This weekend, I decided to inspect the Robertson Small Hotel to see what all the fuss is about: this new boutique hotel has received plenty of attention since it opened and I wanted to do some first-hand investigation! We traveled about 90 minutes east from Cape Town along Route 62 (the longest wine route in the world), to Robertson, one of most charming towns I’ve encountered in my many road trips around South Africa. Robertson is a clean, tree-lined town known for its roses and gardens. It has the amenities of a much larger city but the charm of a sleepy country town. The Robertson Small Hotel is situated in a gorgeous Victorian manor house with an airy, whitewashed interior and surrounded by manicured gardens. On a 90-degree summer day I was thrilled to find out that our “poolside suite” was exactly that: we could literally step from our room deck into the pool! Dinner was a perfect affair under the stars at Reuben’s at the Robertson — Reuben Riffel is one of the top chefs in South Africa and the food was as amazing as I had hoped. The chili-salt squid was the perfect dish to start yet another amazing South African culinary extravaganza and my tandoori roasted kingklip was cooked to perfection!

We travelled with our nine-month-old daughter, Miss Vesper, whose job this year is to test all the kid’s facilities in the country. I would not say that this hotel is ideal for children due to the open pool areas and the design of the suites, but it is great for little ones who are not yet crawling. They have baby cots and offer babysitting so they are certainly trying to make it as kid-friendly as possible!

 

The weekend was a perfect example of how ”la dolce vita”  is possible in South Africa. I will encourage many clients to take it a bit slower in the future and visit some of these hidden gems in this amazing country that never ceases to surprise me! - Daniela

Absolute Travel’s Katie Losey and Brooke Garnett are currently traveling in Tanzania and Kenya. They are sending us updates from the road…

Living in New York City means that I often tend to prioritize efficiency and speed, but the opportunities I’ve had to take time for myself the past few days has really changed my perspective. I’m not alone: East Africa’s natural wonder seems to draw this reaction out of every member of our little group and we’ve all appreciated the chance to slow down to take it all in.

As we carved our way through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Ngorogoro Crater and Grumeti Reserve, we became so much more tuned in to our surroundings: lion cubs tackled their siblings to prep for future hunting days; newborn wildebeest, only days old, camoflauged themselves under the bearded necks of their mothers; a young zebra lost in the migration stared at our vehicle blankly as she awaited the inevitable; a proud bird tried out his best feathery strut as he tried to impress the local ladies. One cannot help but reflect on the perfection of the cycle of life when watching it up close. Although there were moments when it was hard to watch the action that unfolded before our eyes, with each day we could appreciate more that each layer of this delicate system has a part to play in the rhythm of life.

And our days were never complete without a stop on the open plains to sip on a refreshing gin and tonic or pinot grigio to rehash the day’s sights. In fact, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that the lodges we have been staying at have contributed a lot to our perfect days — soaking in a private plunge pool overlooking Grumeti’s panoramic plains at Singita Sasakwa Lodge, relaxing under the stars at Lemala Ndutu’s Tented Camp, or playing a tennis match at sunset (on a red clay court made of the dirt from abandoned termite mounds!) at Singita Sabora Tented Camp were moments hard to top.

We’ve just arrived at Vamizi Island, Mozambique, for the last part of this amazing journey. The Indian Ocean has welcomed us with warm gentle waves, and the casually chic villas are the perfect spot to take it all in and reflect, once again, on the bounty of natural beauty around us and our good fortune to be able to experience it all. -Katie

Absolute Travel’s Katie Losey and Brooke Garnett are currently traveling in Tanzania and Kenya. They are sending us updates from the road…

It is a challenge to stand out in New York City, but during November’s marathon, I couldn’t help but notice two Maasai runners in their traditional bright blue and red shukas. Little did I know that only a few months later I would reunite with them on their home turf - and then I would be the one who stood out!

Campi ya Kanzi is nestled between the Chyulu Hills and Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks, with dramatic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro from its 280,000 acres. This unique project is the vision of Italian husband and wife team Luca Belpietro and Anotella Bonomi, whose goal was to build a partnership with the local Maasai as a way to protect their cultural heritage and local wildlife. Luca’s exposure to Kenya began when he was a little boy accompanying his father on hunting expeditions in eastern Africa. Over time, his purpose for being there evolved and he dedicated his work to protecting the fragile ecosystems and demonstrating that conservation is a means of profitable survival. Their passion for and knowledge of this corner of the world was very evident to us, and certainly was recognized among the people they now call their neighbors.

Campi ya Kanzi is not trying to be a cultural immersion program, but we all left with a much better appreciation for traditional Maasai life. And one of our traveling companions, JD, spent the afternoon running alongside our guide Parashi to his village. It turns out that they had finished the NYC marathon within four minutes of each other just months before!

We are already planning our Maasai friends’ visit to our home turf when they return to New York next year!

- Katie (and Brooke)

Last week, I was thrilled when some representatives from the Zambezi Queen, a new African river safari vessel, came to our offices to talk about their product. I am very excited about this option and think it would be a perfect addition to a Botswana safari or visit to Victoria Falls!

The sailing vessel is ultra-contemporary, with only 14 suites, and it offers 2- and 3-night safaris down the Chobe River — but it is definitely not your average cruise! It really is more of a floating boutique property, as it offers all of the amenities that one would expect from an intimate safari lodge but the experience takes place on the water. As guests sail from Kasane (Botswana) to the Caprivi Strip (Namibia), they enjoy gourmet meals, twice-daily game viewing opportunities on small boats, land excursions, and a riverside boma dinner. Each evening the boat anchors in the middle of the river, providing a calm oasis and unbeatable views from guests’ private balconies. The Zambezi Queen would be an ideal experience for anyone looking for a relaxing and off the beaten path experience; please feel free to contact me for additional information or to discuss incorporating it into your own safari experience. -Jessica