Featured Places

The Dock House

Cape Town

Days 1 - 4: Cape Town

The Dock House Location Map

A stone’s throw from the alluring V&A Waterfront, the Dock House Boutique Hotel has been voted among the top 25 luxury hotels in South Africa.  It's prime V&A Waterfront location ensures that guests are within an easy walking distance to the vibrant harbour area, upmarket shopping malls, excellent restaurants, entertainment areas and ocean cruise facilities.

The hotel’s charming exterior gives way to an opulent world beyond its front door. Chandeliers and ornate ceiling cornices, among other fine touches, create a sense of Victorian charm and allude to the property’s historical roots, originally the Harbour Master’s private residence in the 1800s. Since then, the building has been transformed into a distinguished boutique hotel, and has been uniquely decorated with elaborate furnishings and bold artworks, maintaining a feeling of classic exquisiteness throughout the establishment.

A pristine swimming pool, surrounded by a beautiful courtyard, offers guests the opportunity to cool off on warm days, and a bar and a number of deck chairs alongside the pool invite guests to relax and absorb the views of Table Mountain. The hotel has an intimate dining room where breakfast is served, or guests can choose to enjoy their breakfast at one of the hotel's sister properties in the Waterfront if they want some variety.

The glamorous suite and each of the 5 chic rooms at the Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa have been individually decorated and imbued with a unique and understated Victorian elegance, juxtaposed with lush contemporary style and comfort.  Attention to detail is the order of the day, and each room is also equipped with an en-suite designer bathroom.

The suite has access to a private courtyard garden, while the other ground floor room opens onto a veranda overlooking the groomed garden and swimming pool area. Three of the upstairs rooms have balconies overlooking the Waterfront’s scenic harbour and surroundings, and 2 of the upstairs rooms have an optional interconnecting facility.

Example Details For The Dock House

Nights: 4 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.
 
Reload Map

The Dock House Location.

Address

The Dock House,Portswood Close, Portswood Ridge, V&A Waterfront

Directions

From the N2 (Cape Town International Airport/the Winelands/Hermanus/The Garden Route): Take the N2 towards Cape Town. Keep on this road until you enter the city, following the signs for Cape Town North, and then 'M6/Sea Point/Waterfront'. You will then see the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on your left-hand side (very large cream-coloured building), and there will be a set of traffic lights at a major junction.

Continue over the traffic lights into Lower Buitengracht until the first set of traffic lights. Turn right at the traffic lights into Helen Suzman Boulevard. Move into the lane signposted  'Portswood Road/V&A Waterfront'.

Turn right at the traffic lights into Portswood Road. Turn right at the entrance of The Commodore Hotel and continue driving until you reach a security officer at the boom. Continue straight ahead and The Dock House is approximately 100m in front of you.

From the N1: Follow the road into Cape Town where it merges with the N2, and you will see the CTICC on your left-hand side. Follow the directions as above.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome.

Each Luxury Room is equipped with air conditioning, room safe, hair dryer, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities including a Nespresso coffee machine, satellite/cable TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Two of the Luxury Rooms can interlead if required.

The Luxury Suite has all the same amenities as above but the bedroom opens up to a private courtyard garden.

There is secure parking available.

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

There is a state-of-the-art spa and supervised gym facilities which are open from 06:00 until 22:00, plus an  outdoor swimming pool.

24 hour room service is available.

There is Wi-Fi throughout the building.

The building used to be the Harbour Master's private residence in the 1800s.

Cape Town International Airport is approximately 25 km from the hotel.

Etali Safari Lodge

Madikwe Game Reserve

Days 5 - 7: Madikwe Game Reserve

Etali Safari Lodge Location Map

In the heart of the spectacular 75,000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Etali Safari Lodge rises to meet you with lavish hospitality. Built of rugged indigenous stone, thatch and wood, and laced together by winding pathways, Etali is an exclusive and intimate haven.

Africa's Big 5 and the African wild dog, as well as black and white rhino, cheetah, giraffe and many other wildlife species can be seen on the Madikwe Plains at any given time. Every day in the bush brings a new experience. Guests can enjoy the exciting unpredictability of early morning and afternoon game drives - a leopard sitting on a rock licking his paws - the black rhino with attitude - the watchful matriarch elephant, bigger than you ever imagined - a pride of lions relaxing in the shade ...

In-between game drives, relax and be pampered in the tranquillity of the Wellness Centre or enjoy the sheer pleasure of a massage on your own deck.

The 8 luxurious air-conditioned thatched suites, each with a private viewing deck and splash pool, are set apart for total privacy in its own bushveld domain. The family suite has 2 bedrooms with a shared deck but no inter-leading door, as well as a pool and a private lapa. Cooling off in the splendid outdoor whirlpool and sipping a cocktail as you watch the breathtaking African sunset on your private deck is the ultimate indulgence. Big comfortable beds with fine crisp linen promise an unforgettable night's sleep.

Etali Safari Lodge has certainly earned its reputation for offering guests a unique and personal African bush experience wherein nature, relaxation and luxury combine to form an unforgettable memory.

Example Details For Etali Safari Lodge

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Suite
Includes: All meals; soft drinks, mineral water, house wines and local beers; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); kids activities and babysitting; 2 game drives per day; and optional game walks are included.

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. Details on request.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

 
Reload Map

Etali Safari Lodge Location.

Address

Etali Safari Lodge,Near Zeerust, Madikwe (via Abjaterskop Gate)

Directions

PLEASE NOTE: The main gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00. Guests who arrive after this time will not be allowed to self-drive to the lodge. The lodge will send a representative to escort guests to the lodge at an additional cost. SUGGESTION: Refuel at Sun Village/Zeerust as there is no fuel available inside the reserve. DO NOT follow your GPS after Zeerust/Sun City - it will take you on the wrong roads.

From Johannesburg Airport via N4 tar road: Follow the R21 north, to Pretoria (Tshwane) through Kempton Park. After 40 km follow N1 north to Pretoria (Tshwane), Pietersburg (Polokwane). After about 12 km, take N4 west into Pretoria (Tshwane), to Rustenburg or Hartebeespoort Dam. Follow the N4 to Hartebeespoort Dam.

Take the N4 to Zeerust past Brits, Rustenberg, and Swartruggens. Zeerust is approximately 220 km from Pretoria. In Zeerust turn right on the R47/R49 to Gaborone/Madikwe Game Reserve. After +/- 90 km you will see a sign on the right for the Abjaterskop Gate of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

Once you are in the reserve, follow the signs to the lodge. Allow about 30-60 minutes to drive from the gate to the lodge.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

From Sun City via N4 tar road: Turn right from as you leave Sun City onto the R565. After a few km you will come to a junction with the R565 to the left, and the R556 signposted straight ahead. Turn left here to keep on the R565 signposted Phokeng and Rustenberg, and it is 38 km from here to the junction with the N4 tar road.

When you reach the N4, turn right onto the road (signposted Swartruggens and Zeerust) and continue for around 130 km on this road to Zeerust. In Zeerust turn right on the R47/R49 and follow the directions as above.

From Johannesburg or Sun City via gravel roads: There is a gravel road from Sun City to Madikwe - this route is a lot shorter than the current tar road route, however as the roads are gravel and the signs to Madikwe are rather inconsistent, we would not really recommend this route to customers.

Should you wish to return to Sun City or Johannesburg using the gravel roads, the lodge will be able to supply you with a map and directions.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may be occupied from 13:00 on the day of arrival. If possible, aim to arrive at the lodge by this time, so you can relax and check into your room before going out on your first afternoon game drive, but if you don't think you can arrive by this time, you should aim to arrive by 15:00 at the very latest, or else you may miss the afternoon drive. Please be advised that ALL the gates into the reserve close at 20:00.

Rooms must please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests. Late departures can be arranged, subject to the availability of rooms.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome. Guests under 6 years of age are not allowed on game drives but 'bumble drives' can be arranged instead. Children under the age of 16 are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.

All suites have a private deck fitted with a splash pool, with a spectacular view of the surrounding bush. Each room also have indoor and outdoor showers, fireplace, mini bar fridge, room safe, air conditioning, an overhead fan and a hair dryer.

Facilities at the main lodge include a bar, lounge, dining room, open air boma, curio shop and swimming pool. 

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.

The Etali Spa offers a range of treatments including massages, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, facials and more. The adjacent gym and steam room is open for the use of all guests.

Game drives through the Madikwe Game Reserve last about 3 hours and take place twice daily around dawn and dusk, when the wildlife tends to be most active. Guests are accompanied by a professional field guide and game tracker.  Game walks can also be arranged.

A babysitting service is available.

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 20 minute drive away from the airstrip.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Why Book With Us?

  • Specialists in African Holidays
  • Friendly Expert Service
  • Hundreds of Special Offers
  • Tailor-made itineraries
  • Price Promise
  • No Credit Card Fees
  • We can book your flights
  • ATOL Protected
  • UK Based
Independent Reviews of Travel Butlers from Feefo

Financial Protection

ATOL ProtectedProtected By ABTOT

All the flights and flight inclusive holidays on this websiteare financially protected either by ABTOT or the ATOL scheme.

When you pay for something protected by the ATOL scheme you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.

Please see our booking conditions for further information.