Easy Africa' City and Bush Safari

Arriving at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, the couple was greeted by an agent who helped them through immigration, assisted them with their baggage collection and onward to their connecting flight to Marataba Safari Lodge.

Located within the Marakele National Park, the reserve is a 23,000 hectare private concession at the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains. Alongside Africa’s Big 5, Phyllis and Mike encountered a wide variety of birds with sightings of elusive leopards on a regular basis. A special perk of the lodge is a boat that takes guests out on the Matlabas River where they could enjoy sundowners and a spectacular view of the Waterberg. With only 15 luxury en-suite tents the couple enjoyed their own private deck overlooking the mountains and river below, with dinners served on the lawn in front of the lodge overlooking a popular waterhole.

Following the morning activity and breakfast, Phyllis and Mike were transferred to the Madikwe Private Game Reserve for their stay at Madikwe Safari Kapono Lodge. With only four suites, guests are treated to exclusive comforts as well as authentic Big 5 wildlife encounters on morning and evening game drives across the reserve. Every suite boasts a private plunge pool, wood-burning fireplace, and private deck for added romance and seclusion. The pair enjoyed a truly South African safari adventure, laced with idyllic accommodation and modern-day luxuries.

The couple were transferred to the airstrip after completing their three-night stay and made their way to the Cape Winelands region to stay on an historic country-style working farm called Babylonstoren. Halfway between the towns of Paarl and Franschhoek, Babylonstoren boasts an enormous garden brimming with over 300 varieties of edible plants. The estate’s gardeners give daily tours of the premises, and guests are encouraged to join in the planting and harvesting of produce. For those who’d prefer not to get their hands dirty, there’s the Garden Spa where traditional treatments are infused with fresh herbs from the garden. Simple, farm-to-table cuisine can be savoured at the Babel Restaurant, while light lunches are served at the Greenhouse.

After a relaxed two-night stay on the farm, Phyllis and Mike returned to Cape Town to check in at the elegant Cape Grace Hotel, located at the cosmopolitan Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Elegant and luxurious, the hotel is ideal for those seeking fine Cape Town accommodation but The Cape Grace is also a great choice for families: children are greeted with a welcome pack and special bedtime story sessions are offered in the library. The couple had five nights to explore the multitude of shops and restaurants, visit Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and pop in at the city’s famous beaches in between wine tastings at various award-winning wineries close by.

After a magnificent holiday, the pair drove to Cape Town International Airport to embark on their flight home.