Heading to Africa is not all about the safaris. Bold statement I know some might think, bit there is more to this huge and versatile continent. A huge amount of history and culture each and every turn you go round, the people are wonderful and friendly throughout with a wicked sense of humour and fun to be around. If you’re planning on visiting South Africa, of course, head over to the east where you will find the famous Kruger reserves, including Timbavati, Thornybush and Sabi Sands, or the Northern cape where Madikwe is, but how about squeezing in a stint in Cape Town, followed by the Winelands. There are many fabulous places to stay in Franschoek and Stellenbosch none more so than one of our favourite places Babylonstoren.

Whats even more fantastic is we can actually report first hand about some of the different options in rooms you can stay at in Babylonstoren, as our MD Rose has just stayed there. She stayed in one of their one bedroom Fynbos Cottages. Designed in keeping with the traditional Cape Dutch style, each cottage fits neatly in within the landscape and older Cape Dutch style buildings, but have a wonderfully modern twist. Cosy and comfortable but within keeping of the traditional Winelands style we have come to know and love.

Each of the rooms, some of which are one bedroom and some are two bedroom, all lie right next door to some of Babylonstorens vineyards and orchards, so you really are within the heart of the area. Babylonstoren is renowned for its fabulous wines, from blush rosé’s to delicious white wines and red wines. The in house chefs and sommeliers work together, along with guests to ensure you match the right wines with the right types of food, to make a mouth tingling sensation one you’ll never forget. Take a stroll with the chefs around the orchards and gardens and pick seasonal vegetables and fruit to make a truly healthy lunch or accompaniment to delicious supper. The chefs have endless knowledge about foraging for food in the right seasons, and will go into depths to explain the benefits of certain fruits, leaves and vegetable – it is utterly fascinating.

We recommend a fabulous route to enjoy South Africa at its best, is to spend a few days exploring Cape Town and the hustle and bustle of city life, with their stunning selection of restaurants – which ever restaurant you choose, you won’t be dissappointed, as they are all incredible – then spend a few night in the Winelands, staying at Babylonstoren enjoying its in house experience of everything the land and nature can provide you, as well as learning the art of making delicious wines. Follow this by catching a short flight from Cape Town to the Kruger, where you safari begins, and seek out the different wild landscape this part of South Africa has to offer, spotting the likes of elephants coming down to the waters edge to take a drink, seek out lions laying under the shade of large Accacia, leopards blending into the dappled dancing leaves of a tree – there is much to see!