Dream Design

South Africa

  • A panoramic view of cape town at sunset

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 the colourful diversity, but the sheer joy of surprises that keeps familiar feet coming back for more.

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 the colourful diversity, but the sheer joy of surprises that keeps familiar feet coming back for more.

An irresistible melting pot of dramatic proportions captured by Table Mountain’s presence alone, this southernmost tip tempts an almost too-easy pin-drop for beginners embracing this vibrant continent. City-goers meander down Cape Town's streets to the soft blend of eleven different tongues, whose expressions flourish in a creative hubbub of ancient arts and contemporary crafts.

Foodies get their fill from braais to bunny chows, in a sharing of local stories that’s simply irresistible in the rolling green landscapes of the Winelands and Garden Route. And, because there’s nothing like enjoying it all while ticking off the bucket list, the great ocean stretches and wide open safari plains make home to incredible whale pods and the heart-filling Big 5. Meaning that if there’s ever a place to find a pot of gold that just keeps on giving, no two visits here need ever feel the same.

A small herd of zebras looking towards the camera
Vineyard field at sunset
Seascape with a whails tail coming out of the water
A small herd of zebras looking towards the camera
Vineyard field at sunset
Seascape with a whails tail coming out of the water

In pursuit of...

People walking as the sun sets
...standing firmly at the starting line of Mother Nature’s handmade treasure hunt

It’s like she couldn’t decide which environs she liked the most. And in bundling them all together into one beautiful boundary; Mother Nature's simply tempting explorers to find which X marks the sweetest spot. For every adrenaline junkie that reaches the tip of Table Mountain, there are fresh perspectives being discovered on the ground; from intricate histories to the tantalising tastes of rooibos tea. Or, perhaps, it’s about the wide-eyed anticipators, spotting their first whale spouting and cheetah running the plains. The map is simply a guide – but the treasure is oh-so-plenty.

Nelson Mandela, President and civil rights activist
“South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased but when you combine the natural beauty... and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa’s most splendid wildlife... Then I think that we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land.”
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A sense of place

Get to know our favourite spots in South Africa, from the rich diversity of the Cape floral kingdom to the intimacy of private game reserves.

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

    A ‘Mother City’ whose Table Mountain provides the perfect vantage point; a view from the top spans 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 to keep surprising, making for enchanting fresh discoveries and a more considered pace in life.

  • A wooden walkway that leads down to the beach
    Garden Route

    A southernmost road trip that’ll tick any horticulturist’s boxes, 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.

  • a view of the city coast from the sea during sunset
    Kwazulu Natal

    Home to the traditional Zululand and the city of Durban with its more rural and sandy beach landscapes, this hidden gem is known for its softer side that meets adventure playground. At the Anglo-Zulu Battlefields, it’s where history is respectfully remembered, while the outdoors types seek mountain hikes and cycling adventures. And, because wildlife is never too far away, it’s a great spot for finding the Big 5 and some lesser-known marine biodiversity.

  • A view from a vineyard looking towards a mountain
    The Winelands

    An epicurean’s delight lays nestled between dramatic mountain cliffs at the luscious green winelands of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. And whether it’s in sipping the signature pinotage or just settling down for a picnic, one thing's for sure: with views and gastronomic cuisine like this, the days will surely go rolling away.

  • A single zebra looking at the camera surrounded by wildebeest
    On safari

    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 and Madwike 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.

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Its essence...

VIBRANT
COURAGEOUS
COSMOPOLITAN

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 1960s, 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.

Destination essentials
  • Nov - Mar
    HIGH
  • Mar - Jul
    SPRING SHOULDER
  • Oct
    AUTUMN SHOULDER
  • Jul - Sep
    LOW
SEASON
  • 11hrs 40min
    LDN - CPT
  • 11hrs 5min
    LDN - JNB
Flight
  • +2hrs
    GMT
Time difference
  • ZAR
    SOUTH AFRICAN RAND
  • 11
    OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Currency / Language
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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Africa

A land of colour and contrasts. Deep red skies, dazzling white sands and clear blue waters; chic cities and thrilling safari encounters – Africa stirs the senses and the soul.

  • A cheetah laying in the foreground with a safari car behind
    Botswana

    You’ve never felt as remote as in Botswana, with its placid lagoons, eco-diverse island game reserve and the lunar-like salt flats of Makadikadi Basin.

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  • An African landscape with two natives walking
    Kenya

    Bright red shukas, the savannah’s most notable characters, and a landscape of flat plains that billow into hills, Kenya is archetypal Africa.

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  • Baobabs trees lining dirt road in Madagascar on cloudy day
    Madagascar

    Unspoilt and uncrowded, Madagascar is the land of the ‘blue safari’ – where snorkelling, diving and sailing in the warm turquoise waters is only paused for a bit of lemur spotting.

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  • View of old buildings, trees and mountains
    Morocco

    Arabia’s mystical allure and Africa’s vibrancy converge in Morocco, refusing to give in to Western ways and instead delivering a splendid culture contrast that’s sure to stay rooted in traveller’s minds forever.  

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  • A view of a boat from between trees
    Mozambique

    A country still with some growing to do, these lesser-trodden coastlines that often act as an add-on to a South African safari are a rare find of authenticity-meets-blissfully-beachy break.

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  • Sandy dunes in a desert next to the sea
    Namibia

    Ethereal expanses of dunes merge into wild, coastal wilderness in this sun-baked land, casting the spooky spell of the sands that’s all too exciting and easy to succumb to.

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  • A gorilla looking out into the jungle
    Rwanda

    Untamed and mysterious, the sulky rainforests of Rwanda are a wildlife wonderland, where golden monkeys peak out from behind dense leaves, bushbuck scarper at the slightest of sounds and gorillas take over the mountains.

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  • A small herd of zebra grazing grass
    Tanzania

    Tanzania is a Great Migration, the volcanic peaks watching over herds as they cross vast plains and indented craters, eyed intensely by the climbing lions from their treetop perches; but this book holds more than just its front cover.

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  • Big river waterfall during dark
    Zambia

    There may be no need for the classic beige suit, but the boots are essential in this home of the iconic walking safari that encapsulates the memory of 70s treks gone by.

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  • A sail boat at waters edge
    Zanzibar

    The archipelago of Zanzibar is somewhat of a wildcard, but with its bohemian vibe, mellow pace and decidedly quieter yet still sugar-white sands, it gives the Maldives a run for its money.

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  • an elephant with tusks walking in tall grass
    Zimbabwe

    Bringing off-the-beaten-track safari experiences that’re just as active as its dramatic Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is no stranger to a thrilling escapade.    

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