Featured Places

Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel

Port Elizabeth

Day 1: Port Elizabeth

Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel Location Map

Port Elizabeth (now renamed Gqeberha), at the tail end of South Africa’s Garden Route, may be better known for its surf and sunshine than its artistic pedigree, but the city is in fact home to the country’s largest collection of Art Deco buildings.

Yet it took turning one of them into the splendid Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel (formerly No5 by Mantis) to really showcase PE’s artistic potential. With its sleek facade and eclectic interiors, this luxury boutique masterpiece looks as if it would be more at home in Hollywood than steps away from the Indian Ocean, and one can almost imagine a glossy starlet or 2 sipping martinis on a red velvet barstool in the Salon Prive, or taking a dip in the lap pool.

Well-equipped with distant views of the ocean, the gym will energize you and ensure a sustained exercise routine while away from home.

There’s even a small cinema, modelled on the one in Prince Charles’ Clarence House residence, where guests can enjoy a film screening in absolute comfort and privacy.

Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel offers 10 exquisite suites, with clean lines, bold prints and a selection of contemporary South African art. Secluded balconies look out over manicured gardens, while in-room facilities include a flat-screen TV and DVD player, mini-bar, and business unit with WiFi.

Room service dining is available, although it’s worth a trip downstairs to the Jazz Room, for South African fusion dining, or to the lounge for tea and French champagne.

 

Example Details For Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel

Nights: 1 Night
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Suite
Includes: Breakfast is included.
 
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Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel Location.

Address

Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel,5 Brighton Drive, Port Elizabeth

Directions

Note that Port Elizabeth was recently renamed Gqeberha - both names can appear on roadsigns and maps and can be used interchangeably.


From Port Elizabeth Airport: From the airport at the exit turn right into Allistair Miller Drive, continue along this road until you reach a junction. Turn right into La Roche Drive. Continue down La Roche Drive until you reach a T-junction. The sea will be directly in front of you.

Turn right into Marine Drive and continue down Marine Drive, past Shark Rock Pier and The Beach Hotel. Turn right into 3rd avenue in Summerstrand continue for about 100m. Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel is located at 5 Brighton Drive.

From the N2 (Garden Route): From the N2 take the M4 (Settlers Way) to Summertrand and continue past Shark Rock Pier and The Boardwalk Casino. Turn right into 3rd avenue in Summerstrand continue for about 100m. Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel is located at 5 Brighton Drive.

From the N2 (Addo/Shamwari/Amakhala/Kareiga/Pumba/Lalibela): Head south on the N2 towards Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), and leave the N2 at Junction 751B for the M4 Settlers Way.   Continue on the M4 towards Summerstrand, passing the harbour and merging onto Humewod Road.  Continue on this road for a further 3.7 km as the name changes from Humewod Road to Beach Road, and then Marine drive.

Continue on Marine drive past the Past the Boardwalk Hotel on your right, and after approx 750m turn right onto 2nd Avenue, then left onto Brighton Road - Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel is on the left hand side on the corner of Brighton Road and 3rd Avenue.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome.

All rooms have either a private terrace or balcony, a seating area, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board, TV, hair dryer, air conditioning, safe, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

There is parking available.

There is a swimming pool, gym and a Wellness Spa.

Main hotel facilities include a fine dining restaurant, a private dining cellar, whiskey and cigar lounge and a private cinema.

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

In-room dining can be arranged on request.

The ocean and promenade is less than 150m walk from the hotel and the .Boardwalk Casino is within walking distance.

Credit cards are accepted - Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and AMEX.

All rooms are non-smoking.

The hotel is 5 km from the main airport in Port Elizabeth (now called Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport).

Gorah Elephant Camp

Addo Elephant National Park

Days 2 - 4: Addo Elephant National Park

Gorah Elephant Camp Location Map

Discover a place and time in tune with the authentic African safari of centuries past. Gorah is the only private concession and camp situated in the middle of the famous Addo Elephant National Park, home the densest population of elephants on earth. 

This exclusive lodge has been restored to its former 19th century colonial splendour, complete with period furnishings, and a beautiful roaring log fire in winter. Coupled with the meticulous service and attention to detail, this really is sheer decadence and a holiday memory that will stay with you forever.

Morning and evening guided game drives on open Land Rovers take you unbelievably close to elephants, rhinos, and other giants of the African bush. Some of the drives will be on the lodge's own concession, where your guide will have the opportunity to drive offroad to get you unbelievably close to the wildlife, but others may be in the Addo Park itself, where your ranger will be restricted to remaining on the road network at all times.

Gorah is a eco-friendly lodge and does not run off electricity. Instead the lodge is powered by generators, solar and gas. 

Each of the 11 tented luxury suites are built on raised wooden porches and furnished with huge canopied doubled beds, modern en-suite bathrooms, cosy sitting areas and private decks with panoramic views across the Addo plains. 

Meals are served in the dining room at the colonial Gorah House, under the stars in the open boma or on the veranda overlooking the popular waterhole.

In-between game drives guests can relax in the cosy library or around the rock swimming pool, or join in a short guided bush walk led by a qualified guide, who will lead you through this experience, interpreting the surroundings with their wealth of knowledge and adding to your memories of Gorah.

Whether marvelling at the herds of elephants gathering around the waterhole near the camp, or having a close encounter with them while out on a game drive, the Gorah experience is unforgettable.

Example Details For Gorah Elephant Camp

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Tent
Includes: All meals; the Gorah Conservation fee; guided bush walks; and morning/afternoon game drives are included.

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 70 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. More details available on request.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

 
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Gorah Elephant Camp Location.

Address

Gorah Elephant Camp,Addo Elephant National Park, Gorah Concession (within Addo)

Directions

From The Garden Route/Port Elizabeth:  Take the N2 from Port Elizabeth towards Grahamstown and Colchester. There are 2 turnoffs to the Addo Elephant National Park, the first is 10.4 km from the airport (Addo Elephant National Park/Motherwell) - DO NOT take this turnoff.

The secont turnoff is 30 km from the airport, this is the CORRECT turnoff (Addo Elephant National Park/Camp Matyholweni Gate). On the N2 after crossing the Sundays River bridge , start looking out for signs for the Addo Elephant Park /Camp Matyholweni Gate turn off to your left. After turning left, follow the road for 1 km until you get to a sign for the Addo National Park turn off towards your right.

After turning right, follow the road for 2 km to the Addo National Park Matyholweni Gate. Follow the Road straight for 15.8 km (You will pass Vukani loop, Mbotyi loop, Ngulube loop and Harveys Loop).

You will reach a 4 way cross road where you will turn right towards the N10 Exit Gate. The Gorah Elephant Camp Gate (0.5 km) sits to your left immediately.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

From Grahamstown/Eastern Cape Game Reserves: Take the N2 towards Port Elizabeth as far as the town of Colchester, and continue until you will see a sign for the Addo Elephant Park / Camp Matyholweni Gate.  After turning right here, follow the road for 1 km until you get to a sign for the Addo National Park turn off towards your right.

After turning right, follow the road for 2 km to the Addo National Park Matyholweni Gate. Follow the Road straight for 15.8 km (You will pass Vukani loop, Mbotyi loop, Ngulube loop and Harveys Loop).

You will reach a 4 way cross road where you will turn right towards the N10 Exit Gate. The Gorah Elephant Camp Gate (0.5 km) sits to your left immediately.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival. If possible, aim to arrive at the lodge around this time, as lunch is served at 13:00, but if you don't think you can arrive by this time, you should aim to arrive by 15:00 at the very latest, or else you may miss the afternoon drive.

Rooms must please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children aged 10 years and older are welcome. Children are allowed on game drives with their parents.

Children up to the age of 15 are accommodated on luxury stretchers in their parents’ suite (maximum of two children per suite). Toys, board games and special menus are available on request.

Parents are requested to ensure that their children’s participation in no way detracts from the experience of other guests. Because of the proximity of large numbers of wild and potentially dangerous animals, unruly or disruptive behaviour not only negatively affects the quality of game viewing for others, it can also seriously compromise guest safety.

Children accommodated at Gorah are at all times the sole responsibility of their parents. ::

All luxury tents have a private deck, a heater and a fan, a lounge area, a hair dryer, tea/coffee making facilities, and a safe.

The main guest facilities include an open verandah with views over the waterhole, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a large lounge with a fireplace, a library, a swimming pool with pool loungers, and a curio shop.

The outdoor boma is another gathering place for dinner under the vast African sky. Open fires light up the night, exuding warmth as you relax to the time honoured art of cooking on wood and coal.

There is complimentary Wi-Fi and internet access throughout the camp including in the rooms.

A laundry service is offered (additional cost).

Credit cards are accepted.

Game drives depart every morning and afternoon.

Guided walks can also be arranged. While it is not a strenuous or long walk, it gives you the opportunity to see more intricate fauna and flora that forms part of the ecosystem on foot. The qualified guides will lead you through this experience, interpreting the surroundings with their wealth of knowledge adding to your memories of Gorah.

Please note that Gorah does not run on electricity but solar and generator power.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Guests over 70 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

De Zeekoe Guest Farm

The Klein Karoo

Days 5 - 6: The Klein Karoo

De Zeekoe Guest Farm Location Map

Just 7 km outside Oudtshoorn, a warm welcome awaits you at De Zeekoe Guest Farm, set on 200 rolling hectares of succulent Klein Karoo. Around 3,000 ostriches browse the pastures and hundreds of springbok and other naturally occurring game make this farm their home.

Activities that can be enjoyed during a stay here include fishing, canoeing, biking and hiking along the many nature trails, all of which can be enjoyed within the borders of the farm. The incredible Cango Caves, the Cango Wildlife Ranch (the oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre worldwide), the Ostrich Show Farms, meerkat tours (pre-booking is essential!) and the great Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountain passes are other attractions in the vicinity which are worth a visit.

The most popular activity, however, is the daily wild habituated meerkat tours. These tours commence only at sunrise and are dependent on fair weather, since these little creatures will not venture outside their burrows on cold and rainy days. The tours last between 2-3 hours and booking is essential.

In between activities, guests can relax at the poolside.

Guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options.

The en-suite rooms in the main house are all tastefully styled with textures of wood, earthy fabrics, colourful rugs and soft lighting.

The cottages are a short 3 minute drive from the main house and offer a totally private stay. Each cottage has a fireplace, stunning views and a private pool.

The Manor House is ideal for groups of up to 6 people, and is sold on a self-catering basis. It is only 100m from the main guest house and has 3 en-suite bedrooms. There is an inside and outside braai/BBQ area as well as a kitchen and dining area.

Example Details For De Zeekoe Guest Farm

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Superior Mountain View Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.
 
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De Zeekoe Guest Farm Location.

Address

De Zeekoe Guest Farm,Off the R328 , Oudtshoorn

Directions

From Cape Town/the Winelands (via N2): Leave Cape Town/the Winelands on the N2 heading towards the Summerset West and Swellendam, and continue on the N2 past Swellendam until you reach the junction with the R324 signposted to Suurbraak / Barrydale (approx. 230 km from Cape Town).

Turn left onto the R324 and follow this for 17 km until you reach the T Junction where the R324 meets the R62.  Turn right onto the R62 towards Barrydale and continue on this road for approx. 172 km until you reach the junction with the R328.

Turn right onto the R328 towards Mossel Bay, and follow this road for approx. 5.2 km until you see a gravel road on the right signposted to De Zeekoe. Take this road, and follow it for 2 km to reach De Zeekoe Guest Farm.

From Oudtshoorn: Turn onto the R328 towards Mossel Bay for 5 km, then turn right at the signpost to De Zeekoe and travel along the gravel road for 2 km.

From the Garden Route: Travel along the N2 towards Mossel Bay. Exit the N2 via exit 397, and at the T-junction turn left. At the next junction you will turn right onto the R328 towards Oudtshoorn, where 7 km before Oudtshoorn, you will turn left at the signpost to De Zeekoe and travel along the gravel road for 2 km.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may be occupied from 14:00 - 18:00 on the day of arrival and must please be vacated by 10:30 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests. All guests (including those staying at the lakeside cabins) should check-in at the main guest house.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome.

All rooms have air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, a hair dryer, outside shower, tea/coffee making facilities, a fan and heater, mini bar, safe, television, and mosquito nets.

There is free secure parking.

Guests can enjoy free and unlimited internet and Wi-Fi hotspots.

There is a swimming pool.

A laundry service is offered (additional cost).

There is a restaurant which serves an a la carte menu in the evenings. Light lunches are available on request, or the kitchen can provide a picnic basket if you are heading out for the day.  There is also a cocktail bar and a Tranquillity Spa.

De Zeekoe has a curio shop selling a variety of different items.

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to join one of the Meerkat tours, pre-booking is essential. Please ask your Travel Butlers consultant to make this booking for you as soon as possible.

De Zeekoe also has self-guided hiking trails, mountain biking (bikes available to rent) and canoeing (in the rainy season).

Credit cards are accepted.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Hermanus

Days 7 - 9: Hermanus

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Location Map

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills overlooking the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay.

Take a quiet walk through an ancient milkwood forest, or explore this natural wonderland by 4-wheel drive vehicle, or enjoy the views from a comfortable saddle on a well schooled horse or pony. Guests can also enjoy other activities such as shark cage diving, scenic flights, exploring archaeological caves and whale watching. Bird lovers will delight in the large number of different bird species that are attracted to the various habitats that can be found in the reserve.

The reserve is also only a few minutes drive away from pristine beaches.

Grootbos is home to both the Garden and Forest Lodges, which offer 5* luxury accomodation.

Forest Lodge is positioned on the fringes of the 800-year old milkwood forest. Individual luxury suites provide the ideal blend of privacy and supreme comfort, and each suite has a spacious bathroom, a separate lounge with cozy fireplace, and a private deck from which you can soak up exquisite ocean and mountain views. Garden Lodge boasts sweeping views over Walker Bay and is located amongst a beautiful three hectare indigenous fynbos gardens. All suites have a separate bedroom with en-suite bathroom, large decks and a large lounge with fireplace.

There is also a 4 bedroom Villa, which comes with its own private butler, chef and guide.

Example Details For Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Includes: All meals; the Conservation Levy; and all land-based activities (including horse riding, beach picnic, guided walks, mountain biking) are included.
 
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Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Location.

Address

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve,Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Near Hermanus

Directions

From Cape Town/Stellenbosch: Follow the N2 toward George/Mossel Bay over 2 mountain passes (Sir Lowry's Pass and Houwhoek Pass). After the 2nd pass, take exit 90 onto R43 to Kleinmond/Hermanus. You will pass suburbs called Hawston, Fisherhaven, Vermont, Onrus and Sandbaai. Drive through Hermanus, and Grootbos is situated 13 km past Stanford on the R43.

From Franschhoek: Take the R45 towards Villiersdorp. Turn left and drive to Villersdorp, then take the R43 towards Botriver. After approx 31.5 km you will reach the N2 - turn right onto the N2/R43 towards Kaapstad and Hermanus.  After approx 7.3 km take exit 92 onto the R43 in the direction of Hermanus. You will pass the Kleinmond turn and then the suburbs of Hawston, Fisherhaven, Vermont, Onrus and Sandbaai. Drive through Hermanus, and Grootbos is situated 13 km past Stanford on the R43.

From the Garden Route: The N2 brings you west past Swellendam and Riviersonderend. 10 km past Riviersonderend turn on to the R326 to Stanford. At Stanford turn left onto the R43. Grootbos is situated 13 km from Stanford on the R43.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome at Garden Lodge. Children over the age of 12 are welcome at Forest Lodge.

All suites feature a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom, separate lounge with tea/coffee making facilities, minibar, cosy fireplace, satellite/cable TV, air conditioning, balcony/deck, heated towel rails, underfloor heating, and a room safe. Suites are also equipped with internet access.

The facilities at each lodge include a swimming pool, restaurant, lounge area and beauty salons.

In addition, Forest Lodge boasts a bar area, sun deck and a gallery.

American Express, Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted.

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

Horse riding for non and experienced riders can be undertaken, but please note that the weight limit is 90kg/198lbs per person, and children under the age of 12 are only allowed on guided pony rides.

Boat based whale watching trips or whale watching by plane (between June and December) can be arranged - additional cost.

Shark cage diving at nearby Gansbaii can also be arranged (additional cost).

Your visit directly contributes to the conservation efforts of the Grootbos Foundation as well as the development of sustainable nature-based livelihoods amongst local communities.

The Dock House

Cape Town

Days 10 - 13: Cape Town

The Dock House Location Map

A stone’s throw from the alluring V&A Waterfront, the Dock House Boutique Hotel has been voted among the top 25 luxury hotels in South Africa.  It's prime V&A Waterfront location ensures that guests are within an easy walking distance to the vibrant harbour area, upmarket shopping malls, excellent restaurants, entertainment areas and ocean cruise facilities.

The hotel’s charming exterior gives way to an opulent world beyond its front door. Chandeliers and ornate ceiling cornices, among other fine touches, create a sense of Victorian charm and allude to the property’s historical roots, originally the Harbour Master’s private residence in the 1800s. Since then, the building has been transformed into a distinguished boutique hotel, and has been uniquely decorated with elaborate furnishings and bold artworks, maintaining a feeling of classic exquisiteness throughout the establishment.

A pristine swimming pool, surrounded by a beautiful courtyard, offers guests the opportunity to cool off on warm days, and a bar and a number of deck chairs alongside the pool invite guests to relax and absorb the views of Table Mountain. The hotel has an intimate dining room where breakfast is served, or guests can choose to enjoy their breakfast at one of the hotel's sister properties in the Waterfront if they want some variety.

The glamorous suite and each of the 5 chic rooms at the Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa have been individually decorated and imbued with a unique and understated Victorian elegance, juxtaposed with lush contemporary style and comfort.  Attention to detail is the order of the day, and each room is also equipped with an en-suite designer bathroom.

The suite has access to a private courtyard garden, while the other ground floor room opens onto a veranda overlooking the groomed garden and swimming pool area. Three of the upstairs rooms have balconies overlooking the Waterfront’s scenic harbour and surroundings, and 2 of the upstairs rooms have an optional interconnecting facility.

Example Details For The Dock House

Nights: 4 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.
 
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The Dock House Location.

Address

The Dock House,Portswood Close, Portswood Ridge, V&A Waterfront

Directions

From the N2 (Cape Town International Airport/the Winelands/Hermanus/The Garden Route): Take the N2 towards Cape Town. Keep on this road until you enter the city, following the signs for Cape Town North, and then 'M6/Sea Point/Waterfront'. You will then see the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on your left-hand side (very large cream-coloured building), and there will be a set of traffic lights at a major junction.

Continue over the traffic lights into Lower Buitengracht until the first set of traffic lights. Turn right at the traffic lights into Helen Suzman Boulevard. Move into the lane signposted  'Portswood Road/V&A Waterfront'.

Turn right at the traffic lights into Portswood Road. Turn right at the entrance of The Commodore Hotel and continue driving until you reach a security officer at the boom. Continue straight ahead and The Dock House is approximately 100m in front of you.

From the N1: Follow the road into Cape Town where it merges with the N2, and you will see the CTICC on your left-hand side. Follow the directions as above.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome.

Each Luxury Room is equipped with air conditioning, room safe, hair dryer, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities including a Nespresso coffee machine, satellite/cable TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Two of the Luxury Rooms can interlead if required.

The Luxury Suite has all the same amenities as above but the bedroom opens up to a private courtyard garden.

There is secure parking available.

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

There is a state-of-the-art spa and supervised gym facilities which are open from 06:00 until 22:00, plus an  outdoor swimming pool.

24 hour room service is available.

There is Wi-Fi throughout the building.

The building used to be the Harbour Master's private residence in the 1800s.

Cape Town International Airport is approximately 25 km from the hotel.

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