Besties' 60th Celebrations in Southern Africa

The pair arrived in Cape Town to a VIP meet-and-greet at Cape Town International Airport, including assistance through customs, immigration and luggage collection, where they were handed over to their guide. A private transfer took the guests to the opulent Ellerman House for a luxurious four-night stay. Upon arrival they were greeted with sundowners where they could take in the hotel’s spectacular view of the city and the ocean; whereafter they enjoyed a superb dinner.

After a refreshing night’s sleep, their second day featured a personalised Cape Town City Tour with a leisurely walk up Lions Head and stops focused on experiencing fine dining at local eateries, the history of the famous Bo-Kaap area and the city’s top art museum. No city tour is complete without a ‘shop stop’ at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which also offers specular views of Table Mountain and boats coming into and out of the harbour.

Day three of the travelling pair’s stay took them on a private, full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. A visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the breathtaking Chapmans Peak Drive, as well as a stop at Cape Point Nature Reserve for a gourmet picnic in the Cape Floristic Region (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) started the epic tour off. After a satisfying lunch, the adventurers were taken to see the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, before returning to the city to Ellerman House to freshen up for dinner.

The fourth day of their stay in Cape Town was dedicated to taking in the Cape countryside and Winelands on a private day tour. First up was the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden – a stunning outdoor gallery featuring the works of the world-renowned sculptor. A refreshing walk through the beautifully landscaped grounds, surrounded by magnificent sculptures made from a variety of materials such as bronze, steel and stone was enjoyed by the pair before they headed off to the charming winelands town of Stellenbosch that boasts rich history and picturesque scenery. With their Stellenbosch exploration complete, our besties enjoyed a lunch treat at Delaire Graff Restaurant overlooking the vineyards and olive groves planted on the Simonsberg before heading on to Plaisir for a wine-tasting experience at one of the Cape Winelands most prestigious wine estates.

Days five to seven of this milestone birthday adventure were dedicated to a stay at Xigera Safari Lodge in Moremi Game Reserve for a truly wild Botswana safari experience. The pair of adventurers caught their scheduled flight from Cape Town to Maun, Botswana, where they were met and assisted by a lodge representative to their private light aircraft for a charter flight to the Xigera Airstrip. Game viewing started upon arrival, as the unique system of waterways supports a vast array of animal and plant life and offers an enticing choice of superior wildlife viewing in the setting of a water-rich plain. The unusual environment guarantees wildlife sightings not found on any other African safari, with the wetlands attracting an incredible variety of birds to satisfy any twitcher’s passion. Our guests took in the undiluted beauty of the region, while gliding through the twisting channels of the Delta in a traditional boat called a mokoro. Back at the lodge, their standard suite included a separate lounge, bedroom, dressing area, full bathroom and outdoor shower, and featured Wi-Fi and air-conditioning, as well as a private deck with a gazebo offering uninterrupted floodplain views. Included in the adventurers’ stay were all meals and activities (game drives, boating, seasonal catch and-release fishing, mokoro excursions, walking), a private game drive vehicle, as well as use of the gym, pool and library. Their typical daily routine featured a morning game drive between 5am and 8am, breakfast either in the bush or a la carte back at the lodge, spa treatments, lunch, high tea and an afternoon activity around 4pm.

Days eight and nine of their trip were spent at Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge and Victoria Falls. After checking out from their Botswana accommodation, the pair was transferred back to Xigera Airstrip for their light aircraft flight to Livingstone Airport, Zambia, flying via Kasane Airport. After clearing customs, they then proceeded to Livingstone on a 10-minute flight. A Royal Chundu driver met them in the arrivals hall and escorted the friends to the helipad for a scenic 45-minute private helicopter transfer over the Falls, through the Gorge, and all along the River, landing at Royal Chundu. Known locally as the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ this overwhelmingly beautiful display of nature’s power is recognized as being the largest falling sheet of water on the planet with a width of 5600 ft and a height of 360 ft. Ever since the Scottish explorer, David Livingstone, first laid eyes on this majestic sight, it has been a popular tourist destination for travellers from around the globe. The pair were then given time to check in and relax before taking a sunset cruise from the River Lodge jetty. Their full-board stay included all meals, tea and coffee; drinks (excluding premium brands); return road transfers from Livingstone Airport on a private basis; a daily sundowner river cruise and access to daily cruises, birding safaris, fishing, canoeing, village cultural tours; and guided walking tours of Victoria Falls, with return transfers.

After an exquisite stay in Zambia, our intrepid travellers continued their African adventure at The Farmstead at Royal Malewane at Thornybush Game Reserve. With a transfer to Livingstone Airport for their flight to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, the friends were met by an agent who escourted them to the lounge within the airport for their check in for their 15-minute private charter flight from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to Jackalberry Airstrip. Upon arrival they were immediately on safari as they hopped into an open game drive vehicle for their 15-minute drive through the reserve. With their own private vehicle, guide and tracker, the pair was able to manage their own timings for game drives during their entire stay. All meals and snacks, a full mini-bar, South African premium wines and beverages (excluding French Champagne), all coffees and specialty teas, two game drives daily, bush walks, wireless internet and a laundry service were included in their stay. On day thirteen we recommended the birthday pair took a Cascades and Canyon spectacular 2-hour scenic helicopter flight, including a picnic. After exploring the cascading waterfalls, the Three Rondawels and the spectacular scenery of the Canyon, the helicopter swoops over the Pinnacle before landing at the ultimate picnic venue for a delicious lunch on top of the mountain with glorious views over the Mpumalanga Lowveld.

After returning to the lodge and checking out, our guests took a short transfer from The Farmstead Royal Malewane through the reserve to Jackalberry Airstrip for their private charter flight from Jackalberry Airstrip to Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo Airport. Upon arrival at the aircraft hanger base, they were met airside and assisted through to the check-in counters for their international departure flight. We trust this milestone birthday celebration in Africa was the most amazing experience with fond memories to share together until their return for another epic adventure.