HOLMES
African Wildlife Safaris Specialists
FANCOURT HOTEL AND COUNTRY CLUB ESTATE, GEORGE Situated within the heart of the Garden Route, set in lush countryside against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains, the 5* Fancourt has 3 golf courses, health spa, tennis courts, swimming pools, walking trails and caters for children of all ages. It is approximately 7 km from George Airport and within easy reach of many tourist destinations.
ACCOMMODATION comprises 34 Standard and Executive rooms or Deluxe suites located in the restored 19th century Manor House or 1 or 2 bedroom Garden suites and 2 bedroom Garden Studios situated in a wooded parkland. There are Executive Special Needs rooms located on the ground floor.
ROOMS all have ensuite bathroom, satellite TV, mini bar and wireless Internet access.
HOTEL FACILITIES
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES - beaches, lakes and rivers offering boating, fishing, sailing, canoeing and waterskiing, the picturesque town of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn. Tourist attractions include Botierslop Game Farm, Buffalo Hills and Nyati Distillery, Cango Wildlife Ranch, Dias Museum, bungy jumping, Featherbed Nature Reserve, Monkeyland, Outeniqua Preserved Railway, Safari Ostrich Show Farm, Tsitskamma Canopy Tours, Stormsriver Adventures plus many more.
THE PALAZZO MONTECASINO, JOHANNESBURG The Palazzo (formerly Intercontinental Palazzo) is ideally situated for a variety of leisure, cultural and sports pursuits, approximately 30 minutes from Johannesburg Airport. The 5* hotel with its Tuscan villa style architecture, has 246 rooms on 6 floors. It is linked by an open walkway to the Montecasino complex housing shops, restaurants and entertainment.
ACCOMMODATION comprises 246 rooms and suites of differing standards located on 6 floors. 3 of the rooms are equipped for physically challenged guests. There are also non-smoking and interconnecting rooms.
ROOMS All rooms have ensuite bathrooms with separate shower, satellite TV, internet connection, telephone, safe, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and individually controlled air conditioning.
HOTEL FACILITIES Medeo Restaurant serving modern African cuisine with French Accents offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, concierge services, babysitting, laundry, business and transport services. Open parking available in front of hotel and daily valet parking available.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
The Palazzo is adjacent to the Montecasino Entertainment Village which comprises shops, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, helium balloon ride, children's entertainment centre, bird garden and a casino. Golf, tennis, squash, bowls, indoor rock climbing, horse riding and hot air balloon safaris are all available nearby and can be arranged through the concierge desk.
Other attractions in the area include Soweto, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, Museum Africa or Gold Reef City theme park and Aparteid Museum, the Lion Safari Park approximately 30 km away, Lesedi Cultural Village approximately 30 km away, Wonder Caves approximately 60 km away and Voortrekker Monument approximately 60 km away.
FUGITIVES DRIFT LODGE, KWAZULU NATAL Ideally located for escorted tours to the historic Zulu War and Anglo-Boer War battle sites including the great battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. The 2,500 hectare reserve is a Natural Heritage Site where fishing the frontage of the Buffalo River or spectacular walks and horse rides to view abundant game and birdlife can be enjoyed.
ACCOMMODATION is provided in 8 spacious cottages. The Lodge, near Rorke's Drift, is set on a hillside above the Buffalo River Gorge, approximately three and a half hours drive from Durban or five hours drive from Johannesburg.
ROOMS are in twin ensuite cottages each with a private verandah with views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge.
LODGE FACILITIES include lounge, dining room decorated with Zulu war memorabilia where home and modern fusion cuisine is served, garden, swimming pool.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES (prices available on request)
ISANDLWANA LODGE, KWAZULU NATAL Isandlwana Lodge, offering historic and photographic walking trails, birding and cultural tours, is an attractive, thatched roof building providing accommodation in the battlefields area. The lodge is carved into the iNyoni rock formation on top of which the Zulu commander stood during the battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879.
ACCOMMODATION is in 12 rooms decorated in a mixture of traditional and modern styles.
ROOMS Standard or Deluxe ensuite facing the scenic and historic Isandlwana plain with a view of the mountain.
LODGE FACILITIES include lounge, dining room, bar, library and swimming pool.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES (prices available on request)
There are also many day trips in Zululand within easy driving distance that you can visit yourself including Mangeni Falls, Prince Imperial Monument, Blood River or Talana Museum and several game reserves including Umfolozi, Hluhluwe, Mkhuse or Itala.
TIMAMOON LODGE, MPUMALANGA Close to the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon, the romantic 5 star Moroccan and Zanzibar decorated rooms with private pools are surrounded by forests and situated high up in the hills. Known as the most seductive lodge on the planet, Timamoon is ideally located for a variety of activities including picnic walks, horse riding in the forest and watching exotic birds.
ACCOMMODATION is in 6 lodges decorated in Moroccan and Zanzibar style.
ROOMS Lodges have mosquito net draped four poster beds, fireplaces, sunken baths and private pools with views of the distant mountains and valley.
LODGE FACILITIES include restaurant and cigar lounge, tropical garden, aromatic full body massage in your own lodge, yoga, walks, and horse riding in the forest.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES (prices available on request)
JATINGA COUNTRY LODGE, MPUMALANGA Five star colonial lodge accommodation on the outskirts of White River, situated approximately 38 km from Kruger National Park and the private reserve of Sabi Sands. The lodge is also within driving distance of the Panorama route and close to several golf courses. There are two walks within the grounds along the White River where abundant bird life may be viewed.
ACCOMMODATION comprises 16 superior rooms and 4 luxury suites furnished in different styles.
ROOMS All rooms and suites have air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities with homemade biscuits, mini bar available on request, limited room service menu, satellite TV, telephone, valet and laundry service, hair dryer, bath robes and bird books. Some rooms have outdoor showers, open fireplaces or concrete baths. Suites also have a separate lounge and private patios.
LODGE FACILITIES include a la carte restaurant, wine cellar dining, Lord Milner pub, pool with pool deck and a small gift shop.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
AMAKHOSI SAFARI LODGE, PONGOLA The 'All Inclusive' Amakhosi Safari Lodge, where morning and late afternoon game drives can be enjoyed, is situated on the banks of Zululand's Mkuse River in the 12,000 hectare Amazulu Game Reserve providing a blend of savannah, wetlands and mountainous terrain. The lodge, approximately 1 hours flight from Johannesburg, is home to the 'Big 5' game and prolific cheetah.
ACCOMMODATION overlooking the Mkuse River comprises 6 River Suites each capturing nature through ceiling high windows and 2 Umntwana Honeymoon Suites.
ROOMS River Suites have bedroom, bathroom, separate shower and toilet, lounge, private game viewing deck overlooking river, air conditioning, mini bar, tea and coffee tray, electronic safe, telephone and laundry service. Umntwana Suites have open-plan design with private bubble pool and hammock overlooking the river, air conditioned bedroom and lounge, ensuite bathroom, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities.
LODGE FACILITIES lounge and bar, dining room, satellite TV lounge, library, curio shop, swimming pool, central email, phone and fax facilities at additional charge, massage treatments at an additional charge, babysitting available on request at an additional charge, game drives and bush walks, frogging and birding tours, traditional Zulu Kraal.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES include visiting St Lucia Wetlands and Sodwana Bay approximately two and a half hours away.
GOMO GOMO GAME LODGE, MPUMALANGA Private camp situated in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park with a common unfenced boundary.There are early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives over 6,000 hectares of reserves offering the possibility of viewing lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, a variety of antelope and many birds.
ACCOMMODATION comprises 8 brick and thatch luxury chalets all with electricity.
ROOMS 4 chalets with a double or single bedded room and a bathroom and 4 chalets with a double bedded room and a twin bedded room sharing a bathroom.
LODGE FACILITIES Breakfast and lunch are served in the open thatched dining room and dinner is served in a traditional African boma, lounge and swimming pool.
ACTIVITIES Early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles with qualified trackers, optional guided bush walk.
ULUSABA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Set in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa's Mpumalanga province, Ulusaba is Sir Richard Branson's privately owned reserve allowing you to enjoy over 10,000 acres of game-rich bush in near solitude. Experienced trackers and game rangers accompany you on game drives in open land rovers tracking the big five.
ACCOMMODATION There are two lodges at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in different locations; guests like to split their stay between the two lodges for a different perspective over the bush. Rock Lodge is located on a rocky hill with panoramic views over the bush and grassland plain below. Safari Lodge is built in the heart of the bush along the banks of the dry Mabrak riverbed, with treehouse style rooms ideal for watching passing game on their way to a nearby watering hole.
ROCK LODGE ROOMS comprises 4 Rock Cliff rooms, 2 Makwela Suites with plunge pools, a stand-alone split-level Master Suite with plunge pool and a Rock Suite with 2 ensuite bedrooms. A short walk from Rock Lodge Main House, Cliff Lodge Suite 1 with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, dining area, bar, lounge, deck, large pool, small gym and spa and Cliff Lodge Suite 2 with 1 bedroom, lounge, deck and jacuzzi. All rooms have air conditioning and fans, tea/coffee making facilities and complimentary mini bar.
SAFARI LODGE ROOMS comprises 3 Safari Rooms, 3 Elephant Rooms and 4 River Rooms, 2 with plunge pools. A Treehouse Suite overlooks a nearby dam and is reached by an elevated walkway, 15 minutes walk from the main house. All rooms have air conditioning and fans, tea/coffee making facilities and complimentary mini bar.
FACILITIES
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
(prices available on request)
Take part in a community tour to experience modern Shangaan lifestyle, visit the village school, a traditional home, enjoy performances from the Choir and dancers - the proceeds of this tour are donated back to the village. Enjoy scenic helicopter trips from 45 minutes to 2 hours over the bush to view sights such as God's Window and the Blyde River Canyon. Get close up and personal with elephants in Hazyview. Visit the Cheetah and Endangered Wildlife Breeding Project or a day touring the Panorma route. Helicopter flights should be pre-booked.
CUBS CLUB Cubs of all ages are welcome at Rock Lodge and will be invited to take part in Ulusaba Cub's Club. Because Rock Lodge is small and intimate and because each cub is different, there is not a set programme but a range of activities that can be tailored to each child or group.
On arrival at Ulusaba all cubs will be given a Cub's Club Backpack which contains lots of little goodies to help keep them entertained and to help educate them about the African Bush. In every Cub's room there will be a special welcome letter and a list of phone numbers they can dial from their room so it is easy for them to get hold of other members of their pride, along with Ulusaba staff. Also for their safety, there are security guards on duty all night who will pay particular attention to rooms occupied by cubs.
Other Cub's Club features include:
Cub's cuisine such as pizza, toasties, pasta, etc. can be arranged with advance notice.
There is a free babysitting service provided by off-duty staff who have experience with children or at extra cost and advance notice, professional child carers can be arranged.
If you have rather a large pride with lots of Cubs or if you would just prefer it, a set programme can be provided with advance notice of their ages and interests.
SHAMWARI GAME RESERVE, EASTERN CAPE Malaria free, 25,000 hectare private game reserve which is home to Africa's big 5 situated within 5 eco-systems enabling the support of many plants, animals and bird life. The award winning African safari adventure and conservation game reserve offers 5 star luxury safari accommodation in 7 different lodges including all meals, game drives and selected beverages.
SAFARI LODGES
There are 7 different luxury lodges:
ACTIVITIES
A personally assigned game ranger to groups of 6 persons and your lodge manager will design a daily program with you.
THE BLUE TRAIN Travel by train on one of the world's most renowned passenger train services, travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town or vice versa, with all the comfort and luxury of a five star hotel. The two trains travel at a speed of 58 mph, one accommodating up to 82 passengers in 41 suites, the second accommodating up to 74 passengers in 37 suites and features an observation car at the back of the train.
REGULAR SCHEDULED JOURNEYS
ACCOMMODATION by day, the De Luxe and Luxury Suites offer generous lounge chairs allowing you to view Africa whilst relaxing in your room. At night the suites are converted into subtly lit bedrooms by a butler.
SUITES
all have a writing desk next to the window, wardrobes with hangers, individually controlled air conditioning, entertainment centre with a choice of movie and radio channels, telephone, room safe, hairdryer, laundry service and personal butler service.
The De Luxe suites have a choice of twin beds with ensuite shower or double bed with ensuite bath and handheld shower. Luxury suites have a choice of a double or twin beds with ensuite bath, hifi, audio CD and VHS video systems, vanity table with mirror.
TRAIN FACILITIES
ROVOS RAIL A world class travel experience offering five star luxury within a collection of rebuilt and refurbished wood-panelled period carriages capturing the romance of a bygone era. The two trains which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey, carry a maximum of 72 passengers on a variety of routes.
REGULAR SCHEDULED TRAIN JOURNEYS
ANNUAL TRAIN JOURNEYS
ACCOMMODATION Pullman, Deluxe or Royal Suites can accommodate up to 2 people in either double or twin beds with air conditioning, writing desk, personal safe and fridge-bar filled with drinks of passengers choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. Bathrooms have a hairdryer and shaver point.
ROOMS
Pullman Suites (7 square metres) are equipped with a sofa-seat during the day which converts to either a double or bunk beds for the evening. They have an ensuite shower room. The Deluxe Suites (11 square metres) have a lounge area and an ensuite shower room. The Royal Suites (16 square metres) have a private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower.
In keeping with the spirit of travel of a bygone era there are no radios or TVs on board.
TRAIN FACILITIES
TRAVEL ENQUIRIES 01473 610666
PROPERTY SALES 01473 617357
FAX 01473 610599
information@holmestravel.co.uk
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