Luxury Holidays in South Africa
Why We Love South Africa
There's something about South Africa that stays with you long after you've come home. It's the light — that incredible, bright, golden light that makes everything feel sharper and more alive. It's the contrast of it all. One day you're watching a leopard disappear into the bush on a morning game drive; the next you're sitting in a Franschhoek wine estate with a glass of Pinotage, mountains all around you, wondering how one country can pack so much in.
Nelson Mandela called it "the Rainbow Nation" — and honestly, once you've been, you'll get it. South Africa isn't just a safari destination, although the safaris are world-class. It's a place of real variety and soul. Cape Town alone would be worth the trip — Table Mountain, stunning beaches, an incredible food scene, and some of the loveliest hotels we've ever stayed in. But then you add in the Winelands, the Garden Route, the drama of the Kalahari, the warm Indian Ocean coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, and you start to realise just how much there is to explore.
What makes it brilliant for our clients is that it all fits together so well. Great roads, easy internal flights, and English spoken everywhere mean you can move between experiences without any fuss. You can combine a few nights on safari with time in Cape Town and a few days in the Winelands — and it never feels rushed.
Whether it's a honeymoon, a big family adventure, a milestone birthday, or simply the trip you've been dreaming about for years, South Africa delivers every time.
South Africa is perfect for...
Food & Wine
From Cape Malay curries to world-class restaurants in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, South Africa is a foodie's dream. The Winelands alone are worth the flight — and we'll make sure you don't miss any of the good stuff.
Honeymoons & Romance
Think sundowners overlooking the bush, wine tastings for two in Franschhoek, and gorgeous suites with views you'll never forget. South Africa is a brilliant honeymoon destination — and we'll plan it so it feels personal, relaxed, and completely yours.
Family Holidays
South Africa is fantastic for families. There are malaria-free safari options, safe beaches, loads of activities, and resorts that really look after little ones too. We'll sort the logistics and build an itinerary that keeps everyone happy.
Safari & Wildlife
South Africa is home to the Big Five — and the private reserves around Kruger are some of the finest safari destinations on the planet. We'll match you to the right reserve and lodge for your style, whether that's your first ever game drive or your tenth.
Our Favourite South Africa Hotels & Resorts
We've handpicked six properties that we know inside out — places we've visited, stayed in, and confidently recommend to our clients time and again. (Though there are many other stunning accommodation options available!)
The Silo Hotel
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town · 28 suites · ★★★★★
If Ellerman House is the quietly elegant one, The Silo is the showstopper. Converted from a historic grain silo and sitting above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, this hotel is bold, colourful, and completely one of a kind. Every suite is individually designed with those iconic bubble windows framing Table Mountain and the Waterfront. There's a rooftop pool, an incredible spa, and the kind of design that makes you want to photograph everything. It's Cape Town at its most glamorous.
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Reserve · ★★★★★
If Lebombo is cool and contemporary, Ebony is its warmer, more classic sibling — recently refurbished and looking better than ever. Set along the Sand River in Singita's private 45,000-acre concession, with heated plunge pools, fireplaces for cooler evenings, and some of the highest concentrations of wild leopard anywhere on earth. The guiding here is exceptional, the hospitality is incredibly warm, and the Sabi Sand reserve is widely regarded as one of the best Big Five areas in the world.
Ellerman House
Bantry Bay, Cape Town · 13 rooms & suites + 2 private villas · ★★★★★
This one feels like staying in a beautiful private home — except with five-star service and one of the best art collections in the country. Perched above Bantry Bay with views out over the Atlantic, Ellerman House is all about understated luxury. Just 13 rooms, a gorgeous wine gallery with over 7,500 South African bottles, complimentary evening cocktails, and a sense of calm that's hard to find in a city. Clifton Beach is a short walk away, and Cape Town's best restaurants are on your doorstep. It doesn't try too hard — and that's exactly what makes it so special.
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park · 15 suites · ★★★★★
Singita is a name that comes up again and again when people talk about the best safari experiences in Africa — and Lebombo is a brilliant example of why. Perched on a rocky hillside deep in Kruger, with these light, airy, contemporary suites that feel like nothing else in the bush. The game viewing is exceptional — Big Five are all here in abundance — and the food and wine are genuinely world-class. It's the kind of place that changes the way you think about safari.
The Oyster Box
Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal · 86 rooms · ★★★★★
A proper South African classic. The Oyster Box sits right on the beachfront in Umhlanga, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse, and it has the kind of old-school charm and warmth that makes you feel at home the moment you walk in. Part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, it's all about gracious hospitality — gorgeous rooms, a brilliant spa set in tropical gardens, two pools, and some lovely restaurants. It's a fantastic add-on to a KwaZulu-Natal itinerary.
Tswalu Kalahari
Northern Cape · Motse: 9 suites · Tarkuni: 5 rooms · ★★★★★
Tswalu is something completely different — and that's exactly why we love it. South Africa's largest private game reserve, set in the red dunes and open plains of the southern Kalahari, shared by a maximum of just 28 guests at any time. Every booking comes with a private guide and vehicle, so your days are entirely yours. The wildlife here is unique too — think meerkats, aardvark, pangolin, and desert-adapted species you won't see in Kruger. It's remote, it's beautiful, and it feels like you have the whole place to yourself.
Experiences You'll Love
Best Time to Visit
South Africa is a year-round destination — that's one of the things that makes it so popular. The country is huge, though, so the best time to go depends on what you want to do and where you want to be.
Peak Safari Season
May – September
The dry winter months are the best for game viewing in Kruger and the private reserves. The bush thins out, wildlife gathers around waterholes, and temperatures are warm during the day (around 24–26°C) but chilly at night.
Cape Summer
November – March
Hot, dry, and sunny in Cape Town and the Western Cape — perfect for beaches, the Winelands, and the Garden Route. This is peak season for the Cape, so book early.
Shoulder Season
April – May & September – October
Lovely weather across most of the country, fewer crowds, and often some brilliant offers from the lodges. April and May are great for combining Cape Town with safari, while September and October catch the last of the dry season before the rains arrive.
Whale Season
July – November
Head to the Western Cape for southern right whale sightings from the shore. Hermanus is the go-to spot, but you can catch them along much of the coastline.
Practical Bits
Flight time: Around 11–12 hours direct from the UK. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly direct to both Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Visa: UK passport holders don't need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure date and has two blank pages.
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR). The pound goes a long way — South Africa is great value for a long-haul destination. Cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants.
Time zone: GMT+2 (so two hours ahead of the UK in winter, one in summer).
Driving: Left-hand side, same as the UK — perfect if you fancy a self-drive road trip along the Garden Route or through the Winelands.
Language: English is widely spoken alongside Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and eight other official languages. You won't have any trouble communicating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Africa safe for tourists?
Yes — with sensible precautions, the same as you'd take in any major city. The areas our clients visit — including Cape Town's Waterfront, the Winelands, private safari reserves, the Garden Route — are all well-established tourist destinations with excellent security. We'll brief you fully before you go.
Do I need malaria tablets?
It depends on where you're going. The Kruger area is a malaria zone, so tablets are recommended. But there are brilliant malaria-free safari options in the Eastern Cape, Madikwe, and the Kalahari if you'd rather avoid them.
Is South Africa good for families?
Brilliant. There are malaria-free safari reserves, safe beaches, fantastic family-friendly hotels, and loads to do. The Garden Route is a particularly lovely family road trip.
What's the food like?
Incredible. South African food is a real mix of cultures — Cape Malay, Indian, Afrikaans, and modern African. The restaurant scene in Cape Town and the Winelands is genuinely world-class.
Can you combine safari with Cape Town?
Absolutely — and we'd really recommend it. A typical itinerary might be three or four nights in Cape Town, two or three in the Winelands, and three or four on safari. Internal flights make it easy to put together.
