South Africa Luxury Tours: Safari and Beyond

Our South Africa tour began with a stay at the gorgeous Belmond Mount Nelson, an iconic property that perfectly blends historic charm with modern luxury. Located at the foot of Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town, this stunning hotel — nicknamed "The Nellie" — offers an incredible introduction to the city's rich heritage and vibrant culture.

Mount Nelson's location is ideal for exploring Cape Town. The hotel offers easy access to major attractions like Table Mountain and is only a few minutes’ walk to the lively Kloof Street, known for its trendy cafes, boutiques and art galleries.

After fueling up on breakfast in The Nellie's Oasis Bistro, we headed out with our guides for a stunning drive up Signal Hill, stopping at the top to look out at Table Mountain with sweeping views of Cape Town and the sea below.

Next, we drove along the spectacular shores of False Bay to the Stony Point Nature Reserve. Located in the charming coastal town of Betty’s Bay on the Western Cape, the Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to a unique colony of African penguins. Stony Point offers the public the chance to observe the penguins going about their daily activities in their natural habitat without disturbing them.

We stopped for lunch in the adorable coastal town of Hermanus — once a poor fishing village and now the whale-watching capital of South Africa — and then continued on to the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, located in the Cape Fynbos region within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. We saw a family of baboons before taking a relaxing stroll through the gardens to a peaceful waterfall.

After a packed day, we arrived at our home for the evening, the five-star eco-paradise Grootbos. This jaw dropping property is positioned between the mountains and the sea. With an abundance of floral diversity, guests have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning landscape on complimentary guided flower safaris and hikes through the ancient milkwood forest and fynbos-clad mountains. The reserve is also home to the renowned Marine Big Five — whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins — offering unparalleled wildlife encounters from the coastline or on thrilling boat trips.

We were welcomed to our spectacular six-bedroom villa, which had stunning views overlooking Walker Bay. With state-of-the-art amenities, a private chef, butler and private guide, we decided we never wanted to leave.

In the evening, we ate in the restaurant at the adults-only Forest Lodge, where every dish was presented as a colorful piece of art. With most of the ingredients sourced as close to Grootbos as possible, with many coming from their own organic farm on the reserve, the meal was an experience in and of itself.

The day ended with star-gazing on the balcony and the sound of waves crashing in the distance.

One of my favorite things about visiting South Africa in May was my ability to see the sunrise at a not-so-ungodly hour (I am not a morning person). At 7 am, our guide Jono treated us to a sunrise hike through Grootbos' fynbos-covered hills and the ancient milkwood forests. As the sun rose over the hills, Jono gave us an in-depth look at some of the incredible flora and fauna on the preserve (Grootbos features more than 900 plant species, some of which are under threat of extinction). After the hike, we visited the on-site botanical art gallery, which has a unique collection of botanical illustrations by local artists.

After our hike, we drove about two and a half hours back toward Cape Town to the town of Constantia, the oldest wine producing region in South Africa, where we checked into Cellars-Hohenort. Set within nine acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, the hotel feels like a secluded retreat. With its gorgeous, lush fabrics, chic wallpaper and vibrant colors, the property has a playful and contemporary flair which pairs perfectly with the natural beauty of the property’s surroundings.

The food at Cellars-Hohenort was exceptional. After lunch at Greenhouse, the hotel's award-winning restaurant, we enjoyed a hike nearby before visiting Beau Constantia Vineyard, where we tasted a variety of delicious wines.

Safari day! The day had finally come: my long-awaited bucket-list experience was finally here! I was giddy with excitement during the three-hour ride to Thornybush Game Reserve, located in Greater Kruger National Park. The drive is not for the faint of heart (or those who get carsick). A quick and easy alternative, which I recommend, is a fast charter flight from Cape Town.

We arrived at Thornybush and, upon driving in, we saw an impala, which is a medium-sized antelope native to Africa. We quickly took out our cameras to the bemusement of our driver (we would find out later that impalas number in the thousands; we would later see large herds of these lithe, athletic creatures). At Thornybush, we were welcomed by the warm and friendly staff and offered a cool, citronella-scented towel and welcome drink. We checked into our room, a standalone villa with a safari-chic aesthetic (the leopard wallpaper was created as a nod to the mother-son leopard duo who we would meet up close and personally — more on that later). I loved the unique touches such as the custom, handmade bathrobes (we were all disappointed they weren’t for sale), along with the gorgeous bedding and luxurious bath products.

We then set off for our afternoon game drive, the first of four drives we would experience at Thornybush.

What was I expecting? Looking back, I’m actually not sure — but whatever it was I thought would happen, the reality far exceeded my expectations. Driving into the bush, the guide and tracker were communicating through an unspoken language. They were communicating with the land itself as well: the prints in the sand, the snap of a branch. Our first major sighting was a two-year-old male leopard. As our vehicle came to a stop near his perch, the most surreal thing happened. The leopard curiously wandered right up to me (truly, he was no more than a foot away from me). What may have been a terrifying moment was in fact quite the opposite — it was a magical interaction with a young animal who simply wanted to understand the world around him.

Continuing on, we spotted buffalo, impala (lots of impala!), rhinos, hyenas, giraffes, zebras and elephants. Incredible as all of these majestic creatures were, it was tough to top my up-close encounter with the leopard, who I continued to think about as I drifted off to sleep that evening.

Safaris generally have a similar rhythm: After our early morning wake-up call (leave time for your first coffee of the day overlooking the riverbed), the open game vehicle departed into the bush. The experienced guides and trackers shared their extensive knowledge, and, after an exhilarating hunt for tracks to see what the animals have been up to during the night, we stopped for a coffee and tea break in the bush. For those chilly mornings, guests receive hot water bottles and warm blankets on the vehicle, which we gladly accepted.

Our afternoon game drive was preceded by high tea and extended into the evening, and, again, we stopped in the bush, in a remote, scenic spot to watch the iconic African sunset with sundowners — gin & tonics were our drink of choice!

Of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without the delicious dinner prepared by the chefs at Thornybush, who put extreme love and care into every dish they prepared.

The Thornybush website states the following: “Our purpose at Thornybush is to create out-of-the-ordinary safari experiences for our guests, while also enriching the lives of our staff and the well-being of the surrounding communities. We understand that while our guests enjoy the comfort and luxury of our lodges, what they’ll remember most are the people they meet, the experiences in the wilderness and how both combine to give them that special Thornybush feeling.” This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of Thornybush. Our guides, Kayden and Johnny “The Best,” felt like family after a mere two days together. We thoroughly enjoyed our final game drive at Thornybush, but were extremely sad to say goodbye to our newfound friends.

About an hour and a half later, we arrived at our final destination, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, located in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, which offers a unique blend of luxury and sustainability in the heart of the African bush. Known for its innovative design that seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings, Earth Lodge provides guests with an unparalleled safari experience. Each suite features eco-friendly architecture, elegant decor, private plunge pools and stunning views of the landscape.

The dining experience at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge perfectly complemented the lodge's luxurious and eco-friendly ambiance. We were treated to gourmet meals crafted by expert chefs who use locally sourced ingredients to create a fusion of traditional African flavors and contemporary cuisine. On the first night, we had the pleasure of dining under the stars in the outdoor boma, and on the second night, we enjoyed a private dinner in the wine cellar surrounded by a remarkable collection of South African wines.