Following his first instalment on Botswana last week, Paul Evans, founder of eveology, shares what the (incredibly lucky) fam participants were treated to on the Cape Town leg of their Ultimate African Adventure with Belmond and Green Route Africa, .
Day 5 – 7
Cape Town & The Nellie
Onwards, our journey continued to the vibrant city of Cape Town, with a short return flight to Maun and an easy connection for a direct flight to South Africa’s Mother City.
Cape Town is a destination I know very well, having enjoyed many visits for client events and a couple of personal holidays. So, I was super eager to see if I would discover some new experiences and venues on this trip since my last visit in 2019.
The Cape Town chapter was hosted in partnership with one of the leading incentive pioneers of Southern and Eastern Africa, the award-winning Green Route Africa DMC. They brilliantly weaved a perfect 48 hours to satisfy the first-time visitor with some key highlights along with sufficient new ingredients to satisfy the returners and old-timers like yours truly.
A welcome return to The Mount Nelson Hotel, affectionately known as ‘The Nellie’, which has been a landmark of Cape Town since 1899. Its grand architecture and lush gardens exude an old-world charm, while the interiors offer contemporary luxury and comfort. The hotel boasts 198 exquisite rooms and suites alongside a stunning array of event spaces both on the grounds and in stylish function rooms.
Cape Town is a melting pot of cultures, and the Mount Nelson Hotel offers a gateway to this vibrant city. Guests can explore the nearby attractions, such as the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Table Mountain and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Afternoon tea at the hotel is a must-try experience, with various delicacies served in the elegant lounge.
There were many highlights! A stunning chef’s table dinner on our first evening in Mount Nelson launched our whirlwind African city experience. The next day, we had a meander through the colourful Bokapp neighbourhood before the essential visit to Table Mountain. Sadly, there were no views from the iconic mountain due to a blanket of clouds. For first timers, it was a bucket list tick and a chance to ride the super-fast cable cars and enjoy a coffee stop at the top.
This was followed by a rendezvous with some jeeps for a stunning drive over Chapman’s Peak, with a stop for bubbles before continuing along the epic coastline. We stopped for a glorious lunch in Constantia at Buitenverwachting Winery, which is perfectly located on the other side of Table Mountain and has an easy route back to the Mount Nelson.
Off to dinner, surprise side cars whisked us to the V&A Waterfront for cocktails on the roof at the super cool Silo followed by a dinner at Cape Town’s newest and hottest restaurant Marble located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront.
Our final day was another surprise helicopter ride with a flight over the city before a Cape Malay cooking class at the modern eatery Spyced. Before heading to our flight home, a final surprise guest at our departure afternoon tea was an absolute treat. We were joined by the delightful Zelda la Grange, former private secretary to Nelson Mandela, now a motivational keynote speaker who shared some stories and insights into South Africa’s changes and her time with the legendary great man.
From the untamed wilderness of Botswana to the sophisticated charm of Cape Town, this experience offered a perfect blend of adventure and luxury. Belmond’s Savuti Elephant Camp and Eagle Island Lodge provide an immersive experience in some of Africa’s most pristine natural landscapes. At the same time, the Mount Nelson Hotel offers a touch of elegance and comfort in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Undoubtedly, as billed, the hosts delivered the ‘The Ultimate African Adventure’. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a culture aficionado, or simply seeking relaxation, this travel itinerary delivered an unforgettable experience to suit incentive travel or corporate retreat.
Don’t just take my word for it. I gathered a few comments from my fellow travellers and event professionals on their take on the ultimate African adventure, brilliantly hosted by the teams at Belmond, Green Route African, and their respective collaborators, and collated some photo highlights too:
“From the endless horizons of Botswana to the buzzing spirit of Cape Town, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the ultimate African experience to such a wonderful group of clients. Being a first-time safari goer myself, I just couldn’t believe how much we got to see in 4 days safari! Now Cape Town is a better-known destination, yet The Mount Nelson offers a unique experience as the only true urban resort in the Mother City. With the help of Green Route Africa, we were able to put together a program highlighting Cape Town’s coming-together of cultures, cuisines and landscapes.”
Perrine Chapelain, Senior Client Director, Groups & Events, Uk, Scandinavia, France & Benelux
“The surprises just kept coming as we ended our trip in Cape Town. Staying at the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel pretty in pink with welcome cocktails to match! We enjoyed Cape Town from above with our second helicopter ride of the week, a cooking experience with a celebrity chef, a unique transfer to dinner in sidecars, and a very special afternoon tea guest: Mandela’s former private secretary, who brought shivers to my spine!”
Heather Frei, Event Operations Director, Seven Events
“The laid back yet exhilarating time spent on safari, was quickly contended by all the action of The Mother City. In just an easy connection and short flight, you can hop straight over to Belmond’s Mount Nelson hotel, which offers all the charm, luxury, glamour and convenience that you could hope for in a city centre hotel. Pairing this with Belmond’s equally beautiful safari lodges is a game changer.”
Harriet Kendall, Client Engagement Director, søster
“Green Route was so excited to co-host this amazing group of event professionals in Cape Town! From unforgettable moments on top of Table Mountain to creative showcases in the Silo District, we got to show how Cape Town always has something new to offer”
Ilyaas Narker, Group Sales Manager, Green Route Africa DMC