Image taken by the Traigers

Recently returned from a trip to Africa, Dr. Dean Traiger and Tami Traiger share their photographs and experiences below:

What was your greatest interest/challenge/obstacle that brought you to Africa?

Our passion is to travel and to visit exotic places. Our biggest obstacle was figuring out the logistics (What? Where? When? How?), and that is where Hills of Africa’s expertise really shined!

Image taken by the Traigers

What was the experience while traveling and working with Hills of Africa Travel?

Working with Hills of Africa was very easy. Mark and Sandy were quickly available by email or phone whenever we had an issue or question. While in Africa we had contact numbers to call for help but thankfully we didn’t need it. That was a great anxiety reducer to know that if we had trouble we were not completely on our own.

Image taken by the Traigers

What has changed for you since your travels?

Learned more about African culture and the jewel that this continent represents and the importance of preserving it for others to experience. I want to take my children there when they are a few years older.

Image taken by the Traigers

Image taken by the Traigers

Image taken by the Traigers

Discover your inner balance together, on a couples retreat to one of Africa’s most romantic and luxurious destination spas. Whether you’re taking time to relax after a full week of exhilaration and safari adventure, or have just completed a horseback wine tasting safari in Cape Winelands, nothing is more sensual than ending your honeymoon or anniversary getaway with a holistic rejuvenation of the mind, body, and soul.

Many of the spas found throughout Africa offer services that fuse the traditional healing powers of nature with revolutionary spa treatments, allowing couples the rewarding opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying revitalizing spa treatments.

Below is our list of South Africa’s top 3 romantic and lavish spas:

Pezula Spa

With services and treatments that combine traditional natural healing elements and state-of-the-art spa technology, each experience at Pezula Spa is designed as a holistic treatment to balance the senses and revitalize the body.

From nourishing skin care treatments to therapeutic and detoxifying experiences, you and your loved can experience pure bliss together.

Some of Pezula’s signature treatments include scrubs, wraps, massages, milk baths, and hydrotherapies, that all incorporate the natural elements and essence of the Western Cape’s indigenous fynbos.

After a stimulating couple’s treatment, further your romantic experience in one of Pezula’s soothing spa amenities such as the outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, or revitalizing rainforest shower—a favorite among couples as its designed with an artistic fusion of mosaic tiles and soothing illumination.

The Saxon

With hints of contemporary décor and contrasting earth tones and textures, each and every design element of The Saxon Spa acts as an extension of treatments and therapies offered at this ultimate escape. In fact, one of The Saxon Spa’s most celebrated amenities is their outdoor Sensational Showers, which were created around two of nature’s most divergent elements, fire and water.

Offering a full array of luxury services, including massages, customized facials, and exclusive wraps, baths, and hydrotherapy treatments, it’s no wonder The Saxon Spa was voted the Best Day Spa in South Africa by Les Nouvelles Esthétiques in 2006—among many other awards and acclaims.

In addition to the incredible amenities and treatments featured at The Saxon Spa, one of their most popular and exclusive services is The Signature Sound Therapy experience. Incorporating the Zen-inducing sounds of gongs, cymbals, singing bowls and bells, and powerful color therapy, this treatment is the ultimate in holistic therapy for the mind, body, and soul.

So, whether you want to enjoy a couple’s treatment in one of The Saxon’s private outdoor gazebos or in one of their rejuvenating relaxation rooms, romance is a prominent characteristic at The Saxon Spa.

The Birkenhead House and Spa

As you and your loved one lay side-by-side on comforting, white-linen covered mats, enjoy the naturally soothing sounds of the ocean, merely a few feet away. Or, enjoy a therapeutic treatment in one of The Birkenhead Spa’s two exclusive pampering rooms, the Lavender Room and the Cinnamon Room.

Designed to restore the balance of the senses with soothing music, subtle scents of lavender, and the distant sounds of trickling water, the Lavender Room is the ultimate setting for complete rejuvenation and sensory stimulation.

Also designed to inspire complete relaxation is The Cinnamon Room, a sanctuary filled with the sweet aroma of warming cinnamon.

Some of the spa treatments that can be experienced either outdoor or in one of the Birkenhead’s soothing treatment rooms include aromatherapy, energizing wrap treatments and scrubs, hot-stone massages, reflexology, and customized facial treatments—to name a few.

Incorporating the holistic treatments of various cultures, The Birkenhead Spa’s exclusive spa services are derived from the therapeutic masters of the world. Some of these worldly services include Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage, and the Lomi-Lomi Massage (derived from Hawaii).

Image taken from http://www.equinoxspa.co.za/gallery.php#

Spa and wellness facilities are abundant in Africa’s highly acclaimed regions of romance and peace and provide the perfect way to unwind after an exciting week of safari adventure. Many lodges and hotels throughout Africa offer spa services that range from signature treatments to more traditional spa experiences such as deep tissue massage. But one feature almost all spas in Africa have in common is their unique ability to bring the essence of nature into their signature services.

Below, we have highlighted two spas that illustrate the differences between spas found in lodges and spas found in hotels. Both types of spas offer an exceptional experience for guests, transforming their body, mind, and soul into a well-balanced source of energy.

See below for a spotlight on the Tau Game Lodge and The Equinox Spa:

Image taken from http://www.taugamelodge.co.za/Spa.asp

Tau Game Lodge

Neslted in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve, a romantic and distant oasis awaits you in Tau Game Lodge’s surrounding peaceful bushveld.

Designed to incorporate Africa’s soothing energy and natural surroundings into each spa experience and treatment, Tau Game Lodge’s tranquil spa offers unique services that calm, relax, and rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. Prided on their ability to detoxify the body, revitalize the skin, and rejuvenate the senses, Tau Game Lodge’s professional masseuses invite you and your significant other to enjoy an enlightening and refreshing experience together.

With an extensive array of spa packages and specialized health and wellness services, couples can experience everything from traditional African treatments using indigenous plants to deep tissue massages, and hydrotherapy treatments to hot stone massages. No matter your preference, Tau Game Lodge’s spa staff ensures a completely revolutionary experience that will bring you back to equilibrium.

http://www.taugamelodge.co.za/Spa.asp

The Equinox Spa

Located in South Africa’s bustling cultural hub, The Equinox Spa is situated near one of Cape Town’s most renowned and spectacular sites, Signal Hill. Thanks to its premier location, the spa was able to incorporate outdoor treatment areas into its design, allowing guests to soak in the relaxing elements of the distant city life and the stunning Signal Hill.

As a modern oasis and refreshing retreat for those looking for balance and an escape from the everyday stresses of life, The Equinox Spa provides visitors with the ultimate therapeutic setting both indoors and outdoors. With spa treatments ranging from a plethora of detoxifying facials to rejuvenating body scrubs, wraps, and polishes, and modern hand and foot care treatments to revitalizing massages, The Equinox Spa’s unique services work to detoxify the body while bringing the senses back to balance.

One of The Equinox’s most popular treatments is their signature Chakra Balance Candle Massage. Designed with a holistic healing approach to the mind, body, and soul, this unique treatment uses natural soy candles to treat various parts of the body and is then followed by chakra balancing massage techniques. Guests choose the areas of the body they would like focused on, and then the Equinox candles are burnt and the oil remnants is then drizzled over the body as the oil base for the balancing massage. Nothing is more soothing.

http://www.equinoxspa.co.za/services.php

As a culturally and historically enriched region, Cape Town and its surrounding areas are prime destinations for those looking to broaden their horizons of worldly experiences and knowledge. Although the most popular tours and historic landmarks include Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and Dies Bo Kaap, every family’s itinerary differs depending on their personal preferences and needs. No two itineraries are alike.

Below is a 7-day sample itinerary that is designed to give you a better idea for what you and your family could expect on an African family vacation to the Cape Town region:

Day 1: The Mother City Tour: This tour celebrates the best of what Cape Town has to offer. After your first, peaceful night in Cape Town’s luxurious Mount Nelson Hotel, you will awake to a nourishing, traditional English breakfast in one of the hotel’s fine dining areas. After your meal, you will embark on a journey through historic Cape Town.

First, you will enjoy a tour up Table Mountain via rotating cable car, and then a tour of The Castle of Good Hope. Continuing on your exploration, you’ll visit gardens, the Green Point Light House, The Cape Town Stadium, V & A Waterfront, Die Bo Kaap, District Six, and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Once you arrive at the Gardens, you will enjoy a delightful lunch, where you can reminisce about the morning’s adventures.

Day 2: The Peninsula Tour: After a rejuvenating last night at the Mount Nelson Hotel, you will embark on your next journey to Hout Bay. Here, you will take a boat to the beautiful Seal Island where you can relax and enjoy the African ocean breeze. After a day in the sun, you will head over to your next accommodation, The Last Word Long Beach Guest House.

Once you have freshened up at the hotel, you’ll be escorted to Boulders Beach where you will visit an African penguin colony and observe the penguins in their natural environment. Cape of Good Hope will be your final destination for the day.

Day 3: Wine Tastings and Butterfly Sightings: Today, you will relish in some of the Cape’s most exceptional wines when you visit Ernie Els’ wine estate for delightful wine tastings and a cellar tour. And depending on your preference of wine (red or white), you will be escorted to another wine estate where you will enjoy additional wine tastings.

For lunch, you will be brought to the award-winning Overture restaurant where you will delight in the eclectic variety of Chef Bertus Basson and Craig Cormack’s contemporary, Mediterranean, and South African culinary fusions. And don’t forget to follow the Chefs’ wine pairing suggestions!

After a spectacular lunch, you’ll visit the Butterfly World, where you and the whole family can witness a variety of butterflies, birds, reptiles, and peculiar insects.

Day 4: Taking the Scenic Route: Today, you will begin your journey from the Long Beach Guest House to the renowned Birkenhead Villa in Hermanus. During your trip, you’ll stop at various points of interest along the way as you soak in your picturesque surroundings. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic on the way, visit the penguins at Stony Point, or browse some local shops, your trip to Hermanus will, no doubt, be a memorable one.

Once you arrive at the seaside Birkenhead House, you’ll be escorted to your villa where you can lounge by the pool or sit on your private balcony as you look for whales in Walker Bay.

Day 5: The Possibilities Are Endless: Whether your family is comprised of walkers and hikers, beach lovers, ocean enthusiasts, horse lovers, or a mix of all four, Hermanus has it all. Choose from a whale watching cruise, a hike through Hermanus’ Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a relaxing day on world-renowned Grotto Beach,  a Dyer Island cruise, deep sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach, or a rejuvenating day in the spa. Your every need and desire is met at Hermanus.

Is a African family vacation in the future for you? Let us know in our comments section.

Today, the Sans—who also continue to be called the Bushmen—are one of our only living links to ancient Africa, and continue to uphold some of their traditional hunter-gatherer ways of life dating back more than 20,000 years ago. Living throughout various countries in Africa including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and the Kalahari Desert, many of the Bushmen today have taken on modern lifestyle practices. Some grow crops, work on farms, receive water supply from manmade wells, and receive meat and food from the government.

But, there are still Bushmen today who only use traditional practices. This group consists of less than 2,000 individuals. Below are some of the traditional Bushmen practices that this small segment of Bushmen still use today:

Bushmen Hunting and Gathering Practices: Considered a social activity among the men of the Sans Tribe, hunting excursions require poisonous bows and arrows to kill prey. Used to kill large animals such as antelopes, the Bushmen use a poisonous concoction to stun and kill their prey. Some Bushmen use a mixture of poisonous beetle larvae, others use scorpion and spider essence, while others use a lethal mixture of snake venom and cactus juice. As the arrow penetrates the body, the poisonous mixture works to paralyze the victim and eventually kill it.

Because the animal does not die instantly from the shot, and often runs off after impact, the Bushmen must track the animal several hours after it is fatally wounded. The toxic concoction then works its way through the animal’s body and eventually stops its heart. The area where the arrow penetrated is the only inedible section of meat on the animal and is cut out before eating. The meat and bone marrow is shared by all of the individuals within the tribe and the hides are used for blankets and shelter.

While the men take responsibility for all of the hunting, the women do the gathering. Nearly 80% of food consumed by the San is from gathering. Most of this gathered food consists of berries, fruits, nuts, melons, and other plants. The women often gather three to four days out of the week and sometimes must travel great distances to find the food.

Water is collected by both genders and is often squeezed from plant roots or found when digging deep holes.

Finite Tracking Skills: One of the most enchanting elements of the Bushmen culture is the traditional tracking methods used for hunting. The direction of a single blade of grass, the gathering of twigs and fallen debris in a hoof print, the positioning of a hoof print, and the insects surrounding a print, are just a few observations that enable the Bushmen to track animals.

Through their tracking methods, the Bushmen can determine the sex and age of an animal, the time of day it was in a particular area, its diet, whether it’s injured or traveling with other animals, and its species, as well as the age of the track.

The age of an animal can be determined by observing the animal droppings. If the droppings are rough and not digested completely, this could determine that the animal is older. The age of a track can be determined by the debris that has fallen into it or by the residential termites that have gathered in the track to rebuild their crushed home.

Interact with the Bushmen: Many accommodations and safari tour outfitters throughout Botswana, and Namibia offer interactive bush walks with the San Tribe through the villages in which the tribes live. These local Bushmen share their extensive knowledge about survival and the secrets of the land, and also share their ancient survival skills, hunting techniques, tribal weaponry, and the laws of nature with visitors.

In addition to learning about nature, and hunting and gathering techniques directly from the Bushmen, visitors also witness the Bushmen interact in their unique language, which consists of various “click” sounds.

Whether on a bicycle, by foot, or via horseback, experiencing Cape Winelands involves much more excitement than simply enjoying a few wine tastings. On intimate tours through Cape Winelands, you will be able to visit some of the region’s most prestigious wine and olive estates, and try delicious wines, brandies, olive oils, and olives.

Below are some highlights associated with three types of wine tasting tours:

Wine tasting via bicycle:

Travel off the beaten path on a bicycle tour through the sprawling countryside of Cape Winelands and absorb the subtle aromas of budding grapes and fresh earth. As you leisurely cycle through lush vineyards and century-old wine estates, you’ll be able to see and experience as much of the world’s longest wine route as you wish.

When you take a bicycle tour through Cape Winelands, you’ll stop at various wine estates for a taste of world-renowned Cabernet, Pinot Noirs, and Shiraz. But that’s not all. When en route to these charming country estates, savor the sweet smell and vibrant sights of cultivating roses and wildflowers along the way.

For a break from cycling, enjoy a savory picnic among the Cape Dutch-inspired estates and vineyards, or enjoy a light lunch at one of the region’s renowned cafés.

Wine tasting by foot:

Walk or hike along the many winding trails of Cape Winelands’ quaint city, Franschhoek, and take in the scenic beauty and serenity of the countryside. Whether you’re looking to delight in a peaceful evening stroll or a hike to some of the region’s most fantastic vineyards, the surrounding trails are there for your pleasure and convenience.

As you walk past charming, century-old estates, stop by for a few wine tastings or olive oil tastings at your leisure and experience Cape Winelands on your time.

Some of the local villages you can visit by foot include Franschhoek’s historic French Huguenot Village, Paarl, and Stellenbosch. As you walk through these quaint cities you will observe all-encompassing, classic Cape Dutch style architecture and spectacular sight-seeing. You can also enjoy a variety of personalized one day wine tasting and olive tasting walking tours for an even deeper insight into the region’s history and cultural roots.

Wine tasting on horseback:

Connect with nature in more ways than one when you partake on a Cape Winelands horseback tour. The ultimate in romance and luxury, a horseback wine tasting tour embodies every aspect of peace and serenity with its slow-pace, natural surroundings, and personalized itinerary.

Whether you want to enjoy a multiday tour or a one-day tour, an intimate wine tasting tour through the prestigious wine vineyards of Franschhoek on horseback is an indescribable experience. Enjoy frequent stops at some of the region’s most exceptional vineyards and relax on the rolling countryside for a delectable picnic. Visiting only the vineyards you want to see, you can be certain you’ll experience the most personal, accommodating, and exceptional wine tasting tour you’ve ever had.

Which of these wine tasting tours would you love to experience? Let us know in our comments section.

Today, we focus on one of the largest ethnic groups within South Africa, the Xhosa.  Approximately 18% of the South African population speaks Xhosa and it is the second most common language in South Africa.  The language is marked by a number of tongue clicking sounds.

Once powerful settlers in southeastern South Africa, the Xhosa tribe had success through most of the mid 1600s and 1700s expanding the territory in which they lived. Their expansion was halted in the 1770s when the Xhosa and Boer tribe were in a pastoral land dispute. This was known as the first Cape Frontier War.

In the early 1800s and into the 1900s, the Cape Frontier Wars, which lasted nearly 100 years, were between the British settlers of the Cape and the local Xhosa people. As British policy forced itself upon the Xhosa people, the Xhosa culture began to slowly take on more modern characteristics.

Christian missionaries began settling into southeastern South Africa, pushing Christianity and English education upon the Xhosa. At first, the Xhosa refused to take part in any British influence, but as the Xhosa began to lose more of their political rights and as disease swept the area, the Xhosa were forced to obey British policy.

Slowly, the Xhosa people began to take on Christian faiths, British attire, and received westernized education from the missionaries. But as the Xhosa began to slip deeper into British control and lose much of their pastoral lands, they also slipped deeper into poverty. Eventually the Xhosa people were forced into migrant labor jobs in order to provide for their family.

When apartheid rule was upon South Africa, the Xhosa were forced into a designated land. But, the introduction of democracy in 1994 brought a delightful change to the Xhosa people by eliminating these designated lands. Unfortunately, the abolishment of apartheid did not yield great wealth to the Xhosa. Today, they are still poverty stricken, and working in nearby cities.

Even though the influence of British rule has forced the Xhosa tribe to accept a lifestyle that is considered more modernized, the Xhosa people have been able to keep a firm grasp on most of their ancient traditions.

The Xhosa People Today

With a population of around 7 million individuals, the Xhosa is one of South Africa’s largest tribe. Today, many of the Xhosa people can be found throughout both rural and urban areas of the Eastern Cape and much of the Republic of South Africa and are still working migrant labor jobs.

Thanks to British policy, the Xhosa people—who once solely worshiped their ancestors—now incorporate Christianity faiths into their ancestor worshiping, use mostly non-natural resources to build their homes, and wear non-traditional attire.

Some things that haven’t changed much for the Xhosa people include their exceptional beadwork, dance rituals, and the Xhosa language, a dialect derived from their ancestors, the Nguni people. The Xhosa also uphold one of their most sacred traditions, the rite of passage into manhood.  Although controversial, the Xhosa have been performing male circumcision since their beginnings, and uphold almost every traditional element that their ancestors employed, making this procedure extremely risky.

When boys pass through the rite of passage into manhood, it takes a circumcision ritual. The purpose of this ritual is to instill pain on the boys as a passage into manhood. During this ritual, boys are painted with white paint, then circumcised, and isolated from the rest of the tribe for weeks in small huts as they heal. During this rigorous initiation period, the boys cannot drink water or eat water-based foods until they are healed.

Because the Xhosa do not use modern medicine in this ritual, it is considered a highly dangerous surgery—not to mention, the surgeons are not trained doctors. The hygiene is extremely poor and many infections do arise. Sometimes, the boys even die from infection. If a boy does in fact get an infection, they must decide whether or not they wish to seek medical help. If they do receive medical aid, they will never be able to become accepted into the Xhosa tribe as a man. But the risk is necessary to become a man.

Will modernization eventually rid the Xhosa of nearly all traditional customs or will they have the power to continue to uphold their ancient rituals such as the rite of passage into manhood?

Each region of Africa is full of new and exciting cultures, adventures, and history. But some areas are better suited for you based on your specific preferences. South Africa, for example, is great for honeymooners who wish to experience city elements and some wildlife safaris, while East Africa is ideal for those who wish to do more safaris and / or take part in chimpanzee or gorilla trekking.

The great thing about planning a luxury African honeymoon is that each and every detail is high-end and completely customized based on your personal preferences. Therefore, you experience Africa exactly the way you want, when you want.

When considering a honeymoon to Africa, it’s important to be realistic about everything from your budget to your personal preferences—and don’t forget about the preferences of your husband or wife! He or she might have different vacation preferences than you, which is why it’s always important to compile individual lists and then compromise on each element of your lists.

Here are five things you need to know before booking a honeymoon to Africa:

1. Your budget: If you want a high-end, completely customized African honeymoon, your budget must be a minimum of $10,000 per person. This includes your airfare and transportation, luxury accommodations, superior services and amenities, private tours / safaris, intimate dinners, and each and every small detail that makes all the difference.

2. The time of year you wish to take your honeymoon: Depending on the time of year you want to book your honeymoon to Africa, you could have to book anywhere from six months to over a year out. If you wish to experience your honeymoon over the holidays in December, you need to plan 12 – 18 months in advance to ensure your space in Africa’s most romantic and renowned accommodations.

We advise that you book your honeymoon as soon as possible so that each of your accommodation preferences can be met.

We also suggest that you plan on visiting Africa for your honeymoon in the months between July and November, as these months yield the most beauty and wildlife. Although many countries in Africa are year-round destinations, some months do offer greater wildlife observation and weather conditions.

3. Your accommodation preferences: Africa’s accommodations range everywhere from mobile tents to lavish five-star hotels, and luxurious chalets to romantic “tree houses.”

If you’re thinking: “A mobile tent on my honeymoon? No way,” you might be surprised to discover that although these accommodations are mobile, they are spacious, intimate, and high-end. It’s also important to consider that these mobile safaris usually only last anywhere from 2 – 5 days, which means you can stay in a luxury chalet or hotel for the rest of your stay in Africa. But, if you and your spouse are not the adventurous type, a mobile safari might not be for you.

Chalets are a great medium between a five-star hotel and a mobile safari. They have a permanent location, often incorporating elements of nature in their design and boast 19^th century safari décor and romance. Most chalets have an open design which enables air and other natural surroundings to incorporate themselves within these spacious and private accommodations.

4. Your activity preferences: Do you want to visit the fluffy white beaches of Mozambique? Has one of your lifelong dreams been to view the Big Five on safari? Are you interested in experiencing the bustling city of Cape Town or touring the infamous Table Mountain? Whether you crave adventure or desire a more peaceful and romantic escape, you must understand your preferences before booking your honeymoon to Africa.

Customized itineraries can bring you the best of both worlds. Whether you want 80% of your trip to be relaxation and romance with 20% of your trip comprised of adventurous activities, or vice versa, a personalized itinerary has the ability to accommodate your specific needs.

It’s also important to be open and honest with your African travel agent about your activity preferences. A great African travel agent will get to know you and your spouse and understand your personal needs and desires, and provide you with the best advice for your luxury honeymoon.

5. The length of time you wish to stay: Whether you want your honeymoon to last for two weeks or a month, you need to plan your destinations and activities based on the time you have in Africa. It’s also important to consider length of stay when planning your budget to Africa.

Also, you will have more time to devote to activities if you remain in the same region of Africa as oppose to moving throughout the continent during your stay. This is why it’s important to understand your transportation options and how much time each option will take away from your activities.

Guest Post by Naomi Estment

It’s all systems go here in South Africa for the much-anticipated 2010 Soccer World Cup! If you’ve planned a trip to catch a few games or are thinking of visiting in the future, consider including a taste of the Western Cape. Here, you can slow down with a cruise through wine country or perhaps hop onto the scenic Route 62 to Port Elizabeth—but not before stopping over at the magnificent Mother City. Cape Town, of course.

Dave and I did this recently, managing a mini holiday around an enduro race at Montagu, since he competes in our National championship. A great thing about racing is that it takes us all around the country through mountains and farmland. The Western Cape boasts both, in abundance. Growing up in the area, it’s wonderfully familiar. Even so, I learned a lot on tour last year with Hills of Africa Travel, such as our hands-on lesson in Cape Malay cooking. High five and huge thank you to them!

This time we struck champagne weather, as you can see from this picture taken at the V&A Waterfront, with Table Mountain in the background:

While we reminisced on Signal Hill about the day Dave proposed to me there, Dave played with the camera, capturing this shot of Table Bay. A small slice of history, it includes Robben Island on the left, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, along with the new Greenpoint Stadium, all set for the soccer!

Heading out of town, our route to the race took us via vineyards through Paarl wine country, where Hills of Africa Travel had treated us to exclusive organic wine tasting.

No such luxury on this trip, though, with a sponsored racer on board and specific objective in mind. Fortunately for me, delight did await, at the enchanting Montagu Country Hotel. Recommended by a local rider, we reaped the benefit of insider intelligence. What a lovely place to lay our heads. Flourishing rose gardens led the way to our room. Dinner was delicious Karoo lamb, complete with candlelight, silverware and a baby grand in the background. Well-known melodies mingled with pre-race conversation and the warmth of the fire from the adjoining room. The inevitable tension eased into a good night’s sleep, before a seriously chilly start on a nearby farm, just a few kilometers from Montagu’s hot springs. Here are the guys getting ready in the Autumn sunrise:

Five hectic hours later, Dave approached the finish line, still giving it horns! For the record, he came fourth in the Masters class, missing the podium by a mere two seconds.

After an extended prize-giving party, we moved on to Swellendam, where my brother-in-law’s family has a holiday home beside the Breede River in the Breede River Valley. This captivating region contributes its charm to Route 62, along with many friendly, farming towns. To give you an idea of the views, here’s the exquisite morning scene that greeted us from our balcony:

This section of the river is home to otters and fish eagles, perfect for cruising in a canoe or casting out a fishing line. It was wonderful to spend time building sand-castles with my nieces, not something I get to do in Johannesburg.

In fact, a signature feature of Route 62 is the compelling calm and tranquility it offers. Meandering through the longest wine route in the Western Cape, maybe even the world, it embraces magnificent landscapes, cultural attractions, game reserves, adventure sports, and much more. A scenic alternative to the N2 highway, it connects Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Langkloof, and Port Elizabeth. The tagline appropriately sums it up as “A journey to the unexpected.”

Our break-away wrapped with another magic day in the Mother City, enjoying family and friends. The sunshine held for a lunch of spicy nachos, calamari and light wine, overlooking the sea. Your journey would be different, vibrant and unique, with your own special flavour intertwined with that of the Western Cape. It’s well worth a visit, just as soon as relaxation, exploration, or soccer becomes a pressing priority.

–Naomi Estment

Website: www.ovandp.co.za

Blog: www.naomiestment.wordpress.com

Image from Avondale Wine website

Autumn at the Avondale Wine Estate in the sprawling countryside of Cape Town, South Africa, signifies a time for wine tasting, rejuvenation, and owl, falcon, and heron observation. It’s a time when the vines prepare for winter hibernation, deep red wines are flowing, and the countryside is blanketed with deep red and amber flora. But one of the most spectacular elements of autumn at Avondale is dusk time.

Image and caption from Avondale Wines website: "Blue Crane chick that had 'bent leg syndrome'. He spent a week in a sling before he could stand alone but he is doing very well although he is still a bit wobbly."

As dusk sets in at the Avondale Wine Estate, some of Mother Nature’s most magnificent creatures rise to the occasion. Hooting with poise and grace, the owls are the perfect symphony to soak in as you enjoy a glass of Avondale’s rich Owl House Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. Thanks to the estate’s organic compost program and earth-responsible vineyard practices, owls and other birds of prey visit Avondale for its mineral rich land.

Image from Avondale Wines website

Often seen as the moon slowly climbs up the Klein Drakenstein Mountains, the elusive night owl and other captivating species of owls perform their musical nighttime hoots. But, many times, the trip to Avondale can be a dangerous journey. Many birds reach the outskirts of the area wounded and in need of rehabilitation.

In an effort to help conserve the owl species of southern Africa, Avondale has teamed up with the Witzenberg Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Centre. They have also made agreements with Financial Mail and Diners Club Choice subscribers, to donate a portion of the wine sale proceedings to help save the owls and other birds of prey species.

Image from Avondale Wines website

Today, there is a man-made sanctuary designed to provide owls and other bird species, such as barn owls, spotted eagle owls, falcons, and cranes, with a safe haven to rehabilitate–before venturing back out into the wild.

So, whether you’re thinking about taking your honeymoon to South Africa or taking a group trip to South Africa, Avondale Wine Estate is the place to go for a delicious wine and delightful experience. Not to mention each time that you enjoy a glass of Owl House Cabernet, you’re contributing to the rescue and rehabilitation of the adorable feathered creatures of southern Africa.