Last stop for Amy and Mark was Grootbos Nature Reserve, nr Hermanus:

Grootbos was not on our list as a wedding venue, we were in fact invited to the lodge for lunch by the owner Michael Lutzeier. Driving off the main road between Gansbaai and Hermanus you find yourself driving through fynbos, colourful wild flowers and bushes of Protea, South Africa’s National Flower.

Garden Lodge, Grootbos Nature Reserve

As we parked our car at Forest Lodge, one of the two lodges owned by Michael we were met and greeted by Kevin, who welcomed us to Grootbos and showed us down to the reception area. So far – we were very impressed! We had a drink in the main lounge area which is set on a hillside within Grootbos Nature Reserve. Forest Lodge has a contemporary feel, with stunning views across the reserve and onto Walker Bay. Michael arrived and announced that we were going across to the other lodge – Garden Lodge to discuss our wedding! My fiance gave me a puzzled look as we were there for lunch, and not another venue surely?

Forest Lodge, Grootbos Nature Reserve

We took the quick drive from one lodge to the other – both very different. The Garden Lodge is more family orientated and homely, with a thatched main building and the rooms tucked amoungst the wild flowers and trees. Michael began explaining how our guests would arrive and check in, we walked into the main reception / lounge area which was decorated tastefully in an African style, with bright greens and subtle browns. As Michael explained how our ceremony would take place early afternoon on the deck overlooking the bay, the sun setting and lanterns lit to create a romantic atmosphere, our guests would then move to the pool area for drinks and canapes while we had our photographs taken as the sun goes down. We then would all settle down in the main circular dining room while the fire crackles away and we enjoy our Ostrich Carpaccio with Salad and Vinaigrette! I could picture it all perfectly as Michael then whisked me onto the dance floor while explaining he normally would be at the bar, not not shaking his moves with the bride on thedance floor! Grootbos offers a sophistication, yet friendly down to earth feel. The staff are helpful and pleasant, and somehow seem to know when a guest is walking up the path – so they can open the door and welcome them inside.

Suite Lounge at Forest Lodge

If you are looking for a smaller venue up to 50 guests I would recommend Garden Lodge, however if you have a larger wedding party Forest Lodge would be the one for you. Ceremony options again are numerous from the lodge deck overlooking the sea, or the milkwood forest for something a little different or a couple wanting something secluded – just the two of them on the beach. Grootbos has 5 stars, is pure luxury and is situated in a truly magical setting, just perfect for that special day!

For further information for weddings at Grootbos Nature Reserve please do not hesitate to contact us for a tailor made quote

Second stop on Amy and Mark’s perfect wedding venue hunt was De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape:

Driving across the open landscape of South Africa, through the Overberg Mountains and fynbos is De Hoop Nature Reserve. A very unique property for a wedding, which offers you a true experience of the rustic Cape. De Hoop has several different accommodation options, from the luxury Manor House to the comfortable Opstal Houses. The accommodation is set in a variety of locations from the isolated Koppie Alleen on the coast overlooking the sand dunes to the Vlei cottages overlooking the flamingos and other bird life who nest on the banks of the vlei. The Main area of De Hoop is home to the Restaurant, Bar Lounge, small shop and Educational centre as well as the swimming pool and tennis courts. De Hoop is a special place, steeped in history as many of the building were once part of a fishing village set along the coast – these now converted into comfortable and welcoming rooms.

What is lovely about De Hoop is the variety and different options for your wedding, nothing is too much work for them. Your ceremony can be held in an area of your choice – under the 1000 year old milkwood trees, or on the beach or within the reserve which is home to several species of antelope including Eland and the shy Bontebok. The wedding reception can either be held in The Stables or the Melkammer on the opposite side of the Vlei. They have an events company that can take care of the finer details from flowers, decorations and lighting to the photographer, cake and bridal hair. An added bonus for your wedding guests would be to get married over whale season, which is from June to October.

Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve

Whilst been shown round the reserve by Sonja the Wedding Guru of De Hoop, we were hoping to see some whales…., as we stood overlooking the sea, it was a wonderful surprise to see about 8 whales just off the coast! De Hoop are very flexible and I would highly recommend making a whole weekend of your stay as not to miss out on all the extra activities such as mountain biking, sand dunning and enjoying the wildlife. You will never want to leave!

For further information for weddings at De Hoop please do not hesitate to contact us for a tailor made quote

Where do you start, I hear you say… Finding your perfect wedding venue can be quite stressful, as you want it to be right for the ‘big day’. Amy in the office is currently experiencing the same problem for her wedding in May 2011.

Whittling it down to the Garden Route, Amy ear marked a few properties from the Portfolio Collection accommodation guides as potential venues. October 2010 Amy and her fiance Mark travelled to South Africa in search for their perfect location. Three locations in particular stood out to them.

Here with a report to the selected few, starting with Belvidere Manor in Knysna:

What a wonderful surprise to arrive at Belvidere Manor to find a tranquil setting, gorgeous gardens with every colour flower you could think of and spectacular views over the Knysna Lagoon. We checked into our 3 bedroom cottage, one of the 28 cottages on site. This is a great selling point for weddings as they can accommodate up to 128 people! The property has 1, 2 and 3 bedroom cottages which offer a self catering option as well as bed and breakfast. The cottages are spacious with a lounge area, as well as an equipped kitchen. We headed to The Bell Pub which is situated just behind the main house for dinner, the food and service is fantastic! The Pub has a large menu and we put the chef to test, bearing in mind we were thinking of our wedding menu at the time. He did not disappoint at all! The food was simply outstanding!

After breakfast we were met by Sue Mills the owner – Sue showed us around the venue, explaining the different options we had for the wedding ceremony, which could take place either on the jetty which stretches out onto the lagoon, or under one of the many large trees in the grounds, or the most popular in front of the pool in the gazebo. Sue takes such care and detail in all the arrangements for the wedding from flowers, to linen and the finer details that sometimes get forgotten. The wedding reception would  take place on the terrace in front of the main house covered by a marquee. This is a lovely setting with views down across the gardens and across the lagoon onto the town of Knysna in the back ground. For a traditional wedding, set in tranquil gardens, with excellent food and great service – I would highly recommend Belvidere Manor as a potential wedding venue.

For further information for weddings at Belvidere Manor please do not hesitate to contact us for a tailor made quote.

A big Happy Birthday to Africa Collection who reached their 10 year anniversary on 01st July 2010.

Founded on 01st July 2000 Africa Collection became the UK based office for the Portfolio Collection in South Africa. As well as marketing this unique collection of establishments we launched a reservations service, enabling travellers to book Portfolio establishments via a UK office. We are now a fully bonded tour operator, and from these beginnings we are excited to be able to present our website to Southern Africa & the Indian Ocean – 8 amazing countries & countless hand-picked travel experiences.

Over 10 years, three office moves, and one World Cup later we have built up our years of travel experience, reaching nearly 100 years between our 7 experienced and knowledgeable staff. And that is not to mention the 20 staff in South Africa.

Africa’s Collections 10 year journey:

Africa Collection Offices at Station Road, Horsham, West Sussex between July 2000 – October 2003

Chris Forestcue (Director of Africa Collection), James Westrip (Director of Africa Collection), Lee-Anne Carnell and Carin

Doors open at Africa Collection on 01st July 2000

Liz Westby-Nunn (Director of Portfolio Collection) and James Westrip (Director of Africa Collection UK)

Liz Westby-Nunn and James Westrip at the Station Road Offices – 16 July 2000

James Westrip, Liz Westby-Nunn, Chris Fortescue, Guy, Alison Whitfield and Tesna George

Outside the Africa Collection office’s promoting South Africa – 18 July 2000

Ailsa Tavares joined Africa Collection in August 2001, taking over Lee-Anne Carnell whilst she was on maternity leave.

The Africa Collection Offices in the centre of Horsham between October 2003 – October 2006

Gough House, Horsham, West Sussex

Lucy Forster joined Africa Collection in November 2004, Becca Spurgeon joined Africa Collection on 13th September 2005, and Brad Bennetts joined Africa Collection in September 2006

Africa Collections current office, Portfolio House, nr Horsham, West Sussex – October 2006 – present

Portfolio House, Field Place Estate, nr Horsham, West Sussex

Africa Collection in the snow - 2007

Brad Bennetts, Lee-Anne Carnell, James Westrip, Becca Spurgeon, Chris Fortescue and Lucy Forster

The Africa Collection team at their summer BBQ – summer 2007

Laura Turley joined Africa Collection in January 2008 and Lucy Forster left Africa Collection in July 2008 to take on a new venture in UK corporate travel.

Brad Bennetts, Lee-Anne Carnell, James Westrip, Becca Spurgeon, Chris Fortescue and Laura Turley

Simone Fortescue, Chris Fortescue, James Westrip, Laura Turley, Brad Bennetts, Becca Spurgeon, Lee-Anne Carnell and Ailsa Tavares

Africa Collection launches their new ‘Wild Encounters’ adventure progamme. The team above in Morocco experiencing the Morocco itinerary – January 2010

Awards won – South African Airways ‘Best African Specialist’ 2007, 2008 and 2009

Wendy Baker-Gourley joined Africa Collection on 01st March 2010

James Westrip, Lee-Anne Carnell, Chris Fortescue, Becca Spurgeon, Brad Bennetts, Wendy Baker-Gourley and Laura Turley

Please do contact us on:

Telephone – +44 (1403) 256655

Website - www.africacollection.com

The CLA Game Fair is the world’s biggest celebration of the countryside and country sports, this year it is being held at Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, a new and exciting venue.

Africa Collection will be exhibiting at the show between Friday 23 July – Sunday 25 July.

The CLA Game Fair covers all country sports and countryside activities via major show areas and features which include demonstrations, displays, debates, championships, competitions, tuition and many ‘Have a Go’ opportunities.

Ragley Hall is a well located  new venue for visitors coming from all directions. The M40, M5, M6 and M42 motorways are all located close to Alcester offering good access to the show. More information please visit - http://www.gamefair.co.uk/

Please do come and visit us – we would love to see you and run through a tailor made itinerary with you.

Contact us for further information:

Telephone – +44 (1403) 256655

Email – info@africacollection.com

Website – www.africacollection.com

Africa Collection awarded ‘Best African Specialist’ for third year running

South African Airways UK, held its Annual Awards Presentation on Sunday 09th May 2010 at this year’s Indaba Show, Durban, South Africa. Africa Collection were one of the agents recognised for their continued support of the airline during what was considered to be an exceptionally challenging year.

“A crucial contribution to tourism development to South Africa and beyond” South African Airways Head of Europe, Michael Bentele presented the award to Africa Collection.

For more information on tailor made holidays to South Africa please do not hesitate to contact us:

Telephone – +44 (1403) 256655

Email – info@africacollection.com

Website – www.africacollection.com

Africa Collection now has a new page on Facebook and Twitter.  The Africa Collection team will be collectively contributing to this page and you will find day to day happenings at the Africa Collection offices and interesting experiences we feel are worth sharing.

Updates will include news articles from each of the establishments with their latest happenings and offers, latest show dates and articles from our recent trips to Southern Africa & the Indian Ocean.

Please click here to join our Facebook page

Please click here to follow us on Twitter

We hope you find our posts and tweets interesting and useful to yourselves.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us on:

Telephone – +44 (1403) 256655

Email – info@africacollection.com

Website – www.africacollection.com