TRAVEL + ENTERTAINMENT

A weekend of laid-back luxury and relaxation at De Mond Villa

Think: pristine landscapes, indigenous vegetation, untouched beaches and abundant marine and birdlife – all this and more can be found when staying at De Hoop Collection’s De Mond Villa, an exquisite sandstone villa in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, a mere three hours’ drive from Cape Town.

The villa consists of 5 en-suite bedrooms (sleeps 10 people), tasteful and creative interior décor, a boma, a private swimming pool, incredible views and a wealth of animals right on your doorstep! Overlooking the stunning Ramsar vlei, a myriad of bird species can be seen, making this accommodation option every birder’s dream! Guests can also look forward to possible sightings of rock dassies, herds of eland, wild bush pigs, bontebok and otters – to name just a few.

A little rock dassie just chilling, enjoying life and the beautiful scenery

Perfect for the discerning traveller, when booking this exclusive villa, you will be spoilt with your very own private chef who will bring your meals right to your doorstep. In true South African fashion, meals like potjiekos and, of course, a braai beneath the stars are on the menu.

Not only is the villa fully catered, it’s also fully guided, and a range of activities await you: from early-morning nature drives (with an incredible and knowledgeable guide) to insightful marine walks and whale-watching, to bird and vlei walks, and mountain-bike cycling. Also on offer is the vulture experience (where you can view the endangered Cape Vultures, the Western Cape’s last surviving colony) and eco boat cruises (at an additional price) – there is something for everyone to enjoy!

After one of our nature drives – enjoying a fresh cuppa

As mentioned, De Mond Villa is fully catered and guided – a minimum of five guests per night – and the rate, at R3 500 per person per night i.e. a minimum of R17 500 per nightand a minimum 2-night stay.

Meals include:

  • afternoon tea, cake & snacks
  • 2 dinners
  • 2 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch

Drinks are for your own account.

Book your stay.

Other Cape Country Routes villa to recommend

Coral Villa – Gonana Collection, Paternoster, West Coast

Gonana Collection’s flagship property, Gonana Guesthouse, was Paternoster’s first sustainable and environmentally conscious guesthouse off the grid and completely environmentally ethical; the culmination of the Swedish entrepreneur and interior designer Jonas Sandström’s experience and passion for creating beautiful spaces that are rich in detail, exquisite in taste, and above all else, considerate to the environment. A recent addition to the Collection that rose, like the proverbial phoenix, out of the re-imagining, restoration and complete refurbishment of the oldest fisherman villa on the Bekbaai side of Paternoster, into the exclusive, self-catering and eco-conscious Coral Villa. The elegant but laid-back, tastefully decorated, self-catering three-bedroom Villa comprises a spacious lounge with an open fireplace – perfect for those cold winter evenings, and a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen with gas hob, two loft bedrooms and a bathroom with a Victorian bath, and a downstairs bedroom and separate bathroom (the bathrooms  have walk-in showers). Out in the front there is a braai area surrounded by an indigenous fynbos garden, while out back is a KolKol wood-fired hot tub (only available during the colder winter months, May to October) that is perfect for warming up after those cold water swims and midnight dips in the ocean. Located just 60m from the ocean guests are just a short hop and skip away from the Bekbaai beach that neighbours on the Columbine Nature Reserve. Coral Villa sleeps six – children  of all ages are welcome, it is also pet-friendly and it is serviced daily. This is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway or that much needed family breakaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where you can enjoy spectacular views, peace and tranquility. All Gonana Collection properties are run on solar power and are unaffected by loadshedding.  Ts & Cs apply. Gonana Collection – Reservations: stay@gonanaguesthouse.comwww.gonanaguesthouse.com 

Villa iZulu – Thanda Safari, Kwazulu Natal

Villa iZulu is Thanda Safari’s classic luxury villa. It was initially built for the owners of Thanda Safari, the Olofsson family of Sweden. “For our family Thanda is a place of seclusion and wilderness where we restore our senses and rejuvenate our spirit in the heart of the Royal Zulu Kingdom. It is about living the adventure, conserving this wildlife wonder and sharing in the traditions of this vast, wild domain.” Dan Olofsson, founder-owner of Thanda. Today, it is a sumptuous, butler-serviced, multi-award winning Safari Villa for guests who prefer a private, exclusive retreat. Situated in the heart of this Big Five private game reserve, this magnificent safari villa offers expansive views of the 14 000-hectare reserve where the Big Five and all the other wildlife roam. Villa iZulu has five luxurious en-suite bedrooms, a large living and dining area, a library and a wine cellar. Situated in a beautifully landscaped garden with a swimming pool, boma and a helipad, it is protected from the surrounding reserve with high-security fencing enclosing the whole property, making it safe for guests to wander through the gardens or to sit on the deck overlooking the waterhole. A dedicated butler, chef and manager see to every need of guests, with the chef preparing delicious cuisine for every dietary requirement – from English breakfasts to four-course fine dining dinners, braais and legendary high teas. Villa iZulu has its own safari vehicle, guide and tracker and extra vehicles are brought in when needed. Game drives are flexible and guests can decide (within reason) when they wish to head into the reserve. At Thanda Safari you are guaranteed a unique African experience and exclusive close-up encounters with Africa’s Big Five. Ts & Cs apply.

Thanda Safari – E: reservations@thanda.co.za, T: +27 (0) 32 586 0149 | www.thandasafari.co.za

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *