Saying “I do” under the African sun is a Lifetime Experience

Africa as a magical wedding destination has more to offer than any other destination in the world, it simply has it all: great weather, unparalleled beauty, mysticism and originality. Whether you are looking at the wine estates and beaches of South Africa, the remote and exotic game reserves of Kenya or maybe Botswana, the wild beauty of the Mozambique archipelagos, there are plenty of wedding spots in East and Southern Africa to choose from.

If you are like most couples, your wedding is the ultimate celebration and start to your future life together. You expect it to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. For this reason it is important not to settle for anything less than your dream wedding, starting with your ideal location. There are few occasions in life as momentous as getting married, and there are few celebrations that hold as much meaning as weddings. We will help you to make your dream wedding a relatively stress-free experience and will guide you in selecting a beautiful and memorable location.

The best months for weddings in Africa are September through November (spring) and December through March (summer), when the continent experiences a burst of flowers in bloom, an abundance of wildlife, warm nights and breezy beaches. Here is an idea of some great places to say I do the African way:

Zanzibar Island

With powdery white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters, Zanzibar is a magical Indian Ocean retreat infused with African and Arabian sentiments and great honeymoon options. Off the North Coast lies Mnemba Island: one of the most exclusive destinations in Africa – voted among the top three romantic beach locations in the world by Condé Nast.

Masai Mara

If you are looking for a romantic safari location, the Masai Mara is one of the best places to have your wedding. Known as the theatre of the “Greatest Animal Show on Earth,” the Masai Mara is the most famous wildlife conservation areas in Kenya. Kenya offers open savannah plains, abundance of wildlife, breathtaking balloon rides and luxury lodges where traditional Masai warriors will escort you to the altar.

Victoria Falls

Located on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is over a mile wide and has been acclaimed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls is nearly twice the size of Niagara Falls, with peaceful lagoons and islands filled with wildlife. As for honeymoons, hotels surrounding the Victoria Falls have it all and offer, among other adventures, Sunset River cruises, guided game drives and microlight flights over the Falls.

Namibia

Namibia is a country where the sun shines 300 days of the year. Along the Atlantic coast stretches the 80-million-year-old Namib Desert. Couples looking for adventure can river raft, canoe and horse ride through the country. This South-West African nation’s most famous location is the Etosha National Park in the Northern part of the country. The park is home to elephants, zebras, cheetahs, rhino, lions, and more. At one of the Park’s several wedding venues, couples can tie the knot while a striking savannah sunset emerges as a memorable backdrop.

South African Western Cape

The Western Cape offers much to those wanting a magical wedding (followed by an adventure-filled or restful honeymoon, whichever you fancy). The diverse beauty of the province means that there are numerous choices: the West Coast, the Garden Route, the Overberg, the Winelands and the City of Cape Town.

For memorable weddings in the Western Cape, popular choices include venues in the vineyards of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl or further afield in the Cape Peninsula. There are dozens of wine farms to choose from and each has its own unique character, from stately Cape Dutch mansions, like Groot Constantia, with its landscaped gardens and rich history, to smaller boutique wine farms with atmospheric cellars.

Advantages of a Destination Wedding:

• Destination weddings tend to be significantly smaller than weddings at home. In most cases, because of the smaller guest list and the more casual atmosphere, destination weddings are surprisingly affordable.
• An African wedding allows for creativity reflecting the tastes and styles of you and your fiancée. You can have a religious ceremony and traditional wedding if you want, or do something different and make it completely your own. Even if your tastes are traditional, a wedding under the African sun will be unlike any other wedding.
• Imagine having close friends and family from each stage of your life in one magical place for the purpose of celebrating you and your love. Coming from around the globe, your wedding will not only be a vacation for many, but also a reunion.
• Destination weddings tend to be smaller, more intimate events. They also tend to last a few days, giving you and your intended plenty of opportunity to spend time with your guests. Although not all of your invited guests will be able to travel due to scheduling and budgetary concerns, those who can attend interact more with each other and their hosts than at a traditional wedding.
• Whether it is deciding on gift bags or coordinating guest outings, grooms seem to be more involved in destination wedding planning. Specifically, grooms enjoy organizing the smaller events such as day outings and happy hour mixers.
• The honeymoon starts as soon as you are pronounced husband and wife. Because you have already arrived at your honeymoon destination, you can consider the transportation expenses associated with honeymoon travel already paid.
• Imagine the photo album, straight out of a magazine, that you and your intended will enjoy forever.

There is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done

 

Opening a child’s eyes to the wonders of Africa is one of the most rewarding things a parent can do. Lion cubs frolicking around their mother, baby elephants rolling in mud, tiny meerkats bobbing in and out of burrows… Africa is full of safari scenes that children have come to know and love, but mainly from afar and from films and documentaries.

Many lodges and hotels throughout East and Southern Africa offer activities and accommodation especially designed for children. Exploring the wildlife regions of Namibia, Zambia and Botswana will find the small bugs and birds encountered on child-friendly walks just as fascinating as the Big Five seen on game drives adapted for shorter attention spans. Ocean life captivates children too, from dolphins off the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar to whales off the coast of South Africa.

When planning a family vacation, look to Africa for inspiration, give it a thought; we would love to help you organize an unforgettable African journey that neither you nor your kids will forget. Some ideas on where to go:

Cape Town

Cape Town and its surroundings will delight your children. There is so much to do that should we decide to go on and describe it, it would take pages upon pages filled with possibilities. We mean it: just taking a look at this short list will leave you breathless:

• Table Mountain National Park: with mountain walks and trails, forests, a revolving cable car that takes you to the top for incredible 360 degree views of Cape Town
• Seals sunning themselves at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Inside the Waterfront is the Two Oceans Aquarium (ragged-tooth sharks included)
• Robben Island for a slice of Nelson Mandela´s life
• Boulders Beach: home to around 3,000 African penguins
• Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve: home to Chacma baboons, elands, ostriches, zebras among others
• The Cheetah Outreach Centre – near Stellenbosch.

Sporty, stylish, stunning, sociable… The Mother City is unlike any other destination in Africa: Separated from the rest of the continent by a ring of mountains, Cape Town stands as a glittering metropolis juxtaposed with one of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. The real question here is: What can’t you do in Cape Town?

Masai Mara & Serengeti

There is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done. For any child who loves animals, any youngster who is fascinated by Animal Planet or thrilled by The Lion King, Africa is the one destination that fulfills their wildest dreams.

For many grown-ups too, safaris, savannahs, mountains and jungles are the stuff of tall tales and legendary adventures. Taking your kids on safari will instill in them a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature and teach them to love, respect and care for our environment.

• We can organize for your kids: dynamic educational safari programs in the company of some of the continent’s most highly trained and acclaimed children’s guides.
• To be amazed by the most spectacular natural phenomenon that your kids could ever witness, try to plan your visit around The Great Migration – we will tell you when and where to find the herd.
• Your sleep is bound to be disturbed by the occasional lion roaring. But remember that it probably sounds closer than it is. A lion’s roar can reach 115 decibels and can travel as far as 5km.

 

Some of the most inspiring spots on the planet.

From the most Breathtaking Desert to the most Captivating Ocean.

 

The Great Migration – Kenya & Tanzania

Table Mountain – South Africa

Sossusvlei Dunes – Namibia

Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Victoria Falls – Zambia & Zimbabwe

Spitzkoppe – Namibia

Boulders Beach – South Africa

Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana

Mount Mulanje – Malawi

Balloon Safari – Serengeti

The Southern Cross – Zambia

The Winelands – South Africa

Bazaruto Archipelago – Mozambique

Maluti Mountains – Lesotho

The type of clothing to take on your safari holiday will depend on the time of year and what type of safari you are going on.

Nevertheless, there are some essential tips that are universal. Regardless of when you are traveling, plan on wearing casual, comfortable clothes during your safari. For the summer months, pack shorts, swimsuits and lightweight, neutral-colored tops and pants made from khaki or cotton. A few clothing items that should always be included are T-shirts, worn alone in the summer or as a layer in the winter, and long sleeve shirts, to provide sun protection as well as warmth. The best way to get close to the wildlife is to blend in with your surroundings as much as possible by going neutral.

• Wear greens, browns and khakis so as to not attract unnecessary attention.
• Lightweight, breathable fabrics minimize noise when walking.
• Layers are a great way to pack light, but stay warm. Temperatures can be cool on morning game drives, hot in the afternoon and cold at night. Layers allow you to remove clothing to make yourself comfortable as temperatures fluctuate.
• Airy, long-sleeved shirts with a collar will keep the sun off your arms and neck.
• Cargo trousers are perfect with plenty of pockets to store your camera, sunscreen and binoculars.
• A light jacket or fleece is great for an extra layer of warmth in case you need it. Fleece is great because it dries quickly too.
• Comfortable trainers are suitable for most safaris, even walking safaris. You can expect to climb in and out of the safari vehicle frequently to do some light walking around the bush.
• Hats are a fantastic way to protect your head and face from the sun in an open-top safari vehicle and they have the added benefit of reducing glare for better game viewing.
• Sunglasses should be worn to block out harmful rays (polarized glasses will cut through the glare to make sure you don’t miss a thing)
• Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit if your lodge has a pool.
• For your evening meal, light colors are recommended so as to not attract mosquitoes. Linen trousers are the perfect way to look smart, stay cool, and prevent mosquito bites.

Tips

• Bush Trekking: bring hard rubber soles. Wear your shoes in for at least a month before you go on safari so you know they’re comfortable. Treat blisters the right way.

• Bring dental floss: as an extremely strong thread, dental floss comes in handy for stitching on buttons, repairing a daypack or even mending shoes. The floss box is great for storing the needle and you can always use it on your teeth.

• Rethink your wardrobe: your clothes can help you remain unseen, and in doing so increase the chance of viewing animals’ natural behaviour. White is the worst colour to wear when you’re in the bush, clothing colours should be chosen based on landscape and vegetation.

• For savanna, bushveld and forest areas like many parts of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique and northern and eastern South Africa, wear darker green.

• If you’re heading to drier areas like the Kalahari desert or Botswana, Namibia and Western South Africa, then brown or khaki is more suitable.

What not to wear

• Don’t bring bright-colour clothing or busy patterns, this will draw attention to you and scare off the wildlife.
• Avoid camouflage clothing as some African countries reserve this pattern for military personnel only.
• Dark colours attract flies (they have a painful bite!), so stay away from dark blue or black clothing.
• White clothing will quickly show dirt and dust, so try to go neutral instead.
• Formal wear is not necessary as most lodges and camps have a relaxed dress code. Bring a smart, clean outfit to wear to dinner, but there is no need to go too formal.

There are so many aspects to ensure that you can get the most out of your safari, whether your interest lies in culture, safari & game watching or photography, we are your destination experts and cater personally for your travel needs.

 

Our multi-lingual guides are highly educated to ensure you get the most value out of your trip. This can be for groups, individuals or families. Let us take care of all of the little details throughout your trip, allowing you to enjoy your precious days in Africa’s wilderness. Consider the possibilities:

• Your private guide will be joining you on your entire journey, even from your home country.
• You simply hand over responsibilities to your guide, along with your cases, settle back and that’s it. Trust us, it is enormously liberating to have all of the technicalities organized. Undertaking them yourself would have meant head-banging hours of preparation, especially for exotic and complex destinations like Africa.
• We will take you to places that you´d probably never find alone.
• Our guides can be as hands-on (or hands-off) as you like. We will work in accordance with your preferences and tastes, thereby enabling you to have a more unique travel experience.
• Saving time: we will do all of the planning for your trip, including making reservations and travel arrangements. This leaves you with more time to enjoy your vacation.

 

When in destination we offer unparalleled flexibility: found something really interesting along the way? Not to worry, your private guide can alter the tour to include other similar sights. You can also ask in advance to have the tour focus on a particular aspect or culture you’d like to learn more about.

The options are endless…

Go on and contact us, we will be glad to assist.

Africa has a remarkable number of golf courses. For the golf enthusiast, a country like South Africa is a wonderful destination and that’s an understatement.

South Africa boasts an ideal climate for spending time out on the fairways under the bright African sun, and golfers here are blessed for choice. As a golf destination South Africa is still a relatively well-kept secret, making it a fantastic place for the golf holiday of a lifetime. Blessed with incredible landscapes and a wonderful climate, the golf in South Africa is out of this world, with Championship venues like Fancourt, Arabella and Stellenbosch all outstanding. Whether you choose Cape Town, Sun City or the famed Garden Route, a golf break in South Africa will never disappoint.

There are also plenty of options around East and Southern Africa: World class golf courses each in their own unique setting, from fairways in the bush where zebra roam freely, to the greens of the coast where welcoming breezes blow off the ocean. Should you have a free morning while visiting one of the following countries, we encourage you to take the clubs and embrace the experience…. Sneak peek:

Windhoek Golf & Country Club – Namibia

Namibia may not be top of mind for golf in Africa, but this southern African nation has 15 courses and “Golf Digest” recently voted the 18 holes at Windhoek Golf & Country Club the best of them.

Laid out on 72 hectares of natural Namibian bushveld and vegetation on the outskirts of the capital city, Windhoek, measures 6,675 yards, par 71 with lush fairways that wind their way through the trees. In addition to the trees, rough wetlands come into play on three holes and plenty of deep bunkers surround most greens. Well worth a visit for golfers who find themselves in Namibia.

Fancourt Links, George, South Africa

One of three great courses at what is Africa’s premier golf resort, the Fancourt Links course was voted number one in South Africa by “Golf Digest”, while Fancourt’s other two courses, the Montagu and the Outeniqua, made the Top 20 in the “Golf Digest” list of the best courses in South Africa. All three were designed by Gary Player.

Measuring 6,919 yards, par 72 from the club tees, the Links course can be stretched to 7,535 yards from the very back tees to accommodate the world’s best players, which it’s done on several occasions. In 2003 it hosted the Presidents Cup, which ended in a historic tie after a dramatic playoff between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. Other major championships held here included the 2005 Women’s World Cup of Golf, the 2006 South African Open and the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions tournament on the European Tour.

Gary Player Golf Course, Sun City – South Africa

One of two courses designed by Gary Player at Sun City, the Gary Player Country Club (GPCC) course is the better of the two. It’s staging the Nedbank Golf Challenge every December for the last 32 years since its inception in 1981 as The Million Dollar Challenge, a 12-golfer invitational event.

This prestigious tournament has featured Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Lee Westwood, Jack Nicklaus, Player and Seve Ballesteros, so when you play a round here you’re following some famous golf shoes.

The top guys play the course from a staggering 8,000 yards, par 72, though mere mortals can play from a variety of other tees at between 5,881-6,535 yards. It’s definitely worth playing, with Augusta-fast putting surfaces, frequent elevation changes, five water hazards and plenty of large and small bunkers to test every part of your game. Its kikuyu fairways and bent-grass greens provide perfect playing surfaces.

Leopard Rock Golf Resort, Mutare – Zimbabwe

One of 30 courses in Zimbabwe, this 1993 Peter Matkovich design is regularly voted number one in the country by “Golf Digest.” Measuring 6,724 yards, par 72 Leopard Rock is located in lush subtropical surroundings about 180 miles southeast of the Zimbabwean capital Harare and has superb bent grass USGA-standard greens. All over the course wild orchids, tree ferns and other flora species indigenous to the area thrive, while the bush teems with bird life.

Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club – Kenya

Considered by some to be Kenya’s very best course and designed to championship levels, 18 holes with five-star accommodation overlooking the golf course, visitors cannot go wrong. The course boasts lush, springy fairways and fast, true greens, threading its way through coffee farms and indigenous forests with high and low terrain, including attractive water hazards in the form of lakes and dams.

Nyali Golf & Country Club – Kenya

Nyali is conveniently situated within the posh residential area of Nyali. It is close to the North Coast Hotels and located 8 km from the center of Mombasa Island along the Links Road and derives its name from the location of the course. It has a real Championship layout with impeccable greens and a testing short rough.