No longer limited to Champagne breakfasts and chauffeur-driven limousine transfers, luxury experiences now encompass a far broader variety of activities that tend to be more hands-on and reflect the destination the traveller is visiting. Sue van Winsen rounds up some of the best options for those interested in gourmet, wellness and scenic experiences.

Gourmet Experiences

1.Luke Dale-Roberts at the Saxon

Well-known Cape Town-based chef, Luke Dale-Roberts, will now permanently run the restaurant – initially launched as a pop-up restaurant – at the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in Sandhurst, Johannesburg. The restaurant will be refurbished and reopen in May, with a brand-new look. It will offer a seven-course tasting menu, priced at R1 330 (€80) or R2 100 (€125) with wine or tea pairing. Together with the team at the Saxon, headed up by Candice Philip, Dale-Roberts has already begun working with the hotel’s gardener to discuss plans for the next season’s fresh produce.

2.Vergenoegd Blending Experience and Artisanal Picnic

Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to wine, olive oil, coffee and tea blending. During these personalised experiences, visitors will have the opportunity to create their own blends, which will be packaged for them to take home. They can even reorder their custom blend, as Vergenoegd stores the details of each unique creation on its library. Afterwards, head on to the lawns and under one of the giant oak trees with a freshly prepared artisanal picnic, created by Chef Ryan Shell, complete with a bottle of the Estate’s wine.

3.High Tea at the One&Only Cape Town

Afternoon tea is served daily at the Vista Lounge at One&Only Cape Town. The resort’s master patissier, Kyle Hickman, works with his team to create fresh menus of sweet and savoury items that reflect local flavours, ranging from koeksisters and mini milk tarts, to homemade marshmallows and passion-fruit-flavoured macaroons. New on the menu is a range of gourmet éclairs, featuring a range of sweet and savoury variations. Catering for up to 100 guests at a time, tea is served between 14h30 and 17h30 and costs R225 (€13) per person for the regular afternoon tea, and R295 (€18) for themed teas on special occasions like Mother’s Day.

Wellness Experiences

1.The Fancourt Roma Stone Placement Massage

The spa at Fancourt, in George, offers a range of wellness packages to alleviate stress and promote wellbeing. These include a number of body therapies, along with facial treatments, manicures and pedicures. The spa’s signature treatment is the Roma Stone Placement Massage. Designed around the healing properties of the Basalt Rock Hot Stone, and the nourishing elements of the Soy Lotion Candle, the massage helps to relax and revive muscles and tissues, alleviating joint stiffness and enabling blood flow.

2.Kapama Marula Miracle Moments

Surrounded by the bushveld, the Kapama Wellness Centre at the Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit, offers African-inspired treatments. The Centre’s signature treatment, the four-hour Marula Miracle Moments, starts with a refreshing drink followed by a shower. Guests will then be treated to a body wrap of Neroli and Marula. The Rasul treatment cleanses the skin of any residue, while revitalising the body with Marula bark infused in the steam, followed by an African calabash massage. After a light lunch, the treatment ends with a facial treatment and a Kapama marble hand or footprint treatment. In addition, a new spa is being opened for Kapama Karula and Southern Camp guests. Treatments will include the Royal Rasul steam treatment, Pinotage Blass and hydro baths to name a few. It will feature a complimentary steam room with an ice pool and open-air relaxation area with a heated hydro pool fitted with pool lounge chairs. A Vichy shower will complete the centre, along with a fully equipped gym.

3.Adventure and Rejuvenation Itinerary at the Four Seasons Serengeti

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania has launched a specially designed four-day ‘Adventure and Rejuvenation’ package. On the first day, guests will be given a two-hour African Detox treatment on their private balcony, to eliminate toxins from the body. This is followed by watching a traditional Maasai dance at the Boma Grill, along with dinner. On the second day, guests will go out on a half-day game drive, followed by lunch, a 60-minute yoga class and the 90-minute Mbuyu Experience treatment, which uses products derived from the baobab tree.  Dinner takes place in the bush, accompanied by Maasai warriors. Day three starts with a hot air balloon safari and a game drive, followed by lunch. That evening, guests will have their final signature spa experience – the Sunset Kopje Nature Walk and Meditation.

Scenic Experiences

1.Hot air ballooning in the Delta

An African Anthology, in association with AirVentures, offers hot air balloon safaris over Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Operated from Kadizora Camp during the high season, hot air balloon safaris are available for a minimum of two and maximum of four guests, and begin with an early wake-up call followed by a game drive to the launch site. Tea and coffee is served while the balloon is inflated, after which guests will take off for their 45-minute trip. After landing, guests are served Champagne and given a personalised certificate, followed by a game drive back to camp. The experience has also been extended to neighbouring lodges in the area.

2.Cruise Cape Town by yacht

The Princess Emma is a 25-metre yacht moored at the V&A Marina in Cape Town. Guests can charter the yacht and cruise from Clifton Beach and False Bay to the Langebaan lagoon. Manned by highly qualified skipper and crew, the Princess Emma features four en-suite, air-conditioned cabins and is decorated with rosewood and cherry finishes. Its deck includes a dining area and a swimming platform, along with a bar and sunbeds.

3.Rail journeys with Rovos

Guests can make the most of their journey by opting to travel by rail. Rovos Rail offers trips from Pretoria to Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Durban and Swakopmund in Namibia as well as several golf-themed itineraries with stops at some of the country’s renowned courses. It also offers a 15-day journey from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Guests are accommodated in a selection of spacious suites, ranging from the seven square metre Pullman Suites, to the 16 square metre Royal Suites.