Luxury in the Bush?

But of course! You’ll spend the first several nights of your safari and bush experience at Dunkeld Country Estate, a luxury trout and game lodge in the charming hamlet of Dullstroom.

Located on the panorama route halfway from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park, it is the ideal place to begin creating a lifetime of memories.  Situated in the heart of the highlands meander noted for its clear streams, lakes and scenery, here you’ll enjoy plush accommodations, sumptuous gourmet meals and fine wines.  The heritage of the estate has been preserved with the conversion of the century-old farmhouse into a wonderful restaurant.

You’ll witness some of the Lowveld’s most magnificent views while on a winding drive through pine and eucalyptus forests. This panoramic route is well known for its breath-taking natural features, such as the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Wonderview, and the Berlin Falls. You’ll reach Pilgrim’s Rest, a sleepy old mining town, which has been lovingly preserved since the gold rush and is now a National Monument.

Dullstroom is South Africa’s fly-fishing capital, and Dunkeld Country Estate boasts many well-stocked dams filled with brown, rainbow and golden trout, offering fly-fishing enthusiasts the enjoyment of quality angling time in pursuit of that perfect catch.

Other activities on the Dunkeld Estate are horseback riding for the more energetic guests, while ladies may choose to enjoy their time at the in-house spa. You’ll have an afternoon to venture to Dullstroom town, where you’ll enjoy lunch and shopping along the main road.

Your final evening at the Estate, you’ll be treated to a wine-tasting from a fine selection of red and white wines before experiencing a traditional South African boma-braai dinner.  The luxury doesn’t stop at Dunkeld, as you’ll transfer to the romantic Kapama River Lodge in Kapama Game Reserve.

In addition to heart-pounding sunrise and sunset game drives, you’ll enjoy spa treatments and hot air ballooning as well as such fineries as high tea, dinner under the stars and more. South African cuisine, often referred to as Rainbow Cuisine, is something to look forward to at lunch and dinner;  savor traditional African flavors with Pan-African dishes featuring local ingredients such as kudu or impala, meats rarely experienced in other cultures.

Go Touch Down Travel & Tours presents a one-of-a-kind safari experience.  For more information, visit http://gotouchdowntravelandtours.com.

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The Bachelor’s adventures in South Africa

On February 28th, 2011 ABC’S hit TV Show,  The Bachelor, traveled to stunning South Africa.

Brad Womack and his three potential wives touched down in a wildlife fairytale. Surrounded by lion, elephant, zebra, vervet monkey, buffalo, leopard and cheetah they explored the Sabi Sands reserve, which links onto the Kruger National Park.

Brad’s date with Chantal was a morning safari. With their private game ranger, they set out for an unforgettable day together. All Brad wanted to do was see a lion, and within the first 10 minutes, that wish was granted.
This is how game drives work. The ranger will ask you which animal you want to see on your game drive and they will track that specific animal to make your dream holiday come true! Did you catch the other guide that was sitting on the hood of the safari vehicle? They do that for tracking the wildlife.

That evening with Chantal, she accepted the fantasy suite in a heartbeat! How awesome was that tree top hotel room at the Lion Sands private game reserve. Staying in the Chalkley Treehouse, they experienced the call of the wild literary just outside the rooms walls and star-gazing from your living room. That is the ultimate romantic holiday!

The next date was with Emily. WOW! Did you see the size of those African elephants? What amazing creatures. She was falling more in love with Brad by the minute. This Bachelor definitely has the advantage of such a beautiful country to show off his romantic side. After the Bush walk (which normally takes about 1 hour) they enjoyed lunch with elephants while playing in their waterhole. How adorable were those baby elephants? Emily finally confessed her feelings for the second – time around bachelor in the fantasy suite. She had her concerns due to her 5-year-old daughter Ricky (who is named after the late Nascar driver Ricky Hendrick) making her future with Brad an “instant family”. Brad assured her that he would be the best dad he could be if he chose her as his future wife.

Then, the rather hard to watch third date. Ashley. Poor girl. She was so career oriented that she just couldn’t say what Brad wanted to hear. Their connection and the spark that gained her a spot as a top contestant fizzled away quicker than the bonfire at their traditional Braai dinner (South African BBQ).
The date started off well with experiencing a helicopter ride to Blyde River Canyon. Despite her fear of heights, Ashley enjoyed clutching onto the brave Brad Womack during the  flight. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest in the world next to the Grand Canyon and Fish River Canyon. The couple touched down and enjoyed the scenery, locally known as Gods Window. Through dinner Brad asked too many difficult to answer questions and their miscommunication made their relationship move backwards. Despite the attempt of reconnecting in their fantasy suite, all that resulted was talk about mosquito nets.

When the evening of the rose ceremony approached, the videos from all three ladies helped him decide that he needed to talk to Ashley to see one last time if they could re-connect. After their private discussion before the rose ceremony he sent her home in a dignified manner.

The Bachelor is now down to two ladies whom both accepted the rose! Either Emily or Chantal will be the next Mrs. Womack.

Next week, you will see the wide variety of what South Africa has to offer. From safaris to cities, South Africa has everything you want in a once in a lifetime vacation! The finalists will be traveling to South Africa’s “Mother City”, Cape Town to meet Brads’ family. Cape Town is a shopping and entertainment Mecca! It had the privilege of being a 2010 FIFA World Cup city. What will the final two experience with Brad? Table Mountain? Whale watching? Wine tasting? Shark Diving? Anything is possible!

If you are thinking of taking the love of your life on a romantic vacation, or if you just want to know more about the places to see in South Africa, please contact us and we will happily assist you. Please feel free to phone us or fill out the form below!

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