iii

Welcome to the Outstanding 100

There is a wealth of literature dedicated to promoting the

world’s finest hotels, spas and restaurants. For every niche

of luxury leisure living there is a title that’ll appeal to the

devotees of that narrow pursuit. So it seemed absurd to us

that despite all these books, there was no single publication cover-

ing a broad range of truly outstanding experiences – all within one

particular region.

A little over two years ago we surrounded ourselves with a group

of experts from a variety of leisure and luxury services. Whether it

was hotels, game lodges, wine estates or the unusual, we set about

compiling a master list of the very best experiences that South Africa

has to offer.

To ensure that this book would serve as a useful pointer to the

undeniably excellent, we put a strict set of criteria in place that would

set the truly exquisite apart from the simply pleasant. This criteria

was not a star-rating system or checklist of fancy amenities. Rather,

in keeping with our pursuit for the outstanding, we sought out estab-

lishments that boasted passion and devotion to a rare level of

customer service, making for an unforgettable experience.

This book is a comprehensive revelation of hidden gems and

must-have experiences that have made South Africa one of the

world’s most sought after tourist destinations. It has been an

absolute pleasure compiling our first Outstanding 100 title on such

a beautiful country.

Rob Sawyer Tom Pearson-Adams

Welcome

v

iii Welcome to Outstanding 100

vii Forewords

ix Locator Game Reserves

xi Locator Hotels & Spas

xiii Locator Restaurants

xv Locator Unique Attractions

xvii Locator Wine Estates

xviii Credits

xix Notes

001 Aquatrails

002 Auberge Michel

003 Aubergine

004 Backsberg Estate Cellars

005 Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris

006 Birkenhead House

007 The Blue Train

008 Bon Cap

009 Bouchard Finlayson

010 Boulders

011 Bread & Wine Restaurant

012 Cape Cobra Hire

013 The Cape of Good Hope

014 Cape Sports Center

015 Cape Xtreme

016 Castle on the Cliff

017 The Cellars-Hohenort

018 Constantia Glen

019 Constantia Uitsig

020 Dieu Donné

021 The Dunes

022 Dungeons Big Wave Surfing

023 Ellerman House & Ellerman Villa

024 Engine Room Restaurant

025 Ernie Els Wines

026 Face Adrenalin

027 Fairview Wine & Cheese

028 Fancourt

029 Fantastic Racing

030 Forum Homini

031 Ginja

032 Gorah Elephant Camp

033 Graham Beck Wines

034 Grande Provence

035 Grootbos

036 Hamilton Russell Vineyards

037 Harley-Davidson

038 Hermanus Whale Cruises

039 Hunter’s Country House

040 Île de Païn

041 Impodimo

042 Jaci’s Tree Lodge & Jaci’s Safari Lodge

043 Jardine

044 Kensington Place

045 Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

046 Langebaan Houseboats

047 La Petite Ferme

048 La Residence

049 Le Quartier Français

050 Londolozi

051 Lucky Store

052 Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams

053 Makanyane Safari Lodge

054 Marataba Safari Company

055 Mardouw Country House

056 The Marine

057 Melissa’s

058 Mhondoro

059 Mont Rochelle Hotel

060 Morgenster

061 Motostars

062 Myoga

063 Nac Makana

064 Notten’s Bush Camp

065 Ocean 7

066 Oude Molen Brandy Distillery

067 Paranga Restaurant

068 Para-Taxi

069 Pearl Valley Golf Estates

070 The Plettenberg

071 Restaurant Mosaic

072 Rodwell House

073 Roots

074 Rovos Rail

075 Royal Madikwe

076 Royal Malewane

077 Rustenberg

078 Rust en Vrede

079 Sabi Sabi

080 Salt

081 Saxenburg

082 Saxon

083 Shamwari

084 Simola

085 Singita Boulders & Ebony

086 Singita Lebombo & Sweni

087 Skydive Cape Town

088 Spier

089 Tanda Tula

090 Thunder City

091 Tinga

092 Tokara

093 Tsala Treetop Lodge & Villas

094 Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours

095 Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

096 Unreal Dive Expeditions

097 Vergelegen

098 Villiera

099 Wakame

100 Woodall Country House & Spa

Contents

conTenTS

gAme ReSeRveS

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ATTRAcTIonSWIne FARmS

vii

Some might say I have the easiest job around. As the Minister of Tourism for one

of the most beautiful countries in the world, convincing people that South Africa

should be their holiday destination of choice should be a breeze. We have some

of the most exquisite and varied game reserves in the world; our hospitality

industry is perfectly geographically and culturally situated between the West and East

to take the finest influences from both worldviews and combine them with the best

Africa has to offer; and we are also one of the most sought after destinations for

eco- and adventure tourism.

South Africa has been awarded many prestigious tourism awards, including top

honours for our airlines, resorts, hotels and safaris. We are recognised for our friendli-

ness and spontaneity, the quality of service on offer and the distinctive and proud way in

which we present our country to the world. In less than two decades we have seen our

restaurants listed in the top 50 in the world, our resorts have won international hospitality

awards and the number of people visiting the country continues to grow.

The difficulty of my job lies not in finding reasons for people to visit South Africa,

but rather in finding the time to cover each and every one of the countless unique

experiences this country has to offer. This is why a publication such as Outstanding 100

is such an asset to the country. The book has managed to sum up the finest elements of

what South Africa has to offer global holiday-makers in a succinct but comprehensive

and elegant manner. It’s a pleasure to contribute to it, but it’s even more exciting to have

my view of our country enriched by the contents of this publication.

Happy travels.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

South Africa welcomes more Brits to its shores than holiday-makers from any

other country. As someone who is partly responsible for the well-being of these

British holiday-makers, I’ve always counted it a privilege to work in a country

that has as much to offer as South Africa does. One can only imagine my sur-

prise, then, upon seeing the first drafts of the book you’re holding, over how much I had

been missing out on. The research team at Outstanding 100 have managed to uncover

some genuine luxury hospitality gems that have, until now, been very well kept secrets.

If you’re looking for run-of-the-mill tour-package holiday destinations, then perhaps this

is not the book for you. If, however, you’re a discerning traveller looking for some truly

extraordinary experiences, then a better guidebook one cannot find.

Richard Wood, British Consul General

“We are one of the most sought after destinations for eco- and

adventure tourism”

“If you’re a discerning traveller looking for some truly extraordinary experiences, then a better guidebook one cannot find”

FoReWoRdS

ix

Map Destination Page

01 Gorah Elephant Camp 032

02 Grootbos 035

03 Impodimo 041

04 Jaci’s Tree Lodge & Jaci’s Safari Lodge 042

05 Londolozi 050

06 Makanyane Safari Lodge 053

07 Marataba Safari Company 054

08 Mhondoro 058

09 Notten’s Bush Camp 064

10 Royal Madikwe 075

11 Royal Malewane 076

12 Sabi Sabi 079

13 Shamwari 083

14 Singita Boulders & Ebony 085

15 Singita Lebombo & Sweni 086

16 Tanda Tula 089

17 Tinga 091

Game Reserves

“The vast plains of the Great Karoo are just a day’s drive from the lush coastal jungle

of the Wilderness”

jungle of the Wilderness. A couple of hours north of that is the Tsitsikamma

National Park, one of the world’s most captivating coastal reserves. From the

picturesque Drakensburg Mountains in the east, to the breathtakingly stark

West Coast, South Africa is a country flush with some of the world’s most

gorgeous natural treasures.

But having access to nature at its finest, and being able to appreciate

that access are two different things. Outstanding 100 acknowledges the

former and enables readers of this book to accomplish the latter. Being a part

of that enlightening process is a privilege and seeing the elegance of Out-

standing 100’s final product is a pleasure.

Bruce Parry, former British Royal Marine and presenter of the BBC’s Tribe

Like the hospitality industry, I judge luxury by the number of stars on

display. But I prefer my stars spread out, crystal clear against a black

night sky, unspoilt by urban smog and undiluted by city lights. Having

spent some time presenting the show Tribe for the BBC, I’ve had the

opportunity of travelling through some of the planet’s most remote and

beautiful landscapes. My privileged experience has taken me monkey hunting

in the Amazon, tracking reindeer across Siberia, and living with the Akie

people of Tanzania. I’ve travelled deep into the Borneo jungle to find the

Penan tribes of Sarawak, and hiked through some of Tibet’s fiercest snow-

storms. I’ve been lucky enough to see things that most people can only

dream of seeing. One thing I can share with others, though, is the realisation

that these awe-inspiring landscapes are not always cut off from civilization

by miles of foreboding tundra, or walls of impenetrable jungle.

South Africa is a country full of easily accessible intense natural beauty.

The vast plains of the Great Karoo are just a day’s drive from the lush coastal

gAme ReSeRveS

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“South Africa is a country flush with some of the world’s most gorgeous natural treasures”

xi

Map Destination Page

01 Birkenhead House 006

02 Castle on the Cliff 016

03 Ellerman House & Ellerman Villa 023

04 Forum Homini 030

05 Hunter’s Country House 039

06 Kensington Place 044

07 La Residence 048

08 Mardouw Country House 055

09 The Marine 056

10 The Plettenberg 070

11 Rodwell House 072

12 Saxon 082

13 Tsala Treetop Lodge & Villas 093

14 Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa 095

15 Woodall Country House & Spa 100

Hotels & Spas

“This book is a treasure trove of exquisite experiences sought out for your convenience”

The small luxury hotel scene is a fascinating business. The symbol

of five stars attached to an establishment’s name is a highly sought

after accolade and comes with a neat write-up of all the criteria it

takes to be a plush five-star property.

In nearly all aspects of luxury travel, understated is now the rule and

sophisticated travellers prefer the thoughtful touches: a bundle of fragrant

local flowers, a surprise trip to the general manager’s own home or the recipe

for a favourite dish printed up and left with their bill. “It’s all about ‘being’ ver-

sus ‘having’,” says Jacques-Olivier Chauvin, CEO of the small high-end hotel

group Relais & Châteaux.

This is where Outstanding 100 is of incalculable worth. With their

concise write-ups and clearly laid out criteria, an Outstanding 100 publication is

a guarantee of the highest level of accommodation and quality of experience

in every area of the leisure lifestyle. Discerning visitors to South Africa shouldn’t

leave their homes without one.

Tim Cumming, hotelier

Life as a beauty editor has its perks. Not only do you learn all the

inside tips on how to keep yourself in tiptop shape, you also get to

meet experts in the fields of fashion, cosmetics and healthcare. Being

around these people of excellence has a funny way of giving you a

taste for the very best beauty products, spa treatments and wellness centres.

The trouble is, the more you know, the harder it is to find experiences that

meet your heightened standards. Which is why a book like Outstanding 100

is so important. Compiled with excellence at its core, this book is a treasure

trove of exquisite experiences sought out for your convenience. You no longer

need to be disappointed by mediocrity in the search for quality; the answers

are all here.

Nicolene Strydom, Cosmopolitan beauty editor

hoTelS & SpAS

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“ It’s all about ‘being’ versus ‘having’”

xiii

Map Destination Page

01 Auberge Michel 002

02 Aubergine 003

03 Bread & Wine Restaurant 011

04 The Cellars-Hohenort 017

05 Dieu Donné 020

06 Engine Room Restaurant 024

07 Ginja 031

08 Île de Païn 040

09 Jardine 043

10 La Petite Ferme 047

11 Le Quartier Français 049

12 Lucky Store 051

13 Melissa’s 057

14 Myoga 062

15 Paranga Restaurant 067

16 Restaurant Mosaic 071

17 Roots 073

18 Salt 080

19 Wakame 099

Restaurants

“The restaurants and hotels are centres of matchlesscreativity and inventive genius that have proven time and time again that they are indisputably outstanding”

ReSTAuRAnTS

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cpT There was a time when the top chefs in South Africa were all foreign-

ers. But that has all changed as I’ve watched my peers create, invent

and infuse new flavours and textures to produce cuisine that has

stomachs rumbling and mouths watering across the world. Outstand-

ing 100 is a powerful vehicle that places true South African talent under a

global spotlight. The restaurants and hotels presented in this book are not

fly-by-night sensations, but rather centres of matchless creativity and inven-

tive genius that have proven time and time again that they are indisputably

outstanding.

Dario De Angeli, chef and restaurateur

South Africa is blessed with ingredients that are special in their diver-

sity: the range of antelopes, the texture of our lamb, the unique flavour

of the ostrich, crayfish and wild oysters come to mind. It is now a

culinary destination where visitors can experience establishments that

use these ingredients creatively to produce memorable taste sensations.

Outstanding 100 is a book that celebrates these establishments of rare

pedigree. It is not simply a collection of outstanding experiences but rather

a treasure chest of gastronomic gems and a guide to truly excellent dining.

Harald Bresselschmidt, Chef Patron of Aubergine Restaurant

“It is not simply a collection of outstanding experiences but rather a treasure chest of gastronomic gems and a guide to truly excellent dining”

xv

Map Destination Page

01 Aquatrails 001

02 Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris 005

03 The Blue Train 007

04 Boulders 010

05 Cape Cobra Hire 012

06 The Cape of Good Hope 013

07 Cape Sports Center 014

08 Cape Xtreme 015

09 The Dunes 021

10 Dungeons Big Wave Surfing 022

11 Face Adrenalin 026

12 Fancourt 028

13 Fantastic Racing 029

14 Harley-Davidson 037

15 Hermanus Whale Cruises 038

16 Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts 045

17 Langebaan Houseboats 046

18 Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams 052

19 Motostars 061

20 Nac Makana 063

21 Ocean 7 065

22 Para-Taxi 068

23 Pearl Valley Golf Estates 069

24 Rovos Rail 074

25 Simola 084

26 Skydive Cape Town 087

27 Thunder City 090

28 Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours 094

29 Unreal Dive Expeditions 096

Unique Attractions

“Nothing compares with the extraordinary magnificence and diversity of South Africa”

unIque ATTRAcTIonS

Paarl

StellenboschFranschhoek

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19 20

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01 04 06 09

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0302 24

When I was about 10 my father acceded to my persistent pleas

for a canoe. Not living in a place where such things could be

bought, he had a friend solder up a sort of galvanised box with

a flat bottom and pointed front. Each Sunday in summer I’d get

dropped at the Bongolo Dam near Queenstown where we lived. Quite alone,

I’d drag my canoe into the water and push off into the mysterious swampy

wetland. The silence was both scary and delicious, broken by the occasional

calls of laughing doves or the sudden flurry of wings when I disturbed a

roosting cormorant, little egret or frog-hunting grey heron. I remember a

thunderstorm brewing over the distant mountains one March. Both air and

water were perfectly still, but the sky overcast – mid-afternoon had all the

serenity of evening. The dam was as smooth as a mirror and the clear portion

of the air above it was shallow and darkened by clouds. The water, full of light

and reflections, was a lower sky itself and so much more compelling. I sat,

spellbound, knowing I was in the most beautiful place on earth, and only

when lightning drilled into a nearby hill did I remember that I was in a metal

canoe. It was during these quiet paddles, or sitting on a fallen tree munching

my sandwiches, that a delight in wilderness was born. Since then, as editor of

Getaway magazine, I’ve found many places around the world that absolutely

creak with beauty. But nothing compares with the extraordinary magnificence

and diversity of South Africa. When I get back here from some trip to the rest

of Africa, Europe, the East or the Americas, I almost kiss the tarmac as I step

off the plane. We who live here are fortunate indeed.

Don Pinnock, editor of Getaway magazine

I have a little saying that says, “Everything is negotiable except for quality”.

This has been one of the rules I have tried to live by when making

decisions concerning my lifestyle, the way I provide for my family, and

the business associations I develop. This is why, despite having

designed golf courses in more than 35 countries and having had the privilege

of seeing the most beautiful locations in the world, I have chosen to live in

South Africa. When it comes to quality of life, this country cannot be assailed.

My golfing has taken me to some of the finest courses on the globe.

I can honestly say that South Africa competes with the world’s best and is at

present producing ground-breaking sporting tourist destinations that display

unparalleled creativity and consideration for the environment – an aspect all

too readily ignored when seeking to create luxury golfing resorts.

I also have a deep love and respect for the environment, and South

Africa again comes up trumps with regards to providing unmatched examples

of five-star eco-tourism locations.

Finally, having had the privilege of being able to carefully select the

projects I involve myself with, I couldn’t help but develop a keen sense for

spotting people and projects that hold excellence and integrity as core values.

Outstanding 100 is one such project. Compiling a portfolio of South Africa’s

finest lifestyle experiences is an undertaking that demands faultless research,

patience, great discernment and, most importantly, an eye for quality. These

are all values I hold close to my heart. When you consider that they’re applied

to promote our South Africa – a country unbeatable in its beauty and limit-

less possibilities – I take great pride in being able to add to it. This book places

South Africa squarely in the spotlight reserved for the world’s finest tourist

destinations, and the reading of it is every bit as exquisite as the experiences

it portrays.

Gary Player, professional South African golfer and golf course architect

xvii

WIne FARmS

Map Destination Page

01 Backsberg Estate Cellars 004

02 Bon Cap 008

03 Bouchard Finlayson 009

04 Constantia Glen 018

05 Constantia Uitsig 019

06 Ernie Els Wine 025

07 Fairview Wine & Cheese 027

08 Graham Beck Wines 033

09 Grande Provence 034

10 Hamilton Russell Vineyards 036

11 Mont Rochelle Hotel 059

12 Morgenster 060

13 Oude Molen Brandy Distillery 066

14 Rustenberg 077

15 Rust en Vrede 078

16 Saxenburg 081

17 Spier 088

18 Tokara 092

19 Vergelegen 097

20 Villiera 098

Wine Estates

“These estates present wines of excellence that guarantee quality”

Paarl

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10

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Franschhoek

South Africa is blessed with an abundance of natural splendour that

has no bounds. The diversity of our regions seems almost impossible;

we are truly a world in one. This natural beauty is enhanced by a rich

cultural heritage, drawing strength from its tapestry of people. Our

unique blend of people and place will rejuvenate your soul. Outstanding 100

has been put together to offer you a glimpse of what we would like to share.

To life!

Charles Back, Fairview

The wine market is a sector driven by the changing tastes of the

consumer. My job is to predict which wines people will want to buy

in the months and years to come. Seeking to source exciting wines to

fulfil emerging trends is a rewarding challenge. The secret to achiev-

ing consistent sales growth is to recognise the timeless classics and then to

invest in new products that will become classics of the future.

In their quest for these telltale traits of quality, Outstanding 100 has

highlighted wine producers that are widely recognised as some of the best

in the world. These estates present wines of excellence that guarantee qual-

ity. As someone who is on that same journey in the search for excellence,

I consider Outstanding 100 a faithful companion to have alongside me.

Justin Apthorp, buying director for Majestic Wine, UK

“Our unique blend of people and place will rejuvenate your soul”

Imagine sipping fine South African

Champagne, hovering gently above the mist filled trees

as you savour an awesome wrap-around panorama of the

Magalies River Valley and the nearby Cradle of Human-

kind World Heritage Site. As the sun’s rays burst over the

mountain peaks and warm the still morning air, you know

this experience will stay with you.

Harrop’s most popular flights depart from the

comfort of their newly built, traditionally exquisite club-

house pavilion just 50km north of Johannesburg’s northern

suburbs; a region that boasts some of the safest and most

reliable ballooning weather in the world. After landing, you

will return here to enjoy a top-class, freshly cooked Cham-

pagne breakfast.

Packages are available for guests wishing to over-

night at nearby lodges prior to their balloon flight the

following morning. Game-viewing balloon safari packages,

which include a night in the luxury lodges of Entabeni or

Mabula Private Game Reserves in the Limpopo and North-

ern Provinces, are also offered.

Celebrating over 27 years in existence, this award-

winning company continues to draw top accolades from

the South African tourism industry for service excellence

and attention to detail. As Harrop says, “If you’re going to

do it, we will ensure you do it in unassailable style.”

Bill Harrop's "Original"

Balloon Safaris5

unique attractions

Directory

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris

We fly from the Magalies river Valley,

Kloofzicht Lodge, Mabula Private Game reserve

and entabeni Private Game reserve

Po Box 67, randburg 2125, south africa

Telephone +27 (0)11 705 3201

Fax +27 (0)11 705 3203

Cell +27 (0)83 379 5296

Email outstanding@balloon.co.za

Website www.balloon.co.za

unique attractions

0Space. Light. Water. Flow. Perched on the cliffs of Hermanus, the magnificent

Birkenhead House embodies these four timeless principles.

Its elegant beach house-atmosphere reflects the beauty of

its ocean setting, making it the ultimate coastal retreat.

Almost all of the eleven gorgeous sea-facing studio

suites offer expansive vistas of Walker Bay from which

guests can watch the majestic Southern Right whales in

their natural environment. The house features split-level

and infinity pools, as well as a gym and treatment rooms.

The surrounding area boasts spectacular beaches, moun-

tain trails and breathtaking cliff path walks. Wine fanatics

will be in heaven with the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

hosting the world famous Beaumont, Bouchard Finlayson

and Hamilton Russell vineyards.

The laidback nature of Birkenhead, in a setting as di-

vine as Walker Bay means you can do as much, or as little,

as you like and still feel utterly fulfilled by a your stay in

beach-style luxury.

Birkenhead House

7

hotels& spas

8

hotels& spas

Directory

Birkenhead House

7th avenue, Voelklip, hermanus, south africa 7200

Telephone +27 (0)28 314 8000

Fax +27 (0)28 314 1208

Email info@birkenheadhouse.com

Website www.birkenheadhouse.com

Cape Xtreme believes that man and

his adrenalin gland should be best friends. In fact, this

team of committed-to-crazy cavaliers are so convinced of

the importance of this relationship that they’ll take their

guests to mountain peaks, rocky river gorges and sheer

drop precipices to make sure every guest leaves well ac-

quainted with a pounding heart and the most exciting views

of nature that the Western Cape can provide.

Cape Xtreme’s kloofing package involves a full day of

boulder hopping, wading, swimming, climbing and jump-

ing from cliffs up to 21m high, as you work your way down

17km of Suicide Gorge.

But if this sounds too much like hard work, there’s

also Cape Xtreme’s 112m-abseiling plunge from the sheer

cliffs of Table Mountain. Dangling from a rope, with Camps

Bay and the city below you, this is certainly the most ex-

treme way to see Africa’s most beautiful city.

Cape Xtreme is dedicated to creating life-altering

experiences without compromising on safety. With spec-

tacular scenery, an expertly trained team of guides and a

healthy dose of adrenalin, it’s hard to feel more alive than

you do with Cape Xtreme.

Cape Xtreme

0

unique attractions

Directory

Cape Xtreme Adventure Tours

office 1, Brockford House, corner camp and Main rd

Muizenberg, cape town, south africa

Telephone +27 (0)21 788 5814

Fax +27 (0)86 604 4000

Email info@cape-xtreme.com

Website www.cape-xtreme.com

unique attractions

restaurants

47On the corner of Rustenburg and Protea Road, in the middle of Ida’s Valley, the Lucky Store

appears to be nothing more than a corner shop selling 10c

sweets to the local kids. It may come as a surprise, then,

to learn that this restaurant draws clientele from all over

the Western Cape to experience the food served there.

What started out as a dusty street café has been

transformed into a piece of South African history simmered

in small town charm and drizzled with elegance.

Chefs Marina Murry and Judy Badenhorst serve

South African heritage on a plate with their renowned

bobotie, viskoekies, snoektert and pens-en-pooitjies (tripe).

The restaurant is also famed for its unique flourless

chocolate cake and heavenly sago pudding. For the wine

lovers, owner and passionate winemaker Adi Badenhorst

(Judy’s son) handpicks the restaurant’s wine list to ensure

a perfect vintage to suit every dish. Like the décor, the food

is simple but brimming with nostalgia.

The Lucky Store is not only a bastion of culinary

class, but also a pillar of pride and a servant to the com-

munity that houses it.

The Lucky Store

Directory Lucky Store

42 rustenburg road, Idas Valley,

stellenbosch, south africa 7600

Telephone +27 (0)21 887 2746

Email luckystore1@telkomsa.net

restaurants

restaurants

51Transcending the boundaries between

audience, artiste and staff, the multi-sensory experience

of Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams is a unique mix

of fine dining and theatre. Housed in an antique Belgian

Spiegeltent, or mirrored tent, the central circular stage

draws the audience into the performance while a four-

course dinner is served. The shows usually consist of a blend

of cirque, cabaret, music and comedy, while the cuisine

features modern classics infused with traditional cuisine.

Founded by Richard Griffin and run from their base

in Cape Town, Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams has

completely transformed the concept of dining out in South

Africa, earning them many accolades for their take on the

‘dinner theatre’ genre along the way.

The Theatre has completed successful runs in all

major South African cities, picking up two Naledi Theatre

Award nominations, and is now expanding into Europe.

Madame Zingara's

Theatre of Dreams

unique attractions

Directory

Madame Zingara

7 orphan street, cape town, south africa 8001

Telephone +27 (0)861 623 263

Fax +27 (0)21 422 4554

Email boxoffice@madamezingara.com

Website www.madamezingara.com

unique attractions

84

TingaTinga Private Game Lodge is situated

on the Sabie River, in the prime game-viewing area of the

world famous Kruger National Park.

Tinga’s twin lodges, Legends and Narina, each

comprise nine luxury suites. Each suite is equipped with its

own heated plunge pool and private viewing deck with an

unobstructed view of the Sabie River. The Sabie River is the

lifeblood of the southern Kruger, with the highest recorded

density of leopards and the highest predator density. As a

result, visitors are frequently treated to spectacular sight-

ings from the comfort of their own viewing decks.

Tinga also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a private

dinner or wellness treatment on the decks of their suites.

The Skukuza Golf Course nearby provides Tinga guests

with the unique opportunity to enjoy a round of golf with

wildlife roaming freely.

Tinga not only shares Africa’s finest with its guests,

but also aims to preserve the exquisite ecology in which

it is located. Tinga adheres to the ecological mandate of

SANParks, and all activities are undertaken with an aim to

minimise the lodge’s ecological impact in the area.

game reserves

Directory Tinga Private Game Lodge

Kruger National Park

PO Box 88, skukuza, south africa 1350

Telephone +27 (0)13 735 8400

Fax +27 (0)13 735 5722

Email info@tinga.co.za

Website www.tinga.co.za

game reserves

In 1700 the estate of Vergelegen was

the expansive and elegant home to the Governor of the

Cape. Today this historic property is not only an exquisite

example of eighteenth century Dutch architecture, but is

also a showpiece of South Africa’s wine renaissance.

Vergelegen

98

Vergelegen winemaker Andre van Rensburg believes

that to make world-class wine, harmony between the old

and the new must be maintained. This simple approach,

combined with a relentless attention to craftsmanship,

has produced wines that have won numerous awards and

earned the estate the title of New World Winery of the Year

from Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Visitors to Vergelegen can experience the tranquil-

lity of the estate’s extensive gardens or enjoy a picnic in

the magical setting of the estate’s ancient camphor-wood

forest. Those who prefer to be waited upon can dine à la

carte at the Lady Phillips Restaurant or take their lunch al

fresco on the Rose Terrace during the gorgeous summer

afternoons.

wine farms

Directory

Vergelegen Wines

Lourensford road, somerset west

Telephone +27 (0)21 847 1334

Fax +27 (0)21 847 1608

Email vergelegen@vergelegen.co.za

Website www.vergelegen.co.za

wine farms

Design concept: TypeFace Media – Piers Buckle & Andy Ellis

Production: Amanda Perkins

Editor: Kim Richter

Copy: Jono Le Feuvre

Layout: Fresh Identity – Alida Kannemeyer & Chris Lee Jones

Image reworking: Still Image – Jean Paul Van Der Mescht & Dillon Marsh

www.outstanding100.com

Copyright subsists in the material.

Duplication by any means is prohibited without permission from the copyright holder.

Copyright © Rob Sawyer & Tom Pearson-Adams

First Published 2008

ISBN 978-0-620-41915-4

“Outstanding 100 – South Africa” is published by Superlogos (PTY) Ltd.

Reg. No. 2007/001697/07. 5 Carstens Street, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, South Africa

E-mail: office@outstanding100.com

“Outstanding 100 – South Africa” is distributed in South Africa by Quivertree.

Printed by Craft Print, Singapore

SOUTH AFRICA