Top 7 luxury travel experiences in South Africa

South Africa is a destination that, despite its stereotypical facade, exudes stunning opulence. Political views aside, South Africa offers a very diverse range of adventures and experiences that cater to the sophisticated individual.

Cape Town has been named the #2 best city in the world for 2024 by TimeOut, surveying 20,000 people around the world, including a network of global writers and editors. After these recent (and historic) acclaims, there is a general universal assumption that Cape Town is the only city/area worth visiting in South Africa.

However, the lesser-known parts of the country are arguably comparable to Positano on the Amalfi Coast, the grand Dowager-inhabited estates of The Cotswolds, the private island-style villas of the Maldives and the latest glamping experiences. in Oman, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. These are all destinations that offer a level of sophistication that has earned them properties among the world’s most glamorous.

The main difference between this commercialized offering and South Africa lies in the country’s strong emphasis on culture. In South Africa there is the concept of ‘ubuntu’, a quality that encompasses the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity. It permeates every aspect of South African life, including the tourist landscape.

In South Africa, it is common for globalized, commercial luxury offerings to be infused with ubuntu, creating something reminiscent of the prosperity of a Zulu kingdom. Luxury adventures and destinations typically offer sleek resorts, well-starched pillows and deconstructed MICHELIN salad leaves. South Africa has the pompous affinity for luxury, with a homely feel that delights travelers and makes them happy to spend their USD.

With three capitals, deserts, cities, beaches, rivers and more, the southernmost tip of Africa is home to many lesser-known destinations waiting to be explored. It is well known that people experience things using their five sensory outputs. South Africa’s tourism landscape embraces every aspect, delivering a completely invigorating, all-encompassing experience.

From champagne tasting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, to outrunning cheetah cubs, to glamping in the Karoo, there are so many dazzling options that can’t be experienced anywhere else.

Champagne and macaron tasting in Somerset West

In Somerset West, where verdant vineyards weave through the landscape and majestic mountains stand guard, there is an experience that elevates the essence of luxury to new heights. Nestled among the prestigious wineries of the Western Cape, Somerset West is a haven for champagne connoisseurs and those with an affinity for Parisian macarons.

Popular champagne and macaron selections found at these wineries include Chardonnay MCC and hazelnut, Shiraz MCC and red velvet, Pinot noir MCC and Turkish delight, and MCC Brut and salted caramel. Located on five-star estates, these exclusive packages can cost upwards of USD50 per person, especially for those interested in sampling all the luxury champagne brands available in Somerset West, Riebeek Kasteel and Stellenbosch.

Spotting a cheetah in Limpopo

Limpopo, with its vast plains and rugged savannah, offers a wildlife sanctuary like no other. Here, amid the vast expansion of untamed beauty, conservation efforts have blossomed, giving visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of Africa’s most beautiful creatures, especially the cheetah.

But this encounter is more than just a fleeting glimpse of wildlife; it’s an immersive experience that promotes deeper understanding and appreciation, while pampering you along the way. Through guided tours, visitors learn about the challenges facing cheetah conservation and the crucial role responsible tourism plays in securing their future.

This insight into Limpopo’s exclusive wildlife paradise is estimated to cost the average traveler staying in a five-star lodge (such as the Royal Malewane) USD 5,549 per night per room. Alternatively, families (4-6) can stay in a secure villa with an all-inclusive cheetah experience for approximately USD 17,846.

Road trip through the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands

Similar to that of Britain’s infamous Cotswolds, the rolling moorland and dale landscape of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands offers an old-fashioned retreat fit for King Charles himself. The artistic haven of Nottingham Road, where boutique galleries and craft shops are packed with local treasures, is just one of the special stops worth making on this journey through quintessential countryside. Here, amid the country’s rustic elegance, travelers can enjoy artisanal cheeses, handmade chocolates and custom-made clothing.

The Midlands is dotted with luxury estates. Tweed-adorned travelers can relax in luxurious suites, enjoy the exclusivity of the estate with all amenities within easy reach, indulge in spa treatments and leisurely stroll through manicured gardens. A stay at one of these estates ranges from USD 250 to USD 500 per person per night.

Taste the oysters in Knysna

In the heart of South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route, where lush forests meet the ocean, lies a culinary experience that epitomizes luxury and sophistication. Knysna offers a few oyster varieties, namely the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, and the wild oyster, Crassostrea margaritacea, or the Knysna oyster.

The farmed oyster, native to the Sea of ​​Japan, is grown in Port Elizabeth and Saldanha Bay in submerged cages or intertidal racks; while the wild Knysna oyster occurs naturally along the southern coast of South Africa, between the Transkei in the east and Cape Agulhas in the west.

These oysters can be sampled at one of the many bayside restaurants overlooking the Knysna quays and cost an average of USD 15 per dish. From classic mignonette and zesty lemon wedges to innovative sauces and gourmet toppings, each addition is carefully crafted to complement the delicate flavor of the oysters. These are often accompanied by some of South Africa’s finest wines.

Glamp the Karoo

A semi-arid region known for its unique flora, dramatic landscapes and serene solitude, the Karoo offers a camping stay like no other. Tourists often prefer to travel with exclusive glamping companies that organize transportation across the desert as well as intimate, undiscovered experiences.

Glamping across the Karoo offers a portal where luxury and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Many of these experiences include chef-prepared feasts using locally sourced ingredients, combining traditional South African flavors with contemporary culinary techniques; celestial-like stargazing; and oasis-like tents.

An all-inclusive glamping trip in the Karoo with a five-star lodge (such as Kuganha) costs an average of USD 680.19 per couple.

Stay in a luxury villa or houseboat in Langebaan

Langebaan is a coastal town on the west coast of South Africa, right on the edge of the picturesque Langebaan Lagoon, a protected marine reserve that stretches for miles and offers a range of water activities. One of the most common luxury experiences you’ll encounter here is staying in one of the luxury houseboats right on the Gatorade Lagoon.

A one-night stay aboard one of these luxury houseboats is estimated to set travelers back around $1,000. However, the best way to experience these houseboats is with a group of friends, given their size, which typically accommodates 24 people. According to TripAdvisor, Luxury Yacht Charters is the preferred choice of many when it comes to choosing a luxury charter.

While the villas themselves are an oasis of relaxation, Langebaan offers a wealth of activities to enrich any stay. The calm waters of the lagoon are perfect for a variety of water sports, from kayaking and paddle boarding to windsurfing and sailing. Guests can also explore the marine life with a snorkeling or diving excursion, or take a relaxing catamaran trip to discover hidden coves and safe beaches along the coast.

Drive Chapman’s Peak in a vintage car

Along the dramatic coastline of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, where rugged cliffs plunge into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, lies an experience that captures the essence of timeless elegance and adventure.

Often heralded as one of the most scenic drives in the world, Chapman’s Peak Drive winds its way through 9 kilometers of modern road and hairpin bends. Carved into the mountainside, this engineering marvel offers panoramic views that are nothing short of spectacular. Whether it is a sleek Jaguar E-Type, a stately Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud or a spicy MG Roadster from 1971, there are many classic car rental companies that offer this experience.

The average cost of renting a classic car varies between USD 170 and USD 200+. Along the route, drivers pass coastal villages such as Hout Bay and Noordhoek as they skirt the rugged cliffs, which are covered in fynbos.

For some, these may not be the most expensive experiences available, but that’s why South Africa is different. The country offers incredible experiences amid landscapes and areas that travelers have likely never seen before, all at a reasonable price by luxury standards. Ultimately, South Africa is an indulgent experience rather than a flashy display of wealth. South Africa is understated and accompanies its travelers as they experience a new kind of exploration; one of versatility.