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Amaya Lodge: A Different Kind of Safari

Amaya Lodge: A Different Kind of Safari

by Renate Engelbrecht | May 30, 2025 | FEATURED POST 1, TRAVEL

When it comes to experiences from behind the lens of a camera, I’ve always been the first to say: “Put down that camera and be in the moment!” My recent experience with Too Wild at Amaya Lodge might have altered my opinion slightly, though… In...
Abelana Game Reserve – A safari for the senses

Abelana Game Reserve – A safari for the senses

by Renate Engelbrecht | Sep 9, 2020 | FEATURED POST 1, TRAVEL

The sound of the long-awaited post-winter drizzle, softly tapping on dusty, dry leaves and a newly laid thatch roof has never been so sweet. Being in the bush after five months of lockdown and simultaneously experiencing a brand-new lodge and its offerings amidst the...

Recent Posts

  • Slow Living Reset: How to Restart, Reset and Refocus
  • Dekkersvlei: Taste The World’s First White Pinotage On A Heritage Wine Farm, Reimagined
  • The World’s Best New Luxury Hotels of 2025
  • Earth’s Essence: SA’s First Naturally Preserved Wine, Beer and Cider
  • Inside Morea House, Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection

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  • Renate Engelbrecht on Two Wines Score A Whopping 100 Points in the Latest Tim Atkin MW SA Special Report

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One of the most meaningful luxury lodge openings o One of the most meaningful luxury lodge openings of 2025 was that of Few & Far Luvhondo, placing South Africa firmly on the global luxury travel map. Set within 100,000 hectares of untouched wilderness in Limpopo’s Soutpansberg Mountains, this South African destination is another one of the world’s best new luxury hotels. This eco-forward lodge features just six dramatic cliffside suites overlooking the UNESCO-listed Vhembe Biosphere Reserve – one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth. Few & Far Luvhondo was listed as one of LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence’s top 15 global arrivals for 2025 and you can see the rest of the luxurious lodge and hotel openings on the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY blog: https://www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za/the-worlds-best-new-luxury-hotels-of-2025/ Images: Renate Engelbrecht #luxuryhotel #luxurytravel #lti @fewandfar.luvhondo @fewandfarcollection
Blending tradition, innovation and immersive wine Blending tradition, innovation and immersive wine experiences, Dekkersvlei Vineyards – a historic wine farm that has embraced a new chapter – offers a whole new experience a mere 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. Previously known as Mellasat and now part of the Aquila Collection portfolio, it dates back to 1693 and comes with an immersive wine journey. Read all about this new experience on the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY blog: https://www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za/dekkersvlei-taste-the-worlds-first-white-pinotage-on-a-heritage-wine-farm-reimagined/ #Dekkersvlei #winelife @dekkersvlei @aquilasafaris
We all reach that moment at some point – somewhere We all reach that moment at some point – somewhere between burnout and longing – when the pace of life no longer feels aligned with who we are or how we want to live. A slow living reset isn’t about stopping everything or escaping to a remote destination (although that can help). Instead, it’s about intentionally restarting your rhythms, resetting your priorities and refocusing on what truly adds value to your life. In a world that rewards constant movement, the choice to slow down becomes a radical act of self-respect and one that we often need to make more than once in our lives. Read all about how to restart, reset and refocus slowly and intentionally in 2026 on the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY blog: https://www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za/slow-living-reset-how-to-restart-reset-and-refocus/
Great fun tasting gin at @lcvdistillery yesterday, Great fun tasting gin at @lcvdistillery yesterday, complete with a milkshake tasting for the kids. Located in one of the most beautiful areas on the Garden Route, it really is worth the drive if you're into boutique gins. Just be sure to bring a designated driver along. 😜
My liefste seuna... Mamma se Lawwelyf. Vandag is d My liefste seuna... Mamma se Lawwelyf. Vandag is dit jou beurt om te verjaar en jy is 'n hele volle 6 jaar oud. Ek kan nie glo hoe groot jy geword het in die laaste jaar nie. Jy met jou bokkie oë en kuiltjies. Jy met jou stywe drukkies. "Toemaar, Mamma. 6-jaar drukkies is nóg lekkerder!" Elian... Jy maak ons so trots. Jy is besig om in 'n sterk leiertjie te ontwikkel en Mamma bid dat God se lig altyd deur jou sal skyn. Dat jou sagte, dromershart so mooi sal bly en dat jy altyd mense se lewens sal aanraak soos jy reeds doen. Dankie vir jou lawwelyf grappies en dat jy die lewe lig hou. Jy's 'n ontdekker wat alles wil probeer en die lewe leef, al is jy ook versigtig. Jou praktiese manier van dink verstom my. En die manier hoe jy sommer nou al kom en vra hoe jy mamma kan help, is kosbaar. Lekker verjaar, my seuntjie!
My liefste Liefielyf. Vandag is jy al 8 jaar oud. My liefste Liefielyf. Vandag is jy al 8 jaar oud. 8 Jaar van jou. 8 jaar saam met jou. Hoe spesiaal! Hoe wonderlik! Jy sien van kleins af die klein dingetjies in die lewe raak. Ek bid dat dit so bly totdat jy 80 jaar oud is. Mag die lewe vol van die mooiste klein dingetjies wees die jaar. Mag jy dit altyd raaksien en altyd waardeer. Dis die klein dingetjies wat groot is. Onthou dit. Ons prys God vir jou lewe. Vir jou kreatiewiteit. Vir jou grappies en die lekker uit die maag uit lag. Vir hoe gaaf jy met jou boetie is en hoe mooi jy met hom deel. Vir hoe hard jy werk by die skool. Jou sensitiewe uitkyk op die lewe gaan vir jou nog baie beteken, my kind. Bly die mooi, saggeaarde dogtertjie wat jy is en luister altyd na Jesus se stem. Ons is so lief vir jou!
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