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Best time
All year round
Ideal length
14-18 days
Flight time
11hrs
Currency
South African rand
Language
English
Dramatic landscapes that stun and awe as often as they change. Legendary wildlife watching from the safari to the shoreline.
A melting pot of vibrant and diverse cultures that intrigue. World-class wineries that serve up unrivalled tastings in postcard-perfect vineyards. With so much choice, planning a luxury holiday to South Africa can be daunting, this is where our Travel Designers comes in. Let them guide you on the very best experiences and places to stay for a once in a lifetime luxury holiday in South Africa.
South Africa is one of the best safari destinations in Africa for game viewing; safari in the iconic Kruger National Park or opt for a Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape where you can stay in a luxury lodge as the wildlife roams right outside your bedroom. The marine wildlife here is equally impressive; visit Hermanus to witness migrating Humpback whales perform a mesmerising acrobatics show off blowing, breaching and lobtailing as they go in search of the warmer waters.
South Africa’s charm extends to its cosmopolitan cities too. Coastal Cape Town is breathtaking, from Table Mountain and Lion’s Head to its white sand beaches and vibrant food scene. Explore Johannesburg’s boho neighbourhoods and learn about the country’s turbulent history. Multicultural Durban offers up delicious Afro-Indian cuisine, an array of contemporary galleries and the Indian Ocean waves make for some of the planet’s best surfing.
Whether you would rather hike through the forests to an amazing view or soak up some sun with a chardonnay in hand, we’re here to help you take your adventure to new heights with a luxury holiday to South Africa.
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Luxury South Africa holidays & honeymoons
Let us inspire you with our luxury South Africa holidays & honeymoons. All our holidays are tailor-made, this means you can completely customise your itinerary to suit your interests and preferences. If you have a specific idea in mind or just want to chat through your options, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch.
Plane, train and safari in South Africa
From coastal city swagger to sweeping countryside and wild African bush, the variety of South Africa’s landscapes is severely underrated. We’ll pay tribute to its rich scenic mix by exploring it in the same thrilling fashion, by the legendary Rovos Rail train, light aircraft and helicopter.
VIEW EXPERIENCECities, wilds & winelands of South Africa
South Africa’s exceptional variety often flies under the radar but on this trip you’ll witness it in gripping fashion as you explore from Cape Town to the City of Gold, riding one of the world’s greatest rail journeys in between.
VIEW EXPERIENCESelf-drive and safari in South Africa
Captivating cities, sun-streaked landscapes and epic wildlife encounters. Family road trips don’t get much better than this and this thirteen-night journey through South Africa will leave enduring memories for all generations.
VIEW EXPERIENCESafari & sandy seclusion in South Africa & the Seychelles
Strawberries and cream. Cheese and wine. Holmes and Watson. Some pairings are just meant to be together and this South Africa and Seychelles trip will prove that safari and beach deserves to be in that legendary bracket, too.
VIEW EXPERIENCEUnique experiences in South Africa
Embark on a marine big five cruise
Go in search of whales, dolphins, seals, sharks and African penguins, as well as plenty of seabirds and rugged coastal scenery on an unforgettable boat ride.
Wander Robben Island on a private guided tour with a former prisoner
From the lime quarry to the very cell Nelson Mandela spent eighteen years in, this is a gripping experience for all ages.
South Africa hotel recommendations
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel, Cape Town
An elegant Georgian townhouse nestled in the swish Cape Town neighbourhood of Gardens, Cape Cadogan’s greyscale palette seeps contemporary class. It’s like staying in a grand mansion – one that was certified a national monument in 1984. There are plenty of places to slow your pulse after a hectic day exploring the city, with a shaded courtyard (the perfect breakfast spot), a small pool and a snug lounge warmed by a roaring fireplace. Absorbing local life here is easy, with the lively local restaurants and bars of Kloof Street mere steps away.
Cape Grace, Cape Town
With magnificent views of Table Mountain and on its own quay, the iconic Cape Grace is an ideal base to explore vibrant Cape Town. Bursting with elegant tones of blues, reds, greens and golds, Cape Grace has also been delightfully decorated with artefacts and local artwork reflecting South Africa’s rich heritage. With plenty of references to Cape Town’s colonial past and fynbos scents permeating every corner, Cape Grace does an excellent job reminding you what an enthralling part of the world you’re in.
Rovos Rail, South Africa
South Africa’s riposte to the Orient Express, the Rovos Rail channels a glorious Victorian-Edwardian era of train travel you probably thought have long been consigned to the history books. Luxurious suites, period furnishings and oak panelling cast you back to the country’s colonial heyday, while the dining carts will play host to some of the finest food you’ll ever have aboard a train. With varying routes available, Rovos Rail rolls through a selection of South Africa’s most eclectic scenery.
Tswalu Motse Lodge, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Tswalu Motse Lodge are what African dreams are made of. Only one of two lodges within Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, which at 100,000 hectares is South Africa’s largest private game reserve, you’re virtually guaranteed to have this vast wilderness all to yourself. The stone and thatch cottages are like a home away from home and provide a welcoming base to return to following thrilling wildlife drives or to spy stars twinkling like diamonds from your private veranda to the tune of barking sable antelope.
Pezula Resort & Spa, Knysna
Encased by indigenous forests, mountains, lakes and untrodden beaches, Pezula Resort & Spa quite possibly has the best seat in the house on South Africa’s famed Garden Route. The tasty fresh produce on offer at Zachary’s Grill Room, soothing wellness quarter and world-class golf course are all excellent feathers in Pezula’s cap but there’s no escaping it: you’re here for the mindblowing scenery.
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg
Presiding over a tree-cloaked panorama that covers one of Johannesburg’s sleepiest districts, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff feels more like a hill-perched village. Exotic gardens, courtyards and fountains cascade away from the sand-coloured hotel in tranquil fashion, while a decadent spa and spacious infinity pool are other ways to pamper yourself further. Locals come here a post-work drink and no wonder – its superb sense of serenity makes it nigh-on impossible to believe this really is a city hotel.
Riverdene Lodge, Shamwari Game Reserve
One of the largest and most exclusive private reserves in South Africa and in the heart of Eastern Cape, Shamwari Game Reserve is a collection of seven lodges and one camp. Riverdene Lodge is its most family friendly, with its own outdoor pool, adventure centre and nine spacious rooms. In short, it’s a pretty cool place to return to after a day spent hunting for the Big Five on game drives traversing the reserve’s pristine plains.
Forest Lodge at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaai
Close to Hermanus and on its own five-thousand-hectare private reserve, Grootbos Private Reserve’s Forest Lodge is not your average rural stay. Grootbos is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, a place of superlatives with over 868 plant species (seven of which were first discovered in the reserve), one hundred endangered plant species and three milkwood forests over one thousand years old. The exposed Dutch brick and floor-to-ceiling windows make Forest Lodge ideal for exploring this wilderness from.
Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Looking out over the outstretched riverine bushveld from a rocky kopje, Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve has a strong claim to be the best-located lodge in Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Overlooking a watering hole, you can witness wallowing hippos and elephants slaking their thirst without even needing to leave your private plunge pool. But as comfy as your glass-fronted suite is, leave it you must as the raw wilderness of Sabi Sand is calling, with Leopard Hills’s twice-daily game drives and walking safaris giving you endless intimate encounters with the wildlife that roam it.
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, Johannesburg
Starting life as a private home for the wealthy Oppenheimer family, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa still very much feels that way. In a leafy location in Johannesburg’s upscale neighbourhood of Sandton, its twelve acres of exotic gardens, sleepy courtyards and trickling water features ensure Fairlawns doesn’t run at the same frenetic pace as the rest of the city. The stately rooms, Balinese spa and fit-for-a-king cuisine all combine to make this the ideal pre- or post-safari pit stop.
Plan your trip
Fill out our short enquiry form or give us a call to discuss how we can create your dream trip. We’ll design you a no-obligation travel itinerary and refine it until it’s absolutely perfect.