From Maun (Botswana) we took a commercial flight to Cape Town. I am always amazed by the flights in Southern Africa as even on a one hour hop the airlines manage to give you a boxed meal and a beverage (not pretzels or peanuts).
Landing in Cape Town is always a thrill. You come in over the mountains and the vineyards into the most beautiful city in the world. The backdrop of Table Mountain never ceases to amaze.
Our first three nights we stayed at the magnificent Ellerman House. This property was the private home of a 19th century shipping magnate. It has the most exquisite view of the Atlantic ocean with the surf pounding the rocks. The property has kept the ambiance of the old home coupled with the highest level of service. There is nothing like Ellerman House anywhere else in Africa.
The main reason for the timing of this visit was to attend Livingstone Safari’s 30th anniversary celebration. Sussi (the owner of Livingstone Safaris) and I have a wonderful relationship. We have worked together since 1996. She and her amazing team are our partners in Africa and I rely on them to take care of all the details for our clients.
Sussi and I often travel together inspecting properties and sometimes our husbands join us. We all get along very well and have shared many laughs and wonderful memories. It is this relationship that ensures our Mushinda clients return from a trip that exceeds their expectations. I was also able to attend the year end celebration of the Royal Portfolio held at the home of Liz Biden.
Royal portfolio own and operate the Silo (Cape Town), Birkenhead House (Hermanus), The Royal Malewane Safari camps (Greater Kruger) and La Residence (Franschoek). These are each superior properties in their markets and individually the recipients of many prestigious international awards. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to meet so many of my colleagues in the industry.
The Biden home is high up on the mountain slopes in the suburb of Bishops Court. The views of the surrounding mountains and the city below are breathtaking. Around every bend in the road there is a different and more stunning vista of the mountains and/or the ocean.
We also spent two nights at the One & Only Hotel. This property in the V&A Waterfront is the perfect location for first time visitors to Cape Town. The service is excellent and the accommodations have recently been refurbished and are extremely comfortable.
We had an exquisite view of Table Mountain from our balcony. The hotel is very central to dining, shopping and all the Waterfront activities.
