Tongabezi is situated 20km upstream from Victoria Falls, on the
banks of the Zambezi, overlooking Victoria Falls National Park.
Location Tongabezi is situated 20km
upstream from Victoria Falls, on the banks of the Zambezi, overlooking
Victoria Falls National Park. Flying in on the Tongabezi aeroplane,
one looks down at Zambia and wonders if it is as fascinating on
the ground as it looks from the air. The car ride to the lodge
is a smooth and effortless twenty minutes. Friendly staff welcome
guests with ice cold drinks, allowing one to absorb the surroundings.
Rumour has it that if Doctor Livingstone had found Tongabezi first,
he may never have discovered the Falls - he would almost certainly
have sold his family into slavery and checked in!
Activities Wildlife, Game Drives, Walking
/Hiking, Canoeing, Honeymoon, Shopping, Fishing, Photography,
Birding, Cuisine, Golf, Water Sport
Attractions One's impression is dominated
by the all-consuming view of a river, which has carved its authority
halfway across Africa. Built on the edge of the banks of the Zambezi,
Tongabezi Lodge reflects the mystery, style and excitement of
the fast-fading spirit of old Africa. The scenery from all the
rooms is incredible and even the toilets have views! Nature dominates
the architecture everywhere and one could imagine why Tongabezi
has been called 'the abode of the Gods.'
Facilities Accommodation consisits of
four tented cottages and four spacious open-plan thatched houses
- all with private river frontage. Hosted dining en famile or
private tables or room service. Houses: Three House, Bird House,
Honeymoon House and Dog House each have their one unique architectural
features, four-poster double beds, with large and airy mosquito
canopies, flush loos and private bathrooms with views, hot and
cold water (shower and bath). Luxury Tents: Twin bedded with en-suite
bathrooms, flush loos with views (feature), fans, hot and cold
running water, bucket showers. The luxury tents are very spacious
and totally insect proof, all with individual verandas overlooking
the Zambezi River. Sindabezi Island Chalets: Sindabezi's unique,
being the only island Lodge on the Upper Zambesi River in the
Victoria Falls area. The three, two and one double chalet are
built from local timber, reed and thatch. All chalets have cold
running water, hot bucket showers and flush loo's with views.
The island is fully staffed and all chalets have field phones
for room service but have no elelctricity - only lamps and candles.
Additional Information Visits to the Falls, visits
to Livingstone museums and markets, swimming (in the pool overlooking
the river), two grass tennis courts, croquet, birding with an
experienced Ornithologist, tiger fishing, boating on the river,
canoeing, white-water rafting (the biggest in the world), bunjee
jumping (the highest commercial jump in the world), walking to
the local villages and school, dining, relaxing, joining in with
staff soccer games, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel golf course (Victoria
Falls), horse-riding, shopping in the Tongabezi shop (local quality
arts and crafts).
Child Policy
Children 7+ welcome
Kings Pool
Bush/Game Lodge – Chobe & Linyanti
Kings Pool Camp is located
in a private reserve in the Linyanti area, and offers wonderful
opportunities to view game and birds from the water or land.
Location Kings Pool Camp is located
in a private reserve in the Linyanti area, bordering on the
western boundary of Chobe National Park. The camp overlooks
the Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River to the north. The
reserve consists of 125 000 hectares of unspoilt wilderness.
Activities Fly-In, Safari Lodge, Wildlife,
Game Drives, Safari, Walking /Hiking, Photography, Birding,
Game Cruise
Attractions Most of the area is characterised
by open grassland, riverine forest, mixed terminalia and mopane
savannas. The area is most noted for its very large elephant
populations, which can reach enormous densities in the winter
months. Impala, Lechwe, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, Sitatunga. Sable,
Roan, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Bushbuck and the smaller antelope
are all found here. The major predators such as Lion, Leopard,
Cheetah, Wild Dog and Hyena are resident and regularly sighted.
The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for numerous and diverse
species of birds, ranging from the Fish Eagle to waterfowl,
Stilts, Storks, Plovers and Herons. One of the camp's highlights
are the wildlife sounds: very few camps in Africa are noisier!
The pre~dawn chorus of bird song starts off the morning. Hippos
grunt and snort all day, Baboons bark and screech, Elephants
wander through camp and trumpet, and Lions often roar around
the camp at night!
Facilities Accommodation is in ten upmarket
tented rooms with en-suite facilities which are possibly the
best appointed bathrooms in Botswana. Each room is built on
a raised teak deck with wonderful views onto the Kings Pool
Lagoon. This waterway has great birdlife. Hippos, Crocodiles,
Bushbuck, Impala, Elephant and Sable are all seen from the rooms
on a regular basis. The tents have been designed to ensure that
each guest is totally comfortable and private, while at the
same time offering all the atmosphere of a tented camp in Africa.
There is one honeymoon suite which is under thatch. Each en-suite
bathroom has wonderful views overlooking the King Pool Lagoon.
They are tiled and have showers. toilets and hand basins. The
main lounge, pub and dining room are under thatch. There is
a swimming pool built into the decking.
Additional Information The private reserve borders
onto Chobe National Park but the activities here are not limited
to the rules and regulations of Chobe. We can therefore offer
game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives and walks. In
addition, the lodge has a double-decker boat which cruises the
Linyanti River, offering wonderful opportunities to view game
and birds from the water. There are also a number of great hides
in the area.
Child Policy
Children 8+ welcome
Jao
Bush/Game Lodge – Okavango Delta
Jao is a luxury tented camp,
on the boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta,
where a variety of habitats ensures diverse and interesting
game viewing.
Location Jao Camp is situated in the
Jao Reserve, an area of 60,000 hectares, in Botswana's Okavango
Delta. It is built in a private reserve bordering on the Moremi
Game Reserve, to the west of Mombo, on a densely wooded, oval~shaped
island.
Attractions This area comprises a superb
variety of habitats, ranging from permanent waterways and lagoons
on the one extreme to thick Kalahari soils on the other. The
wildlife at Jao depends largely on the water levels in the area.
The lagoons are home to Hippo and Crocodile and the permanent
waters attract large numbers of waterfowl. In the permanent
waters, Sitatunga can be tracked silently by mokoro. From October
to March the waters subside and enormous open plains are the
highlight. This is where the game viewing is the best. Lion,
Cheetah and Leopard are plentiful, while Tsessebe, Red Lechwe,
Zebra and Wildebeest dot the flood plains. During our winter
months, the water levels at Jao rise and the savannah areas
become covered with water. The focus at Jao switches more to
water activities with game drives on the larger islands.
Facilities The camp sleeps a maximum of
16 guests in unique and stunningly beautiful, luxury rooms.
The whole of Jao is raised on wooden decks above the lush palms
below and is beneath a dense canopy of ancient indigenous trees.
Each room has thatched roofs with canvas walls. En suite facilities
include a bath, flush toilet, basins, as well as an outdoor
shower. Each room has a "sala" for midday siestas with a wonderful
view. The main dining, lounge and pub area is under cool thatch
beneath the tree canopy. The camp has a pool. We also have an
outdoor "kgotla" (Botswana's version of a boma) for dining under
the stars. Raised walkways connect the rooms to the dining room
and lounge. The camp is open all year.
Additional Information Jao is a multi~activity camp.
Mekoros, boating, walks, game drives and night drives are all
on offer all year. The primary focus of the activities changes
according to the time of year and the flood levels. Nowhere
in the Okavango do we experience more extreme contrasts in the
seasons. From about May to late September, the floods arrive
and the floodplains fill up with crystal clear waters. From
October to April, the flood levels drop and the floodplains
turn into savannah grasslands.
Child Policy
Children 8+ welcome
Steenberg Country Hotel
Estate Hotel – South Peninsula
The hotel is situated on a
historic wine farm and golf estate in the magnificent Constantia
Valley just 20kms from the city center of Cape Town
Location This luxurious estate - the
oldest wine farm in the Cape Peninsula - offers breathtaking
scenery, a championship golf course, an exclusive restaurant,
a producing wine cellar, and all the facilities of a top-class
country hotel. Yours to enjoy at whatever pace you choose.
Attractions The 5 star graded Steenberg
Country Hotel is situated on the Cape's oldest wine farm, a
mere twenty minutes from the bustling heart of Cape Town. The
24-bedroom hotel nestles in the tranquil Constantia Valley,
against the slopes of the Steenberg Mountain. The Steenberg
Estate also boasts a state-of-the-art winery, producing some
of the finest wines, as well as an 18-hole championship golf
course. Shamwari Game Reserve took over the management and operations
of Steenberg Country Hotel in September 1997. Both Steenberg
Country Hotel and Shamwari Game Reserve possess unique qualities.
Intimacy and exclusivity combined with a passionate commitment
to conserve history, tradition and nature - typify these qualities.
The exceptional care lavished on the guests ensures that their
stay will be memorable. And when it is finally time for you
to leave, you'll take you memories of gracious Cape hospitality.
The way it used to be. The way it should be.
Facilities This boutique hotel is a haven
of serenity with a choice of 24 elegant, air-conditioned en
suite rooms located in the original Manor House, Jonker's Huis
and the restored Barn. On warm summer days or long summer evenings,
you can go for a swim or enjoy a quiet cocktail by the pool.
Enjoy a convivial drink in the bar, or simply the peace of one
of the inviting lounges. Take a walk through the vineyards or
the nearby forest. Your comfort is our prime concern, and we
will go to any length to ensure your stay is as perfect as a
summer day. Our staff are there to cater for your every need.
Other facilities available are: 2 Swimming pools, Gymnasium,
Steam room, Relaxation room and Hair salon.
Additional Information Perhaps you'd care to take
a leisurely stroll to the winery, where you can taste some of
Steenberg vineyards' choice wines. Wine has always been a part
of life at Steenberg since the first vintage was produced here
in 1695. Now, from the vineyards flanking the golf course to
the winery perched on the hill, the traditions live on. Vineyards
surround a state of the art wine cellar with cultivars selected
to suit the chemical nature of the soils, microclimate and altitude
of the slopes of Steenberg. Vines planted include Sauvignon
Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon, Cabernet
Franc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Nebbiolo and Table Grapes. The wines
are available to clients and guests who are welcome to visit
the winery for tasting when in the area. Please note wine tasting
is by appointment. Other wineries on the Constantia Valley wine
route are a short drive away, and tours can be arranged at your
convenience. The private Steenberg Golf Club is available to
hotel guests, members and their guests only. The golf course
has been designed to take full advantage of natural features
and hazards. The design of the central clubhouse is harmonious
with the historic architecture of the estate. The cool, airy
rooms are fronted with green French doors onto a terrace. The
course was designed and built by one of South Africa's leading
golf course architects, Peter Matkovich. The 18 hole championship
golf course meanders leisurely through the Steenberg vineyards,
pine forests and gentle waterways. The course features four
distinct areas: Wetlands, Parklands, The Cape Flats and Fynbos.
With five different tees, the course can be enjoyed by all,
from championship to junior level. Many golfers envy the superb
condition of this soft spike course and it is widely renowned
for having the best greens in Cape Town. There are also a number
of practice areas, including a driving range, chipping area
with sand traps and a large putting green. Steenberg is also
an ideal starting point for a visit to some of the Cape's other
attractions. The warm waters and white sands beaches of False
Bay and the spectacular views of Chapman's Peak are a few minutes
away, a drive to Cape Point Nature Reserve takes only 45 minutes,
the centre of cosmopolitan Cape Town, South Africa's mother
city, is less than half an hour. Day trips and tours can be
arranged at your request. Among others, the following are available:
Cape Peninsula Tour, Country Winelands Tour, Constantia Winelands
Tour, Table Mountain and City Tour, Mountain Bike Tours and
ferry trips to Robben Island.
Child Policy
Children over 12 welcome
Children under 12 by arrangement
Full Day Cape Peninsula
Full Day Excursion
Private guided Full Day Tour
of the magnificent Cape Peninsula, Kirstenbosch and Cape Point
Nature Reserve.
Your private driver/guide will
collect you from your hotel at 09h30. The day starts at Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens, which boasts the greatest collection of flora
in Southern Africa - representing 12 000 species of plants from
the Cape Floral Kingdom. We then drive over Ou Kaapse Weg mountain
pass and along the scenic Atlantic seaboard, famous for its
white beaches, surfing and glorious sunsets, until we enter
the Cape Point Nature Reserve. This pristine national park lies
at the south-western most tip of Africa, and is one of the most
rugged and magnificent places on the continent, with secluded
beaches and mountain fynbos, including many of the Cape's famous
Protea flower species. This is the place where some people claim
the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Although there is a marked
differnce between the temperature of the ocean on either side
of this narrow peninsula, it is more accurate that this is the
meeting point of the warm Mozambique current and the cold Benguella
current. You will then visit the African penguin colony at Boulders
beach, Simonstown, followed by lunch at one of the fine restaurants
overlooking the rocks and pounding surf of False Bay. A visit
to the traditional fishing harbour of Kalk Bay is a colourful
experience as fishermen land the daily catch. This is followed
by a visit to some of the eclectic shops and trading stores
lining the coast road, after which you make your way back to
your hotel. The tour ends around 17h30.
Duration:8 hours
Full Day Winelands Tour
Full Day Excursion
Private guided Full Day Tour
including Wine tasting and lunch on one of the estates, Cape
architecture and picturesque landscape.
Your private driver/guide will
collect you from your hotel at 09h30. Stellenbosch and Paarl
are of the finest wine regions to be found nearby Cape Town.
These areas with their rugged grey-blue mountain backdrop occupy
a matrix of fertile valleys. Our exploration of the Cape wine
culture ranges from the early pioneer period, some 330 years
ago, to the present industry with its international recognition.
The excursion into the Cape Winelands includes an insight into
the rich heritage that surrounds the romantic estates. The characteristic
Cape Dutch Architecture stands as a symbol of the early heritage
and that of true winemaking pioneers whose perseverance earned
their product a world wide reputation. The tour ends around
17h30.
Duration:8 hours
Half Day City/Shopping Tour
Half Day Excursion - Mornings Only
Private guided Half Day Tour
includes a drive up Signal Hill and other places of interest
in the Mother City – the historic Company Gardens, South African
Museum, Palimentary BUildings, St Georges Mall, Green Market
Square and the Pan African Market.
Your private driver/guide will
collect you from your hotel at 08h00. The day starts with a
drive up Signal Hill with a few over the "Mother City". The
"Mother City" of South Africa was founded when the first Dutch
settlers arrived here in 1652, and is today South Africa's premier
tourist destination and is rated one of the finest cities in
the world to visit. Enjoy a walk through the historic Company
Gardens and a visit to the Ethinology section of the South African
Museum. A walk past the Palaminentary Buildings and St Georges
Cathedral. Enjoy a drive by the Castle and the Parade and then
onto St Georges Mall, visit Green Market Square and the Pan
African Market. The tour ends around 12h00.
