5th of January 2012
Having visited Livingstone and Vic Falls a number of times previously, I wanted to have a relaxing experience of the Zambezi without the drone of microlights and helicopters buzzing over as happens closer to the falls. A number of people had recommended Siankaba to me, so I had to try it for myself.
Our chalets were well appointed, and very spacious, with a huge (and comfortable!) bed, nice sitting area, as well as a really lovely open plan bathroom, complete with seperate bath and shower... my first stop was a LOOONG soak in the bath overlooking the Zambezi.. only managing to extricate myself in time for a Pimms before dinner!
Dinner is a communal affair, which I really do like... food was really great, and it was no problem to cater for my and mum's dietary needs (though we had advised on booking and on arrival). To ward off the winter chill we each had blankets on our chairs, and there were braziers around to give extra warmth. After dinner and heading off to bed we found our wonderfully warm electric blankets doing wonders for us!
We didn't do much in terms of activities - we were really at at Siankaba to relax, as we'd spent the better part of 2 weeks on safari and going non-stop. We did a sunset cruise, and also visited the local village and school. The headman told me that I was too old to not be married and it was time for me to settle down to give my parents some grandchildren - priceless!
Siankaba is in my opinion a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the Falls - I would say that going to and from the Falls for activities every day would seem a little silly, but its definitely on my "must recommend" list! Go and see for yourself - some things you just can't put into words.
Meegan Treen
Stayed at The Islands of Siankaba in 2011, traveled with family
6th of December 2011
Classic Retreats is delighted to introduce Franschhoeks newest addition....
DELICIOUS HOTEL- opened 1st December 2011 and deviously priced!
Conceptualised and designed by the family behind the world-renowned Le Quartier Français, Delicious, unpacks the traditional hotel offering, giving guests everything they need without the additional wallet-lightening add-ons.
Comprises 3 room categories – ITSY BITSY, TEENY WEENY & BIGGER THAN A BIKINI
featuring:
- A super comfortable queen-size bed
- Beautiful linen and big fluffy towels
- An en-suite bathroom (shower only)
- A TV with select satellite television channels
- Hairdryer
- Free WiFi
- A laptop safe
- Communal lounge and swimming pool
A FAMILY PAD is also available with two rooms, one double and one twin, both en-suite with all of the above amenities and with a private lounge and plunge pool.
Delicious delights in sensational value, a funky and refreshing outlook to room offerings and the ability to include further add ons - supe-up-your-stay.
RATE: A stay at Delicious starts at just R 465 per person per night.
29th of November 2011
Cascades on 52- Guest review.
“There are 3 Cascades properties, (although at the time of writing, No48 is closed for refurbishment) On both occasions we stayed at No 52. This hotel was initially booked as a "filler" to a busy itinerary staying at a couple of hotels in Cape Town and Durban culminating at a game reserve. It was a Mr & Mrs Smith (.com) recommended boutique hotel and after reading some of the reviews on Trip Advisor, I admit I was a little nervous. Upon arrival, it was clear that not only were any fears totally unfounded, I am going to stick my neck out and say that this is the nicest boutique hotel I have ever stayed in.
A hotel, to me is not only judged on how great it is when it’s all lovely, but on what it does to address things that aren't so perfect. When we arrived, due to some confusion with my agent, i was given the wrong room type. The lovely General Manager immediately and personally sorted this and had me moved to an upgraded room within minutes and at no extra cost to me.
All the staff couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. We lay out on the sun deck and bathed in the infinity pool, ate and drank till we could face no more and at every turn, every need was met. We had an early departure for a flight, the staff were there with an early breakfast. The owner even took us personally to the airport in an air conditioned X5. Even though the hotel was full, we barely saw another person and it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves like an exclusive residence.
This property is stunning and very modern, The air-con was super-cool, the bed - enormous, lighting and decor very tasteful. We loved this hotel so much that we wanted to cancel our transfer to our second hotel and just stay there the rest of the week. Indeed my friends who had extra time in Cape Town after Durban wanted to cancel their apartment in Waterfront Village!!!! and go back to Cascades.
Follow up 3 years later
Its been 3 years since my last visit here. Cape Town may have changed but the welcome and hospitality here @ No52 is still as warm as ever. This time I managed to bag the Penthouse for 8 days across a split itinerary and its been amazing ever.
Our flight was rudely early, getting us into CPT just after 6am, yet the hotel owner gave us a room at the at the sister hotel "Cascades Promenade" to freshen up and sleep off the flight until our own room @ No52 was ready. Such a nice touch!
The accommodation, the staff, the breakfast and the atmosphere here are a joy to return to. The meals at "Cascades Promenade" are delicious (so much so we ate there 4 times).
Overall, I can’t think I would stay anywhere else on my trips to Cape Town and I look forward to returning. It’s now very clear to me that some people just use Trip Advisor to moan for the sake of it. You’re on holiday! – RELAX!”
Review by Gordon Simpson
17th of November 2011
1) The Test Kitchen – located in a converted old biscuit mill building about 15 min from the Waterfront by car, this is probably the most highly rated restaurant in SA at the moment. Very difficult to get a dinner reservation, booked months in advance. Lunch menu is light bistro style, dinner more ‘Michelin Star’ style.
2) San Julian – real Mexican restaurant (not TexMex!) run by a real Mexican family who moved to Cape Town in 2010 (the last time I was there the Mexican waiter could hardly speak English!) Located at 3 Rose street only 5 mins from the Waterfront. Proper homemade corn tortillas.
3) Constantia Uitsig – a great venue for lunch with views of the Constantia winelands. Excellent uncomplicated food – salads, veal cutlets, seafood.
4) Jewel of India – Indian curries in the Waterfront. This restaurant is frequented by Cape Town’s Indian residents – always a good sign!
5) Bizerca Bistro – in the city centre. Some say the best in Cape Town – it has 35 reviews on TripAdvisor of which all are either “excellent” or “very good”. Food described as “French fusion in a bistro style”.
6) Magica Roma – the best Italian in CT. Located in Pinelands a bit out of town (15 min). Owned and run by Ezio, Marco and Franco who serve good Italian food, great winelist of local and Italian wines, large Grappa selection and good value for money.
7) Bread and Wine – located outside Franchhoek, this is a nice lunch venue when touring the winelands. They make their own chartecurie and lunch is served out on a courtyard under the vines.
I hope this helps to give some more varied and interesting choices outside the rather ‘touristy’ waterfront area! They are all restaurants that are visited regularly and are consistent in their quality. A few of them are not in prime view positions but then, sadly, isn’t that so often a truth of restaurants all over the world – the quality of the food is inversely proportional to the position of the restaurant?
Oh and one more .....
Il Leone – upmarket Italian in a cosy venue just a few mins from the Waterfront. Excellent pasta dishes – the signature dish; pasta with prawns, rosa tomatoes, rocket, pine nuts, parmesan shavings and basil is legendary!
Mark
17th of October 2011
Named for its dark, black coat, the sable antelope is an extraordinary looking antelope that inhabits the grasslands and savannahs of southeastern Africa. Although not considered endangered throughout its range, the sable has been eliminated from large areas due to habitat loss, disease and drought. There is concern about the threat level being increased due to growing human populations that are eliminating critical habitat.
Due to a rigid social dominance structure, and high stress levels in confinement, sable antelope are notoriously difficult to maintain and breed in captivity.
Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve has successfully established a sable breeding project which continues to show increasing signs of success. Following on last year’s outstanding calving season with 90% females, the cows started calving in mid-September with 4 female and 1 male calf dropping to date. Gestation is 230 – 240 days; calves are about 15kg. Interestingly, sable cows conceal their young for a period of 2 – 4 weeks and the weaning age is 240 days (about 8 months).
The calves have already formed a nursery group which is good to see. Project walks explaining the breeding programme and a visit the Sable camp are offered at Mount Camdeboo.
