Cooking or culinary holidays, vacations, tours in South Africa:

Food, wine and culture of South Africa
. . . with some of South Africas’ finest chefs

Explore the diversity and heritage of South African food with Samp & Soufflé. From Bobotie to Bisque, Pumpkin to Pate and Smoorsnoek to Saffron, you will discover the art of cooking and eating with custom culinary programs in the southernmost tip of Africa. Come and enjoy the South African adventure of hands-on cooking lessons in small groups, while experiencing an unforgettable holiday in luxury accommodation that combines food, wine and culture. On our professionally guided tours you can choose to meet famous winery owners and feast on regional cuisine demonstrated by some of South Africas’ finest chefs.

Options for local and international guests include:

• Luxury Weekend Gourmet Getaways
• Corporate teambuilding events
• Special Occasion Events
• Full Day Excursions
• International Tour Groups
• Custom designed programmes (groups only)

Cape Town

Cape Town is the culinary capital of South Africa. The eclectic mix of people, the wide ranging produce, from fresh seafood, to fruits and vegetables, to wines, olive farms, and the influence of different cultures, has all mingled to provide great inspiration for local chefs.

Choose between various day options, where you will see a little of Cape Town or the winelands nearby, and meet your host or hostess – a Cape Town “foodie”, chef or caterer, and then roll up your sleeves as you enjoy preparing local dishes.

Cape Malay Cuisine

Descendants of original slaves, as well as free citizens, the Malay community has a rich heritage and a unique cuisine. Rich curries and stews are flavoured with aromatic spices, and there is a tradition of blending meats with sweet accompaniments. This tour will take in the colourful “Bo Kaap” area, home to a thriving and vibrant Malay community, with a visit to the District Six museum nearby. Meet your hostess and learn about blending spices in traditional dishes.

"Boerekos"

Boerekos refers to the dishes produced by the Dutch wives of the trekboers. Literally translated, it is “farmer’s food”. The Afrikaans people of South Africa are the descendants of these brave settlers, and their food hails from this strong tradition. A unique method of cooking was to cook in three legged black pots, over the fire, and this is referred to as “potjiekos”. Delicious stews of mutton or even venison can be created in these pots. Sweet treats such as milk tart, flavoured with cinnamon, and “koeksisters” (plaited dough cooked in oil, and sweetened with syrup) are traditional dishes too.

Cape Fusion Cuisine

Many of the restaurants in Cape Town are becoming well known for their excellent cuisine. Often this can be well known meals, with contemporary flair – a new ingredient, perhaps a flavourful spice, or a method learnt from a traditional source. See Cape Town on a short city tour and then learn to accentuate dishes with a fabulous twist of something uniquely South African.

Seafood

Cape Town is on the edge of an ocean providing glorious fresh fish, and shellfish is also readily available. Enjoy learning methods of preparing and cooking fish dishes, always with a South African angle. You may like to enjoy a morning in Kalk Bay, a traditional fishing village and alive with colourful local characters as well as an eclectic range of little shops on the road overlooking the harbour. Enjoy an historical walking tour in the village, and meet the fishing boats as they come in with their catch. You may even be adventurous enough to go out with them at dawn to catch fish with hand lines!

Breadmaking

Visit a wine estate near Cape Town, where you will spend part of the morning preparing your breads. Taste delicious wines and tour the cellar, while your bread proves in the kitchen. Enjoy a delicious mediterranean style lunch complimented by your own breads.

Venison

With all the wildlife, venison is of course both a traditional source of meat as well as a sought after delicacy nowadays. Visit the winelands, enjoy tasting wines, and meet your dinner host at his guesthouse. Enjoy a cosy evening in the kitchen, learning about venison, and of course tasting it all afterwards!

SAMP AND SOUFFLE ON ROUTE 62

Our tour starts off in Cape Town, travels on the Route 62 - tasting wines and fresh produce from the area, and includes the Wine in the River festival, gourmet food, historical towns and lots more. A full itinerary starting on the 17th October and ending on the 24th October.

ITINERARY:

17th October:
On the 17th our tour starts of in Cape Town where we will be staying at The Village Lodge Portfolio on the De Waterkant. Our accommodation is positioned in the centre of this historic setting, close to restaurants and design style shops.

After meeting at the Village Lodge and after introductions we will travel to our first interactive event. Our theme for the evening will be fish found in our oceans including perlemoen (abalone) and oysters and including fresh water fish found in our streams and dams. We will be cooking with Garth Stoebel, one of South Africa's leading chefs, respected and admired throughout the industry. Our dinner will be paired with wine to compliment the meal.

18th October:
After an early rise and breakfast we will leave for the 2.5 hour drive to join the "Wine on the River Festival" on the banks of the Breede River. This will give us an opportunity to taste the best wine in the Robertson area and meet local wine makers. Listen to music, browse though the arts and crafts lane, enjoy lunch in this beautiful setting or sample local produce (lunch for clients own account). There will be lots of opportunity to buy wine to take home as wine will be sold a cellar prices.

After the day out on the River we will book into Jan Harmsgat Country Lodge outside Swellendam. Here we will stay in old converted slave quarters and an original wine cellar, set amongst Pecan, Almond and Fruit orchards. In the evening we will enjoy a wine and food pairing dinner of delectable cuisine.

19th October:
After a light breakfast the morning there will be time to take in and enjoy the serene surroundings. Lunch will be at the Old Goal restaurant, on the Drostdy Museum premises, where we will enjoy traditional "roosterbrood" filled with mouth watering South African delicacies, such as venison served with homemade lemonade. (All beverages are included except for alcoholic beverages which are for clients own account).

After lunch and a visit around the Drostdy Museum we take the bus to Oudtshoorn, travelling over the Tradouw Pass to Barrydale, Ladysmith and the Huisrivier Pass and through Calizdorp. Our bus ride will take 2.5 hours.

In Oudtshoorn we will check into De Zeekoe and meet for a dinner with specialities from the area, especially Ostrich. Wine and beverages will be served with dinner.

20th of October:
For the early risers we have booked for "Meerkat Magic" which is a Meerkat Tour which lasts around 3 hours. The tour will start at sunrise and end in time for breakfast. (this is for guests own account, but a must for all wild life enthusiasts) After breakfast at De Zeekoe, we will travel the 27km Swartberg Pass - considered one of the most impressive mountain passes in the world to Prince Albert. The gravel road winds to the summit 1583 meters above sea level in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn. The road was built in 1888 by Thomas Charles Bain the brilliant road engineer of the 19th century by using hand labour drawn from the local goal and declared a National Monument in its Centenary Year in 1988. People have been known to say "Those that have crossed its path will never forget it."

Once in Prince Albert, known as an oasis in the Karoo, we will enjoy an interactive lunch of local fresh produce.

In the afternoon we will return to Oudsthoorn via Meirings Poort following the path of the river as it cuts through The Swartberg Mountains. The Poort is as impressive as the pass with high daunting soaring cliff walls and spectacular rock formations.

There are spectacular restaurants in Oudsthoorn, and the night is your own, where you can dine out, take a stroll down the main road, or relax in your comfortable accommodation. (dinner for guests account)

21st October:
The next morning after breakfast, we will leave Oudtshoorn and leave for Montagu on our 2 .5 hour journey retracing our journey to Barrydale where the views and the splendour of the mountains will be just as breathtaking when viewed from the other direction. We will be stopping at Calizdorp for a light lunch (at clients own expense) and visit two well known port producers in the area.

From Barrydale we take the road through the Tradouw Valley, perhaps stopping at some wine estates along the way to Montagu, where we can discover another way of life in this friendly and hospitable small country village. Our accommodation is Mimosa Lodge.

At Mimosa we will enjoy a food and wine pairing dinner prepared by Chef Bernard Hess, renowned for his creative cuisine and using only the freshest ingredients from their own garden.

22nd October:
After our breakfast at Mimosa, we will travel to Bodega De Vinho Breadmaking where we will learn the art of bread making, stopping along the way for some olives and organic tomatoes which we will enjoy with lunch later. Lunch will take place set in the Noree Valley outside Robertson where all produce is organically grown and turned into products such as Jams and Dried Fruits. After a short tour around the farm and a short chat on jam making and organic we will enjoy a ploughman's lunch of freshly made bread (made by ourselves) organic jams, organic wine and produce that we have sourced on the way.

In the late afternoon we return to Montagu. Here is your opportunity to leisurely wander down the high street where you can join the locals for a drink in the pub, or find a quaint restaurant. (The evening activities are for your own account).

23rd October:
After breakfast at Mimosa we leave Montagu and drive 2.5 hours to Ceres and book into Kagga Kamma from where we explore the Cederberg well known for its rock formations, scenic beauty and San Rock art. Enjoy unspoilt nature and wildlife.

We will start the evening with sundowners and a dinner served with wine to compliment your meal, followed by some star gazing.

24th October:
The next morning after breakfast there will be time for a game drive and A San Art Tour followed, by a light lunch before returning to Cape Town. (all beverages for guests own account)

We have made reservations at the De Waterkant Village for this evening, which we have included in your package. This is the end of your gourmet experience, but not necessarily the end of your holiday. There is a lot to do in Cape Town and the evening can be spent either exploring the bright lights or something more low key.

Please let us know if you would like us to make reservations for a longer stay in Cape Town.

INCLUDES:

• 8 x nights accommodation at the lodges and guests houses as described, including breakfast
• 1 x interactive dinner, including wine and beverages chosen by Samp and Souffle and their supplier and as described in the itinerary
• 4 x Food and Wine Pairing Dinner, designed by Samp and Souffle suppliers
• Entrance to the "Wine on the River" Festival
• 2 x lunches - beverages as described in the itinerary
• 2 x interactive lunches, including wine and beverages as chosen by Samp and Souffle and their suppliers and as described in the itinerary.
• Wine tasting and fresh produce tasting as described in the itinerary
• Game Drives, San Art Tour and Star Gazing Activities as described
• Transport including a driver

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

FRANSCHHOEK CAP CLASSIQUE AND CHAMPAGNE FESTIVAL

Join Samp and Soufflé for an ultimate Culinary Getaway, from 5th to 7th December 2008 in the Gourmet Capital of South Africa - Franschhoek

This bubbly experience will include interactive cooking with the best known chefs in South Africa in a private kitchen and on an exclusive organic olive farm ending with a celebration at the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival.

Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne FestivalExperience your Franschhoek luxury accommodation where Feng Shui meets farmstyle hospitality while breathtaking surroundings soothe your senses.

ITINERARY:

Friday 5 December:
We will start on the Friday with elegant dinner dining at one of the top ten restaurants in Franschhoek.

Saturday 6 December:
After a peaceful breakfast the day will continue, and Samp and Soufflé will transport you to a Cap Classique tasting led by a top local wine maker, a visit to the Anton Rupert Vintage Collection, authentic Belgian chocolate tasting and . . . yes, you guessed it, more champagne and a Sabrage.

That night enjoy an interactive dinner with a well known South African chef - all to yourself.

Sunday 6 December:
Your day will start with a champagne brunch and the rest of the day at leisure at the Champagne Festival.

INCLUDES:

2 night luxury accommodation, transport on Friday night to dinner and to the events on Saturday, interactive cooking, meals, beverages to accompany meals, tickets to the festival, a take home disk of the weekend, and aprons to cook in.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

GRAPE STOMPING AND COOKING

Join SAMP AND SOUFFLE on a fun weekend of Grape Stomping, cooking with well-known chefs and luxury accommodation at Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa.

ITINERARY:

Friday 29 February:
Check into your luxury room at Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa. A hotel that captures the essence of a luxury retreat and has unparalleled views of the spectacular Franschhoek mountains located in the splendid world famous vineyards of the Western Cape.

Dinner at one of the top 50 restaurants in the world - Reubens Restaurant

Saturday 1 March:
Breakfast will be served in the La Pavilion Restaurant, overlooking immaculate views.

We will visit a local cheese fromagerie.

During the morning you will arrive at the classic Manor House of Rickety Bridge. Named after a once rickety bridge crossing into this romantic valley, here you will pick and tread grapes and get the delightful feel of grapes between your toes. This will be followed by a cheese and wine lunch in the vineyard.

Dinner will be at Allee Bleue - a modern and trendy café. Here you will enjoy a cooking experience with well-known chef - Craig Cormack. Craig has been cooking for 20 years, working for amongst others Master Chef Sir John Tovey in the Lake Districts.

Sunday 2 March:
After breakfast we will set off for the beautiful Waterfall River Olive Farm, the overall winner of the Consol Trophy for Best Olive Oil 2006. Here the owner, Silvana Atkinson, will lead an interactive cooking lunch.

INCLUDES:

2 Night's accommodation at La Franschhoek Hotel and Spa in Franschhoek, Itinerary as above. All wine and meals as described. Professional chefs instruction.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

CHAMPAGNE GOURMET WEEKEND

Join Samp & Soufflé for the ultimate cooking and dining weekend at Rusthof Country House in celebration of the Franschhoek Nedbank Cap Classique and Champagne Festival

Rusthof Country House, a classic Cape Dutch styled home, lies in the heart of the historic French Huguenot Village of Franschhoek, the “Food & Wine” capital of South Africa. The scenery is spectacular with magnificent mountains, endless vineyards and shady oak trees that dominate this beautiful valley. Rusthof is an exclusive Country House catering to no more than 16 guests, ensuring a warm, friendly personal service in gracious and elegant surroundings.

ITINERARY:

Friday: Check-in at Rusthof Country House. • Six-course dinner at The Tasting Room, Le Quartier Français.

Saturday: Breakfast at Rusthof Country House. • Cap Classique tasting led by the winemaker of Graham Beck Wines, held at the Franschhoek Motor Museum, L'Ormarins Private Cellar, home of classic vintages. • Visit to Hillcrest Berry Farm or Huguenot Chocolate tasting. • Sabrage display by either of the characterful Von Arnim menfolk from Cabrière Estate. Charcuterie tasting and an interactive cooking session with chef Neil Jewell of Môreson's Bread & Wine.

Sunday: Champagne brunch at Bouillabaisse with chef Camil Haas. • Spend the rest of the day at leisure at the Franschhoek Nedbank Cap Classique Champagne Festival.

INCLUDES:

2 Night's accommodation at Rusthof Country House In Franschhoek, Itinerary as above. Tickets to the festival. 'Champagne' and wine for all meals as described. Professional chefs instruction.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

THE BEST OF BOEREKOS AND AFRIKAANS WEEKEND

Steeped in rich South African tradition this weekend celebrates the best of Boerekos and Afrikaans culture in the town of Groot Marico, place of favour of the famous author Herman Charles Bosman. “There is no other place I know that is so heavy with atmosphere, so strangely and darkly impregnated with that stuff of life that bears the authentic stamp of South-Africa”. Herman Charles Bosman.

Leave Johannesburg early on Saturday morning, the days programme includes home made lemon cordial and a mampoer honey cocktail before we walk to the Herman Charles Bosman "terrain" for a lunch of roosterkoek, boerewors, old fashioned moer koffee and honeybush tea. Afterwards there will be Bosman readings in the reconstructed, authentic, old Transvaal Education Authority mud brick school house, followed by a visit to Maruntwane Mampoer Still for a demonstration and tasting. Mampoer is a strong spirit distilled from fruit - both cultivated and wild - that is grown in the area. This highly rated distiller is one of the characters of the area and delights in telling long tales and reciting poetry about mampoer making.

Saturday evening would be the traditional art of potjiekos making under the guidance of an experienced chef.

Sunday morning Florrie Ann at Bobbejaankrans will provide a traditional Bushveld breakfast in their old museum farmhouse before a seasonal fruit preserve workshop with Jeanne at the next door Myersveld Farm. The workshop will be held outside under her shady trees and the fruit will be plucked from the trees in her garden. Afterwards there will be a sumptuous outdoor lunch.

Once lunch is over we will drive back home.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

THINK GOURMET WEEKEND

Think gourmet food, a huge selection of Route 62’s finest wines and undisturbed relaxation at Mardouw 5 Star Country House in the heart of the wine lands near Swellendam. Envisage procuring your own finest farm fresh ingredients before enjoying a gastronomical awakening self prepared under the supervision of South Africa’s most celebrated chefs.

The 24th Robertson Food & Wine Festival promises to be a celebrated affair. Held every October on adjoining venues between Bonnievale and Robertson and boasting the longest wine route in the world, this event hosts more than 40 local wine farms showcasing 300 wines, as well as tutored chocolate, cheese, olive oil and coffee tastings.

Frazzled from your city life, Friday night is a leisurely unwind as you check into Mardouw Country House, situated on the R 60 between Aston and Swellendam. Enjoy pre dinner tapas on the verandah in the warm light of the setting sun on the Langeberg Mountains. The weekend’s agenda will be discussed where after dinner is a leisurely affair as resident chef Karen Smit takes you on a discovery of new delights.

Following a fresh procurement excursion, most of Saturday will be spent at the Robertson wine festival.

Saturday night’s dinner will be an exciting culinary discovery for everyone, as we all gather to cook the meal. Not only will the food be unusual in the inimitable style of the Chefs Bertus Basson & Craig Cormack, but the entire meal from starters to dessert will be expertly paired with local wines.

After pulling yourself out of the comfortable beds on Sunday morning, assemble your luggage for check out. We will all then venture to the boma where a leisurely ‘braai brunch’ will be served, nestled against the mountain.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

FICKSBURG FESTIVAL . . . AN ORGY OF CHERRY PICKING AND EATING

One of South Africa's most well known festivals occurs every November in the small Eastern Free State town of Ficksburg. For most of the year, this beautiful farming area on the border of Lesotho goes about its normal small town life. Then in one hectic week in November, the whole world seemingly descends on it for an orgy of cherry picking and eating. Culminating at the end of the asparagus season, one week before the festival, Samp & Soufflé is going to sneak in to enable us to get the ‘pick of the crop’.

The weekend will include accommodation and a tour around a Cherry farm where we will be able to pick, eat and buy the freshest, plumpest cherries (including rare yellow cherries).

Your first evening will be a home cooked dinner of asparagus and other local produce as you learn more about this delicate vegetable and about the pitfalls of incorrect pairing of wine and asparagus.

The following day will include a guided tour of the cherry orchards where you can pick and taste, followed by a picnic lunch. Then we will visit a nearby farm for a tour of the asparagus fields where you will be able to dig up your own asparagus spears. Of course, you can also buy freshly picked asparagus which you can cook that night or take home with you.

Other activities will be tastings of cherry liqueurs, jams and other cherry products. The hostess of the cherry farm on which we are staying will present a workshop on preserving cherries and your host and tour guide, Tim Truluck will show you how to make a South African version of Rick Stein's cherry pithivier and the classic French clafoutis - both wonderful cherry desserts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

TRADITIONAL FOOD AND THE HAUTE CUISINE OF CAPE TOWN

Explore the diversity of South African culture from grass roots to haute cuisine in the hub of the city of Cape Town. In the true sense of the name Samp & Soufflé, day 1 is a cooking exploration of traditional food and day 2 the haute cuisine of modern Cape cooking & dining, demonstrated by some of Cape Towns finest chefs.

Descendants of original slaves, as well as free citizens, the Malay community has a rich heritage and a unique cuisine. Rich curries and stews are flavoured with aromatic spices, and there is a tradition of blending meats with sweet accompaniments. Most famous of the Malay dishes is bobotie, a mild baked curry of minced Iamb with dried fruit, topped with an egg custard, which has been designated the South African national dish. This tour will take in thecolourful “Bo Kaap” area, home to a thriving and vibrant Malay community, with a visit to the District Six museum nearby. Your hostess will teach you about blending spices in traditional dishes before you meet at the chef’s kitchen.

With two oceans and the inland fresh water to choose from, one of the greatest treats in the country is the extraordinary range of fish available. As well as oysters, mussels, limpets, crayfish and perlemoen (abalone), there are superb white fish such as kingklip, yellowtail, snoek, and kabeljou. Enjoy learning methods of preparing and cooking fish dishes, always with a South African angle. You may like to enjoy a morning in Kalk Bay, a traditional fishing village and alive with colourful local characters as well as an eclectic range of little shops on the road overlooking the harbour. Enjoy an historical walking tour in the village, and meet the fishing boats as they come in with their catch. Depending on the season, you meal may end in a warm Bouillabaisse or grilled fresh seafood outside on a summers night.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

THE LEGENDARY FRANSCHHOEK CHEESE FESTIVAL

A five star cooking and culinary experience at the time of the legendary Franschhoek Cheese Festival, in luxurious accommodation and much more . . .

Welcome to Franschhoek, Valley of the Huguenots, one of the premier destinations in the World of Wine.

Not surprising when one considers that this fertile ground is where the French first made wine in South Africa 300 years ago. In the valley are thirty wine farms, including some of South Africa's most respected names, who produce many of South Africa's top wines. All the noble cultivars and classic styles are on show here. From superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc to the rich reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Not to mention the valley's renowned methode Cap Classique Sparkling wines and Ports. But Franschhoek finer tastes don't end with wine. The picturesque valley also offers some of South Africa's most acclaimed restaurants and with everything from delicious Cape country fare to sublime French cuisine; it's not surprising that the area is known as the "Wine and Food Capital of the Cape".

The now legendary SA Cheese Festival takes place on the picturesque Bien Donné farm between Paarl and Franschhoek. There to tempt you will be an abundance of boutique and renowned cheeses from known and new cheese makers across the country, with the added bonus of authentic French cheeses specially imported for the festival. Come and share the bounty of nature in the heart of the beautiful Boland countryside. Taste away on your favourite cheeses and enjoy the various wines, olives, freshly baked bread and other delicacies on offer.

Join one of our very special and exclusive cooking experiences combined with a luxury weekend getaway at a prestigious Franschhoek guest house. In addition to the cheese festival you will cook on a famous wine estate with one of the Capes notable chefs and spend a weekend sampling culinary delights.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

Cheryl Adamson

Your host, Cheryl Adamson, has almost two decades of experience in advertising, marketing and publicity, ranging from large agencies and big brands to managing the launch of small and medium size companies and products.

She has always had a special interest in the advertising and marketing of food, since the days of a young art director and also found herself involved in the area of photographic food styling. For about 2 years she directed food styling for the Habitat Magazine, encompassing the development of an individual photographic and visual style for a range of Habitat clients, following which all the food for the shoots had to be styled, cooked, presented and art directed.

Over the past decade she has been involved in the design and packaging of various food products and related brands. On a personal level she is an avid cook, so what better way to put all these skills together than in the business of culinary travel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
zhana@sampsouffle.com or cheryl@sampsouffle.com

South Africa

From the very beginnings South Africa had hunter gatherers living off the land. They took advantage of the sea teeming with fresh fish, crayfish, mussels and oysters; they hunted venison from the herds of springbok, warthog, and other game, and the vegetables and fruit grew in great abundance. Jan van Riebeeck was sent by the Dutch East India Company to establish a refreshment station for their ships bound to and from the spice route. He established a vegetable garden for the ships passing by, and the community in turn was influenced by the spices traded from far away. The people too came from many different countries and this eclectic mix has resulted in the South Africa of today, enjoying a varied and exciting fusion of cultures and foods, at the tip of Africa.

The Cape

Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city, home to a wide variety of people from all over the world. Table Mountain broods over the city bowl, and is a magnet to many visitors. It is said that the mountain is strong in its healing and spiritual powers. Certainly it is beautiful and attracts many visitors. The Cape has many natural attractions, from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens representing the unique floral kingdom of the Cape (known as “fynbos”), to Boulders Beach where a colony of charming African penguins frolic in the waves, to Cape Point, the traditional tip of Africa. The winelands are close by and produce a large variety of award wining wines every year. Olives and olive oils are becoming more popular too and again are winning international accolades. The fruit regions of Elgin and Grabouw produce fruits of an international and sought after quality. Hermanus on the coast is famed for some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, between June and November, as well as being home to some of the southern most vineyards in Africa.

The Garden Route

The stretch of coast between Mossel Bay in the south and Port Elizabeth in the north, is known as the Garden Route. The area features glorious lagoons, beaches, forests and mountains, and is one of the highlights of South Africa. Knysna is famous for its lagoon, sheltered by a ring of mountains, and the wonderful oysters and mussels farmed here. Plettenberg Bay is well known due to its fabulous golden beaches. Ocean safaris are popular, with the rich marine life (birds, dolphins, seals and whales in season) a great attraction. Inland is Oudtshoorn, home to the ostrich industry and many ostrich farms. This large bird was once popular for its feathers and now is growing in stature due to the healthy red meat it provides.

Malaria-free game reserves near Port Elizabeth are growing in size and popularity and make an excellent start or end to one’s Garden Route tour.

Kwa-Zulu Natal

The kingdom of the Zulu offers a warm welcome – from Durban, on the warm Indian Ocean, offering sparkling sea and golden beaches, to the game reserves inland, teeming with game and excellent birdlife, to the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains which form the backbone of this diverse province. Durban has a rich cultural influence from India, and some of the best Indian restaurants are to be found in this vibrant city. The Victoria Spice market is well worth a visit. This region is also home to the proud Zulu nation, and battlefield sites abound. Staying at a battlefields lodge and listening to the stories of bloody battles fought, can leave you with a great sense of history. Rock art has been discovered in many of the caves in the Drakensberg, and gentle hikes to see these spiritual paintings are very rewarding. It is possible to explore the mountains and foothills on horseback. The game reserves offer excellent accommodation, delicious cuisine and exhilarating game viewing.

Johannesburg

The economic power house of the country, Johannesburg is often seen purely as a gateway to the game reserves or onwards to other parts of Southern Africa. However it is also a vital part of our history, with the “township” of Soweto having been central to the anti-apartheid movement, as well as home to many of its heroes. Johannesburg was built on the foundation of the gold industry and at its start was a thrilling place – as gold and diamonds were discovered, fortunes were made and the city boomed. It still has a pulse faster than the rest of the country and is an electric place to visit.

Game Reserves

No visit to South Africa is complete without a few days viewing game – after spotting lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino as well as a multitude of smaller game, enjoying a crisp glass of wine or gin and tonic as the sun sets over the African bush, then setting off again with spotlights to see the nocturnal leopard or elusive porcupine.

In Mpumalanga there are a number of exclusive private game reserves adjacent to the world renowned Kruger National Park, where exciting game viewing is a huge attraction. Kwa Zulu Natal is also well known for its game viewing, and close by is the St Lucia Wetlands area where hippo, crocodile and excellent birdlife is also to be found. In the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth there is also a growing number of reserves which are malaria free.