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vacation to South Africa & Zimbabwe
Megan Bayles, 13th May 2025Overall, our trip was magical; we couldn't have asked for a better, more special honeymoon! Not only were the destinations, our accommodations and our tours amazing, being both enjoyable and educational, but the entire traveling process was seamless. Mahlatini took care of everything - from representatives escorting us through customs to transfers between locations to choosing the best, most knowledgeable guides to assist us while visiting our destinations. Truthfully, before booking with Mahlatini, we had never heard of them, but the reviews were great, so we decided to take a chance. We could not be happier that we booked with Mahlatini and will be shouting their praises from the rooftops with all our family and friends! We can't wait to book our next adventure!
Accommodation Visited
Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa
“Everything was amazing - the location, the rooms, the service! And to make our experience even more special, because it was our honeymoon, the staff greeted us in our room with a plate of sweets and a hand-written card. The rooms were spacious, extremely clean and well-kept, and equipped with all we could have needed. For folks like us who were battling some jet lag, the blackout curtains were a great touch!
During our stay at Dock House, our absolute favorite thing was the breakfast! Every morning we were greeted by a delicious assortment of fruits, pastries, yogurts and juices, as well as custom coffees and hot plates from the kitchen. During that time, we got to reflect on the day ahead, enjoy the beautiful sunrise in a relaxing setting and converse with the staff. The maître d', Ashley, was an absolute delight! We thoroughly enjoyed our morning discussions with Ashley about his flower arrangements, our planned excursions and more. He made us feel right at home from the moment we arrived.
Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Cape Town, and we hope to return in the future!”
The Last Word Franschhoek
“We greatly enjoyed our time at The Last Word Franschhoek, and only wish we could have spent more nights there! To us, one of the greatest things about The Last Word is the location. Not only is it easily walkable to downtown Franschhoek's shops and restaurants, but it's also walkable to multiple wineries, the Franschhoek Wine Tram and the weekly Franschhoek Market.
The Last Word's rooms and common areas were spacious, as well as beautifully and thoughtfully decorated. Each room included a mini bar with local gin was a lovely surprise! To help us celebrate our honeymoon, the staff at The Last Word not only surprised us with a romantic display of candlelight in our room, but also left sweet treats for us each night during turndown service.
The staff, particularly the general manager, was super thoughtful, helpful and informative - from providing recommendations on local wineries and informing us of local events to ensuring we had breakfast on the morning of our departure, even though we had to leave the hotel at 6:45 a.m. I would absolutely recommend The Last Word Franschhoek to anyone visiting the South African winelands. We hope to have the opportunity to stay there again!”
The Wallow Lodge
“Our stay at The Wallow Lodge was truly unforgettable! From the outdoor shower overlooking a local creek to the included personal tour of Victoria Falls, we very much enjoyed our stay.
Staying in a tented facility was a great experience! While yes, you were technically staying in a tent, you never would have known it. Each structure was super secure and beautifully designed, and offered privacy from the rest of the lodge's guests. It was fun lying in bed and listening to the sounds of the area's animals - you were really in the middle of the action!
We really appreciated all the included activities at The Wallow Lodge. One of our favorite memories from The Wallow Lodge was our evening game drive, which ended with drinks and light bites overlooking the gorge. Absolutely gorgeous! We also took advantage of an evening river cruise, where we saw tons of hippos, and a private, guided tour of Victoria Falls. Our guide, Land, was phenomenal! He not only took us to the best spots to view Victoria Falls, but he also taught us all about the area's history, flora and fauna.
The rest of the staff at The Wallow Lodge were also great - very attentive and informative. Not to mention, thoughtful, to celebrate our honeymoon, they surprised us with an in-room floral display and bottle of bubbly. The food was also delicious, and we loved that we could view animals (elephants, kudu, mongoose and more) from our breakfast, lunch or dinner tables.”
Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge
“All I can say is WOW! Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of Chitwa Chitwa or the excellent service we received—but I'm still going to try!
The Facilities: Chitwa Chitwa’s facilities were immaculate, both in the private and communal spaces. Everything was thoughtfully designed and decorated to ensure a relaxing, luxurious stay. And while it feels as luxurious as it does, Chitwa Chitwa also embraces the natural beauty of its surroundings. I really appreciated that there were no fences and loved watching the animals roam and drink from the watering hole—both from the communal outdoor area and our personal deck.
The Food & Drink: Unbelievable—five stars to the chef! When we arrived, we were told that we’d never be hungry, and gosh, that was an understatement! Between breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner, and dessert, there was always an abundance of amazing food to choose from, including many options incorporating local flavours and cuisine. Everything we ate and drank was delicious, but our favourite meal was the outdoor BBQ under the stars.
The Service: While the food and drink were amazing, the service and hospitality took the experience to the next level! Upon arrival, you're paired with a waiter/butler who will serve you for the entirety of your stay. For us, it was Phiwa, and he was astounding! He not only knew our morning coffee orders after day one and rush-ordered our breakfast on our final day to ensure we didn’t leave Chitwa Chitwa on an empty stomach—his positive attitude was contagious and added an extra layer of enjoyment to each of our meals.
Beyond the food and drink service, all of Chitwa Chitwa’s staff were fantastic—friendly, helpful, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful. After every game drive, the facility's manager, Monica, greeted us with warm or cold towels (depending on the weather) and kind words. Our housekeeper, Milly, ensured our room was beautifully kept and that we were well-informed about each day’s weather forecast. And to top it all off, we were surprised in our room with candlelight, flower petals, champagne, and more—all in celebration of our honeymoon.
The Happy Hours: I have to call out the happy hours! Not only were they stocked with delicious South African wines, beers, and spirits, but each day’s happy hour was unique—held in a different location and complete with different snacks. Finishing our evening game drives by pulling up to a candlelit happy hour in the middle of the bush... it totally felt like a dream!
The Game Drives: Last but not least, the game drives—indescribably beautiful! Thanks to our amazing guide and tracker, Surprise and Ranson, we were able to see all of the Big 5 by the end of our second day. Watching them work together to track the area’s wildlife was astonishing—and how close we were able to get to that wildlife was even more awe-inspiring. Surprise and Ranson not only ensured we saw the wildlife, but kept us laughing the whole time! All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you! From seeing a running baby rhino (probably my favourite game drive sighting) to impala “sleeping” in trees, this was an experience we will never forget and always cherish.
1000% would recommend Chitwa Chitwa to anyone! In fact, we’re already trying to plan a return trip!”
Staff Review
“Dave was a great resource throughout the booking process, but especially in the weeks leading up to our trip. Dave provided great insight into our destinations and helpful travel tips to ensure our honeymoon was seamless. He was also extremely responsive, making planning and booking a breeze!”
