South Africa
South Africa is a destination of remarkable diversity and depth, where world-class wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and refined luxury converge.
On safari, the legendary Kruger National Park along with various other private reserves offer exceptional Big Five encounters, with elegant lodges providing intimate game viewing, expert guides, and indulgent comfort.
In contrast, Cape Town captivates with its iconic setting beneath Table Mountain, blending golden beaches, vibrant culture, and outstanding dining.
Just beyond the city, the Cape Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek invite travellers to savour award-winning wines, gourmet cuisine, and stylish vineyard retreats.
Along the coast, the Garden Route delivers rugged beauty, while Hermanus is renowned for seasonal whale watching from shore. For those seeking adventure, the Drakensberg Mountains and remote Kalahari landscapes offer striking scenery and exclusive lodges.
From thrilling safaris to coastal elegance and culinary excellence, South Africa offers a richly layered luxury experience defined by contrast, character, and unforgettable moments.
F PT recommends
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Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
High above the plains of the Sabi Sand, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve delivers a dramatic and deeply personal safari experience shaped by Sir Richard Branson’s distinctive style and a long standing commitment to conservation. The reserve offers two very different lodges, Rock Lodge perched on a granite koppie with sweeping views, and Safari Lodge set closer to the river and wildlife corridors, each providing an intimate, warmly hosted atmosphere. Game drives are a standout, with excellent Big Five sightings supported by experienced guides and trackers who know the terrain intimately. Time between safaris is relaxed and social, with pools, spa treatments, and open decks designed for watching the bush unfold below. Ideal for clients seeking character, strong wildlife encounters, and a safari that feels both exclusive and unpretentious, Ulusaba offers a lively yet soulful take on the classic Sabi Sand experience.
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Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Set within a vast malaria free wilderness in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers a diverse safari experience shaped by strong conservation values and a wide range of landscapes. Guests can choose between several lodges, each with its own character, from contemporary riverfront settings to classic tented styles, all designed to blend comfort with a sense of immersion in the bush. Game drives reveal abundant wildlife including the Big Five, supported by knowledgeable rangers who share insight into the reserve’s ongoing rehabilitation and protection efforts. Days balance time on safari with quiet lodge moments, spa treatments, and visits to the reserve’s wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centres. Ideal for clients seeking an accessible, purpose driven safari with variety and depth, Shamwari delivers a rewarding introduction to South Africa’s wild spaces with a strong ethical foundation.
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La Residence, Franschhoek
Tucked into a private valley just outside Franschhoek, La Residence feels more like a lavish country estate than a traditional hotel, surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and manicured gardens. The individually designed suites are richly expressive, filled with bold colours, antiques, and hand selected artworks, each opening to terraces with sweeping valley or lake views. The mood is indulgent yet relaxed, shaped by unhurried breakfasts, poolside afternoons, and attentive service that feels personal rather than formal. Time here invites lingering, whether wandering the gardens, enjoying the stillness, or using the property as a base for exploring nearby wine estates. Ideal for clients seeking privacy, character, and a sense of playful elegance in the Cape Winelands, La Residence delivers a stay that feels intimate, expressive, and wonderfully removed from routine.
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Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
Known locally as the Pink Lady, Mount Nelson sits at the foot of Table Mountain, offering a grand yet welcoming garden estate that feels wonderfully removed from Cape Town’s bustle. The hotel unfolds across a series of historic wings and lush lawns, with rooms and suites styled in a classic, light filled elegance that suits both longer stays and celebratory escapes. Life here moves at a gentle pace, shaped by afternoon tea on the terrace, quiet moments by the pool, and restorative spa rituals tucked into the gardens. Service is polished and warm, balancing tradition with a relaxed South African spirit. Ideal for clients seeking timeless charm, generous space, and a refined base close to the city’s cultural highlights, Mount Nelson delivers one of Cape Town’s most enduring luxury experiences.
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Singita Sabi Sand
Bordering Kruger National Park within the legendary Sabi Sand Reserve, Singita’s lodges deliver one of Africa’s most refined and consistent safari experiences, where exceptional wildlife viewing meets quiet, design led luxury. The collection includes several distinct lodges, each with its own aesthetic and mood, from contemporary, art driven spaces to more classic safari elegance, all positioned for front row Big Five encounters. Suites are expansive and private, many with plunge pools and open views across riverbanks or bushveld where animals move freely throughout the day. Game drives are outstanding, led by some of the region’s most experienced guides and trackers, with long, unhurried sightings and a deep respect for the land. Between safaris, time slows naturally through spa treatments, fireside evenings, and thoughtful dining rooted in seasonality and place. Ideal for clients seeking the pinnacle of safari comfort with meaningful conservation impact, Singita Sabi Sand offers an experience that feels both deeply grounded and quietly extraordinary.
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One & Only Cape Town
Set on the edge of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with Table Mountain rising behind it, One and Only Cape Town offers a polished urban resort feel that balances city energy with real space and calm. Rooms and suites are among the largest in the city, styled in warm contemporary tones with balconies overlooking the marina or waterways, while Island Suites add a quieter, more secluded atmosphere reached by private bridges. Days flow easily between the expansive pool terrace, a serene spa with private treatment suites, and relaxed moments wandering the waterfront just beyond the gates. The mood shifts smoothly from laid back daytime comfort to lively evenings shaped by the hotel’s vibrant social spaces and attentive service. Ideal for clients wanting modern luxury, generous scale, and a central Cape Town base that still feels indulgent and composed, it delivers a confident, well rounded city stay.
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Birkenhead House, Hermanus
Perched above the rugged coastline of Hermanus, Birkenhead House offers a boldly expressive seaside escape where dramatic ocean views and striking design take centre stage. The house feels intimate and theatrical, with individually styled rooms and suites filled with colour, curated art, and expansive windows that keep the Atlantic constantly in view, often with whales visible offshore in season. Days drift between cliffside walks, poolside lounging, and quiet corners made for watching the light change over the sea, all supported by attentive yet relaxed hosting. Meals and drinks unfold in an easy, communal rhythm that suits the home like atmosphere, encouraging lingering conversations and unhurried evenings. Ideal for clients seeking character, privacy, and a coastal stay that feels both luxurious and deeply personal, Birkenhead House delivers one of South Africa’s most distinctive oceanfront experiences.
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Tswalu Kalahari
Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private reserve, offering a vast, quietly powerful safari experience shaped by red dunes, open horizons, and a deep commitment to conservation. Guests stay in one of two intimate lodges, each designed to blend into the landscape with earth toned architecture, spacious suites, and wide decks that frame the desert light. Wildlife encounters are unhurried and highly personalised, from tracking black maned lions and rare desert species to walking safaris that reveal the finer details of the Kalahari ecosystem. Days are entirely flexible, guided by private rangers and trackers who tailor each outing to guest interests, balanced by calm moments back at the lodge and restorative spa rituals rooted in the surrounding land. Ideal for clients seeking solitude, space, and a safari that feels profoundly different from more traditional settings, Tswalu delivers a rare sense of scale and purpose in the African wilderness.
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Leeu Estates, Franschhoek
Set on a working wine farm at the edge of Franschhoek, Leeu Estates offers a refined countryside retreat where manicured gardens, vineyards, and mountain views create a sense of quiet order and elegance. The estate’s rooms and suites are spread across historic buildings and modern additions, styled in a soft, contemporary classic palette that feels calm and residential rather than overtly grand. Life here moves gently between garden walks, tastings at the estate cellar, and slow afternoons by the pool, with art and sculpture woven naturally into the landscape. The atmosphere is discreet and polished, supported by attentive service and a strong focus on privacy. Ideal for clients seeking understated luxury, culinary depth, and a tranquil base in the Cape Winelands, Leeu Estates delivers a poised and beautifully balanced stay.
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Lion Sands Private Game Reserve
Stretching along a pristine section of the Sabie River, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve offers a classic Sabi Sand safari with a strong sense of place and deeply rooted heritage. The reserve is home to several distinct lodges, ranging from contemporary riverfront designs to more traditional safari styling, each positioned to capture constant wildlife movement along the water’s edge. Game drives are excellent, supported by experienced guides and trackers with intimate knowledge of the terrain, delivering frequent Big Five encounters and memorable moments after dark. Between safaris, guests unwind at open decks, spa spaces, and quiet viewpoints where the rhythm of the bush takes over. Ideal for clients seeking variety, reliable wildlife viewing, and a refined yet authentic safari atmosphere, Lion Sands delivers a balanced and rewarding African experience.
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The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Clinging to the edge of the Atlantic between the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the sea, this dramatic coastal retreat offers one of Cape Town’s most cinematic settings. The hotel’s rooms and suites are light filled and elegant, many opening to balconies with uninterrupted ocean or mountain views that make the natural surroundings feel ever present. Life here unfolds at a gentle pace, shaped by sunsets from the terrace, quiet moments in the award winning spa with its rock pools and rasul, and easy access to scenic coastal drives and nearby beaches. Service is warm and attentive, balancing a sense of occasion with relaxed comfort. Ideal for clients seeking striking scenery, restorative wellness, and a peaceful base just outside the city, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa delivers a memorable blend of nature and refined hospitality.
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The Silo Hotel, Cape Town
Rising above Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront within a converted grain silo, The Silo Hotel offers one of the city’s most visually arresting stays, where bold architecture and dramatic scale define the experience. The individually designed suites are expansive and lavish, framed by soaring pillowed glass windows that reveal sweeping views of Table Mountain, the harbour, and the Atlantic, while interiors mix modern luxury with carefully curated art and texture. The atmosphere feels rarefied yet intimate, supported by discreet service, quiet communal spaces, and a rooftop pool that floats high above the city. Time here is as much about perspective as comfort, with every moment shaped by light, height, and a strong sense of place. Ideal for clients seeking an iconic, design driven stay with maximum visual impact and refined privacy, The Silo Hotel delivers a Cape Town experience unlike any other.
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Royal Malewane, Kruger
Set within the Greater Kruger’s Thornybush Reserve, Royal Malewane delivers a safari experience defined by old world elegance, exceptional guiding, and a deeply personal approach to hospitality. The lodge’s suites are grand and richly styled, each with private decks and plunge pools overlooking waterholes or bushveld where wildlife moves freely throughout the day. Game drives are a standout, led by some of Africa’s most experienced guides and trackers, offering insightful, unhurried encounters with the Big Five and beyond. Time between safaris is indulgent and restorative, shaped by one of the bush’s most impressive spas, attentive service, and a relaxed, ceremonial rhythm. Ideal for clients seeking classic safari glamour with uncompromising wildlife expertise and privacy, Royal Malewane offers a timeless and quietly authoritative African experience.
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&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Built into a dramatic cliff face above the Phinda Private Game Reserve, &Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge offers a striking safari experience where elevation and landscape shape every moment. The lodge’s intimate collection of suites appears to float above the valley, each designed with stone, wood, and glass that draw sweeping views deep into the forested reserve below. Wildlife encounters are richly varied, with game drives revealing Big Five sightings alongside rare species supported by Phinda’s diverse habitats and strong conservation work. Between safaris, time slows naturally through quiet hours on private decks, cooling dips in plunge pools, and a calm, contemplative atmosphere that feels far removed from the everyday. Ideal for clients seeking privacy, distinctive design, and a safari setting that feels both dramatic and immersive, Phinda Rock Lodge delivers a uniquely elevated bush experience.
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Morukuru Beach Lodge
Set within the protected De Hoop Nature Reserve, Morukuru Beach Lodge offers an ultra private coastal escape where wild dunes, fynbos, and an endless sweep of ocean define the experience. This exclusive use lodge accommodates a single group at a time, with five beautifully styled suites, a dedicated chef, and a personal hosting team that shapes each stay around the guests rather than a fixed routine. Days unfold through barefoot beach walks, whale watching in season, coastal foraging, and quiet moments by the fire or on the terrace as the light shifts across the sea. The atmosphere feels refined yet deeply relaxed, with contemporary design softened by natural textures and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. Ideal for clients seeking total privacy, unspoiled nature, and a sense of being wonderfully removed from the world, Morukuru Beach Lodge delivers a rare blend of exclusivity and raw coastal beauty.