Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted amongst the top cities in the world to visit and it is no surprise that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers.

One of the main tourist attractions is the tastefully restored V&A Waterfront with its many shops, bars and restaurants. There is also an aquarium and one of the largest craft markets in Southern Africa. Boats offer tours of the harbour from the quayside and the whole place is always buzzing with life and activity. The City Bowl is home to many museums and historical buildings which can all be viewed from a 'topless' hop on/hop off tourist bus, complete with interesting commentary as you ride around the city.

The adventurous can climb up (or abseil down) Table Mountain, windsurf or kitesurf at Bloubergstrand Beach, dive in shark tanks, or do any one of a dozen more adrenalin pumping activities. For a more relaxed pace of life, there are miles of sandy beaches for soaking up the African sun, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Address

Waterfront Village,Marina Residential Estate, Dock Road, 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, following the signs for City, Foreshore and Sea Point. If in doubt, keep bearing right the whole time. 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 straight over onto Buitengracht Street/M62 and use the right 3 lanes to turn right onto Helen Suzman Blvd/M6.  Use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right toward Portswood Road. 

Continue onto Portswood Road and turn right onto Marine Road. Keep to the left, past Deloitte, and go down the ramp to the Marina Residential Security Gate and you will be directed from here. 

From the N1: Follow the road to Cape Town, and you will see the CTICC on your left-hand side. Follow the directions as above.

Just an hour's drive from Cape Town and situated in the peaceful Franschhoek Valley, La Fontaine is just a short stroll away from the main village centre of Franschhoek.

With its friendly small village atmosphere, Franschhoek has a number of delightful art and design shops, as well as the Huguenot Museum or the famous Franschhoek Motor Museum. The village is also home to many award-winning restaurants.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a totally unique and leisurely way to visit the vineyards and wine estates of the Franschhoek Valley, or the guest house also has bicycles for hire should you wish to explore by pedal power. Private wineland tours taking in not only a selection of the finest wines but also rolling vineyards and quaint Dutch homesteads can be arranged (on request and at an additional cost).

If rest is what you need, stay in and enjoy the tranquil gardens and swimming pools that stretch over 2 properties. The outdoor breakfast patio and front veranda under their vine and wisteria pergolas boast views of the surrounding mountains and tranquil settings.

There are 17 large rooms and suites to choose from, all decorated with individual themes and character.

The Mountain View Suites have a fully equipped bathroom with a large bathtub and separate shower. The larger of these 2 suites also has its own wood burning fireplace. The Luxury Suites have light bathrooms and a seating area for extra comfort.

The Luxury Rooms offer the same standard of luxury decoration but with a slightly smaller footprint. The Deluxe Rooms are the smallest room type but still retain their own charm and elegance.

Address

La Fontaine,21 Dirkie Uys Street, Franschhoek

Directions

From Cape Town (via N1): Drive out of Cape Town on the N1 past Belville and Brackenfell turn-offs. Continue past the Winelands 1-Stop Engen petrol station as well as the first Stellenbosch turn-off after the petrol station. Take the next turn-off named Stellenbosch/Klapmuts and turn right at the stop on the R44. Approximately 600m further, go over the 4-way stop.Shortly after the 4 way stop (+/-400m) turn left at the Franschhoek sign.

Carry along this road for approximately 8 km until it ends at a T-junction at which you turn right to Franschhoek on the R45. This road will take you straight into Franschhoek (approximately 16 km further). Just past the Town Hall on your left-hand side, turn left into La Rochelle Street. Take the first street on the right, which is Dirkie Uys Street. La Fontaine is on the left-hand side.

From Cape Town (via N2): Drive out of Cape Town on the N2, and take the first Stellenbosch turn-off (Baden Powell Drive/R310) and keep on travelling to Stellenbosch. You will eventually pass the Spier Wine Estate (on your right) and a few kilometres after that, the road will end at a T-junction (approximately 13 km from the N2 turn-off). Turn right at the T-junction and travel into Stellenbosch.

You will pass over 3 traffic lights - keep to your left. The road ends at a T-junction at which you turn left. Pass over 3 traffic lights and shortly after the 3rd set, turn right at a set of lights at the Franschhoek/Idas Valley sign. This road will take you over the mountain on the Helshoogte Pass, through Johannesdal and through Pniel and eventually ends at a T-junction (16 km from Stellenbosch). This T-junction is shortly after the Boschendal Wine Estate (which would have been on your right).

Turn right at the T-junction onto the R45 to Franschhoek. This road will take you straight into Franschhoek (approximately 13 km further). Just past the Town Hall on your left-hand side, turn left into La Rochelle Street. Take the first street on the right, which is Dirkie Uys Street. La Fontaine is on the left-hand side.

From Hermanus/The Garden Route: Either follow the N2 to the Baden Powell Drive/R310 exit, and follow the directions as above OR you can take the more scenic route via the Franschhoek Pass - leave the N2 at the R43 towards Villiersdorp (16 km past Caledon) and follow this road to Villiersdorp.

Turn left onto the R45, and after approximately 8 km turn right to stay on the R45 and go over the Franschhoek Pass to Franschhoek. Turn right into Huguenot Road  (R45) at the Huguenot Monument. Take the third turn right into La Rochelle Street, and then take the first street on the right, which is Dirkie Uys Street. La Fontaine is on the left-hand side.

From Oudtshoorn: Leave Oudtshoorn on the R62 towards Calitzdorp and Ladismith.  In Ladismith (approx 97 km from Oudtshoorn) you need to turn left to stay on the 62 which is now signposted to Monagu. 

After a further 146km the R62 merges with the R60, and you should carry on straight along this road towards Ashton/Robertson.  Continue on the R60 through Robertson, and 39km after the roundabout in Robertson turn left onto Overhex Road, signposted for Aan de Doorns.  Follow this road for 6km until the junction with the R43, and then turn left on the R43 towards Villiersdorp.

Follow the road through Villersdorp, and as you leave the town continue along Main Road past the sign for R43 Hermanus (do not turn left here!), and Main Road will become the R321/R45 signposted Franschhoek.  After 8km, turn right to stay on the R45 and continue on this road for 25km until you reach Franschhoek.

Turn right into Huguenot Road (R45) at the Huguenot Monument. Take the third turn right into La Rochelle Street, and then take the first street on the right, which is Dirkie Uys Street. La Fontaine is on the left-hand side.

ANY PROBLEMS AFTER HOURS YOU CAN CALL +27 (0) 21 876 4247.

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.

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.

Originally called Baia Formosa, or Beautiful Bay, by the early Portuguese, Plettenberg Bay is home to some of the best beaches along the Garden Route. Set around a curving horseshoe bay, schools of playful dolphins and resident Orca and Bryde's whales are often seen and between July and December the migratory Southern Right whales come to the bay to calf.

The small town is filled with restaurants, galleries, studios and interesting craft shops. With its exceptional climate and beautiful view sites over the Indian Ocean, Plettenberg Bay is perfect for tourists interested in exploring, whale and dolphin watching or just relaxing.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy mountain biking, horse riding, hiking trails, golf, diving, excellent salt and fresh water fishing - even skydiving!

The nearby Robberg Nature Reserve is situated on a rugged coastal peninsula with sweeping views of the bay, as well as superb whale and dolphin watching, excellent birding, hiking trails and the Nelson Bay Cave - an archaeological site with evidence of human habitation that stretches back for more than 120 thousand years.

Periwinkle Guest Lodge is a beachfront guest house offering panoramic views where you can watch the whales and dolphins frolicking in the waves whilst enjoying a scrumptious breakfast.

All the rooms are individually decorated in bright, happy colours which reflect the surrounding sea and mountains.

Six of the 7 rooms have private balconies where guests can enjoy the view from the Robberg Peninsula to the right and the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the left. All rooms have TVs, direct dial telephones, tea/coffee making facilities and bar fridges.

Address

Periwinkle Lodge,75 Beachy Head Drive, Plettenberg Bay

Directions

From Cape Town/Hermanus/The Winelands/Swellendam/Wilderness/Knysna: Follow the N2 to Plettenberg Bay until you see the Piesang Valley Road/Plettenberg Bay South/Suid turn-off into Plettenberg Bay, which also has an airport sign. Turn right down Piesang Valley Road until you get to the roundabout. Take the 3^rd exit into Beacon Isle Drive and then turn right into Longships Drive. Then take the 2nd left into Roche Bonne Avenue and right at the T-junction into Beachy Head Drive. Follow the road for 1.5 km until you reach the guest house.

From Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha): Take the N2 to Plettenberg Bay. Take the 3rd turn-off into Plettenberg Bay marked Piesang Valley Road/Plettenberg Bay South/Suid and follow the directions as above.

Set in a secluded valley, Quatermain's Camp embodies the original spirit of safari. This intimate camp offers you the opportunity to experience 'Africa under canvas' with just three 1920s style safari tents fitted out with military campaign style furnishings.

Your hosts will do their very best to make sure that you are enveloped by the natural world and that you will return home refreshed and with a new sense of wonder and understanding of the wildlife around you.

The lodge is in a Big 5 area so guests will have a chance of seeing elephant, white and black rhino, leopard, buffalo and lion as well as a variety of other game including hyena, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, many species of antelope and much more. Your ranger will also delight in showing you the smaller members of the ecosystem as well as the birds and plants.

Guided bush walks can be conducted upon request in a "soft game" area and as such has no dangerous animals present.

Relax on your own private deck and if you are lucky you may see an elusive bushbuck or hear the cry of the African fish eagle. Each en-suite tent is equipped with military campaign style furniture similar to that used by the early explorers.

At night as you lie under canvas one of the highlights of your stay is sure to be drifting off to sleep to the sounds of nature - you can frequently expect to hear jackals calling, the beautiful voice of the fiery-necked nightjar, maybe a screeching barn owl, or if you are fortunate, the roar of lions.

Address

Quatermain's Camp,Off the N2, Amakhala Game Reserve

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(Gqeberha)/Garden Route: Take the N2 from Port Elizabeth(Gqeberha) towards Grahamstown. Approximately 80km from Port Elizabeth(Gqeberha), turn left at the Carnarvon Dale signposted entrance for about 3km, where you can leave your vehicle and you will be transported to the camp. Vehicles will remain at Carnarvon Dale. Please note that on busy days the ranger may already be transferring another group down to the camp, so if no ranger is present please don't worry, one will soon appear!

In case of any problems, please call the lodge managers on either +27 (0) 83 565 2870 or +27 (0) 79 307 6640.