Luxury safaris & tours in South Africa

Why should go on a luxury South African safari with us?

Ever shared a private moment with an endangered black rhino?

In the wake of Apartheid (which ended only in 1994), South Africa has emerged as a bright, diverse and incredibly modern country – as well as one of the best safari destinations in the entire continent (whether that’s in Kruger or KwaZulu-Natal). Our trips to this spectacular country are designed to show off its often jaw-dropping diversity and to look after you and your needs at every turn, in true Black Tomato style. The bars and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town. Horse-riding through the forests and mountains of Mpumalanga. Embarking on a photo tour of the Blyde River Canyon, and whale-watching in the easygoing cliffside town of Hermanus. And we’ve not even mentioned a guided trek for black rhino in Thanda game reserve. We could go on (except for the word count).

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Example South Africa trips

These are simply suggestions for the kind of holiday you might have. Yours will be tailored, altered, and refined until it matches you completely.

What to see and do in South Africa

If you can’t see it here then we can still plan it for you.

WHY SOUTH AFRICA STANDS OUT

Across its vast wilderness, cove-studded beaches, and metropolitan cities, South Africa embodies a little bit of everything that you can experience on the wider African continent. It’s also a huge centre for experiencing luxury holidays and unforgettable safaris, from whale watching to wine drinking, and everything in between. A luxury holiday in South Africa is always going to be an unforgettable one.

UNKNOWN DURBAN

Whilst many honeymooners soak up the glamour of Cape Town and its miraculous beaches, head for eye-opening luxury safari tours, or enjoy the unparalleled views of South Africa’s natural parks. For something different, historical Durban wears its cultural influences on its sleeve – from Africa to India, offering giddy combinations of mouthwatering Zulu barbeque, one of the largest and most fascinating markets in Africa, and some of the swankiest cosmopolitan bars in this part of the world.

SAMPLE THE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE SCENE

Even a passing familiarity with South Africa means you’ll know all about its fame as a destination for wine and the vineyards on which it depends. Luxury holidays in the country wouldn’t be complete without taking in the beautiful Chapman’s Peak Drive, which bends, yaws, and carves into the country’s cliffs before depositing visitors at the Delaire Graff Wine Estate – the perfect base from which to hit up pastoral, sun-soaked Franschhoek, where we can hook you up with private vineyard tours.

MOVED BY THE METROPOLIS

South Africa’s cities offer unparalleled access to some of the freshest, most happening, and innovative restaurants, hotels, galleries, and venues the world over. From Thomas Heatherwick’s thudding, 100-gallery packed mega museum, the Zietz-Mocaa, to Cape Town’s bohemian Woodstock district (a magnet for trendy craft brew bars and pop-up restaurants), there is a true diversity of urban options for a luxury South African holiday, before heading out into the wild, or hitting the beach.

SEEKING OUT SAFARI

The spear-tip shaped country’s wild coast is the ideal setting for adventure holidays in South Africa, especially if you’ve got your eye on an adventurous luxury safari in South Africa. Many travelers head into the Hermanus area, which comes as close to paradise as we know – with the sandy shores of Walker Bay and the fairy-tale forests that surround it. The country also offers unparalleled opportunities to experience the great outdoors and its wild inhabitants on luxury safari tours on 4×4 drives and horseback rides.

Luxury travel in South Africa

With chic tented suites, private helicopter rides, and bespoke safaris, luxury travel in South Africa can be anything you want it to be. Between relaxing with an open-air massage beside the ocean at Birkenhead House, horseback riding along the beach at sunset in Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and chartering your own luxury yacht for unprecedented views of Cape Town, you’ll rest up at some of South Africa’s most luxurious addresses – from the modern cosmopolitan Silo hotel to the rural retreat of Tswalu. Whether you’re sipping on excellent South African wines in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley or whale-watching from your private helicopter, we’ll show you how to live life on the wild side, Black tomato style.

The best of South Africa

Cape Town

No other city in the world has this much range.

Beneath the grey-blue flanks of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town – – remains a cool-as-ice city of culture, history and cuisine. The V&A Waterfront (crowned by the Zeitz MOCAA art gallery) is a headliner, as is the proximity of some truly incredible wildlife experiences (Kirstenbosch botanical garden, mountain hikes, and penguin-watching at nearby Boulder’s Bay). In a word: vibrant.

The winelands of Franschhoek

It’s been 300 years since the Huguenots brought their grapes here.

As one of the world’s leading producers of wine, the region of Franschhoek – all pale blue hills and 18th-century Cape Dutch architecture – is South Africa’s beating heart. We’ll curate private cellar visits, sommelier-led tastings, and horse-back journeys through some of our favourite wineries, including Rickety Bridge and Mont Rochelle, where we’ve been sending travellers since 2005. In a word: charming.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

You can’t say “South African safari” without Sabi Sands.

For sightings of the Big 5+, including rare black rhino and leopards, Sabi Sands – bounded by the Sable River and Kruger National Park – remains a major bucket-list item amongst safari connoisseurs. Its privacy, and the astounding quality of the private lodges, offer a more intimate wildlife experience than in larger parks. In a word: rare.

Ellerman House, Cape Town

In Cape Town, say you’re staying at Ellerman House and feel the kudos come flooding in. A luxury boutique hotel offering magnificent views of the…
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The Silo Hotel, Cape Town

Built in 1921, The Silo is a former historical grain store which has now been re-imagined by industrial designer Thomas Heatherwick to create something akin…
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Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Walker Bay

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve can supply you with the best of both worlds – sumptuous beaches as well as lush forest. Accommodating only 27 luxury…
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“Tailor-made travel experiences that truly get under the skin of a country and its people”

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