Every week for the next ten weeks we will be releasing one of our top 10 holiday destinations in the world, based on where the Director at Only Exclusive Travel, and the rest of the company, have visited throughout the last year, the areas of the world that are particularly up-and-coming as holiday destinations, and our own personal favourites.
This week, at number 10, is Southern Africa! Only Exclusive Travel features various high end properties both in South Africa itself, as well as in Mozambique and other locations in the southern region of Africa. We have chosen this area of the world as one of our top 10 destinations because Southern Africa lends itself to innumerable unique experiences such as a stay in a stylish Cape Town hotel, a South African luxury train journey and stay, a once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the world’s best safari ranges in Kruger National Park and a few nights overlooking the stunning sand banks in Mozambique. We’ll take you through this unique itinerary to give you the best idea for a luxury holiday in Southern Africa!
South Africa
Known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, South Africa is a vibrant country with over 2500km of coastline, varied landscapes, a sizzling climate and unique endemic flora and fauna. To start off your luxury holiday in South Africa fly to the second most populous town in South Africa: Cape Town. Cape Town is alive with colour, culture, business and one-off tourist attractions such as the South African Naval Museum, and stunning beaches.
Cape Grace
The iconic Cape Grace hotel located on the water front
When staying in Cape Town, Cape Grace is the downright best place to stay. Voted number one in South Africa by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards, Cape Grace is well and truly renowned among seasoned travellers and those who like to experience utter luxury in South Africa. Also ranked in the top 10 Family Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Cape Grace is clearly a fabulous destination for families. It has numerous facilities in place for children, including welcome gifts on arrival, story-time in the library and gingerbread man painting. The hotel’s Bascule whiskey, wine and cocktail bar serves the finest beverages to the most discerning drinkers in the hotel’s most social environment. A great introduction to South Africa, Cape Grace gives you the finest in luxurious South African hospitality.
Rovos Rail
Adventures in South Africa with Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail, an original nineteenth century train, transports travellers along a scenic route between Cape Town and Pretoria in the most luxurious way imaginable. With stop offs at the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine museum, and even the historic village of Matjiesfontein, your stay at Rovos Rail combines South African luxury travel, with site-seeing and a stay in one of the finest heritage ‘hotels’ in South Africa! With the train built in 1855, antique furniture, a smart casual dress code by day, and cocktail dresses and suits encouraged in the evenings, this train epitomises timeless class and elegance.
Transporting you from Cape Town to Pretoria, with numerous stops en route, this is a fantastic element to a dream itinerary in Southern Africa, as it shows you highlights of the land on a literal whistle stop tour. Pretoria is the perfect destination; it was crowned the Administrative Capital of South Africa in 1910, and has a plethora of heritage sites, museums and monuments for you to visit.
Ulusaba Safari
Lavish interiors at the exclusive Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
After a drive from Pretoria to Johannesburg and a flight towards Kruger National Park, you should head to Ulusaba’s private landing strip. Ulusaba is Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, comprising of a cluster of 21 suites and rooms within the lavish safari, cliff and rock lodges in the heart of Kruger National Park. The safari lodges are located by the riverside, and the rock lodges are 15 minutes away, perched upon a cliff, with stunning panoramic views of the African bush below. Embark on a game drive twice a day, or go on a walk to be up and close with nature. There are numerous other activities such as swimming in the pool, going to the spa, or stargazing at the bush observatory.
Being able to witness the roaming wildlife in their natural habitat is an experience hard to beat. Find lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, vultures, eagles, owls, cheetahs, giraffes and hippopotamus’ going about their daily business; a great experience for the penultimate location on your Southern Africa itinerary.
Mozambique
Azura Benguerra Island
The stunning sand banks at Azure Bengeurra Island
For the final leg of your luxury Southern Africa holiday, take a flight to Vilanculos in Mozambique before taking a helicopter to the exclusive island of Benguerra, where the beautiful Azura property sits. On the cusp of the most breathtaking sand banks in Southern Africa, and a Marine National Park, Azura Benguerra Island is a fantastic resort to end your tour of Southern Africa. Azura Benguerra Island is the region’s first luxury eco-boutique retreat; feeling like an undiscovered, exclusive property, this is the perfect place to relax and soak in the tranquil scenery of the Benguerra island and its surrounding shores.
For more ideas for a luxury holiday in Southern Africa send us a tweet, a message on Facebook, or give us a call! One of our dedicated team members would be more than happy to help.