With a charming setting in a 19th-century house near Company’s Gardens (founded by the Dutch East India Company to supply its passing ships with produce), this is one of the most reliable and refined restaurants in Cape Town. Try dishes such as teriyaki-style wildebeest with oyster mushrooms and apple-sesame seed compote, and duck breast with pumpkin seed couscous.
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Traveling the World in Search
of Truly Enchanting Places
Africa
Overview
From Andrew Harper
Few people return from an African safari entirely unchanged: The experience is too intense and indelible. To witness the Serengeti’s epic wildebeest migration, or to watch a leopard stalking its prey at dusk in Botswana’s majestic Okavango Delta, is to be reconnected viscerally to the primal currents of life on earth.
For a first-time safari, we recommend the extraordinary game-viewing in Sabi Sand, a private reserve adjoining South Africa’s Kruger National Park. There, you will find many of the continent’s most stylish and sumptuous lodges, which magically combine 21st-century luxury with a timeless experience of the wild. On a second visit, there is an urge to venture farther afield. These days, surrounding countries have joined the luxury travel revolution. In particular, neighboring Namibia now offers a number of stylish and comfortable properties in surroundings of astounding natural splendor.
Hotels
All recommended hotels in Africa
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Zulu Camp at Shambala Private Game ReserveEight atmospheric thatched cottages overlook the Sterkstroom River on the 30,000-acre Shambala Private Game Reserve, a three-hour drive or a 45-minute helicopter flight directly north of Johannesburg. |
Fairlawns
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Sanctuary Puku Ridge CampNamed after the Puku antelope, which grazes on the floodplains below it, this intimate and elegant camp (opened in 2003) is set on a hillside in a remote part of South Luangwa National Park, an area renowned for leopard, large elephant herds and prolific birdlife. |
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Shumba CampDespite being in the middle of a pristine wilderness, Shumba provides an exceptionally civilized and memorable safari experience. |
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Tena Tena CampDespite its remote setting, Tena Tena is extremely civilized. For the more adventurous traveler, the camp offers an unforgettable safari experience. |
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Royal LivingstoneResort lodge set along the forested banks of the Zambezi River, within sight of Victoria Falls. |
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Sanctuary Sussi & ChumaTwelve thatched tree houses overlooking a majestic 90-degree bend in the Zambezi, eight miles upstream from Victoria Falls in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. |
Villas
All recommended villas in Africa
Alfajiri VillasWidely considered to be the finest villas on the East African Coast, this collection of three villas—Cliff Villa, Garden Villa and Beach Villa (each accommodating 8)—overlooking the Indian Ocean offer the utmost in privacy and stunning views. African styling blends with high roofs, ivory floors, wooden beams, locally made furniture, and impressive collections of African and Far Eastern artifacts. The gardens are meticulously cared for, and large verandas with hand-carved sofas grace the front of each villa, overlooking the picturesque swimming pool and the sea. Fresh seafood is brought in daily from the beach, fruit and vegetables are sourced from local farms, and other fine food and wine from around the world are provided as well. Championship golf is located nearby, and other activities include snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, safaris and excursions to nearby attractions. |
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Cliff VillaOverlooking the Indian Ocean, 30,000 square foot Cliff Villa’s elevated position ensures privacy and stunning views on Diani Beach, considered the best in Kenya. Diani Beach |
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Garden VillaOverlooking the Indian Ocean and Diani Beach, considered one of the best in Kenya, 40,000 square foot Garden Villa is a true oasis. Diani Beach |
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The Sanctuary at Ol LentilleFour lavish, fully staffed and individually styled houses built along the summit of a ridge offer commanding views across a landscape wooded with acacias and African olives, and crisscrossed by dry riverbeds. Laikipia Plateau |
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Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate - The Owners CottageDiscreetly luxurious and superbly staffed Cape Dutch villa flanked by lovely gardens and vineyards on the 65-acre Grande Provence estate near Franschhoek. Franschhoek |
Dining
All recommended restaurants in Africa
Aubergine
39 Barnet Street
Cape Town
8001
South Africa
US$70
Bukhara
Come to this very popular restaurant downtown for outstanding Indian food, excellent service and a courtly welcome from owner Sabi Sabharwal. The tandoori seafood dishes are delicious.
33 Church Street
Cape Town
8001
South Africa
US$50
Caveau
This is a wonderful spot for lunch downtown, thanks to its seasonal contemporary Capetonian cuisine. The menu changes daily, but runs to dishes such as grilled sardines with potato croquettes and spicy tomato sauce, and a delicious raisin-flecked bread-and-butter pudding. It is accompanied by a superb selection of top-notch South African wines by the glass.
92 Bree Street
Cape Town
8000
South Africa
US$35
La Colombe
Of the three superb restaurants at the beautiful Constantia Uitsig winery 20 minutes outside of Cape Town, the one we like best is this pretty blue-and-yellow dining room overlooking a courtyard. The cuisine tends to Asian-inflected Mediterranean-style dishes by new chef Scot Kirton. His menus follow the season, but run to dishes such as scallops and pork belly in Black Forest ham velouté and springbok with spinach, foie gras, figs and potatoes in truffle jus.
Uitsig Farm, Spaanschemat River Road
Cape Town
South Africa
US$130
Salt
This mecca for seafood lovers has a spectacular setting above a boulder-lined shore. Begin with one of the signature starters, maybe snoek (a local fish) and potato samosas, or mussels steamed with fennel and saffron, and then try the delicious Cape Malay-style lobster curry, or the superb risotto with shrimp, chorizo sausage, peas and saffron.
Ambassador Hotel
34 Victoria Road
Bantry Bay
South Africa
US$60
The Test Kitchen
Luke Dale-Roberts spent four years as the much-heralded executive chef of La Colombe. In November 2010, he opened a 30-seat restaurant located in The Old Biscuit Mill, home to an eclectic range of markets, designer stores, studios and galleries. Diners can choose between a formal à la carte dining experience and an informal menu served at a bar facing the open kitchen. Representative dishes might include a starter such as foie gras, Jerusalem artichoke and lemon chicken tree with rosemary streusel and leaves, while a main course could be pan-seared lamb fillets with beetroot and jagermeister jus, braised fennel, sweetbreads and macadamia and cauliflower stuffing.
375 Albert Road
Woodstock
South Africa
US$60
Special Offers
Special Offers
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Azura - Complimentary NightsWe know from our guests that four nights at Azura is never enough; many say they just don’t want to leave! To help you stay longer, when you confirm a stay in a Beach Villa, Luxury Beach Villa or Infinity Beach Villa for five nights you will receive one complimentary night. Or confirm a stay of 10 nights or longer and receive two complimentary nights. If you choose the Amizade Villa or Presidential Villa for a 10-night stay, you will pay for only eight nights. |
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Mateya Safari Lodge - Safari Photography Mini-WorkshopEnhance the memories you capture while on safari with a photography mini-workshop offered during your confirmed safari. This workshop will be conducted by a guide who is a professional published photographer. |
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One&Only Cape Town - Stay Four, Pay Three |
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Palais Amani - Food Lovers’ FollyConfirm this package and receive a three-night stay for two in a Classic Room, VIP welcome, upgrade when available on arrival, a full-day Produce to Plate workshop which includes a market tour and cooking demonstration, guided tour of the medina to discover the monuments and cultural history, baking workshop on traditional Moroccan pastries; traditional hammam for two, and Grande Finale six-course gastronomic dinner. Starting package price is 750 EUR per person based on double occupancy. |
Itineraries
Family Reunion Kenya and Tanzania
On this action-packed family adventure, many activities keep young travelers engaged with the local culture. Planned with children in mind, activities are fund and educational, meals offer exotic local dishes or more familiar choices.
Southern Africa Itinerary
Follow in Andrew Harper’s footsteps with this unforgettable safari in Southern Africa, including unspoiled savanna, desert and wetland ecosystems.
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Mnemba Island just off the coast of Zanzibar is an ideal way to relax after safari camps in Kenya and Tanzania. There are just 10 bungalows set back off the beach,and each one has its own staff member to cater to your needs. Sundowners are setup each night at sundown on the beach in front of your bungalow to experience the magnificent sunsets. All meals are also on the beach. Scuba and snorkeling are also wonderful.
Hello....do any safari camps allow kids as young as 5 yrs to stay with them...just not let them go on safari?
If not, I would then like to take my 10 & 12 yr olds on safari. Something authentic, but not a tented camp!
Do you have two or three camp recommendations I could compare?
I am interested in doing a small celebration for my daughter. If you have other suggestions regarding itinerary...something visually interesting and exciting for kids I would love to hear your ideas.
Many thanks.
Dear Travel Office,
Many thanks for your response. I will lok into your suggestions right away!
Dear Nellie,
There are indeed certain safari camps Mr. Harper recommends which allow children. If you are planning on visiting Victoria Falls, consider staying also in South Luangwa National Park at the Safari Houses of Zambia. This set of five luxurious homes would be ideal; Robin's House, for example, has no age restrictions.
For additional information about doing a safari with children and for assistance with travel arrangements, please do feel free to contact the Travel Office at (800) 375-4685, (630) 734-4610 or reservations@andrewharper.com.
Best Regards,
The Travel Office
How many days would you recommend to see Victoria Falls, then combine with a short safari afterwards (3 or 4 days)? I would be with my children (12, 10 & 5 yrs)
Thank you.
I would say that one day is enough to see the Falls if you're on a tight schedule or budget. However, I agree that two days are better, so that you can return and see the falls from several perspectives and also spend some time on the river and maybe even a short trip to town and the small museum.
I recommend staying at the Royal Livingstone Hotel (Zambia side) which is inside the national park and offers very easy access to the falls and the Zambezi river (it overlooks the river). This hotel is a bit "Disneyland" in that it emulates an old colonial atmosphere despite being just a few years old, but it's very comfortable and the location truly can't be beat.
Travel Office,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I shall pursue these ideas.