Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Five-star African momcation destinations to explore
MOTHER'S Day might be on Sunday, but there are many other opportunities to spoil the leading lady in your life.
One way you can do this is to whisk her away on a luxurious retreat to one of her bucket-list travel destinations.
Taking her on a momcation is also a chance to spend some quality time together and to reconnect with the woman who has shaped your life as you create memories which can last a lifetime.
Here you can relax, learn more about other cultures and enjoy delicious cuisines in an exotic and opulent setting.
The African continent is full of five-star destinations that offer a range of activities for people from all walks of life.
With this in mind, here are some five-star momcation destinations to explore beyond Mother's Day.
Mauritius
With its beautiful sandy coastlines, protected lagoons, countless activities for all ages and amazing weather for most of the year, Mauritius is perfect for a “mom and me” holiday.
The subtropical island in the Indian Ocean affords visitors the opportunity to laze about on its beautiful beaches.
You can also enjoy spa dates at resorts which overlook the ocean.
Some hotels offer art or cooking workshops and this is an ideal way to bond with your mother as you learn more about the region's culture and local delicacies.
With plenty of luxury places to stay, consider making a booking at the five-star Constance Belle Mare Plage Mauritius.
The beachfront resort is set in a sheltered bay and is 10km from Bras d'Eau National Park and 20km from
snorkelling at Île aux Cerfs island.
A stay at the hotel starts from R3 882 a night for two.
Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone is the base for visiting the dramatic world-renowned Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.
The town has many relaxing and scenic river lodges along the Zambezi. This holiday is ideal for the mom who has always wanted to enjoy Victoria Falls, one of the world's seven wonders.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Livingstone, including boat cruises along the Zambezi River, visiting Victoria Falls itself and helicopter or microlight rides with superb aerial views of the waterfall.
While there, you can also visit the Mukuni Cultural Village and other places of interest such as the Livingstone Museum. It's a remarkable African experience and you can even dare mom to zip-line or abseil in one
of the gorges in the region.
The Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya is the perfect destination to enjoy spa dates. This hotel overlooks the Zambezi and you can enjoy cocktails with views of the elephants taking a splash in the river.
A stay starts from R5 014 a night for two.
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Plettenberg Bay is a premier holiday destination on the Western Cape's Garden route. Plett, as it is affectionately referred to, is acclaimed for its sweeping golden beaches.
It is also where the Robberg Peninsula, an inshore conservation region, is located.
Here, you can also find intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers
as well as vineyards and wine estates.
It is also a destination that offers laid-back experiences, marine safaris, boutique shopping and wine tasting. You and mom will be also spoilt for choice with some of South Africa's award-winning restaurants and other lifestyle experiences.
Plett also affords nature lovers the opportunity to enjoy its many wildlife sanctuaries, game reserves and whale and dolphin watching sites, or to do some sailing.
The region is set between the hills and is covered by indigenous fynbos. It is home to the Bitou River as well as the tranquil and rural village of Wittedrift, renowned as a bird and nature lover's paradise, while its warm Indian Ocean waters are perfect for a swim.
While in Plett, consider staying at
the Sky Villa Boutique Hotel by Raw Africa Collection, which is the perfect five-star treat with views of the bay.
A stay here starts from R1 800 a night for two people.
Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, known simply as The Mara, is a large national game reserve in Narok, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
It is named in honour of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area who migrated to the region from the Nile Basin. “Mara” means “spotted” in the local Maasai language because of the short bushy trees which dot the landscape.
The Masai Mara is one of the great wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, with its populations of lion, leopard, cheetah and African bush elephants.
It also hosts the Great Migration, which saw the Masai Mara being named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and as one of the 10 Wonders of the World.
This destination is perfect for a mom looking for an immersive African safari experience.
The Mara Sweet Acacia Lodge is the perfect place to experience the glory of the Masai Mara. A stay at the hotel starts from R4 061 a night for two.