Highlights of South Africa

Leeu Estates, an exclusive five-star Premium boutique hotel property with 23 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, takes central position on 68 hectares of vineyards, landscaped gardens and fynbos (indigenous vegetation) in the Franschhoek valley. Located between the mountainside and river, just minutes away from the village of Franschhoek, it is the ideal setting for an elegant and sophisticated private hideaway, offering superb comfort, fine dining and platinum service.

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At the centre of this working wine farm is the meticulously refurbished 19th-century Manor House with its six rooms and suites. There are two rooms adjacent to The Manor House, and the remaining rooms and suites are located in spacious cottages among the gardens, oak trees and vineyards.

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An expression of love, the Bokkie Garden is very close to owner Analjit Singh’s heart. The Afrikaans word bokkie means small buck but is also a term of endearment used by South Africans, comparable to ‘beloved’ or ‘sweetheart’. Pivotal to the Franchesca Watson designed garden with its herd of small buck is ‘Reflective Resonance’ by acclaimed sculptor Angus Taylor. It is a powerful piece in bronze and Belfast granite that is set to become a Franschhoek landmark.

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Experiences & Activities

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Set among the vineyards, Leeu Spa by Healing Earth is an immersive wellness sanctuary that offers holistic treatments and experiences by expert therapists. The tailor-made offerings are inspired by Africa’s rich natural resources, with a unique focus on the myriad therapeutic benefits of South Africa’s unique Pinotage grape. Pure and premium natural products from leading holistic wellness brand Healing Earth are used in the memorable treatments.

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The Wine Studio offers a truly immersive wine experience. Housed on Leeu Estates, it is run by the Mullineux & Leeu team, whose knowledgeable tasting room staff will guide guests in the finer nuances of these handcrafted wines.

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La Petite Colombe

La Colombe, the award-winning and world-renowned restaurant based in Constantia, one of the oldest winemaking regions of South Africa, has established a sister restaurant at Leeu Estates, run by the

talented La Petite Colombe team. Visitors to the epicurean valley of Franschhoek can now look forward to experiencing the same level of service excellence and exquisite cuisine that put La Colombe on

the map. The Franschhoek kitchen is headed up by talented young La Colombe chef John Norris-Rogers. Tasting menus focus on the finest local and seasonal produce, recommended with a rare and fine wine selection.

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Le chêne

The in-house dining option at Leeu Estates means resident guests never have to leave the property, if they so desire. All-day light dining includes dishes like salads harvested from the estate garden, burgers, wraps and gourmet sandwiches. On the à la carte menu you’ll find starters like pork terrine with charred spring onion, smoked bacon jam, pea and mint velouté, sultana gel, mange tout, and Melba toast for starters, and smoked Wagyu beef brisket with sweet potato mash as a main course. There are several vegan and vegetarian options. The breakfast menu is comprehensive but also allows for guests to tailor their personal preferences for the most important meal of the day. Children have their own menu, which includes spectacular desserts to thrill the little ones.

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Accommodation

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Executive Suite with Terrace

WinelandsThe Leeu Collection is the manifestation of the vision of founder Analjit Singh (aka BAS) for sophisticated escapes and unique guest experiences. The hospitality portfolio currently comprises one premium five-star and two five-star boutique properties in South Africa’s Winelands: Leeu Estates, a five-star premium 23-room country house and boutique winery in the Franschhoek valley; Leeu House, an exclusive 12-room hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village; and Le Quartier Français, a romantic 25-room also located in the village. The first acquisition outside of South Africa was Linthwaite House, a 36-room country retreat overlooking Windermere in England’s scenic Lake District, followed by Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection in Florence, Italy, a luxury hotel and pristine gardens (opening 2024). Both the historic center of Florence and the Lake District are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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An average size of 115m²/1 238ft², each spacious suite has its own separate lounge area(one with hot tub, available on request). Situated in Protea House, Cellar Cottage and The Manor House, they offer various views, from the manicured gardens to mountains and vineyards.

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Plettenberg Bay is truly the jewel of The Garden Route, situated about 210kms from Port Elizabeth and 600kms from Cape Town. Originally christened “Bahia Formosa”, meaning Beautiful Bay, by early Portuguese explorers, Plettenberg Bay offers holidaymakers a wonderful holiday experience. The town has miles of sweeping golden beaches, the dramatic Robberg Peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, indigenous forests, and unpolluted rivers and seas to entice visitors.

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The peaceful little village of Wittedrift is situated between the hills covered with indigenous fynbos and the Bitou River and is a bird and nature lover’s paradise. From Keurboomstrand to the Robberg Peninsula, there are 15 kms of beaches disrupted only by the river mouth and an island. The river, lagoon, bay and beaches are an absolute paradise for fishing and boating enthusiasts, and the area offers the best shore-based whale watching in the area.

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Activities in the area are plentiful, with fabulous trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Water sports include sailing in the safe waters of the bay, superb rock and surf fishing, paddling and scuba diving. Plettenberg Bay has a very rich marine life. Schools of playful dolphins can regularly be seen surfing the waves of the local beaches. Whale watching is a very popular attraction during the months of July to December. There are boat-based tours available, as well as marine safaris, which provide a chance to see these gentle giants up close.

Emulating the monumental ruins of an ancient central African civilisation, the impressive stone-masonry entrance flanked by water features leads into a magnificent foyer supported by polished Blackwood columns.The afro-baroque décor with its earthy colours, rich textures and handcrafted fittings draws inspiration from the diverse cultures of Africa, yet remains integrated with the sophistication of the Western world.

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Whether from the exotically appointed dining room, the intimate glassed-in lounge, or the large open decks high above the forest floor, the views are all breathtakingly beautiful, encompassing lush forests extending across rolling valleys towards distant hills.

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Accommodation

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The magical allure of Tsala is irresistible to those who appreciate exclusivity, fine fare, romance and adventure. With beautiful private suites and villas, breathtaking views and forest seclusion, unique architectural design and excellent personal service, it is a fantastic get-away destination.

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Tucked into the forest canopy, ten luxury hide-away suites are the essence of indulgence and romance. Constructed of stone, wood and glass these beautiful tree-house suites comprise of a plush bedroom, an elegant sitting room with a fireplace and a spacious bathroom fit for royalty. Extending into the forest is a private deck and your own infinity pool providing the ultimate privacy.

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&BEYOND Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses an impressive 29 866 hectares (73 800 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

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Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, &BEYOND Phinda is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 436 bird species. The reserve is particularly well known for close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare black rhino.

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With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. Home to 1 000 hectares (2471 acres) of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest, the reserve is situated in close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, offering an unmatched combination of bush and beach adventures.

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Guests at Phinda experience interpretive game drives, in open 4×4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained &BEYOND rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as a wide range of optional adventures in the bush and on the beach.

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Phinda Private Game Reserve showcases one of the continent’s finest Big Five game viewing experiences and displays a magnificent tapestry of seven unique landscapes across an impressive 29 866 ha (73 800 acres) of protected wildlife terrain. Guests at Phinda experience unforgettable interpretive game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained &BEYOND rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as a wide range of optional adventures in the bush and on the beach.

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Phinda Vlei Lodge’s unique location offers ever-changing game viewing from the comfort of your suite. Set on the edge of a sand forest, and overlooking a vast grassy meadow, each of the six thatched suites ensure exclusivity and incredible wildlife sightings. The air-conditioned suites each feature a beautiful, plantation-style bedroom, with a luxuriously spacious ensuite bathroom and dressing room that effortlessly blends a sense of old-world luxury with quirky, contemporary features. The suite’s interiors showcase a mix of curated antiques and collectables combined with bold fabrics. Take advantage of a private lap pool and game viewing deck that overlooks lush plains and observe antelope and other curious wildlife grazing nearby, as well as a variety of birdlife. Unwind in the beautiful surrounds of the main guest area, which also includes a handsome library, as well as a fire pit setting, ideal for pre-dinner drinks.

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Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as a specialist walking and tracking safaris, a sleep out under the stars, and other participative conservation experiences such rhino notching or pangolin tagging. Also within easy access of the reserve are Zulu village tours, Africa Foundation community visits, a Maputaland exploration, Maputaland beach trip, night turtle drives (seasonal), scuba safaris, or an incredible ocean safari that offers you a host of marine life sightings. Specialist safaris can be arranged in advance and focus on special interests such as birding, photographic, family and private safaris.

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Experiences & Activities

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Game Drives

Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives that continue after nightfall. andBeyond’s professionally trained guides will ask you about your favourite wildlife and will do their best to ensure that your preferences are met, whether it is tracking a particular species or spending more time enjoying each sighting and getting to know the habits of the animals. They will also tell you about the vegetation of the region and will explain the behaviour of the animals that you come across. In some cases, the guides will be able to identify individual animals and let you know about their history and habits.

andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is renowned for its exceptional sightings of the elusive cheetah and the rare black rhino, as well as the Big Five. There is also a number of resident lion prides and rangers will do their best to provide you with an exceptional sighting of all of these animals.

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Pangolin Conservation Experience

Pangolins are the most poached mammal on the planet. They are animals in the shadowlands of extinction. Participate in our one-of-its-kind Pangolin conservation experience, and support us in this groundbreaking initiative to re-establish Temminck’s [ground] pangolin in a region where they have gone locally extinct. Intensive monitoring, using VHF and GSM/UHF tracking tags, is a core element of this project. Travel with our specialist conservation team as they locate the animal, replace the GSM/UHF tag, do general health checks, and gather crucial data.

Your Experience: Participate in this privately guided pangolin research and monitoring experience at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, and you’ll be supporting the conservation of the world’s most trafficked mammal. In this interpretive and exclusive activity, guests will join a researcher as he (or she) locates one of the pangolins that has been reintroduced to the reserve. They will have the rare opportunity to observe the unique features and remarkable adaptations of these gentle creatures first hand as our researcher does a general health check, and downloads critical research data from the UHF tag attached to each pangolin.

This exclusive experience is available at an additional cost and is subject to availability. It will take place in the afternoon or evening in winter, or at night in summer. Guests need to be 16 years or older to participate. If less than 6 guests, a private vehicle needs to be booked. Guests will unfortunately not be allowed to touch or handle the animals.

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Turtle Nesting Adventure

‍For four months during the southern hemisphere summer, the enormous leatherback and loggerhead turtles emerge from the Indian Ocean at Sodwana Bay to lay their precious eggs in the sand. As the moon rises over the ocean, excitement grows as you drive along the deserted coastline in search of fresh turtle tracks that emerge from the ocean and travel along the beach in search of a suitable nesting site. Watch as the female turtle digs her nest and lays her clutch of up to a hundred eggs.

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Zulu Village Tour

Visit a Zulu community just outside andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and interact with the friendly Zulu people. An expert andBeyond guide will escort you through the community and share interesting insight into the Zulu culture and its fascinating customs, beliefs and traditions. You will be invited into a traditional homestead and given the rare opportunity to witness the daily routines and lifestyle of a rural Zulu family. Learn about the family structures, how the homes are built, why cattle are so highly revered, and much more. Later, you will spend time with the highly respected local sangoma (witch doctor/traditional healer) who will explain the wonders of Zulu ancestry and their spiritual beliefs. The adventure ends with a quick stop at the Mbhedula Craft Market, where the beautiful handiwork of 43 Zulu crafters is showcased. It’s a great place to find that perfect souvenir of your time spent with the Zulu people.

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Rhino Conservation Activity

Enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with a rhino at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve while assisting in the conservation of this rare species. This adventure allows guests to witness the capture and darting of a rhino and assist the veterinary team in notching the sleeping animals ear for research and security monitoring. Ear notches, as well as microchips placed in the horn, enable researchers to correctly identify different rhino on the reserve. Groups of up to eight guests each (sharing the same vehicle) can participate in the entire process, from locating and darting the rhino by helicopter to the never to be repeated opportunity to touch the anaesthetised giant during the notching procedure.

Available at an additional cost (excluding accommodation), Guests need to be 12 years and older to participate and is subject to the availability of the wildlife veterinarian and helicopter pilot. If less than 6 guests, a private vehicle will need to be booked. Minimum stay of 3 nights' stay required in order to guarantee favourable conditions for darting.

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Ocean Safari

Whilst enjoying the exceptional Big Five &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, why not treat yourself to an Ocean Safari that offers a wonderful opportunity to encounter some of South Africa’s beautiful marine life. This exciting adventure, aboard an inflatable vessel and in the company of a certified dive master, offers the prospect of encountering and swimming with wild dolphins, snorkelling amidst flourishing reefs and the chance to view humpback and southern right whales (seasonal).

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Elephant Conservation Experience

Be among four groups, of up to eight guests each, who will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve’s elephant conservation project. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness an elephant darting, and assist in the changing of the sleeping pachyderm’s radio collar. Four of the elephant collars utilised in Phinda’s research programme are in need of replacing and guests are being invited to participate in this extraordinary experience. G

Available at an additional cost (excluding accommodation), Guests need to be 12 years and older to participate and is subject to the availability of the wildlife veterinarian and helicopter pilot. If less than 6 guests, a private vehicle will need to be booked. Minimum stay of 3 nights' stay required in order to guarantee favourable conditions for darting.

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Accommodation

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Suites

Stilted glass and thatch suites set on the edge of the rare Sand Forest. Each air conditioned suite features a spacious room, luxurious ensuite bathroom, and dressing room. The ensuite bathroom provides a sense of old world luxury, while the suite’s interiors showcase a mix of curated antiques and collectibles.

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Take advantage of a private lap pool and game viewing deck that overlooks a grassy meadow, where you can observe antelope grazing nearby, as well as a variety of birdlife.

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The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is situated in the southwestern corner of the world-renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa and consists of 65 000 hectares (160 620 acres). It is the most prestigious game reserve in South Africa and is famous for incredible leopard and lion sightings. With one of the richest game populations in the country, the chances of seeing the Big Five are excellent. Even though there is a 50-kilometre unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park, wildlife in the Sabi Sand Reserve is well-habituated resulting in extraordinary close encounters and prolific sightings, particularly of the elusive leopard.

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Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers excellent wildlife viewing. This is especially true for flagship species including the big cats. All of the Big Five are usually ticked in a two to three-day visit. The off-road driving assures quality sightings of most species, particularly the habituated resident predators. Sabi Sand is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, which makes for a very authentic wildlife experience. Wildlife viewing in Sabi Sands is at its best during the Dry season (June to September). August and September are particularly nice, since it is warmer than in mid-winter and animals tend to gather at water sources, making them easier to spot.

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