6-Day Cape Town & Kruger National Park Safari - Standard - NETT

With views of Cape Town, Table Bay and the peninsula, Rutland Lodge Guest House ticks all the boxes. A Cape Dutch style manor house against the backdrop of Table Mountain, well located in the quiet neighbourhood of Oranjezicht.

Your Swiss and Belgian hosts bring a European standard to a classic Capetonian guesthouse in the streets of a quiet suburb just off Cape Town’s busy hub. You’re perfectly positioned here. Central to Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Clifton, Camps Bay and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The airport is easy to navigate to from here and of course there are the incredible Cape Winelands just a little further out. A little beyond that, the Cape Peninsula and the famous Garden Route.

It’s charming from the outside. The 1904 Cape Dutch exterior is complimented by the smooth teak finishes in the ceilings and floors, grand arches and brass chandeliers. It may seem a stereotypical old-school manor house but with a hint of modern African flair in the furnishings and artefacts to jazz it up it’s propelled into the 21st Century. Making it both modern and elegant.

Requiring a minimum of two night’s stay, you’ll happily be calling this your base and we’d even go as far as to say, you’ll stay longer with pleasure. It’s the finer details that make it a winner. The goose down duvets and pillows and the complimentary sundowners on the property (with those incredible views) are just the start. It’s homely and warm with just enough restraint in all the right places to remind you you’re a guest here. A well looked after one at that.

The staff is friendly and attentive without being obtrusive.  They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you’ll sure be indulging here. Spend your days out on activities and exploring. Return after dinner in town for a night cap overlooking the city lights onto the harbour. Cosy up. Tomorrow is another day and a chance to do it all again. Bliss.

nThambo Tree Camp is a small, intimate safari lodge in the massive, indifferent Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. You’re basically in a place which shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park.

We're talking west of the Timbavati and 60,000 whopping hectares either side of the Klaserie River. Wildlife sure can roam here. And roam it does. And frankly, animals don't care if they're in Klaserie, Timbavati, Manyeleti, Sabi Sands or the Kruger National Park. They don't even know that this whole caboodle is the Greater Kruger Park. But we do... Wilkommen.

The unfenced borders means wildlife can be in and around camp at any time. So much so that guides will escort you to and from your rooms at night. And there's an air horn in your room in case of emergency... eek. Wild. Watch out for trunks too. If you're in the splash pool. Herds do occasionally wander over for a drink from the pool.

There are beautiful views of the plain and a small waterhole in front of camp. Those mountains in the distance? The mighty Drakensberg.

There are five chalets which sleep two. Showers only and pedestal fans in each room.

All are positioned on stilts at eye level with the trees. You can think like a monkey or a bird and game watch all day. The waterhole in front of camp attracts a number of species day and night; warthog, baboon, elephant, even lion and leopard can be spotted in front of camp.