There are few places on Earth as diverse and varied as South Africa. They call it the Rainbow Nation, and it’s easy to see why. Covering a 1,000-mile cross-section of the continent, it ranges from the craggy gorges of the Highveld through lion-stalked savannahs and down to a raw coastline where whales, sharks and surfers ride the swells. And there are cosmopolitan cities to boot, from vibrant Cape Town to wave-washed Durban on the Indian Ocean.
South Africa has such an extensive range of attractions that it can entice a whole host of different types of travellers…
Wildlife lovers looking for an adventure trip chasing the Big 5 can bed down in luxury lodges in the middle of the natural reserves and parks in the country’s safari areas. Step out of the door, and you’ll be immersed in a world of swaying grass plains and acacia forests, where lions prowl, and leopards laze in the tree boughs. Regular game drives in those parts can offer encounters with Cape elephants, water buffalo, long-necked giraffes, and strange pangolins, to name just a few.
Wine connoisseurs, meanwhile, should head to the prestigious growing regions of Stellenbosch or Franschhoek Valley. These are world-famous for their rich red labels and have more cellar doors and tasting rooms than you can shake a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon at. You’ll also discover charming town centres that date back over 100 years, flaunting oak-lined avenues and award-winning bistros. When it comes to villa stays, these regions have exquisite properties that offer sparkling swimming pools with views of fynbos-covered peaks and even on-site wineries.
Adventurers can set their sights on the Garden Route. A 124-mile stretch of iconic driving that’s drama from start to finish, it covers the rugged shores of the Western Cape. Along the way, you’ll be able to dip your toes in the shimmering waters of Knysna, spot whales and dolphins in Plettenberg Bay, and delve into the deep tunnels of the Cango Caves.
For city lovers, nothing can top a sojourn in Cape Town. Spilling down the flanks of Table Mountain, it’s the country’s oldest city and now its legislative capital, where we offer luxury villas perched on the high hills above the roaring Atlantic Ocean. They’re a ticket to all the must-sees of the city and its region, from the penguin-stalked Cape of Good Hope to the haunting UNESCO site at Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years).
And that’s all just scratching the surface. You can also venture out to the Cradle of Humankind to see the site of some of the oldest – 2.3 million years old - hominid fossils ever found. You can hike the Drakensberg Mountains to wonder at cathedral-like bluffs weathered away by the winds of millennia. You can hit the township of Soweto to uncover the story of some of the Rainbow Nation’s most influential figures, from Mandela to Desmond Tutu.
Our array of luxury villas in South Africa includes everything from urban pads on the shores of Cape Town to sumptuous safari lodges with Jacuzzis and infinity pools overlooking the plains. See our selection below!
See
- Cape Town, a city spiked through by mighty mountains
- Kruger National Park, one of South Africa's most iconic reserves
- Blyde River Canyon – a dramatic cleft in the Highveld
Experience
- Wake up with a sunrise safari searching for "The Big 5" game
- Taste wines in luxury vineyards in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
- Drive the stunning Garden Route
