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vacation to South Africa & Tanzania
Josh Baird, 6th October 2023Our honeymoon was truly special! Mahlatini were incredible from start to finish, their expertise and guidance on where to go, what to do and what to see was faultless and really added finesse to what was already a pretty luxurious trip. Although the trip was our honeymoon, I have no doubt that the attention to detail and level of care which Mahlatini provided to us, both whilst booking the trip and when travelling, would be standard for all their clients - it really is a remarkable service and we felt like VIPs everywhere we went, just what you want on a honeymoon! The itinerary was seamless, the destinations were breathtaking and the memories are priceless - we loved every single second of it!
Accommodation Visited
The Mount Nelson Hotel
“The Mount Nelson was a very special property to kick off our honeymoon in, we were greeted with a beautiful welcome of MCC, a card and chocolates! The setting, at the foot of Table Mountain, is stunning and the staff were attentive but also considerate and the property itself is elegant and charming. The breakfasts each morning were definitely a highlight, everything from the eggs to the pastries was delicious and the setting, again, was beautiful with views over the gorgeously manicured gardens and lawns - it was a great way to start a fun-filled day in Cape Town. The amenities at the property were excellent, including the gym and the shuttle service to the V&A Waterfront. We were very impressed by the communication from the hotel, when details of a pre-booked day trip changed at the last minute we received written confirmation, posted to our room of the revised itinerary - details such as this really displayed the hotel's 5-star quality. We loved learning about the history of the hotel and also were delighted to meet Nellie (the hotel cat) during our stay!”
Leeu House
“Leeu House was stunning, the property is just as exquisite in real life as it looks in the photographs....it is quite unbelievable really! We had the benefit of a first-floor room that had mountain views and we were welcomed with a thoughtful card and chocolates to mark our honeymoon. The staff were very helpful in arranging private transfers to restaurants and in providing advice. The location, right in the heart of Franschhoek, was great as it allowed us independence in the evenings to see more of what the village has to offer, over and above all of the amazing vineyards. We were able to use one of the shuttle services to Leeu Estates, another exquisite property and enjoy a sundowner with breathtaking mountain views.”
Ngala Safari Lodge
“Our time on safari was a life experience that we will NEVER forget. It was the highlight of a fabulous honeymoon, and it was made even more special by the staff and team at Ngala Safari Lodge. Miki (our guide) was a true gem; her energy and enthusiasm for her job and the animals added (if it's even possible) to the experience. We were lucky to run with wild dogs, watch lionesses hold off cackling hyenas to allow them to eat their dinner (a zebra!!) in peace, get selfies with a herd of elephants by the pool, witness TWO white lions, and enjoy an African sunset with wildebeest in the foreground.
The property itself offers old-world charm with luxurious details. The outdoor shower is fun, and the different settings for dinner each evening added variety (not that it was needed!). We really enjoyed our final meal, which was a private dinner on our terrace organized by the very thoughtful and kind staff member, Norman.”
Ngala Treehouse
“Our night in the Ngala Treehouse was a 'top-tier' honeymoon experience! Nico and all of the Treehouse team were extremely attentive and made the incredible property even more special with handwritten notes and a bottle of bubbles on ice for our arrival. The setting of the property is incredible and very romantic. It was a thrill to be alone in the bush with just the radios as our contact with the outside world. We enjoyed spending the evening on the roof terrace, listening to the sounds of the elephants and baboons, and the private meal that followed was lovely. The accommodation really is remarkable, with the external staircase, the rainfall shower with sliding doors that provide full views of the canopy, and the four-poster bed, which was idyllic.”
Zuri Zanzibar
“Zuri Hotel & Resort was a magnificent property. The accommodation, setting, and resort landscaping were a marvel, and the whole team should be congratulated for how immaculate the entire property is. We enjoyed 6 nights at Zuri, and it was the perfect spot to relax and round off our honeymoon. The biggest decision we had to make each day was whether to spend the day by the pool or on the beach!
The bungalow we stayed in was great, and the bed felt like a cloud. It also had an ingenious, inbuilt AC system that made it a very comfortable sleeping environment. The food was consistently excellent, and the options for evening sundowner entertainment were all great. We particularly enjoyed the fire dancing.
We had two highlights at Zuri. One was a sunset cruise on the traditional dhow, during which we were able to take an evening swim and capture great photos of the sun setting. The other was a private dinner on the beach, which provided the best food we had during our stay. We opted for the half-board option, as we did a few 'added extras' such as the cruise and the private dinner, and we felt this was the better option as it allowed us the flexibility to enjoy more of what the resort had to offer - another great recommendation from the team at Mahlatini.”
Upendo House
“We didn't stay at Upendo House for a full night; it served as our base before a late-night flight. We checked in at 1 pm and checked out at 10 pm. The room we had at Upendo House was basic, much more basic than the online photos would have you believe. The hotel is small and well-located for exploring Stone Town. The staff were helpful in organizing a walking tour of Stone Town for us, which was excellent. The food in the restaurant was very good. Please note, as we didn't see it shared anywhere at check-in (we may have missed it), the bill for incidentals has a 3% additional charge for card fees.”
Staff Review
“Claire was simply fabulous! Her level of expertise and how she tailored the trip to suit us, despite having only gotten to know us over a short period of time, was completely faultless. She knew exactly what we wanted from our honeymoon and made sure it all worked seamlessly for us. All of the tips and guidance Claire offered added to the trip and made it even better. For instance, her advice on which vineyards to visit in Franschhoek, where to spend more or less time, and what to do at each was right up our street. Even down to the tour guides Claire had arranged for us, we felt as though they were handpicked for us because their areas of interest were so well matched to what we wanted to know and learn about.
Due to the unseasonal windy weather in Cape Town, some of our pre-planned activities had to be rearranged, and Claire was on hand to help us make these few last-minute changes, removing any work or stress from us and allowing us to continue to enjoy our time.
We cannot thank Claire and the wider Mahlatini team enough for making our dream honeymoon come true. It was perfect and has given us memories we will treasure forever. We hope that we will be able to organize another African adventure through Claire and the team in the not-so-distant future!”
