Embassy Direct 2023 Edition

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Welcome to our 10th Anniversary Edition!

‘Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.’

- Robin Sharma

Our story began more than thirteen years ago, when I was asked to source a Persian rug, a helicopter transfer, a penthouse suite and two Chihuahua’s, all in one afternoon. Our travel business had long served VIPs and on this particular day our clients were a visiting Royal Family. It was on that afternoon that I decided to create a ‘little black book’ for diplomatic missions, in need of services and products, for their important visitors. Today that little black book is over 200 pages deep, is A4 sized and is in your hands. It's hard to believe that it's already been 10 years since we launched our first Embassy Direct print edition and when we began this journey, we had a simple goal in mind: to build a bridge between providers of quality services and the expatriate community, based in Africa. We quickly evolved from that bridge building magazine into a publication with a private business membership group that hosts over 40 events per year (and collaborates and contributes to many more).

Over the years, our pages have featured a great variety of brands and covered a wide range of topics, from cultural events and diplomatic initiatives to business opportunities and above all, we have endeavoured to share good news stories, from across the African continent. Along the way we have interviewed ambassadors, diplomats and business leaders alike who have shared with us their insights and perspectives on the world and the role of diplomacy in it. We have received tremendous support from our members, who have helped us grow and evolve from ‘the little black book’ into a world class publication and business networking structure.

Thank you to all of our members with special mentions to Nedbank, Steyn City, BMW, OUTsurance, Chas Everitt, Fireblade Aviation and Airlink. Your partnerships are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to our team and all of those who contributed to making this years publication a reality. My business partner Peta-Lynn, long serving team member Debbie aka Deb’s who has the important task of onboarding and looking after our members, our editor Rodrigo, Eugene who has been with me from near day 1 of print inception, Kay who runs with our social media and supports our editor with online initiatives, Marion who provides many articles

and assists in proofreading as well as Jeane who assists Eugene in bringing the magazine to life - well done team! Rodrigo this year I’d like to highlight your passion and enthusiasm. It has greatly contributed towards Embassy Direct being the respected and influential magazine that it is today. Thank you

I also want to express my gratitude to the embassies and consulates that have worked with us over the years. Their willingness to share their stories and engage with their local communities has been a source of inspiration and motivation for us. We are proud to have been able to provide a platform for them to showcase their cultures, traditions achievements and to promote mutual understanding and cooperation. Particular mention to those that we interviewed in this edition. The heads of their diplomatic missions: Uruguay, United States, Uganda, Sweden, Singapore, Seychelles, Lebanon, Chile, Czech Republic as well as Danie Matthee, the CEO of OUTsurance. What a privilege to be able to have our friend, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, conduct this years interviews.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of our readers, viewers and event participants. Your feedback, comments, and suggestions have helped us shape the magazine and improve our content. With that in mind, we aim to develop of lifestyle offerings and features.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the future of Embassy Direct. We believe that diplomacy and international cooperation are more important than ever and we are committed to playing our part in promoting dialogue and understanding between nations and peoples. We will continue to cover developments in diplomacy, business, culture, good news and to provide a platform for embassies and consulates to share their stories and perspectives.

Once again, thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to many more years of serving our readers and promoting diplomacy and international cooperation.

Sincerely,

EDITOR

Ron Mackenzie

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Eugene Kruger

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Rodrigo Chiari

ADVERTISING

Debbie Mayes

Jeané van Heerden

Kruger

H.E. Julio Pedro Fiol: Ambassador of Chile

H.E. José Luis Rivas Lopez: Ambassador of Uruguay

H.E. Paul Amoru: Ambassador of Uganda

H.E. Reuben E Brigety Junior: Ambassador of The United States

H.E. Hakan Juholt: Ambassador of Sweden

H.E. Zainal Mantaha: High Commissioner of Singapore

H.E. Claude Morel: High Commissioner of Seychelles

H.E. Kabalan Frangieh: Ambassador of Lebanon

Steyn City: The very best that Gauteng has to offer

Danie Matthee: CEO of OUTsurance

Dr Pavel Řezáč: Ambassador of Czech Republic

From Our Editor: Rodrigo Chiari

Marco Olivier: Sculptor

Getting to know Chambers of Commerce

French South African Chamber of Commerce & Industries

Italian - South African Chamber of Trade & Industries

Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South Africa

Travel

Zanier Hotels Sonop

Soneva

The Seychelles Islands

mFulaWozi Wilderness

Mount Nelson

De Hoop Collection

Victoria Falls River Lodge

Shamwari Game Reserve

Jock Safari Lodge

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Last Word Constantia

Last Word Franschhoek

Last Word Long beach

Last Word Kitara

Lush

Madikwe Safari Lodge

Rockfig Safari Lodge

Serondella

Santorini Mozambique

Hwange Bush Camp

Tswalu

Seal Point Lighthouse

Azura Benguerra Island

The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront

Fancourt

Drostdy Hotel

La Petit Ferme

Bakabung Bush Lodge

Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge

Tshukudu Bush Lodge

The Leonardo

Davinci Hotel & Suites

The Commodore Hotel

aha Alpine Heath Resort

aha Makalali Main Lodge

aha Nkambeni Safari Camp

aha Buffalo Rock Tented Camp

aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge

aha Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge

aha Thakadu River Camp

Flitwick Ranch

Blue Marlin Hotel

Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa

Little Switzerland Resort

Nibela Lake Lodge

Royal Thonga Safari Lodge

Zimbali Lodge

Finfoot Lake Reserve

Madikwe River Lodge

Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa

The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel

Romney Park

Head Over Hills

Massinga Beach

Coral Lodge

Lukimbi Safari Lodge

Idube Game Reserve

Chobe Water Villas

Mokuti

Strand Hotel

Midgard

One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel

The Tree House Boutique Hotel

River Manor Boutique Hotel

Zest Boutique Hotel

The Robertson Small Hotel

Chapter House Boutique Hotel

Sanctuary Mandela

Kruger Shalati

Thanda Safari

The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa

The Houghton Hotel

Koro River Camp

Koro Island Camp

Machangulo Beach Villa

Sandcastle Luxury Villa

Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel

Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel

Time + Tide King Lewanika

Time + Tide Chongwe

Time + Tide Chinzombo

Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel

Sediba Luxury Safari Lodge

Mbano Manor Hotel

Matetsi Victoria Falls

The President Hotel

Mbazo Safari Lodge

Karoo Art Hotel

Gorah Elephant Camp

Tsala Treetop Lodge

Hunter's Country House

Sanctuary Chief's Camp

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Tulela Safari Lodge

Mondzo Lodge

Rora Moledi Gorge

Rora Molori Safari

Mantis Founders Lodge

Mantis No5 Boutique Art Hotel

Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis

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As the South African market leaders in gold coin trading, The South African Gold Coin Exchange are embracing new technologies. We have signed an exclusive agreement with Troygold, a Cape Town-based fintech startup. This collaboration creates a store network of physical on-ramps into the digital Troygold platform. South African customers can upload or withdraw gold Krugerrands into and from the Troygold platform, directly from The Scoin Shops’ physical retail outlets, online o through the mobile app. Our clients can borrow 75% LTV against their gold holdings simply with a tap of a button. We continue to innovate, excite and build on our successful past, bringing gold to everyone, one ounce at a time.

OUR TOP PICKS FOR 2023:

PROOF KRUGERRANDS

The world of gold coins, medallions and bullions is an ever-exciting one as gold prices dip and soar depending on world events. Such events lead to history in the making and an opportunity to create rare coins marking global milestones. With so many exciting coin releases, we’ve narrowed down our top picks for 2023:

Limited edition Proof Krugerrands are intended to be collectors’ items rather than bullion investments. These coins are valued and collected all over the world and are priced above bullion value. Proof Krugerrands can be distinguished from the bullion Krugerrands by the number of serrations on the edge of the coin. Krugerrands are subject to price changes due to market volatility.

BRITANNIA SILVER

The Britannia silver coin is the very first to feature the latest high-tech security feature, redefining security in the bullion market. This coin exemplifies The Royal Mint’s vision for excellence in design and security.

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ZAR coins are deeply interwoven with the history of South Africa. Originally minted for the people of the “Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek”, these coins have a low mintage because of the exceptionally unique history of South Africa. We sell a variety of these collectible coins that are steeped in South African history.

QUEEN AND KING COINS

Our wide range of King and Queen coins showcase milestones throughout history that have shaped the commonwealth and minted as a memory forever.

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His Excellency

JULIO PEDRO FIOL

AMBASSADOR OF CHILE TO SOUTH AFRICA

Chile has the longest sea border in the world. It’s one of the driest countries on earth and is home to the Andes Mountains. His Excellency Julio Pedro Fiol is here to tell us a little bit more about the country and its relations with South Africa.

Tell us about your highlights as a diplomat in South Africa.

South Africa and Chile share many common interests. For example, both countries are located at the very end of the world. We’re both among the only five countries that have gateways to Antarctica, which is very important to us. Of course, we’re both considered developing countries. Because of all these shared commonalities, Chile is highly focused on southto-south cooperation. We’re eager to explore new political and economic opportunities with South Africa.

Please describe bilateral relations between Chile and South Africa.

We are on a very good footing, especially from a political point of view. In fact, South Africa’s vice president David Mabuza was in Chile last year, and we hope that President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit us in 2023.

From an economic perspective, it’s important to mention that Chile’s exports to South Africa exceed our imports from this country. Exports total around $150 million, while South Africa’s exports to Chile stand at about half of that, at $60 million. We are working to make this a little more balanced.

That said, we acknowledge that there are some areas where we won’t be trying to make our mark. Wine is a case in point. There’s a fascinating story behind Chile’s industry. It was created by French wine masters who arrived in Chile during the early nineteenth century, bringing their own vines from France. These were sadly attacked by sickness, so they were sent back, but we found we were able to grow our own vines. Our industry has been built on creating good quality wines at a low price. Japan is our top-selling market – in fact, I recently paid a visit to Japan, and wherever I went, people asked me about our wines as soon as they heard I was from Chile. We’re very aggressive about marketing our wines. However, South Africa produces such good wines itself that we don’t feel the need to compete here.

Chile is very beautiful. Where do you suggest South Africans go when they visit your country?

The good news for South African travellers is that they don’t need a visa if they visit Chile as a tourist. What’s more, we are reestablishing flights from July 2023, so South Africans will be able to catch a flight to Sao Paulo in Brazil. From there, it’s just three hours to Chile.

Chile is a very long country, so there is a lot of diversity. One side of the country is almost Mediterranean, and on the other side, it is more like Siberia, cold and windy. In between, we have lakes and volcanoes.

Most people who visit Chile want to see Easter Island because of the stone structures, as well as Patagonia (which we share with Argentina) and Tierra del Fuego.

What resources are available to people who want to pursue business opportunities in Chile?

You are welcome to talk to me. Email me at jfiol@minrel.glob.cl.

What advice do you have for Embassy Direct as we prepare to celebrate our tenth anniversary?

Keep supporting the embassies. Your support is very important to us.

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Uruguay is named after the River of Birds. It has won two FIFA World Cups and hosted the first football World Cup tournament ever. Here to tell us more is His Excellency José Luis Rivas Lopez, Ambassador of Uruguay to South Africa.

His Excellency

JOSÉ LUIS RIVAS LOPEZ

AMBASSADOR OF URUGUAY TO SOUTH AFRICA

Did I list your soccer credentials correctly?

Actually, even before we hosted the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, we won the Olympic Games football tournaments in 1924 and 1928. FIFA has recognised those games as World Cups, which is why our soccer shirts bear four stars, representing four World Cup wins.

You have been in South Africa for one and a half years. What has your experience been so far? How has South Africa embraced you?

Let me start by saying it’s been an excellent experience, both personally and professionally.

From a professional perspective, I think it’s obvious that this is the diplomatic capital of the world. Almost 123 countries have representatives based in Pretoria; that is most of the UN’s 193 members. This means that you can engage these colleagues in discussions around bilateral and multilateral issues whenever you like.

From a personal point of view, I think that this is a wonderful country with so many things to enjoy. Life is very pleasant here.

What are the most exciting things you have done so far?

I’ve been to many of the world’s most beautiful places, but Cape Town definitely stands out among these. I’ve always known it is a great city, but it exceeded my expectations.

Uruguay was one of the first countries to recognise South Africa. Tell us about that.

We established diplomatic relations in 1968. We were one of the first Latin American countries to do so, and the reason for this is that Uruguay is a small country. We have always been open to the world; as a small country, your relations with other countries are vital.

Our presence in Africa is not as extensive as that of Brazil or Cuba, or other countries from Latin America. But, we share many things in common with South Africa, not only in terms of the type of products we produce (agricultural products like wine and beef); we also enjoy the same type of sports. Our love of rugby stands out, and although we are not as good as your team, we beat Hong Kong, the United States and Canada to claim a tenth place in the Rugby Sevens tournament, which I was fortunate to attend.

Is Uruguay a good place for South Africans to visit? What would you recommend they see? What are the visa requirements? Uruguay and South Africa are linked because of something that happened 13 years ago, the FIFA World Cup. It’s not that Uruguayans didn’t consider South Africa as a destination before the country hosted the tournament in 2010, but it’s certainly become something people remember.

South African visitors don’t require visas, which makes it easy for them to come to our country. That said, connectivity between the two countries was unfortunately affected during the Covid pandemic. Although this has created something of a challenge, our country still remains attractive to South Africans who enjoy the beach and love good food. Uruguay has a wonderful coastline; it has very good infrastructure and is a very safe country. We have a lot to offer South African tourists, and I think it certainly deserves to be considered as a destination.

Do many Uruguayans visit South Africa?

As I mentioned, the reduced connectivity between the two

countries has been problematic, and it affects both sides. However, there have been discussions around the introduction of a direct flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo in Brazil, which has been slated for around June. This will help because Montevideo is a brief two-hour flight from Sao Paulo.

How can South Africans explore business opportunities in Uruguay? Is there a Chamber of Business they can consult? Bilateral relations between our two countries are sound, and this year we will see a meeting between the South African Deputy Minister and Uruguay’s Vice Minister in Pretoria.

We engage with the Chamber of Commerce, which is based in Johannesburg, and I hope to see several MOUs signed between the Chamber and some of our own Chambers in Uruguay this year. Most significant in this regard is the Uruguay African Chamber of Commerce, which is based in Uruguay and is an important resource for the private sector.

In 2008, we signed Mercosur as a bilateral agreement between several countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, which brought about many advantages, including preferential trade.

Of course, part of our work as an embassy is to promote our country and encourage investors to explore opportunities, so we can also assist in this regard. You can visit us online or visit the embassy in person.

It is Embassy Direct’s tenth anniversary. What are the benefits of this platform, and how would you like to see us evolve over the next decade?

First of all, I think that Embassy Direct isn’t just for the diplomatic community. It is a great tool for getting the general public to engage with issues of government and for making them aware of what it is we do. It is, therefore, very important in terms of public diplomacy.

I think that public diplomacy will become more important over the next ten years, and the voice of the people will also become more important. This means there is a clear role for this platform to play going forward.

AMBASSADOR OF UGANDA TO SOUTH AFRICA

Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa. Today, I am honoured to interview His Excellency Paul Amoru, Ugandan ambassador to South Africa.

His Excellency

PAUL AMORU

Paul, I would love to know about your experience in South Africa so far.

I’ve only been here a few months, but my experience so far has been wonderful. It started off well when I met President Ramaphosa just two weeks into my mission. Usually, it can take between three months and a year to meet the host president and deliver our messages from our own president, so this was greatly appreciated.

Typically, when you are starting out in your mission, you have to get used to the weather and the food in your new home. In my case, I arrived in South Africa at the end of August, the tail end of winter, and the climate has been quite similar to that of my home city, Kampala. The food is great, and the people are friendly, so I’m looking forward to an excellent tour of duty.

What are you hoping to achieve while you’re here?

It’s important to acknowledge that Uganda already enjoys strong bilateral relations with South Africa. We started building these relations way back, even before 1994, when South Africa gained its freedom. We even hosted the ANC’s uMkhonto we Sizwe soldiers back in 1999.

One of the major projects we are currently working on together is the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC). This was initiated in 2010, and South Africa hosted the first conference to discuss the commission in 2012. This was recently followed by a conference hosted in Uganda in July 2022. The JCC provides a framework for deepening our cooperation in every sector. As I speak, we are signing a number of MOUs that should facilitate this cooperation. One of the key focus areas is strengthening economic and commercial diplomacy.

Does this cooperation extend into international forums like the UN or regional forums?

I should highlight the fact that our two principals, President Museveni and President Ramaphosa, are both active in the UN and the African Union, as well as the Non-Aligned Movement. Uganda is set to host a big conference for this organisation in 2023 when we take over its chairmanship. South Africa has played a big role in helping this happen.

We also work closely with South Africa under the BRICS framework. What’s more, the Pan-African Parliament is based here in South Africa. We have also worked together in many of the AU’s peacekeeping efforts. For example, Uganda was very active in working for peace in Somalia, Burundi, the DRC and South Africa, and we were supported by South Africa in these efforts.

These instances show us that cooperation between the two countries is broad and continues to deepen.

One of Uganda’s greatest attributes is its population. You have the youngest population in Africa.

Uganda’s population stands at almost 50 million people, but the population of the broader East African Community stands at 300 million. The average age of our population is around 18. This gives us tremendous access to manpower, and skilled manpower, thanks to our investment in educating and training young people. That is good news for potential investors as they are assured of access to a young, educated workforce.

How do potential investors find out more about opportunities in your country?

It is worth noting that the value of bilateral trade between

South Africa and Uganda totals R3 billion. In fact, the majority of investors in Uganda are from South Africa. They’ve been drawn to our country by our favourable investment climate. South Africa is represented in the telecommunications sector by MTN, while Eskom is active in the energy sector, which is doing very well in Uganda. In the banking sector, we have Absa and Stanbic. Those are just a few examples; there are many more whose success stands as a testimony to our healthy environment. We showcased this at a business summit in February 2023, where the attendance of both presidents helped to bolster relations.

We are in touch with Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Middelbaai through our commission. These chambers help deepen cooperation between Uganda and its potential investors while also finding markets for investors from our own country so that we can facilitate the balance of trade. Ugandans have a significant presence in South Africa’s hospitality industry and own many large hotels. They are also active in the educational sector, where they own technical, vocational and training facilities. Add to this; there is a sizeable Ugandan population in South Africa.

Our embassy takes care of other countries, including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Lesotho. Our approach is to see how we can integrate investment and trade efforts to promote intra-Africa trade. There is huge potential here which we believe has yet to be fully harnessed.

As I have said, Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa. Which attractions do you think visitors to Uganda should see?

We have formally adopted the ‘Pearl of Africa’ as our destination brand. Under this banner, we invite tourists to see the Big Five –lion, elephant, black rhino, leopard and buffalo. The Great Lakes region is another must-see. Four of the Great Lakes are in Uganda; Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Edward and Lake Kyoga, the second deepest lake in Africa after Tanganyika.

Thanks to the presence of these lakes, we have fantastic marine life. We also have mountains, and several national parks (including Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo National Park), where people can see our famous gorillas.

Uganda is a great destination, but it remains a well-kept secret. We are addressing this by creating greater visibility and opening up the industry so that more people become aware of the treasure we have in tourism.

As a mission, we are involved in the issuing of visas. Visitors can apply for visas easily online, and we are happy to expedite the visa process where necessary; it is part of making the experience flawless.

We are also pushing for government cooperation around ordinary visas and are involved in negotiations around this. So far, we have achieved success with regard to civil servants and diplomats, who no longer require visas; they simply go to the airport and fly. We would also like to integrate African borders, as this remains an issue that impedes trade.

What is your view of Africa’s future?

For a long time, African countries have operated in a fragmented, siloed manner. That is why we are pushing for reforms in the UN. Our experience is that Africa does not have a voice as a unified continent, especially because it is not a permanent member.

The issue of unity is one we need to address, and I think that we are starting in the areas of trade, investment and commerce while also pushing for reforms in migration laws and consular services. It is probable that once these have been addressed, we will be able to develop internal trade. At the same time, we can develop each country’s position on major issues of interest on the PanAfrican agenda, which still has to be defined. The African Union has outlined the 26th decree, but we will only get the Africa we want if we can act with one voice and have a single epicentre that reflects us as a continent.

Take the issue of energy, for example. Energy poverty is a key challenge facing our continent. Europe, meanwhile, is pushing for a transition to renewables so that we have clean energy. But that vision is not aligned with the realities facing us here in Africa, where we rely on fossil fuels and petroleum. So, against this backdrop, how does Africa make the requested transition?

Uganda is developing strategies around this. Among the things we are trying to achieve is the establishment of the Pan-African Parliament here. At present, it is not a full legislative body; rather, it is a side market, but if we were to strengthen the Mercosur protocol, that might change. We are still waiting for some countries to ratify this so that the Pan-African Parliament can have a legislative branch which is just as strong as its executive branch. This will enable us to make binding laws that we can stand by and interface with the rest of the world.

How do you feel about the outcomes of COP17? Do you think these would be different if the Pan-African Parliament had legislative rights?

COP provides a platform that the rest of the world can engage with, but because the Pan-African Parliament is not a binding institute, we don’t enjoy the same rights. At the same time, there

is sometimes a lack of cohesion between African states. They represent themselves as individual countries rather than as part of a unified continent.

I don’t think that the emergence of a unified Africa will contradict the efforts and achievements of all at COP, but it would give us a greater say. For instance, the Pan-African Parliament was able to come up with a resolution around ECOP and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. However, certain European stakeholders, without consulting us or engaging with us to gain a better understanding of the situation, came up with a binding resolution preventing ECOP from going forward. This is a major project that would affect most of our population, which is still using coal. They are facing starvation and death while we talk about climate change, and trees are still being cut down. Clearly, we need a different solution to energy poverty in Africa. If each country in Africa joined its voice, we could get this message across more effectively, but at the moment, each is speaking alone. At the same time, we lack the power to legislate at a continental level. The problem is that when one African country is unfairly attacked, the rest of Africa is also affected.

His Excellency

REUBEN E BRIGETY JUNIOR

"I lived in the United States of America and became an American citizen; that is how much I loved the country. I am honoured to interview His Excellency Reuben

E Brigety Junior, the United States Ambassador to South Africa."

- Hakeem Kae-Kazim

AMBASSADOR OF UNITED STATES TO SOUTH AFRICA

You are new to South Africa; is that correct?

Although I have been to South Africa many times, I am new here as ambassador.

Tell me about your journey here.

This isn’t my first ambassadorship. I served as the US Ambassador to the African Union under former President Barak Obama. Immediately prior to that, I was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Africa, where I was directly responsible for all US embassies south of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including South Africa. As a result, I’ve known this country for several years, and it’s a proud honour to serve as ambassador now.

What do you think of the country?

It has been an extraordinary adventure. Obviously, the history of the Struggle is something I respect deeply. Seeing the beauty, from the beaches in Durban to the wineries of the Western Cape, has been a highlight, as has the warmth of the people. I have also learned new things. I have learned about shisanyama (grilled meat), for example. It’s an honour to keep learning.

Have any of the customs resonated with you?

I’m learning a few words here and there, Words like sawubona (hello), for example, or phrases that have a deeper meaning. When I was testifying before the Senate about my reasons for coming here as Ambassador, and when I presented my credentials to President Ramaphosa, I committed myself to practise ‘Ubuntu diplomacy’ because I think that the concept of ubuntu (the idea that I am because we are) is one of South Africa’s greatest gifts to the world.

I’ve also learned some words in Afrikaans. "‘n Boer maak ‘n plan" (improvising to solve problems) is an important concept.

What kind of success stories are you looking forward to seeing, and what are you planning to promote in terms of US/SA relations?

We had already enjoyed a number of successes just three months after I took up my mission. I had been here just 48 hours when we received the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. This was the first time a US Secretary of State had visited South Africa in a decade.

Just four weeks after that, President Ramaphosa was welcomed by President Biden in the Oval Office, the first time a sitting South African president had been to the White House in 15 years. So with

all of that happening within my first six weeks, I sort of feel like I should just drop the mic.

That’s amazing. What else are you hoping to do?

I serve at the pleasure of the President, so I’m not sure how long I will be here. But aside from the series of political priorities that our respective governments have outlined, my personal ambassadorial prerogative is to focus on education. I’m a fourthgeneration educator. My mother, my grandmother and my great-grandmother were all educators. I believe deeply in the transformative power of a solid education. We have a number of existing partnerships between US and SA universities, but I would like us to focus more on technical vocational training (TVET) as it is the part of the educational system that is most closely linked to skills development and employment. It is, therefore, one of the things that South Africa desperately needs in order to address the skills gap, which, in turn, affects the unemployment gap. Because of that, I believe it has the potential to change the lives of people.

Going along that path, a massive commercial exchange is taking place between the US and SA. How do you hope to see that develop while you are here, and how will the skills training you are hoping to implement facilitate this?

As you’ve pointed out, the commercial links between South Africa and the United States are already robust. Some 600 US companies currently operate in South Africa, employing around 220 000 people who earn wages equivalent to something like 10% of the GDP. These companies traverse a wide variety of sectors. The United States is South Africa’s second-largest single national trading partner, and we want to grow all of that. That is something our respective presidents discussed in the White House, and it is one of the things we continue to work towards with our South African counterparts.

What types of products and services do these companies offer? They include everything from South African wine and other agricultural products that come to the United States to American cars like Ford that are built here. There are a lot of services in banking, for example, that help to raise high-level jobs and service the industry’s technology. As you know, a great deal of our engagement is in the creative industries.

I have been lucky enough to work in the United States and South Africa. The collaboration between the two countries is very strong, and a lot of the companies that come here do very well. With this in mind, how easy is it for South Africans to expedite visas to the United States, whether for a holiday or to work there?

We had a massive visa backlog when I arrived in South Africa on 7 August 2022. I think this is true around the world due almost exclusively to Covid. When I arrived here, the average waiting time for a tourist visa was 227 days. We prioritised addressing this and reduced the average waiting time to 52 days. We expect it to return to pre-Covid levels by the end of the 2022 calendar year.

This year marks Embassy Direct’s tenth anniversary. Obviously, Americans are in favour of freedom, especially freedom of the press, so is there any advice you’d like to offer us?

Diplomacy is the art of finding commonalities of culture and interest despite all the challenges we may face. A publication like Embassy Direct celebrates that effort, and it’s something that’s true not just for ambassadors but for all of us who might have enjoyed cross-cultural communications in various forms. The fact that Embassy Direct has managed to exist and thrive for a decade shows just how vital that particular effort is, so keep doing what you’re doing. The world needs more of it.

THE LION OF AFRICA

Cape Town artist Gerhard van der Westhuizen met Zimbabwean sculptor, Mambakwedza Mutasa at the Franschhoek Festival of Art in 2018, and began a powerful journey of artistic collaboration and friendship. Their unique art pieces transcend the line between painting and sculpture, fusing oil paintings with elements of metal, wood or stone, evoking a true emotional connection with their audience.

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Credibility, Integrity and Stability

Established in 1969, SATSA is a non-profit membership-based tourism industry association, currently representing over 1,100 inbound tourism products across Southern Africa offering a wide range of services and products across the tourism value chain.

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His Excellency

HAKAN JUHOLT

I have been to Sweden; I played a role in a film about the famous Dag Hammarskjold, a UN ambassador from the 1960s. Today I am honoured to interview His Excellency Hakan Juholt, the Swedish ambassador to South Africa.

AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN TO SOUTH AFRICA

Tell me about your experiences so far in South Africa –what have you enjoyed most?

I have been here for two years now. During this time, we had the Covid pandemic, which ruined so many ideas, plans and travels for all of us.

My main focus has been trying to reach out to younger South Africans. We have had good relations for decades, but those contacts are getting older now, which is why my main priority is reaching out to students, universities, young researchers and businesses. I have a goal to see younger people accounting for at least 50% of those who participate in my activities.

What are you doing to achieve this goal?

I am following some interesting people on social media. When I find someone who grabs my attention, I reach out to them. We often end up having discussions around a variety of topics. Recently, for instance, I had a meeting around an initiative called Her City, looking at how we could develop safe urban areas for females. Almost every city in the world has been developed around models that suit men, specifically middle-aged businessmen. We want to turn that around by creating new urban areas where young girls, even teenagers, can feel safe. We’re looking at the facilities we may need to make this happen. For example, what kind of lighting do we need, what toilet facilities, what kind of green areas and so forth.

Sweden and South Africa have strong business relations. You are a businessman yourself. How are these relations being pushed forward, and what are you doing to strengthen economic ties between the two countries?

We are focusing on innovation. There are more than 60 Swedish companies with a presence in South Africa, companies like Ericsson, Scania and ABB. In April 2022, a new factory opened in Cape Town. Polarium, a Swedish energy storage company, set up a battery manufacturing plant that also specialises in the storage of silver energy. It is currently the largest such facility on the continent.

Apart from innovation, energy and sustainability are key focus areas for us. For example, last year, I hosted a seminar about sustainable mining. Obviously, this is a key industry for South Africa, but mining should be sustainable and environmentally friendly for both humans and nature.

Sweden is very beautiful. What kind of itinerary would you suggest to people who want to visit?

We are surrounded by very good neighbours like Norway, Finland and Denmark, and our countries are like a family. With this in mind, I suggest taking a flight to Copenhagen, then a train to Stockholm and, if you have time, a ferry to Helsinki. This would allow you to cover three of the Nordic countries in just one journey, plus you’d get to see the sea, the archipelago, the countryside and the three capitals of the region.

Are the Swedes interested in South Africa as a country?

Sweden is the third largest importer of South African wine in the world. We are very fond of South African wines. For many Swedes living in the cold north, nothing beats a glass of pinotage when it is snowing outside. Of course, this stimulates interest in the country itself. Many people want to see the place where this wine originates from.

What kind of commercial ventures do we see coming out of Sweden?

I have worked hard to set up this embassy so that it functions not as an isolated part of Sweden in South Africa but rather as a bridge between our two countries and their people. Traffic on this bridge goes both ways, so I organise seminars on how to improve the export of fruit, vegetable and nuts to Sweden, but I also try to be an ambassador for the people of South Africa.

Is there a Chamber of Commerce that South Africans can visit if they want to learn more about investing in Sweden?

You can contact Business Sweden (business-sweden.com). Alternatively, contact me directly; I would be happy to answer your questions.

Sweden is the third largest importer of South African wine in the world.

L I V E I N C O L O U R L I V E I N C O L O U R

His Excellency

ZAINAL MANTAHA

OF SINGAPORE TO SOUTH AFRICA

It is clean, it is safe, and it has fantastic food! Today I am in the company of His Excellency

Zainal Mantaha, High Commissioner of Singapore, who will tell us more about his country.

AMBASSADOR

South Africa is your first posting in Africa. Yes. I have been in the diplomatic service since 1991, but this is my first posting to the African continent.

How would you describe your time here so far?

It has been a journey. It always is, but for me, this has been a journey of rediscovery. I say this because South Africa was one of the first countries I visited as a young diplomat back in 1992. That was 31 years ago. In a way, coming back to South Africa is like coming full circle, as I am now in the senior stage of my career. When I was last here, I was in my youth, green and inexperienced. Coming back gives one a completely new perspective.

It's also been a great learning curve because the South Africa I thought I knew in 1991 is now very different.

You are obviously here to achieve certain objectives. What are these, and how have you furthered them? Are you succeeding in creating a balance between the two nations and improving cooperation between them?

One year in a diplomatic post is actually a very short time. Usually, the cycle for most diplomats is three or four years, so the very first year is about getting to know the lay of the land, so to speak, making your contacts, and establishing your network. So with that in mind, there has been little time for me to think about everything I would like to do. However, as I mentioned, it has been a journey of rediscovery and learning, as well as a journey of exploration, exploration in the sense that I come from a line of predecessors. I’m the sixth High Commissioner of Singapore to South Africa, and there have been antecedents, things that we have done before. So I’ve used this year to review what we have done and try to explore areas where we can do more, or do things differently, to expand on our objectives.

It has been a combination of exploring things on the ground in your first year and planning progress for the following years. Exactly. I have looked at what the relationship is like and what it could look like in the near future, looking at what value I could add to that relationship.

Can you tell me about any of the projects that will add this value or projects which you’re planning to continue?

I’d certainly like to improve our relations on the trade and investment front because that’s the lifeline of relations between the two countries. We are geographically distant, but when you consider the global economy, distance isn’t really a factor because we have great communications and logistics in place.

Is there a Chamber of Commerce that South Africans can contact to assist with trade?

Yes, there is a Singapore South Africa Chamber of Commerce

located in Johannesburg. We also have a business centre run by Enterprise Singapore in Johannesburg, which welcomes any South African business interested in engaging with Singapore. Of course, businesses are invited to reach out to the High Commission, too. We are fully equipped to advise companies on how they can engage with our economy or find customers in Singapore.

Are there any other platforms available?

Businesses can also seek out South African agencies specialising in expanding South African relations with the international community. These include the Department of Trade, Investment and Competition. Brand South Africa is also a good agency. There are many others that also know our country well.

Singapore is a very wealthy country, and your first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, turned the country around from practically nothing. What advice would you give South Africa so that it could follow the same path?

As a guest in this country, I would never try to assume responsibility here. But I can tell you about Singapore’s experience. You are quite right to highlight the contribution made by our first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. We were blessed because we had a leader who was not only able to take us out of colonialism but also into a new set of realities which we would have to surmount. Luckily, we did not simply survive; we thrived.

As a small country, encountering those new realities came with many challenges. We’ve overcome these by taking the usual steps to promote ourselves while establishing ourselves in the global value chain, making sure that we are relevant, and contributing to the work of the international community by setting up a region which is secure and stable so that we can prosper as a group. That is what Singapore has been doing to make ourselves not just relevant but to entrench ourselves as a value-adding partner to the international business community and as a partner to different countries. The key word is relevance. The other keyword we constantly remind ourselves of is ‘value-adding’.

You are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and South Africa. Does the High Commission have any plans for celebrating this milestone?

We are going to use this occasion to highlight certain aspects of the relations between our two countries. It’s an opportunity to review what has transpired over the past 30 years. As we do this, it’s important to try to project how we can build on these foundations into the future so that we can improve those relations.

We are planning to implement several projects which will showcase our relations in the political sector with a strategic dialogue between our two countries. This requires high-level content, so we hope to facilitate an exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.

On the economic side, we are trying to introduce some new activities and initiatives to build on the existing framework, which would allow businesses to prosper. It is about making it easier for South Africans to come to Singapore and for Singapore businesses

to go to South Africa. Access to both countries is a beachhead with respect to engagement and goes beyond the country in question. For example, Singapore businesses view South Africa as a launchpad for their activities in the rest of the continent. Likewise, South African companies would like to explore opportunities beyond Singapore, in the region of South East Asia and even beyond that into the Asia Pacific region.

Of course, several Singapore companies already have a presence in South Africa and vice versa, but we want engagement to go further than traditional trade and investment. We would like to leverage digital technology to improve the economic relations between the two countries. I think that this will be the next chapter in terms of the growth of our relations. With this in mind, we are encouraging cooperation from South Africa so that this sector can prosper.

What do you see for the future of Singapore?

The beauty of our country goes beyond cleanliness and good food. It is very much a future-oriented nation. We are highly focused on the positives. Although we are aware of our challenges, we have a strong sense of confidence in our ability to tackle them and ride the next wave. Singapore has always been a country of possibilities and passion.

HIGH COMMISSIONER OF SEYCHELLES

His Excellency

CLAUDE MOREL

Seychelles is known to be paradise on earth. Today we speak to His Excellency Claude Morel, High Commissioner to South Africa.

Iam very happy to be here. It is a great opportunity. Thank you to all who have helped me to be here. You’ve said that Seychelles is paradise on earth, and I have to agree. Yes, we are unique. We express this through the caption we have used for many years.

“Seychelles: Unique by a thousand miles”. But I will talk more about that when we discuss tourism.

This is your second mission in South Africa. I would love to know your feelings about the country and what you have gained by being here, both on a personal and professional level. I’m a career diplomat. I started working in diplomacy in 1987. My involvement with South Africa is really an extension of the attachment that I have to the country. My personal experience dates back to my days as a student. I remember the summer of 1980; I was studying at a university in France, where I was invited to join a group of students who were affiliated with the socialist party of France. At the time, this was the second-largest party in the country. One of the subjects that the group discussed was the plight of Nelson Mandela. We decided to distribute pamphlets calling for his release and to take part in a ‘Free Mandela’ rally in the city centre, which was part of a worldwide campaign.

Three years later, when I joined the ministry, I was given the task of looking after South African affairs. As a young officer, I was sent to attend a number of meetings held by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU’s) Liberation Committee. These were typically held in cities like Dar Es Salaam and Aruba in Tanzania. That is when I became truly aware of the atrocities that were taking place in South Africa in the name of Apartheid. As a result, I became involved in preparing a dossier on the subject for my superiors.

I remember the days that led to the dismantling of Apartheid, in the period between 1988 and 1993. I was involved in preparing briefs for the permanent secretary and the minister. By that stage, we could all see that the release of Mr Mandela, and his appointment as the next president, were inevitable.

You have had a long association with South Africa. What has this meant to you on a personal level? What are your feelings towards contemporary South Africa?

The first time I came to South Africa in 1992, we were banned from going to South Africa or visiting in transit as government officials, so I really have witnessed the evolution of this country firsthand. It has been a wonderful experience. I always tell my friends and family that this country is nothing short of a miracle because it was once on the brink of civil war. I was lucky enough to be living in Cape Town when many key events in this journey to democracy took place.

Today, South Africa is a modern country with the leading economy on the continent. We see South Africa as a leader.

Relations between South Africa and Seychelles are excellent. Seychelles is, of course, one of South Africa’s neighbours because we share the same ocean. Historically, there has been a lot of movement between the people of both our countries. Even before independence, we had established a pattern of trade, so there was communication between both nations.

Is there room for improvement in these relations? If so, where?

Our bilateral relations are the very best. Trade relations between us are so good that South Africa considers us a strategic partner and vice versa. We have a panoply of relations in multiple sectors, from health to tourism, agriculture, software development and finance.

I arrived here on 1 January 2021, and the timing was fortuitous. We got off to a slow start because of Covid, but activity has picked up during the course of this year, especially after the second quarter.

Both countries were involved in preparing the Joint Commission for Cooperation, which charts the way forward for relations over the next two to three years. Our senior officials met in Seychelles in July, followed by a meeting between the ministries to adopt and sign the minutes. Now we have put forward our plan of action.

What advice would you give South Africans who wish to invest in Seychelles – or, for that matter, Seychellois who want to invest here?

There are already a number of companies that have invested significantly in Seychelles. I’m thinking specifically of companies in the hospitality sector. The latest development in this regard is the construction of an artificial island opposite the capital, Victoria, called Eden Island. This has become home to a high-end residential area with a hotel and a yachting centre. South Africa’s banking sector is represented through Absa, which we inherited through Barclays, the first bank established in Seychelles in 1958.

The government has put a moratorium on building new hotels because we have no more space for them. Still, there is potential for new investment in the agricultural sector, especially given the presence of new technologies like vertical hydroponics. The fishing industry also offers potential. In fact, the sector where we see the strongest presence of African investors right now is fly fishing – so there is room for growth in sports tourism, too.

Is there a Seychellois Chamber of Commerce that South Africans can visit?

No – we are a small country, so this is a small diplomatic mission. That said, I have an open-door policy for anyone who is interested in discussing investment. I used to be a facilitator at the Chamber of Commerce in Seychelles, and I know the director personally, so I can assist people in connecting with the correct parties. We also have a desk at the ministry that takes care of such cases. We have often taken up such work in the past. In fact, we are currently facilitating a deal between a Malagasy official and a business partner interested in reviving some of Seychelles’ traditional industries, like cultivating cinnamon bark, which grows wild and used to be one of our most important cash crops before independence. They are also investigating the possibility of extracting vanilla essence, which is in demand worldwide, as well as patchouli, which is used extensively in the perfume industry.

My honorary consuls, based in Cape Town and Durban, are also able to offer assistance to potential investors.

Seychelles is a very beautiful country. What do South Africans need to know about travelling there? What are the visa requirements, for example?

First of all, all are welcome; you don’t need a visa to visit. This is an advantage for those who wish to visit; you only need to grab your suitcase and your T-shirts and are ready to get on your plane. It’s hassle-free. However, visitors are expected to meet certain requirements. For example, you must be able to show proof of hotel accommodation and sufficient funds.

As I have said before, Seychelles is unique in many ways. Our country is actually an archipelago of 115 islands, each of which has its own special character. Our population is a melting pot; just like South Africa, ours is a rainbow nation. Although most Seychellois are Christian, the society is multiracial.

You experience our uniqueness most keenly when you travel through the country. You can do many things here that you wouldn’t be able to do elsewhere: you can go island hopping by yacht or boat, for example.

We are also building our cultural tourism offering, so you will soon be able to have a taste of the Seychellois’ everyday life, maybe enjoying a glass of coconut beer with us or learning how to cook Creole food.

We are home to two World Heritage Sites: our Aldabra giant tortoises may not be as well known as those of the Galapagos Islands, but they are a very special part of our unique fauna and flora. Then we have the Vallee de Mai in Praslin, which is our second biggest island. This is the home of the coco de mer, a double nut featured in the Guinness World Record as the heaviest nut in the world. Then, of course, we have other attractions like fishing and sailing, too.

What do you think the future holds for the African continent?

Seychelles is one of five islands in the Indian Ocean and three on the West Coast. As an island nation, we are heavily involved as advocates of island states. However, we also consider ourselves to be part of the African continent.

I think there is much we can do to prepare ourselves for a bright future. Take trade, for example. I am a proponent of intra-African trade, and I believe we should be promoting this, especially as most countries within the continent have signed (and some even ratified) a free trade agreement. I’ll give you an example to demonstrate how this can benefit us. Seychelles is an exporter of canned tuna. It’s important to us because fishing is our second largest industry, besides tourism. For the past three decades, most

of our canned tuna has been sold to European countries because we have an agreement in place with them. However, I think that we should diversify. We are trying to do that right now because we have certain dispensations within the scoping of Comesa. We are currently looking for new markets. We know, for instance, that North African countries consume a lot of canned tuna. Egypt is one example, and we are trying to make inroads into this market. Imagine if we succeed in developing that niche in a country that has a population of 106 million. Think of how it would benefit a small country like ours.

On a slightly different note, how is Seychelles being affected by global warming?

I’m glad you raised that issue. Last year, the Seychelles head of state attended COP17 in Egypt, along with several other members of parliament, to take part in discussions around the matter.

Obviously, this is an issue for most islands, not only islands, as Africa has many coastal states. Rising oceans present a problem for all of us.

I love the sea. I grew up with it, so it’s tragic for me to visit places where coral reefs are being affected. It’s like walking through a forest that you used to love and which is now decimated. So it is most definitely an issue; it is an issue of survival for us.

Sadly, we are paying the consequences for other countries’ gas emissions, bearing the responsibility for something that doesn’t emanate from us. So it is an ongoing struggle.

This is something our president is eager to address and is part of our political agenda. We will speak out about it whenever we get the opportunity.

Relations between South Africa and Seychelles are excellent. Seychelles is, of course, one of South Africa’s neighbours because we share the same ocean.

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His Excellency

KABALAN FRANGIEH

AFRICA

Lebanon is known for its fantastic hospitality, incredible sights, and climatic diversity. On the same day, you can ski in the mountains and sunbathe in the city. His Excellency Kabalan Frangieh, Lebanon’s ambassador to South Africa, talks about his country.

AMBASSADOR OF LEBANON TO SOUTH

023 marks the fifth year of your mission to South Africa. Tell us about your experiences. Have you enjoyed being in the country?

First of all, thank you for your interest in my country and for this initiative – it’s very much appreciated.

I’ve often said South Africa has been my favourite posting so far, and I don’t think I’m the only ambassador to feel this way. It’s a place where foreign envoys and diplomats are made to feel very comfortable, so it’s not surprising that so many of them fall in love with the country, and some even stay on here after they’ve retired. I’ve held eight posts previously, but, as I’ve said, this has been by far my favourite.

South Africa is a place where you can enjoy a little bit of everything, and it’s all available within a small area. You have a taste of the Balkans, the Middle East and Latin America, all within 4km of each other in the Western Cape, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic.

I believe that when it comes to nature, few other places on the planet can rival South Africa. The bush, the flora, the fauna – all of it is just exquisite. This is a very outdoor-oriented country; you’re just pulled outside by the many things to do and see.

And, of course, the people are amazing; so very warm. They’re proud to be South African, and because they are proud that this is their home, they make you feel at home, too. I’d go so far as to say that this does, indeed, feel like my second home.

From a professional perspective, this has been a very pleasant journey for me. Yes, we have experienced some challenges, but, then again, everyone has faced challenges during the last five years.

One of the very first trials I faced on arrival was coming to understand how South African people think. This is something that

must be addressed by every diplomat coming to a new post. You have to prepare yourself by trying to understand the mentality of the people, the dynamics of the society, and how its politics work.

In fact, South Africa’s politics is one of the reasons I wanted to visit this country, even before I started my diplomatic career. Because of former president Nelson Mandela and his role in the struggle against Apartheid, many people have an idea of what South Africa is like. I am one of many people who wanted to experience the country that has evolved out of his struggles and see how his legacy lives on, even 30 years after the advent of democracy. I was attracted to India for the same reason: Ghandi’s experiences impressed me. I was lucky enough to have my first posting there.

South Africa is a landmark and holds an important lesson for humanity, so one of the things that interested me is how South Africans handled this legacy and the transition and the reconciliation process after Apartheid. I think these things have important teachings for all of us. We all have a lot to learn from this, and I include Lebanon in this because we went through something similar. After all, Lebanon went through a civil war and has since faced several challenges. So, what can we learn? I’d like to start by observing that most people who lived through the civil war, like me, will avoid civil war at any cost. I was born in 1976, and the war ended when I was 14, in 1990 – and the people who shared my experiences (there are around three or four generations) will agree that they are not to be repeated. But, of course, there is a new generation that hasn’t had this kind of experience. They don’t know how a civil war impacts society, and that’s a big shame. Civil war is one of the very worst forms of war, putting people sometimes even living in the same house against each other. When you move on from a civil war to a new phase, there is a process that must be followed. Obviously, you’re heading towards stability and peace, but the direction you take to get there and how you go is important.

In Lebanon, the route we followed was very different to that followed by South Africa. We made it a political process rather than instituting a body like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), as South Africa did. Although the TRC was never finalised, it was an important landmark and continues to stand as an important message to humanity.

Lebanon holds a different message to humanity. It’s a melting pot. There is no majority population in Lebanon, as in other countries like Nigeria and South Africa. Rather, our population is divided into many different religious communities, none larger than the other. This is because, centuries ago, many different religious groups seeking sanctuary from persecution fled with their priests to the safety of the valleys around Mount Lebanon, one of the only mountainous areas in the region. For example, these groups were

mainly Muslims and Christians – we have 13 Christian groups. This story is important to Lebanon because it embodies our message about putting aside your differences so that you can live together peacefully. In many ways, we have proved that the differences between people don’t matter, even religious differences, which in some ways are more fundamental than differences around ethnicity or race. This is demonstrated by the fact that Europe’s nationalistic war, the Second World War, was over in five years, while religious wars have been known to endure for more than 100 years.

How has South Africa played a role, whether in terms of economics, politics or investment, in helping to create stability in Lebanon?

South Africa has been very supportive of Lebanon, while Lebanon has reciprocated this support in forums like the United Nations. We have very good relations. We are like-minded in many ways, especially around our foreign policies.

South Africa is one of the top three importers of products from Lebanon. In fact, since 2011, the country has ranked as the leading country in terms of aggregate, especially in jewellery and plated gold, even though we are not neighbours. In 2012, South Africa accounted for one in every four or five imports globally, although this dropped to one in five by 2016. Sadly, trade between the two countries decreased dramatically during the Covid pandemic because of the global recession and problems with shipping. We would like to increase these numbers again.

South Africa’s exports to Lebanon aren’t as high as its imports, but they’re growing and are now the highest in five years. This increase has been helped by the South African Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (SALCOC) established by the Embassy. The Chamber functions independently from the Embassy, which is now only honorary.

South Africa has a large and thriving Lebanese community. There are 40 000 Lebanese living here. The community is a pillar of our relations with South Africa and has lived here for more than 140 years. In fact, many families living here are fifth-generation South Africans. Around 70-80% of these families come from the north of Lebanon. They are very much a part of the South African community and society, but they maintain a solid connection with Lebanon. Many of them are prominent citizens, like economist Azar Jammine. Of course, there are many Lebanese in other African countries, too. It’s worth noting that the Embassy covers 12 African countries altogether, while SALCOC also covers the SADC region, with the exception of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Seychelles and Tanzania. We are working to create a chamber in each country based on the South African model.

Where should South Africans go if they are interested in receiving information about investing in Lebanon?

SALCOC is the place to go if you want to do business in Lebanon.

One of my favourite Lebanese philosophers is Kahlil Gibran. I was lucky enough to visit his birthplace when I went to Lebanon to attend a film festival.

Lebanon has a thriving film industry, and has even had a film shortlisted at the Academy Awards. It’s growing well, and we’re very proud of it.

Of course, we’re proud of Khalil Gibran too. He was an exceptional person and remains an inspiration to Lebanese people because his message was very spiritual, powerful and pure. He suffered a lot during his lifetime. Few people know that he was also a painter, and his paintings are amazing.

Do you feel that there is a South African writer or philosopher comparable to Gibran?

Most of the South African books I read are about politics because that is my interest; however, I think Ahmed Kathrada was an especially inspiring figure. His role in the freedom struggle was very important, perhaps just as important as that of Mandela. I visited the museum dedicated to him and was so impressed by all he had achieved.

Does Lebanon make a good holiday destination?

Yes. We were very close to waiving visas for South African visitors in 2019, but unfortunately, we didn't finalise the regulations. Arrival figures have dropped since Covid, but for South Africans, it is definitely a holiday destination to consider.

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South Africa is consistently named as a favourite posting for overseas ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps –and with good reason. With an ideal climate, stunning scenery and diversity (in terms of its cultures and people) this is a wonderful place to explore, especially if you have a home base as luxurious, secure and convenient as Steyn City.

Steyn City has been designed to compete with the very best developments around the world, and there is no doubt that it has achieved this goal. Ranked by New World Wealth (a global wealth intelligence company based in South Africa) as the best residential estate in Gauteng (South Africa’s commercial and business hub), it has also ranked amongst the top 10 lifestyle estates in the world in March 2023 for the second time.

What makes it so special? It all starts with a philosophy: Steyn City exists as a home where people can live their very best lives. This objective sees the development offer a wide variety of facilities, aiming to help residents foster new hobbies or hone existing ones. The 18-hole Nicklaus design championship golf course with award winning clubhouse is a case in point, as is the equestrian centre, boasting an Olympic size show- jumping arena. Then there’s the floodlit 45km promenade (ideal for running or walking), a 50km MTB track, floodlit tennis courts, an indoor aquatic centre with 25m heated pool, resort pools, a fully equipped gym, and outdoor yoga stations. To top this, a 300m lagoon with water slides, kayaks, and pedalos turns every day into a holiday, while the Ultimate Helistop makes your next destination (whether that’s a business meeting or bush excursion) a matter of minutes away.

While the array of amenities helps people maintain their physical wellness, the development’s 2 000 acre indigenous planted parkland, boasting abundant birdlife and animal species, contributes to mental wellness, making it easy to spend time in – and connect with - nature and the outdoors.

Of course, convenience is also a building block of a wonderful lifestyle. Steyn City offers a number of food retailers, including some of South Africa’s best known, and loved, brands, many of which are available at the development’s prestigious City Centre. Residents are now able to enjoy the delicious treats available from Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream and stellar fare

to offer

from Italian Restaurant Café Del Sol, adding to options like the Seattle Coffee Company. These are supplementary to the range of eateries available at Steyn City itself, including Nineteen (XIX) Restaurant at the Golf Clubhouse, the casual Deli eatery and the Farmhouse, a beautiful, family-focused venue that’s perfect for celebrating special occasions. Not forgetting, of course, outlets like The Gallery at Steyn City, adding art and entertainment to the offering.

The City Centre’s luxury apartments are well worth a mention, too: the magnificent one-, two-, three and four-bedroomed single and double storey homes and penthouses have a strong accent on luxury, with features including separate TV lounges and studies and, in some cases, private lifts. For those wanting to build their dream homes, a selection of stands offering views across the parkland or golf course are available.

Continuing the emphasis on convenience, residents at both the City Centre and Steyn City are able to enjoy the ultimate work from home scenario in the form of AAA-grade offices available at Capital Park.

Meanwhile, the school run becomes a far more simple matter when your children attend the independent Steyn City School, an IEB-syllabus school accommodating learners in Grades 000 to 12. Steyn City Schools is a Microsoft Showcase School; the first school to achieve this global accreditation in less than one year. Facilities here have been carefully planned in line with the latest thinking around education, and the sport, science, media and dramatic arts amenities and grounds are superlative. The school’s forward-thinking approach is reflected in its STREAMbased curriculum, which offers a focus on science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts and mathematics. Classrooms have been constructed to accommodate different learning styles and to match the curriculum to future careers.

All of these amenities are enjoyed against the backdrop of outstanding security: to ensure complete peace of mind, the development is supported by round the clock foot patrols, cameras, biometric access and a 24-hour security hub.

It’s the very best that Gauteng has to offer – in a place that has no rival. steyncity.co.za

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DANIE MATTHEE

CEO OF OUTSURANCE

This year’s series of talks has been brought to you by OUTsurance. I am fortunate to speak with the CEO of OUTsurance, Danie Matthee. Danie has worked his way up at the company, where he started as a sales advisor. He is an example of perseverance and hard work and is someone who really believes in the future of this country. Just like Embassy Direct, he believes in promoting good news.

Danie, please share your personal and professional background.

I was born in South Africa and raised in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, also known as Gqeberha. We South Africans fondly call it the Friendly City, but it’s perhaps more appropriately known as the Windy City. I moved to Gauteng and started in the insurance industry in the late 1990s, so I really am a throwback to a whole different era! I’ve been in the industry for nearly 27 years, 21 of which have been with OUTsurance. That is most of my career, so OUTsurance is part of my DNA and my blood.

I was fortunate to spend seven years in Australia, where I worked at Youi, a company held by the same parent company. As a passionate South African, I was happy to return in 2017.

OUTsurance is one of the most prestigious insurance companies, not just in South Africa but on the African continent. Can you give us an idea of just how it became so successful? What are the reasons for its continued success?

One of the primary things that drive us forward is our foundation of awesome customer service. We take our responsibility towards our customers very seriously and consider our grand promise – that customers always get something OUT – in the same serious light.

This service ethic is embedded in our value system. The business is built on outstanding technology, which has helped us to operate with great efficiency. We can pass on those efficiencies to clients

through savings on their premiums. We also have a very strong actuarial and data capability. We use the information derived from these systems to make sound business decisions that drive better customer outcomes and innovative products. Although we’ve grown into a large business, we’ve held on to our entrepreneurial flair. One way this manifests is through our focus on finding problems to solve for our clients. This approach is something that is very dear to us.

You have mentioned that the company has grown. What is driving this growth?

We have been successful in building the largest diverse insurer in South Africa. Over time, we started a commercial insurance business, Business OUTsurance, specifically targeting SMEs.

We have also changed our distribution strategy over the years. Historically, distribution was through call centres, but we now have an OUTsurance broker force comprising more than 600 people who service and call on businesses in the field daily. This is important because face-to-face interaction is critical in the commercial space. You need to understand your customers’ businesses and their needs. Insurance isn’t simply an off-the-shelf commodity; you must work with your clients to develop bespoke solutions. The ability to do this has been a significant success factor for us locally.

We also have great life insurance and investment businesses. We like to think we can go into markets where there is an opportunity

to disrupt. Often, that disruption comes in the form of giving customers better value for money, lowering fees, upping service levels and thinking innovatively about products, the route to market and access. So, again, it’s about keeping it simple, focusing on the customer, and making sure you give them good value for money and that your service proposition is good.

Apart from all of this, the one thing that really sets us apart is that we have the best people in the industry who drive our business forward.

Everyone was hit hard by the pandemic, but OUTsurance showed remarkable resilience. Is there any advice you can give other companies in South Africa and the rest of Africa in terms of maintaining a level of stability and forward-thinking?

I think that by virtue of being in the insurance industry, we know how to manage risk – it’s what we do for a living. We run the business conservatively and ensure we are always well-capitalised, which undoubtedly contributes to resilience.

If you don’t understand the business you are getting into, don’t get into it. If we don’t understand risk in a certain area, we’d rather not take it on. We can only be specialists in so many things.

I always believe that the people you surround yourself with are crucial. You have to have a strong team because a business is not the work of one person. It is a team sport. When you’re going through tough times, you have to trust that the people you call on will be able to help you get past the challenges.

Again, we return to the basics of surrounding yourself with a great team and keeping it simple. Be conservative during the good times, and hopefully, when the tide goes out, you’ll still be standing.

How much of OUTsurance’s resilience rests on your shoulders alone? I ask because you’ve mentioned the importance of your team.

Obviously, the buck has to stop somewhere, and that’s usually with the CEO. But, again, we have a great Board we can call on, and our members have a lot of experience and wisdom. We also have an outstanding management team, who are highly committed and focused on the funds. The fact that we keep things simple makes our business easier because simplicity lends itself to making fewer errors. If you overcomplicate things, there’s a point where even the brightest minds get lost in the details.

You are proudly South African. You went to Australia, returned to this country, and invested in your future here. What do you see for the future of South Africa, and how do you feel you can contribute towards its growth?

I love South Africa, so returning home was very much a personal choice. I love the bush, the culture, and the diversity – whether it’s sunny skies and braai vleis or the Springboks or just the fact that we can take our challenges as a country and use them to strengthen us. I think that is quite unique. So, culture is something I hold very close to my heart.

South Africa has novel opportunities in spite of the challenges we deal with daily. They’re significant challenges, but we do have the chance to turn things around. I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy or a one-day event, but if we find the opportunities – and I believe we can – I think we can grow the economy by 5% or even 6%.

As a company, I believe that we play an important role in job

creation. I’m proud that we are a company that is willing to invest in the country and grow the economy, and I am confident that today’s investment will see us reap the rewards in the future. But the opposite is also true: we can’t sit back and wait for the good times to come. If we do, we’ll be at the back of the queue when they arrive.

I am not being an ostrich. On the contrary, I am realistic about the challenges we face, but I also think there are enough good people willing to stand up and do what’s right, and these people will take us forward.

That is great to hear. I’m a passionate believer in South Africa, too. Embassy Direct is celebrating its tenth anniversary and is proud to be linked with OUTsurance. Can you touch on some of the available networking opportunities and explain why OUTsurance has partnered with Embassy Direct?

Our relationship with Embassy Direct grew out of a networking opportunity with a business that does a lot of work in the hospitality space. Of course, many ambassadors live and work in South Africa, and they often bring people into the country. While they’re here, they need places to stay.

During the Covid pandemic, we were able to connect with the hospitality industry in a very specific way. It was a tough time for them, and we were able to step up and support them when they needed it most. I think that was the first step in this relationship.

We were also fortunate to meet Embassy Direct editor Rodrigo Chiari, who played a key role in introducing us to various ambassadors and their missions. If there’s a way we can help those missions to be more successful in South Africa, we want to do it, whether it’s by protecting their risk or facilitating networking opportunities.

"

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AMBASSADOR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO SOUTH AFRICA

His Excellency

DR PAVEL ŘEZÁČ

Your Excellency, please share with us some of the highlights that you have experienced as a diplomat and in a personal manner in this country.

On this day, I can “celebrate” three years of my Diplomatic Mission in South Africa. Despite the fact that almost two years of the pandemic and lockdown complicated our work, with the staff of the Czech Embassy we have tried to push bilateral relations and contacts to the highest possible level during such a difficult time for the entire world. Some visits had to be postponed and programs cancelled. However, what was very important for the Czech Republic, we successfully managed and delivered to 5 South African public hospitals, in the year 2021, technical and hygienic equipment, to fight the pandemic worth 20.000,- USD. This was our major achievement, to help the medical sector in this very problematic period for South African people.

Ambassador, may you give our readers and viewers some historical background, regarding the Czech Republic-South African bilateral relations?

On 28 October 2022 in Pretoria, we celebrated our 104th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independent Czechoslovakia. At our function, the Guest of Honour was the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Ms. Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu. I genuinely do consider her presence, as a high appreciation of the excellent relations between the Government of South Africa and the Government of the Czech Republic.

One day later, on 29 October 2022, we marked another very important milestone, the 31st Anniversary (1991) of establishing Diplomatic Relations between the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and the Republic of South Africa.

Even prior to this, our first democratically elected President Mr. Václav Havel personally supported the fight against apartheid in your country. Despite the fact that President V. Havel did not officially visit South Africa, nor did President Nelson ´Madiba´ Mandela visit my home country on an official visit, they did meet in Prague on May 1992, whilst President Mandela was returning home from Stockholm.

In December 2006, Czech President Mr. Václav Klaus officially visited South Africa and in May 2008, the Vice-President of South Africa, Mrs. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, visited the Czech Republic The aforementioned visits and contacts at the highest possible State level, is confirmation and demonstrates the exclusive relations between our two friendly Countries. Thus far, many delegations at a lower political or business level and visitation of both countries, has further developed our bilateral relations.

In fact, I need to mention that currently the Czech Republic holds Presidency of the Council of the European Union (2nd half of 2022). My country has identified political priorities eg. Manage the refugee crisis and Ukraine’s post-war recovery, Energy Security, strengthening Europe’s Defence capabilities and Cyberspace Security. Our horizontal and geographic priorities in External Relations is the Indo-Pacific and the Sahel: increasing strategic engagement on the base of a new Strategy for the activities of the Czech Republic in Africa, which sets out our goals and activities in Africa for the coming period. The Strategy was endorsed by the Government of the Czech Republic in September 2022. We will in addition also follow the discussions on the follow-up of the EUAU summit and preparatory works for the next EU - AU Ministerial meeting.

To get back to Ukraine, the Sovereign State who is suffering due to Putin’s destructive aggression, all EU Member States are preparing a new Marshall Plan to help to Ukraine with significant financial and material contributions. Recently, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia’s attempt to annex four regions of the Ukraine. The resolution has the support of 143 countries. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine published its findings on 18 October 2022 and that Russian Armed Forces are responsible for the War Crimes, Violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian law.

Diplomatic missions have proven to be a source of business in the cities they are based, positively impacting the host country's economy. The positives are numerous, from purchasing vehicles to renting or buying property. What would be the best way for a quality service provider to engage with your embassy in terms of highlighting their offerings?

I guess we are not able to separate the private lives of Diplomats from the lives of local citizens, as living temporarily outside of our home country and functionality of Diplomatic Missions. If you do not have constant access to electricity or water, life becomes much harder and more complicated, but this is an issue for the local Governments. In general, Diplomats contribute to local markets and are spending money on themselves, their families, housing, vehicles, tourism and on the consumption of daily life.

Ambassador Řezáč, what are the main investment opportunities that the Czech Republic has to offer and how does one go about

engaging on a face-to-face level? Is there a Czech Republic Chamber of Commerce or a Trade Office to contact in South Africa?

The Czech economy is very diverse and complex. The Economic Complexity Index (ECI) ranks the Czech Republic in the eighth position globally. Therefore, the investment opportunities we have to offer cut across many different sectors. Solid partnerships can be found in the AI & Digital sector, Health Tech, advanced Industrial Technologies, Ecotech, Energy, Defence, Space and Creative Industries, to name but a few.

Potential investors' first contact point is the Embassy in Pretoria, specifically its Economic and Commercial Section. Furthermore, in Johannesburg, we have a Czech Trade Office. Lastly, anyone interested in investing or doing business in the Czech Republic can contact our Czech Invest Offices in Prague.

I need to mention, that the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation established on the base of the Bilateral Agreement signed in 2006 (DTIC – MI and T), last session was held in Prague in October 2019 however due to the pandemic could not arrange the next round. We are preparing it for the next year.

To sum it up, the Czech Republic has a lot to offer and thanks to its position in the heart of Europe, it provides excellent access to the EU single market.

What attractions does the Czech Republic offer to foreign visitors, specifically South Africans and are there any incentives in place, such as visa waivers in order to encourage travel?

The Czech Republic has around 10.5 million inhabitants and if it is a good year almost the same number of tourists are travelling into my home country. If it is a bad year, the number of tourists is around 30 % less. I would be grateful, if you would publish some pictures from the book I have provided, I guess they speak for themselves and there is no further need for more advertisement or incentives. The Visa waiver is not such a pro-active instrument. Everyone is welcome to visit the Czech Republic, whether it is for its beauty, history, cuisine or sport activities, you just need a Schengen Visa and this Visa is valid for all Schengen countries. If applying for study, work, long-term medical treatment, you need a long-term Visa.

Ambassador, our publication strives to deliver good news and stories from the African continent, and we have been doing so for some time. Embassy Direct celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. Any suggestions on how we could strengthen our networking relationship with the diplomatic Missions and South African business?

To conclude I wish to congratulate you on your Anniversary this year. Nowadays, I really do consider printed media a very important tool on how to develop relations between people and it does not matter on which continent you are right now.

My personal suggestion on strengthening your networking relationship with Diplomatic Missions in South Africa, please, organize a golf tournament.

"It is all about accomplishing those goals in life"

RODRIGO CHIARI:

My journey at Embassy Direct

It has been seven years, since I first joined Embassy Direct. I had recently ended my second term as the Panamanian Head of Mission to South Africa. In 2015 I wrote a short story called Magic, which out of nowhere became a three-year project to develop its film version. Even though I was aware of its existence, it wasn’t until October 2015 that I had the chance to have my first proper conversation with Ron Mackenzie. I was hosting my farewell as ambassador and the beginning of what I thought would be my life as a filmmaker.

Ron became very supportive of my project and showed interest for it to happen. It was probably my passion about doing things I believe in, that motivated him to make me an offer in 2016 to join his publication team. The first four years were more on a freelance basis, giving me the responsibility to create content for the annual printed edition of the magazine. I suggested to include interviews to several heads of missions. Suddenly I saw myself convincing former colleagues to be interviewed, writing the questionnaires and becoming the interviewer during the process on five different editions, until 2021, when I decided to pass the torch to others. I remained in charge of its coordination and production. During the last two years I was replaced as the interviewer by two African talents and friends, Noxolo Dlamnini and Hakeem Kae-kazim. Both have done a great job.

But let me move two steps back here. In 2020, we shared and faced a challenge with the rest of the world. We went into the longest lockdown, no one could imagine. The closest experience previously was something similar as a kid, during the first year of a military dictatorship in Panama. And that was only, an eight-hour curfew, though still scary. This was very different. I was alone at a big house in Midrand, probably a bit paranoid, over the amount of misinformation we were being fed. At this point, Ron thought the situation would kill the publication. One of the positive things for me about Covid, was that it made me recur to wisdom and to analyse and assess a problem in a different manner than I had done before. Even though it is not my strength, I realised that we had been underusing our digital platform and suggested that we should go virtual. Zoom became an important tool in this and webinars were the in-thing. We populated our website with tons of content, including messages of solidarity from celebrities and from our members. The whole exercise was refreshing and gave the word “hope”, a totally new perspective. I also told Ron that we had to carry on with that year’s edition and forward questionnaires to the heads of mission that we wanted to feature. Yes, we survived. Later, by mid 2021 Ron managed to get new partners onboard, the Pope couple. Chad and Peta-Lynn brought with them a more businessoriented management of things, which has helped save Embassy Direct.

As we head to the completion of our first decade, I am overwhelmed by the fact that this publication has absorbed 1/9 of my lifetime. It has allowed me to gain an experience in the publishing field, that I didn’t have and develop hidden skills. Ron was right about what he saw in me, a passion to get things done. Today, I want to share with my teammates at Embassy Direct and our readers, the joy of knowing that it is all about accomplishing those goals in life, that we thought undone. Thank you to all of our loyal members and the diplomats, who over the years, trusted us and gave the opportunity to be interviewed and be connected with each other. God speed forever, Embassy Direct, for all the good news!

Oh, the City of Gold

FOREIGN INVESTORS CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF GAUTENG

Foreigners are still buying homes in SA, despite the country’s current electricity supply problems and sluggish economic growth rate.

That’s the word from the Chas Everitt International property group, which also notes that Gauteng rather than the Western Cape remains the premier destination for foreigners buying SA property, and that it expects a further increase in foreign purchasing in Johannesburg, Midrand and Pretoria over the next 12 months.

The latest available statistics on this subject from property data company Lightstone show that in 2021 foreigners bought around 5000 residential properties in Gauteng, compared to around 2300 in the Western Cape and about 800 in KZN. And between 2014 and 2021, foreign purchases in Gauteng totaled 33 134, compared to 16 556 in the Western Cape.

“So foreign buying is not nearly as much about luxury Western Cape holiday or retirement homes as one might think,” says Rory O’Hagan, principal of the Chas Everitt Sandton and Hyde Park office in Johannesburg. “It is clearly linked mostly to the business and professional opportunities concentrated in SA’s economic heartland.”

Herman Louw principal of the Chas Everitt Pretoria office, says foreign buyers in Gauteng do share some motivations with those who are investing in South African leisure properties or second homes, the first of which is the exceptional value proposition created by the Rand exchange rate against major currencies. “For example, a home that currently costs R5m in SA would only cost a foreign buyer around 256 000 Euros

or 272 000 Dollars – or just over one twentieth of what they would probably have to spend to buy an equivalent luxury home in their own country.”

The second common driver of foreign purchases, he says, is the lifestyle facilitated by SA’s climate, including opportunities to participate in many popular outdoor sports, view magnificent scenery and wildlife, enjoy quality fresh food and experience SA’s renowned hospitality.

Thirdly, the war in the Ukraine is prompting many affluent individuals from Europe and the UK to seek second homes elsewhere. Concerns about political uncertainties, supply shortages, raging inflation and extreme climatic events in many other locations are also causing many of the foreign diplomats and embassy workers who own homes in Pretoria to retain these properties rather than sell them, with the result that the percentage of foreign ownership in the city is climbing.

However, it is the “business buyers” who are the real force behind foreign buying in Gauteng, says O’Hagan. “The Johannesburg-Midrand-Pretoria axis is increasingly recognized as the financial and manufacturing core of SA and the African continent. And there are huge business opportunities here arising from SA’s push towards carbon neutrality and need for ‘green’ solutions to its energy supply problems.

“These are being hotly pursued by multinational companies as well as high net-worth entrepreneurs and the result is increased interest in Gauteng homes among foreign buyers from all over the world.”

MARCO OLIVIER

Marco Olivier is an incredibly talented and multi-faceted artist. He has been fascinated by sculpting since he was a teenager, and his passion for art has only grown since then. He has had to overcome many challenges in his life, from growing up in a single-parent household to taking on various paths in life. Qualifying as an Aircraft engineer, owning the golf school at Mossel Bay, you name it!

Marco had always known there was something more out there he was destined for. Taking a chance and letting go of his past successes, Marco embarked on a new path that was far from certain. With limited financial resources, Marco was often faced with the stress of trying to make ends meet, but he was determined to make his dreams a reality. Eight years ago, Marco started his business from the ground up. With

practically nothing, Marco set up a small foundry in Salt River, Cape Town, and began creating his first sculpture out of cast aluminium. Despite the odds, Marco's business took flight, and he achieved a level of success that he never thought possible.

Marco's career began to take off when he held his first public installation at the Grand Africa Beach Café at the renowned Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, granting him a great deal of exposure in the early stages of his career. His artwork quickly spread throughout the Western Cape, from a whale tail in Sea Point to various figure sculptures at the Old Biscuit Mill, ending with the Somerset Mall Art Mile, all of which were created by the artist himself.

With the support of his daughter Lisa and marketing manager, Mia Du Toit, Marco felt that he had the necessary resources to help ensure a bright future for his business. However, the pandemic threw a wrench in those plans. Marco and his team had to come up with a new way to make sure the company stayed afloat and gained exposure. Fortunately, we live in an age of technology and they decided to focus their efforts online. Lisa was the point person for this venture and she did an incredible job getting the Instagram page, @marco_olivier_ sculpture, up and running and marketing as much as possible. Through her hard work and dedication, Marco was able to gain more exposure through the digital realm, which ultimately resulted in a steady stream of new clients for the company.

As the cherry on top of all his success, at the start of 2023, Marco got the opportunity to exhibit at World Art Dubai from the 09th-12th of March. After four days of hard work, networking, exhibiting, and showcasing his talent, Marco was honoured to receive the best artist of the year award. His acceptance speech was touched with humility, as he invited Mia Du Toit on stage with him to receive the award, showing his appreciation for the entire team and all of their hard work which had enabled Marco Olivier Sculptures to become a success. His gratitude was clear and sincere, and the room was filled with pride and admiration for Marco's achievement. This was a momentous occasion, one that will be remembered for years to come.

Despite the obstacles, Marco has always had an unwavering drive and attitude to never give up. His dedication and perseverance have resulted in a successful career as a sculptor,

and his masterpieces are now admired around the world. Marco's story proves that with hard work and dedication you can accomplish anything. His story serves as an example of how to never give up and to always go after your dreams.

After his exciting trip to Dubai, Marco was delighted to rejoin his team in their new Maitland, Cape Town workshop. Not only do they take care of international shipments and the sculpting process here, but they also offer 3D rendering and printing services for

Marco's own sculptures as well as for architects and designers in the area. He is thrilled to share his workspace with the world and encourages tourists to inquire about tours. Marco's Instagram page has been central to his success, and he looks forward to increasing his reach to other online platforms in the coming months.

Marco wants to welcome everyone to enquire about anything their hearts desire!

Juan Solms: +27 79 681 9562

WE OFFER LEGENDARY SERVICES.

We’re not just another bottle store. At Norman Goodfellows, we understand that every event you plan marks a special moment or milestone and we would like to be part of them. Let us help you plan your next corporate party, meeting or event with our legendary services.

Event Services

No matter the event type or size, our services are unparalleled. From liquor to tablecloths and everything in-between, we’ve got it covered.

Bar Curation

When it comes to curating a bar, our experts are on hand to help you with the perfect bar selection.

Corporate Gifting

We have the perfect gifting options including curated gift boxes and a range of limited-edition bottles of wine, whisky and more.

Glass Hire

Whether you’re looking for Champagne flutes or whisky tumblers, we’ve got all the glasses you need.

Non-alcoholic Beverages

We provide a wide range of water and soft drinks which are ideal for meetings, lunches or smaller events.

We Deliver

We have a convenient delivery service that can get you your order fast and efficiently. We also offer a travel pack service where if you are travelling through the borders of South Africa you can place your order with us and we will deliver it to you a day before departure.

Expert Advice

We pride ourselves on offering you expert advice. We’ve accumulated over 45 years of in-depth experience and expert knowledge within the liquor industry.

MUTASA BROTHERS ART

Chenjerai and Mambakwedza Mutasa, known as MUTASA BROTHERS are Zimbabwean multimedia Sculptors who works with materials such as wood, metal, stone, glass and other materials to create and express spiritual, emotional, religious and cultural truths. Mutasa brothers have won several awards and exhibited locally and internationally.

Mutasa brothers are founders of Domboramwari Art Village based in Harare Zimbabwe. Domboramwari Art Village is a non profit organization promoting visual, musical and performing arts through workshops and artists® residency programs. D.A.V endevour to offer a meeting point favourable for artists working in all art disciplines, from devise cultural backgrounds. Artists interact with other artists thereby promoting an expansion in their inventive dimensions. D.A.V is a member of the international triangle art trust.

Widest Network

INVEST IN YOUR LIFESTYLE

A haven where you and your family will enjoy a lifestyle like no other. Get your adrenaline pumping on the 50km mountain bike trail, jog on the 45km promenade or enjoy the clear crystalline waters of our 300m lagoon. Take a scenic flight to your weekend getaway from the Ultimate Helistop or play a round of golf on our Nicklaus design championship golf course all nestled in our 2000 acres of indigenous parkland. This piece of paradise has 24/7 security to provide peace of mind while you enjoy all the amenities you could ever wish for.

Stands | Homes | Apartments | Rentals

NEW RENT TO OWN MODEL LAUNCHED AT OUR FLAGSHIP DEVELOPMENT, CITY CENTRE

B E C OM E A M E M B E R T ODA Y!

J oin our s trong bus ines s community !

T he French S outh African Chamber of Commerce & Industry ( FS ACCI) is an independent S outh African non- profit company, comprising of more than 1 50 members governed by a Board of Directors

How to become a FSACCI member?

Any registered companies can apply for a membership. T o become a member, contact m business@fsacci co

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce

(SCC) in South Africa acts as a conduit for the promo tion and support of the commercial, economic, and industrial relations between Spain and South Africa.

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Prevention is better than cure.

The programme has made its way to South Africa, too, where it has been welcomed in ECD centres in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. This has significant implications for a country where GBV has been recognised as a national crisis. By equipping children with these vital skills, they are more likely to be empathetic, regulated and develop strong self-esteem, problem solving and critical thinking skills – everything they need to break the GBV cycle.

Early Childhood Education (ECD) has been shown to be one of the most critical stages in childhood, bolstering cognitive, social and emotional development and laying the foundation for further development. It makes sense, then, that any initiative aiming to educate children around equality would have the greatest impact at this time.

This is precisely why filmmaker and human rights activitist Leslee Udwin has developed Think Equal; an educational intervention which aims to put an end to practices like Gender Based Violence (GBV) by encouraging the development of skills like self-awareness, resilience, emotional intelligence and empathy.

Think Equal has been formulated with input from 22 over experts, including educators, psychologists and neuroscientists, and has been implemented in 25 countries, benefiting 282 000 children aged between three and six.

More importantly still, it is more cost effective to run this programme at an ECD than it is to support or rehabilitate a perpetrator passing through our correctional services system. Because it is supported by the Think Equal NGO, it costs as much to prevent violence in 454 children as it does to incarcerate one violent offender.

This information makes for a truly compelling argument for the implementation of the programme in each of South Africa’s provinces. The Department of Basic Education is in the process of concluding an agreement with Think Equal to rollout to every child in every registered ECD setting across the whole of South Africa.

If you’d like to learn more about the programme and have a CSI fund / discretionary grant with which you’d like to consider to make the difference – we’d love for you to make contact with marie@grapevinecommunications.co.za

For more information, www.thinkequal.org

the story of

FORTUNATO

MAZZONE

Chef Forti Mazzone heads up the FORTI GROUP and is the co-owner of Restaurant sensation FORTI GRILL AND BAR situated on the roof of the Sun Time Square Casino with iconic Chef Cristiano Pizzut.

It is the flagship restaurant of the entire development and offers an amazing space with an outdoor terrace, and has a state-ofthe-art wine cellar, private rooms and its own delicatessen and Humidor

In 2020 Forti opened FORTI BISTRO Brooklyn Bridge which is a Bistro in the traditional Italian Fashion A third branch of Forti’s restaurant group called FORTI TOO, where Chef Forti is based, opened at the Lynnwood Bridge Centre in April 2021

In November 2021 Forti opened VEE AND FORTI WINE BAR & LIQUOR EMPORIUM at the Lynnwood Bridge Centre with his wife, the well-known celebrity Veralda Mazzone

Chef Forti was the co-owner of legendary multi award winning Ristorante Ritrovo in Pretoria with his much-loved father, the iconic chef and Italian food pioneer in South Africa Giovanni Mazzone Ritrovo was South Africa’s most award-winning restaurant with over 70 local and international food awards and a 20 times winner of the Amex Platinum top 100 award

Chef Forti appears is a much sought after TV presenter, public demonstrator, competition judge, food writer and recipe contributor He is a Commandeur de Bordeaux, Chevalier of the Coteaux du Champagne, proud member of the Academy of Chefs of the South African Chef Association, Vice-Echanson of The Ordre Mondial and an officer of the Chaine des Rotisseurs gastronomic organization Chef Forti was inducted into the Disciples de Escoffier in 2019

Chef Forti always says: “I earnestly believe life should never be static or boring, and you can taste the passion and happiness in our food!!

FORTI GROUP

FORTI GRILL & BAR

Italian, romantic, fine dining, one of the best in Pretoria and Gauteng With its contemporary décor and striking artwork, the atmosphere matches the food, classically inspired yet undoubtedly modern With two private dining areas, the options are endless, whether it’s a celebration, business meeting or a simple private gathering

Monday - Sunday (11:45 - 22:00)

Time Square, 209 Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria, 0010

+27 (86) 003-6784

forti@forti co za

FORTI TOO

A restaurant, lounge, bar, and chill spot that offers you a unique quality experience. A exquisite Italian experience, from the food, to the perfectly crafted Ideal for dining, client meetings, and a private rom available for any func tion.

Monday - Sunday (11:30 - 22:00)

4 Daventry St, Lynnwood Manor Pretoria, South Africa

+27 (71) 996-1708

forti@fortitoo.co.za

VEE AND FORTI

WINE BAR & LIQUOR EMPORIUM

A magical atmosphere filled by unapparelled choice. A selection of 1400 wines alongside the best quality deli items

Fine Artisan Beers on tap A selection of beers and spirits A temple for wine and food

Monday - Saturday (09:00 - 21:00) | Sunday (09:00 - 14:00)

c/o Lynnwood, and Daventry St, Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria, South Africa

+27 (83) 467 2588

info@veeandforti co za

FORTI BISTRO

A slice of Italy in the heart of Pretoria A cross-over between the traditional Italian Bistro, a top-quality Bakery and Patisserie. The store is small and chic with comfortable sofas, comfortable outdoor seating, and Italian chairs

Trading hours:

Monday - Friday (09:00 - 21:00)

570 Ferhsen Street, Pretoria, South Africa

+27 (83) 467-2588

admin@forti co za

SEASONED CHEFS

We are a stylish, vivacious, EXCITING, Internationally and locally acclaimed private chef and events service with over 12 years of providing client-centered EXCELLENCE.

We provide expertly trained and very experienced private chefs, hospitality staff and event teams to our discerning VIP, corporate and High Nett-worth clientele in Southern Africa, Africa and anywhere globally.

We also place our chefs and all forms of executive staffing FULL–TIME or on an ad-hoc basis into executive, corporate and family households, including government, embassies of state and anywhere that our service is required.

We strive to give the best World-class service in our industry to every client.

Our primary objective is to provide our clients with unforgettable, curated and ‘bespoke’ next-level food and event services. Our clients and their satisfaction are at the heart of everything we do.

www.seasoned.co.za

SEASONED HOSPITALITY RECRUITMENT is a cuttingedge, efficient, results-driven International Hospitality Recruitment agency placing our candidates locally & internationally in the finest restaurants, lodges, and hotels. Our long list of satisfied clients is testimony to our service and high- quality ethos.

Available 24/7, our dedicated team of professionals in EVENTS and RECRUITMENT are ready to take care of your requests efficiently and full-heartedly.

We look forward to being of exceptional service to you as part of the EMBASSY Direct family.

+27 71 133 4993

info@seasoned.co.za

View the Private Chef Experience

Set on iconic Bree Street, The Bailey brings a new level of sophistication to the Cape Town dining scene. In recent years, Bree Street has become the epitome of all that Cape Town has to offer, with everything from trendy boutique stores, designer bars, fine dining and organic food restaurants.

The three levels, each offering a different concept, are designed against a backdrop of opulent interiors and exquisite art.

On the ground floor, chef/proprietor Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse has made a welcome return to Bree Street, offering an enticing menu of global tapas in a relaxed setting.

Open from midday until 9pm, Chefs Warehouse at The Bailey provides the perfect spot to relax and unwind, enjoying anything from a single tapas plate to a full tapas dining experience.

Situated on the first floor, The Bailey Brasserie is open for dinner from 6pm until 9.30pm, and recreates the atmosphere of an authentic Parisian brasserie, with an element of contemporary flair. The restaurant features a menu of iconic continental dishes based on classic French recipes and methods. Wonderful menu options are complemented by an extensive wine list, featuring exceptional South African and French wines. Adjacent to the restaurant is an exclusive private dining room for up to 14 guests, housing several striking works by the late renowned artist, Paul du Toit.

On the top floor, The Old Bailey Lounge Bar with outdoor balcony is evocative of a top-end members’ club. Open from 3pm until late, the bar offers an extensive whiskey collection from around the world, together with premium wines and cocktails. Served in a sophisticated setting, with sumptuous seating, and a cosy fireplace in winter, this is the perfect place to relax, away from the bustle of the city just moments away. The bar also hosts regular jazz evenings.

For those with an interest in whiskey, The Old Bailey Lounge Bar offers bespoke whiskey tastings hosted by their whiskey connoisseur, catering to the whiskey novice, right through to the whiskey aficionado. Join us for a pre-dinner aperitif, a post-dinner nightcap, or spend the evening enjoying a selection of dishes from the tapas menu to accompany your drinks.

For corporate events, or special occasions for private clients, each floor of The Bailey is available for exclusive hire to host your function. Contact Reservations for further details.

The Bailey, 91 Bree Street, Cape Town 021 773 0440 | reservations@the-bailey.co.za www.the-bailey.co.za

We live in a w onderful country, don’ t we? There is s o much to enjoy while y ou are here, but violent crime can of ten ruin the party

Your office is s ecure, y our home is s ecure and your trusted circle is s mall Y et on our roads, you are far from s afe. Armormax has a lightw eight, discreet and comprehensiv e armouring solution that allows you to enjoy your life in S outh Af rica, completely unrestricted and with total piece of mind

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OEM APPROVED VEHICLE ARMOUR FOR TOP LUXU RY BRANDS

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SOME VEHICLES CAN GO ANYWHERE ...

wheel drive, multi-purpose modular vehicle that can serve multiple functions while being tough, reliable and capable to handle anything you throw at it, or strap on it.

The TAC -6 is available as a single or double cab, in a B6 Armoured and unarmoured variant with uses as a personnel carrier, weaponised assault vehicle, field medical support, logistics support or water tanker. With a payload capacity of over 4000kgs, a minimum cruising range of over 2000kms and the ability to be serviced in the field with off -the-shelf service parts, the TAC -6 is the ultimate conqueror of the harshest terrain known to man.

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Image: Time + Tide - King Lewanika, Liuwa Plain

Feel the thrill of adventure

MOUNT NELSON

Winston Churchill called it “a most excellent establishment”. John Lennon meditated in its lush grounds. Modern-day celebrities from Leonardo di Caprio to Charlize Theron have breakfasted on its sunny balconies. This is the Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, in Cape Town; an oasis of calm that’s been welcoming guests since 1899. The location is outstanding, with dramatic Table Mountain just behind and the city’s pulsating attractions just beyond the stone-columned gates.

Six historical wings and 198 individually designed rooms and suites offer different moods and views. Romantic couples and newlyweds find seclusion in the garden cottage suites, decorated with oversized couches, fireplaces and Venetian mirrors. Families and groups feel at home in the spacious, light-filled suites or interconnecting rooms.

An array of activities keeps all ages entertained, from heated pools to tennis coaching and yoga. In the grounds, a mix of manicured lawns, historic palms and fragrant rose gardens invites exploration. Body and soul can be nourished by African-inspired treatments at Librisa Spa.

Imaginative local cuisine is served in three celebrated bars and restaurants. Afternoon tea is a cherished tradition. Gourmet picnics can be savoured on the lawn or by the pool. When it comes to great occasions, the hotel’s broad choice of event spaces makes it ideal for sensational weddings, intimate parties, inspiring meetings and exciting incentives.

Just beyond Mount Nelson’s gates lie the city’s historic hotspots and celebrated beaches. Guests can take advantage of unique curated adventures ranging from classic car tours of the Cape Winelands to fynbos sunset walks.

DE HOOP COLLECTION

De Hoop Collection is situated in the spectacular De Hoop Nature Reserve, a mere three hour drive from Cape Town and George, respectively. Known as the Jewel of the Cape, the reserve is home to an abundance of birdlife and wildlife including the Southern Right Whale during whale season. Here, world-class land-based whale watching is offered in a 70km marine protected area that has become a safe haven for a variety of marine life. A floral array of fynbos welcomes you as you enter the reserve that has more than 1500 different plant species, many of which are endemic. A true nature lovers experience awaits at De Hoop Nature Reserve.

De Hoop Collection offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from comfortable selfcatering cottages to luxury suites on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. There is an accommodation option for every taste and pocket; some with views of the picturesque De Hoop Vlei, a wetland of international importance.

The Fig Tree Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, a la cart lunch and has a set dinner menu that changes daily. Be sure to visit the Silo Cellar, a beautiful in-the-round space where you are spoilt for choice with the most delectable wines from the Overberg and beyond.

The guided activities on offer include Nature Drives, Boat Cruises on the De Hoop Vlei, Marine Walks, Bird Walks, Mountain Biking and hiking at Potberg Mountains where the last remaining Cape Vulture Colony can be found. You could be lazing at poolside, hiking, cycling or whale watching in season – whatever you choose, there is a rewarding way to pass each day.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 422 4522

info@dehoopcollection.co.za

www.dehoopcollection.com

VICTORIA FALLS RIVER LODGE

Victoria Falls River Lodge was the first private game lodge to be built in the Zambezi National Park. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, this unique lodge is so close to the famous Victoria Falls that one can see the spray in the distance but tranquil enough to completely relax in utter seclusion, either on the mainland or on the one-of-a-kind private island with treehouses and starbeds. Victoria Falls River Lodge is the cherry on top of any safari itinerary and is a definite bucket list experience.

The latest hidden gems on offer are their newly opened private riverside villas – breath taking locations with the Zambezi lapping nearby and perfect for family retreats, buddymoons, or for a completely exclusive safari. Every detail has been meticulously thought through, to give multi-generational families, friends and smaller groups an unforgettable bush getaway.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

+27 60 981 1354

reservations@zambezicrescent.com

www.victoriafallsriverlodge.com

SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Eastern Cape, South Africa

+27 42 203 1111

reservations@shamwari.com

www.shamwari.com

Shamwari Private Game Reserve, one of the largest malaria-free private game reserves in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, is situated along the Bushman’s River, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown.

Shamwari, meaning “friend” in the local Shana language, is one of Africa’s leading Big5 safari destinations spanning some 25 000 hectares. This private reserve boasts five ecosystems supporting many plant, bird and animal species. It is also home to one of South Africa’s most experienced wildlife teams. Six uniquely styled lodges and the Shamwari Explorer Camp offer a distinctive ambience in untamed Africa.

Guests’ activities include visits to the unique Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free Big Cat Rescue and Education Centers, and Riverdene and Long Lee Manor offers a Kids on Safari program that educates and entertains. Guided bush walks, spa treatments, and stargazing are available on request. Shamwari’s conservation initiatives draw attention to the plight of wild cats and abandoned, and injured wild animals.

Jock Safari Lodge is ideally positioned in the southern area of the Kruger National Park, resting at the confluence of two seasonal rivers, Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers. This 6,000 hectare exclusive concession is situated in the heart of wild Kruger, half way between Skukuza and the Malelane Gate, a mere 40-minute drive in either direction. The wildlife within this unbroken landscape have survived undisturbed and encouraged to thrive. The legendary experiences throughout this region of pristine bushveld offer guests an intensive safari in what is regarded as the best Big Five game viewing area in the Kruger.

The luxury lodging compliments the rugged terrain paying homage to a rich culture and timeless elegance. Main Jock, emulates the timeless style and elegance of a classic safari lodge, with the addition of modern comforts and conveniences expected by today’s discerning traveller. Twelve secluded thatched suites offer privacy and uninterrupted views of the riverbed, reimagined with a private sala area offering evening sleep out options.

The intimate Fitzpatrick’s Lodge is stylishly appointed to offer the ultimate private villa experience, accommodating a group of up to six guests on an exclusive-use basis, complete with private guide, vehicle and chef.

JOCK SAFARI LODGE

Kruger National Park, South Africa

+27 13 010 0019

reservations@jocksafarilodge.com

www.jocksafarilodge.com

SANBONA WILDLIFE RESERVE

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is an authentic and contrasting natural space, it serves as a major role player in the conservation realm- which is imparted and intricately woven into our guest experiences. It is a true example of a successful rewilding project on an epic scale within the Western Cape, underpinned by peer reviewed, research-based conservation practice.

Conveniently located along Route 62, a mere 3.5 hours from Cape Town, the reserves aims to create balance where critically important ecosystems, endangered wildlife and flora can prosper. Positioned in a convergence zone of varied biodiversity hotspots of succulent Karoo and fynbos biomes, this 58 000 hectare of big, Karoo sky country offers breath-taking sceneries that will transport you to a place where time stands still and nature takes centre stage.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 010 0028

reservations@sanbona.com

www.sanbona.com

With a choice of three luxury lodges, each with their own distinct personality and appeal. Dwyka Tented Lodge is opulent, positioned under some nesting Verreaux’s eagles and in the bend of a river. Tilney Manor was designed in true Cape Georgian style, it is perfect for guests in need of an exclusive Karoo experience. Gondwana Family Lodge is the perfect family retreat in its configuration complimented with a tailored Kids on Safari programme to inspire the eco-warriors of the future. Nature drives, walking safaris, rock art and star gazing complete an exciting safari option very close to Cape Town.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 794 6561

stay@thelastword.co.za

www.thelastword.co.za

LAST WORD CONSTANTIA

Last Word Constantia, in South Africa's first-ever wine region and Cape Town’s sophisticated suburb of Constantia, is a hidden gem. The 5-star boutique hotel’s backyard is a patchwork quilt of noble estates under vines, as steeped in beauty as in historic value, and home to a literal feast of gastronomic delights to boot.

Last Word Constantia is a serene sanctuary tucked away in the verdant, storied Constantia valley, origin of South Africa’s most acclaimed viticulture. Nine beautiful rooms are all en-suite and appointed with fine linens and sumptuous furnishings. The elegant décor offers a restful backdrop to our world-class hospitality. Superior Rooms and three suite categories namely Elegant, Family and Pool Suites catering to the discerning taste of the well-heeled traveller. The latter, featuring a private plunge pool and dedicated garden, offers ultimate privacy. Last Word is the most intimate experience you will find.

Underpinning the pleasures in our sanctuaries are three very important values we hold dearly which are kindness, character and generosity. The smiles on the faces of our family members and their attention to guests’ well-being shows the kindness we have become known for.

LAST WORD FRANSCHHOEK

Last Word Franschhoek is the best hotel in Franschhoek for independent, savvy travellers. Come and explore South Africa’s gourmet capital from our 5-star boutique hotel on Huguenot Road, mere heartbeats away from some of the world’s most celebrated eateries. Highly personalised service delivered by lovely people is our hallmark.

Discover classic, understated elegance in our eight lavishly appointed, spacious en-suite Superior Rooms and two sumptuous Pool Suites. The latter, replete with sparkling semi-private plunge pool and leafy courtyard, ideal for rejuvenating moments that are solely yours.

The generous guest lounge at our Franschhoek ‘beyond boutique’ hotel opens on to a sun-drenched, poolside patio and courtyard featuring a sizeable, sparkling pool. Adjacent to this becalmed space is our beautiful dining room. Abundant sunshine and fresh air spill through the large windows, elevating moods and dining experiences. For those wishing to remain tethered to the outside world, our free wireless internet service is a welcome feature. Raise a toast the end of another perfect day out from Last Word Franschhoek’s private rooftop patio, a personal space to pair champagne moments with gorgeous wrap-around views. The interiors reflect a distinctive character of understated elegance while the positioning of each hotel offers different and unique surrounds. The generosity is abundant in everything we do, particularly in the exceptionally large rooms, the wholesome breakfasts, complimentary wireless internet and beverages.

Imagine endless beach views, fresh air and inspiration on tap in nature's playground, yours to explore. The Atlantic Ocean sparkles at your feet, inviting you to linger longer, and savour the extraordinary. The incredible seascapes captivate your imagination as swim, surf, SUP, or stroll along the shore, a shimmering white beach ahead.

All six elegantly appointed sea-facing rooms in our beachfront boutique hotel embrace the restful, marine-inspired décor. Relax on your balcony, perfectly chilled drink in hand, and drift off to the hypnotic sounds of life at the beach. Our resort-style experience includes most meals and beverages for guests' enjoyment; our seafood dinner is a highlight. Not a fan of seafood? Our chefs are on hand to whip up a delicious alternative, made to your liking. Above all its virtues, Last Word Long Beach's most remarkable feature belongs to our lovely team.

If you seek a seaside luxury boutique hotel promising breath-taking moments and soul awakening experiences, look no further. From the comfort of each spacious room, enjoy endless views of the Atlantic Ocean ahead and the Chapman's Peak mountains beyond. Our elegant, spacious Superior Rooms, Elegant Suites and singular Junior Suite provide our guests with the perfect destination for a romantic escapade, freshair family bonding or surfing safari with friends. Special occasions invite run-of-house bookings for a sublime experience of this shoreline paradise belonging only to you.

LAST WORD LONG BEACH

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 794 6561

stay@thelastword.co.za

www.thelastword.co.za

+27 21 794 6561 stay@thelastword.co.za www.thelastword.co.za

LAST WORD KITARA

Our 5-star luxury lodge enjoys pride of place on the banks of the beautiful Klaserie River, a big five causeway. Discover the true meaning of a ‘soul safari’. Unrushed, untouched, unrivalled.

The epitome of 'beyond boutique', Last Word Kitara is the gorgeous crown jewel in the exclusive Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, the quintessential 'Big Five' safari experience. If you seek the ultimate Kruger Park private lodge, book Kitara Lodge exclusively, for an unforgettable safari that is yours alone. Within our serene sanctuary, you'll find our lovely people invite curiosity and welcome conversations. Discover our world of free-roaming wildlife from the comfort of your private suite, our inviting viewing deck or our sparkling infinity pool overlooking the Klaserie River. Our presence here supports a number of important community causes which your conservation contributions directly support. Our team would be delighted to share more about these with you.

Our six spacious suites, set along the Klaserie River, offer sweeping views of the pristine riverside setting. Suites are adjoining but not inter-leading. All are en-suite replete with indoor and outdoor showers. Drink in the tranquil bushscapes from your private balcony. The classic décor style, inspired by nature, is imbued with dreamy accents of Africa. Retire to your exclusive cocoon, lulled to sleep by the melee of hypnotic night time sounds.

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

LUSH

Lush is a contemporary lodge, shaped around the environment. In fact, it is a shepherd’s tree – sheltered from the wind and warmed by the morning sun, between hill and plain – that marked the position of the main lodge. Its minimalistic décor and natural finishes put the focus on the view, which at once draws you outside. With this in mind, multi-level interior-flowingto-exterior spaces are designed for outdoor living. Spend time between safari activities reading or playing board games on the couches, sipping coffee in the bar lounge – a favourite spot to rendezvous at any time of day – or stargazing from the deck.

Choose from three Bush-Facing and two Mountain-Facing Suites – distinguished only by their views; or three new Deluxe Suites, with superior outdoor and indoor spaces, offering an upgrade to your stay. Covered walkways lead to each, interspersed between the trees and with their own private entrances.

Wilderness-inspired interiors, innovative use of space, and extended fold-back glass doors mean you feel immersed in nature even when in your suite. Their décor gives a nod to the Lupini’s Italian heritage, though much of the furnishing is local, supporting South African artisans. Designed with every comfort in mind, your Suite is not simply a base from which to explore the surrounds, but a living space.

Lush guarantees you authentic safari adventures to write home about. Exclusive traversing in Black Rhino Reserve and the Pilanesberg’s Wilderness Area offers the opportunity to explore an untouched environment. Access also to the public section of the park increases your chances of encountering a large variety of wildlife.

reservations@lushprivatelodge.co.za

www.lushprivatelodge.co.za

+27 66 479 5639

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE

While the luxury of Madikwe Safari Lodge lies in having direct access to some of South Africa’s best Big Five safari experiences, it is also the pleasure of coming back to thoughtful comforts, warm hospitality, and excellent meals after several hours in the bush that defines five-star stays here. The Madikwe brand of luxury comes standard, and what sets each of its retreats apart is its unique feel –appealing to different travelers.

Madikwe’s wooded hills give way to savannah and Kalahari plains, roamed by all of the Big Five and countless other mammals. Look up and you will see hundreds of resident and migrant birds gracing its skies. Coupled with the reserve being malaria-free, this all makes for a special place to explore.

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

+27 64 852 5304

res@madikwesafarilodge.co.za

www.madikwesafarilodge.co.za

Set in the heart of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, adjacent to the famous Kruger National Park, RockFig Safari Lodge is well situated for forays into the African wilds.

RockFig Safari Lodge features four guests per vehicle and just six suites, providing an intimate experience for their individual guests and may be booked for exclusiveuse bookings for families or groups of friends. The sense of place comes through strongly, with the colour palette in each room inspired by the purple and green hues of local birds and plants. Although guests are always conscious of where they are, no stone is left unturned in the quest for comfort and luxury, with each suite featuring both indoor and outdoor showers, a private verandah ideal for romantic candlelit dinners, a minibar and a bath. Specially commissioned watercolour paintings add notes of cool beauty, and – as with every space in the lodge – the aim is always to delight the guests who’ll stay here. There’s a thoughtfulness to the decor, with the emphasis being on the guest experience – but also an unmissable sense that it’s the natural beauty of the Timbavati bushveld that’s the true hero.

Game drives rank among the quintessential Timbavati experiences, and the guides and trackers at RockFig Safari Lodge pride themselves on providing incredible, safe but close wildlife encounters. Timbavati is Big Five country, and as many of the RockFig trackers hail from the area they’re able to put all their local knowledge to work to ensure the best possible viewing opportunities.

With so many styles of dining on offer, from informal to the bushveld equivalent of silver service, and the plentiful venues throughout the lodge in which to enjoy them, no two meals are the same.

ROCKFIG SAFARI LODGE

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Positioned in a prime location within the Greater Kruger Park, Serondella – meaning Place of Elephants – invites guests to relax, unwind, and reconnect in South Africa’s premier wildlife territory. Here, in the heart of the Thornybush Nature Reserve, the world’s most celebrated safari species thrive in a protected wilderness where we can explore and discover in an up-close and intimate setting. Shared between friends and loved ones, these are moments that will imprint on minds and hearts for a lifetime.

Serondella is a family-orientated, boutique safari lodge that provides guests with a meaningful safari experience in a luxurious, 5-star setting. Whether visiting as a family or becoming a part of our family, Serondella is designed to feel like home. The newly renovated lodge envelopes one of the most active waterholes in Thornybush, offering world-class wildlife viewing right from the deck, pool, bar, and bedrooms; a setting purposefully created to allow guests to feel connected to the natural ecosystem we are privileged to be a part of.

We can welcome up to 11 guests in our two private suites and two family suites which are individually decorated to capture and reflect the essence of tranquillity and relaxation. Specially designed to accommodate families and amplify privacy, each suite is generously spacious with private outdoor living areas and plunge pools. Exquisite, carefully chosen art and décor elevate the interiors and furnish the guest areas with superior comfort and signature style.

Building on the ideals of preservation and conservation, Serondella provides guests with a place to reconnect with families and loved ones. The experience is immersive and delivered by a specially curated team of excellent guides, including 2021’s award- winning Safari Guide of the Year, allowing guests to feel connected to the natural ecosystem we are privileged to be a part of.

SERONDELLA

Greater Kruger Park, South Africa

+27 83 337 1403

reservations@serondella.co.za

www.serondella.co.za

Vilanculos, Mozambique

+27 76 941 4951

reservations@santorinimozambique.com

www.santorinimozambique.com

SANTORINI

Elevated on the red cliffs of Kingfisher Bay, Santorini Mozambique astounds with endless Archipelago views from every angle. Its sprawling villas are nestled amidst coconut trees and lush landscaping, forming a private oasis in Vilanculos. This unspoiled patch of paradise is positioned above a long stretch of beach strewn with colourful sea shells and warm waters that shift gently with the changing tides. At Santorini, guests can experience the charm of a Greek-inspired village mixed with the wild beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean. Conveniently located 30 minutes from Vilanculos airport, Santorini is not far from this vibrant coastal town. The Main Villa is the heart of Santorini, featuring five spacious suites across a multi-tiered, open-plan space. Named after the five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, each suite is unique but all boast ensuite bedrooms that spill out onto private patios with ocean views.

Villa Na Colina is a stand-alone private suite situated on the hill separated from the main villa with its own private courtyard and heated pool, with additional front patio overlooking the archipelago. Guests staying in Villa na Colina will enjoy the main villa private dining areas and all main villa facilities but will also have the options to dine in their private courtyard or patio for any meal.

Complete privacy defines the two exclusive- use villas. The Chapel, a twobedroomed villa, and Villa da Praia, a three-bedroomed villa, feature their own pools as well as large living and dining areas, offering the ultimate romantic retreat or memorable holiday with family and friends. Luxuriously laid-back architecture and authentic hospitality encourage you to settle into a newfound state of being. Opportunities for relaxation and adventure abound in equal measure with a wide range of activities available, from island hopping, dhow sailing and deep-sea fishing to beach dozing and pampering at the spa. Add to this, deluxe dining that draws on farm-totable ingredients from Santorini’s vegetable garden. Private dining locations are cleverly planned out across the Main Villa or in the privacy of The Chapel and Villa da Praia, served by a dedicated chef. There’s no dress code, no schedules, no TV. This is a place to forget about the rest of the world for a while.

HWANGE BUSH CAMP

Hwange Bush Camp is an authentic 6 tent bush camp situated in the remote northern region of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. The Robins Area of Hwange National Park offers guests scenic diversity with huge open grass lands and natural springs.

Nestled under the canopy of trees, Hwange Bush Camp caters for a maximum of twelve guests in six spacious and tastefully decorated twin bedded Meru tents, each with private en-suite

facilities including flush toilets and a bush shower with hot water being made available on request. The shady lounge and dining area is the focal point of the camp, tastefully decorated with rustic hints of old world colonial charm, reminiscent of those enjoyed by early explorers to the continent. Our bush camp kitchen provides delicious meals cooked on a wood burning stove, and with advance notification, our qualified chefs are happy to cater to guests dietary requirements. The camp runs on solar with charging stations for recharging camera and laptops etc.

The tents offer a high level of comfort for an authentic tented camp. En suite bathroom areas provide wardrobe, flushing toilets, cold running water in the handbasins and hot water is provided in the bucket showers on request. The fans and lights run on solar generated power and are on 24 hours.

The lounge and dining area is the central focal area of the camp, where guests can enjoy a drink or perhaps tea or coffee from the permanent tea station. Comfortable chairs and couches offer a relaxing oasis and the charming decor harks back to the times of the early African explorers. The firepit nearby offers a true bush camp experience and is a favourite area to relax while in camp.

The bush camp kitchen creates amazing dishes and meals, all cooked on a wood burning stove. From fresh breads & rolls & incredible main dishes through to delicate filo parcels and chocolate eclair desserts.

bookingzim@mobile-safaris.net www.www.hwangebushcamp.com

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Tswalu’s remote location in the southern Kalahari offers the ultimate off-the-beaten-track escape. From the landmark Korannaberg mountains to the grassy, red sand dunes rippling away to the horizon, this vast tract of privately owned wilderness in the Northern Cape is at the forefront of sustainable ecotourism in South Africa. As a fellow member of The Long Run, Tswalu’s sustainability journey is focused on the four key areas of conservation, community, culture and commerce. The reserve is first and foremost an ambitious conservation project that funds numerous research projects, geared towards understanding and conserving key species within the Kalahari ecosystem. Research informs all major conservation decisions, playing a vital role in revealing fascinating aspects of the reserve’s ecology and its remarkable biodiversity. Guaranteed access to a private vehicle, guide and tracker provides guests with the freedom and flexibility to explore diverse, gamerich habitats always with unlimited time at sightings. On a Tswalu safari, time and space are the true luxuries. Besides game drives, complimentary activities include nature walks, animal tracking, horse riding, stargazing, dune dinners, sleeping out under the stars, and spending time with habituated meerkats. With accommodation for a maximum of 28 guests at the Motse camp and Tarkuni homestead, Tswalu has the lowest guest footprint in South Africa. The Oppenheimer family's low-impact, high-value approach to sustainable ecotourism helps fund the vital conservation work that is at the heart of this noble project to restore the southern Kalahari for future generations.

TSWALU

Savannah Biome, South Africa

+27 53 781 9331 res@tswalukalahari.com www.tswalu.com

SEAL POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Since its establishment in 1878, countless ships owe their safe passage along the Eastern Cape coastline to this architectural landmark and the keepers who have called it home.

Seal Point Lighthouse is situated in Cape St Francis at the end of a peninsula surrounded by ocean. Today the working lighthouse continues to warn ships against running onto treacherous reefs. In addition to doing what it was commissioned for, this idyllic National Monument offers travellers a truly unique getaway experience. It is rare to find a destination that is both historic and one-of-a-kind. Enjoy an unparalleled stay inside this extraordinary landmark.

The accommodation comprises of two luxurious self-catering wings, which are attached to the lighthouse tower on either side. The original lighthouse keepers’ quarters have been thoughtfully restored with modern amenities and luxuries, whilst still preserving their original character.

The brave can explore this magnificent masonry lighthouse on a guided tour. Climb the 154 steps of this majestic masonry tower upwards to the lantern room, which is 28 metres from the ground. Take in the astonishing views of the sparkling seascape and Cape St Francis from this glorious vantage point.

The Nevermind restaurant is the creation of Chef Wesley Randles, and is located next to the lighthouse. This restaurant, café, and bakery is totally beguiling guests with its gorgeous fare, ranging from hedonistic baked breakfast goods to fresh local, wood fire cooked lunches and dinners.

Experience the legendary Seal Point Lighthouse for your next unforgettable vacation.

+27 76 705 0599

reservations@azura-retreats.com www.azura-retreats.com

AZURA BENGUERRA ISLAND

Imagine an unspoilt island within a Marine National Park, deserted beaches of pure white sand that extend for miles, sparkling turquoise seas criss-crossed by local dhows plying their trade, sunny days and starstudded nights. This is the enchanting island escape you always imagined. Azura Benguerra, the first ecofriendly resort in Mozambique, was hand-built by the local community and is operated in partnership with it. Just 20 villas are nestled along one of the last undiscovered stretches of beach in the world, with all the creature comforts you could wish for, sparkling private pools, Mozambican butler-hosts to look after your every need, fish and seafood fresh from the ocean, a fantastic range of activities and experiences, an African spa to relax in, all at a community-based project where the local islanders benefit as much as you. Azura Benguerra Island is a paradise found. Our hand-built Luxury beachfront villas blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. Each of our 20 villas are just footsteps from the beach, designed with seclusion in mind. Nestled amidst indigenous gardens, you have your own sanctuary, with a personal infinity swimming pool and spectacular beachside view. A haven of rest and relaxation, where you can feel at one with the environment. Each villa also comes with a deck equipped with comfortable sofas, a table for dining or reading, a sun deck and a private Sala with a day bed. At Azura it’s all about luxury and unique experiences, we go out of our way to create serendipity. Guests say our biggest USP is our location and with every Villas being right on the beach and water’s edge coupled with incredible service, cuisine and attention to detail make Azura one of the worlds best secret experiences.

Mariano, Mozambique

THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL WATERFRONT

Cape Town, South Africa

+27 21 441 3000

capetown.reservations@radissonblu.com www.radissonhotels.com

The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, situated along Cape Town’s foreshore, is one of the only hotels in the region set directly alongside the Atlantic Ocean. The luxury 177-room property offers guests a sense of escaping into nature while providing all the necessities required for today’s modern business traveller too. This includes complimentary Wi-Fi with the benefit of onsite conferencing facilities. Each room is designed to enclose guests in an atmosphere of tranquillity with plush bathrobes and slippers, and thoughtful amenities such as coffee and tea provisions, a Nespresso coffee machine, and private bathrooms. The hotel’s Tobago’s restaurant serves fresh locally sourced and inspired food for breakfast, lunch and supper. Guests can look forward to mealtimes on the terrace of Tobago’s restaurant, with the sound of waves crashing against the breakers in the background as they discuss the events of the day. The hotel's welcoming, friendly and professional staff are ready to meet each guest’s every need, and shuttle services are available for transport to and from the hotel and local attractions. The hotel is centrally located - a short 10-minute drive to the Cape Town CBD and minutes away from local attractions, such as the V&A Waterfront and Sea Point Promenade. Top-tier amenities, comfort and immediate proximity to Africa’s natural landscape ensure an unforgettable experience at the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront.

At the foot of the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains, along the Garden Route is Fancourt, an award-winning golf resort.

Fancourt offers luxurious rooms, each one designed to cater to your specific needs. Retreat into comfort and experience elegance at its best. The view from our rooms ranges from the Outeniqua Mountains to the Montagu course, showcasing the best greens in South Africa. Choose from a range of stylish yet comfortable rooms, including our Classic Rooms, Luxury Rooms, One-Bedroom Suites and Two-Bedroom Suites.

Our restaurants offer a taste for everyone. For a fine dining experience, try Henry White's, offering you the most creative dishes. La Cantina, the Italian-style restaurant, serves handcrafted dishes made with the finest Italian ingredients. Or enjoy a casual café bite at Monet's, a French-style bistro, serving meals against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains. The Club Lounge, overlooking the 18th green of the Montagu course offers, not only to golfers, but all visitors, an urban meal experience.

Fancourt offers a range of activities for guests to relax and unwind. Golf enthusiasts can take advantage of the resort's three top golf courses, designed by legendary golfer Gary Player. The Links at Fancourt is the most prestigious course in South Africa and upholds a remarkably high stature. The Montagu and Outeniqua courses are renowned and even the pro golfer ends up challenged here.

For those seeking rejuvenation, indulge in world-class treatments at The Spa or just relax in the Roman Bath before taking your pick of the Tepidarium, steam room or sauna.

To keep the little ones entertained, visit the Leisure Centre which is home to our Kidz Club, Teen Lounge and Fitness Centre. Guests can also choose to swim in our outdoor swimming pool or warm up in the heated indoor pool.

For lasting memories of a world-class getaway, make Fancourt your next destination.

FANCOURT

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 44 804 0000 reservations@fancourt.co.za www.fancourt.co.za

DROSTDY HOTEL

A historical gem in the heart of the Great Karoo.

In the heart of Graaff-Reinet, a town with a rich history and immense character, Drostdy Hotel, the finest Karoo gem, is found. With its expansive grounds, pools, restaurant & spa, it is a delightful destination, not to be missed.

Our De Camdeboo restaurant offers authentically prepared Karoo meals with local herbs and ingredients infused into the dishes such as the famed Karoo lamb or succulent local venison.

Our Africology spa is located on the premises for absolute convenience and offers a wide range of bespoke treatment options including lovely packages and a himalayan salt sauna for the weary traveller.

Stroll down the same paths that the likes of Queen Elizabeth II has walked and bask in the Karoo sunshine.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 49 892 2161

info@drostdy.co.za

www.newmarkhotels.com

A leading wine estate situated on the slopes of the Oliphants Pass and Middagkrans Mountain Range, overlooking the Franschhoek Valley - is the perfect destination for local and international guests. Offering unparalleled vistas, luxurious accommodation, and award-winning cuisine and wines, its accommodation comprises five beautifully appointed Vineyard suites and five recently renovated Manor House suites - each with spectacular views and comfort. It is home to an award-winning restaurant which serves country cuisine with a fresh contemporary touch. In addition, La Petite Ferme’s small and intimate boutique style cellar, managed by winemaker Wikus Pretorius, offers a full range of wines which includes red, white and rosé. The wines are available at selected retail outlets but can be bought online. La Petite Ferme also offers wine tastings, bikes to create your own adventure and a Mobile Beauty Spa that brings the spa experience to the privacy of your room. With its romantic setting La Petite Ferme is ideal for weddings, special functions and events for the most discerning guest. La Petite Ferme, within easy reach of the winelands and tourist attractions, is conveniently located less than three minutes from the village of Franschhoek and is an hour’s drive from Cape Town and the Airport.

La Petite Ferme is a member of The Nest Collection which partners with independently owned boutique establishments in key geographical areas countrywide, providing the full benefits of centralised travel planning.

Restaurant bookings: reception@lapetiteferme.co.za

LA PETITE FERME

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 876 3016

accommodation@lapetiteferme.co.za

www.lapetiteferme.co.za

BAKUBUNG BUSH LODGE

A mere two hours drive from Johannesburg, and ten minutes from Sun City, Bakubung is located in the Pilanesberg National Park, a malaria free, 57,000-hectare reserve where you can see the big five from your room, or on a game drive through the reserve.

From prides of roaming lions, to giraffes, Bakubung will bring you closer to the splendour and beauty of the African bush.

Every visit to Bakubung, or “People of the Hippo” will remind you why you need to come back.

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

+27 14 552 6000

bakubung@legacyhotels.co.za

www.legacyhotels.co.za

KWA MARITANE BUSH LODGE

Located in the Pilanesberg National Park, on the slopes of a 2-billion-year-old volcano, is home to Africa’s big five. Relax by the pool, head out for a late afternoon game drive and then enjoy dinner in our wonderful restaurant. On Wednesdays and Saturdays enjoy our bush boma, under the African stars.

Kwa Maritane, or “Place of the Rock” offers unparalleled comfort, in a malaria free area, less than two hours from Johannesburg.

Unwind at Kwa Maritane Spa to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul in the peaceful setting of the bushveld. Indulge with treatments such as Thabayadiotso, our signature treatment, or pamper yourself with a pedicure while watching the game on the plains.

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

+27 14 552 5100

kwamaritane@legacyhotels.co.za

www.legacyhotels.co.za

TSHUKUDU BUSH LODGE

Tshukudu is one of those rare game lodges where perfection is a reality.

With only 6 luxury chalets and 4 luxury suites, Tshukudu offers a romantic and intimate experience at the foot of the Pilanesberg mountains, with expansive views of the plains below. Relax in your open plan lounge and watch the game wander lazily through the bush, towards the waterhole located below the lodge.

At night, after dinner, take a short walk back to your private chalet and watch the stars traverse the African sky.

Situated in a malaria free area, offering game drives, bush walks, free WiFi and a swimming pool, Tshukudu is unique and memorable in every aspect.

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

+27 14 552 6255

tshukudu@legacyhotels.co.za

www.legacyhotels.co.za

Luxury living has a new address. Legacy Hotels & Resorts have opened its 240 room, all-suite hotel within The Leonardo.

Guests at The Leonardo can dine at a variety of eateries, including on-the-go convenience meals from Leo’s Lounge & Deli, fine dining at contemporary European restaurant and wine library, AURUM, wood-fired pizza and tapas at Octo Bar and the soon-to-open sky bar, Alto234, on the roof of the iconic building.

On the Leonardo’s third floor you will find nine state-of-theart, all-purpose conferencing venues and meeting rooms with all food prepared by the team at AURUM. Conference rooms Isabella I – IV, open up to create one space with a capacity of up to 330 people making it one of the few venues in the city that has ample space for large events, such as car launches and exhibitions.

Additional facilities include a world-class gym, outdoor lap pool and pool deck, two-storey Legacy Balance Spa, and Nature & Nurture Montessori Pre-School, all interlaced with hundreds of original, local artworks from sculptures, to installations, tapestries and paintings curated by The Trinity Session.

THE LEONARDO

Gauteng, South Africa

+27 87 536 0000

info@theleonardo.co.za

www.legacyhotels.co.za

DAVINCI HOTEL & SUITES

Gauteng, South Africa

+27 11 292 7000

davinci@legacyhotels.co.za

www.legacyhotels.co.za

Located within the mall, leading on to Nelson Mandela Square, The DAVINCI is a contemporary masterpiece that has been built with unparalleled attention to detail.

Featuring a private art collection that adorns the ground floor entrance and rooms designed to captivate you, The DAVINCI is one of a kind. The elegant upstairs lounge looks out over the swimming pool, outdoor entertainment area.

A sweeping staircase from The DAVINCI's reception, leads down to the Maximillien Restaurant and Legacy Corner Mall, on Nelson Mandela Square, where the finest luxurious shops in Sandton await you.

THE COMMODORE HOTEL

There are many reasons why Cape Town is regularly selected as one of the top tourist destinations in the world for location, sightseeing and dining. Experience everything special that Cape Town has to offer while staying in this stylish and elegant setting.

Located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The Commodore Hotel provides sweeping views of Table Mountain, Cape Town Harbour and Robben Island.

With all of the services that you require, The Commodore is the perfect hotel, in the perfect city.

Cape Town, South Africa

+27 21 415 1000

commodore@legacyhotels.co.za

www.legacyhotels.co.za

ALPINE HEATH RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTRE

Drakensberg, South Africa

+27 10 442 5888

cro@aha.co.za

www.alpineheath.co.za

aha Alpine Heath Resort & Conference Centre is a stylish four-star village in the heart of the Drakensberg. The resort is surrounded by crystalclear streams, fresh mountain air, and is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s premier conference and family holiday resorts in the Drakensberg. aha Alpine Heath Resort & Conference Centre offers 100 superb north-facing en-suite, selfcatering chalets, with breath-taking views of the Drakensberg mountains. Room configuration is 100 Three-Bedroom Self-Catering Chalets, each with 1 x double room and 2 x twin bedrooms. 1 Chalet is specially modified for physically impaired guests. Each self-catering chalet sleeps a maximum of 6 people including children. The rooms also feature en-suite bathrooms, high speed internet access and a large work area, perfect for the business traveller. The Tavern Bar caters for a variety of light meals and a snack menu is available throughout the day. Also on offer is a Pool Bar, Pizzeria and Coffee Shop. Dependent on occupancy, The Le Gruyéres Restaurant offers either an à La Carte or Buffet Breakfast and for Dinner, either a Buffet Dinner or Light Snack Menu. Our property is unique in that it is a village complete with a Village Market for the few items you may have forgotten, and its own charming village square. General items available are freshly baked bread and rolls, croissants, scones, muffins, farm eggs, cheeses, a variety of cold and marinated meats, braai packs, fresh milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, salads and picnic baskets. This popular resort offers quality wedding and a variety of conference facilities.

Makalali Private Game Lodge is located close to the mighty Drakensberg mountains west of the Kruger Park, this ethnic bush retreat lies on 26 000 hectares of bushveld in the North Eastern Lowveld, South Africa. Makalali Game Reserve boasts the ‘Big Five’ – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo. Other characteristic species are Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra and Kudu. Makalali Private Lodge’s contemporary 5 star Main Lodge was completed in November 2017. Accommodating a total of 60 guests in 30 rooms, this grand yet beautifully simple structure was designed to enhance the organic beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Natural light, fresh free-flowing air, open space and spectacular views of both sky and bush are uninterrupted within the living areas of the lodge. Each of Makalali Main Lodge’s 30 rooms, spread across 3 detached river-facing units, is ideally positioned with optimum vantage over the surrounding bush. Breakfast and lunch are enjoyed within the dining area, or out on the deck. Bush dinners are ideal for an evening under the African sky and guests can enjoy an array of African cuisine served at the outside boma. Enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives in open game viewing vehicles conducted by qualified game rangers.

MAKALALI MAIN LODGE

+27 10 442 5888 cro@aha.co.za www.makalali.co.za

Makalali Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Nestled in the heart of “Big Five Country” on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, close to the Numbi Gate, lies the Nkambeni Safari Camp. The lodge is a four hour drive away from Johannesburg and was conceived by the Nkambeni Community in an effort to create jobs for the local people.

Nkambeni Safari Camp has 150 comfortable three-star units, with individual en-suite canvas suites and private decks. The principles of responsible and community-conscious tourism are reflected in suites designed and constructed to guarantee minimum impact on the natural habitat. Guests are treated to authentic South African bush dinners under the stars, around an open fire, or à la carte in the restaurant. There is a delicious breakfast buffet, an à la carte lunch menu and set menus for functions. Half or full-day safaris in the Kruger National Park are available, in specially designed vehicles that allow closer interaction with wildlife. Picnic lunches from the restaurant can be packed on request. Self-drive options are also available to guests.

NKAMBENI SAFARI CAMP

Kruger National Park, South Africa

www.buffalorock.co.za

BUFFALO ROCK TENTED CAMP

Buffalo Rock Tented Camp is situated in an unfenced area within the beautiful Kruger National Park.

The unfenced experience means that guests often catch sight of leopard and hyena around the Camp, making this camp the place to be for an affordable and authentic safari experience.

Buffalo Rock’s unspoiled beauty and solitude ensures that visitors have a peaceful and authentic safari experience. Sightings of the Big Five are highly likely in the area and an exclusive bush dinner under the stars, around an open fire, is a must. The Camp is constructed to have minimal impact on the environment and supports community upliftment initiatives. Buffalo Rock Tented Camp can accommodate up to 24 guests in comfortable safari tents with showers and toilets. Buffalo Rock has a fully-licensed bar and lounge area, a personal chef for breakfasts and dinners on-site, a lounge area for sundowners with friends and family and a boma for delicious braais under the stars, around an open fire. Echo Africa Safaris offers half and full-day game drives in the Kruger National Park. Exclusive night safaris can also be arranged, and self-drive options are available.

+27 10 442 5888 cro@aha.co.za

Kruger National Park, South Africa

IVORY TREE GAME LODGE

Ivory Tree Game Lodge is situated in the northeastern region of the Pilanesberg National Park, in an ancient Amphitheatre divided by riverine woodlands. The central facility includes a pool, bar, conference room, dining room, boma, reception and curio shop. Ivory Tree Game Lodge offers 5-Star accommodation in the malaria-free, Big Five Pilanesberg Game Reserve. All 67 rooms are decorated in earthy tones and offer comfortable outside seating areas to enjoy the surrounding wilderness.

On-site dining facilities serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in stunning surroundings. Exclusive Boma and bush dinners are available at an additional charge depending on min/max numbers of guests. Non-Exclusive Boma dinners are held at the lodge’s discretion and cannot be pre-booked. Ivory Tree Game Lodge has a dedicated conference room seating up to 100 delegates as well as a range of fantastic team building activities, ranging from archery and interactive drumming to Quad bike trips.

+27 10 442 5888

cro@aha.co.za

www.ivorytreegamelodge.com

Guests can enjoy 2 guided game drives daily which are conducted in the Pilanesberg National Park by a game ranger in the mornings and afternoons in an open 10 seater game viewing vehicle. The duration of the game drives are between three and four hours, with a sundowner stop at sunset and a coffee stop in the morning.

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge is a lodge concession within the existing Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

The entire lodge lies in an exclusive-use zone in the south-western portion of the 57,250ha, “Big Five” malaria-free reserve and is built to offer commanding views of the surrounding bushveld.

Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge offers 26 Standard Rooms (or 13 Family Suites), 4 spacious Executive Suites and 1 Villa with 2 bedrooms and private Boma which has a plunge pool on a spacious deck.

A gourmet restaurant serves the most delectable cuisine, while a casual lounge and bar provide magnificent vistas of the impressive landscape. A variety of dinner experiences are available upon request (boma dinners, wine cellar and bush dinners). Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge has a dedicated state-of-the-art conference facility and functions centre, offering several layouts and accommodating up to 70 delegates (classroom-style). Guests can enjoy 2 game drives daily which are conducted in the Pilanesberg National Park during the morning and afternoon when you are guided by your game ranger in an open 10 seater game viewing vehicle. The duration of the game drives are between three and four hours, with a sundowner stop at sunset and a coffee stop in the morning.

SHEPHERD’S TREE GAME LODGE

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

+27 10 442 5888

cro@aha.co.za

www.shepherdstreegamelodge.com

Set along the banks of the Marico River, Thakadu River Camp provides luxurious tented accommodation and a stylish, comfortable base from which to explore the splendid game viewing that only Madikwe Game Reserve can provide. With its strong Afro-Asian safari ambiance, Thakadu River Camp offers 12 Luxury Tented Suites, perfectly blended within their natural surroundings, and each with their own viewing deck overlooking the Marico River. 3 of the Suites are Family Units, with an extra double-size sleeper couch. All suites include an indoor bath and shower.

The main lodge area is built on stilts within the riverfront vegetation and guarantees a serene setting for breakfast and dinners. A fire-lit Boma serves locally inspired cuisine on fair weather nights as well as a Lapa set within a riverine glade from where you can soak up the mesmerizing views of the lazily meandering river and the terrain beyond. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy early morning and evening game drives in open game viewing vehicles conducted by qualified game rangers.

THAKADU RIVER CAMP

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

FLITWICK RANCH

Amidst the beautiful South-Eastern mountains of Kwazulu-Natal, lay hidden a working ranch established in the late 1800’s. The guesthouse on the ranch is an artful blend of vintage style buildings and classical modern architecture. Our boutique cottage is elegantly furnished and overlooks a dam, neighbouring horse farm and the hills beyond. It has a fully equipped kitchen, living and dining room and a lovely veranda with a braai area next to the dam. Our “bull stables” rooms has an “old English” feel with also a lovely view over the dam, while the old cheese factory has large rooms that truly take you back in time.

This, surrounded by the blooming gardens, picturesque dams and vast rolling hills in the distance, makes Flitwick Ranch a peaceful haven. Yet, there is much to do such as fishing, hiking, cycling, horse riding, kayaking, bird watching, relaxing in the Spa or having an authentic farm experience that involves herding the cattle, enjoying sunset drives, milking cows or going for a night drive to see the nocturnal life. The beautiful Deli provides delicious food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Flitwick has something for the Individual traveller, family or groups.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 83 652 2296

info@flitwickranch.com

www.flitwickranch.com

BLUE MARLIN HOTEL

The Blue Marlin Hotel, just 40min south of Durban, is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast’s most iconic hotels boasting exquisite sea views. The hotel offers 111 rooms with comfortable accommodation and a range of facilities to suit your needs. Stunning subtropical gardens, superior service, sparkling pools and the warm Indian Ocean on your doorstep, make this your ideal family holiday getaway.

Meet new friends in the Ibis Bar, sit down to a memorable meal at the Lighthouse Restaurant or kick back and relax with a cocktail at the Big Blu pool bar overlooking the bay. Take a dip in the Indian Ocean and embark on an incredible diving expedition to the world-famous Aliwal Shoal, a short boat ride away and easily organised by our in-house dive shop.

From the beach to the games area with our popular kids entertainment programme, guests of all ages will love everything the Blue Marlin has to offer. Tee off in paradise with an array of world-class golf courses within close proximity of the hotel or rejuvenate and revitalise at our in-house spa.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347

reservations@dreamresorts.co.za

www.dreamresorts.co.za

JOZINI TIGER LODGE & SPA

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347

reservations@dreamresorts.co.za

www.dreamresorts.co.za

Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa respectfully resembles a traditional Zulu stronghold set on a hilltop above the shores of Lake Jozini, in the far northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal.

They have taken meticulous care to create a sanctuary off the well-trodden tourist path gently coexisting within the natural surrounds, whilst tastefully paying homage to the local culture. Be it a business trip, honeymoon or family getaway, you will be drawn to Jozini, not just for how you’re treated, but for how being there makes you feel.

The atmosphere is relaxed and effortless, backed by a high level of top notch service and personalised hospitality. From their private Mangwanani Spa, to their fully-equipped gym and rim-flow pool, Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa’s facilities will complete your stay.

They also offer extensive conference and banqueting facilities and are particularly well-known for hosting corporate conferences, international tour groups and team building events. Weddings and honeymoons also top the list of our specialities. Lake Jozini has become a household name for tiger fishing and, as they are wellpositioned amongst St. Lucia, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Ndumu Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park, a day of game viewing, walking, birding and picnicking are an easy feat.

With a name like Little Switzerland, it’s a given that you will discover more than enough charm at this affordable family-friendly resort nestled at the foot of the Northern Drakensberg. The resort boasts a history that spans over a 100yrs, from its start as a tea garden to its transformation into quaint Alpine chalets and hotel rooms with breath-taking views of what feels to be the pinnacle of the South African landscape.

Revel in serene silence far from traffic and meetings, enjoy our hearty buffet carveries, crackling log fires and perhaps even some pampering at our spa. Relaxation and comfort are yours for the taking at this affordable family accommodation, with plenty of outdoor activities for both children and adults to complete your stay and guarantee your return. Locally known as “the Berg”, the iconic mountain peaks offer every excitement, from serious hiking and hairpin drives to gentle strolls through forested glades and even a spot of culture.

Venture out nearby and you will discover the Royal Natal National Park, an addictively beautiful place far from the well-trodden tourist paths, where you can climb, bike, ride horseback, fish and spot birds and wildlife to your heart’s content.

LITTLE SWITZERLAND RESORT

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347

reservations@dreamresorts.co.za

www.dreamresorts.co.za

NIBELA LAKE LODGE

Craving a peaceful holiday that’s slightly off the beaten track? Located in KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetlands Park near Hluhluwe, Nibela Lake Lodge is ideally located to deliver a nature-based holiday with a difference for the whole family. Few lodges can say that they are located on the cusp of a world heritage site. This area is blessed by the waters of Lake St. Lucia, an estuarine lake system which sustains an abundance of birds and wildlife which proves that you don’t have to make your way to the Kruger to see it all.

Once you arrive, you will be rewarded with your own private haven in beautifully appointed timber chalets with private balconies and lakeside views, not to mention the background cheer of birds from the surrounding canopy of trees. The main lodge offers an outdoor viewing deck, an ideal spot for sundowners served just before dinner at our Lakeview Restaurant. Spend time venturing out to explore the surrounding area of the iSimangaliso Wetlands.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347 reservations@dreamresorts.co.za www.dreamresorts.co.za

Take a boat trip on the lake, go walking, mountain biking, fishing, diving, biking, birding or picnicking. Enjoy game viewing on a day trip to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park or kick back near the pool and catch up on some good old-fashioned relaxation.

ROYAL THONGA SAFARI LODGE

For holidaymakers planning a self-drive into southern Mozambique from KwaZulu-Natal, this is the perfect opportunity to add Royal Thonga Safari Lodge to your itinerary. This 4 star establishment is the crown jewel of ‘the garden province’, quietly nestled within the perimeter of the game-rich Tembe Elephant Park. Aside from the bounty of birds, butterflies and wildlife, Royal Thonga Safari Lodge is a treasure trove of outdoor activities that will occupy even the most adventurous visitors.

Choose from 4x4 game drives, seek out the Big 5, enjoy guided walks through the sand forest and that’s just the start. Trips to the local village and butterfly tent must be included, too. For that perfect beach day, Royal Thonga is right on the doorstep of Kosi Bay, where families and friends can embark on loggerhead turtle tracking tours, snorkelling excursions and whale watching boat trips.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347 reservations@dreamresorts.co.za www.dreamresorts.co.za

Of course, if you want to put your feet up and unwind, this is just the place to do it. Crafted with natural timber and thatch, the lodge emulates a local Thonga village building style, with luxurious touches. There is a swimming pool, on-site restaurant and plenty of quiet corners to enjoy a moment to yourself.

Zimbali, meaning “valley of flowers” in isiZulu, perfectly captures the iconic Zimbali Coastal Resort in which the property is situated. A stay here will set you within a 5min drive from the thriving hub of Ballito, and just a 20min drive from King Shaka International Airport. The accommodation hits the sweet spot between classic elegance and modernity, with interiors accentuated by warm wooden finishes and autumn tones.

Private decks offer a front-row seat to the glorious surrounds – an indigenous forest brimming with butterflies, bush buck and birds. Zimbali Lodge also caters for small conferences and holds its own as a highly sought-after wedding venue. Whether you arrive with a loved one, your family or as a solo traveler, expect to be pampered like a movie star by the attentive valets and knowledgeable concierge.

Aside from the elegant dining options, the ecoestate is a treasure trove of activities and needs no introduction to keen golfers who can tee off from the championship 18-hole course. Enjoy that perfect day out at the secluded beach just a stone’s throw away from the lodge or venture further afield to explore the game parks, marine reserves, glittering coastlines and estuaries within the surrounding regions.

ZIMBALI LODGE

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347

reservations@dreamresorts.co.za www.dreamresorts.co.za

FINFOOT LAKE RESERVE

Finfoot Lake Reserve is everything you could want in a weekend break or week-long holiday. Located only 90min drive from Johannesburg, that much-needed slice of peace and quiet is within easy reach for travellers seeking to escape the urban jungle. This lodge is naturally crafted from wood and thatch, perfectly complementing the surrounding woodlands and foliage.

Finfoot Lake Reserve offers various accommodation options: comfortable chalets, stylish self-catering villas and luxury tents located close to the Vaalkop Dam, ideal for families and groups of friends celebrating a special occasion. The large thatched lapa serves as the main hub at Finfoot Lake Reserve. This open-sided, breezy building is home to the camp’s bar and cosy lounge areas where most meals are served. Descend a few steps out on to the sun deck, where there’s plenty of seating to sit back and soak up the view. The swimming pool is a popular spot for those looking to put their feet up with a cocktail or two.

Set within the tranquil Greater Pilanesberg area, you will still find yourself in the heart of the action as this is a place of plenty when it comes to activities. Bring your bike, go for a paddle on the lake, try a bush walk or game drive, delight in a sunset barge cruise, or how about taking on the segway safari if you’re up for a bit of fun?

North West, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347 reservations@dreamresorts.co.za www.dreamresorts.co.za

+27 86 101 0347

MADIKWE RIVER LODGE

If you’re heading between Johannesburg and Gaborone, Madikwe River Lodge is just the place to hang up the car keys. Situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve near the Botswanan border, you’d never guess that not so long ago, this region was little more than abandoned farmland.

With the Groot Marico River on your doorstep, Madikwe River Lodge offers a front-row seat to all the animal action. A conservation triumph, the surrounding wilderness is brimming with game, including African wild dogs and cheetah, which along with the Big Five, form the ‘Madikwe Super Seven’. We offer twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks, and more than enough quiet nooks to kick back and soak up the scenery.

At Madikwe River Lodge, we also welcome families with open arms, so bring the kids! Our accommodation options include well-equipped Deluxe River Chalets, Deluxe River Family Chalets and a Luxury River Chalet. With fireside boma dinners, bush breakfasts and an attentive team, there’s enough to keep everyone happy.

Visit the French-inspired winelands town of Franschhoek, set against vineyard-covered hills and the Wemmershoek Mountains, just a short drive away from Cape Town. As you explore the surrounding area, you will soon realise why this elegant town deserves its status as South Africa’s gourmet capital. Where better to kick-start your foodie adventure than the hotel that bears the town’s name and French heritage with pride, Le Franschhoek? Enjoy the perfect getaway, close enough to town to indulge in day-to-day village life, but far enough for a tranquil retreat.

Le Franschhoek’s distinctive Cape Dutch-inspired architecture, manicured gardens and refined interiors are incredibly easy on the eye. Choose from standard and deluxe rooms, suites and selfcatering villas, each thoughtfully decorated in calming neutral tones. Spend the rest of the day reclining by the pool or visit the on-site Camelot Spa and enjoy treatments in the outdoor massage garden. Sunsets are best enjoyed at our Terrace Bar and Lounge with pre-dinner drinks – a glass of chilled Methode Cap Classique in hand – watching the surrounding peaks change colour.

This 4 star Franschhoek hotel has two restaurants on-site if you fancy staying in for the night. Returning from dinner, you will find slippers at your bedside and a little hand-crafted chocolate on your pillow – the perfect end to a perfect day in the Cape Winelands.

LE FRANSCHHOEK HOTEL & SPA

THE PENINSULA ALL-SUITE HOTEL

With so much to see and do during your holiday in Cape Town, you’ll want to be right in the centre of the action. You’ll have everything in close proximity when you opt to settle in at The Peninsula AllSuite Hotel, nestled in the cosmopolitan seaside suburb of Sea Point. Here, you’re always just a short stroll away from the city’s celebrated restaurants, bars, boutiques, attractions and the stunning beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard.

From the moment that you set foot on the premises, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you find your tummy grumbling at any point, head on over to the onsite Strolla Restaurant where you can sit down to a peaceful alfresco sundowner as you gaze out onto the glistening pool area. If you’re looking for a cosy spot for breakfast or to work during the day, pull up a seat at Strolla Restaurant or opt for sushi and gin cocktails on the deck for sunset.

Cape Town, South Africa

+27 86 101 0347 reservations@dreamresorts.co.za

www.dreamresorts.co.za

The hotel is within easy walking distance of a variety of other eateries and the famous Sea Point Promenade. A short Uber or car trip away lies the popular Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, for days spent soaking up the sun and the beauty of the Mother City.

Romney Park, a historical 5-star hotel, was refurbished into 26 luxurious apartments where modern interiors meet traditional architecture. Situated on the highly sought-after Atlantic Seaboard, these spacious apartments are ideal for guests seeking private and secure Cape Town accommodation.

Romney Park has a reputation for excellence, with our 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, suitable for all kinds of travellers. Whether that’s a romantic getaway, corporate trip, family holiday, our apartments promise privacy, comfort and independence as you enjoy your stay, your way.

Each of our one, two or three bedroom apartments are spacious with en- suite bathrooms, a living room / dining room, plus a kitchen or kitchenette and spacious north facing balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Our selected services to guests include delicious breakfasts, light lunches, cocktail bar and daily apartment cleaning. Our amazing onsite team is here to exceed your expectations throughout your stay.

Romney Park has the following facilities on offer: Free WiFi, Air conditioning, selected DSTV, Mini bar, Private north facing balconies, Underfloor heating, Secure parking, 24/7 CCTV security, Concierge Service, Breakfast, Light lunches, Cocktail bar, Swimming pool.

ROMNEY PARK

Cape Town, South Africa

+ 27 21 439 4555

info@romneypark.co.za

www.thestaycollection.co.za

HEAD OVER HILLS

Head Over Hills is a 5 star boutique hotel situated on the edge of the iconic Knysna Heads. Our luxury accommodation and world-class views are the perfect backdrop for a well-deserved celebration of a special occasion, honeymoon, or to simply take in the splendour of our naturally beautiful surroundings. Set in one of the most sought- after locations, Head over Hills has a unique and tranquil setting with unsurpassed views of the famous Knysna Heads, cliff tops, vast Indian Ocean and entrance to the world famous Knysna Lagoon. This is the ideal vantage point from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets, catch the dolphins surfing in the waves or watch the whales!

Head over Hills has a total of eight en-suite, open planned bedrooms and various communal facilities, ensuring the luxurious comfort of every guest. These facilities include a beautiful rim-flow swimming pool, wooden sundeck, fully stocked bar and walk- in wine cellar.

Private dinners can be arranged, and the Owner can extend a taste of their hand-picked collection of wines, whereby they have won the highest Diners Club wine list award for several consecutive years! Wine and food pairings can be organised and our new wine tasting room is ready to host.

Knysna has so much to offer when it comes to activities. It is a dream destination for golfers and Head over Hills is the ideal venue to base yourself. They have clubs for hire and the team are happy to assist you with your booking. With so many activities on offer, let the team assist from so many choices such as mountain biking, hiking, sunset cruises, Knysna Lagoon boat trip, trail running, ecoexcursion or relaxing on the beaches ... let us help you in making some memorable choices.

Whether it is a well-deserved getaway, a honeymoon or simply an opportunity to take in the splendour of our naturally beautiful location this unique and tranquil setting is the perfect place to escape to.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 44 384 0384

info@headoverhills.co.za

www.headoverhills.co.za

MASSINGA BEACH

A unique Mozambican experience with an endless stretch of sandy beach, luxury accommodation and attentive staff to ensure your stay is an unforgettable one. Situated on the coast of the Inhambane Province in Southern Mozambique, Massinga Beach is perched on a dune providing you with uninterrupted views of the endless stretch of pristine beach and azure Indian Ocean.

Whether you are looking for a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a romantic getaway, honeymoon, a special celebration or just family time, Massinga Beach is the ideal hideaway location. Set amongst coconut trees, Massinga Beach is luxury amongst nature with a 1.3km endless stretch of deserted beachfront.

Comfort is our priority and each large stilted room or chalet is free standing with ultimate sea views... Tantalize your taste buds with our Chef’s choice set menu using only the freshest ingredients available. Dietary requirements are catered for by prior arrangements (subject to availability). A unique Beach Bar and pool, set amongst natural boulders and right at the edge of the warm sea, provide comfort and drinks to sun-lovers.

Relaxation is the key with satellite TV in the bar and library only. Limited Wi-Fi is available at the reception area and local sim cards are available. Every day is a celebration at Massinga Beach, however, tailor made wedding packages, birthday parties or group incentives are our speciality.

Various activities on offer. Our library is equipped with books, magazines and board games. Pamper yourself with one of our massage therapies in the privacy of your room or comfort of your deck. Coconut cutting demonstration. For the energetic, ride along the beach at low tide, take a romantic beach stroll or a power walk along the deserted beach. Situated approximately 2km from the Beach Bar, Fingers Rock Formation is a natural wonder perfect for a shallow off- shore snorkel. Tide and weather dependant. Try your hand at fishing from the rock or surf.

Various offsite activities include Massinga Town Tour, Inhambane Town Tour, Pansy Island Day Trip, Deep Sea Fishing, Scuba Diving, all motorized activities are outsourced and subject to weather conditions and availability.

+27 11 796 5029 reservations@massingabeach.co.za www.massingabeach.co.za

Inhambane, Mozambique

CORAL LODGE

Coral Lodge combines one of Mozambique’s most stunning beach locations with the country’s rich culture and trade history. Situated on a spectacular peninsula within an unspoilt nature reserve and only minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilha de Moçambique, Coral Lodge is a unique blend of contemporary design combined with the utmost respect for the rare and unique surroundings.

This Mozambican paradise with its miles of deserted beaches lends itself to a wealth of water and land-based activities. The laguna and tides give life to the mangrove forest behind the sand dunes which is popular with East African birds as well as bush babies, mongoose and monkeys. The hard and soft coral reefs just off the coast from Coral Lodge are home to many species of small fish and dolphins.

This beach sanctuary comprises of just 10 luxury villas which tastefully blends luxury and comfort with the authentic feel of Mozambique style and simplicity. The design skilfully uses an elegant mix of wood and textiles to ensure the lodge sympathetically blends in with its surroundings whilst incorporating the vivid colours of the area. The exquisite cuisine is made using local ingredients with a key focus on fresh fish and fresh market produce. Every dish is infused with enticing Mozambican flavours mixed with European and Asian influences.

Travel by dhow and discover breath-taking snorkelling spots, voyage to one of the uninhabited local islands and enjoy a secluded picnic lunch or even learn to sail and catch fish. Return to the comfort of Coral Lodge and indulge in a spa treatment while the chef transforms your catch into a delicious feast bursting with Mozambican flavours. Venture out on a late afternoon sail for sunset drinks as you watch the dolphins and whales that frolic along the coast.

Coral Lodge prides itself on being a sustainable tourist destination wherever possible, attempts to put better practices in place in order to reduce its carbon footprint while supporting the local community. In partnership with Ecolibri, solar power and wind turbine technology have been introduced. We have a water desalination and filtration system. The presence of Coral Lodge has a hugely positive impact on the surrounding community and have careful tended their garden to provide fresh vegetable, and herbs for meals and support the local communities in sourcing seafood and other good. When dining at Coral Lodge, you know your food is sourced responsibly.

You can get to Coral Lodge from Nampula Airport or from Nacala Airport where a transfer booked with Coral Lodge will take you to Coral Lodge.

Mossuril, Nampula Province, Mozambique

+258 84 423 9826

reservations@corallodgemozambique.com

www.corallodgemozambique.com

LUKIMBI SAFARI LODGE

Lukimbi Safari Lodge is a luxury lodge within the Kruger National Park and sits in a 15 000 hectare of unspoilt bush private concession. The closest gate is Malelane Gate and closest airport is, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Lukimbi ensures that our guests have a true wilderness experience. Game drives on open vehicles and bush walks are part of the daily routine.

Lukimbi is home to the big 5 and there is a wide variety of general game. Game drives with professional and experienced rangers and trackers are offered twice daily in open vehicles. Off road game viewing is permitted. The lodge has exclusive use of 15 000 hectares and no vehicles, other than those belonging to the lodge are permitted on the concession.

Anybody who is reasonably fit and healthy, and is looking for something adventurous will certainly enjoy “bushwacking” on foot. Lukimbi offers full day walking safaris. There are emergency evacuation points along the route if there is any kind of problem. The Wagon Trail, the Lwakahle Trail and the Gabro Trail depart at approx 07h00 and guests will return back to camp around 17h00.

Lukimbi is built along the Lwakhle River. All sixteen suites have views across the river to the open plains beyond. Two of the suites have private plunge pools and another is wheelchair friendly. The suites are all connected by telephone.

For guests who feel they have overindulged, there is a fully equipped gym with the best view. Take advantage of being pampered in our treatment room or relax around the swimming pool.

Lukimbi Safari Lodge has a preferred partnership with Leopard Creek Golf Estate which is a mere 30 minute drive, affording golfers the opportunity of playing a round of golf in the morning and then being collected for lunch and an afternoon game drive.

Food plays an important role at Lukimbi and meals are served in various venues depending on the weather and the occasion.

The lodge has a whimsical sense of fun throughout, and prides itself on being a child friendly lodge and offers numerous activities that will be both educational and fun. It is a lodge that brings a smile to our guest’s faces and yet it has every luxury imaginable.

A stay at Lukimbi is one of peace and tranquillity with some of the best game viewing in South Africa. Lukimbi is easily accessible by road or air. Transfers can be booked by the Lodge.

Southern Kruger National Park, South Africa

+27 13 735 8000

res@lukimbi.com

www.lukimbi.com

IDUBE GAME RESERVE

Idube is situated in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, adjoining the Kruger National Park in South Africa. This world renowned reserve is known for conservation efforts, particularly in protecting rhino. The reserve is also extending its efforts to the community on the borders of the Sabi Sands, Mpumalanga, in uplifting and improving their conditions, as well as their understanding of the value of the reserve for the future. Idube is proud to be part of these good works. Idube Game Reserve traverses approximately 10 000 hectares of wildlife area and is home to the big 5 animals, as well as a large variety of other animals. A great draw card for guests is the leopards, which are seen frequently.

The lodge has a lovely indoor-outdoor gazebo. This is a great chill out area for relaxing and enjoying the view on 3 sides. In fact, there are many areas to relax and unwind while in the luxury lodge, including the pool area, fire-pit, gazebo and at the fully stocked bar.

+27 13 735 8000 res@idube.com www.idube.com

The 8 chalets are all tastefully and individually decorated with plush, African inspired decor, fabrics and furniture that welcome you to the South African bush. All chalets have baths, inside showers and refreshing outside showers, as well as private decks. These comfortable rooms offer a safe haven between activities and are each cooled with airconditioning units. Mosquito nets cover all windows and doors, as well as the beds themselves. Wi-fi is available, and rooms have hairdryers and safes.

There are 3 gorgeous suites, The 2 Makubela suites and 1 Leadwood suite. All feature spacious rooms and decks leading to private pools. Each suite has its own well stocked mini bar, baths, inside and revitalising outside showers, hairdryer, safe and wi-fi. Guests can request their choice of mini bar drinks, which we will arrange with pleasure. The elephants frequently come close to the pools of the Makubela suites, but what an incredible sight to see!

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Chobe Water Villas is an exclusive and intimate "boutique" Lodge located in Namibia at the eastern tip of the famous Caprivi Strip now known as the Zambezi Region.

The Lodge is privately situated in the 150 km2 Namibian Kasika Conservancy directly on the banks of the Chobe River, opposite the renowned Chobe National Park and the safari town of Kasane in Botswana. It affords unobstructed views into the Chobe National Park and over the world-renowned Sedudu Island.

Located at the confluence of the legendary Chobe and the mighty Zambezi Rivers where the borders of four countries meet; Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Keen fishing enthusiasts will be challenged by the greatest of all fresh water fighting fish, powerful and energetic Tiger Fish along with Nembwe and the delicious Three Spot Bream.

Chobe Water Villas nestles quietly under magnificent shading acacia trees and exclusively hosts only 32 guests in its uniquely positioned luxurious Water Villas, Lounges, Bar, Restaurant, Infinity pool, African Boma and Pool Deck.

Accessible by boat only, a 15-minute leisurely safari boat transfer from Botswana's Kasane affords one a unique arrival experience, cruising across the Chobe River amongst some of the rivers residents, Hippo, Elephant, Buffalo and Crocodile. Upon arrival one is welcomed by a warm and genuine Namibian SMILE and a cool, refreshing beverage.

CHOBE WATER VILLAS

Zambezi Region, Namibia

Chobe.Res@ol.na

www.chobewatervillas.com

+264

mokuti.res@ol.na

www.mokutietosha.com

MOKUTI ETOSHA

Arriving at Mokuti – a mere 40 metres from the Etosha Gate - is an experience on its own. A new contemporary safari experience greets you and will leave you speechless as you arrive at the Porte Cochere with its uninterrupted view through the lobby to the pool bar.

Known for its excellent and diverse wildlife encounters, it has become a popular venue for meetings, incentives, weddings, and honeymoons. This intimate lodge has 90 rooms and 16 luxury rooms.

The gardens are magnificent, with cool rippling water features that accompany you as you step out of the lobby to the water lounge. Uninterrupted views and gardens that interact with the living spaces create an inviting, friendly, comfortable, and relaxing atmosphere, which sets the tone for your stay at Mokuti Etosha.

67 229 084

Etosha, Namibia

STRAND HOTEL SWAKOPMUND

Strand Hotel Swakopmund is the perfect venue for traveler’s wanting to explore Swakopmund. This Namibian icon has become a popular destination resort for international, Namibian and SADC visitors.

The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is located directly on the mole (promenade) in Swakopmund, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, with direct access to the main beach in town. On the fourth side, it backs up to the town’s beautiful central park, through which it is a short five minute walk to the historic center of this charming, German, Victorian era colonial seaside town, with all its shops, cafés, restaurants and bars.

With its extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state of the art Conference & Banqueting Center, all set on the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by Ocean on three sides, the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a social epicenter and destination in itself for all visitors to and residents of Swakopmund.

Arriving at the Strand is a dramatic experience as one passes through its 13m high and 9m wide Ocean View Atrium which travels right through the Hotel offering sea views at either end. Off this Atrium Lobby is Reception, consisting of three individual desks and an inviting open fireplace which rounds off the residential feel and warm welcome.

+264 64 411 4000 strand.res@ol.na

www.strandhotelswakopmund.com

Every aspect of the Strand Hotel Swakopmund has been developed according to international four-star standards. It is very possibly that this property is to be the benchmark against which all hotels/lodges in Namibia will be measured.

Swakopmund, Namibia

MIDGARD

Midgard is an ideal family hideaway, a first or last stop for international visitors, the perfect venue for intimate meetings, team-building events or weddings. Acquired in 1937, Carl Werner List originally farmed the 12 000 hectare estate, developing this private and intimate world into a household name in Namibia.

Today our guests are invited to enjoy the tranquillity while marvelling at the pioneering German Settler spirit which gave birth to it all. “Midgard”, a word found in Old Norse, Middle English and High German languages, has varying meanings, but is popularly thought to mean “A paradise where the earth rises again, fertile and green, creating a protected world and a safe empire for the people”.

Midgard offers 94 fully equipped rooms, the Barn Restaurant and the Pump House Bar, two swimming pools, a gym and spa as well as Namibia’s one and only private skittle alley (Kegelbahn). The estate is spaciously situated in a sprawling country garden, bordering the banks of the Swakop River, as it meanders through the estate on itsway to the Atlantic Ocean.

Guests are free to soak up the ambience and enjoy doing absolutely nothing; or they can explore hiking and mountain trails, drive along 4x4 tracks, play volleyball, tennis, table tennis, pool or outdoor chess and view our vintage car collection.

One of the estate's major attractions is a sundowner drive to Hilltop, where guests can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view over the Otjihavero Mountains and watch the sun set with sundowners in hand. They also get to experience what life was like on a traditional Namibian Farming and Game Estate in years gone by, with a morning or afternoon nature game drive through the separate 2000-hectare nature reserve, along the Swakop River.

Wildlife found at Midgard includes giraffe, blue and black wildebeest, oryx, kudu, hartebeest, eland, warthog, baboons and smaller antelope species such as steenbok. The riverfront is a birder's dream.

ONE MARINE DRIVE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel is a charming 5-star hotel, which enjoys a spectacular location, right on the Cliff Path, and within easy walking distance of the town’s many attractions and overlooking Walker Bay.

Just a short stroll from dozens of trendy Hermanus eateries, some of the countries finest restaurants and an array of excellent wine farm restaurants, we encourage or guests to One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel. Visit our recommended eatery section for more information.

Each one of the rooms is beautifully appointed with contemporary and stylish décor combining comfort, creativity, and relaxation. The luxurious furnishings, excellent amenities and exceptional service make this a distinct destination, which will surprise and delight at every step of the journey.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 28 313 1234

reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za www.thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

THE TREE HOUSE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

The Tree House Boutique Hotel is one of the most exciting and appealing destinations in Cape Town.

The hotel is positioned in vibrant and trendy Green Point, within easy walking distance of many of the great attractions of Cape Town; the fashionable V&A Waterfront, the lively Bo-Kaap, the chic Cape Quarter, the famous Cape Town Stadium and indeed the Central Business District.

Within this convenient location, The Tree House Boutique Hotel is nestled amongst lush trees, and enjoys the most amazing panoramic views thus leading to its fitting name. There is no mainstream design here. In creating this unique space, emphasis was placed on fashioning a new distinct destination, one which forms part of an exceptional hotel guest experience whilst also showcasing local creativity and colour. Often understated and minimal, there is some remarkable design inspiration which reconnects with nature and harnesses its pure magic.

The result is an exceptional Cape Town haven which offers guests a sense of escape, wonder and respite while continuing their personal journey.

Cape Town, South Africa

+27 21 439 9296

reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

www.thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

Epitomising the charm of historic Stellenbosch, the stately River Manor Boutique Hotel is housed in two adjacent manor homes on the banks of the Eerste River.

This intimate hotel provides a gloriously romantic setting, transporting guests to a bygone era where time slows down. Inviting lounges, sweeping staircases, elegantly appointed rooms, and wide patios create the perfect atmosphere in which to unwind.

The hotel’s manicured gardens, cascading water features, sparkling swimming pools, fruit trees and flowering shrubs create a tranquil oasis in the very heart of Stellenbosch. River Manor Boutique Hotel is located within walking distance of dozens of trendy eateries, art galleries and upscale boutiques. It is also within easy reach of the Cape Winelands’ top wine farm experiences.

RIVER MANOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 887 9944

reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

www.rivermanor.co.za

ZEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Zest Boutique Hotel offers a different kind of experience.

Zest Boutique Hotel is located in trendy Green Point, within easy walking distance of many of the great attractions of Cape Town; the stylish V&A Waterfront, the bubbly Bo-Kaap, the elegant Cape Quarter, the worldfamous Cape Town Stadium and indeed the Central Business District.

Zest Boutique Hotel is both exclusive and distinctive. Each room is unique with retro high design-elements which combine modern day amenities, with eyecatching colour, and locally inspired comfort. This is a distinct destination, one which forms part of an exceptional guest experience whilst also showcasing local creativity and colour, resulting in some remarkable design inspiration combining the vibe of the 70’s with the sophistication of today.

Cape Town, South Africa

+27 21 433 1246 reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za www.zestboutiquehotel.co.za

The result is an extraordinary haven which offers a sense of escape, wonder and respite while continuing your personal journey.

THE ROBERTSON SMALL HOTEL

Welcome to The Robertson Small Hotel. We are proud to be Robertson’s only five-star accommodation and have been routinely named among South Africa’s finest luxury country hotels. We believe the small things make a big difference. With 10 distinct rooms, a new restaurant and bar, two pool areas, a wellness room and ample gardens, the Robertson Small provides superlative service to our guests, maintaining the standards that make it Robertson’s only five-star hotel.

Western Cape, South Africa

+ 27 21 876 2566

reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

www.thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

Designer Sophie Ashby decorated each of the 10 rooms at The Small with the same principles in mind but each has its own character, with custom artworks and designs from an innovative list of collaborators to bring colour, warmth and soul to the building.

“I have used 12 different colour tones throughout the hotel and each room varies slightly in combination. I was inspired by the local terrain, flora and fauna, so there’s elements of clay, ochre, aloes, the mountains –colours you could be surrounded by whatever the weather, wherever you are. I wanted there to be a strong link between outside and in”.

CHAPTER HOUSE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Located right in the middle of Franschhoek town, this hotel has a lot to boast about. It is soaked in history; originally built as a Mission House in 1888, and later serving as the village school right up until 1974, this house has chapters filled with stories to tell. Having recently been restored them to its former glory, the hotel’s design impressively combines heritage design with local creativity and charm. The relaxation areas of the hotel benefit from enormous attention to detail, including bespoke art pieces from local artists, and handpicked furniture and fabrics. The breath-taking lounge boasts exceptionally high ceilings and a strikingly generous original fireplace.

Both the bar and breakfast room lead to the original veranda which is an oasis of calm and relaxation, and where the full vastness and beauty of the surrounding Franschhoek mountains can be taken in and appreciated.

Western Cape, South Africa

+ 27 21 876 2566

reservations@thelivingjourneycollection.co.za

www.chapterhouse.co.za

SANCTUARY MANDELA

Sanctuary Mandela is the home Madiba lived in after he achieved freedom - which later became the headquarters of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It is now the re-envisioned one-of-a-kind boutique residence with 9 curated rooms and offers retreat spaces for reflection, healing and thought-provoking experiences inspired by Madiba's life.

Every corner of the boutique hotel is envisaged to provide the perfect combination of tranquillity, heritage and mindful experiences. Time spent at Sanctuary Mandela promises momentous healing and reflection.

In memory of Mandela's love for food, our 36 seater contemporary dining restaurant serves as a tribute to his favourite dishes as previously prepared by his long-time personal chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya. For over 20 years, Xoliswa Ndoyiya was Madiba's personal and family chef, from his presidency to his retirement and until his passing.

Gauteng, South Africa

+27 10 035 0368

info@sanctuarymandela.com

www.sanctuarymandela.com

KRUGER SHALATI

Kruger Shalati offers the most unique luxury accommodation in a re-envisioned train which pays homage to the guests who explored the park nearly 100 years ago and now welcomes new visitors from all over the world. The train is permanently stationed on the historically-rich Selati Bridge above the Sabie River in the Kruger National Park.

Kruger Shalati offers 24 train carriage rooms and 7 land-based, family-friendly Bridge House Garden rooms, all of which will provide a deeply visceral experience, tailored for immersive comfort.

The large train rooms which all have a large glass wall, allow for infinite views along the length of the majestic Sabie River while the style of the train is a celebration of African design in collaboration with local art and crafting skills. On the bridge, you will also find our bespoke deck with a swimming pool, high above the riverbanks. This pool is aligned with the floor level of the train. It offers a swimming experience unlike any other, with crocodile, hippos, buffalos and elephants greeting guests meters below.

Thought-provoking, unique design is core to our offering, but the holistic experience is centred around our human-ness, our cultural nuances, the people involved in the making of every element, and ultimately the kindness with which we receive our guests.

Experience the Kruger, suspended over the Sabie River.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

+27 13 591 6000

reservations@krugershalati.com

www.krugershalati.com

THANDA SAFARI

Thanda Safari is a Big Five private game reserve situated on 14 000 hectares in the heart of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, owned by Swedish philanthropists Christin and Dan Olofsson. It offers an authentic South African wildlife experience with excellent game viewing all year round and has a sincere commitment to the Zulu culture and conservation of the environment. It is actively involved in conservation and wildlife research and works to uplift the local communities through ‘Star for Life’ and other projects. Meaning ‘love’ in isiZulu, a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the awardwinning Thanda Safari has a plethora of exciting and exceptional activities and experiences available. From exhilarating Bush Walks, to an in-depth cultural experience of following ‘In the footsteps of the Zulus’ or a one-hour traditional Zulu ‘Blessing’, Rhino Darting – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be up close with a rhino – see the darting and assist the wildlife team in notching the sedated rhino for identification and research purposes, and the ‘In the path of Wildlife’ experience – spend one day working with the wildlife conservation team (this can include tracking and monitoring the Big Five, participating in game counts or translocating animals).

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

+27 32 586 0149

reservations@thanda.co.za

www.thandasafari.co.za

Thanda Safari offers three different accommodation types, Thanda Safari Lodge, Villa iZulu and Thanda Tented Camp.

• Thanda Safari Lodge has nine bush suites - shaped like a traditional Zulu homestead, the suites have panoramic views of the surrounding game reserve

• Villa iZulu is an outstanding safari hideaway for families, holidaymakers and wedding parties wanting privacy - situated amidst lush green lawns and surrounded by expanses of wild African bush, Villa iZulu can accommodate 10 guests in five suites

• Thanda Tented Camp features 15 colonial safaristyle tents, each with its own viewing deck and en-suite bathroom

Thanda Safari is situated 23km north of Hluhluwe on the N2, approximately 220km north of Durban, and is easily accessible from the N2 by gravel road (no 4x4 required). Richards Bay is the closest commercial airport, with King Shaka International Airport, Durban being the closest international airport. Road transfers are available from and to Durban and Richards Bay Airports.

THE TURBINE BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND SPA

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 44 050 3500 reservations@turbinehotel.co.za

www.turbinehotel.co.za

The 5-star Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa is situated on Thesen Islands in Knysna. Intuitive architecture pays homage to the old power station it once was. Accommodation comprises 26 rooms - luxury and standard rooms, a honeymoon suite and two expansive self-contained suites adjacent to the hotel. There are excellent conference facilities for business visitors - two conference rooms with free Wi-Fi, full audio-visual facilities and tailored catering packages. The recent installation of a solar system and back up generator ensures that load shedding outages are a thing of the past. Group bookings are welcome for events, weddings and small conferences. The Turbine’s 90-seater Island Café Restaurant, with inside tables nestled between the original turbines and its outside tables overlooking either the canal or the pool deck offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also monthly food and wine pairings. The Gastro Pub offers classic pub meals with a delicious turbine twist, and live music every Friday evening. The Turbine Spa has a wide range of treatments for hotel guests and day visitors and the hotel’s very own adventure centre - the Turbine Water Club - arranges a variety of water and land-based activities such as lagoon cruises, forest walks and bicycle hire.

Gauteng, South Africa

+27 11 032 5500

robyn@thehoughtonhotel.com

www.thehoughtonhotel.com

THE HOUGHTON HOTEL

The Houghton Hotel welcomes guests and visitors in need of a change of scenery and a tangible sense of relief and relaxation, without having to stray too far from home. The luxurious, award- winning hotel sits in the heart of Houghton suburbia, surrounded by Johannesburg’s notorious man-made forest and the upmarket northern-suburbs neighbourhood.

With state-of-the-art business centre facilities and meeting venues, five crystalline pools, an expansive 18-hole golf course, and a health spa and world-class gym, The Houghton Hotel takes delight in accommodating and serving guests of all kinds - whether corporate travellers or local staycationers.

Sixty opulent suites with designer furnishing, en-suite bathrooms and panoramic views of the signature Jack Nicklaus 18-hole golf course, and a variety of magnificent penthouses, offer a place respite from the urban hustle. Guests of this iconic destination may indulge in days of excitement, rest and culinary adventures:

• Spacious accommodation with sweeping city and suburb views Five crystalline swimming pools, perfect for the last of the Highveld’s summer days

• Pebbles Bar and swimming pool

• Rejuvenation for tired muscles, skin and hair at the House of Tshegofatso Spa presents The Houghton Hotel Spa

• Mini-golf adventures, with the hotel’s impressive putt-putt course

• Aromatic coffee and mouth-watering on-the-go cuisine at The Nova Bistro

• Fine dining at the sublime SéJour restaurant

• Rolling lawns - the signature Jack Nicklaus 18-hole Golf Course

• The FitBar gym and 8km parkland running track

Guests are able to disconnect and recharge, for as long as needed. Herb gardens and glorious city sunsets, all the spoils and five-star service, and access to a range of facilities will keep Houghton Hotel visitors returning, time and again.

A collection of conservation safaris In the central Tuli.

Koro River Camp is, together with Koro Island Camp, the only camp in the Tuli which nestles comfortably into the shady, wild banks of the Limpopo River. There is an untamed, intangible air around the comfortable camp that provides a catalyst for breaking boundaries, personal reflection and relaxing….we call it re-souling!

Koro River Camp is perched on the most stunning shady and undisturbed bank of the Limpopo River in a remote enclave of our vast and rugged Tuli concession in Botswana. The layout, facilities, location and our legendary attention to personalised service offers an ideal secluded breakaway for families, solo safarifanatics or group travellers. With only 7 large tented master bedroom suites and maximum occupancy of 18 people, Koro River Camp is an undiscovered gem in Botswana’s safari circuit. Enjoy your private deck and observe African wildlife passing by…

The Africa Experience is the exclusive sales partner for Timbo Afrika Foundation and all our revenues are 100 percent invested back into our Timbo Afrika Foundation. For wildlife and communities.

KORO RIVER CAMP

Central Tuli Block, Botswana

+27 82 316 4363 reservations@the-africa-experience.com www.the-africa-experience.com

KORO ISLAND CAMP

Koro Island Camp offers an authentic safari experience, and it is ideal for explorer-orientated travellers. Here one feels close to the old ancient landscape, the flora and fauna, and can feel the fresh breeze of the Limpopo River. Koro Island Camp is ideal for explorer orientated travelers, and consists of 4 ensuite Meru tents and a tented lounge facility. Located on an island in the Limpopo River and accessible only via a suspension bridge, the camp is a perfect base for small private groups of safari enthusiasts. Self or fully catered options are available.

Koro Island is a stunning simple affair, and the charming setting on remote tiny Limpopo island defines our intention. A suspension bridge welcomes safari travellers into camp with sweeping views of the river. Our seasoned safari luxuries include a thatched lounge and dining area, a viewing and lounging deck overlooking the main channel of the Limpopo, and of course, the crucial open air campfire for dinner and storytelling!

+27 82 316 4363

reservations@the-africa-experience.com www.the-africa-experience.com

The unpretentious style and layout of the camp offers a perfect invitation for small parties (max 8) of safari travellers with special interests to enjoy some down time or explore our land of giants with us. Also perfect for privately guided parties. A visit to the Massage pavilion at Koro River Camp for some pampering can be arranged. Koro Island Camp is the perfect combination off minimal limited electricity and the sounds of the bush.

Central Tuli Block, Botswana

This superbly positioned and extremely well designed villa will give you all the exclusivity and luxury that you desire. This villa is in a ‘class of its own’ rarely found on the African Coast. Built on stilts to lower the impact on the environment and situated amongst the dunes your privacy is guaranteed. The property comprises a main building with a luxury equipped open plan kitchen and dining room opening up to the deck and the swimming pool. A separate lounge and a separate television room opens up to this deck as well. Three main bedrooms with beautiful en-suite bathrooms in separate cottages give each guest the opportunity to view the ocean from their own bath in full privacy. Unless of course you prefer to view the dolphins from your outside shower!

On the main deck several covered and uncovered lounge areas have been created to suit relaxing during all hours of the day. A garage and staff accommodation are included in the property. At all times three staff are employed to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

MACHANGULO BEACH VILLA

The Maputo National Park, Mozambique

+27 82 316 4363

reservations@the-africa-experience.com

www.the-africa-experience.com

SANDCASTLE LUXURY VILLA

Sandcastle Luxury Villa is a secluded sanctuary located in the Eastern Cape. The award-winning, all-inclusive Villa has been designed for exclusive use for eight guests and offers guests a private chef as well as four sea-facing en-suite bedrooms to choose from. The architecture, merges brutalist and organic, natural shapes to create a place like no other. Sandcastle is situated in an expansive 680 acre nature reserve and overlooks 2.5km of pristine beachfront - all for the private use of the Villa’s guests. With uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, Sandcastle is the perfect escape to relax and unwind in tranquillity. The reserve is teaming with wildlife life and can be explored on foot with our guide, Wewe. Beyond the villa, enjoy the reserve with bush breakfasts, sundowners over looking the lagoon, exploration of the ancient Stone Age tool amongst the dunes or indulge in a massage immersed in nature. Just 45 minutes from East London, Sandcastle offers a sense of escape and adventure. With a private landing strip on the property you can fully immerse yourself in a world of your own.

CAPE CADOGAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

An oceanside metropolis, with a mountain national park at its heart, pristine beaches, and miles of marine protected area, Cape Town is hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A thriving city scene with so much to explore, from markets and shopping malls, music cafés and finedining restaurants, museums and historical buildings, to theatres and nightclubs. Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel is located in the suburb of Gardens, in the heart of the Kloof Street Neighbourhood, just a walk away from the action and in close proximity to all the key attractions.

Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel offers a stylish city stay with all the special touches. At Cape Cadogan, you have the best of both worlds: a quiet, beautifully elegant hideaway with the vibrant neighbourhood of Kloof Street on your doorstep. This historic building (with National Monument status) dating back to the early 1800s, has undergone an extensive refurbishment in 2022. She is elegantly styled in beautiful emerald greens, classic black and white, and touches of gold. This sophisticated style brings her firmly into the 21st century, without losing any of her charm. Each of her 19 rooms are individually designed around her historic uniqueness. Relaxed guest areas with two pools for the warmer days. Our focus on wellness includes calming therapies at our onsite spa, and our hotel gym means it is easy to keep up a training routine. We even have our own restaurant, Upper Union.

Cape Town, South Africa

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

+27 11 880 9992

res@more.co.za

www.more.co.za

STANLEY & LIVINGSTONE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

There is something quintessentially African about a Victoria Falls holiday. Stanley & Livingstone offers an elegant African adventure in this bucket list location. This is the area’s first luxury boutique hotel, its design is a fresh take on colonial style, and its spaces – a restaurant, bar, lounge, terrace, and pool facing onto landscaped gardens – encourages guests to settle in and feel at home. Every comfort, attentive service and good food enhance the experience, ensuring guests are very well taken care of. There is a lounge and bar, a selection of local and imported beers, wines, champagnes, spirits, and speciality cocktails. A garden swimming pool, with shaded loungers is a good place to relax, with additional care from our team as needed. There are just 16 luxury Suites each with a private terrace, en-suite shower and bath. In room spa treatments are the ultimate in relaxation.

Two sets of our Suites are interleading, ideal for a family, and our Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers programme welcomes children of all ages at Stanley & Livingstone. Board games, puzzles, movie night with popcorn, peak cap and backpack, bathroom amenities and a different story book every night. We can recommend all the best outings for children that offer a little extra freedom to explore and just be kids.

TIME + TIDE KING LEWANIKA

First protected in the 1880s by King Lewanika of the Lozi people, Liuwa Plain is one of the earliest game reserves in Africa. The plains are unspoilt and exclusive with rare game and a rich natural history.

A natural extension of the vast landscape, the Time + Tide King Lewanika luxury safari tents have an effortless flow between the in and out. The golden hue of the plains is reflected throughout the design, contrasting against masculine accents of vintage leather and burnished metal. Lounge on your private verandah, taking in the panoramic views and watch birds wade in the lily dotted lagoon.

Gather around the evening campfire, swapping tales under the stars. Hear the calls of whooping hyenas as you drift off to sleep. Stop, slow down and fully immerse yourself into this wild land.

Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia

+27 60 642 4004

travel@timeandtideafrica.com

www.timeandtideafrica.com

TIME + TIDE CHONGWE

Dotted along the forested riverbanks, Time + Tide Chongwe is surrounded by wild beauty. Set at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers against a beautiful mountainous backdrop, the camp has the best views in the Lower Zambezi. Sit outside your tent, listening to playful vervet monkeys scampering in the winterthorn trees overhead. Before you, an elephant wades across the languid river, dwarfed by the mountainous escarpment beyond. The resident hippos bellow their displeasure at this intrusion, breaking the tranquillity. A warm breeze drifts past, carrying the earthy aroma of the river. Lean back and breathe deeply, letting the energy of this extraordinary, wild land revitalise your mind and soul

Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

TIME + TIDE CHINZOMBO

Situated on a sweeping curve of the Luangwa River, Time + Tide Chinzombo brings style and sophistication to the Luangwa Valley. This wildly luxurious camp retains its bush authenticity with grass and canvas walls and spacious living areas that melt into the exquisitely tranquil riverside setting. Colonial accents complement organic textures, creating an authentic feel that harkens back to the early days of exploration. With soaking tubs and feathertop beds, every villa is a haven for relaxation. Relax by your villa’s private pool, watching the river’s frequent wildlife visitors. Under the shade of ancient trees, listen to the bellows of hippos echoing across the river.

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

+27 60 642 4004

travel@timeandtideafrica.com

www.timeandtideafrica.com

VERGENOEGD LÖW BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Situated on one of the oldest working wine farms in South Africa in a unique location between the Helderberg Mountains and False Bay, Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa is the perfect base to explore all the major attractions of the Cape.

Comprising three different accommodation options, all rooms, suites and cottages boast a private pool or jacuzzi and provide blissful seclusion within manicured vineyards and gardens.

Residents can enjoy an exclusive wine tasting in the historic homestead or sample some of wellrenowned South African chef Bertus Basson’s signature dishes in one of the two on-site restaurants.

A spa with three treatment rooms and a milk bath, as well as a gym and yoga room are also on offer.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 204 3046

stay@vergenoegd.co.za

www.accommodation.vergenoegd.co.za

Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa

+27 14 755 4909

reservations@sediba.com

www.sediba.com

SEDIBA LUXURY SAFARI LODGE

Sediba is located within Welgevonden Game Reserve, a private game reserve in the Waterberg District of Limpopo, South Africa

South Africa’s Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, African Buffalo and Rhino) can all be found within Welgevonden Game Reserve. Over 50 different mammal species call the reserve home, including giraffe, kudu, zebra, and other exotic creatures native to Southern Africa such as the rare brown hyena, aardwolf and aardvark. For the keen ornithologists, the reserve is home to over 300 bird species.

Explore over 37,000 hectares of mountains, valleys and plains, with intimate game drives guided by our expert rangers.

Both Rock and Mountain lodge feature heated Jacuzzi’s on their leisure decks. Rock Lodge has 10 luxury suites and Mountain Lodge has 4 suites and one family suite and is ideal for families or smaller groups wishing to have a lodge to themselves.

Wind down at the end of the day’s explorations and be treated to a traditional Africa spa and massage at the hands of our maestro masseuses.

Indulge in expertly crafted and personalised cuisine served at our convenience. While on safari, you can look forward to the South African victual tradition of sundowners.

MBANO MANOR HOTEL BY MANTIS

Mbano Manor Hotel by Mantis is an intimate luxury boutique hotel in Victoria Falls. Nestled in an enclosed ancient teak forest, the 5-star hotel accommodation comprises of 18 luxury suites & one Presidential villa.

The new tranquil suites-only boutique hotel offers world-class hospitality to travellers seeking luxury accommodation in Victoria Falls. The new secluded Mutota Forest Villa offers even greater luxury and privacy for the discerning traveller or for that ultimate getaway.

Mbano Manor Hotel is conveniently located within minutes of the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls is a bucket-list paradise, offering an abundance of leisure pursuits and adventure tourism activities, with options including sightseeing at the iconic Victoria Falls, river safaris, helicopter excursions, game drives in nearby parks, white water rafting, bungee jumping and more.

Mbano is the new destination of choice for discerning travellers seeking an authentic & exclusive luxury experience at Victoria Falls.

MATETSI VICTORIA FALLS

Matetsi Victoria Falls, one of Africa’s most stylish luxury lodges, positioned just 40 km upstream from the rush and spray of the world-famous Victoria Falls, offers an exceptional combination experience of exclusive safari, tranquil river activities and the Falls all-in-one.

Experience stellar five-star service rivalled only by the spectacular natural wonders surrounding the lodge. Guests are invited to explore Matetsi Private Game Reserve’s 136,000 acres of protected and unspoiled wilderness on foot, by vehicle and by boat. Great herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game delight and amaze, whilst predator sightings include lion and leopard.

Positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River, the lodge comprises 16 suites, 2 family suites and 1 private villa (River House) and is ideal for guests looking for the ultimate exclusive location from which to explore the Falls.

Highly acclaimed for distinctly contemporary African design, Matetsi Victoria Falls is very much in keeping with its natural surrounds, and an experience here weaves a magical quality, leaving guests with treasured memories, and a longing for more Matetsi Magic.

What sets Matetsi Victoria Falls apart:

• 9 miles / 15km of private Zambezi River frontage

• Exclusive traversing rights to the 136,000 acre / 55,000 hectare Matetsi Private Game Reserve

• Exceptional Zimbabwean hospitality and world class cuisine

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

+263 8677 004779

info@matetsivictoriafalls.com

www.matetsivictoriafalls.com

THE PRESIDENT HOTEL

It’s easy to see why The President Hotel in Bantry Bay, is affectionaltely known as Cape Town’s most loved hotel –offering great experiences, accommodation and memories for over two decades. With 350 rooms, it is Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ largest hotel in Africa and offers sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean, just a stone’s throw from the buzzing V&A Waterfront district. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor infinity swimming pool, gym, spa, and kids’ play area, and indulge in a range of on-property restaurant and bar experiences, fit for all types of travellers… even pets.

The luxury rooms, apartments and suites are all spacious and wellappointed with modern conveniences such as complimentary and secure high-speed Wifi, smart technology, and stylish design. Apartments are equipped with semi-self catering kitchenettes and Smart TV-capabilities, with in-room entertainment and dining just a button-push away.

The hotel also boasts state-of-the-art conferencing, world-class dining, friendly service, and a gorgeous setting and views will make you forget you’re just minutes from the city. Guests are spoilt for choice with a range of dining options. The Restaurant and Terrace, The Deck Bar, The Base (for gourmet woodfired pizzas), Botany Café (serving healthy lunch and freshly squeezed juice) and The Senate all have contemporary furnishing and finishes and little touches to enhance the dining experience. The Senate is the ideal place for live sports match viewing, but it’s also a swanky business bar and coworking space that offers comfort, highspeed Wifi, Bootlegger coffee, a locally inspired menu and all amenities needed to meet, eat, work and play. The bar, serving an extensive selection of local wines, has cosy pockets for socialising, meetings and relaxing. Wine flights are available so guests can taste and appreciate the vino of the region.

The President Hotel is the ideal base from which to explore Cape Town, whether you’re visiting for leisure, business or even with your four-legged friend, the hotel caters for all travellers.

Cape Town, South Africa

+27 21 434 8111

reservations@presidenthotel.co.za

www.presidenthotel.co.za

MBAZO SAFARI LODGE

Mbazo Safari Lodge is a malaria-free concession forming part of the Pilanesberg National Park. The National Park is set within the crater of an ancient volcano, formed 1.2 billion years ago by overflowing magma.

Its wildlife includes the Big Five and abundant bird species. This lower lying reserve’s sweet veld vegetation complements the Pilanesberg’s predominantly mixed sour veld and accommodates excellent viewing of elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard.

With only 5 modern decorated suites, you can enjoy the privacy of the lodge as a group (exclusive use) or share it together with a lover, friend, or family (or keeping it all to yourself).

Our rates include the following:

• Luxury Accommodation

• All meals daily

• All teas / coffees

• Soft Drinks

• Selected beers, wines & spirits

• Two open safari vehicle game drives each day at sunrise and again in the late afternoon to find the reserve’s many fascinating animals, both diurnal and nocturnal (with refreshments and snacks)

• Wi-Fi connection is provided

• 15% VAT

We offer Spa facilities, walking safari’s, drumming circles, cultural tours and private game drives available on request and at an additional rate.

+27 82 548 7371 bookings@mbazolodge.co.za www.mbazolodge.co.za

Please keep in mind that no children under the age of 12 are permitted on the game drives, however game drives for families with kids younger than 12 yrs are available at an additional cost of R3 000,00 per drive. A child minder service is available for R350,00 per hour and must be reserved should the parents wish to join on the morning & afternoon drive.

After the morning game-drive, we have a cub friendly 30–45-minute Bumble Bee drive - at least one of the parents need to accompany their kids - free of charge.

A transport service to the lodge is also available at an extra fee. It is not advisable to drive at night or in the early morning (when it is dark), so we urge that you contact us before making any final travel arrangements.

We hope to welcome you at Mbazo Safari Lodge and be part of your safari memories.

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

KAROO ART HOTEL

SCINTILATING 4 STAR ART HOTEL AT THE CENTRE OF A ROAD TRIP BUCKET LIST ROUTE

In 2017 a CNN travel poll rated Route 62, the ‘road trippers’ road’ that links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, as the world’s NO 1 road trip destination. 2017 is a few years back but in that time something additionally fabulous happened just three hours up that iconic road from Cape Town. The reimagined and reinvented Karoo Art Hotel, Barrydale opened its doors.

If the village of Barrydale needed one final spark to ignite as the creative hotspot of the Klein Karoo, the Karoo Art hotel has provided it. It’s a hotel of many surprises. Stepping out of the heat of a mirage filled land (the Klein Karoo is a semi desert region the size of Germany) you find yourself on a cool wide checkerboard verandah furnished with elegant campaign furniture. This verandah is the morning and evening melting pot of travelers, villagers and local farmers – and their dogs. You enter the hotel’s elegant reception area to be greeted by the smell of freshly backed sourdough bread from the hotel’s wood fired artisan bakery. That and the aroma of freshly ground beans from an outstanding local coffee roastery. Something that stands out on the Karoo Art’s Trip Advisor reviews is A) the relaxed feeling of a home from home. B) the open armed welcome from staff who clearly understand the art of making you instantly feel part of the family and who are genuinely delighted to be hosting you and serving you. C) All the other arts that quickly come to the fore, The Art of a gourmet Karoo Country Kitchen, the Art eclectic creative décor and design. Each one of the 17 hotel rooms are individually decorated and have their own specific back stories. Unusually for a top end country hotel the Karoo Art is dog friendly. The hotel bar is a vibey local meeting point which often hosts live performers and a fun before dinner diversion is a visit to the hotel’s historic ballroom with its vintage movie house up in the rafters of the ballroom – accessed up a rickety staircase.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 66 189 7457

reservations@karooarthotel.co.za

www.karooarthotel.co.za

A major reason to book the Karoo Art Hotel for at least a two nighter is the hotel’s inspirational To Do list; From mountain biking, to Fynbos hiking, to an analogue portrait to studio to any number of local Klein Karoo attractions – including a celebratory afternoon tour that takes you from the home base of Joseph Barry (a worlds best Brandy awardee 2022), to the Metanoia Fynbos Gin distillery to the celebrated Joubert Tradauw wine estate. Oh yes, one last thing, Barrydale 365 the early morning swim club where hotel guests and intrepid local cold-water swimmers meet each morning at 7;15 and proceed in hotel transport down into the magnificent Tradouw Pass for a memorable meditation and swim at a beautiful swim spot.

GORAH ELEPHANT CAMP

The thrill of quietly watching a herd of elephants stroll by the veranda of a stately colonial manor is unforgettable. 11 stylish tented suites entice you to stay sheltered under thatched canopies with private decks, the magnificent en suite tents are spacious and luxurious, recalling the golden era of safari in the early 1900s.

Offering the Big 5, Gorah is malaria free and is the only private concession and Camp situated in the heart of the famous Addo Elephant National Park. The Park, home to the densest population of elephants on earth is just an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal way to start or finish your Garden Route adventure.

This exclusive safari lodge recaptures the romantic mystique of authentic safaris from centuries past. Experience the breath taking natural world of Africa merged with colonial nostalgia and modern sophistication to deliver an unforgettably unique 5 star adventure.

Children 10 years and older welcome.

Eastern Cape, South Africa

+27 44 501 1111

res@hunterhotels.com

www.hunterhotels.com

Amidst the treetops of an age-old indigenous forest, Tsala is a lavish celebration of the spirit of Africa. The elaborate afro- baroque décor’s earthy colours, rich textures and handcrafted fittings are inspired by the diverse cultures of Africa, with the sophistication of the Western World. Tucked into the forest canopy, 10 luxury suites and 6 double bedroomed villas with private decks with private plunge pools extended into indigenous canopies.

The magical allure of Tsala is irresistible to those that appreciate exclusivity and fine fare. A mere 10km west of Plettenberg Bay and 20km east of Knysna, perfectly positioned to access the various nature and sports activities on offer in the region yet allowing one to retreat into the privacy of your treetop suite.

Staying in your own private elevated hideaway is romantic and adventurous, along with its perfect location in the heart of the Garden Route, this unique property is an ideal base for your holiday adventure.

Offering 4 unique dining options during your stay either at Tsala in the main dining room or room service, at the renowned Zinzi Restaurant or there are two options available at Hunter’s Country House, namely our refined fine dining experience at Sage or alternatively The Conservatory offering a lighter bistro menu for lunches and dinners.

Tsala is, in every sense, a magical place. Children 10 years and older welcome in the villas.

TSALA TREETOP LODGE

Western Cape, South Africa

Fragrant and colourful, Hunter’s flourishing gardens create an idyllic setting for this luxurious retreat in the heart of the Garden Route. Offering 30 luxurious suites with private patios and gardens with certain suites having their own plunge pools. The Hunter’s Estate offers 4 unique dining options from fine dining to bistro style eating, a main swimming pool area and magnificent gardens with spectacular views of the Outeniqua Mountains.

Far from the madding crowd, yet conveniently close to a wide variety of leisure activities, Hunter’s is ideally situated as a base for your holiday adventure. A premier seaside destination and Nature Sports capital of SA surrounded by lush indigenous forests and framed by the majestic Tsitsikamma mountains. A mere 10km’s west of Plett and 20km east of Knysna.

This beautiful property combines a gracious elegance with sheer comfort and impeccable service with warm hospitality. Young or old, it is a place that fills your heart with fond memories and remains with you for a lifetime.

Children of all ages welcome.

HUNTER’S COUNTRY HOUSE

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 44 501 1111

res@hunterhotels.com

www.hunterhotels.com

SANCTUARY CHIEF'S CAMP

Welcome to the former royal hunting reserve of Chief Moremi, in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Wildlife and wilderness are as abundant as action and adrenaline and refinement and relaxation at this remarkable luxury camp.

Personal service, an extraordinary setting, exceptional viewing, and enthusiastic expert guides are the hallmarks of a Sanctuary Retreats experience – here at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp we promise a unique attention to detail to ensure the ultimate luxury safari experience.

All the main and public areas of the camp are designed in a 'safari chic' style including a bar and library area, an extended dining room and a pizza deck with pizza oven. Guests will find an orientation room to learn more about the Delta before going on game drives as well as a gym, swimming pool and kids playroom.

Spacious and breezy, at 1,500 ft2 (140m2) the 10 stylish bush pavilions are some of the region’s largest places to spend the night. Modern enhancements, such as air-conditioning above the bed, as well as traditional fans, are among the cut-above amenities. The bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and folding glass doors leading to outdoor showers and generous tubs are perfect for long, indulgent soaks.

In the Geoffrey Kent Suite, utmost privacy and superlative comfort are assured in this 6,673 ft2 (620m2) suite, which sleeps up to six. Included in the perks of this luxurious suite is superb service, which includes your own vehicle and dedicated guide, as well as a personal chef, waiter and a housekeeper.

Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

+27 11 438 4650

reservations.safrica@sanctuaryretreats.com www.sanctuaryretreats.com

SABI SABI BUSH LODGE

Bush Lodge is renowned as one of the world’s premier safari destinations with the philosophy that of a “luxury home in the bush”. This lodge takes you on a breath-taking expedition through Africa, celebrating its people, art and culture. The contemporary style is exciting with a vibrant mix of furnishings garnered from all corners of the continent and represents a veritable museum that displays and preserves a unique collection of items that belong to the visionary family that created this sanctuary in the heart of the African Bush more than four decades ago.

Sensitively designed to allow ample space to relax, unwind and savour the tranquillity of the bush, the lodge has two swimming pools while an enormous thatched roof extends its cover over the “indoor/outdoor” dining area, expansive viewing deck and chic safari lounge. Groups of intimate seating areas are the perfect spots to enjoy watching wildlife meandering to the waterhole.

Each of the 25 luxury suites feature classic decor, en-suite bathrooms, al fresco showers, and spectacular views of the bush. The two Luxury Villas feature a master bedroom with private dressing room, en-suite bathroom, second en-suite bedroom, central living area as well as an expansive patio with a private pool.

The Mandleve Deluxe Suite, with its luxurious interiors, boasts a private plunge pool inviting guests to cool off in its clear water. The suite leads into a lounge area, king-size canopied bed and spacious en-suite bathroom.

Children of all ages are welcome with interesting, environmentally themed activities available at the EleFun Centre. Parents can join in on the fun or enjoy the calm haven of a holistic treatment at the Amani spa. For those wishing to maintain their fitness levels, the Bush Gym has a range of exercise equipment available.

Morning and evening safaris are enjoyed in open safari vehicles with highly experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers. Environmental awareness walking safaris add an extra dimension to the bush experience, allowing a close-up look at the fascinating smaller creatures of the bushveld.

Truly embodying a place of peace, Tulela lies beneath mature, indigenous trees that bring songful birdlife and the gentle whisper of rustling leaves to everyday life. Nestled right on a bend in the seasonal N’tsiri River, the main lodge’s bedrooms gaze out at quietly passing wildlife and onto a busy waterhole beyond.

Tulela is situated in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, which is a protected wilderness and cherishes a low tourism density, offering a private and personalised wildlife experience. It is the largest reserve in the Greater Kruger Park, sharing unfenced boundaries with the Kruger National Park. Its landscape sustains strong populations of southern Africa’s most admired wildlife species, yet it offers only private safari experiences.

Tulela boasts two exclusive use lodges for guests to experience luxury in the bush like no other. The main Tulela Safari Lodge is a fully catered lodge where guests can enjoy the luxury of a private chef whilst having the freedom to spend time on game drives or relax at the pool whilst overlooking the nearby waterhole as a wildlife amphitheatre.

The lodge can host 10 guests in five private luxurious en-suite bedrooms and has a spacious, central living area, which draws people together around the rim-flow swimming pool, fire pit, and experiential dining area.

Tulela’s Star Deck is designed to elevate an experience in nature by stripping away the layers of four walls and placing you in a soft cocoon under the broad African sky. Here, guests are treated to sundowners and sleepouts while listening to the rumble of wildlife all around.

Under the large Jackalberry tree affectionately known as Big Jack, special picnics or bush breakfasts are served. Lighting a welcoming campfire, serving the champagne on ice, and having the chef cook up a sizzling breakfast spread, are top of the list to ensure an unforgettable experience in nature.

Going the extra mile when it comes to game drives, is the standard at Tulela. Whether it’s a short child-friendly exploration along the riverbed with your guide and tracker, a private game drive or a guided walking safari through the reserve, this immersive experience is a fantastic way to deepen your connection with the nature around you.

TULELA SAFARI LODGE

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

+27 82 559 7538

reservations@tulela.co.za

www.tulela.co.za

MONDZO LODGE

Tulela proudly presents two exquisite lodges exclusively reserved for guests seeking an unparalleled luxury experience amidst the bush. Additionally, in a special offering designed for South African residents, Tulela introduces Mondzo, a lodge catering to local families and groups who relish the opportunity to savor their own barbecues and indulge in both selfcatering and catered options.

Mondzo offers the capacity to host 10 guests in four beautifully styled en-suite bedrooms with options to split groups between king/twin/ bunk beds. The large deck with a fire pit and swimming pool will keep guests entertained from dusk till dawn whilst enjoying a luxurious home away from home feeling as they unwind on their own terms.

Mondzo has its own private entrance, securing a serene, private setting with ample space to spend quality time in nature with friends or family.

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

+27 82 559 7538

reservations@tulela.co.za

www.tulela.co.za

North West, South Africa

+27 63 697 1445

reservations@moledi.co.za

www.moledi.co.za

RORA MOLEDI GORGE

Moledi Gorge is an eight-suite sanctuary, situated on one of the most picturesque, privately owned game farms, north of Magaliesburg in the North West Province, South Africa. This uber-chic bush villa, built high on a cliff, has breath taking views of an expansive gorge, which can be enjoyed from every angle. Travellers in search of absolute privacy, luxury and relaxation, will find it a retreat that offers personalised service, style and comfort. It is the perfect destination for those in search of a peace and tranquillity.

Moledi has seven premier suites, each individually decorated with differently configured open plan bathrooms. Two of the deluxe suites have enclosed bathrooms. The presidential suite is the only one of its kind at Moledi. It has a private garden, deck and swimming pool. The suite also has floor to ceiling glass doors that offer magnificent views of the gorge.

Moledi offers guests an open plan lounge, dining area and bar, cliff view decks with a long table and seated areas, a ‘fire pit’ deck for sundowners, an upper pool deck, infinity pool deck and outdoor shower. Guests can dine alfresco in one of the many outdoor dining areas - the large boma and the mini boma for smaller groups or the hammock garden. The lodge also has an intimate wine cellar with a private dining area.

An intimate spa environment comprising one treatment room and a steam room provides a tranquil setting for relaxing treatments.

In addition, on the same private game farm, is an exclusiveuse, off- the-grid bush villa – Sable House. The bush villa has five suites, a central lounge, dining and kitchen area with floor to ceiling glass doors that open up onto a large, shaded deck that overlooks a wildlife waterhole. The traditional mini boma offers guests great evening dining under the stars overlooking the waterhole.

It is the perfect venue for celebrations to be enjoyed by families and friends.

RORA MOLORI SAFARI

Molori Safari is situated in the 75 000-hectare, malaria-free and game-rich Madikwe Game Reserve. It is recognised throughout the world as one of South Africa's most luxurious and exclusive game lodges.

The lodge renowned for its bold and eclectic aesthetic, has recently updated its interiors and expanded its contemporary art collection to include headline artists, adding a new dimension to its safari offering. The expanded art collection featuring artists such as Norman Catherine, Lady Skollie and Edoardo Villa, among others, has added another dimension to this exclusive lodge’s guest experience.

The lodge comprises five large, uber-chic, magnificently appointed suites, all of which have floor to ceiling glass retractable doors that allow breath taking views of an expansive valley and mountain range.

The new Molori interiors can be described as an intentional eclectic high fashion interior environment and art experience, unexpected in the African bush.

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

+27 83 613 5723

reservations@molorisafari.com

www.molorisafari.com

The Madikwe Game Reserve is an ideal safari environment for to visit as guests get to experience wildlife encounters of the 'Big 10' (in addition to the Big 5 - wild dog, hippo, cheetah, hyena and giraffe). It is the perfect destination for families travelling with young children or for travellers not keen on taking malaria prophylactics. Guests will find Molori a retreat that offers personalised service where they will experience thrilling game drives and bush walks led by award-winning guides, mouth-watering cuisine and luxury spa treatments - all personalised to their own preferences and time.

The lodge has a newly built chic Hide, and Gin & Whisky Bar, that allows guests with an up close and personal game viewing experience in a luxury setting. It is the perfect destination for those in search of a bespoke luxury safari experience.

Molori Safari is easily accessed from Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town via daily flights from Johannesburg with Federal Airlines to Madikwe Game Reserve. Guests can also transfer by road from Johannesburg to Madikwe Game Reserve which is a pleasant fourhour drive.

Mantis luxury hotels, eco-lodges, and waterways are dream holiday and vacation experiences located around the world. Created by Adrian Gardiner, Mantis grew from a humble vision to create travel experiences where man and nature coexist sustainably. Sustainable travellers have been enjoying eco-tourism, safaris, and adventure travel with Mantis since 2000.

Adjacent to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Mantis Founders Lodge is a tribute to the past and celebration of the future. Our commitment to sustainable tourism, conservation, community involvement and culture is reflected in everything we do.

The eco-lodge is an acknowledgement to the pioneering efforts of Adrian Gardiner, who paved the way for private game reserves and eco-tourism in the region. Immerse yourself in the history of sustainable tourism and conservation as you explore the neighbouring Big 5 Shamwari on guided game drives led by expert Field Guides.

Founders is also home to the official Bear Grylls Survival Academy kids experience, taking what the internationally renowned Survivalist does on television and bringing it to life for kids in the wilds of Africa.

Guests staying in one of our seven suites, or the lovingly restored railway carriage, can expect tailored hospitality, including a warm and social environment for families and friends traveling together or a romantic atmosphere suited to couples.

MANTIS FOUNDERS LODGE

Eastern Cape, South Africa

+27 41 555 0009

traveldesk@mantiscollection.com

www.mantiscollection.com

Mantis luxury hotels, eco-lodges, and waterways are dream holiday and vacation experiences located around the world.

Created by Adrian Gardiner, Mantis grew from a humble vision to create travel experiences where man and nature co-exist sustainably. Sustainable travellers have been enjoying eco-tourism, safaris, and adventure travel with Mantis since 2000.

Mantis No5 Boutique Art Hotel is an immaculately restored boutique art-deco hotel in Gqeberha (former Port Elizabeth), South Africa. Located less than 10 minutes from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, No5 is nestled in the affluent Summerstrand suburb, away from the hustle and bustle, yet an easy stroll to the ocean which is less than 150 metres away. No5 is filled with gems - a privately-owned art collection and world-class facilities all hand selected for the enjoyment of both business and leisure travellers.

Setting the precedent in Port Elizabeth for luxury accommodation and service, No5 is a showcase of authentic South African art and a masterpiece of comfort and opulence. The 10 suites are complimented by a fine dining restaurant and private dining cellar, whiskey and cigar lounge, private cinema and Tite Medi-spa by Camelot.

MANTIS No5 BOUTIQUE ART HOTEL

Eastern Cape, South Africa

+27 41 502 6000

traveldesk@mantiscollection.com www.mantiscollection.com

PEARL VALLEY HOTEL BY MANTIS

Mantis luxury hotels, eco-lodges, and waterways are dream holiday and vacation experiences located around the world. Created by Adrian Gardiner, Mantis grew from a humble vision to create travel experiences where man and nature co-exist sustainably. Sustainable travellers have been enjoying ecotourism, safaris, and adventure travel with Mantis since 2000.

Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis located on the award-winning Val de Vie Estate, situated in the picturesque Paarl-Franschhoek Valley. Approximately 1 hours’ drive from Cape Town International Airport and only a short distance away from many of South Africa’s most renowned wine estates and restaurants, the hotel is easily accessible.

56 one-bedroom suites, 1 of which is wheelchair friendly and 6 two-bedroom suites, make up the 62 fully equipped hotel rooms. Guests can look forward to all the classic comforts and conveniences expected from a deluxe hotel with the exceptional service that has become synonymous with the Mantis Collection.

A choice of on-site restaurants gives guests the option to dine in and enjoy the serenity of working, playing or staying at the Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis. Activities range from golf at the Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, ranked third best in South Africa in 2023, tennis, hiking and cycling on the 42km of trails on the estate, and spa treatments at Camelot Spa.

Western Cape, South Africa

+27 21 867 8000 traveldesk@mantiscollection.com www.mantiscollection.com

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