Romantic Kruger & Mozambique Private Island

Depart OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on a charter flight to Dulini Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve bordering Kruger National Park. Your game ranger collects you at the airstrip for a short drive through pristine game-rich wilderness to your riverside safari retreat. Nestled on the banks of the seasonal Mabrak River, Dulini is a flagship lodge comprising just six stone-and-thatch waterside villas within South Africa’s most-exclusive private reserve. The Sabi Sand offers sensational Big 5 game viewing with the drawcards of reliable leopard sightings and off-road driving for up-close game observation.

Twice-daily game drives on the private concession are led by expert ranger-and-tracker teams who are keen to share their knowledge and passion for this very special part of Africa. In between phenomenal game viewing, your personal butler will ensure all your needs are discreetly met.

Refresh with a cooling dip in the swimming pool, take an afternoon siesta in your lavish suite, or spot birds from under the shade of the lodge’s ancient jackalberry tree. Elaborate bush breakfasts and dinners by gentle candlelight in the well-stocked wine cellar are Dulini’s notable culinary experiences. Then be lulled to sleep by the nocturnal stirs of far-off lion and hyena.

After your air charter from Dulini back to OR Tambo International Airport, you are transferred to The Residence Boutique Hotel for your overnight stay. Located in the historic and affluent neighbourhood of Houghton – also home to late President Nelson Mandela – this hotel carries an air of quiet dignity. You will be doted on by kind and helpful staff who will do their utmost to make you feel well and truly at home.

Characterised by regal charm with superb attention to detail, The Residence is set in beautifully landscaped gardens filled with bright-pink bougainvillea blossoms. The interior’s lavish lounges and sitting areas are adorned with plush furnishings which invite carefree relaxation. A cosy log fire is lit when a there is a chill in the air and large swinging French doors leading onto the spacious verandah are left open when the weather is warm.

Your airy, individually-designed suite – offering immense comfort and privacy – is adjoined by a balcony ideal for spending the day hours soaking up splendid views of the manicured garden. The tranquil spa is equipped with two treatment rooms both built on a suspended wooden deck from where water can be heard rippling gently below. Enjoy a drink at the hotel’s Piano Bar before heading to the formal dining area where glittering chandeliers set the mood for a silver-service dinner accompanied by fine wine.

You are transferred back to the airport to board your flight to Pemba in Mozambique. From Pemba, you are whisked away in a helicopter to Azura at Quilalea, an exclusive beach resort is set on an idyllic private island in Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago. This postcard-perfect Indian Ocean island is an untainted paradise and protected marine sanctuary characterised by pristine palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and mesmerising sunsets.

Step outside of your secluded sea-front villa straight onto the beach and peer out over the transparent ocean where men on dhows fish for your dinner. Closer to the shoreline, hundreds of tiny hermit crabs scuttle between the edge of the warm water and their homes in the sand. Water sports are aplenty on the island and you can find fantastic snorkelling straight from the beach fronting your villa. Further out at sea some of the world’s most magnificent coral reefs teem with rays, turtles and fish of every shape and colour which can discovered on day and night scuba dives. Deep-sea fishing, ocean safaris and kayaking are just some of the other epic marine adventures on offer. The island’s statuesque ancient baobab groves are thrilling to explore, while secluded Turtle Beach is home to dozens of nesting turtles and makes a gorgeous spot for a picnic for two.

Back in your open-plan villa built from coral stone and makuti thatch, a fine balance between comfort and privacy has been achieved with wood, cotton and other natural materials blending seamlessly with the island’s natural surroundings. Private decks furnished with loungers invite you to weigh up the qualities of yesterday’s glorious sunset compared to today’s, while outdoor showers allow bathing immersed in Mother Nature. Savour an ice-cold drink from the bar while taking in the magnificent sea-and-sand views afforded from the expansive viewing deck. Dinner brings a grand conclusion to the day, each meal prepared by the Michelin-experienced chef taking guests on a superb culinary journey and beach barbeques providing the ultimate toes-in-the-sand dining experience.

From the airstrip you are transferred by charter plane back to Pemba International Airport where you take a flight back to OR Tambo and then onto your connecting flight home.