Golf, Wine & Safari Experience

Steenberg Spa offers a blissful retreat to connect with your sense of wellbeing. Choose time to focus on your skin, the beauty elements or a serenely relaxed body. Our skilled spa therapists offer a range of treatments, products and therapies to perfectly address your needs.

Choose local Africology wraps, and body treatments targeted medicosmetic treatments from QMS or the sublime range from Elemis.

At Steenberg Spa you can celebrate with friends with a spa package, choose a couples massage with your beloved, indulge all day for a special occasion or choose a short targeted treatment to leave you feeling energized and gorgeous.

Our various Tasting areas will satisfy everyone’s requirements.

Steenberg Wine Estate offers guests a selection of wine tasting experiences, with a Wine Tasting Bar, Tasting Lounge and Outdoor Terrace to choose from. With infinity pools and reflective water features set before some of the most remarkable scenery in Cape Town, guests are able to relax and appreciate the natural beauty around them. What could be better than reclining on the couches and tasting the wines of Steenberg, without a care in the world?

To view our Tasting Options, please download our Tasting Menu in the documents.

Steenberg Golf Estate and private Golf Club is situated in the lush Constantia Valley, just 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town.

The golf course – consistently named one of the best conditioned courses in South Africa Golf Digest’s annual Top 100 – attracts golfers seeking a total golfing experience. Known for its hybrid plan, it offers traditionalists the opportunity to ‘bump and run’ (a rare shot in South Africa) in the rough around the greens, and to meet the challenges of strategically placed sand pits and waterways.

The par-three, not-so-short 14th hole, features the largest green in Africa at 76 meters in length. Indigenous shrubs guard the green and the mound has been shaped to echo the distinctive mountain range behind.

The 18-hole golf course was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forest and gentle waterways. Its environmental diversity gives the course its unique character.

The well-designed and refurbished clubhouse has seen many golfers enjoying the 19th hole.

The Steenberg Golf Club is open to the public, but priority and special green fee rates are given to hotel guests and members.

Please note the Steenberg Golf Club reserves the right to close the course on short notice for Maintenance.

Members Only Competition Days: Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and the 1st Sunday afternoon of each month.

The Norval Foundation is a centre for art and cultural expression. Dedicated to the research and exhibition of 20th- and 21st-century visual art from South Africa and beyond. Located in the Steenberg area of Cape Town, adjacent to Table Mountain National Park, the Norval Foundation combines the experience of art with an appreciation for nature.

The innovative Sculpture Garden, outdoor amphitheatre, purpose-built exhibition spaces and research library are situated in a unique setting that offers visitors a multisensory experience. This is complemented by the Skotnes Restaurant and Bar, a bespoke shop and a children’s playground.

Their aim is to create high-quality exhibitions and public programming to broaden understanding of the visual arts. The Norval Foundation is honoured to be the custodian of the Gerard Sekoto Foundation, the Edoardo Villa Estate Collection and the Alexis Preller Archive. Art has the power to enrich lives and artists contribute to communities in a profound way.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.
The magnificent landscape of Kirstenbosch is also a perfect setting for art. The Garden presents a variety of art exhibitions, both outdoor exhibitions of long and short-term duration, as well as indoor art shows and exhibitions in the various venues at Kirstenbosch.
The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway is a new curved steel and timber bridge that winds and dips its way through and over the trees of the Arboretum. Inspired by a snake skeleton, and informally called ‘The Boomslang‘ (meaning tree snake), it is a low-maintenance, low-impact sculptural raised walkway.

The Walkway takes the visitor from the forest floor into and through the trees and bursts out above the canopy, giving spectacular panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains.

The beautiful Boulders Beach is one of Cape Town’s most visited beaches and the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins.
In 1982 a couple of these little crowd-pleasers settled on the soft white sand between the large granite boulders that protect the beach from wind and large, stormy waves, and currently the population is estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 birds. Sadly the African Penguin has been classified as an endangered species, due to things like over-fishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and irresponsible tourism activities, and the Boulders Beach colony has also felt the effect, with numbers dwindling over the last couple of years.

Thankfully, Boulders and its surrounding beaches now form part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, thus ensuring the beaches are safe and clean, and the penguins protected. A couple of years ago three wheelchair-friendly boardwalks were constructed to accommodate the nearly 60,000 visitors that visit the beach each year. These boardwalks wind their way through the dunes and vegetation and not only provides great viewing spots, but also protects nesting penguins and their chicks. However, you can still spot one or two of the little fellas waddling through the parking lot from time to time.

Table Mountain is proud to be one of the official New7Wonders of Nature, and the only one to be located in an urban area, making it highly accessible. Competing against major international attractions, Table Mountain made it to the top seven after a campaign that attracted more than 100-million global votes.

The New7Wonders of Nature campaign began in 2007. The support from voters, including South Africa’s favourite archbishop, Desmond Tutu, was overwhelming.

In December 2012, the plaque that proudly confirms Table Mountain's status as one of the New7Wonders of Nature was officially unveiled. The ceremony was followed by a massive celebration through the streets of Cape Town as part of the city's annual switch-on of the festive lights. Dancing, singing and a giant rotating Table Mountain float marked the historic occasion.

Steenberg’s breath-taking natural surrounds make for a most enjoyable stroll.

Take in the unparalleled scenery on our Steenberg Walking Trail, an easy, picturesque meander that starts and ends at the Steenberg Hotel. This trail passes a historic graveyard, winds through the expansive vineyards, past the winery (walking is thirsty work, after all!), a scenic dam, and the Steenberg Golf Estate.

Steenberg’s surrounding areas offer a plethora of hiking opportunities, taking advantage of Cape Town’s famed flora, fauna and natural beauty.

Just a few of the many nearby options include:

Constantiaberg hike
A 3-4 hour hike for the ambitious hiker, the Constantiaberg hike starts from Constantia Nek and ends at Hout Bay Beach. Along the way, the views of the Hout Bay Valley make for impressive pictures.

Cecilia Forest hike
Starting and ending at the Cecilia Forest car park (where Hohenort Drive meets Rhodes Drive), this leisurely 1-2 hour walk winds through the enchanting Cecilia Forest. Along the way, small steams offer a refreshing stop, and this shaded path offers a great way to walk on a hot day.

Mountain Hikes
Lion’s Head and Table Mountain offer arresting panoramic views of Cape Town, making the trip up worth every step.

Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch Gardens
The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are a must-visit on any trip to Cape Town. This easy 2-hour walk is a great way to get there. Take along a picnic, or enjoy brunch at Kirstenbosch, as this walk is just enough to build up a healthy appetite!

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is one of Africa's most visited destinations and attracts 24 million people every year. Its setting, in the oldest working harbour in the southern hemisphere, is simply spectacular: it has Table Mountain as a dramatic backdrop as well as extensive views of the ocean, city bowl and the mountain peaks of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains.

This 123-hectare mixed-use development, which caters to both local and international visitors, has everything on offer from residential to commercial property, which includes retail districts, and extensive dining, leisure and entertainment facilities. Its many heritage sites and tourism landmarks make it both exceptional and unique, as does the recently opened Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), which hosts the world's largest collection of contemporary art from Africa.

Robben Island, the unique symbol of “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice” with a rich 500 year old multi-layered history, is visited every year by thousands of people eager to understand and honour the important aspects of South Africa’s history that the Island represents.

Currently tours run as follows; 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00. The ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the ferry trip to and from the Island (Depending on the boat used as they have different travel times).

You will disembark at Murray’s Bay Harbour situated on the east coast of the Island and take a short walk to buses that will transport you to all the historical sites around the Island. On the way to the buses, you will pass buildings and a high wall built by prisoners during the 1960s. The buildings were used for family and lawyer visits to prisoners.

You will meet your Tour Guide when you have boarded the busses. The prison tour will be conducted by a Robben Island Tour Guide. This is part of our integrated tour model. They are fully conversant and knowledgeable about the Island’s multi-layered 500-year-old history. The tour route includes the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.

Book your golfing weekend at Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis and enjoy 18 holes on a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, sumptuous cuisine and the best wine in South Africa. Pearl Valley Hotel gives you access to an iconic golf course. This masterpiece was shaped by the vision of golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his unique touch is evident throughout the course. Holding titles to many awards throughout the years since it’s opening, both Nicklaus and South African great, Gary Player were honoured to open the course in 2003. Some of the awards include: ‘Best Conditioned golf course in the Western Cape’, ‘ranked among the top ten courses in South Africa by Gold Digest magazine’, awarded the Five Star Experience Award by Complete Golfer for six consecutive years.
Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course has two signature holes, 4th and 13th, both offering majestic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

The Club Fitment Center comprises of a state-of-the-art Flightscope X3 V4 launch monitor, and stocks all the latest shafts, clubheads and other components to deliver a world-class fitting experience. We are fortunate to have been able to secure the services of Gerald Radowsky of Golfing Gods, who has the sole SA distribution rights of all the leading shaft brands in the world (eg Graphite Design, Fujikara, etc). All major hardware brands (i.e. Titleist, Callaway, Mizuno, Taylor Made, etc) is available for fitting and testing purposes, providing members with a true custom fit experience when upgrading clubs.

The Pearl Valley Hotel offering includes outdoor activities for the whole family. Activities on the Pearl Valley Estate include:

20km jogging and walking trails

42km mountain bike route

Tennis Court

Padel Court

Camelot Spa at Val de Vie

Three fully equipped gyms

Yoga and Pilates studios

A “must-do” for any visitor to South Africa, game drives provide the perfect opportunity to observe African wildlife in their natural habitat. There are not many places in the world such as this where one is treated to such a variety of animal and birdlife, each one beautiful, unique and perfectly adapted to its environment.

Founders Lodge offers daily game drives to spot Africa’s Big 5 (elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) as well as 5 of the 7 biomes of South Africa, which allows for a large concentration and variety of wildlife.

Daily game drives with professional guides provide countless sightings of diurnal (daytime) animals, while the more elusive nocturnal animals are discovered during the early evening drives. Sundowner drinks at sunset and coffee/tea at sunrise add an extra special touch.

Qualified guides provide the opportunity for guests to experience the excitement of tracking, as well as identifying birds, insects and plants. These walks are restricted to the 400 hectare Founders Reserve, which is free of predators and dangerous animals, to allow for more freedom of movement.

Conservation of animals and the environment is pivotal at all Mantis Collection properties. Founders Lodge is no different. It is the safe house for a crash of white rhinos. You are welcome to help with the supplementary feeding of the rhino and assist to record and monitor the health and wellbeing of these endangered species. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a difference while learning more about these magnificent creatures.

Mantis Founders Lodge is the ideal base for a family holiday with the Founders Lodge Kids Conservation Warriors programme, which includes a Bear Grylls Survival Academy experience, taking young survivors on a journey of dynamic self-rescue to find out if they have what it takes to survive the wild!

Families can enjoy tranquility away from the city and be reminded of the pristine beauty of the natural world, right in the heart of a wildlife concession. This is an unforgettable experience and with bespoke activities tailored to each guest, no holiday is the same.

Bear Grylls, well-known adventurer and television personality, shares Mantis’ passion for education, evidenced by our newly launched Bear Grylls Survival Academy experience at Founders Lodge.
This dynamic self-rescue activity invites young adventurers to learn some of Bear’s key survival techniques before putting them to the test!
In just two hours, the aspiring survivors will learn just what it takes to survive in the wild and they will return to the lodge with an experience they won’t soon forget!

With the art of tracking perhaps being the oldest science, it innately captures our imagination, fuels our curiosity and inspires the urge to interpret the stories left in the sand.

Our guests are invited to join our expert Guides to learn about the plethora of tracks and signs that our wildlife leave behind. Holding evidence of signs from the smallest insect to our largest animals and everything in between, the land is our bush-newspaper where we can interpret the daily bush news of what’s been happening while nobody was looking.

Introducing the Wildlife Photography Haven at Founders Lodge by Mantis.

Elevate your wildlife photography experience to new heights at Founders Lodge by Mantis, the iconic birthplace of conservation in the Eastern Cape! We're thrilled to announce the grand unveiling of our latest gem—a sunken photographic hide that promises to redefine your journey through the lens.

As the world's fascination with wildlife photography and filmmaking soars, Founders Lodge is committed to delivering unparalleled experiences to guests who crave capturing the raw beauty of the natural world. Our brand-new photographic hide caters to the modern explorer who always carries a camera, turning every moment into a masterpiece and sharing stunning visuals with the global community.

Immerse yourself in the heart of our reserve, accessed through a 35-meter underground tunnel, emerging at a watering hole surrounded by wildlife, including rhino, giraffe, zebra, sable, and a myriad of bird species. This exclusive attraction is rapidly becoming the go-to spot for both professional and amateur photographers alike.

Designed by Nelis Wolmarans, a renowned wildlife photographer, our hide embodies the essence of sustainable tourism, culture, and conservation. Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Cape's diverse ecosystems, it promises an intimate and awe-inspiring experience for our cherished guests.

When Adrian Gardiner retired his private railway carriage on which he and his family had enjoyed many an adventurous journey across South Africa, it was his intention to emulate the romance of a bygone era with modern touches, such as a pool, boma and outdoor deck at Mantis Founder’s Lodge.

This lovingly restored 5-berth Railway Carriage, stationed at a siding atop a hill, overlooking a magnificent valley, offers new, exclusive use accommodation. The charming Carriage features, an expansive outdoor deck, private swimming pool, dining area and boma.

Staying on the Carriage means you will have dedicated staff to set the pace of your holiday – whether that’s early morning nature walks, leisurely picnic brunches, lounging by the pool or enjoying identifying the constellations and stars sprinkled across the late-night sky.

The Carriage has three compartments: a main double sleeper as well as a two berth and a single compartment. There’s also a period bathroom facilities onboard and a stunning lounge and dining area. The outdoor deck and boma with separate bathroom facilities completes the Founders Railway Carriage.

The new Founders Railway Carriage is booked on an exclusive use basis for friends or family and accommodates a maximum of 5 guests.  Minimum of 2-nights required when booking the Founders Railway Carriage. Children are accommodated in their own berth onboard the Carriage.

Guests can enjoy Big Five game drives on the Shamwari Game Reserve, bird watching and guided nature walks as daily activities.

Founders Lodge is proud to host a very special experience for those guests wishing to get involved in a unique Rhino Conservation Experience which allows you to take part in an unforgettable, hands-on safari experience, focused on Rhino Conservation in South Africa. Be a part of history and join us on the next Mantis Rhino Conservation Experience held at Mantis Founders Lodge.