Travel by XO

13/11/2020

Near the sleepy seaside village of Noordhoek, Cape Point Vineyards invites you to spend the afternoon enjoying a relaxed picnic at their vineyard accompanied by magnificent wines and breathtaking views. Taking full advantage of its scenic setting, the award-winning winery offers a host of attractions that make the journey well worth the trip.
_________________________________________

11/11/2020

Dig your feet in the sand at Die Strandloper in Langebaan (situated 120 km north of Cape Town) and dive into a 10 course meal cooked over the fire, ranging from mussel pots to fish curry to fresh baked bread, while enjoying live music, drinks on the rocks (literally!) and the ocean, a short stone’s throw away. It’s the kind of place that welcomes all to to bring family, friends, book corporate functions, celebratory events and even weddings!
_________________________________________

09/11/2020

Truth Coffee Cape Town has specialised in selecting and roasting the world's most exclusive coffees, and doing so in incredible style. This steampunk-inspired, 19th-century artisan coffee roastery is great for anyone fascinated by the history of coffee, original blends, or Cape Town café society.

_________________________________________

06/11/2020

Protégé Restaurant is an exciting new casual fine dining eatery in Franschhoek under the guidance of previous Eat out Chef of the Year, La Colombe’s Scot Kirton. Aptly named, the restaurant aims to provide young talented chefs the opportunity to hone their skills.

Another aim that Scot had for the restaurant was for Protégé to be a place that locals could call home, while enjoying top-quality, seasonally driven comfort food. It’s certainly a restaurant not to miss if you’re in the area!
_________________________________________

04/11/2020

Situated in the growing art and food hub of Rosebank in Johannesburg, Marble celebrates the quintessential South African tradition of cooking on fire – and not just meat, but all types of ingredients cooked on coals – including fish, poultry, vegetables and breads.

Marble offers Joburg diners not just a plate of food, but a theatre of experience. Their wine list features 100 of the best local and some international wines. Diners can expect a great night out, with delicious food and top-notch service – and one of the best views of the city.

_________________________________________

02/11/2020

If you’re craving high quality barbecue meat, The Hickory Shack is the place to be! Situated about 70km out of Cape Town, The Hickory Shack honours the Texas tradition of dry rub meat over smoke and sauce after. They take it slow so you can enjoy just the right amount of smoke, juice and flavour. This restaurant is great to combine with trips like a glamping experience because this valley is known for its eco responsible and authentic experiences…
_________________________________________

30/10/2020

Wolfgat, voted the world’s Best Restaurant at The World Restaurant Awards in Paris in February 2019, is a tiny restaurant with a big personality and a seven course meal that is well worth a visit. Located in the small fishing village of Paternoster 145km north of Cape Town, special attention is paid to showcasing indigenous ingredients, from local lamb and venison (in season) and wild herbs to sustainable unique sea products, oysters, and seaweed sourced from local rock pools.

- Pic by
_________________________________________

28/10/2020

Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic, perfectly placed in one of the most scenic spots in a very spectacular place after Beau Constantia in the Cape Peninsula, is a brand new address for Chefs Warehouse.

Their contemporary tapas is a set menu of small plates for sharing in 4 courses. They choose ingredients that are fresh, local and sustainable paying homage to the ocean at their doorstep…
_________________________________________

26/10/2020

La Colombe Restaurant is slightly hidden on the Silvermist Wine Estate in Constantia, resulting in an unbeaten exclusivity and incomparable charm. La Colombe is contemporary cuisine fusing local South African ingredients with some French flair and Asian notes in an upmarket vineyard restaurant.

It’s no surprise that this is one of Cape Town's most well-loved restaurants, having won Best Restaurant in South Africa. It has also consistently received worldwide acclaim and is positioned amongst the top restaurants in the world. It’s certainly a restaurant not to miss!

Visitors of Franschhoek can also look forward to experiencing the same level of service excellence and exquisite cuisine that has put La Colombe on the map by visiting La Petite Colombe at the Le Quartier Français Hotel.
_________________________________________

23/10/2020

We’re closing the week off showcasing the amazing migration of more than 47 000 wildebeest that occurs in the Liuwa Plain National Park. Other animals you can see here include hyenas, cheetahs, lions, zebra, various bird species and more!

_________________________________________

21/10/2020

Time + Tide King Lewanika is the only camp within the Liuwa Plains of Zambia. The game viewing in this area is truly phenomenal. Fantastic guides will take you on fascinating safari excursions where you can witness the second biggest migration of more than 47 000 wildebeest, magnificent birdlife as well as an ever-growing and flourishing cheetah population…

_________________________________________

19/10/2020

One of Zambia’s most remote national parks, Liuwa Plain National Park lies west of the upper Zambezi River, close to the border with Angola. Liuwa Plain is one of the most exclusive national parks in Africa with only one lodge available within the park, making it an exclusive getaway.

Liuwa’s wildlife diversity is stunning. Along with the spectacular wildebeest migration, there are cheetahs, hyaenas, lions, eland, tsessebe and an incredible array of birds including the wattled crane…
_________________________________________

16/10/2020

There is so much to do while visiting the Okavango Delta at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge. Imagine gliding through a maze of clear channels and opaque lagoons on traditionally made mokoro boats, once carved out of ancient Delta trees. There are multiple ways to explore the wildlife in the Delta: you could go on a game drive, experience the safari on foot, go on a boat cruise safari and even get a bird eye’s view of the Delta via helicopter. The choice is yours!
_________________________________________

14/10/2020

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, Africa’s ultimate water-focused safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, is the ultimate luxury safari paradise overlooking a lagoon that attracts a breathtaking variety of big game and exotic birds. Explore the region by local canoe, roam on foot or take to the air in an exhilarating helicopter flight overlooking the magnificent Botswana landscape.

This lodge offers a safari vacation that brings together the excitement of discovery and an experience of the real Africa.
_________________________________________

12/10/2020

The seasonal floodplains of Botswana’s Okavango Delta serve as an ideal setting for an African safari. Here you’ll find a selection of luxurious camps and the options to explore the surroundings on land, foot, and via dugout canoe, making this one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife experiences…
_________________________________________

11/10/2020

This video is a taste of the destination we’ll be covering this upcoming week...

“When the world reopens, let’s change our travel behaviours. Avoid mass tourism. Instead travel in a more sustainable way.” - Wise words that remind us we’re not the only ones on Earth and that we have a responsibility to preserve its beauty, which includes places like the Okavango Delta.

Video directed by Antoine Janssens
_________________________________________

09/10/2020

There are a lot of fun activities at Royal Madikwe Luxury Safari Lodge: thrilling bush walks, exciting drumming lessons, seeing the Big Five on game drives, enjoying massage treatments, romantic star gazing and more!

Stay tuned for the next destination in our series…
_________________________________________

07/10/2020

Set amongst the rocky dolomite ridge of the Madikwe Game Reserve, Royal Madikwe Luxury Safari Lodge is the perfect retreat to rejuvenate your mind, take a break from life’s pressures and inhale the magnificent wild beauty surrounding you.

This lodge is perfect for both couples and families, as the amenities stretch from viewing decks with hot tubs to a kid’s club where children can play and learn about their natural surroundings in a safe environment.
_________________________________________

05/10/2020

This week we are talking about Madikwe Game Reserve, the fifth largest game reserve in SA with 680 square kilometres. It is situated against the Botswana border close to the Kalahari Desert. It’s roughly a 4.5 hours drive from Johannesburg but you do have the option to fly with charter flights. Here you will find the a wide range of wildlife, including the famous Big Five, as well as luxurious lodges…

Stay tuned this week to hear more about this amazing reserve!
_________________________________________

04/10/2020

Get ready for our new social media series! Each week we’ll be covering destinations with the very best and bespoke national parks and game reserves throughout Southern Africa. This series will be dedicated to wild open spaces, nature and, as always, lots of discoveries and memories to build for your next trips...

02/10/2020

As we close our RE series, let’s RE-member one of the many reasons we as human beings travel: to go on adventures with our loved ones and make long-lasting memories that will shape our tomorrows…

_________________________________________

30/09/2020

RE-invent with an open air bed in the middle of the bush… Places like Lion Sands by MORE Family Collection are Re-inventing the classic lodge for a more adventurous option, like spending the night under the African stars for an unforgettable trip…

_________________________________________

28/09/2020

RE-energise in Cape Town with incredible activities such as yoga on top of Table Mountain, shark cage diving, doing the highest Abseil in the world, surfing dunes, hot air ballooning in the Winelands, and even snorkelling with seals!

Animal Ocean is THE place to go for snorkelling with seals and experiencing the beauty of the ocean!

_________________________________________

25/09/2020

RE-discover a new way of discovering Namibia: from the sky and in a region way more wild and far from touristic clichés. The enthralling two-hour scenic flight will show you the Namib Desert, corroded whale bones that eerily protrude from the sandy beaches alongside dozens of withered shipwrecks, and more…
_________________________________________

23/09/2020

RE-enter a world of unique luxury travel, bespoke and remote locations offering incredible comfort right in the middle of nowhere. This week we're talking unique lodges of Africa and Namibia.

At Zannier Hotels Sonop, the majestic surroundings of the desert are wonderfully paired with the amenities offered at this camp: daily sightings of desert animals, horse-riding, spa, hot air balloon safari and private sunset safaris, to name a few…
_________________________________________
Zannier Hotels Zannier Hotels

21/09/2020

RE-CONNECT...after this long pause, we all need to reconnect to the world, to nature and feel alive again. This week we've decided to present to you the uniqueness of Namibia and allow you to Re-connect with your travel dreams. So let's escape together to a destination full of endless desert views and endless possibilities...
_________________________________________

20/09/2020

The weekend is over but this upcoming week we start a new series of discoveries, of hidden gems, of large open spaces, nature, and RE-connection. Let's enter together the world of RE...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8QqTgbnM9U

Here is a promotional video for our FIT department here at XO Africa: Travel by XO. We offer premium, luxury services and our knowledge on Southern Africa is...

18/09/2020

We wrap up this week’s Taste of Malawi with some useful facts for travellers.

Happy Friday! 🌞
_________________________________________

17/09/2020

Lake Malawi is blessed with over 500 species of fish, and traditionally, the fish were the locals’ main source of protein. Sadly, the country’s fishermen are under a lot of pressure as the fish populations are dwindling. The hope is that by employing certain restrictions and farming methods, the Lake’s fish will return to their former glory.
_________________________________________

17/09/2020

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the country will officially reopen borders for tourism on October 1, 2020. Let's start planning your next events and trips to South Africa!