12-Day Safari, Garden Route & Cape Town Self-drive Tour - Luxury - NETT

An intimate, family-run, safari lodge in the Amakhala Game Reserve, Woodbury Lodge is about an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth in South Africa's East Cape Province. You're high atop a cliff with dramatic views of Bushman’s River Valley. Enjoy the silence. Relax. Breathe.

Thatched roofs peeking out from indigenous bush. A natural palette of stone and wooden finishes with hints of colour in stylish elegance, overlooking an endless view of green.

A real African safari experience without the thought of a mosquito, or at least those with malaria. Good news, this is a no risk malaria area.

Watch the sun rise over the savannah and enjoy top-notch game viewing on the private 7500 hectare reserve. A chance to spot the Big 5.

This four star property is the perfect retreat for the individual traveller and small family groups. Enjoy luxurious accommodation, infinite views, excellent dining in tranquillity and, of course, the diverse wildlife and landscapes.

Lily Pond Country Lodge is on the Garden Route. Set in 12 hectares of gardens and yellowwood forest. These large, evergreen conifers are the national tree of South Africa. Respect. And no surprise, the lodge is on the edge of Tsitsikamma National Park. A total stunner. All coast, reefs, rivers, forests. A hiking and water sports mecca.

Several options here. Garden Rooms, Luxury Suites, Luxury Garden Suites and a Honeymoon Suite. All air conditioned. All have an honesty bar, fridge, tea & coffee, CD, iPod docking station and a TV.

The four Garden Rooms have wide sliding doors - and when we say wide we’re talking three and a half metres wide. They lead out onto private patios with views over the  gardens and lily ponds. Twin or king-size beds. Open plan bathrooms with oval baths and walk-in rain showers.

So, the two Luxury Suites had to overdo it, didn’t they. Their sliding doors are bigger. They’re 4 meters wide. So there. They also lead out onto their own private patios and overlook the gardens and lily ponds. They also have that marvellous invention that is underfloor heating. Cosy. Extra length twin-beds or king-size beds. Open plan bathrooms with double baths and separate showers.

But the Luxury Garden Suites are even bigger. They too have the wide sliding doors. They too lead out onto their own patios - but this time overlooking the lily ponds and forest. These suites are decorated in a modern, Afro-Zen style and have their own separate entrances, sitting areas, extra-length twin-beds or king-size beds. The open plan bathrooms have freestanding baths and double indoor/outdoor showers which open onto their private courtyards.

If that doesn’t sound like enough romance head for the Honeymoon Suite. Yes, yes, wide sliding doors that open onto a wooden deck and large, private garden next to the evergreen, indigenous forest. This is also all Afro-Zen style and has its own separate entrance. There’s a lounge area, extra-length twin-beds (Really? On your honeymoon?) or a king-size. The open-plan bathroom has a spa bath and double indoor /outdoor shower opening onto a private courtyard. Bath robes too, so you’ll look all smashing and suave.

Halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on Route 62 is De Denne, a working ostrich farm and country guest house. The Kellers are the 4th generation of Kellers to farm ostrich here. They also do a good line in alfalfa. They've got organic olive trees and a thriving veggie garden. De Denne is quiet, rural, and all in the gaze of the Swartberg Mountains.

There are standard, garden, deluxe and family suites. All have views of the farmland, garden or mountains.

There are 2 standard rooms with queen size bed, ensuite and private veranda.

3 garden suites. One is close to the pool, the other two are nearer the main house. The views are over the mountains. There’s an open plan bedroom/lounge with an en-suite with shower and bath. The private veranda leads to the lawns.

9 deluxe ensuites with private verandas overlooking farmland. All individually decorated. Lots of wood, lots of rugs.

5 family rooms. Three are two bedroom, two bathroom. Two have fireplaces. King or twin beds, lounge area and large en-suites. The family rooms are near the swimming pool and the huge lawns where you can picnic.

Here in Stellenbosch there's wine everywhere. And while the 200+ producers busy themselves on that front, Evergreen Manor gives you a nice sit down in the middle of it all. And a massage if you fancy one.

A Victorian villa with a country house style. Inside there's a period vibe with antique furnishings and complimentary sherry. Outside it's all mountains and vineyards. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and this guest house is a four-minute walk to the town centre. That's four not five, so don't slack.

Nine air conditioned en-suite rooms - some have outside entrances overlooking the garden.

Three are honeymoon suites. All fresh flowers and loveliness. Mattresses are fantastically hard if you like to live hard, sleep hard - overlays are available if you prefer a bit of softly, softly slumber time.

Rooms have satellite TV, telephone, internet points, mini bar and tea & coffee facilities.

Based in the soul of Cape Town, The Three Boutique Hotel offers a luxurious stay with views of the city’s three iconic peaks: Lions Head, Devil’s Peak and of course, Table Mountain. Thus the name.

This hotel is the perfect collaboration between old and new, classic and modern, manorial and contemporary.

Although its founding name “Schoonder Sigt” from the 17th century, has long since changed, the “beautiful view” after which it was named, is still just as magnificent.

This heritage manor was owned by the chap who named the Orange River, gave Pletternberg Bay its title and who had Gordon’s Bay named after him. General Robert J. Gordon. Even the surrounding streets got their names from his era, before it was owned by the son of a king, fulfilled its role as a manor house, an apartment block and even a nursing home. An imbued and interesting history to say the least.

In 2010 it was restored to its former glory, by the current owners, Justin and Natalia Pearson, who stripped it of the Spanish touches regrettably added in 1973, to make this National Monument building the stunner it is today.

Modern. Contemporary. Classic

Two Standard Rooms - elegant and spacious. Standard by name but not by nature, as it is luxury amenities all round. King or twin beds, 100% cotton linens and towels, walk-in showers, robes, slippers, DSTV & kettle

15 Luxury Rooms - pure luxury. Spacious and serene. King or twin beds, 100% cotton linens and towels, walk-in showers (some with a luxury bath as well), robes, slippers, DSTV & kettle. Additional beds can be added.

Studio Suite - a luxury home away from home. An airy suite with added extras on the other room types, it is a suite after all. Ideal for families. Self-catering kitchenette with fridge (minibar), stove, microwave, kettle and Nespresso machine. King size bed (twins on request), inter-leading rooms, hairdryer, robes, slippers, desk, safe, fan & DSTV  

An integral part of South African history. A delightful place to stay.