Holidays in South Africa

South Africa is home to some of the finest luxury hotels in the continent. Exclusive cliff top retreats can be found along the celebrated Garden Route, while the Cape region is dotted with historic wine estates and Cape Town itself. This fantastic city boasts many of the best hotels in the whole of Africa, while Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth also have some wonderful luxury retreats.

Tips & Advice

Knysna

Knysna is a lively artistic town on the shores of a scenic lagoon sheltered from the ocean by dramatic headlands. It is an ideal base to explore the Garden Route and is surrounded by large ancient forests. Cruise on the lagoon, browse the town’s galleries and boutiques or take a trip on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam railway. This fashionable resort also has plenty of fine seafood restaurants, with the Knysna oyster a local delicacy.

Belvidere Manor Overlooking the lagoon in the scenic town of Knysna on South Africa’s Garden Route, this historic hotel features cottages set along its gently-sloping gardens, all with verandahs, views and en suite kitchens.

Plettenberg Bay

This charming coastal town on the Garden Route is one of South Africa’s top resorts, and has miles of sandy surf-lapped beaches, and a backdrop of the Tsitsikamma and Langkloof Mountains. The J-shaped bay sees frequent dolphin and whale sightings and is an ideal place to learn to surf. Plettenberg also has great restaurants and some fantastic resort hotels.

Hog Hollow On one of the most scenic parts of the Garden Route and close to Plettenberg Bay, this hillside hideaway boasts panoramic views from private decks, and features a pool, spa centre and plenty of activities on offer.

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is in the Little Karoo region along the Garden Route, and lines the banks of the Grobbelaars River with the Outeniqua Mountains to the south and the Swartbergs to its north. It is famous as the ostrich capital of the world, and you can visit the many ostrich breeding farms there, established since the bird was introduced to Oudtshoorn in the 1870s.

Rosenhof On the outskirts of Oudtshoorn on South Africa’s Garden Route, this mid-19th century homestead features guestrooms and suties with antique furnishings and beamed ceilings. Facilities include an outdoor pool, fine restaurant, a traditional pub and a wellness centre.

Franschoek

Franschoek is the wine and food capital of the Western Cape, tucked between impressive mountains and home to many renowned vineyards. This small town was founded at the end of the 17th century by French Huguenot settlers, who brought their wine-making skills and culture of fine food with them. Many of the original farmsteads with their Cape Dutch architecture remain and you can be assured of quality accommodation and a friendly welcome.

Le Quartier Français This exclusive contemporary-styled boutique is in the scenic Franschhoek Valley, surrounded by the Cape Winelands, and offers gourmet dining and a spa centre.

Le Franschoek Hotel & Spa In the centre of South Africa’s winelands and at the foot of the majestic Franschhoek Mountains this sophisticated hotel and spa centre has a long traditionally-thatched main building next to its famous vineyards. Offers outstanding food and wine and stylish contemporary guestrooms.

Wellington

Wellington is a small town with a scenic setting on the Murray River near Lake Alexandrina, and is well-known for its award-winning wines. You can visit its many boutique wine cellars on private tours and browse the town’s antique shops, speciality stores and small museums.

Bovlei Valley Retreat On the edge of historic Wellington and surrounded by the Limietberg, Groenberg and Hawequa mountains, this converted stable block and cottage is in the heart of the Cape Winelands.

Hermanus

Hermanus is built along the shores of Walker Bay near the Southern most tip of Africa and is home of the Southern Right Whale. Nature lovers from all over the world visit Hermanus to view these magnificent creatures from the best land based whale watching destination in the world.

Pebble Beach Guesthouse Nestled in the majestic Hermanus mountains and adjacent to the picturesque Hermanus golf club lies the Pebble Beach Guest House. A fantastic base from which to explore the wonders of Hermanus, including the beach, cliff paths, whale watching and the village itself. 7 nts from €1,379

Stellenbosch

One of South Africa’s oldest European settlements, Stellenbosch was founded back in 1679 and is now a lively university town and centre for the South African wine industry. It is not only home to many boutique wine cellars, but also features elegant colonial architecture, myriad eating and entertainment options and is surrounded by picturesque rivers, valleys, forests and mountains.