Tag: Table Mountain

Tickets, Times & Tips for Table Mountain’s Cableway

Experiences
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By Jessica Bothma on

If you haven’t been up Table Mountain by cableway, can you actually say you’ve BEEN to Cape Town at all? Probably not. See the Mother City from this exciting new angle and admire all of her mountains, beaches, and the urban metropolis at the foothills of one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

As your African travel expert, we have all the information you need for your soujourn up the cableway. Read on to find out more:

Brief facts about the Cableway:

  • Table Mountain’s cableway eventually opened for business in 1929 after construction delays caused by the First Anglo Boer War (1880 – 1881) and World War I (1914 – 1918)
  • Approximately 800 people are taken to the top of Table Mountain every hour
  • South Africans can get a free trip on their birthday or within seven days after ticket purchase (ID Book/card required)
  • It’s wheelchair accessible with certain pathways navigable on top to view the city and the sea
The Cableway with the sun shining from behind Devil's Peak
Come ride on the Cableway
Image credit: Table Mountain Aerial Company

Ticket Prices:

Note: It’s recommended you buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in long queues. Tickets are valid seven days after purchase to give you a chance to go in good weather. Children under four can ride for free.

From 1st October 2017 to 30 September 2018:

AM Two-Way Trip:

  • Adult: R293
  • Child: R141 (age 4 – 17)

PM Two-Way Trip:

  • Adult: R277
  • Child: R136 (age 4 – 17)

One-Way Trip:

This option is ideal for hikers.

  • Adult: R151
  • Child: R71 (age 4 – 17)

Friday Special (for tickets bought at the counter):

Two-Way tickets:

  • South African Senior Citizens: R100
  • Students: R131

One-Way tickets:

  • South African Senior Citizens: R53
  • Students: R71
Dassies are found on Table Mountain
A dassie (rock hyrax) on Table Mountain
Image credit: Tony Mendez

Cableway Time Schedule:

Note: The cableway’s times change with the seasons and according to the weather. If you miss the last cable car down, be prepped for a hike in the dark.

April 2018:

  • First car up: 08h00
  • Last car down: 19h30

May to August 2018:

  • First car up: 08h30
  • Last car down: 18h00

Updated schedules and ticket prices can be checked online.

Note: Table Mountain’s Cableway will be closed for annual maintenance between  23 July 2018 and 5 August 2018.

A view of Lion's Head and the City of Cape Town from Table Mountain
The view from Table Mountain with the Cableway
Image Credit: Rudi Steenbruggen

What to expect at the top:

  • Free Guided Walks every hour from 09h00 to 15h00, starting from the Twelve Apostles Terrace (below the Café)
  • Table Mountain Café for meals, drinks and snacks with spectacular views
  • Shop at the Top for an assortment of curios and gifts to take home
  • Free Audio Tours using the VoiceMap mobile app (don’t forget your earphones!)
The top of Table Mountain with walking routes and fynbos
A view of the top of Table Mountain
Image credit: Table Mountain Aerial Company

Making your way to the top of Table Mountain via cableway is just one of the many things to do in Cape Town.

Have you been up Table Mountain? We’d love to know!

Discover the Cape Town You Wish You Knew With Travel Designer

Cape Town,Cape Winelands,South Africa,Special Features
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By Melanie Du Toit on

After over a decade in the business, we know what we’re talking about when it comes to a safari, but did you know not all safaris take place in the bush?

A unique offering in Cape Town trades the real jungle for a concrete one, a savannah safari for an urban journey. Travel Designer, the brainchild of Ozzy Yerlikaya, creates tailor-made, inner-city tours unlike anything else seen before. Ozzy turns tourists into locals.

Travel Designer street art tour
Image credit: Travel Designer

A personality powerhouse from Istanbul, Ozzy’s love of travelling has led him to many fascinating corners of the globe from Europe to South East Asia. His life has been anything but ordinary and you wouldn’t be far off the mark in thinking he hasn’t stayed in one place too long. Until now, that is.

Image credit: Travel Designer

After a stint in the Mother City, the perpetual nomad was finally stopped in his tracks. In love with its vibrant eclecticism and Instagrammable views, Ozzy decided to move to South Africa in 2007 and make Cape Town his new home.

Image credit: Travel Designer

The city’s multifaceted attractions and fascinating pockets of intrigue were flying under the radar as far as Ozzy was concerned. And so, Travel Designer was born, inspired by a pure travel experience and travel as a transformative concept. “This”, Ozzy says, “is the way of future travel”.

Image credit: Travel Designer

The Urban Safari

In what he calls his past life, Ozzy was accustomed to guiding groups of up to 200 people. “I saw the errors in it and I saw that people left disappointed”, Ozzy explains, ” the problem with this kind of guiding is that you don’t know your client’s lifestyle”.

Ozzy and Sarah Joanna Kennan, founder of La Leona.

He couldn’t stand the fact that so many people arrived and left the Mother City and the country on a whole without connecting with its residents. “I wanted to introduce international travellers to locals and have people experience Cape Town with locals, rather than just like locals”.

Grandt Mason, founder of Grandt Mason Originals, and his team.

That is why Ozzy is on a mission to know all about what makes his clients tick in order to ensure he makes the most of their holiday, whether that is by asking about previous travel experiences, requesting access to old itineraries, or taking a look through your Instagram page.

On a Travel Designer urban safari, you’re bound to feel less like you’re on a tour and more like you’re spending a day with friends – which is what everyone ends up being at the end of the day.

Ozzy and Zapiro on Travel Designer urban safari
Ozzy with famed South African cartoonist, Zapiro.

Ozzy ferries his clients around in a fleet of Land Rover Defenders, a car whose iconic shape is representative of Africa and safari. And how might you document this grand adventure, you may ask? It’s all done for you.

There’s Wi-Fi in all vehicles, drones and Go Pros tailing you en route, and iPads in the car so you can double check your itinerary as you go (and update a Facebook status or two).

Cape Town Legends

Not long after its inception, Ozzy introduced a ‘Cape Town Legends’ series to Travel Designer. This is a personal concept, which, he says laughingly, is really all about him and what he likes to do most: socialise. “I can’t go a day without meeting at least five people”, Ozzy declares.

In fact, he would much rather find a coffee shop in Kalk Bay and spend hours there talking to the barista than go on a tour to Cape Point alone – no matter how beautiful it may be!

Visitors see the city through local eyes, whether that’s while in a cooking class with chef, Jade de Wall, or seal snorkelling off Duiker Island with zoologist, Steve Benjamin. Go to a concert and sit backstage with the band or pick your favourite backdrop (Mountain? Forest? Sea?) against which to be served a gourmet grill by none other than Jan Braai.

Street Art Tour with Mak1one and Travel Designer
Graffiti Artist, Mak1one

If the cultural landscape is more your thing, embark on a street tour led by a Cape Town graffiti artist as he discusses his work and that of his contemporaries. Famed cartoonist, Zapiro, has also been known to welcome Travel Designer visitors into his studio from time to time for an insightful chat in the confines of the creative space where he sketches his most celebrated and sardonic comics.

Award-winning cartoonist, Zapiro

The options truly are endless, from an afternoon with a surprising origami sensation, Ross Symons, who’s garnered over 91k followers online to a thrilling drive along Chapman’s Peak in a sports car manned by experienced rally driver, Michelle Hambley-Grobler.

The country’s first Miss South Africa of colour, Amy Kleinhans, is sure to teach you a thing or two about diplomacy and how the beauty really is in the details, over a spot of high tea.

Michelle Hambley-Grobler with her car collection

Have You Been Living Under A Rock?

Well, in Cape Town we do. It’s not all about the city, as anyone who lives here will know. It’s really all about the mountain. Table Mountain, that is. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can let the trail take them wherever their heart desires around Mother Nature’s embellishment on the Cape coastline.

That could be on mountain biking trails in the Cape Winelands a scenic drive away, or on a sunrise hike to the peak of Lion’s Head where, if you’re lucky, South Africa’s top barista may just be waiting, steaming mug of coffee in hand.

Meet the Designers

Ozzy sees his concept as art, with each guide personally picked for each group like colours in a paint palette.  There’s Dave, the sage, Robin, the companion, and Chris, the explorer, while new additions include Doug, a surfer, and his co-pilot, Stout, the Belgian Malinois who moonlights as a guide (and does the job pretty well).

Stout after leading a hike up Lion’s Head

Up-Close with the Rainbow Nation

The most important part about Travel Designer for Ozzy is that his tours allow visitors to meet people from all walks of life, truly getting in touch with and getting to know South Africa’s cosmopolitan nation. Whether that’s over a G&T from Ozzy’s gin bar or in a scenic location at sunset, well, that’s entirely up to you.

Image credit: Travel Designer

To start planning your own urban safari with Travel Designer, contact us today.

 

Tall Tales & a Tunnel Tour beneath the City of Cape Town

Cape Town,Experiences,South Africa
1 comment
By Melanie Du Toit on

A sunny Saturday morning in South Africa‘s darling city saw me venture underground, beneath the 17th-century bastion fort known as the Castle of Good Hope. I was embarking on a Tunnel Tour. Lauded as the oldest building in the country, the castle’s distinctive walls and iconic pentagon design are in stark contrast to its surroundings: Cape Town‘s towering business buildings, bustling sidewalks, and car-filled streets.

Cape of Good Hope is the beginning of the Tunnel Tour

Our story begins at an obscure manhole adjacent to the castle, marked only by a single orange cone many would be forgiven for simply walking past. Once beneath the surface, adventure-goers find themselves navigating a series of stormwater drainage tunnels that are connected beneath the city, mapping out underground passageways that lead from the likes of the castle to parliament.

No matter their end point, all of these tunnels carry water that stems from one source: Table Mountain.  Water from Table Mountain filters down to its base, reaching the tunnels and flowing through them before eventually reaching the chilly Atlantic Ocean waters on the other side of the City Bowl.

The hole at the start of the Tunnel Tour

It’s hard to believe but nigh on two centuries ago, these tunnels were open and Cape Town looked more like Venice than the city it is today (minus the gondolas and Italian phrases that would have wafted down the canals). When the City Bowl was nothing but farmland and Victorian houses with broekie-lace terraces dotted the streets, open canals lined them, too.

It's hard to believe there are tunnels under this beautiful spot

These canals, far from being the picturesque waterways we imagine today, were pollution hotspots and major causes of devastating disease outbreaks at that time. It was even said that sailors used to return to their home ports after tours around the Cape and tell their loved ones that Cape Town was a city you could smell before you could see. Sounds appetising, right?

A wall at the Castle of Good Hope

Officials knew that something had to be done. Following a particularly nasty and detrimental bout of disease outbreak, it was decided that Cape Town had become a breeding ground for despair and its canals were the cause for this distress. Over the next 35 years, bricks were brought over from England to cover the canals. It was said that South African furnaces didn’t burn hot enough to set bricks that would withstand the passage of time and the onslaught mother nature unleashed following winter rains. Eventually, the canals were covered,  the city was built up around them, and over time people forgot that they even existed – until now, that is.

Discovering the forgotten tunnels on the Tunnel Tour

With the friendly, amusing, and thoroughly knowledgeable guides from Good Hope Adventures, myself and a group of other self-described explorers meandered around the castle and into the depths below it, protected by bright pink hard hats and led by trusty torches.

Matt Wiese journeyed with us on the Tunnel Tour

Considering the city’s current water crisis, I was more than a little surprised to enter the storm water drain and feel mountain water rushing past me and skimming my ankles. The cavern below is decidedly large once you’ve turned your head torch on and looked around – large enough that a claustrophobic-prone worry wart such as myself felt totally fine.

You can get a bit wet on the Tunnel Tour

From this point onwards, our journey saw us head upstream beneath what is the City Bowl’s famed District Six region and downstream again towards what would have been the sea. Low rumblings could be heard emanating beneath the earth here and there, the only sign that there was a train passing by overhead. Nails line parts of these drains and are the only indicators of how high water levels can become after it rains, with bits of natural debris such as spider webs, twigs, and leaves hanging from them.

Watching out for permanent residents of the tunnels Matt, our tunnel tour guide, warned us to keep an eye out as remnants of the last century have often been picked up off the floor, whether in the form of old buttons fallen from an unfortunate sailor’s uniform or coins that must have slipped into the canal decades before. We were also told to keep an eye out for the more permanent residents of these stormwater drains: faint scuttling and a well-pointed flashlight unveiled large cockroaches who shied away from the glare.

A lovely discovery on the Tunnel TourAfter an afternoon spent exploring the castle and what lay beneath its foundations, learning of the ghosts who wandered the underground tunnels, and a few moments being serenaded by a woodwind instrument in the dark, our tunnel tour journey came to an end. We had reached a wooden doorway which led us out into the sunlight, above ground, onto a busy road, and back into the 21st Century.

Even a crab can be spotted

Special Thanks:

Good Hope Adventures

To embark on this Tunnel Tour adventure (and many others around Cape Town), contact Matt Wiese.

A Diary Entry From Cape Town

Cape Town,South Africa
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By Ali Findlay on

“This cape is the most stately thing and the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth” — Journal of Sir Francis Drake, 1580

A view of the spectacular Cape Town

4.45am: My alarm goes off and jolts me awake out of a deep sleep. I resist the temptation to bury myself under the covers and somehow force myself out of bed. A few minutes later I am on my way to Lion’s Head to start the day in the best way possible; with an increased heart rate, fresh air, and incredible views. I am surprised to find that the city is already awake; the trail, though quiet, is not entirely deserted during the wee hours on a weekday. Watching the sun rise over one of the world’s most exquisite cities makes the early wake up well worth it. The morning light reveals Table Mountain, the centrepiece and crowning glory of the only city bordered by two oceans — Cape Town. In most cities, the skyline is a jagged line of skyscrapers but in Cape Town, my eyes always travel higher to the flat peak of its iconic mountain.

Sunrise over Cape Town

8am: After descending Lion’s Head, I make my way to La Belle Bistro & Bakery in Camps Bay to grab an eggs benedict breakfast while revelling in the ocean views. Cape Town’s famous picturesque sunny days are always beach days. Although it’s early, eager beach-goers are already claiming their spots.

9.30am: The sun’s warm rays encourage me to head down to the beach. After a short walk, I find myself at the sandy shoreline of Clifton, adding my towel to the skew line forming. The beach is already clogged with visitors and locals alike; colourful umbrellas dot the white sand like sprinkles on a cake. Some beach-goers let the sun bake their skin a few shades darker, others busy themselves by reading or playing Frisbee, and the brave submerge themselves in the chilly but refreshing embrace of the Atlantic. After dozing in the sun the heat forces me to sprint into the sea. I dive under an icy wave and the sudden change in temperature takes my breath away. I scurry back to my towel and let the sun reheat my skin.

The sunny Clifton Beach in Cape Town

12pm: Clear days are not just beach days but also Table Mountain days, perfect for riding to the peak in the rotating cable car to enjoy unobscured views. The city unfolds below me, getting simultaneously bigger and smaller with each turn of the car. Nothing can prepare you for the beauty you experience when standing on top of this Wonder of Nature. Green mountain slopes blend into the offices, shops, and homes that form a solid line winding along the natural shape of the ocean. To see Table Mountain is to see something majestic and standing on top of it is almost dream-like. To spend time in Cape Town is to have this magnificent landmark overlook your day-to-day activities.

A cable car makes it way to the top of Table Mountain

1.30pm: Can you say that you’ve eaten a meal on a table that is over 1,000 meters high? I can.

3pm: Afternoon brings a visit to the historic Company Gardens. I stroll slowly along the paths, letting the tame squirrels eat nuts from the palm of my hand. A large coffee at the vibrant restaurant goes down well after an early start.

6pm: As the sun moves to the west and shadows lengthen, the city’s best lookout points begin to reel people in. Signal Hill is my chosen sundowner spot. As the magical dusk light spreads over the city, the yellow-gold lights begin to dot the landscape.

Sunset brings out the city lights of Cape Town

8pm: When evening dissolves into the night and the water-coloured sky fades to black, the city’s nightlife hubs come to life with a whoop and a roar. Although Capetonians are well known for being rather relaxed, this doesn’t mean that the city goes to sleep with the sun. On the contrary, certain areas are busiest at this time of day. Wining and dining is a big part of the Capetonian way of life; with such a large selection of top-class wines and restaurants, it’s not hard to see why. Kloof Street House, a well-known restaurant in the CBD, is my choice this evening. I sip white wine outside, while the warm summer air hangs around me like an invisible blanket; the best end to a day in the Mother City.

Adderley Street in Cape Town

11pm: The taxi passes the dark gap in the city that is Table Mountain at night, but from this angle, I can see its majestic rocky walls are lit up with large white spotlights — Cape Town’s most famous resident never fails to impress.

How To Celebrate Easter in Cape Town

Cape Town,Travel Tips
3 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

The shelves of stores in and around Cape Town have become overloaded with chocolate eggs and bunnies. Children and chocoholics alike fill with excitement, knowing that soon the delights will pass from the Easter Bunny’s paws to their own.

If you’re in Cape Town over Easter, here’s a list of where to stay and what to do. Rhino Africa has the answers!

Where To Stay

The Cape Grace Hotel & Spa
This Easter Sunday, 31 March, The Cape Grace’s Signal Restaurant will be a haven for foodies and sweet lovers. A decadent Buffet Lunch,with a selection of cold, hot and sweet dishes will be served, ideal for those looking to make the day extra special for their families. Dining at Signal is always an indulgent affair but this is sure to be an event the kids will enjoy too and certainly never forget. R295 per person.
Signal +27 (021) 410 7080, signal@capegrace.com

 Amazing chocolately delights at the Cape Grace

One&Only Cape Town
For three days only, from Saturday 30 March to Monday 1 April, an Easter Bunny Afternoon Tea Buffet will be hosted at The One&Only, with a special buffet for the kids on Easter Sunday. As if that wasn’t enough, check in to the Vista Bar & Lounge and tuck into a Lindt Chocolate Fondue, during which the kids can head off on a festive Easter Egg Hunt, at 3pm on Easter Sunday. Afternoon Tea: R165 per adult (R75 per child aged 4-12 years on Easter Sunday)
To Book: +27 21 431 4511, restaurant.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com

Indulgent High Teas at The One&Only Cape Town

The Mount Nelson
On Easter Sunday the hunt begins at 2:30pm for the delicious eggs hidden within this iconic hotel at the heart of Cape Town. Easter Lunch will be served at the Oasis Restaurant boasting a hot and cold station, a carvery and an extensive array of desserts. You can even book a stay in a luxury compartment including a horse and carriage ride from the hotel through Company Gardens!
To Book: +27 21 483 1000, reservatios@mountnelson.co.za

Indulge with the kiddies at The Mount Nelson in Cape Town

Winchester Mansions
This iconic beach front hotel in Seapoint will be holding an egg painting workshop for kiddies in honour of Easter. Kids will jump at the opportunity to get messy while you delve into salted caramel tarts and other home-baked treats! Accommodation specials are also on offer: The ‘Hop To It!’ and the ‘Bunny Good Idea’ combine the fun of Easter with luxury to make the perfect weekend away.
To Book: +27 21 434 2352, sales@winchester.co.za

Egg painting at Winchester Mansions

The 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa
Indulge in a magnificent Easter-inspired Sunday buffet and perhaps you could be the lucky one to win a large handmade chocolate Easter egg in the 12 Apostle’s lucky draw. Kids’ activities such as Easter Egg Hunts will continue throughout the day. R355 per person.
To Book: +27 21 437 9052, banqueting@12apostles.co.za

The spectacular views of the 12 Apostles

What To Do

The Lindt Maze
The Lindt Gold Bunny Maze in Barrow Court at the V&A Waterfront is the perfect place to take the kids this Easter. They can run through the maze and rifle through the hedgerow in search of the iconic Lindt Lindor chocolate balls. And it’s completely free!
More Info: +27 21 884 4352, info@delvera.co.za

The Lindt Easter Hunt at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town

Easter for the Adults
The House of JC le Roux will be pairing their finest bubbly with Easter eggs so there’s no shame in getting just as excited about Easter as the kids. Two of our favourite treats in one day!
More Info: +27 21 865 8200, info@jcleroux.co.za

Bubbly and treat pairings at JC le Roux

Easter at Laborie Wine Farm
Situated in Paarl, Laborie Wine Farm will be putting on a show for the entire family. Live entertainment including a special appearance from the Easter Bunny is all in store for Laborie’s guests, as well as face painting, a jumping castle, trampolines and an Easter Egg hunt. R100 per adult, R60 per child.
More Info: +27 21 807 3390, info@laboriewines.co.za

Fun for the family at Laborie Wine Farm

Warwick in Wonderland
From 6 – 9 April, families can head to Warwick Wine Estate in Stellenbosch to meet Alice, the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat. Easter Egg hunts, trampolines and face painting will all be in place to make the perfect day out. Gourmet picnic baskets are available for adults to indulge in while the kids are at play. Booking is essential.
More Info: +27 21 884 4410, visit@warwickwine.com

sdf

Easter Egg Hunt on Table Mountain
Easter eggs are other chocolate treats will be hidden all over Cape Town’s landmark mountain for little adventurers to find, with the help of a treasure map, on Easter Sunday. Take the Table Mountain Cableway up to the top of the mountain where you will be met and given a series of clues to begin your hunt. R195 per adult, R95 per child (10h00-13h00).
More Info: https://tablemountain.net

 An Easter Egg on the iconic Table Mountain

Private Villas & Lodges in Southern Africa

Cape Town,General,South Africa
7 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

How To Stay Alone In The Wild

Well, not entirely alone, and not only in the wild…

Exclusive-use villas and lodges – they’re “the next big thing” when travelling to Africa. Instead of sharing Africa with others, and their screaming children, do it alone, or with a few special family members, or a lover or two. Whether staying on a luxury game reserve or in a bustling city, Southern Africa’s private-use villas and lodges afford privacy, flexibility, space and freedom.

We all love to be pampered, served in bed and waited on with hot towels and silver tray deliveries of caviar and champagne. Right? But there’s something special about going away on holiday and having the place all to yourself. If you still want to be slightly spoiled and the self-catering element puts you off, don’t worry – most of these properties can provide you with your own private chef, butler, housekeeper, driver, game ranger, tracker or masseuse – you name it!

View of Table Mountain
Cape Town is a beauty, day and night

Cape Town in particular has some of the most spectacular villas, mansions and apartments in the world. Private villas and lodges have become a popular way to enjoy the sunny South African lifestyle. For family holidays and groups of friends travelling together, renting a comfortable and lavish holiday home can be extremely cost-effective.

Below are some of our favourites that we recommend. Feel free to contact one of our expert travel consultants to discuss the various options available, such as including your stay with other destinations, accommodation and tours, in a greater African itinerary.

Safari Lodges

  • Ulusaba Cliff Lodge – For those seeking the utmost in exclusivity, look no further than Ulusaba Cliff Lodge, part of the Ulusaba Portfolio – a private concession inside the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger. There are two suites. Cliff Lodge is linked to Rock Lodge by a raised walkway giving you access to all the facilities of the main lodge. If you hire out Cliff Lodge exclusively (it can accommodate up to 5 adults and 4 children) you will get your own private chef, ranger and game vehicle!
Ulusaba Cliff Lodge
Ulusaba Cliff Lodge
  •  Lion Sands 1933 Lodge – Lion Sands 1933 Lodge is right on the banks of the Sabie River in the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park. It makes a great home away from home, if your home had a private chef and ranger and private 4×4 Land Rover for safari game drives.
Lion Sands 1933
Lion Sands 1933
  •  Londolozi Private Granite Suites – With a level of privacy and luxury that defies all notions of a safari lodge, the Londolozi Private Granite Suites are the most exclusive suites in a remarkable portfolio of safari accommodation in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. The three suites are available individually or as a whole camp so you and the family can have private and exclusive use of the whole camp.
Londolozi Private Granite Suites
Londolozi Private Granite Suites
  • Londolozi Pioneer Camp – This is the most secluded of Londolozi’s Luxury camps and can be converted into a private bush home for family groups of 6 – 14 through linking glass sky walkways.
  • Singita Castleton Camp – An exclusive-use property in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park, this is the ideal place to go to with a group of friends or family. It can be booked as a complete safari lodge for a maximum of 12 guests in a single group. You will have your own private chef and a personal ranger who will be at your beck and call for game drives and bush walks.
Singita Castleton
  • Tswalu Tarkuni – Built in a remote and beautiful valley in The Kalahari, offering guests a secluded and luxurious experience, Tarkuni is available for exclusive use only and is ideal for small groups and families of up to 10 guests. There are five luxury bedrooms each with en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers. You’ll have a private game viewing vehicle and a dedicated chef.
Tswalu Tarkuni
Tswalu Tarkuni
Tswalu Tarkuni
Tswalu Tarkuni
  • Africa House – This is the exclusive-use bush villa at Royal Malewane, in the Thornybush Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park, which sleeps up to 12 guests in one of the most spectacular, luxurious and unique ‘houses’ in South Africa. You’ll get your own private game ranger, tracker, chef and butler. Privacy, personalised service and great game viewing – sound good?
  • Phinda Homestead – Part of the Phinda Private Game Reserve, this luxury bush villa provides an intimate and private retreat for up to 8 people, ideal for groups, families or those seeking their own piece of pristine wilderness. You will have your own private ranger and tracker, butler and chef.

Villas

  • Grootbos Villa – The latest addition to the Grootbos portfolio, this luxury villa is hidden in the natural wonderland of the Grootbos Nature Reserve with six elegant suites, a private butler, chef and guide. It has mesmerising 180°views of the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. The villa is for exclusive use only, and is truly one of the most luxurious villas in South Africa.
Grootbos Villa
Grootbos Villa
  • Kanonkop Guest House‘s Knysna Heights Villa – Up the hill from Kanonkop is a new addition to the guesthouse, Knysna Heights Villa. It is an exclusive-use villa with three double en suite bedrooms and a relaxing beachside feel. It has sensational views of the Knsyna Lagoon and offers utter privacy.
  • Cape Blue is a stylish, contemporary villa in a magnificent location in trendy Camps Bay. Situated on a quiet road in the suburb, it is within easy walking distance to the beautiful Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, local shops, bars and restaurants.
  • Mwanzoleo – George Michael, yes, George Michael, once booked this breathtaking villa in the heart of Cape Town’s magnificent Clifton beaches. In the summer, this is the place to be and if you choose to stay in this Villa, you’ll be the envy of Cape Town!
  • Seasonsfind – Seasonsfind is an immaculate two-bedroom apartment with what is probably the best view of Camps Bay beach anywhere in the suburb. Designed with the holiday visitor in mind it has everything that you could want for in a vacation apartment.
Seasonsfind
Seasonsfind
  • Camps Bay Terrace Suite – Camps Bay Terrace Suite is an ultimate one bedroom accommodation in Camps Bay that offers the perfect retreat for a couple looking for some privacy. The apartment has fantastic views of Bakoven Bay, the Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic. It has an en-suite bedroom, lounge and open plan dining room and kitchen.
  • Bali Luxury Suite – Bali Luxury Suite is a modern and ultra-luxurious three-bedroom apartment situated in one of Camps Bay’s most prime positions. You can bask in the sunlight on the terrace with views of the Atlantic Ocean, or take a dip in your private rim-flow pool. In winter snuggle in front of the warmth of the gas fire and watch as the crashing waves in the bay.
  • Bond House – It’s as slick as the name would suggest and it’s in the heart of Camps Bay – a prime location and a villas that will have your friends turning green with envy!
Bond House
Bond House
Bond House
Bond House
  •  Bakoven Sunsets – Bakoven Sunsets on the slopes of the Cape Peninsula’s famous coastline. Nestled against the sheer beauty of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range, overlooking the magnificent Atlantic Ocean a rare luxury retreat awaits!
  • Birkenhead Villa – Situated on a private cliff overlooking Walker Bay, next door to Birkenhead House in Hermanus on the Whale Route, this stunning villa has five bedrooms and is completely child friendly – ideal for exclusive use.
Birkenhead Villa
Birkenhead Villa
  • Vos House – As one of the most prominent buildings in all of De Waterkant, Vos House has been completely rebuilt with meticulous attention to design solutions and clever detail. This magnificently renovated period house is immaculate, opulent and brimful of character.
  • Bridge House – The recipient of numerous design awards, Bridge House is an icon of Cape Town’s best contemporary architecture. It has separate suites with numerous private decks set in the indigenous garden.
  • De Hoogwater Apartments – These apartments are nestled on the slopes of Signal Hill, overlooking Table Bay, in De Waterkant, between the historical Bo-Kaap area and the Waterfront in Cape Town.

For more information, visit the Private Villas section on our website. Alternatively, contact one of our travel experts. We can help you plan your ideal African safari adventure, tailor-making it to suit your needs and interests.

From Mountain to Waterfall, Now Direct thanks to Zambezi Air!

Cape Town,Zambia
0 comments
By Craig Harding on

What do the the Mountain that is flat like a Table and The Smoke that Thunders have in common? And no, it is not a riddle…

STARTING June 30, Zambezi Airlines will introduce new flights connecting Cape Town directly with Livingstone and on to Lusaka, Zambia. And why would do we feel like sharing this? Well, because it means it is that much easier to get from the breathtaking Mother City, Cape Town, to the spectacular Victoria Falls… no more flights via somewhere else!


Flights from Cape Town are scheduled to operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and will depart at 08h00, arriving in Livingstone at 11h10. Flights will then depart Livingstone at 11h55, arriving in Lusaka at 12h55. The return service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Lusaka at 12h15, arriving in Livingstone at 13h15. From Livingstone flights will depart at 14h00, arriving in Cape Town at 17h10. Connecting passengers between Lusaka and Cape Town, in both directions, will not be required to disembark in Livingstone and baggage will be tagged through to the final destination. Flights will be operated by a B737-500, configured in 99 economy seats and 12 business-class seats.


With this good news in mind, I suggest you click your way through to our website and have a look at the destination page for Victoria Falls, Cape Town and perhaps even our Vic Falls-Cape Town tours section for a little inspiration. Once you have drooled and marveled and whet your appetite sufficiently, contact one of our expert travel consultants and book your adventure to these incredible destinations!

Earth Hour… Be left in the dark.

Cape Town,Doing Good
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By Matthew Sterne on

All this green business really started with what is one of the most widely distributed pictures in history. This famous snapshot (not much different from the one above) was taken on December 7, 1972, by the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft and became etched in the general consciousness of the human race.

Green became linked with Earth Lovers, Tree Huggers and that most special of human sub species; the Hippies. The joke is on us though. It is hard for any rational human to deny the effects of the changing planet without sounding ridiculous. IT HAS TO END. I know capital letters mean that I am shouting and you know what? I am, this cause is worth it.

I may not live in a tree or wear tie-dye but I am proud to call myself a 21st century hippie. And it is for this that I am punting the critical importance of Earth Hour!

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum and Cape Town’s Table Mountain all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Cape Town LIGHTS ON…

Cape Town Lights Off…

On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

This year’s Earth Hour is drawing near and on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time) I will be joining the MILLIONS already committed to this cause by turning off my lights. It is so very simple. Rhino Africans will be in the dark… will you?

This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Visit https://www.beyondthehour.org/# to find out what else you can do to save our planet. But for now, here are 10 tips on sustainable tourism:

–    Don’t believe everything you read
At times the negativity around news from Africa reaches comic levels.  If there’s a destination you’re thinking about visiting, read up on it, get informed and make up your own mind.

–    Do your homework
Find out and support the tourism initiatives, which employ local people, invest in their communities, train them up and give them a stake in the business. Hit and run setups that bring in outside help are not interested in the long-term viability of a region if they do not invest in skills training and permanent infrastructure.

–    Fight your footprint
When you arrive, offset your carbon footprint at the new kiosk in the arrivals hall in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which is being funded in part by the Danish government.

–    Who owns what?
Wherever possible, try to support tourism initiatives where the local community has a real stake in what happens. When they don’t, the long-run result is often that not only do the communities miss out on skills acquisition and share holding, but the vast earning potential of each country’s huge and beautiful wilderness expanses are not correctly harnessed to their full extent. Everyone loses.

–    Ask questions
If you find yourself on a guided tour or visiting an area where a lack of investment in local communities is obvious, ask questions of the group guiding you. Ask about the people they employ, what they give back to the community and how they are investing in the human capital of the area. Even if they have not made sustainable tourism a priority, applying pressure to the situation can instigate change.

–    Watch out for Greenwashing
It’s fashionable to care about the environment these days so both sustainable and eco tourism are labels many companies are eager to slap on to their products or services whether they comply or not. If a tourism company claims to follow “green” guidelines don’t take it at face value. Find out how they operate. Ask about their renewable energy sources, what they do with grey water and other eco-friendly tactics they should be employing.

–    Support the local economy
Wherever possible buy local products from local stores and by interacting with local business initiatives

–    Pay a fair price
Just because guidebooks tell you to haggle over everything doesn’t mean that they are right or that they take local conditions into account. Mass-made curios may be cheaper in the cities, but may not have the unique features of a rural craftsman’s work and your saving two quid means a lot more to the local than it does to you.

–    Shop the right way
It’s Africa, so you are probably going to want to take home some unique curios made by highly-skilled craftsmen. Just ensure that what you take home is not illegal like ivory or that something didn’t have to die in order for it to be made (curios made of porcupine quills, carvings made from rare trees). Rather than encourage poaching or deforestation ask your guide for advice on ethical purchases.

–    Be respectful, show an interest
There’s more to African than animals and scenery. Apart from contributing to the people of the places you visit and minimizing the harmful effects of travel, be aware that sustainable tourism also means respecting the cultures you visit. So while ‘culture” may be conveyed differently to what you’re used to (museums and art galleries are scarce), it’s still valued and powerful (e.g. oral story-telling, dance and local delicacies beer brewing). Make an effort, show an interest and your trip will be that much more enjoyable.

To help out on a smaller scale visit https://www.challenge4acause.com or https://safari.rhinoafrica.com to make every area of your life sustainable and planet friendly.

Vote For Table Mountain As One Of The New7Wonders of The World

Cape Town
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By Craig Harding on

Table Mountain, iconic, beautiful and rising majestically above Cape Town since… well for ages. It’s a natural wonder, a real gem in Cape Town’s crown. No one should visit Cape Town without stepping foot on its summit, so if you’re staying in any Cape Town accommodation ask the concierge how you can get to the top as quick as possible, go on do it! (Of course you could ask your Rhino Africa consultant for help, they would be happy to oblige.)

Table Mountain as seen from the V&A Waterfront

Recently Table Mountain has been shortlisted to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature. This being the modern age the list is no longer simply drawn up by Greek Philosophers; nowadays it takes a digital poll to see which natural wonders make the final seven.

Competing against the Great Barrier Reef and The Grand Canyon, Table Mountain certainly needs every vote it can get to claim its deserved place as one of the New seven wonders of nature.

So get your button finger moving and help Table Mountain along by voting until November 11, 2011. Simply SMS *Table” to 34874 at a cost of R2 per SMS. You can vote as often as you like, what are you waiting for?

You may also vote online, where can select not just one wonder to vote for but the full seven! So which would be your perfect seven?

You can also join the Vote For Table Mountain Facebook and Flickr groups.

Vote for Table Mountain in the New7Wonders of Nature Campaign

Happy Birthday to a Capetonian Icon: The Pink Lady turns 112!

Cape Town
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By Matthew Sterne on

Just up the road from our offices sits what is surely Cape Town’s most distinguished resident, The Mount Nelson Hotel. The pink lady opened her doors on Monday the 6th of March 1899 and was, “The first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold running water, it received rave reviews and was applauded for being even better than its London counterparts.” Well our Nelly has certainly moved on from the basic amenities and has continued to receive rave reviews from a list of Celebrities, Royals and Socialites, longer than the red carpet at the Oscars.

At Rhino Africa we will be popping some bubbly in honour of the Grand Dame of Cape Town and wish her all the best for the next 112 years.

To commemorate The Mount Nelson’s celebrations, we have put together a ‘Then and Now’ of The hotel and of some Cape Town icons… My how times have changed!

The entrance to the Mount Nelson Hotel, Then and nowThe entrance to the Mount Nelson Hotel, Then and now.

The Planet Restaurant certainly got a little face lift.The Planet Restaurant got a stellar face lift.

Mount Nelson Hotel, then and now.The old gal certainly has had a nip tuck or two!

The Cape Town of yesteryear:

The Cape Town Foreshore mushrooms ever skyward.

The Waterfront then and nowThe Waterfront… minus a couple of luxury brands and restaurants.

Camps Bay then and nowCamps Bay… with less clothing and more skin. Scandal!

To experience the Cape Town of 2011 in all her full colour celluloid beauty, contact us about booking a holiday and who knows, in 100 years yours might be the ‘back in the day’ photos people are marveling at!

Table Mountain Sunset Special

Cape Town,Photography & Videos,South Africa
2 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

Table Mountain is slugging it out with a few global heavyweights for a place as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Make sure you cast your vote!


Table Mountain

Too often we don’t take advantage of the wonderful things on our own doorstep – in fact, it took a Facebook competition to get us up Table Mountain for the first time in ages! We were lucky enough to win tickets to the launch party of the Sunset Special and were left in no doubt that Table Mountain deserves its place in the 7 Natural Wonders of the World! This new special is a great way to enjoy Table Mountain. And you don’t have to wait for a perfectly clear evening either – when the clouds are billowing over the mountain, it makes for some incredibly dramatic scenes – here are some of the photos we took – look out for the mini-portrait of Table Mountain in the clouds!

Four months of half price tickets to see the sunset – definitely one for your summer to do list!

If you have any photos of Table Mountain then we’d love you to share them with us, by posting them on our Facebook Wall.

Table Mountain
Table Mountain
Table Mountain

www.facebook.com/rhinoafrica

Sevruga Restaurant in Cape Town

Accommodation,Cape Town,South Africa
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review
Five Rhino Rating
“Sleeping with prostitutes is like making your cat dance with you on its hind legs. You know it’s wrong, but you try to convince yourself that they’re enjoying it as well.” Jimmy Carr

Richard and I, dapper gentlemen that we are, arrived at the V&A Waterfront on a balmy winter’s evening. Terrific, warm sunshine has been the order of this winter. If it wasn’t for our guts we’d have certainly had a spring in our steps. Richard is the GM at MannaBay and is on the hunt for restaurants to recommend to guests. He’s going to be hard pushed to find something better to recommend to a first time visitor to Cape Town…

 

The setting is sublime – vivid colours, yachty totty, sea air and Table Mountain looming in the background. It’s a big restaurant – part of the Caviar Group which includes Blonde and Beluga, but it certainly beats its brethren for location, especially if you get a table in the ample outdoor area which is a must at lunch time. White umbrellas and matching table cloths, elegantly dressed waiters and polished cutlery, there’s a lot of sex appeal here. Inside, dark and opulent browns compliment the magnificent glass ‘wine wall’ which houses over 3000 bottles of wine. Because it’s in the V&A Waterfront however, I think a lot of people tend to assume that it’s bound to be a tourist trap – they worry that it’s going to be a triumph of style over substance – ordinary food at extraordinary prices. Sevruga has a similar allure to a Soho sex shop. People want to go in, but they know it’s not a good idea…

Well let the Horny Grazer be your green light in the red light district. Leave your scepticism at the door – the food is good, the service is polished and the portions are generous.

Sevruga Restaurant

I began with the wild mushroom tortellini served with wilted rocket, a tomato concassé and white truffle foam. Sounds fussy, but it was delicious – tasty and perfectly cooked. GM had the crayfish tian which was light and refreshing if a little heavy on the mayonnaise.

Sevruga specialises in seafood – for main course, you need look no further than the salmon wellington which is hearty and delicious. It’s a large portion and slightly clumsily presented on a bed of mash, but the pastry was cooked to perfection while the salmon was succulent. We ordered a few cheeky prawns and langoustines on the side – a selection of Queens, Langoustines and Tiger Giants. You have to order a Tiger Giant for the sheer novelty – these enormous sea critters have a much firmer meat than regular prawns while the langoustines offer (well they don’t really offer it, we kind of just kill them and take it) a much sweeter meat. Unlike prawns, langoustines are not segmented, so you get meat all the way from the head to the tail. As ever watching his waistline, GM opted for the Lindt chocolate Springbok served with pommes cocottes, wild mushrooms and a chocolate & port jus. Please consult your physician before ordering this devilishly delicious dish.

Sevruga Restaurant

Unsated, we shared the chocolate fondant. It’s hard to get a fondant wrong and really all comes down to the quality of the chocolate – this one was good, but curiously presented at one end of a chocolate skid mark on a rectangular plate.

Prices are on the steep side, but the menu is nicely varied with something to suit every wallet – they also have a fantastic sushi menu and offer half price sushi daily between 14pm and 17pm.

Sevruga is a great restaurant in a fab location and there is no reason why locals shouldn’t enjoy it as much as our overseas visitors. Just remember to book if you want to sit outside.

Sevruga Restaurant

Sevruga
Shop 4, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
info@sevruga.co.za

+27 (0)21 421 5134

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