Set just over an hour from Cape Town, within the inspiring landscapes of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is a heritage town and a world-renowned food and wine destination. Travellers could choose to focus their visit on any one aspect alone - nature, cuisine or culture - and find plenty to keep them busy. The estates here attract wine experts from around the globe with their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cap Classique sparkling wine (among others). Five-star restaurants alongside the cellars are surrounded by the same jaw-dropping valley scenes that have brought artists and writers to the area for centuries. A superb literary festival takes place around May every year, and, combined with the town’s Cape Dutch manor houses, fascinating museums, and charming boutiques, makes Franschhoek a wonderful place to visit in winter. Summer provides endless hiking, cycling and other outdoor opportunities among the lush farmlands and mountains.
Located north of Nelspruit between the towns of Gravelotte and Mica in the Limpopo Province, the sprawling Selati Game Reserve is named after the great Selati River, which runs through it. The green, hilly landscape is dotted with dramatic granite structures, providing stunning views of the veld, magnificent Drakensberg Mountain Range and extensive wildlife. The reserve is inhabited by 50 different species of mammals, including black and white rhino, lion, sable antelope, elephant, cheetah, and leopard. Other rare species include the Cape clawless otter, mountain reedbuck, Sharpe’s grysbok, tsessebe, pangolin and brown hyena. Selati is ideal for bird watching, as it is home to a vibrant bird population. There are excellent opportunities for game drives and very low traffic as the reserve does not house guests on site.
Boasting an unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park, Ngala Private Game Reserve is an exquisite wildlife sanctuary that offers an intimate game-viewing experience. Visitors can encounter magnificent creatures such as elephants, leopards, spotted hyenas, giraffes, large buffalo herds, and white rhinos. Expert ranger and tracker teams lead thrilling game drives, employing sensitive off-roading practices that ensure up-close encounters with the mesmerizing wildlife. For a more immersive experience, walking safaris and bush walks are also offered, allowing guests to appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem. To complete the adventure, Ngala provides luxurious lodges that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, providing a tranquil and comfortable retreat after thrilling days spent in the heart of the African wilderness.
