F o r l u x u r y t r a v e l

s o u t h e r n a f r i c a

afr icaUltimateg u i d e t o

Explore Grahamstown • Victoria Falls Safari Lodge • Somerset West Retreats

cape town Living at its Best

Lawhill Luxury Apartments

Set on 11, 000 hectares, Gondwana is the only Fynbos reserve in the world with free roaming big 5 species.

5 Star fully inclusive accommodation ~ Luxury private bush villas- Exhilarating game drives and Junior Ranger Experience.

Ideally located only 4 hours from Cape Town or 45 minutes from George Airport.

Packages available from R800 per person per night! Contact Details:Tel: +27 (0)21 424 5430Email: reservations@gondwanagr.co.za website: www.gondwanagamereserve.com

Return with us to Nature’s Perfect Playground..

GARDEN ROUTE - SOUTH AFRICA

3

Ultimate africa - The Luxury TraveL GuideUltimate gUide to africa - for Luxury TraveL

3

welcome to Ultimate GUiDe to africa - for lUxUry travel

cl ick on a tab to v is i t a sect ion

cl ick the play bUttons on

certa in paGes to watch a v iDeo

DownloaD cUrrent eD it ion v iew past eD it ions

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many pages a l so con ta i n l i n k s t ha t w i l l t ake you t o va r i ous webs i t e s .

th i s t rave l Gu i de i s i pad , and ro i d & b rowse r f r i e nd l y .

you can e i t h e r f l i p t h r ough i t on l i n e o r down l oad t he f u l l pDf t o v i ew l a t e r .

Set on 11, 000 hectares, Gondwana is the only Fynbos reserve in the world with free roaming big 5 species.

5 Star fully inclusive accommodation ~ Luxury private bush villas- Exhilarating game drives and Junior Ranger Experience.

Ideally located only 4 hours from Cape Town or 45 minutes from George Airport.

Packages available from R800 per person per night! Contact Details:Tel: +27 (0)21 424 5430Email: reservations@gondwanagr.co.za website: www.gondwanagamereserve.com

Return with us to Nature’s Perfect Playground..

GARDEN ROUTE - SOUTH AFRICA

Villa Simonne is a highly individual boutique retreat, and an exquisite alternative to conventional hotels, function and conference venues.

Nestled in expansive, lush gardens in Houghton, one of the most exclusive and historic enclaves of Johannesburg, the Villa is ideally placed for both the leisure and business traveller.

It’s central location is on the Gautrain bus route, and allows for easy access to the M1 motorway, the shopping and business hubs in Sandton, Killarney, Rosebank, Newtown and OR Tambo international airport. Houghton and Killarney golf courses are virtually on the doorstep, as well as Virgin Active gym, the homes of Nelson Mandela and William Kentridge, the Zoo, various Museums and natural parks.

Airport transfers, tours, laundry service, holistic health care services, beauty treatments, and meals throughout the day are offered on request. Villa Simonne offers a variety of outstanding venues for all occasions, catering for conferences, weddings, high teas, corporate parties/year-end events, team building events, and exclusive private parties.

www.villasimonne.co.zafacebook.com/villasimonne

Villa SimonneBoutique Hotel

The Villa’s lush one acre garden, outdoor cinema, 1920’s themed piano lounge, tropical pool, and sauna guarantee an unforgettable experience. The extensive property boasts an outdoor bar, an amphitheatre, a library, as well as a Western themed snooker room, affording guests endless options for recreation without having to leave the comfort of the Villa.Villa Simonne’s 14 individually themed suites find their inspiration in the history and character of cities around the world. From Paris chic to the majesty of Marrakesh, each suite combines dramatic décor with uncompromising luxury.

Your reservation includes:• Complimentary full breakfast• Secure parking• Concierge service• Free wireless internet

Villa Simonne UA FP.indd 1 2013/10/29 3:51 PM

5 5

Contents

06 Editor’s Letter

08 This & That

regulars

22

28

14

Directory

34 Guide - Top properTies in souTh AfricA

50 Guide - TrAvel-relATed services in souTh AfricA

61 Directory - Luxury Property Listing in South Africa

80 In The Know- Important Travel Info 18

10

Ultimate gUide to africa - for Luxury TraveL

Features

10 Lawhill Luxury Apartments

14 Grahamstown

18 Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

22 Haven Valley Yoga & Wellness Retreat

24 J.C. Le Roux Romance

26 Seduce Your Valentine with Pongracz Rose

28 Nederburg Wine Farm

30 Further Reading

Villa Simonne is a highly individual boutique retreat, and an exquisite alternative to conventional hotels, function and conference venues.

Nestled in expansive, lush gardens in Houghton, one of the most exclusive and historic enclaves of Johannesburg, the Villa is ideally placed for both the leisure and business traveller.

It’s central location is on the Gautrain bus route, and allows for easy access to the M1 motorway, the shopping and business hubs in Sandton, Killarney, Rosebank, Newtown and OR Tambo international airport. Houghton and Killarney golf courses are virtually on the doorstep, as well as Virgin Active gym, the homes of Nelson Mandela and William Kentridge, the Zoo, various Museums and natural parks.

Airport transfers, tours, laundry service, holistic health care services, beauty treatments, and meals throughout the day are offered on request. Villa Simonne offers a variety of outstanding venues for all occasions, catering for conferences, weddings, high teas, corporate parties/year-end events, team building events, and exclusive private parties.

www.villasimonne.co.zafacebook.com/villasimonne

Villa SimonneBoutique Hotel

The Villa’s lush one acre garden, outdoor cinema, 1920’s themed piano lounge, tropical pool, and sauna guarantee an unforgettable experience. The extensive property boasts an outdoor bar, an amphitheatre, a library, as well as a Western themed snooker room, affording guests endless options for recreation without having to leave the comfort of the Villa.Villa Simonne’s 14 individually themed suites find their inspiration in the history and character of cities around the world. From Paris chic to the majesty of Marrakesh, each suite combines dramatic décor with uncompromising luxury.

Your reservation includes:• Complimentary full breakfast• Secure parking• Concierge service• Free wireless internet

Villa Simonne UA FP.indd 1 2013/10/29 3:51 PM

66

where Credit is Due

editor’s Letter

LawhiLL Luxury apartments

at Cape town’s

ViCtoria and aLfred waterfront

This Month’s Cover

Well what do you know, the month of love is upon us yet again. Like it or loathe it, cupid takes over every offering this month, and we’ve tried to focus on those that can be enjoyed by couples and singles alike.

Luxurious escapes are generally seen as the crème de la crème of Valentine experiences. From luxury apartments overlooking Cape Town’s most famous marina to a pristine safari lodge near the famous Victoria Falls, we explore the best hideaways for couples, families and individual explorers keen to fall in love with the beauty of Africa.

Those in love with culture can spend a few days discovering the hidden gems of Grahamstown, one of South Africa’s oldest and most authentic arts arenas. For those looking to celebrate their love for nature and silence, a picturesque retreat farm in the Western Cape’s Somerset West provides a haven for

quiet marvelling and introspection.Even staying at home with a

great bottle of bubbly can be a treat this Valentine’s Day. Climbing into bed alone can be exciting too if you lose yourself in the pages of one of our favourite books, which offer everything from reasons to fall in love with elephants to the way in which one woman’s love of Africa changed the face of local literature forever.

Enjoy this special month!

Lara .

UlTiMaTe gUide To afriCa

TCB MediaPO Box 11273, Hatfield, 0028

Tel: +27 861 THE MAGFax: +27 88 012 346 2367mail@tcbmedia.co.za

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USA+1 414-306-2539

Managing DirectorBernard Hellberg | bernard@tcbmedia.co.za

PublisherBernard Hellberg | bernard@tcbmedia.co.za

eDitorLara Potgieter

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creative DirectorHenco Meintjes

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henco@tcbmedia.co.za | +27 82 957 9495+27 12 425 5800

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brayn Kayavhu bryan@tcbmedia.co.za | +27 83 785 6691

+27 12 425 5800

Ultimate Guide to Southern Africa is published monthly by TCB Media. Opinions expressed in the

publication are not necessarily those of TCB Media or any of their clients. Information has been included

in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to online.

No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. No material (articles or photographs) in

the publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the Editor.

Submissions of articles and photographs for publication are welcome, but the publisher, while

exercising all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. Please ensure

that all material is posted by registered mail to PO Box 11273, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028.

Copyright © 2012. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to TCB Media

and/or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

F o r l u x u r y t r a v e l

s o u t h e r n a f r i c a

afr icaUltimateg u i d e t o

Explore Grahamstown • Victoria Falls Safari Lodge • Somerset West Retreats

cape town Living at its Best

Lawhill Luxury Apartments

“where there is love there is life. ” – mahatma Gandhi