Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities; it is a top international destination and is blessed with six of the top seven tourist attractions in South Africa. It is fondly known as the Mother City and is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is nestled in one of the world's most dramatic scenic settings with the overwhelming backdrop of Table Mountain, Devil's Peak and Lion's Head. The city was colonised on 6 April 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck dropped anchor in Table Bay to hoist the Dutch flag. Today the city is one of the world's most primary ports for the export of goods, and is the major base for deep-sea fishing. You can walk for hours on unspoilt beaches, hike through forests or one of the world's great plant kingdoms, explore mountain trails or semi-desert areas, and tour historic wine estates where old slave bells are startlingly juxtaposed against their backdrop of Cape Dutch elegance. Nature lovers can enjoy the best whale, shark, ostrich and penguin watching in the world.
Set in the scenic Western Cape Winelands, the little town of Wellington is only a 45-minute drive from the city of Cape Town. Its Idyllic position makes it an excellent base from which to explore the beautiful surrounding area, including the Hawequa Mountains, an array of wine estates, the unforgettable panoramic views from the historic Bain’s Kloof Pass, a variety of indigenous flora and fauna and crystal-clear streams and rivers. Known for its award-winning wines and fine brandy, visitors can spend days hopping from tasting to tasting, enjoying the area’s crowning glory. Other popular activities include: horse riding, fly fishing, guided wine walks, birdwatching, mountain biking, abseiling and 4x4 routes.
The seaside town of Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination situated just 2.5 hours’ drive west of Gqebertha, on the spectacular coastal Garden Route, The Portuguese explorers called it the 'Beautiful Bay', and it’s easy to see why – Plettenberg Bay is a picturesque, charming town with endless pristine beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests, and a dramatic rocky peninsula. Playground to the wealthy, beach mansions overlook the Indian Ocean, often dotted with luxury yachts, while leisure time is given over to polo and golf, among other things. However, all kinds of visitors will feel at peace here as simply swimming in the warm water on a safe beach is a great way to experience the beauty of Plettenberg Bay. Adrenaline seekers can visit Bloukrans Bridge, a 30-minute drive away, to do the highest bungee jump on earth.
Located in the heart of the remote and mysterious Great Karoo, Graaff-Reinet is surrounded by the rolling plains and rising mountains of Camdeboo National Park. This is a wonderful place to escape from reality and revel in the solitude, silence and clear, star-studded nights that this secluded town provides. Graaff-Reinet, as the fourth oldest town in the country, has a very rich history and features ancient fossils, wonderful examples of Cape Dutch architecture, and over 220 local heritage sites. Visitors can look forward to an array of lovely activities including: soaking up the breathtaking views of the 'Valley of Desolation' in the Camdeboo National Park, enjoying a night under the African stars at a local guest farm, and sample the area’s renowned Karoo lamb.
Award-winning Samara Karoo Reserve is a conservation journey on 67,000 acres of born-again wilderness in South Africa’s heart-stoppingly beautiful Great Karoo region. Founded in 1997, Samara has pioneered the rewilding of this semi-arid yet uniquely biodiverse landscape, catalysing an ambitious vision to expand the conservation estate to a 3-million-acre footprint in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
Today the reserve is one of South Africa’s most diverse safari destinations, comprising five vegetation biomes across strikingly varied topography, home to over 60 mammal species including the Big Five and cheetah, as well as 225 bird species. Three intimate lodges welcome just 40 guests at a time for slow, meaningful and exceptional safari encounters.
In staying at Samara, every guest plays a role in safeguarding the landscape in perpetuity. Yet for those who visit, Samara’s magic extends beyond its conservation importance. To immerse oneself in this soulful landscape of infinite horizons is to experience a recalibration of the frantic modern mindset, a deep reconnection with Nature and a heart-lifting vision of hope for the future.
