White Lions of the Eastern Cape

Welgelegen House
Welgelegen (literally, “well-situated”) is a charming suburban retreat set in the quiet Cape Town suburb of Gardens, directly below Table Mountain. It comprises two early 20th-century houses, lovingly renovated in a modern style.

A homely B&B, Welgelegen has a wonderfully-relaxed atmosphere, despite being just a few minutes’ walk from lively Kloof Street.

All of Welgelegen's 13 bedrooms are individually furnished. There are lovely little touches throughout, from the candle lighting, the natural Rooibos bath products and the plush dressing gowns in the bathrooms, to the home-made biscuits, complimentary port and inviting armchairs in every room. The beds, which all convert to king-size, are decked with crisp white linen, down duvets and soft silk cushions. Most of the rooms open onto balconies with views of Signal Hill or Table Mountain.

Cape Town is one of Africa’s loveliest cities, equally famous for its scenery as its city attractions. The city is cradled on three sides by the stunning behemoth of a peak that is Table Mountain, and open to the vast Indian Ocean on the other side. This ideal location gives you access to the coast, rocky mountain terrain, and, further inland, the beautiful Winelands and the famous Garden Route.

Most visitors like to hike up Table Mountain or take the cable car to see the magnificent views from the peak. For stunning views of the ocean, head to Cape Point. Time allowing, you might also like to take a boat trip to Robben Island, explore the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, or head into the Winelands region on a day trip.

On arrival in Port Elizabeth, our driver will meet you for your private transfer to Pumba Game Reserve, where you have 3 nights in Pumba’s luxury bush lodge, Msenge, on full-board basis with twice daily game drives.

Msenge Bush Lodge
Pumba’s premier lodge, Msenge Bush Lodge houses its guests in 11 glass-enclosed thatched chalets, each in its own private bush setting. The luxury rooms boast beautifully furnished bedrooms with king-size beds, private dressing areas, and en-suite bathrooms with separate bath and shower, twin vanities and heated towel rails. They open onto private viewing decks with plunge pools and outdoor showers, as well as a stunning view of the plains and mountains. Dining is offered in the restaurant or open-air boma. Other facilities include swimming pool, lounge and bar, and a small gym.

Guests at Msenge Bush Lodge have access to over 17,000 acres of prime safari territory in the Eastern Cape. Twice daily game activities (game drives and bush walks) will allow you to explore the dense bushveld and grasslands for which this region for the Eastern Cape is famous.

The game is stunning. Pumba is home to all of the “big 5”, as well as giraffe, leopard, hyena and an array of antelope and small game. Pumba’s greatest attraction, however, is its white lion. Unique to this part of South Africa, and exceptionally rare compared to its tawny brethren, most white lion exist in captivity. Pumba is home to a small pride of the creatures, reintroduced in recent years under a rehabilitation program, making this one of the only places where you can see free-roaming white lion in the wild.