CSC - South Africa - MY SOUTH AFRICA & KRUGER - Comfort

Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences. Exceptional train safaris combine some of Africa’s most magnificent scenery with travel aboard an authentically refurbished Edwardian-style train, accommodating up to 72 guests in the most spacious train suites in the world, each with their own en-suite bathroom and subtle modern conveniences. The nine scheduled journeys begin or end at Rovos Rail Station, the headquarters and private station of this independent railway company, which is situated in Pretoria.

During the day, the dress is smart casual. Attire that is more formal is worn in the evening on the Pride of Africa. A jacket and tie is a minimum requirement, please. Also include warm clothing for cold mornings and evenings.

Conservation Safari Company recommends Rovos as the premier, luxury train experience in Southern Africa. The food is absolutely a highlight of the trip and their hospitality will be remembered for a long time. In addition, their routes and combined excursions make each trip a real experience and not just a journey.

Rates are fully inclusive of all meals, drinks and excursions.

This landmark hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and offers spectacular views of the working harbour and Table Mountain. You can walk safely to restaurants, craft markets, cinemas, boat cruises to Robben Island, shops and entertainment centres in the amphitheatre. You can feel the ambience of colonial Cape Town as you step into the foyer, sense the past of shipwrecks and storms that colour every corner, then relax in the elegant contemporary bedrooms.. and savour the atmosphere of the world’s most famous working harbour. Built in 1904 as the North Quay Warehouse and converted in 1990 to a luxury hotel, it is named in honour of the Queen of England and her son. Prince Alfred visited the Cape in 1870 and officially opened the Breakwater basin, today’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

There are 94 spacious, air-conditioned, en-suite rooms spread over three floors. The superior luxury double rooms boast separate bath, shower and toilet, king-sized beds and are creatively styled and well-appointed. All have coffee and tea on tap, with private bar, electronic safe, pay-for-view television, wireless internet plus high speed internet access and trouser press….every room has a view over the ever-awake Alfred Basin or Piazza.

Conservation Safari Company recommends the V&A Hotel for its fantastic, central location in the waterfront and high quality accommodation - while not 5 star it is excellent value for what it offers.

Rates include bed and breakfast only.

138 Marine won the National Top Destination Award as the Best 4-star Guesthouse in South Africa in 2015. Their Team also received the Lilizela Award from the National Department of Tourism as the 4-star Guesthouse with the Best Service in the Western Cape Province in 2013 - among many other awards. 138 Marine is a luxurious, upmarket guest house with spectacular sea front views, one of the few guesthouses in the Hermanus area which is situated right at the beachfront - any closer and you’d have a whale in your bath! Enjoy magnificent views of the whales and spectacular African sunsets over the ocean from the comfort of our bedrooms, the lounges or the terrace. The six luxurious designer suites are individually fitted with all modern comforts, meeting international standards. This is the perfect romantic getaway, close to two popular golf courses, and at the gateway of the Hermanus Wine Route.

Conservation Safari Company recommends 138 Marine for its location, high-quality service and accommodation.

Rates include breakfast.

This 12-room boutique hotel, located in the heart of Franschhoek village, provides a private oasis of comfort and luxury, set in serene and secluded gardens, from which to explore the many attractions of the village and the surrounding valley. Guests can also relax at the 15-metre heated swimming pool. The beautiful interiors are a contemporary take on Franschhoek’s traditional Cape Dutch style with its strong French influences. The seamless finishes are neutral, calm and multi-textured, with sisal on the floors, oak and bronze furniture, and high end soft furnishings. Rooms are equipped with the latest technology and luxurious amenities. Leeu House also showcases a number of important contemporary artworks and sculptures. Guests can enjoy leisurely meals in The Conservatory, or al fresco on the terrace. Breakfast is served until 11am. Lunch and dinner menus offer innovative cuisine, prepared by the talented culinary team, headed by executive chef Oliver Cattermole. Passionate about sourcing organic and ethically farmed ingredients, his globally influenced cuisine features fresh local produce in creative fusion dishes with vibrant world flavours.

Conservation Safari Company chooses Leeu House for its overall high quality and intimate service, its location in the village (within walking distance of all restaurants in town) and for its fabulous style - one of our favourite Cape Dutch architectural pieces. A wonderful place!

Rates include breakfast, a wine tasting, mini bar, selected spirits, house wine and soft drinks, unlimited internet access, national phone calls, tasting of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines per guest per stay.

Reminiscent of an Out of Africa experience, a stay at Hamiltons Tented Camp is one that will remain etched in memory, much like the contribution the lodge’s namesake, James Stevenson-Hamilton, made to the national park the camp now calls home for more than a century on.

Resplendent with early 19th century nostalgia, from its old steamer trunks and pith helmets to its antique bathroom basins and hurricane lanterns, Hamiltons is a tribute to the generation whose vision has resulted in the conservation of one of Africa’s prime wilderness areas, without compromising on modern-day comforts and luxuries.

Built entirely of canvas set amidst age-old Jackalberry and Sausage trees, with high wooden platforms linking six elevated tents, Hamiltons treats guests to stunning views of the Nwatswitsonto River and offers the opportunity to enjoy spectacular wildlife and birdlife sightings. Your encounter with the Kruger bush truly is up close and personal.

Hamiltons not only represents a little slice of history. It guarantees a private, exclusive bushveld escape, unfettered by unnecessary modern interruptions and authentic in every way.

Guests are accommodated in six exceptionally private luxury elevated tents overlooking the Nwaswitsontso River. From your own private deck, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush that derives its existence from the river.

Traditional fittings and features such as old brass light switches, steamer trunks with vintage labels revealing exciting journeys and sepia-stained photographs enhance the tradition and style of this ‘turn-of-the-century’ luxury safari tent; modern comforts such as electricity, air conditioning and an outdoor shower the only clues that we live in a different time.

The décor is light and neutral; teak furniture and floors, gilded mirrors and crisp white linens deliver a classy luxury tent experience enhanced by the panoramic bush and river views that begin at the edge of the deck.

A private concession within the Kruger National Park comprising three lodges – Imbali Safari Lodge, Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge and Hamilton’s Tented Camp, Mluwati Concession was born out of a spirit of ensuring the future sustainability of the national park.

As one of the first private concessions in the Kruger National Park, Mluwati has worked tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of this pristine wilderness that for over 100 years has been a sanctuary for over 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians and 147 mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five.

Keen birders will delight in the hundreds of bird species that call Kruger home. Over 500 species, in fact many of which occur in the Mluwati Concession including the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Crested Barbet and Burchell’s Glossy Starling.

Guests will enjoy some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and an extraordinary variety of wildlife, birdlife and plantlife within the Mluwati Concession, ensuring that each safari experience will be unique.

Experience a morning and evening game drive during your stay at Hamiltons Tented Camp. Witness the excitement of the first rains; the terrapins playing in river pools, the call of the Pied Kingfisher and steady chirping of sociable tree frogs.

Savour the rich smells of the bush, hear the shrill calls of the Magpie Shrike and see the wind blowing through the feather grass dotting the savannah plains.

A game drive at Hamiltons will reveal new scents, curious sounds and the beauty of an extraordinary African landscape to delight your senses.

Conservation Safari Company recommends Hamiltons for its wonderful tented accommodation, it's location within the national park and overall value-filled experience, favoured by many of our guests.

Rates include accommodation, meals, selected beverages and safari activities.

An exclusive 5 star lodge, Savanna is situated in the internationally famous Sabi Sand Reserve within the greater Kruger National Park conservancy. Savanna lies in an area where 'Big 5' sightings are so frequent, it is not unusual to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in a single game drive. Specially designed game viewing vehicles and highly trained guides with vast knowledge of the African bushveld, take guests on close and intimate encounters with a large variety of wildlife. Numerous nearby dams and a series of waterholes in front of the lodge attract many species, especially in the dry winter months when elephants are daily visitors.

A close-knit team of friendly staff provides personalised service with each guest regarded as a valued friend. From the moment you arrive you will feel like part of the Savanna 'family'.

Nine magnificent suites offer spacious and luxurious accommodation. Seven of the suites have tented roofs, blending the elegance of a by-gone colonial era with all the convenience of modern facilities.

Savanna is dedicated to helping the local community to secure a better future. 90% of Savannas’ staff are employed from the surrounding villages and they provide promising young adults the opportunity of a 3-month work experience training at the lodge. The Mabarhule Youth in Action Choir is supported and hired to perform at their boma dinners. Following their performance all members enjoy a hearty meal before heading home.

Savanna has a dedicated Community Project Manager. Her main function is to co-ordinate and develop all the community projects, keep them running and promote sustainability with the projects already completed. To put extra effort into helping the most vulnerable people in the area, Savanna is supporting the Tiyimiseleni Centre. This is a home-based care centre in the village of Marbarhule, where every day 250 orphans and vulnerable children (age 3-17 years) are provided with a meal.

Conservation Safari Company recommends Savanna for its authentic safari experience, superb hospitality and excellent game viewing. The luxurious tents/cabins give you the 'African' experience but in sumptuous luxury. A concerted effort is put into their community development program which is impressive.

Savanna is committed to supporting its local community to secure better futures and employs 90% of is staff from the surrounding communities. The Savanna Trust is a non-profit organization, allowing them to collaborate with various community partners and support locally-owned projects that focus on improving the lives of the area’s most vulnerable individuals.

Rates include three meals per day, tea and coffee, two game drives per day, optional bush walk per day, bottled water, drinks (excluding select wines and imported beverages), game drive drinks, laundry service.