We all have them. Those grand trips we may never get to take for one reason or another. Jane and I did the luxury safari this year. We have friends who like to organize things and they set up their own and loved it. We have an appreciation for Backroads trips so we let them do it – at no small cost. But it was worth it. Private planes between game reserves. World class accommodations and meals. Exceptional guides in Eli and Josh to fill in the blanks. It was truly extraordinary.
We arrived at The Taj, Capetown at night after several long flights. When we woke up that next morning Table Mountain was staring at us just out our window.
Table Mt from Taj Hotel
Fasttrack reservations online for the cable car ride to the top (highly recommended) gave us a 10 AM appointment – we needed the sleep. And the breakfast at The Taj is not one to miss. Table Mountain is a level plateau approximately three kilometers (2 mi) from side to side, edged by steep cliffs. The views are outstanding.
View from Table Mountain
Our first hotel with Backroads was the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa. As good as the Taj was if I were to do this again, I would just go straight here. A beautiful property, close to everything and so comfortable you may not want to leave. The Taj provided value. This place provided luxury. The spa was splendid. The meals were impeccable.
From Capetown we drove to Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat in the Cederberg Mountains. All five of the Backroad’s properties were world class. This stop provided some exposure to wildlife in the form of ostriches, zebras, springboks, hyenas, and smaller cats but also regional flora and fauna and cave art that we could not see elsewhere. Large baboons were all over so we needed escorts to our rooms after dark.
Bushman’s Kloof cave art
A short flight to Botswana took us to the Mashatu Main Camp in the Mashatu Game Reserve, located in perhaps the most barren October landscape you can imagine. But animals were everywhere, including this leopard, despite the heat and the dry terrain (spring had not yet arrived)
Solitary male leopard
Another short flight took us back to northeastern South Africa to Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa on the edge of the Afromontane Forest where, for the first time, we slept in tents. But these were tents Oprah would approve of, especially the outdoor soaking tubs. The monkeys sure liked the tents because they played on the roof each morning to wake us up. After several days and three previous hotels, the creature comforts this place afforded were most welcome. We did no game drives on Land Rovers but walked the property and nearby hills.
Mischievous monkey
Outdoor tub at Summerfields
Our final stop was the Londolozi Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, on the edge of the famed Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Here we saw rhinos, hippos, lions, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, leopards – you name it. As with the other reserves, it was startling how close you could get to these animals. If you were sitting in a Land Rover and did not make any sudden moves or sounds, they would waltz right by. Close by. Amazing. And this was the single most luxurious hotel room I have ever stayed in. Ever. Like … wow.
Cubs bother Dad
Which brings me to my final comment. If I were to do this again, I would go directly to the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa in Capetown for a few days. See Table Mountain. Perhaps go to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years behind bars. Then I would go directly to the Londolozi Private Game Reserve and see all the wildlife you could possibly imagine. Bushmans, Mashatu and Summerfields were choice places, don’t get me wrong, but I guess this just reinforces my preference for being spoiled. Cellars-Hohenort and Londolozzi were just really really nice.
Sorry this post has been a bit longer, but trying to be brief about the most spectacular trip in a life of many exquisite trips is hard. This trip needs to be on your list. Not inexpensive but worth every penny. Go. You’ll thank me.