“In September of this year, the Passmore family, hailing from San Francisco in California, visited our shores for a dose of some much needed adventure! As a family of hikers, we put together a highly personalized itinerary for them to ensure their visit would provide them with just the right balance of luxury and adventure.”

In September of this year, the Passmore family hailing from San Francisco in California, visited our shores for a dose of some much needed adventure! As a family of hikers, we put together a specially personalized itinerary for them to ensure their visit would provide them with the right balance of luxury and adventure.

Their first stop for 3 nights was at Maliba Mountain Lodge in Lesotho. Maliba Lodge is situated in the heart of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho within the Tsehlanyane National Park, and is conveniently only 1 hour south from the popular Freestate town of Clarens. We asked Paul Passmore about the family’s highlights in Lesotho, “Our family are hikers; we loved the hike at Maliba in Lesotho as well as the horseback ride.”

After 4 days in the bush, the family then set off south to the coastal town of Hermanus – famous for its idyllic location from which to watch Southern Right Whales who arrive in the bay from September through to October. Here they stayed at the stunning Auberge Burgundy Guest House, which is set above the picturesque Old Harbour, in the historic heart of Hermanus and is a charming Provençal style guesthouse with fragrant courtyards and stone terraces. Here the family enjoyed the spacious penthouse suite.

“Hermanus was great for seeing whales, not only by ship but during breakfast too. And the seafood in Hermanus was the best ever! Kay and Stacey loved hiking Fynbosch Park in Hermanus too!” recalls Paul about their visit to this charming town.

A 6 night stay at Azamare Guest House in Camps Bay was the next stop for the family. Azamare Guest House is in the picturesque suburb of Camps Bay which is surrounded by the Twelve Apostle and Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. The guesthouse is also only a 10minute walk from the trendy and world famous Camps Bay Beach and Promenade.

“Steve and I loved hiking Table Mountain and we all were amazed with the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point, the self-guided walk of historical Cape Town, Camps Bay beach, and on and on…Azamare was amazing overlooking Camps Bay! The breakfast and sundowners provided by Jan were perfect. And the location was right in the middle of all our activities.”

After 6 nights in Cape Town and well rested, it was time for more African adventure as the family set-off for 4 nights at the Honeyguide Tented Camp in the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Bordering the Kruger National Park and situated between the Timbavati and the Sabi Sand Reserves lies the 23 000 hectare Manyeleti Game Reserve. Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp is designed to reflect Hemingways’ Africa.  The 12 Nehru-styled tents are nestled in a Tamboti grove overlooking a dry river bed. Often game visits the nearby watering hole which can be seen from the swimming pool deck.

“The Honeyguide Lodge was amazing. The platform tents were the elegant way to experience the outdoor bush. Elephants, impala, and bushbuck were within a few feet of out tent! The game drivers were great as we had 4 days and each day we had time to go deeper into the bush to see the hard to find animals.”

The family then finished off their South African adventure at the tranquil The Parkwood Guest Lodge in the leafy Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank.  The Parkwood is a boutique guesthouse featuring uniquely and stylishly considered spaces and the perfect place to unwind in the sometimes hectic City of Gold.

Whether you are seasoned travellers into five star luxuries, or first-time visitors yearning for something different off the beaten track – to get started on tailor-making your next unforgettable African journey or island adventures, get in touch with our Travel Team today: info@travelconcepts.co.za