Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa has reaffirmed its position among the world’s premier luxury safari destinations, earning multiple distinctions in the 2025 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, including the coveted title of ‘Best Family Villa in the World’. Highlighting its appeal across diverse hospitality markets and categories, this year Mhondoro also secured awards for the Best Pool Villa in Africa; the Best Bush Lodge in South Africa; and the Best Wedding Destination Hotel in South Africa.

Set within the malaria-free 35,000‑hectare Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo province, Mhondoro offers an immersive and luxurious, yet warm and hospitable safari experience for up to 24 guests. Frequent Big 5 game sightings, a unique underground waterhole hide and custom-built stargazing deck, on top of fresh, healthy and seasonal cuisine combined with an intimate connection with nature, defines its 5-star guest experience. Children of all ages are welcomed, making Mhondoro an ideal venue for multi‑generational travel and special celebrations alike.

The award-winning Mhondoro Villa is ideally suited to groups of six people, providing a luxurious yet comfortable home-away-from-home to friends or families travelling together. The Villa is a completely private and exclusive lodge on its own, furnished in warm, earthy colours, blending European elegance and understatement with vibrant African flair. It features a magnificent Master Suite plus two other en-suite bedrooms, complete with wooden decks and views of the lodge waterhole and the bush beyond. For bigger groups the villa can dine up to 10 people when the rest of the party book rooms/suites in the adjacent main lodge.

The Villa’s large, open-space kitchen, dining and lounge area and private boma provide ample opportunity for relaxation and entertainment. Leading out to a heated pool and sun loungers, on balmy summer evenings the Outdoor Lounge sets the scene for relaxing sundowners while watching ‘resident’ elephants stop by the waterhole for a drink. Cosy fireplaces invite guests to enjoy the magic of the wilderness even on chilly nights. Mhondoro Villa also boasts a fully-equipped gym and massage room, while the services of a butler, housekeeping staff and a private chef are included too, in addition to the use of a private game-viewing safari vehicle with a personal ranger.

The Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards are universally regarded as the highest honour in the global hospitality industry. Since its opening in 2016, when it received the award as ‘Best Newcomer Lodge in Africa’, Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa has consistently been recognised by Haute Grandeur in various categories, setting a benchmark for excellence in regionally celebrated, globally recognised luxury safari hospitality.

With its latest haul of Awards, Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa continues to raise the bar in African safari travel, offering unmatched service, comfort, and tailored experiences that garner global recognition that resonate deeply with guests.

Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic has reopened with an elegant and refined new look. The transformation includes the integration of the former pergola area into the main restaurant space, creating a seamless, elevated dining environment. A striking new long bar now greets guests at the entrance, serving as a stylish focal point to create a welcoming space to enjoy a cocktail or a nightcap. The revamped layout comprises of distinct dining zones, including an exclusive-use private dining room that caters to groups of 12 to 30 guests.

While the interiors have evolved, the iconic views remain untouched. Now framed by floor-to-ceiling glass panels it provides breathtaking vistas of the bay and the Hout Bay Sentinel, allowing guests to enjoy dining in all weather conditions. The kitchen has been redesigned to enhance workflow and a sliding panelled feature wall separates the restaurant from hotel operations, allowing for seamless service and added privacy.

Inside the restaurant, plush banquette seating on the side holds an airy space with contemporary wooden tables and comfortable seating. As before, the ocean, mountain, and surrounding fynbos, alongside the acclaimed Chefs Warehouse culinary experience, remain the stars of the show.

Interior designer Laurence Holmes drew inspiration from Tintswalo’s extraordinary oceanfront setting, using natural tones and textures reminiscent of beach sand, driftwood, and kelp. Organic, pebble-like shapes are echoed in the light fixtures and custom-designed laser-cut panels, which reflect the natural beauty of the boulders and shoreline just steps from the restaurant.

Cameron Luke Smith, who took the helm as head chef in 2023, continues to lead the kitchen team. Rooted in Liam Tomlin’s signature global tapas concept, the menu emphasizes local, sustainable ingredients, with a plant-based option also available. Every dining experience begins with a complimentary bread course, featuring the iconic Chefs Warehouse brioche and savoury butters, and may conclude with an optional cheese selection or à la carte desserts.

On Saturday, 19 July 2025, Project Flamingo performed 39 life-saving breast cancer surgeries in five hospitals across in the Western and Eastern Cape, providing medical treatment to  women who have been on waiting lists within the public healthcare system. To date the NPO team has performed over 1,800 breast cancer surgeries in South Africa’s public healthcare system, utilising the time and skills of volunteer doctors to bridge critical gaps in cancer care.

This large-scale intervention on Mandela Day took place at five provincial hospitals where Project Flamingo already delivers action-driven solutions that address the backlog of surgeries, and the growing need for breast cancer care. Mandela Day surgeries took place at Groote Schuur Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town; George Regional Hospital; and in the Eastern Cape – Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane township near East London. Volunteer surgeons and anesthetists were joined by teams of patient support volunteers and nursing staff funded by Project Flamingo to deliver these life-saving breast cancer surgeries in unused weekend theatre space.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in their lifetime, and as the number of cases continues to rise, the public healthcare system and its resources remain inadequate and incapable of treating the growing number of patients.

Mandela Day also saw the launch of Project Flamingo’s Make Room for Her campaign, an ongoing initiative from the organisation as a step forward in ensuring that women battling breast cancer no longer face the harsh reality of delayed or denied care due to long waiting periods for treatments, underfunded budgets, and overlooked voices. With the slogan “We’re making room – in hospitals, in budgets, in conversations – for her,” Project Flamingo aims to restore dignity, prioritise women’s health, and tackle the systemic barriers to equitable cancer treatment in South Africa.

The Make Room for Her campaign, Project Flamingo’s focus in the coming months, is a call to action for all South Africans to recognise that cancer care should never be left to chance. It is an urgent reminder that, despite the personal and financial costs, ensuring dignified, timely access to treatment is not a privilege, but a basic human right.

“This Mandela Day, we not only commemorated a rich history left by a remarkable man – we changed lives,” says Dr Liana Roodt, CEO and Founder of Project Flamingo. “Project Flamingo creates space for women to be heard, to be treated, and to reclaim their health and dignity. In doing so, we honour Madiba’s legacy through action rooted in compassion and a commitment to justice. Timely and dignified cancer care is not a privilege; it is a basic human right that should be protected and claimed.”

Project Flamingo calls on everyone to join this vital mission by partnering or donating to help fund critical equipment, resources, and programs that support not only the surgeries but the holistic care that women deserve. With the support of the community, Make Room for Her will continue to expand its impact, ensuring that every woman in South Africa has access to life-saving care and the dignity she deserves.

For more information or to contribute to Make Room for Her, please visit www.projectflamingo.co.za.

 About Project Flamingo:
Project Flamingo is a South African non-profit organisation committed to providing action-driven, holistic support for women battling breast cancer in the Public Healthcare sector. Through volunteer-run surgery lists, patient support services, and health system strengthening initiatives, Project Flamingo works to provide timely and dignified care to those who need it most.

Mhondoro Overland Safaris has designed an exciting Botswana itinerary for intrepid travellers on  a 10-night journey from Maun to Kasane. This epic route winds through the breathtaking landscapes of Moremi and Savuti National Parks before culminating in Chobe, where Botswana meets Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Adventurers have the option to extend the journey to the iconic Victoria Falls. A 15-night itinerary is also available, adding in highlights such as Kubu Island and the vast Ntwetwe salt pan where guests can enjoy a thrilling quad-bike expedition and an up-close encounter with a meerkat family in the Makgadikgadi region.

Mhondoro’s Overland Safari experiences are crafted for small, private groups of up to 14 guests. This offering is an exciting extension of the renowned Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa product, a luxury destination located in the Waterberg’s Welgevonden Game Reserve. Responding to guest demand for expanded adventures, Mhondoro Overland Safaris was designed to deliver the same exceptional guiding, cuisine, and service in the form of a premium, glamping-style wilderness journey.

Set departure dates are available with tailor-made trips for alternative dates on request. Rates start from R10 350 per person per day, depending on group size, and include all accommodation, meals, drinks, activities and ground travel arrangements.

Each safari is hosted by a dedicated team comprising a professional guide, chef, butler and support crew. Guests travel in two specially designed Mhondoro Toyota Landcruisers—each accommodating up to seven people. These comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles are enclosed for long-distance drives but convert easily into open game-viewing platforms with pop-up roof vantage points.

Guests stay in stylish glamping tents equipped with cozy beds and crisp linen, set up in scenic locations that range from unfenced, wild bush camps to well-established wilderness lodges. Basic comforts such as gas-heated showers and toilets are provided and select itineraries may include nights at luxury lodges along the way.

Meals are prepared by the chef over open fires, with a focus on hearty, high-quality bush cuisine – from potjiekos and braais to freshly baked bread, paired with premium wines and enjoyed under the stars around the campfire.

Mhondoro’s Botswana bucket-list adventure is ideal for travellers seeking an authentic, expertly guided African safari. The experience welcomes families with children over the age of six and is bound to tick the bucket list for birders, photographers, stargazers, and elephant enthusiasts alike.

The Tintswalo Collection is set to expand its portfolio of boutique hotels in Cape Town with the opening of Tintswalo Summer House in Glencairn in December 2025, as sister hotel to Tintswalo Boulders and Tintswalo Atlantic.

Located in the seaside village of Glencairn, overlooking the sweeping views of False Bay, Tintswalo Summer House will breathe new life into the historic Glencairn Southern Right Hotel. Originally established in 1904, the hotel was once a prominent landmark of coastal elegance, hosting dignitaries and notable public figures, and standing witness to significant historical moments. Over the decades, however, the property fell into disrepair and lost its former grandeur.

Tintswalo first acquired the historical building in 2014, initially operating a restaurant within the public areas while conducting extensive research and planning for a full restoration. Now, following a meticulous renovation, the property will be reimagined as a luxurious seaside retreat.

Tintswalo Summer House will offer 12 individually styled guest suites, each thoughtfully designed to reflect both timeless charm and contemporary sophistication. The property will also be home to the Summer House Eatery, welcoming both hotel guests and non-residents for High Tea, lunch, and dinner in an elegant and relaxed setting.

Blending heritage architecture with modern design, Tintswalo Summer House promises to be a serene escape that honours its past while embracing the future.

Brookdale Estate has introduced four new vintages, headlined by the maiden release of its much-anticipated Twenty Field Blend – a vibrant expression that pays homage to the almost-forgotten art of field blend winemaking. This distinctive wine was crafted from 20 red varietals, inter-planted as bush vines on the estate, in addition to the Sixteen Field Blend of 16 white varietals, which was first released in 2022.

Exciting new vintage releases are the 2024 Sixteen Field Blend and the 2024 Bradbourne White Blend, alongside the 2023 release of the estate’s flagship Brookdale Old Vine Chenin Blanc. Sourced from a single block of certified Old Vine Chenin Blanc planted around 40 years ago, this wine once again showcases the complexity and balance for which Paarl’s terroir is renowned.

From the outset, Brookdale Estate’s vision has been to produce fine wines with character, often using varietals that are uncommon in South Africa. Since its first vintage in 2017, the estate has earned international acclaim, reinforcing its reputation for crafting elegant, distinctive wines.

True to its guiding philosophy of curiosity and exploration, Brookdale continues to innovate and push boundaries with each passing vintage. This spirit is embodied by its dynamic new winemaking team: winemaker Xander Sadie and assistant winemaker Shanice du Preez, who recently completed their first harvest at Brookdale under the mentorship of celebrated consultant winemaker Duncan Savage and estate proprietor Tim Rudd.

Brookdale Twenty Field Blend 2024

An energetic young wine, coiled to continue developing for years to come. The twenty red varietals were inter-planted as bush vines and the grapes were picked at two different stages due to the variability of the grapes. After fermentation, the wine spent seven days on skins before being basket pressed into a concrete egg and 500L French Oak barrels, 15% being new wood. The wine stayed in barrel for 12 months and was then blended and spent four months in bottle before release.

Tasting notes describe it as ‘garrigue, lavender flowers and stemmy spice unfold, petal-like, each scent demanding its moment. Salted red plum, blueberry, mulberry emerge along a thrill of white pepper. Blood orange freshness opens the palate, ushering in red-fruited exuberance of cherries, strawberries, berries; an undertow of earthy pomegranate trailing to a tangy, saline finish.’ (Cellar door price R440 per bottle)

 Brookdale Sixteen Field Blend 2024

 Sixteen white varietals were inter-planted as bush vines on decomposed shale and granite and the grapes were picked at four different stages due to the ripening variation of the varietals. 40% of the wine was fermented and aged in concrete egg and 60% in clay amphora for 12 months on lees prior to bottling and spent four months in bottle before release.

‘Pressed French linen on the line, meadow blossoms, light and lovely. Visions of flower crowns, of fresh grass trampled underfoot, of white strawberries, cranberries. It’s a midsummer of a wine. Evocative tug of toast, almonds and flint dances in. On the palate a creamy acid backbone sketches around luminous fruit, ascending into white-pear succulence and mouth-watering freshness. Defined by a weightless complexity, the fruit is ethereal, diaphanous, yet offers depth and dimension, and carries into a long, white-chalk finish.’ (Cellar door price R440 per bottle)

Brookdale Bradbourne White Blend 2024

 A blend of 45% Grenache Blanc; 23% Roussanne; and 16% each of Piquepoul Blanc and Marsanne, picked at different stages during harvest. The wine was barrel fermented and aged in old 225L and 500L French oak barrels. A 30% portion of the Grenache was whole bunch fermented and spent 14 days on stems for added texture and complexity. All components went through 100% malolactic fermentation and the wines were aged for 12 months in barrel prior to blending and bottling, followed by four months in bottle before release.

The wine presents ‘lifted florals of jasmine, frangipani – the scent of white blooms on a summer night; waxy, heady. The evolving aromatic complexity undresses into peaches and cream, honeyed peach and quince, the softness of straw weaves through, refreshed with crushed lime-leaf brightness. Layered and lithe, the palate has real presence; vivid white grapefruit, white citrus purls around a deep core of stone fruit, the acidity, a silver-toned electricity, balancing the concentration of fruit. Lime washes in again at the finish, in its wake a faint grip of pithy fruit-tannin, which extends the length and refreshes the palate.’ (Cellar door price R400 per bottle)

 Brookdale Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023

 Old vine Chenin Blanc (1985) grown on decomposed shale and granite, combined with minimal winemaking have created Brookdale’s flagship wine. The grapes were hand-picked at eight different stages to achieve optimal ripeness and balance. Matured for 11 months in 500L French oak barrels, the wine was then aged on the lees for eleven months in 2000L Stockinger (Austrian Oak) foudres. Once bottled, the wine was left to mature for a further four months before release.

The wine has a ‘scent of gold; earthy, mineral yet charged with sun. Powerful, complex aromatics unwind; ripe citrus, fresh honey, orchard apples and pears, all pour forth with bay-leaf, lemon-buchu highlights. Underpinning this, roasted nuts, a line of cream. A concentrated yet fresh core of apple, pear and lime is wrapped in silky ribbons of golden citrus tapering nutty and honeyed to the edges. The long line of liquid minerality weaves right through for a stony, vibrant finish, echoing with citrus.’ (Cellar door price R400 per bottle)

The Tintswalo Collection will be expanding into the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve when it opens Tintswalo Scops Rest in September 2025. The 4-bedroomed luxury bush villa, named after the Scops Owl which occurs in the area, will accommodate a group of up to eight guests on an exclusive-use basis. It joins three other safari products within the Tintswalo Collection, spread across three of South Africa’s premier conservation areas, including the Manyeleti and Welgevonden nature reserves.

Family-friendly Tintswalo Scops Rest guests will enjoy the dedicated services of a private chef and butler, two daily safari activities in a private game drive vehicle, and full board hospitality. With spacious living areas, a large patio, and a private pool overlooking the wilderness, it promises the perfect setting for unforgettable bush escapes with all the comforts of home combined with the luxury of a premier safari lodge. For an exhilarating sleep-out experience, guests may also book their choice of two private tree houses, one overlooking a dam and the other secluded within a forest.

The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve was established more than 50 years ago when 36 farm owners merged their land to unite. Today the Big 5 reserve boasts unfenced boundaries onto the Kruger National Park and the transboundary Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Its 60,000 hectares of pristine wilderness is part of a greater, free-flowing ecosystem that conserves biodiversity, protects endangered species, and supports the sustainable future of local communities.

Tintswalo Siankaba in Zambia has completed a significant upgrade to its lodge facilities, now featuring air-conditioning in all guest suites. In addition to refurbishing the original swimming pool and sundeck overlooking the Zambezi River, the lodge has also introduced a second swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

Located on two lush, forested islands, Tintswalo Siankaba provides a tranquil and secluded natural setting worlds away from the bustle of everyday life. The intimate tented camp offers an authentic, immersive African experience that presents enriching activities that showcase the beauty and cultural richness of the region through connecting with the local community.

The lodge accommodates just 14 guests in seven elevated tented suites, each carefully positioned in the canopy of the trees overlooking the river. Built to blend into the environment with minimal impact, the two islands and suites are connected by suspension bridges and a raised walkway which winds through the forest, allowing guests to move about safely while preserving the fragile ecosystem below.

Tintswalo Siankaba offers a wide array of activities designed to connect guests with nature and local culture. On-site, guests can enjoy fishing excursions, Mokoro (traditional canoe) boat trips, sunset cruises, and guided nature walks through the island forest. These educational walks offer insights into the indigenous flora, including several tree species known for their medicinal properties. For a deeper cultural experience, guests can participate in a community tour to learn about the nearby village and local traditions.

Just 38 kilometers from Victoria Falls and 48 kilometers from Chobe National Park, Tintswalo Siankaba is also ideally situated for guests eager to explore the top attractions in the region.

The Liz McGrath Collection has completed the soft refurbishment of its four private villas, two each at sister-hotels The Cellars-Hohenort in Cape Town, and The Plettenberg on the Garden Route.

The demand for luxury villa rentals has surged around the globe as high-end travellers seek more personalised and exclusive experiences. Offering unparalleled privacy, space, and world-class amenities, the villas within The Liz McGrath Collection provide a new level of refined elegance after the recent revamp of the interiors.

Tailored hospitality across all four villas includes complimentary minibar and bespoke services such as concierge assistance, personalised shopper service to stock the villas according to guest preference and private dining. Also included in the offering at each of the villas in the Collection, is the signature Villa Breakfast Experience, a comprehensive breakfast spread to be enjoyed every morning in the privacy of the guests’ own space and at their own pace.

Within the tranquil surroundings of The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa in Constantia, the Liz McGrath Villa presents a secluded escape for up to six guests. The double-storey villa is located next to the herb garden and features two luxurious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and an enclosed foyer that connects to one of the hotel’s Premier Suites if a third bedroom is needed. A spacious lounge with a fireplace, fully equipped kitchen and a private courtyard, complete the exclusivity offered to discerning guests.

Within the same leafy gardens, The Madiba Villa at The Cellars-Hohenort is a sanctuary of sophistication. Honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela, it offers two sumptuous en-suite bedrooms, open-plan living and dining areas, a heated private pool and courtyard, with the bonus of exclusive access via a private driveway.

Positioned along the stunning coastline of Plettenberg Bay at what is arguably ‘the best address in Plett’, The Beach House at The Plettenberg seamlessly blends comfort with breathtaking ocean views. This spacious 150m² villa features two elegantly appointed bedrooms, a stylish sitting room with a fireplace, a dining area, a small service kitchen and a private heated swimming pool.

For those seeking the ultimate seaside retreat, The Plettenberg’s Lookout Villa offers an impressive 190m² of lavish living space that lends itself perfectly to entertaining ‘at home’. The three-bedroom villa boasts en-suite bathrooms, an open-plan lounge and dining area, and a well-stocked galley kitchen. A private heated swimming pool and a serene garden create the perfect setting for relaxation, ensure an unforgettable, home-away-from-home stay.

The three hotels within The Liz McGrath Collection remain independent and family owned, guaranteeing warm and authentic South African hospitality with a personal touch. At the same time, its membership to Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is an endorsement recognised and valued by international travellers seeking seclusion and the highest standards of luxury and guest wellbeing.

Tintswalo Siankaba excelled in The Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA)’s 2024 Tourism Excellence Awards that were announced recently, where it was crowned the Best Lodge in Zambia.

Based on votes by the general public across 22 categories, the Awards recognize and celebrate the work, dedication, and creativity of individuals, businesses and organizations within the tourism sector. It honours those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to enhance the tourism experience, promote responsible travel, and showcase the unique offerings of Zambia to turn the country into a world-class tourist destination.

Tintswalo took over the management of the existing Siankaba camp in 2022, and after the refurbishment was completed, opened in November two years ago. Guest experiences centre around the local people and Tintswalo Siankaba supports various community upliftment projects. All employees are recruited from the local community and enrolled in ongoing training programmes.

Situated on two densely forested islands on the edge of the Zambezi River, the tented camp accommodates 14 guests in seven suites raised above the ground in the tree canopy. Tintswalo Siankaba is ideally placed 38 km from Victoria Falls and 48 km from the Chobe National Park, providing convenient access to some of the region’s top tourist attractions.

Lisa Goosen, the CEO of Tintswalo Lodges says: ‘We are very proud of this award and the achievements of our team at Siankaba under the leadership of General Manager Simon Vuvunga. Born and bred in Zambia, Simon was also nominated in the category of Hotel Manager of the Year in the 2024 Awards. Zambia is a country full of wonder and Tintswalo Siankaba brings a unique perspective to our portfolio, whilst sharing the characteristic that our properties are known for – it really has ‘soul.’