Safari, Wine and Waterfalls

Overview

This historic hotel in colourful Cape Town has just 19 rooms, offering an intimate escape from the neighbourhood’s buzzy streets. It’s all about local artisans here, with artworks, crafts and striking pieces of furniture that create a bold but beautiful maximalist aesthetic. Expect emerald greens and distinctive printed wallpapers, accented with gold trimmings. 

The property is perfectly placed for exploring the restaurants and bars on popular Kloof Street, or for getting outdoors and atop Table Mountain, where views of the city are truly awe-inspiring. There’s plenty of pleasure to be found inside the hotel, too, though, with two prettily tiled swimming pools and a handful of loungers that invite you to laze around in the sun for at least a few hours. 

Food here is served in Upper Union, where a carefully curated menu offers seasonal produce by way of small plates and larger dishes, and the cocktails are a highlight for locals and visitors alike. 

Overview

With sweeping views of the Atlantic, Table Mountain as a backdrop, and the buzz of a working harbour, the Victoria and Albert Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s prime locations. It is here that you’ll find The Silo.

The grain silo was the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa when it was built in 1924, and the luxury hotel is located in the former elevator tower. The creative brain behind the project is that of prominent British designer and architect Thomas Heatherwick, whose iconic works include the Cauldron for the London 2012 Olympic Games and London’s new Routemaster bus.

The Silo occupies six floors above the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. A partnership between the V&A Waterfront and Jochen Zeitz, this cultural institution focuses on exhibiting cutting-edge contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, with the Zeitz Collection forming its founding exhibition.

Taking its place on Cape Town’s skyline, the hotel is a beacon of modern design. The industrial aesthetics remain with the addition of pillowed glazing panels which bulge outwards as if gently inflated. At night, this transforms the building into a glowing lantern.

Each of the 28 rooms, which include a magnificent penthouse suite, are individually designed and strike the balance between industrial, stylish and comfortable. The creative team have been busy sourcing pieces from Cape Town and across the world, to ensure each room tells its own story without detracting from the natural beauty of the city, which can be seen through the 18-foot windows. Another key feature is the huge grain-shaped atrium carved out of the interior of the grain silos. The art in the hotel is in keeping with the collections in the museum.

Appreciate the 360 degree panoramic views from the restaurant, champagne bar and glass swimming pool located on the rooftop while casting your eye across the ocean, city bowl and mountains. There is also a café, piano bar, spa and fitness centre and when you want to go exploring, the Waterfront itself offers a wealth of shops, restaurants and bars.

Overview

Ellerman House is a class act throughout. It feels very much like your own home but with top class service befitting a five-star hotel. Perched in one of the most spectacular and privileged settings in Cape Town overlooking Bantry Bay, it is the epitome of comfort and class with a relaxed, elegant style. Decoration is colonial, with a nod to the contemporary and recently refurbished to provide thoroughly modern comforts.

Where Ellerman House excels above others is the excellent house staff, who in these grand surrounds create such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Taking a (complimentary) evening cocktail from the lounge and strolling out onto the peaceful gardens overlooking the sea for sunset is the perfect end to a day in Cape Town as one feels both special and relaxing.

There are just 11 rooms, two suites and two private contemporary villas. Communal areas include a spacious lounge, large garden area (with outdoor pool) and a huge spa. There is an open kitchen you are invited to visit, a pantry that you can raid as well as the complimentary evening cocktails.

A particular feature of the property is its private art collection. This is simply outstanding, one of the best in South Africa with works from African masters inside the main building and then, underneath is a contemporary gallery. For anyone interested in art this will add an extra element to their stay.

Guests are also able to book Sleep Rooms at Ellerman House. A concept created by wellness expert Harry Jameson, each of the 13 rooms at the property can be converted into wellness rooms specially designed to optimise both sleep and recovery.

Overview

A beautiful, contemporary style boutique hotel, Kensington Place is set on a hillside close to the Kloof Street area offering fabulous views across the city.

Decoration is very contemporary with a mixture of dark woods and bright linens; a sense of place is provided by the collection of Modern African art throughout the hotel. Despite the small size of the hotel, service is extremely good here with staff looking to take care of all the little details for you (as well as 24-hour room service).

Though close to Kloof Street, the hotel maintains a little distance, giving it a sense of calm and tranquility, with just eight rooms sharing a pleasant communal area and an outdoor pool.

Overview

Situated in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Grace is one of Cape Town’s most famous luxury hotels in a location perfect for enjoying the restaurants, boutiques and entertainment of this upmarket area. The hotel also has a strong focus on contributing to community upliftment and has various measures in place to improve their water and energy consumption.

Reflecting its location, the décor has a nautical theme and is full of local detail, with antiques and maps adorning the hallways. In a playful touch, sumptuous chandeliers are adorned with unusual items (such as crockery and kitchenware in the Restaurant area). The 112 rooms and suites are spacious, comfortable and elegantly decorated, offering views out to Table Mountain, Signal Hill or the Marina.

For dining, savour South African dishes at the Cape Grace’s restaurant Heirloom, where the unhurried spirit and bountiful terroir of South Africa is celebrated. The Bascule bar draws on the city’s contemporary speakeasy culture, offering an immersive journey into the essence of the Cape with whiskey tastings and carefully crafted cocktails.

The hotel also features a heated pool and outdoor deck, along with a spa on the top floor. Immerse yourself in the serene ambience of the stylish treatment rooms, unwind in the sauna and refresh your senses in the salt room. You can walk straight out into the waterfront area here making it a perennial favourite.

Overview

Located in the popular V&A waterfront, the One&Only is the most contemporary of Cape Town’s top hotels. As one might expect from the top luxury resort specialists, the service is excellent.

The very spacious rooms and suites (107) have an elegant style, fabrics and textiles taking an African influence with rich colourful hues. The main hotel area sits around a lagoon in which an island has been created. This is where the outdoor pool, jacuzzis and spa are located, to give more of a ‘resort’ style feel to the hotel. Special Island suites are also available here. Inside the hotel itself there are large communal areas including a vast lobby and bar area as well as restaurants from South African celebrity Chef Reuben Rifell and Nobu.

The resort also has a particularly good kids club, which they can be left in comfortably for the day as the adults go out exploring.

Overview

Set on one of the oldest Cape Dutch Farms in the wine region, Babylonstoren is a 200-hectare working fruit farm with an exclusive hotel and restaurant set amongst the vineyards orchards and beautiful kitchen gardens. This is a beautiful and relaxing sanctuary, effortlessly blending its colonial, pastoral past with modern contemporary design.

There are 14 cottages spread out through the grounds, a spacious blend of restored Cape-Dutch architecture and sophisticated modern touches. This is modern design at its very best with a deft lightness of touch giving a feeling of space and modernity whilst remaining very true to the historic style of the buildings. It’s no surprise therefore that Karen Roos (former editor of Elle Decoration) is one of the owners.

Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool area, restaurant, eight-acre kitchen garden, spa and gym. The farm is also to be explored, walking through the 200 hectares of land or perhaps taking a canoe out on the farm dam.

Overview

Leeu House is situated in an enviable position on the main street of Franschhoek, a country guesthouse in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this vibrant village, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, wine farms and boutique shops.

Stylish interiors are a 21st century take on the traditional Cape Dutch heritage of Franschhoek. The twelve individually styled rooms feature goose-down duvets and fine linens, air-conditioning, flat-screen smart televisions, unlimited Wi-Fi access, Nespresso machines and private bars. The en-suite bathrooms have marble floors, showers and vanity tops, freestanding baths, vast showers and underfloor heating. Three of the suites open onto their own private gardens, while others boast small intimate terrace courtyards.

Dine inside in The Conservatory or al fresco on the terrace, enjoying Leeu Collection wines and spirits from the complimentary bar. Innovative cuisine is prepared by the talented culinary team headed by Oliver Cattermole. Committed to sourcing organic and ethically farmed ingredients, his globally influenced menu features the freshest local produce.

All Leeu House guests have full access to the facilities and spectacular grounds at nearby sister property Leeu Estates, such as the on-site spa, inspired cuisine, or make use of the gym facilities and heated infinity swimming pool. Leeu Estates also features an extensive network of walking, jogging and cycling trails, and a world-class wine cellar.

In addition to this, Leeu House is recognised for its fantastic work in the local community, where they do everything from providing tasty snacks to local schools and also sponsor a learning centre for disadvantaged children.

Overview

One of the most famous hotels in South Africa, La Residence is a truly opulent and stately base from which to explore the wine region. From the moment one enters the grand hall at the entrance, it is obvious that you have entered a very special place. Works of art and antiques from all over the world adorn the lavish interiors.

Set close to the pretty town of Franschhoek on a backdrop of rolling hills, the hotel sits in thirty acres of working farm with immaculately manicured gardens, vineyards and orchards. There are eleven suites set in the main building, each very individual from the other and themed around a colour, with an eclectic but cohesive mix of antiques and art lending both character and opulence to each of the rooms.

Further down the hill are the newly constructed villas. These have a slightly more contemporary feel, with brighter colours and are also very suitable for families as they range from two to four bedrooms each. The villas also share a separate pool area and a communal open kitchen and dining area, encouraging a more informal mingling of guests in this part of the property.

Overview

Set inside the peaceful, pretty town of Franschhoek, Le Quartier Français is a tranquil, luxurious base from which to explore the town and winelands beyond. This is by far the best hotel in town with a fantastic level of service and a relaxed, modest atmosphere that belies the level of comfort and attention to detail.

17 of the 21 rooms and suites are set around the central courtyard, with four others around a private garden.

The white exteriors contrast with the warm, colourful interiors of the rooms, all very comfortable and spacious. The hotel also has two excellent dining options which front onto the main high-street of Franschhoek. Guests can also enjoy a pleasant lounge area, herb garden and private cinema. The ‘La Petite Colombe’ restaurant is among the best in South Africa.

With the excellent service, comfort and cuisine one would expect, however, what elevates it above all, is the friendly personal aspect to the service here.

Overview

Located in Franschhoek, a traditional vineyard town known as South Africa’s food and wine capital, Mont Rochelle is part of Sir Richard Branson’s hotel portfolio and features a fabulous 37 hectare vineyard.

This beautiful property features 22 bedrooms including six spacious suites – two of which can accommodate families, two restaurants, a cosy bar, a spa with Hammam facilities, a gym, an outdoor heated pool and a wine cellar. The luxurious rooms are divided into five categories: Shiraz with king-size beds and courtyard or valley views; the larger Merlot with valley views; Cabernet with a private terrace overlooking the valley; the huge Pinotage Suites with separate lounges; and the Cap Classique Suites with a lounge, private terrace and their own plunge pool.

The hotel’s decor is contemporary, light and airy, and rooms feature superior touches such as Africology branded bathroom amenities, mini speakers and a complementary minibar.

With a superb location just a short walk into the centre of Franschhoek, Mont Rochelle is perfectly placed for exploration. But there’s plenty to do at the hotel itself too: be sure to take advantage of personalised tasting sessions at the wine cellar, horse riding, picnics in the stunning grounds, mountain biking and golf.

Overview

A luxury hotel trapped inside a restored 19th-century countryside manor and former perfumery, Franschhoek Country House and Villas is where Old World charm meets the modern elegance and comfort of the New World.

Quiet, groomed gardens of lavender are bordered by small box hedges, stone balustrades, gurgling fountains and neoclassical pillars with arches that drip with pretty foliage. All this surrounds a traditional sand-coloured house with steel blue painted shutters and lit by Victorian-style street lamps which bathe the property in a wonderful warm glow at night.

If the décor doesn’t quite remove you to Provence, the fantastic modern French cuisine by the hotel’s Monneaux restaurant certainly will. Lunch is a la carte and served in the gardens, and during the evening it’s set in the informal dining room.

All the rooms are individually decorated, very spacious and reflect contemporary comfort fused with more classical trappings of hand-painted furniture, four poster beds, embroidered Percale cotton bed linen, and most have their own private balconies. There are six standard deluxe rooms in the manor house and five luxury rooms located in a separate building which have their own private balconies, fireplaces and underfloor heating. The two garden cottages with private patios and superb views of the vineyards and mountains are perfect for families with small children, whereas the 100m² villas suites with their own lounges and two balconies are ideal for honeymooners or couples.

The views from the hotel also call for mentioning, for the picturesque vineyards and rolling pastures framed by the imposing Stellenbosch mountain ridge is quite an exquisite setting.

Pamper yourself at the Spa with a range of treatments including massages, reflexology, facials, manicures, pedicures and signature treatments. The perfect way to relax and unwind.

Overview

Very intimately placed in the private Jao Concession area bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, Wilderness Jao Camp offers a luxurious way to experience this beautiful part of the world.

You will be well looked after in the nine tented rooms here, with incredible service and excellent guiding. Each of the tented rooms is situated a short distance from the main area and accessed via charming raised walkways. All of the tents have their own deck area with great views over the expanse of floodplains. Inside, you’ll find peace and comfort in the luxurious canvas setting. Wilderness Jao Camp also has a great wine cellar where you can enjoy a private dinner and a great spa where you can enjoy some superb treatments.

Within the camp itself, you have access to two plunge pools, ideal in the afternoon heat if you aren’t relaxing inside with a book from the library. Activities here are entirely dependent on the flood levels at the time of year you visit, however as a rule of thumb you can expect a split of about 30% game drives and 70% water activities, which gives you a brilliant perspective of the animals that call this place their home. Mokoro trips are highly recommended. As the camp is within its own concession area, it also can also provide night drives (weather permitting) to spot the elusive nocturnal creatures found here.

Overview

One of the most famous camps in all of Africa, Wilderness Mombo rightly deserves its reputation due to its remarkable game viewing experiences coupled with the service and luxury of the camp.

Rebuilt in 2018, the camp is made up of nine spacious and elegantly appointed tents, each built on a raised platform giving fantastic views across the plains. To reduce the environmental impact, most of the original material was used in the rebuild. Set in a thicket of giant mangosteen and fig trees, the eight suites boast sweeping views out over the floodplain which attracts a large number of animals. Each suite has a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, indoor and outdoor shower, plunge pool and wrap-around veranda. Enjoy watching the passing wildlife and panoramic sunsets from your ‘sala’.

Head to the main communal area where you’ll find a small library and a plunge pool to relax in during the afternoons. Enjoy delicious meals in the dining area that overlooks the plains.

The camp is committed to conservation, with much of the power provided by a solar farm and donations made to preservation projects for each guest.

Overview

Shinde Enclave is an exclusive ‘camp within a camp’, sharing an incredible palm island in the middle of the northern Okavango with Shinde Camp, but with entirely private service and activities ideal for families and small groups.

There are three luxury tents with spacious bathrooms and wide sliding doors leading out to a veranda with sweeping views of the Delta. Close by are the Enclave’s own lounge, dining area and fire deck. Guests here have the services of their own private chef, waiter and housekeeper, as well as their own senior guide.

Explore the area in a private game drive vehicle, day and night, venture out on walking safaris, or take to the tranquil waters on mokoro and motorboat trips. You can also try your hand at fishing between March and December, or spend a full time out in the bush full day safari adventures. With your own guide and vehicle, Shinde Enclave offers unprecedented flexibility for your safari.

Overview

Botswana’s mesmerizing Okavango Delta is now brighter than ever with the newly transformed (as of 2022) Vumbura Plains. Nestled in a large private concession of 60,000 hectares in the far north of the Delta, the camp is enveloped in some of the most incredible landscapes, home to some of the best wildlife encounters in the area.

Inside, the camp celebrates its sense of place and culture, with design elements that pay homage to its wonderful setting with patterns, textures and colours bringing nature inside. Rooms at the lodge are amongst the biggest in the delta, all open plan, with a sunken seating area, private shaded deck and swimming pool outside as well as indoor and outdoor showers. There is an amazing sense of space here, in keeping with the wide-open plains that the rooms face onto. The rooms are open on three sides (with netting) giving a feeling of being closer to the nature and wildlife whilst still remaining is absolute comfort.

The local connections continue throughout the camp experience.The menu celebrates seasonal produce sourced directly from local farmers, suppliers and artisans.

Activities here are a mixture of game drives and water activities which will vary according to the level of the water and the time of the year. You will find day and night drives, walks and mekoro (dugout canoes) activities, with hot-air ballooning – from April to September each year – as well as scenic helicopter flights, making Vumbura an exclusive destination for the discerning adventure-seeker.

Overview

In the eastern sector of the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park and about 12 kilometres from Victoria Falls, Wilderness Toka Leya gets immediate and fantastic views over the Zambezi River, and taking advantage of these are its twelve tented rooms.

Each comes with a large decking area at the front leading out from large glass sliding doors, behind which is your large stylish open plan lounge area and bedroom.

The camp’s main area is situated on a large decking area, and underneath a canopy of trees right beside the main channel of the Zambezi River. Perfect for atmospheric campfires on the bank and spotting the resident wildlife.

Here there is also a very spacious open-plan lounge and dining room, set beneath an enormous canvas roof and with open sides to maximise the views. The wall at the back of the living area is a really great feature; it’s made of “log tiles”, which gives the room a very natural feel.

Each tent has its very own solar panel, water geyser and batteries in keeping with the camp’s aim to lessen its environmental footprint.

Overview

Set on the banks of the Zambezi in a secluded spot upstream from Victoria Falls, Tongabezi delivers luxury and tranquility in equal measure.

The five cottages and seven open-fronted houses that make up the camp have bags of personality and character. Some come with private wooden decks and plunge pools overlooking the river, others open-air clawfoot tubs inviting romantic evenings under the stars. The garden house, with a protected lawn and plunge pool, provides total privacy. Attention to detail is evident in everything from the elegantly canopied beds to carefully chosen artwork.

This is one of the most romantic places to stay in the area, the atmosphere inviting and hidden spots for relaxation plentiful. The lodge makes the most of its location away from the falls, providing a welcome haven after a day marvelling at the Zambezi’s majesty. The welcome is exceptional – and the team friendly and warm.

Overview

Set just a short walk away from the falls themselves on the banks of the Zambezi, one can admire the coil of steam and spray rising from the falls on the horizon.

The 173 rooms and suites are set in well manicured gardens along the banks of the river. This is one of just a few hotels from which the falls can be accessed on foot, making it ideal for those who want to be as close as possible. The hotel has been built in a colonial style, harking back to the days of it’s namesake, with grand dining and lounge areas as well as a large outdoor pool and riverside deck.

Overview

A historic landmark and an attraction in itself, the ‘grand old lady of the Falls’ still packs as much colonial flair and character as she always has, and has long been one of the most magnificent places to stay here.

The stately Edwardian style building has been here since 1904 and still commands the atmospheric appeal of the age of adventurer, standing at the rendezvous point where many pioneers have chosen to meet over the last century.

Of course outfitted with the modern comforts and demands, the hotel has kept up with the times and all of its 176 well-equipped rooms are proof of this. Furthermore there are a phenomenal level of facilities here to spoil you right in the middle of untamed Africa, and their wonderfully manicured and tropical gardens are lovely to take a stroll around.

One of the best things about the Victoria Falls hotel is its position, being seated just ten minutes’ walk away from the cascades along one of the hotel’s private pathways. There is nothing quite like taking afternoon tea on the Stanley Terrace, listening to the muted roar of the falls, and a royal view of the rising mist from the ‘smoke that thunders’ and the silhouette of the Victoria Falls bridge that links Zimbabwe with Zambia.

If you choose to stay here, you’ll be following in many a royal family’s footsteps and those of many a famous figure, that aside you can’t fail to the feel the history and enduring elegance of this hotel.

Overview

Thorntree River Lodge is set within Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River, just a 30-minute drive from the mighty Victoria Falls.

The camp is the perfect blend of old and new; the tented structures are reminiscent of a traditional African safari camp while rooms and communal areas are contemporary in design. There are eight double suites and two family suites, each with four beds. Decor is simple and elegant with natural materials, local fabrics and large black and white photographs. Suites also feature indoor and outdoor bathrooms as well as a private plunge pool.

The main lodge consists of a lounge with open dining area, and there is a gym and a spa overlooking the river. The main decking looks out over the water and is home to a sunken boma area and infinity pool.