Belmond presents South Africa’s finest from culinary escapades to its pristine wilderness

Dry Aged Bonsmara Sirloin, Porcini Risotto, Roasted Button Mushroom

LIAM TOMLIN AND DAVID SCHNEIDER LAUNCH PAN-ASIAN RESTAURANT, THE RED ROOM BY CHEF'S WAREHOUSE

Dublin-born Liam Tomlin and South African chef David Schneider have launched an exciting venture at Mount Nelson, transforming the former 1970s Grill Room into what is set to be Cape Town's best Pan-Asian dining experience. Guests enter through an exclusive side entrance and down an evocatively lit stairway, entering a forgotten room shielded from time. The menu expresses Chef Liam’s experience in pan-Asian philosophy by taking guests on a curated journey through Asia's irresistible flavours. Headed by Chef David Schneider, highlights include grilled scallops with Tom Yum foam and Kombu butter, and Peking Duck.

VICKY GUROVICH TAKES AFTERNOON TEA AT THE NELLIE TO GREATER HEIGHTS 

Mount Nelson’s famed afternoon tea reaches new levels of indulgence with the much-anticipated return of pastry Chef Vicky Gurovich. With a selection of over sixty fine, loose-leaf teas from South Africa and across the globe, guests and visitors can enjoy a sumptuous array of sweet and savoury delicacies. After eight years, Chef Vicky has returned to her position as the head of the hotel's pastry department and gives new life to the historic Nellie's afternoon tea, celebrated for over 34 years. Operating more sustainably, Chef Vicky’s afternoon tea focuses on seasonality and local produce in Cape Town.

i. Marine Biologist for a Day - Southern Right Whales

ii. Flying over the Okavango Delta

iii. Botswana Night Sky

MOUNT NELSON LAUNCHES EXPERT-LED WHALE WATCHING AND SHARK DIVING ADVENTURES 

Mount Nelson launches a series of exhilarating marine-centric adventures that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the Cape from a new vantage point – along its mercurial shoreline. Guests are invited to explore the intriguing ocean world that fringes the city. The series of experiences, which include helicopter rides, whale-watching, wine-tasting, snorkeling, diving and boat excursions are exclusively led by marine biologist Justin Blake of the Rockhopper Fund. Proceeds from each activity will go to the fund’s initiative to protect the ocean through science and mindful tourism.

MNH Afternoon Tea stands

BELMOND SAFARIS INTRODUCES ‘STARS, SAPIENS AND SAND’: A NEW PHILOSOPHICAL VOYAGE 

Eagle Island Lodge in the heart of the Okavango Delta and Savute Elephant Lodge in a remote corner of the Chobe Desert, launch inaugural experiences by specialist safari guide and anthropological researcher, Paul Sheller, for an enlightening rediscovery of the night sky, humanity’s connection to it, and the Kalahari bushmen.  In the pristine wilderness of the Botswana bushveld, guests are invited to reconnect with the natural world on this exclusive four-night luxury safari and delve into the lost language of the stars. Guests visit significant sites, such as rock paintings at the spiritual Tsodilo Hills, and enjoy helicopter rides, Delta boat trips, sundowners beneath baobab trees and mesmerising stargazing experiences.

i. Ayogu Kingsley III

ii. Richard Templeton Smith III

AN ENDLESS NIGHT: AN EXHIBITION CURATED BY ANELISA MANGCU

A second collaboration between the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and Mount Nelson sees the launch of the exhibition ‘An Endless Night’, curated by interdisciplinary art practitioner and curator Anelisa Mangcu. Exploring the pressures of ordinary existence and the passage of time, thought-provoking artworks are displayed throughout the first floor of the hotel, the bar and the lounge for visitors and guests to reflect upon. Artists include sculptor and conceptualist Mary Sibande and photographer and multimedia stylist Trevor Stuurman. 

THE RETURN OF CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS AT MOUNT NELSON

Mount Nelson presents CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS 2023, bringing together African designers, artisanal confectionery and “slow fashion” atelier-style fashion shows. Following its successful launch in 2022, CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS will return to showcase five fashion designers from all over Africa, paying homage to the storytelling, variety and textures of African creativity. In partnership with twyg, the hotel will re-imagine its afternoon tea ritual, with Pastry Chef Vicky Gurovich collaborating with the designers to create thematic, moreish cakes.