Luxury South Africa holidays

See Cape Town in style when you stay at one of the city’s luxury hotels. After an action-packed day of sightseeing, you can return to your five-star bolthole and relax.

One of the best hotels in Cape Town, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is a central oasis with a star-studded history, with guests including Winston Churchill and John Lennon. You can expect elegant rooms, beautiful gardens and a serene spa. And foodies will be in their element. Nibble on afternoon tea in The Lounge, go behind the scenes at the chef’s table, and sip Champagne in the Planet Bar.

One&Only Cape Town is another fantastic option. Dotted across private islands, this secluded spot is a calm haven in the heart of the V&A Waterfront. You can go for a dip in the infinity pool, take a yoga class, or unwind with a treatment in the spa. In the evenings, feast on Japanese dishes at Michelin-starred Nobu, or try delicious South African specialities at Ochre. Meanwhile, the incredible Wine Loft boasts a collection of 5,000 labels.

A luxury South Africa safari is a bucket list dream for many. You can go in search of the ‘Big Five’ on a guided game drive, then retreat to your safari lodge or tented camp, where you’ll find little luxuries and home comforts.  

If you fancy going glamping in South Africa, consider staying at Bayethe Tented Lodge. You’ll have one of a dozen large tented suites, complete with your own private plunge pool and sun deck. After your safari, why not visit the spa for a Shamwari signature treatment? And, after dark, you can get cosy by the fire or enjoy a soak in your free-standing bath, as you listen to hyenas cackling in the distance.

Alternatively, if tents aren’t your style, take a look at Kariega Main Lodge. Inside privately-owned Kariega Game Reserve, this luxury lodge has just 24 cabins. Your air-conditioned chalet comes with a king-size bed, a modern bathroom and a viewing deck. Admire the wildlife from your cabin or the pool, or relax with a holistic massage in the spa.

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most beautiful drives, weaving past rolling hills, rugged mountains, lush valleys and beachfront towns. It’s more about the journey than the destination but, when you do fancy a break, Plettenberg Bay should be at the top of your list.

Plettenberg Bay is one of the most iconic beaches in the Rainbow Nation, known for its gorgeous scenery – and where better to stay than The Plettenberg itself? This five-star boutique hotel is strategically positioned on a clifftop, providing sweeping views across the sea. On a clear day, you can even see whales and dolphins swimming in the ocean.

You can hop between two pools, enjoy afternoon tea served with Champagne, and fill up on freshly-caught seafood. Or you could simply head to the Fresh Wellness Spa, where indigenous ingredients feature in the wide range of treatments.

If you really want to get away from it all on your luxury South Africa holiday, venture inland towards Hog Hollow Country Lodge & Villas. Just 18 kilometres from Plettenberg Bay, this forest-shrouded lodge boasts stunning views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. And, with just 16 suites and a handful of villas, Hog Hollow really does provide an intimate, exclusive experience.

The plush suites have everything you need for a comfortable stay, and little ones will have their own space to play and sleep in. For complete luxury, opt for the two-bedroom villa – you’ll have total privacy, with your own pool and large decking.

You can chill out on your balcony, or mingle with other guests on the boma deck. There are plenty of activities on offer here, too. Ride on horseback through meadows and wineries, go paddle-boarding along the Keurbooms River, or hike the Garden Route’s scenic coastal paths.