is a luxury boutique establishment where you’ll be extremely well looked after. There’s so much to do right on the doorstep, including beach sport, golf, exploring the trendy-bohemian harbour town of Kalk Bay, visits to the Cape Point, the penguin colony at The Boulders, and much more.

A little further afield from Cape Town – 45 minutes to an hour’s driving distance away – are the historic towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, all well known for the magnificent wine estates on their respective doorsteps. There are first-class luxury accommodation options in each of these areas, ranging from intimate boutique guesthouses to grand historic homesteads and large luxury hotel complexes. In short, there’s something for every taste. Wine tasting may have to wait until after the race, granted, but thereafter you’ll certainly want to taste the wonderful spoils of the winelands.

Wherever it is in Cape Town that you’re wanting to stay, be sure to book soon.  Ask our Getaways Consultants for ideas, not only about Cape Town’s best stays, but also about what to do and where to go while you’re here in our one-and-only Mother City. Mail us or call 0860 102 907 (local) or +27 11 803 8669 (international).

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique assets. The 332 000 hectare park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700 year-old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000 year-old coastal dunes which are among the highest in the world. All in all, iSimangaliso is true to its name which means miracle and wonder.

Boat cruises are popular at Hluhluwe River Lodge

A fabulous and family-friendly base for exploring this area, is Hluhluwe River Lodge, situated on the western boundary of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park with wide-angled views of False Bay and the Hluhluwe River floodplain. Twelve thatched chalets are separately located around the main lodge in an indigenous forest where antelopes like Red Duiker and Nyala can often be seen browsing. The lodge offers game drives to the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park every morning and evening, and offers a variety of adventure activities including horse trails, mountain bike trails, a riverboat birding tour and self-guided walks. The coastal and marine reserves of Sodwana Bay, Cape Vidal and St Lucia are just an hour’s drive from the lodge. More about Hluhluwe River Lodge.

Hippo Spotting around Makakatana Bay Lodge

Another great place to stay is Makakatana Bay Lodge, situated within the proclaimed iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Five luxury rooms and a honeymoon suite with private boma are tucked away along timber walkways in a dense sand forest. Tasteful furnishings create a restful fusion of Afro-Eastern design.  Safaris include game drives into the wetlands. Full-day trips include beach safaris to the coastline for swimming and snorkeling, or a day safari to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve to seek out the Big Five. A boat trip on Lake St Lucia is also a favourite activity, followed by a picnic lunch in the wetlands. Get 20% off your stay at Makakatana Bay Lodge until 31 March 2011.

Mail our Getaway Consultants for more info, or call them on 0860 102 907 (local) or +27 11 803 8669 (international)

See the best sights of South Africa and beyond whilst relishing delectable luxury on Rovos Rail, which quite justifiably presents itself as the most luxurious train in the world.

The trains are very handsome, with beautiful period Edwardian features. The original Pride of Africa Edwardian, with 13 wooden coaches, consists of meticulously restored carriages dating from 1919 to 1970, pulled by a locomotive.  All the engines acquired for Rovos Rail have been named after the owner – Rohan Vos’s – children – Brenda, Bianca, Tiffany and Shaun.

The trains have all the features of fine living you’d expect if you were staying in luxury hotel: air-conditioned cabins with sapele mahogany panelling and fitted with writing table, mini-bar, etched-glass reading lamps, and closets. The service on board is impeccable - expect to be treated like royalty! Dining is a fine affair, with 5-course evening dinners. The food is very fresh, abundant, excellently prepared, and accompanied by Good South African wines.

All suites on Rovos Rail accommodate two people and offer the options of twin or spacious double beds. The en-suite bathrooms have hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. The Royal Suites, each of which takes up half a carriage, are large and elegant. Each has its own lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe Suites also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and an en-suite bathroom with shower. The Pullman Suites are equipped with a comfortable sofa-seat which converts to double or twin beds for the evening. These also have an en-suite bathrooms with showers.

The annual trip from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam makes an amazing holiday. This 14-day route traverses some of the most richly scenic areas in Africa, including the Victoria Falls Railway Bridge. There are also a number of shorter scenic trips — such as a 3-day trip between Pretoria and Durban; a 9-day golf safari starting in Pretoria, traversing parts of Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Garden Route before ending in Cape Town; and an overnight trip to the Garden Route.

Chat to our Getaway Consultants for more information – they’ve done some of these trips and can offer first-hand information. Give us a call on 0860 102 907 (local) or +27 11 803 8669 (international).

Leisure Deck at Plettenberg Park Hotel & Spa

We’re told that there are more smiles per mile in Plettenberg Bay than elsewhere in South Africa. A kulula.com survey has rated Plettenberg Bay South Africa’s friendliest holiday spot. On its heels came Ballito, the Drakensberg, Knysna and Camps Bay.

The survey sought opinions from more than 1 500 people across the country, who were asked to vote for their friendliest destination. Based on the top scores, Kulula’s researchers took to the road to conduct a smile-o-metre survey at each of the top five friendliest holiday spots. They ambled along the main road of each and assessed spontaneous and returned smiles of passers-by. Five points were awarded when locals smiled spontaneously, while two points were awarded when the researcher’s smile was returned. That’s fieldwork for you!

Well done to Plettenberg Bay! Plenty of smiles to be found there. So why not head out that way? Exclusive Getaways is offering a 20% discount at the stunning Plettenberg Park Hotel & Spa. This gorgeous hotel is situated on a cliff’s edge in the private Robberg Nature Reserve, offering tranquil seclusion within easy access of the ultra-friendly playground of Plettenberg Bay. The hotel has beautiful views of the Indian Ocean and a serene lake. There’s a maginificent spa where you can recharge the energies well-spent in the friendly town of Plettenberg Bay!

Mail us, or call us on 0860 102 907 (local) or +27 11 803-8669 (international).

Set on its own golf estate, Steenberg Hotel is one of the best choices you could make in Cape Town

Steenberg Hotel in the beautiful Constantia Wine Valley has been named Best Luxury Hotel in Africa by www.tripadvisor.com. The hotel has been praised for its exceptional service, and for its wonderful combination of old-world charm and modern facilities. And indeed, the hotel presents the finest blend of historic 17th century traditions with the most seductive luxuries of the modern age. Its elegant bedrooms overlook either the vineyards or the estate’s manicured gardens. The Heritage Suites are the last word in luxury. Huge, opulent and ultra-stylish, these are wonderful for longer stays, with the option of private entertaining.

  The superlative Steenberg Hotel is set against the slopes of the Steenberg Mountains, on what is considered to be the Cape’s oldest wine farm. Steenberg Vineyards was recently voted one of nine global winners in the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism awards.

  Aside from its state-of-the-art winery, Steenberg Hotel boasts a luxurious spa. The championship golf course designed by Peter Matkovich surrounds the hotel.

  Ask our Getaway Consultants more about Steenberg.

Romantic tented accommodation at Garonga Safari Camp

14 February is Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate if you have a grain of romance in your heart! Thanks to an ancient rite, flowers and champers, candlelit dinners, love-denched cupids, and getaways to swoon over, are all the order of our modern day.

But who, in fact, was the legendary St Valentine in whose honour such extravagant gestures of affection are lavished on lovers? According to one version of the Valentines story, Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century when Emperor Claudius II decided to outlaw marriage for young men in order to retain their services for the army. Priest Valentine defied this decree, and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. A most gallant and risky act in the service of love!  Centuries later we still relish the opportunity to honour the virtues of love, and we now have the well-established custom of treating our lover to a fabulously romantic getaway.

So why not consider some of these: In Mpumalanga we give a thumbs up to Timamoon Lodge, a truly sublime sanctuary for romance tucked away in the hills of the Sabie area. Beautiful sensual lodges are hidden away in sub-tropical forest. Divine four-poster beds, and huge baths – glorious enough to float away in. At nightfall you’ll meander through the forests and come upon a candle-lit feasting place built on stilts, where you’ll dine with your valentine on irresistable delights.

In Limpopo you need look no further than Garonga Safari Camp, a soulful and exclusive tented sanctuary in Makalali to the west of the Kruger Park. Earthy textures, draped beds, beckoning hammocks, bush baths by candle-glow under big African skies, and lusciously tantalising outdoor meals are all part of the very romantic scene at Garonga. The bush-view sala is just the place to ease into an aromatherapy or reflexology spoil, just for good measure. Garonga also offers all the adventure of a safari.

In KwaZulu-Natal Thonga Beach Lodge is a haven for romance on the Maputaland coast. Exclusive barefoot luxury is the key at this idyllic getaway far from the josling crowds. Another firm KZN favourite for romance is Hartford House in the Midlands. It just oozes the ambience of love, and the wining and dining is truly outstanding.

Suite with Private Splash-pool at The Safari Lodge

In the Eastern Cape a great choice for ardent pursuers of Cupid would be The Safari Lodge. This very stylish lodge is set in the Amakhala Game Reserve close to the Addo Elephant National Park. It’s intimate and luxurious, and ideal for a romantic escape.

The Western Cape has its fair share of romantic getaways, but here we’re recommending Majeka House on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. You’ll feel bathed in luxury after a night or two in quiet elegant comfort at this boutique hotel. A wonderful spa ads to the experience. Les Cascades de Bantry Bay on the Atlantic Seaboard is a fabulous spoil too. Very modern and chic, it’s everything a couple could want, with views to die for.

But please be in touch with us, we have many more grand suggestions … And whatever you do, do have a happy Valentines Day!

The stunning location of the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa near Camps Bay

Cape Town needs to be a first-hand experience. This gorgeous city, snuggling up against the sturdy mother of all mountains, ranks with the most beautiful places on earth. Come and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

The city and surrounds present a collage of different scenery. There’s the urban vibe and cosmopolitan feel of the Metropole; there are lanscapes of pastoral bliss and gastronomic delights in the Cape Winelands; and there are endless beaches to explore along both sides of the Cape Peninsula. Holidays in Cape Town can be as varied as your imagination will stretch.

A good time to be on holiday in Cape Town is in the summer between December and February, when the weather is at its best.

The Atlantic Seaboard is a fabulously luxurious holiday playground, including the elite suburbs of Bantry Bay, Camps Bay and Llandudno. Bantry Bay is a scenic and quiet suburb, allowing for easy access to the attractions of the city centre. Camps Bay is worshipped for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife and trendy restaurants. The exclusive small area of Llandudno features a magnificent beach tucked away amongst granite boulders. Hotels in the area include the impressive Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa near Camps Bay, the ultra-modern Les Cascades guest houses in Bantry Bay and 26 Sunset Avenue Llandudno - a stunning sole-use villa with its own private access to Sandy Bay beach.

The city is not too far away, and offers much of historical interest, such as the Natural History Museum, the District Six Museum and the Holocaust Museum. Markets such as the Church Street Antique Market and Green Market Square add a great deal of charm to the downtown area. Long Street and Kloof Street in the CBD have many boutique stores, restaurants and cafés, whilst the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront offers the best in trend shopping within easy reach of the city. Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most famous landmark, is accessible by high-tech cable car.

The South Peninsula stretches from Tokai to Noordhoek and is a mixture of heritage and coastal charm. It includes the surfing hot-spot of Muizenberg on the False Bay coast, and beautiful Simon’s Town, famous for its naval base and the idyllic Boulder’s Beach, a protected area for a resident colony of African penguins. Cape Point is the southernmost part of the Cape Peninsula and allows for superb views of the two oceans and surrounding mountains.

The grand Steenberg Hotel and its magnificent golf course

On the False Bay coastline Colona Castle Manor House in Lakeside offers old-world charm mixed with modern excellence and opulence. The Steenberg Hotel is situated inland in Tokai, surrounded by the beautiful forests, and is five minutes drive from the Constantia Wine Route. It has a world-class golf course of its own, along with an on-site winery producing award-winning wines, and a state-of-the-art spa.

The Cape’s Wine Routes are world famous and produce some of the best wines in the world. The Winelands includes the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The Lanzerac Hotel and Spa offers guests accommodation in Stellenbosch in a 300-year-old Cape Dutch mansion with Spa facilities. These are also offered at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, set in the culinary capital of South Africa.

Ask a Getaways Consultant for assistance. Find out more about Cape Town’s events, eateries, markets, nightlife, news and attractions.