Safari holiday dreaming
The ultimate summer holiday experience for the entire family
Just like we dream of winning the lotto, we also dream of our next holiday destination and Africa is always on the list. The weather is cooling down, the calendar pages turning all too quickly and we’ve got clients galore seeking a summer holiday in South Africa.
So if you are #SummerHolidayDreaming too, we’ve got some ideas on how you can savour the festive season in South Africa. There is everything from cosmopolitan city soirees to a wicked indulgence in the winelands and wondrous wildlife safaris of course…
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Safari holiday dreaming
Why South Africa?
With an exchange rate hovering around 10 Rand to 1 Aussie dollar, boy can you get big bang for your buck, so why not think about a summer safari holiday with style? You could be spending Christmas or anytime over the festive season with sensational portions of food, wine, mountains, beaches and of course wilderness and wildlife all in South Africa.
For maximum impact, we will start out on safari rather than have it as your finale. It gets you immersed in the bush away from the buzz of your technology (or we’ll put you somewhere with wifi if you can’t be without it for a wee moment).
If you are travelling with kids on a Family safari to South Africa we recommend Malaria free zones Madikwe Reserve or the Eastern Cape at places like Shamwari, Kwandwe or Addo and Kariega. Otherwise get yourself to Timbavati and our tented favourite, Tanda Tula.
Weather is kind, wildlife abundant and wilderness spectacular in all of these reserves.
Accommodation options vary from affordable tented camps, larger lodges to uber luxury intimate properties and grand scale boutique safari lodges. So your safari holiday will be designed by our team to ensure it’s a stellar summer experience.
Then Christmas should always be spent either at the beach with kids or in the Winelands for adults so you can truly savour some sensational summer cuisine and of course fine wines of all colours and flavours!
Foodie style Christmas celebrations
Grande Roche, Paarl has a beautiful terrace enjoys sweeping views and food is always worth travelling for!
Spier Wine Farm, is great for families and the farm offers a delectable Christmas Day lunch at the lauded Eight Restaurant.
Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch offers an exploration of tastes with cold, plated starter, a soup station, carver and dessert buffets.
One more for luck and its the romantic Rhebokskloof Wine Estate in Paarl. There was a fancy Christmas Lunch buffet on Christmas Day of course, but we love the Christmas Picnic offer. For around $30 you get a Christmas themed picnic basket for two to share on the lawns of Rhebokskloof with views of the Paarl mountain range. Wine is sold at the cellar door.. what are you waiting for?
Big Bang New Years
New Years Eve should go off with a bang and no better place than Cape Town itself.
For party atmosphere on trend, we’d love to be seen at Shimmy Beach Club, V&A Waterfront with world class style, glamour, music and entertainment that is always set to rival all other celebrations in Cape Town! They always offer general admission with access to the beach, general access PLUS with beach and pool deck, VIP for designated area and canapés and drinks or Premier which is the ultimate in uber style!
The Grand Africa Cafe & Beach, Granger Bay also go large with beach themed parties and in 2015 it had an Ibiza on tour theme so the socialites and hedonists had the chance to experience the vibes of the Mediterranean party mecca.
The V&A Waterfront itself is great for families with their fireworks displays, count down party and multiple entertainment zones. Think circus, music and more.
For themed affairs, this last New Years Eve had to be at Beluga, a stunning restaurant in the Foundry building at Green Point. The Roaring 20s theme served guests a 4 course set menu with welcome drink and canapés included. Guests dressed up to the nines, a DJ rocked the party and it was very affordable at R1100 per person which included the tips so it was paid up front – nothing to worry about once there! We love that… So at 12 to 1 that’s just $90 odd dollars for a designer night!
For a class act, the annual Nederburg New Years Eve Concert is always a hit. This time around it was Cape Town’s Philharmonic Orchestra headlining with local artists. Families took picnics and kids under 12 were free. Nothing beats sitting under the stars with loved ones on a rug and taking in great classical tunes by one of the country’s best baton bearers, Brandon Phillips.
Beyond the Norm
So if you want something really different this Christmas, South Africa certainly can tick that box too. For Foodies, why not follow the farm stall trails and sample goods and produce as you self drive South Africa, enjoying its endless open roads.
Ultimate Luxury Safari and we recommend Tswalu… for the luxury of flying in on private charter, outstanding safari experiences getting you close to wildlife on foot, in 4×4, horseback.
We could go on, but that’s enough for this tired blogger… I’m off to dream of my summer safari holiday in South Africa.