Signature Dunkeld Adventure Experience (10 Days) DUNOO1

It’s a passion born from the time spent waiting for a fish to bite, a love fed by spending days alone outdoors and the sense of satisfaction that arises when reeling in a record-breaking trout.

Whether you’re a beginner learning how to tie a Royal Coachman or a long-time fisherman perfecting your dry fly-fishing technique, you’ll enjoy Dunkeld Country & Equestrian’s high-quality fly-fishing environment.

Dullstroom is recognised as South Africa’s premier fly-fishing destination and Dunkeld – with its 19 well-stocked still water dams – gives visitors the chance to experience this for themselves. Trout were introduced into the area in the 1900s because the cool waters and climate provided ideal conditions. Stocked with Rainbow Trout, Dunkeld offers enthusiasts the chance to spend time in pursuit of the perfect catch.

Our trail centre horses are well trained and trustworthy, giving even the most novice rider the confidence to enjoy a ride in the Dullstroom countryside. Our Equestrian Centre is a popular destination for short weekend riding workshops for the more experienced rider.

Three hours from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport, and situated in South Africa’s beautiful Mpumalanga Province, is a place deep within a magnificent forest commonly referred to as ‘Scotland’s Only Outpost in Africa’ or ‘the Place of Eternal Mist’. On the map, it’s called Dullstroom. Despite its widespread appeal, the quaint village of Dullstroom still has its own calm, distinctive, and singular atmosphere. The area is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. In fact, the town is the unofficial capital of the piscatorial sport in South Africa. It’s taken so seriously that bait fishing and spinning is not allowed. Dullstroom marks the source of the Crocodile River and is home to other major tributaries providing excellent river and still water fishing as their streams and dams are stocked with both rainbow and brown trout. If fishing isn’t your thing, some dams, thankfully, allow float tubes.

The area’s sub-alpine climate, abundant wildflowers, rare mammals and 3 endangered crane species, not to mention its fresh country air, make hiking through the surrounding areas an unforgettable experience. The three most popular trails are the Ama Poot-Poot, the Num Num and the Elangeni Hiking Trail. The Verloren Valei, a closed reserve north-east of Dullstroom, is the source of 4 rivers making it a wetland of international importance. Because it is so special it can only be visited by appointment or on one of the Friends of Verloren Valei field trips.

If staying in town is more your scene, exploring the original architecture, quaint stores, artisan shops, art galleries and spas which line Dullstroom’s main street is a delightful way to spend a day.

At 6,814 feet above sea level, Dullstroom has the highest railway station in South Africa. Two festivals you may enjoy are the Ducktobeer Beer Fest and the Dullstroom Winter Festival in July. Dullstroom serves as a convenient stopover for visitors on the way to or from the Lowveld and Kruger Park.

Set along the spectacular Panorama Route in the Lowveld region, the charming town of Pilgrim's Rest will soon have guests plotting their search for gold. The well-preserved town is seemingly frozen in time and today it is living museum which has been declared a National Monument to commemorate the gold rush days of South Africa during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The town's history is evident throughout its antiquated shops, hotels and museums. Visitors can look forward to a host of activities including enjoying the Prospector's Hiking Trail, a five-day hike stretching over 60 kilometres, visiting the historic Alanglade House Museum, the former residence of the mine manager, as well as panning for gold, sampling local cuisine and cycling through the scenic countryside.

Taking the ‘Panorama Route’ in South Africa means falling head long into an immersive adventure. The Panorama Route is steeped in history, famous natural land formations, incredible waterfalls, caves and canyons. Set deep in the Mpumalanga Province, it is centred around the Blyde River Canyon. There is no other canyon like it in the world and is uniquely African. It is the third largest canyon in the world and is exceptional for being the largest forested canyon in the world. The views from the rim are spectacular. They seem to stretch forever filled with waterfalls, wildlife and of course the indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The forest is home to an enormous diversity of wildlife, from fish and other water inhabitants such as crocodiles and hippos, antelope species and every primate species South Africa has. Among the many species of birds found here is the beautiful and much sought Narina trogon, a bird named after the mistress of French ornithologist François Levaillant. And when you hear the haunting cry of the African fish eagle, you’ll have heard the heart of Africa.

The area was once home to mysterious civilizations whose presence is only felt through the hollow terracotta sculptures dating back to 500AD which they left behind. These are known as the Lydenburg Heads. Many of the small towns found along the route, such as Pilgrim’s Rest- a small museum town, was created as a result of the gold rush of the late 1880s. The village holds the National Gold Panning Championships every year.

Famous for its many mountain passes, the panorama route has a number of viewing spots revealing the different faces of this amazing location. Among them are the views to God’s Window, the Lowveld Viewpoint, the Pinnacle Rock view, and the view of the Three Rondavels.

Famous for its many mountain passes, the panorama route has a number of viewing spots revealing the different faces of this amazing location. Among them are the views from the Lowveld Viewpoint, the Pinnacle Rock view, the Three Rondavels, and of course, God’s Window.

A steep footpath cum stairway leads heaven-ward from the car park. At the edge of the escarpment a boardwalk meanders through the peaceful rainforest. Moss covered trees, little streams, and boulders lead the way to the highest and most inspiring viewpoint, appropriately called God’s Window. From here you will gaze down across the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet into canyons that seemingly stretch forever laced with plunging waterfalls, and thick indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The Blyde River Canyon has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. From God’s Window, this nearly 250km long unbroken rampart of cliffs, it feels as if one can see forever on a clear day. When there are no clouds to obscure the view, you can see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. And on an exceptionally fine day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

Lisbon Falls, the highest in this Province are at the centre of Mpumalanga’s Waterfall heart. There are more waterfalls in this region than anywhere else in Southern Africa, and all of them are both beautiful and dramatic. The Lisbon’s crystal-clear waters cascade 300 feet into the canyon below. And they are especially dramatic when see from the footpath where this tributary of the Blyde River crashes to the ground, splitting into two and disappearing into the lush subtropical foliage. Tree ferns, cycads, orchids, lilies and proteas all nestling under the shade of the green canopy of trees, line the banks of the rivers.

In the late 1800s, when gold was discovered in the region, people from all over the world flocked to South Africa. Gold panners from Portugal flocked to the Mpumalanga region. These falls were named after the Portuguese capital.

Before the gold rush of the late 1800s, Tom Burke found himself in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. He had a feeling the land was rich in gold, so he staked a claim. Although he was right about the region as a whole, his claim, as luck would have it, came up empty. It’s after this unfortunate prospector that Bourke’s Luck Potholes are named. These bizarre natural water features, hewn by centuries of swirling, rushing water and the sand and debris they carried, mark the start of the Blyde River Canyon. Tom Burke might have enjoyed the irony that although he was unsuccessful, the rock formations named in his honour now glisten with ‘gold’ – coins tossed in by others using the huge, cylindrical Holes as natural wishing wells. The Bourke’s Luck Potholes are otherworldly and dramatic. So much so that Frommer's 500 describe them as one of the places your kids should see before they grow up. Sitting at the confluence of the Treur, ‘the river of sorrow’ and Blyde, ‘the river of joy’, this abstract art of a geological phenomenon is famous for its giant’s kettles, potholes, smooth-sided cylinders, intricate network of tunnels, lines, rock layers and dark plunge pools. It’s a 700m walk to the potholes. A walk consisting of a network of pathways and metal footbridges which take you right above the potholes. Other walkways that go around the ridges open out different views of one of the most popular natural attractions in South Africa. They mark the start of the Panorama Route around the Blyde River Canyon.

Depending on which way you travel the Panorama Route, the Three Rondavels either start or end your journey. Together with God's Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels are three of the most famous natural wonders of the largest green canyon in the world. Over millennia, the softer stone around the more resistant quartzite and shale sections have been eroded away, leaving these three towers behind. There are actually 4 sections of free-standing quartzite and shale, but only 3 have the iconic conical tops. Together these formations with their forested summits are also known as the Chief and His Three Wives. The Chief, the flat topped peak next to the rondavels is called Mapjaneng. It is named after the Chief who opposed invading forces from Swaziland in a battle still remembered to this day. His wives, Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto after whom the three other formations are named, were troublesome women to say the least. So, why are they known as the Three Rondavels? A rondavel is a traditional circular African dwelling with a conical thatched roof - which is exactly what they resemble. It may also be to avoid confusion with another trio of rock formations far to the South in the Northern Cape known as the Three Sisters.

From the lookout point, the view of the Blyde River Canyon across the Three Rondavels is breath-taking and is widely considered the best in South Africa. The fact that it looks like a Lost World may have something to do with it.

If you were looking for a lost world, the Blyde River Canyon would be a perfect fit. The 35-mile long, 30 000 hectare, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet to the valley below. From this nearly unbroken rampart of cliffs it feels as if one can see forever. It’s not surprising then that one of the most famous views is called God’s Window. It’s possible to see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

The canyon hosts the world’s highest cable gorge swing - freefalling 230 feet at 87 mph in under 3 seconds. Once in the valley, it’s 400 steps back to the top, but for a moment you’d be forgiven for thinking you could hear angels!

There are a number of iconic landforms in the canyon, from the Three Rondavels, the Weeping Face of Nature, Bourke’s Luck Potholes to Pinnacle Rock, not to mention the highest concentration of waterfalls in the regions, one of which is Lisbon Falls.

Its southerly position is what gives the canyon its green fame. Among the lush subtropical foliage, a large diversity of life dwells in and under the canopy, and in its rivers, including numerous fish, antelope species, hippos and crocodiles. Every species of primate in South Africa calls this place home.

Numerous species of birds, from black eagles to rock kestrels, bald ibis to white-faced owls, golden-tailed woodpeckers to malachite sunbirds enjoy the forested landscape and the vast open skies above the canyon floor.

If you have an adventurous spirit, a love of nature or are a keen photographer, Blyde River Canyon will be a feast of joy

Tshukudu Private Game Reserve adjoins the world renowned Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) and combines home comforts with the exciting Big 5 safari experience. Tshukudu covers 3800ha of prime Bushveld and is situated close to Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province.

Each en-suite unit is equipped with a shower, minibar fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, hairdryer as well as a safe. Amenities are replenished daily. International plugs can be purchased from the Curio Shop. Breakfasts and light lunches are served on the thatched veranda and the evening dinners seated around a roaring fire in the African Boma, under the stars.

Recliners under a canopy of thatch beckon guests to enjoy shady relaxation around the pool. Indulge in the peacefulness of the African Bush while our trained staff brings you your favorite cocktail to enjoy. Our Game Guides will also accompany guests in the morning and early evening in open 4x4 game drive vehicles.

Tshukudu Private Game Reserve adjoins the world renowned Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) and combines home comforts with the exciting Big 5 safari experience. Tshukudu covers 3800ha of prime Bushveld and is situated close to Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province.

Each en-suite unit is equipped with a shower, minibar fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, hairdryer as well as a safe. Amenities are replenished daily. International plugs can be purchased from the Curio Shop. Breakfasts and light lunches are served on the thatched veranda and the evening dinners seated around a roaring fire in the African Boma, under the stars.

Recliners under a canopy of thatch beckon guests to enjoy shady relaxation around the pool. Indulge in the peacefulness of the African Bush while our trained staff brings you your favorite cocktail to enjoy. Our Game Guides will also accompany guests in the morning and early evening in open 4x4 game drive vehicles.

Tshukudu Game Reserve lies just north of the little town of Hoedspruit, adjoining the world-renowned Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa’s Central Lowveld. Meaning ‘rhino’ in Sotho, it stretches over 3500 hectares of unspoilt African bush teeming with diverse wildlife and is and fringed by the Drakensberg Mountain Range. Visitors can catch spectacular sunsets, spot the famous Big Five, and see many antelope species, giraffe, kudu, zebra, warthog, hippo, cheetah and crocodile. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy excellent birdwatching, take a game drive or guided walk with expert guides and visit the Lion Breeding Project, which is helping to keep lions off the endangered list.

Tshukudu Private Game Reserve adjoins the world renowned Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) and combines home comforts with the exciting Big 5 safari experience. Tshukudu covers 3800ha of prime Bushveld and is situated close to Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province.

Each en-suite unit is equipped with a shower, minibar fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, hairdryer as well as a safe. Amenities are replenished daily. International plugs can be purchased from the Curio Shop. Breakfasts and light lunches are served on the thatched veranda and the evening dinners seated around a roaring fire in the African Boma, under the stars.

Recliners under a canopy of thatch beckon guests to enjoy shady relaxation around the pool. Indulge in the peacefulness of the African Bush while our trained staff brings you your favorite cocktail to enjoy. Our Game Guides will also accompany guests in the morning and early evening in open 4x4 game drive vehicles.

The United Nations’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is of global significance. Listed on CITES as a cheetah breeding hub, the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has played an important role in the conservation of endangered animals, especially cheetahs and rhinos, in South Africa, since 1990. While they do rescue and rehabilitate cheetah and rhino survivors of poaching, their focus has been to promote cheetah survival by breeding and maintaining diverse bloodlines, as well as providing research opportunities.

HESC works tirelessly to create awareness both locally and internationally of the destructiveness of poaching. A guided tour will take guests into the world of theses cats, white rhino, and wild dog.  Guests can also meet the gentle giant Esme the white rhino and her two faithful companions, David the dog and Miele the sheep. There is also the unique experience of the vulture feeding restaurant.

Restaurants...
Explore our selection of dining options ranging from local to international cuisine for breakfast lunch or dinner.

Shops…
Kamogelo Centre is conveniently located in the heart of Hoedspruit. The centre is home to more than 25 different shops .

ABOUT US
Biz Africa (Pty) Ltd was formed for the specific reason of project management in the fields of tourism and community development. The company was established in 2001 and contains expertise in the fields of project development and Small business sector. The directors of the company approached the Local Government and set up a Private Public Partnership to establish the unique tourism facility known as the Kamogelo Tourism Centre.

The road leading to the Central Lowveld through the Strijdom Tunnel splits into three possible routes to the Kruger Park namely: Orpen, Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.

East of the Drakensberg Mountains, where the Blyde, Olifants, Klaserie, Timbavati Rivers run, and covering two biomes Savanna Woodland and Afro Montane forest, lies the region known as the Central Lowveld. The valley of Hoedspruit is central to these areas and supports a very large network of farms, businesses, game reserves, lodges and educational facilities. This area has been registered as one of the few Biosphere Reserves in the world.

With activities in the area such as: White river rafting, abseiling, microlighting, game drives, hot air ballooning, mountain hikes, bush walks, horse riding, golfing, boating, bird watching and many more. Kamogelo Tourism Centre is the marketing tool to cocoon these activities to one bigger goal – to promote the region.

The Kamogelo Centre was developed after extensive discussions to identify the needs and project feasibility of expanding the tourism infrastructure in the Lowveld region. This resulted in inputs from various role players in the Hoedspruit district to establish a comprehensive network of services in promoting tourism to our region. The objective is to provide a single operating centre for all the functions of development, services, marketing and community upliftment in our area.

By being pro-active, the role players were able to step change the future demand by means of a cohesive effort. The project is poised to cater for locals and visitors alike, by means of services and activities, and encourages entrepreneurship to the various functions catered for. With twenty eight shop and a unique East African architecture, the center is able to cater for an enjoyable visit through various activities and a wide variety of products. The center has become an icon in the region and sets an example for what can be achieved if people stand together.

Proudly South African!!!

Stretching over more than two million hectares, the famous Kruger National Park is one of the world’s largest game reserves and a truly remarkable destination. Owing to its exceptional size, visitors are able to experience fantastic diversity – from changing scenery and ecosystems to an impressive array of animals, plant life and birdlife. The park is home to over 130 mammals and over 500 bird species. Visitors can look forward to learning about the area’s prehistoric past, enjoying a host of accommodation options, and viewing abundant wildlife including the famed Big Five. The diversity and sheer density of wildlife make Kruger National Park an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Guests staying at the Tshukudu Game Lodge will be able to take part in an early morning game drive through the Tshukudu Game Lodge. Depending on the Season, they can start as early as 5am. The Reserve supports a wide variety of wildlife animals such as Lion, Hippo, Leopard, Elephants, White Rhinos, Buffalos and many more. All game drives are under the supervision of qualified guides and undertaken in purpose build game drive vehicles.

The oldest wine region in South Africa, Constantia’s wine estates are famed for their award-winning wines. There are many ways one can enjoy the beautiful Constantia Valley. Besides wine tasting, you can take in the sights and sounds of nature while dining at excellent restaurants, ride a bike along tree-lined paths, explore on foot, or indulge in retail therapy.

Originally a small fishing village, Hout Bay (Wood Bay) or the Republic of Hout Bay as it’s affectionately called by the locals, has a name which dates back to 1653. The town was properly established in 1867 and is nestled in a once-deeply wooded valley on the Atlantic Seaboard between Llandudno and Noordhoek. The ancient, once-huge forests are still in evidence, but only in small, highly protected pockets. At the northern end of Hout Bay Valley, the Orangekloof Forest is the most intact and oldest indigenous mountain forest on Table Mountain.

Hout Bay is a popular day-trip destination for tourists thanks to its old-world charm, colourful multicultural ambience, stunning views, its beach and busy fishing harbour where tuna, crayfish and snoek are the regular catch of the day all make for a delightful experience. The bustling port area has seafood restaurants, craft stores and boating activities as well as fresh fish for sale.

Humans aren’t the only ones interested in the catch of the day. As many as 6 thousand Cape Fur seals reside on Duiker Island, a 40-minute boat cruise from Hout Bay Harbour. This child-friendly cruise is the perfect opportunity to see these exuberant and delightful creatures up close and in their natural habitat. To get there you travel past some of the most rugged scenery on the Western Cape including the bay, the Sentinel and Chapman’s Peak.

Duiker Island is a ‘pick-up’ spot for the Cape Fur Seals. The males congregate here while they wait to ‘come of age’ and breed with the females. The water around the island is far too rough and dangerous for pups forcing the females go elsewhere to give birth. The seals are a popular snack for Great White sharks, and you may be lucky enough to see one or two, as well as whales and dolphins while on your cruise.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, or as it is known locally, Chappies, is a nail-biting 9 kilometres long, stretching from Noordhoek to Hout Bay. Vehicles swoop around 114 bends bounded on one side by huge vistas of the cold Atlantic Ocean, and on the other by the warm, russet-coloured granite and sandstone mountain, whose almost sheer cliff face soars 593m out of the sea. The views are spectacular and locals as well as tourists stop at the viewpoints to gaze over towards Hout Bay, the Sentinel Peak and the kilometres of pristine sand at Noordhoek Beach. Building Chapman’s Peak Drive was an extraordinary feat. It was carved out of the west-facing cliffs by convict labour between 1915 and 1922. Engineers said it couldn’t be done as the mountain was plagued by rockslides and bad weather. But the Cape Administrator, Sir Nicolas Frederick de Waal, believed otherwise. At first, it seemed the engineers were right. During its first 80 years, rockfalls and weather proved to be an enormous hazard. In 2009, the road was closed. The rockfall situation had to be solved. Engineers employed every new technology imaginable to tame the cliffs above. And they’ve succeeded. Their solutions as seemingly miraculous as the original construction. This spectacular drive forms the backdrop to two of the largest mass participation races in South Africa, the Cape Argus Cycle Race, and the Two Oceans’ Marathon. The 109 km long cycle race is the first event outside Europe to be included in the Union Cycliste Internationale's Golden Bike Series. it’s the world's largest individually timed cycle race with over 35 000 cyclists taking part. The Two Oceans is the world's most beautiful marathon. This56km ultramarathon and a 21km half-marathon is held annually on the Easter weekend.

There’s no snow, no ice, no polar bears… but there are penguins at Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town lies with the Table Mountain National Park. It consists of 1 penguin viewing area and 3 boardwalks lining the cove of 3 pristine, soft, white beaches which are sheltered by immense boulders from currents, wind and large waves. It’s the perfect place for the penguins to call home. The wheelchair-firendly boardwalks were built to allow visitors access across the dense vegetation to view these wonderful birds, while keeping the birds safe from poking fingers and the humans safe from razor sharp beaks. If the birds feel threatened they are likely to bite fingers or noses.

The penguins are known as the African Penguin, Cape Penguin, South African Penguin, Black-footed Penguin, or the Jackass Penguin because of their loud, donkey-like bray. They are the only penguin that breeds in Africa, the only one found on the south-west coast of Africa and live in only 24 colonies.

These delightful creatures are highly endangered and great care and respect must be shown towards them and their habitat at all times. In 1910, they numbered approximately one and a half million. By 1982, there were only 2 breeding pairs left. Huge conservation efforts were undertaken, and the Boulders Beach population rose to 3 900 birds in 2005. Since then there has been a decrease. The 2011 figures sit at around 2100 birds at Boulders Penguin Colony. To try and ensure their safety, the Table Mountain National Park services have banned alcohol and smoking in the area, as well as all vessels including canoes and kayaks. Under no circumstances may marine life or vegetation be removed.

The Cape of Good Hope was once called the Cape of Storms because of the often-terrifying weather and violent oceans which have wrecked ships on its coast since sailors first began to explore beyond the horizon. The most enduring legend is the phantom ship known as The Flying Dutchman. According to the tale, a sea captain found himself struggling to round the Cape of Good Hope during a ferocious storm. He swore that, even if he had to sail until Judgment Day, he would succeed. The Devil heard and the Flying Dutchman was condemned to stay at sea forever. Apparent sightings claim it glows with a ghostly light, spelling doom for anyone that sees the Dutchman. Rounding the Cape meant the possibility of finding a sea route to India and the East, so John II of Portugal renamed it the more optimistic Cape of Good Hope. The Cape has seen a lot of history. The Khoikhoi had lived in this area for about fifteen hundred years before the first European, Bartolomeu Dias, arrived in 1488. The Portuguese government erected two navigational beacons to commemorate the achievement. When lined up, the crosses point to Whittle Rock, a large, permanently submerged shipping hazard in False Bay. The Cape became such a proficient supply station for ships, especially those of the Dutch East India Company on their voyages east, that Cape Town became known as the Tavern of the Seas. In 1687, a community of Huguenots, fleeing religious persecution in France arrived and over the next 150 years the Cape colony gradually grew stretching hundreds of kilometres to the north and north-east. In 1795, it was occupied by Napoleon’s troops and then the British. Today, Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, is also the country’s most cosmopolitan, thanks to its varied roots and layers of cultural influences. It’s also home to the the first world-class, custom-built, film studios in Africa rivalling both British and American film studios thanks to its stunning location, and weather.

The Cape of Good Hope is an integral part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. This comprises a treasure trove of 1100 species of indigenous plants, a number are endemic, including the fynbos and the iconic proteas. The wildlife of the Cape of Good Hope is as much a treasure trove as the flora.

An hour's drive from Cape Town is the Cape Point Nature Reserve, one of the most scenically beautiful parks in South Africa. Mountains, oceans, history, wildlife on land and in the water, legends and views that are as vast as the horizon. Framing this wild and dangerous coast are the two peaks - Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Cape Point is the south-western most point of the continent and Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip and it’s Cape Agulhas where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Wild and unpredictable oceans through which sailors struggled for centuries before finally being able to navigate their way around the tip of Africa. Even on a good day, the icy wind blowing in from the Antarctic, is a good indication of why it was such a perilous journey. The Flying Dutchman funicular will carry you up to the old lighthouse standing among the thick fynbos, the panoramic views, and, in the springtime – August, September and October, possibly even the sight whales in the ocean below. The impressive old lighthouse was built in 1859, but instead of guiding ships to safety, it was often the cause of mishaps. Ironically, it sits too high above the ocean, so ships approaching from the east saw the light too clearly and approached too closely ending up on the rocks. The Cape Point Shipwreck Trail is the short – 3kms - easily accessible Oliantsbos trail leading down to the beach where you can see the remains of the SS Thomas T. Tucker. Once a WWII transport vessel it’s now a popular photography subject and home to the local birdlife.

Nearby are the crosses erected by the Portuguese King John II to Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias in recognition of their expeditions to and around the then named Cape of Storms. 

There are a number of secluded beaches in the reserve. Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif are relatively sheltered beaches. Their tidal pools are great for a post-hike dip. Diaz Beach is without a doubt one of Cape Town’s most beautiful but is a steep climb down and you can’t swim when you get there. Edged by wild, natural fynbos, with at least three shipwrecks, Olifantsbos Beach is also a marine protected area and has a nearby shallow lagoon, a favourite haunt of coastal birdlife.

Being a nature reserve Cape Point is home to a large variety of animals and bird life. Over 270 species of birds live here as well as antelope, Cape foxes, genets, polecats, mole rats, porcupines, mongooses, tortoises, and snakes.

The Cape Point is notorious for its strong icy winds even if the sun is shining. For the best experience you may want to consider a professional guide.

The Cape Town Diamond Museum pays tribute to the world’s most precious gem, the diamond. A gift from Shimansky to the City of Cape Town, it is a non-profit organisation dedicated to educating, and creating an appreciation for the world’s oldest and most beautiful gem.

During a tour of the Cape Town Diamond Museum, you’ll witness a 3 billion year old story unfold as you’re taken through a diamond’s journey: from its creation at the core of the Earth, to the mine, and eventually, to the completed polished stone set in your precious jewellery creation.

The showrom for this Shimansky Rockwell Diamond Experience is ideally located in the trendy De Waterkant Village in Green Point, Cape Town, home to a variety of niche restaurants, cafes and retailers.

Visitors are offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to polish diamonds under the guidance of a Shimansky master craftsman. The first of its kind, this incomparable experience offers guests a better understanding of the skill required to perfect each and every Shimansky diamond jewellery creation.

During the Shimansky Rockwell Diamond Experience, guests will have the opportunity to explore over 3000 signature diamond and tanzanite jewellery creations in a very secure and private environment. Guests will receive complimentary South African wine upon arrival and a unique Gin & Wine Tasting Experience is also included. This 45-minute experience is offered in a variety of languages.

What better way to discover a new city, especially one with as much history, and as many delights as Cape town, than with a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. Cape Town is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Purchase either a 1or 2-day ticket and learn Cape Town’s history as the bus wends its way through the 368-year-old city.

As with any bus, if you see something you want to investigate further, simply jump off, explore to your heart’s content, then catch the next Hop On Hop Off bus that comes along, and pick up your tour right where you left off. Each tour narration is available in Spanish, Turkish, Zulu, Chinese, Dutch, English, Afrikaans, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian. It’s the most cost-effective, and most informative, way to explore Cape Town.

The Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour has 4 different tours for you to choose from: the Red, Yellow, Blue or Purple Routes. The 2-day ticket also includes 2 walking tours, a harbour cruise, and a sunset bus tour during the summer season.

Starting at the V&A Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium, or any of the clearly branded bus stops along the tour routes, you can, depending on the tour you take, discover landmarks such as Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the Clock Tower, Green Point Lighthouse, St George’s Cathedral, the South African Museum and Planetarium, the Mount Nelson Hotel, the South African Jewish Museum and Holocaust Centre, the District 6 Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, the Company Gardens, and Constantia Valley.

A trip up Table Mountain is quite rightly one of the first things a tourist wants to do when arriving in Cape Town.

Table Mountain is the most iconic landmark of South Africa, the only flat-topped mountain in the world and one of the NEW7WONDERS of Nature. Starting with spectacular 360-degree views from the rotating cable car, you then marvel at the abundant views 1000m above the city below, and the awesome display of unique “fynbos” vegetation with a variety of over 2,200 species. The most common mammal found on the mountain, the “dassie” (pronounced “dussy”) or rock hyrax, is about 50 cm long, like a marmot but surprisingly more closely related to the elephant and manatee.

We can guarantee that you’ve never had a foodie experience like the one you’ll enjoy at GOLD Restaurant in Cape Town. It’s more than just a restaurant. It’s an immersive experience with a 14-dish taste-safari bringing you flavours and ingredients from across the African continent. Combine that with learning where the meals originate, how they’re cooked and what they’re spiced with and you have a taste experience like no other.

The entertainment at GOLD is as original and memorable as the food. The ancient and somewhat mystical art form of Mali puppetry, as well as storytelling through praise singing, dancing to the utterly authentic marimbas and the pre-dinner, interactive djembe drumming, not to mention the delicate and sophisticated Xhosa face-painting, Zulu warriors and calabash serenades brings diners face-to-face with the wild, colourful and beating heart of Africa.

The GOLD team come from all over Africa. Their traditions and creative ideas are part of their traditional costumes. They even hand-stitch their ideas and personalities into the table linens intricate patterns.

From Uganda to Burundi, Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the history of spices and how they impacted not just food but world politics, are an integral part of the Spice Experience at GOLD. Spices were once used as currency and now you can taste, smell and delight in an aromatic new world thanks to the African spice pastes and well-known African spice mixes to which the team at GOLD will introduce you. This private, one-on-one curated experience will take you on a unique story-telling and aromatic adventure.

Whether you come for dinner or the Spice Experience, GOLD Restaurant will transport you right into the beating heart of the vibrant African continent through their one-of-a-kind world.

This Stellenbosch wine farm, Neethlingshof Wine Estate, has a distinguished history that dates back to 1705, when the first grapes were harvested from Neethlingshof vines. Over the years, eight discernible goût de terroirs have been identified on the estate and each of these has been planted with the grape varietal most suited to it, ensuring optimal growing conditions and ultimately, magnificent wines.

Apart from traditional wine tastings, visitors can spend idyllic and sensory filled hours in the modern, stylish and high functioning space created for the “Flash Food, Slow Wine" pairings - tastes of finely crafted wines paired with delectable bite sized portions of food.  The Lord Neethling restaurant is housed in the estate’s 200-year-old Cape Dutch homestead and serves classic Continental cuisine.

Founded 1693, the Fairview Wine Estate working farm focuses mainly on creating sustainable and artisanal fine wine and cheese produce, making The Fairview Tasting Room one of the most popular Cape wine lands attractions. The tasting room consists of 4 unique, barrel-shaped ‘pods’ that facilitate a welcoming and more social wine tasting experience. The custom-designed pods offer a tasting selection of 6 diverse exclusive wines paired with a range of Fairview cow and goat’s milk cheese.

One of the most popular stops along the Paarl wine route, Fairview Wine Estate is more than just a winery – it’s also famous for its range of cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses, which have won numerous awards and are distributed countrywide. A range of local produce can be purchased direct from the farm – cheese and olive oil from the deli, fresh bread from the bakery and vino from the cellar. Or if you prefer dining indoors you can follow up a wine tasting with a Mediterranean meal from the farm's Goatshed Restaurant.

Idyllically situated in the Cape Winelands, this peaceful country retreat is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. The once sleepy little village was named Franschhoek, meaning 'French Corner' as it was founded by French Huguenots in 1688 alongside the original inhabitants, the Khoisan, who still live here. To the French Huguenots, fleeing violent religious persecution, the fertile valley must have seemed like heaven. The Huguenots named their farms after places in their old homelands, many of which continue to this day.

The original Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village is remarkably well preserved. Renovation and building restrictions are in place to preserve the spirit of the original settlers.

Completely closed off from the rest of the world on its eastern flank by the Franschhoek Mountains, the town can only be accessed from two routes. One of which Franschhoek Pass, is, in terms of valleys, gorges, and mountain peaks covered in snow in winter hard to beat for natural beauty.

World-class wine estates, quaint, upmarket boutiques, museums such as the Huguenot Memorial Museum where the signature of every 1685 Huguenot settler is on display, the Franschhoek Motor Museum with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia from over 100 years of motoring history (by appointment only), and South Africa’s first Perfume Museum with an extensive and comprehensive permanent collection including antique masterpieces as well as workshops are just some of the unique delights of Franschhoek. Exploring the charming town’s centuries-old tree-lined streets, art galleries, world-class restaurants, Illustrious wine estates and secluded countryside retreats, delicious delis and spectacular scenery, all adds up to an unforgettable experience.

Blanko, nestled in the heart of Constantia is one of the Cape’s most tasteful and contemporary culinary destinations. Here you will find history, great art and excellent food.  Provided by the internationally renowned Goodman Gallery, specially commissioned pieces are juxtaposed with 300 classical artworks from a private collection. Exceptional food is created with heart and passion by Blanko’s expert chefs.

The Alphen Hotel, home to Blanko, is set in over 11 acres of lush gardens. The 17th-century historical treasure has the oldest surviving mill on the Cape Peninsula. Originally, it was part of the Groot Constantia Estate, and the first in South Africa to produce and sell its own wine. Captain James Cook, the explorer, famous authors Mark Twain and George Bernard Shaw, and captains of industry and politics have slept beneath its roof. The Alphen Hotel combines historical charm and character with current luxury.

Whether you choose to eat inside the magnificent heritage building, or outdoors under ancient oak trees in the landscaped garden, complete with water features, and a rose garden, Blanko is a must-experience restaurant. The hotel’s location and the modern Italian menu delights the eyes, the taste buds and the soul.

Stillness Manor & Spa is a magnificent and very secluded property located above the Constantia Valley of Cape Town and the False Bay. With its luxurious suites, the historic Cape Dutch manor house of Stillness Manor & Spa welcomes you amidst the beautiful vineyards and forests of Tokai.

Stillness Manor & Spa with its indoor heated pool provides a full range of exciting treatments and therapies and a sanctuary from reality.

Stillness Manor & Spa is an ideal location from which to explore the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands region and is located only 20 minutes from the Central Business District.