Stay: Two Lux Safari Lodges, A Hop from the Cape
Drive for the Zebras, Fly for the Lions!
South Africa
Two of our favorite South African safari lodges are far from the crowds at Kruger–a little more accessible and special for those traveling to Cape Town.
DRIVE for the Zebras:
If you don’t have time to jump on a plane and fly to the other side of South Africa to be in the range of the traditional big five safari animals, consider a 3-hour drive north from Cape Town to this luxurious safari lodge. Set on 18,500 acres in the Cederberg Mountains, guests delight in all the trappings of the African safari: private pools, al fresco star-lit dinners, open-air Land Cruiser game drives, spa treatments, fire pits, canoeing, biking. You’re likely to see zebras, eland, oryx, gazelles, lynx, bat eared fox, ostrich, and hartebeest. The area also contains ancient rock paintings. The experience is centered around a traditional Cape Dutch farmhouse, which houses the formal dining room and nearby kitchen gardens. High tea and sundowners are served daily, as are the locally-inspired meals. Rave reviews note “stunning” and “memorable” experiences from exceptional staff, who are called out by name – and for making everything and everyone feel very special. Rates include all meals, high tea, walks, canoeing, and game drives.
14 rooms, from 705 usd per night including meals
Bushmans Kloof
FLY for the Lions:
If you’re dreaming of seeing lions and giraffes, Tswalu is a 2-hour chartered flight direct from Cape Town. This is South Africa’s largest privately-protected conservation area, just south of the Botswana border. While most safari-goers head to the numerous lodges in Kruger National Park on the other side of the country, heading to Tswalu is an ultra-private and special experience. Only 40 guests have access to 282,000 acres of reserve. Essentially, you won’t be sharing your views of animals with hordes of tourists–something unfortunately all too common these days. The landscape is a distinct burnt red, truly embodying the Kalahari spirit, with distant rock cliffs complete with ancient paintings. See leopard, zebra, rhino, hartebeest, meerkats, buffalo, pangolin, hyena, aardvark – and lions. Guests choose from 9 suites (or legae) or 6 multi-bedroom villas, each with access to everything your safari dreams are made of: panoramic views, outdoor showers, canopied beds, fire pits, sundowner cocktails, al fresco dinners under the stars, open-topped Land Cruiser drives with your own private vehicle, guide, and tracker. Family friendly and malaria free. All inclusive rates (not including charter flights from Cape Town) include twice daily private safaris, nature walks, horseback riding, guided tours, all meals including beverages and wine, laundry, and babysitting.
9 suites, 6 villas, from 2200 usd per person, per night, fully inclusive
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (and top image)
Photo Source: South Africa Nature Reserves, Afar, Bushmans Kloof, Booking, Tswalu, &Beyond, African Wildlife Safaris, Forbes
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