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Serene South Africa

  • Low angle shot of Table Mountain, Cape Town at sunset
Cape Town – Paarl – Hermanus – Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

Serene
South Africa

Elevating all of the essentials of a South African sojourn to upscale heights, this tour of the country’s best boutique hotel gems introduces some of the most inspiring local people.

Cape Town is the starting point, where dinner or a helicopter journey with Christo Brand – Nelson Mandela’s prison-guard-turned-friend – and a private lunch in the home of chef and zero waste queen Nicky Gibbs are on the agenda, followed swiftly by a sound journey lead by South African band Hot Water. Then it’s onto Paarl in the heart of wine country where the sprawling Brookdale Estate is the backdrop for exploring with Harry Melck, a descendant of the well-known Cape ‘wine’ family.

And of course, it wouldn’t be South Africa without some featured fauna. Birkenhead House sits on a cliff overlooking Walker Bay where the whales breach, while the last stop – the Londolozi Game Reserve – provides the perfect vantage point to spy the animals as they peruse the riverbank.

Sunset view of vineyard rows in South Africa
Couple drinking sundowners in Londolozi Game Reserve
Aerial drone shot of humpback whale breaching ocean surface

Jump to...

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Where you’ll be going

Get to know where you'll be exploring in South Africa, from the king of Africa’s urban jungles to prime whale-watching-real-estate.

  • An aerial view of a coastal city with a mountain in the middle

    DAY 1 - 5

    Cape Town

    A ‘Mother City’ whose Table Mountain provides her with the perfect vantage point. A view from the top spins art-filled city streets, sublime beaches and the historic Robben Island. Yet with a multitude of choice, this matriarch knows that she’s got what she needs. Making the surprising enchantment the fresh discovery of a slower pace in life.

    Stay at: Ellerman House
  • A view from a vineyard looking towards a mountain

    DAY 6 - 8

    Paarl

    The beating heart of wine country, it’s almost criminal to come here and not explore at least one of the various estates dotted between the luscious green hills. Wine tasting is a given, but outdoorsy escapades are encouraged – think picnics, horseback riding and kayaking.

    Stay at: Brookdale Estate
  • A wooden walkway that leads down to the beach

    DAY 9 - 10

    Garden Route – Hermanus

    A southernmost road trip that’ll tick any horticulturist’s bucket list, this route earnt its name for a reason. Whether it’s the beautiful lagoons, rich forests, limestone cliffs or mountain ranges that are playing host to a plethora of adrenaline-filled activities, it's hard to imagine taking a reason for a breather. That is, of course, until the iconic Hermanus comes into sight; where whale pods go proudly spouting by.

    Stay at: Birkenhead House
  • A single zebra looking at the camera surrounded by wildebeest

    DAY 11 - 14

    Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

    The smallest of fingertips buzzing with anticipation. The wildest of imaginations turned into reality.

    Conjuring the image of a safari might be an easy task, but what makes the private game reserves at Sabi Sands so special is the sheer intimacy of it all. The wildlife is close, and the feeling is homely; making the sighting of the Big 5 almost guaranteed.

    Stay at: Private Granite Suites at Londolozi Private Game Reserve
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A taste of what's to come Serene South Africa journal

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 6
Day 10
Day 12
Day 13
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 6
Day 10
Day 12
Day 13
  • A panoramic view of cape town at sunset

    9pm

    Ons het dit gemaak! (We’ve finally made it!) It’s been a long flight filled with anticipation, but as soon as we arrived we got that warm fuzzy feeling. It’s a night in for us this evening, but with a view of Table Mountain like this, I can’t help but feel I’m in the heart of it already.

    Explore
  • Christo Brand shaking hands with Nelson Mandala who is sat down

    5:30pm

    It’s been an emotional and wonderful day today. Meeting Christo Brand (Nelson Mandela’s prison guard/friend) was one of the big reasons we came here. His stories of Mandela’s peaceful, kind, and spiritual nature were inspiring. I look forward to reading Brand’s book to learn some more.

    Explore
  • A view from the top of Table Mountain, looking down on Cape Town

    7am

    Sitting down to a breakfast atop of Table Mountain – just when I thought the view couldn’t get any better. There’s surfers out on the waves, beautifully colourful house tops, and I can even spot Robben Island again. It’s a good job we’re seeing Hot Water this evening, or there’d be no getting me down.

    Explore
  • Food and drinks on a wooden table

    2:12pm

    Just got back from lunch with Nicky Gibbs – wow. She grew all her own ingredients and foraged for any others in the remaining landscape – and it shows. Local South African food really does just take the biscuit. Just for an hour or so, I even managed to get Hot Water’s music out of my head.

    Explore
  • A group of people tapping wine glasses together in celebration

    2:45pm

    Writing with a glass of red by my side and a head filled with bubbly excitement. Harry Melck wasn’t just a great sommelier – he could identify a wine with his eyes closed. Off to our evening meal now – there’s always more room for indulgence.

    Explore
  • Seascape with a whails tail coming out of the water

    6pm

    Up early this morning to head over to Hermanus to go whale watching. We’ve set up a competition between us to see who can spot them spouting first – we can’t wait.

    Explore
  • African Elephants in Kenya Aerial View

    7:15pm

    Saw three of the big five today – lions, leopards, and our absolute favourites; elephants. The adrenaline was unlike anything I’ve experienced before – and we get to do it all over again tomorrow morning. It really is a different world out here on safari.

    Explore
  • A single tree on a brown grassy field with the sunset setting behind

    10pm

    Our final night tonight, and we finished it just perfectly. Sat around the campfire sharing stories in the African bush, hearing whispers of ancient ancestors and histories. Got a final spa treatment in the morning to set me up for the flight – it’s truly been an incredible trip.

    Explore
0:00


Where to stay

  • South africa, Cape town, Ellerman house, Exterior
    Ellerman House
    An exclusive Relais & Châteaux retreat set in a Cape Edwardian mansion with magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean. The mansion itself, a historical landmark, features thirteen individually decorated rooms and a fine collection of original South African art.
    Ellerman House


Where to stay

  • South africa, Cape town, Ellerman house, Exterior
    Ellerman House
    An exclusive Relais & Châteaux retreat set in a Cape Edwardian mansion with magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean. The mansion itself, a historical landmark, features thirteen individually decorated rooms and a fine collection of original South African art.
    Ellerman House


Where to stay

  • South africa, Cape town, Ellerman house, Exterior
    Ellerman House
    An exclusive Relais & Châteaux retreat set in a Cape Edwardian mansion with magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean. The mansion itself, a historical landmark, features thirteen individually decorated rooms and a fine collection of original South African art.
    Ellerman House


Where to stay

  • South africa, Cape town, Ellerman house, Exterior
    Ellerman House
    An exclusive Relais & Châteaux retreat set in a Cape Edwardian mansion with magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean. The mansion itself, a historical landmark, features thirteen individually decorated rooms and a fine collection of original South African art.
    Ellerman House


Where to stay

  • Africa, South Africa, Paarl, Brookdale Estate, View
    Brookdale Estate
    A labour of family love, this manor house in the middle of Paarl’s winelands has been tenderly restored into a place that celebrates far more than just good vino. Run by two veterans of South Africa’s luxury hotel scene, just six keys make up this privately owned refuge that, whether booking just one suite or the entire property, retains its air of easy-going intimacy.
    Brookdale Estate


Where to stay

  • Africa, South Africa, Birkenhead House, Exterior
    Birkenhead House
    Set on the cliffs overlooking the two best swimming beaches in Hermanus, Liz Biden’s private beach house style hotel offers the perfect escape for the nature lover. With a high emphasis on personal service, guests are encouraged to feel very much at home, whether relaxing by a roaring fire or lounging by one of the two pools.
    Birkenhead House


Where to stay

  • Africa, South Africa, Londolozi Private Granite Suites, Pool
    Private Granite Suites at Londolozi Private Game Reserve
    By general consensus the most luxurious of Londolozi properties, Private Granite Suites lies midway between the Varty and Founders camps and caters for just six guests. Crafted in materials which reflect the granite outcrops that surround the camp, the three guest suites boast wow-factor design in shades of silver and grey, each fronting directly onto the Sand River.
    Private Granite Suites at Londolozi Private Game Reserve


Where to stay

  • Africa, South Africa, Londolozi Private Granite Suites, Pool
    Private Granite Suites at Londolozi Private Game Reserve
    By general consensus the most luxurious of Londolozi properties, Private Granite Suites lies midway between the Varty and Founders camps and caters for just six guests. Crafted in materials which reflect the granite outcrops that surround the camp, the three guest suites boast wow-factor design in shades of silver and grey, each fronting directly onto the Sand River.
    Private Granite Suites at Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Explore all the
places to stay

  • South africa, Cape town, Ellerman house, Exterior
    South Africa
    Ellerman House

    An exclusive Relais & Châteaux retreat set in a Cape Edwardian mansion with magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean.

    Explore this place
    • Africa, South Africa, Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve, Exterior
      South Africa
      Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve

      Cutting-edge in both design and concept, Cheetah Plains ushers in a new era for the safari experience with its almost-silent wildlife experiences courtesy of unobtrusive electric jeeps.

      Explore this place
    • Africa, South Africa, Londolozi Private Granite Suites, Exterior
      South Africa
      Private Granite Suites at Londolozi Private Game Reserve

      By general consensus the most luxurious of Londolozi properties, Private Granite Suites lies midway between the Varty and Founders camps and caters for just six guests.

      Explore this place

Extraordinary
experiences

    • Christo Brand shaking hands with Nelson Mandala who is sat down
      A dinner, helicopter ride or Robben Island tour with Nelson Mandela’s personal guard-turned-friend- Christo Brand

      Defying all odds, Christo Brand and Nelson Mandela became close friends during Mandela’s imprisonment on Robben Island. Hear stories about the former South African President; take your pick between a formal dinner, a helicopter ride offering a bird’s eye view of Robben Island, or a more sure-footed tour on the ground.

    • Food and drinks on a wooden table
      Homemade and homegrown lunch with world-travelled chef Nicky Gibbs at her kitchen table

      Nicky Gibbs’s gastronomic career has spanned everything from cooking for the likes of David Bowie and The Rolling Stones, to discovering a multitude of culinary roots across her world-travels. Today, she finds home in South Africa, where her home grown veggies and beautiful flowers form an integral part of every meal. Learn all about the "seedling to table" process, as you share seasonal organic food and the joys of South African hospitality.

    • Two people on a stage performing music with bubbles passing in front of the camera
      Attend a live performance of the theatrical live act, Hot Water

      Heavily influenced by the iconic South African music of the 1960’s, as well as the sounds of mbaqanga and jive, Hot Water brings messages of transformation on an emotional and psychological level in their light and joyous sound. Enjoy their high energy theatrical live act, that’s about so much more than simply music.

    • A group of people tapping wine glasses together in celebration
      Winelands walk with storyteller and prominent winemaker, Harry Melck

      An 8th generation descendant of the well-known Cape "wine" family, Harry’s go-to knowledge on the wine industry makes for a fascinating tour filled with fun. Hear about all the ways the industry has evolved over time, with everything from farming methods and techniques to identifying wine with your eyes closed.

    • A safari car passing through green shrubery and rocks at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
      Challenge yourself to finding the Big 5 and Cape 5 on safari

      There’s no better place to begin when looking for the favourites, including the Cape 5’s ostrich, baboons, mountain zebra, bontebok and tortoise at Cape Point.

    • A close up of a group of African Penguins
      Visit the lesser-known hidden gem, Betty’s Bay, and spend time with the penguin colony

      Head over to Betty’s Bay to watch a colony of African penguins going about their daily lives – with all their unique personalities that make this place their home.

    • A guided hike through a wooded forest
      A boma dinner under the stars in the Milkwood forest

      Sitting among the 1,000-year-old Milkwood forest, twinkling stars set the scene for incredible food and stories. Finish the evening stargazing for your favourite constellations.

Itinerary essentials
  • 14
    NIGHTS
IDEAL TIME
  • Nov - Mar
    DRY & SUNNY
WHEN TO GO
  • 11hrs 25min
    LHR - CPT
FLIGHT TIME
  • 7hrs
    BY ROAD
  • 5hrs 15min
    BY AIR
ALL TRANSFERS
Get in touch your way…
We customise every trip to you and our quotes are bespoke. We’re here to offer advice, recommendations and answer your questions.
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    Explore more of
    South Africa

    The ‘Rainbow Nation’ that earnt her stripes in a cacophony of languages, three buzzing cities, and everything from safaris to Winelands in-between; it’s not just a colourful diversity, but the sheer joy for surprises that keeps familiar feet coming back for more.
    South Africa