Luxury Safaris
African camps and lodges have come a long way since the days of two-day treks on ox-drawn carts only to arrive at a rustic hut that would be your accommodation in the good old days. Today some of the world's finest hospitality and cuisine are found in the African wilds, combined with world-class game viewing. The perfect combination of untamed wilderness and exquisite lodging. Africa's five-star options vary from the elegant and earthy lodges of Tswalu Game Reserve to the canvas tent masterpieces of East Africa, the world-renowned lodges of the Sabi Sands and everything in between. These safaris are for those who want everything that Africa can offer, at its very best.
A few of our favourite Luxury Safaris...
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
The Jewel of the Kalahari
There is a hidden secret, a gem, in the Kalahari, South Africa. Tswalu Private Game reserve began as a dream to turn damaged and deprived farming land into a thriving wilderness. Decades later, the accomplishment is extraordinary and indigenous species are flourishing. A semi-arid/desert environment, Tswalu is not only home to the ‘classic’ species that are lions, leopards, cheetah, but to something quite exceptional. Visionary conservationists have created an environment where lesser-known, lesser cared for yet just as fascinating species can slowly regain their numbers. Guests have the pleasure of regular and on-foot encounters with the rare species that are pangolins, aardvarks and meerkats. The Tswalu experience is in high demand for its luxurious and unique combination of extraordinary wildlife, experienced staff and two of South Africa’s most exquisitely designed lodges.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Where Leopards and Luxury Meet
There are few places on the continent that are as synonymous with Africa’s flagship species and luxury as the Sabi Sands. Named after two rivers, the Sand River and the Sabie river, that converge in the area lying along the southwestern boundary of Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sands Wildtuin is home to what is considered the densest lion and leopard population in Africa. The Sabi Sands is also considered the birthplace of eco-tourism in South Africa, where the wildlife has become accustomed to the sight of safari jeeps and will wander past, unperturbed by guests’ presence, only a few feet from game-viewing vehicles. The Sabis Sands offer leisurely activities in some of Africa’s most luxurious and renowned lodges. It is a place where lions and buffalo interact in a chaotic dance, where sightings of leopards on a prowl are a daily occurrence, and where wild dogs thrive. There is without doubt no better place to see the ‘big five’ than in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin.
East Africa
A romantic relationship with the safari industry since its beginning
East Africa has had a romantic relationship with the safari industry since the beginning, somewhere in the 1930s. This extraordinary region is home to the impressive Great Migration – the greatest natural spectacle on the planet, no less – and discretely hidden wilderness in the likes of Ruaha National Park, or the Laikipia Plateaux. Wildlife rich, East Africa is also the birthplace of luxury safari tented accommodation. Exquisite canvas creations with sumptuous interiors and unmatched safari hospitality promise to deliver 5-star experiences. Some of the finest on the continent, in fact.
The Okavango Delta
An Oasis of Glittering Channels
It is almost fictional, the story of the Okavango delta. As great a river as any yet its water does not reach the ocean like the others. Instead they disperse into a 15 000 square kilometer labyrinth of papyrus, white sands, crystal clean channels and palm belts. An oasical and paradiscle place like no other. Proclaimed one of Africa’s seven wonders and the 1000th place to be declared a UNESCO world heritage site, and for good reason. Not only is this landscape as unique as it is beautiful, it also harbours one of Africa’s most dense wildlife populations. Canoeing the channels can introduce one to the bubbling pods of hippo and prehistoric crocodiles of the waterways, whilst driving on safari will exhibit an endless array of fauna and flora, big and small. Often, though, it is only by air that one can grasp what an extraordinary place the Okavango really is. A woven landscape or reed, sand and water, dotted by herds of elephant and buffalo in the hundreds. The tourism model chosen for the Delta seeks to protect it from mass influxes of people each year. Thus, it is a wonderfully exclusive destination, and an intimate, luxurious way of exploring one of Africa’s most beautiful ecosystems.
Cape Town
Arguably the most beautiful beaches and mountains in the world
The oldest and most beautiful city in South Africa, Cape Town is a melting pot of culture, language, history and scenery. Nestled between majestic mountains and stunning beaches, located near the end of the world, Cape Town is a destination that should not be left off anyone’s South African itinerary. It has something for everyone; a vibrant nightlife, fine dining cuisine, whale watching, surfing, snorkelling, free diving the mysterious kelp forest, hiking and horse riding, to name a few. The province also boasts some of the most acclaimed vineyards in the world, and it would be rude to not sip a Pinotage or two during wine-tasting experiences.Historic tours bring this city’s fascinating past to life as experienced local guides interpret everything from the days of the very first explorer, Bartolomeu Dias, and his landing on Capetonian shores, to the slave trade, apartheid and Mandela’s time on Robben island, to the present day. Spending time in Cape Town will take you on a truly intellectual, exhilarating, culinary and fascinating journey to one of the world’s most interesting places, home to some of Africa’s finest hospitality.
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