We have selected six luxury experiences on offer in Southern Africa.

1. A helicopter ride to lunch

Enjoy the jet-set lifestyle with a ‘helicopter’ lunchtime experience. Guests start their adventure at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where their private pilot will take them on a scenic private helicopter trip, flying over the Atlantic Ocean with amazing views of Robben Island, Lions Head, Camps Bay and Clifton.

The helicopter will touch down at Cape Town’s luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotels and Spa, where guests will enjoy a lunch prepared by the award-wining Azure Restaurant. Their private sommelier will introduce them to a ‘flight of wines' tasting experience.

Price tag: R1 650pp.

For more information, click here.

 2. Sleep out under the stars

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private game reserve, covering an area of over 100 000 hectares. Owned by the Oppenheimer family, this game reserve does not allow more than 30 guests at a time to ensure absolute exclusivity.

Janine Southwood, Product Development & Individual Travel Proposals Manager for Thompsons Africa, says what sets Tswalu apart is its absolute perfection of service delivery. “They have been working in the high-end markets for many years and have truly worked hard in ensuring they know exactly how to deliver the art and skill of five-star service.”

At Tswalu, guests will have the opportunity to sleep out under the stars of the Kalahari night sky at The Malori (meaning ‘dreamer’ in Tswana) deck. The deck boasts a raised platform with a thatched overhang for protection should it rain. Guests can choose to sleep under the thatch or further along the deck where it is completely open. The quaint bush suite also has weatherproof blinds that can be rolled up or down according to preference.

There is no compromise on luxury when sleeping on the deck. The king-size bed is dressed with exquisite Aldona linen. Luxury towelling robes and slippers are provided and an adjacent outdoor toilet, basin and shower are just a short distance away along a lighted walkway. A simple fold-up table and camping chairs and a cushioned couch complete the barefoot luxury. 

Price tag for The Malori Star Bed: R5 000 (this surcharge is in addition to accommodation booked).

For more information, click here. 

3. A private safari experience

“I think the biggest luxury factor is the availability of time and space. Time to relax in a quiet setting and spending quality time with family and friends, and the exclusivity of space,” says Saskia Brown, spokesperson of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.

Brown says Kwandwe caters well for guests seeking space and privacy as it offers the largest private Big Five game-viewing area in South Africa. With only 17 rooms across four small lodges on 22 000 hectares of privately owned wilderness, the reserve also offers one of the highest land to guest ratios in the country. 

For absolute exclusivity, Kwandwe features two private villas that are set in a remote and tranquil valley and are available for the sole use of families and parties of up to six. The villas offer a private safari experience complete with a full contingent of friendly staff, including a dedicated chef and butler to take care of the client’s every whim.

Says Brown: “A private butler, chef, ranger, safari vehicle and tracker ensure that each stay is completely tailor-made and flexible, so meals can be had at any time of day and safari activities are arranged to suit the client’s needs. The villas also come with full-time babysitters (at no additional cost) so that parents can have some time to themselves.”

To complete its luxury offering, Kwandwe is in the process of building a tarred airstrip, which will be completed by June. The airstrip will allow long-range planes to land at Kwandwe, and will significantly reduce travelling time for luxury clients. Says Brown: “The new airstrip is at the entrance to the reserve, with easy access to Heatherton Towers, our reception area. The site of this airstrip has been chosen on the periphery of the property to minimise its impact on the reserve – none of our four lodges is close to this area.” 

Price tag for the exclusive use of a villa: from R29 100 per night for up to six people.

For more information, click here. 

4. Dining on your own private beach

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa is located on a paradise private island in a jewel-like archipelago off the coast of Mozambique and lends itself to a number of luxurious experiences.

Anantara’s signature private dining concept offers a great tailor-made luxury romance experience with a choice of dream settings and fine dining menus, as well as a private chef and butler ensuring a flawless occasion. Guests can browse a collection of fine dining menus, or collaborate with their personal chef to craft a brand-new menu. Then, they can choose the ideal setting for their dining experience, such as, for example, an intimate stretch of the beach.

Michele Abraham, Marketing Communications Manager for Anantara Hotels and Resorts, says the Honeymooners Hideaway excursion to Sailfish Bay is a popular option for a private dining experience. “This excursion allows couples to relax in total seclusion on a postcard-perfect beach, against a backdrop of sand dunes and a soothing melody of waves.  In this exotic haven, Anantara Associates set up a shaded tent and delicious picnic lunch for guests to enjoy in a world of their own.”

For more information, click here.

5. Unveil the secrets of the best whiskies

Whisky connoisseurs will undoubtedly enjoy The Bascule Bar at The Cape Grace Hotel, where they can experience a Sommeliers Tasting of finest and rarest whiskies on offer.

The Bascule Bar features one of the largest whisky collections in the Southern Hemisphere. A private sommelier will teach guests all there is to know about the ancient and fascinating history of whisky, as well as the art of distilling, maturing and blending.

Price tag: R1 000pp for a one-hour experience

For more information, click here.

6. Private ‘braai’ lessons at Kwandwe

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve recently added a Campfire Cooking Safari option to its portfolio, allowing guests to master the art of barbecuing – or ‘braaing’ – while on safari. 

Over three days, guests will learn to cook authentic South African ‘braais’ and favourite dishes using fresh and locally sourced ingredients in between adventurous days out exploring the reserve. A well-established social custom and a traditional way of outdoor cooking in South Africa, a braai involves barbecuing meat over an open fire. Transforming guests into Braai-masters, Kwandwe’s head chefs will teach them how to prepare a three-course meal on a campfire. 

Aside from learning to expertly barbecue different types of venison for best possible flavour and tenderness – such as impala, kudu, ostrich, warthog and gemsbok (vegetarian alternatives available) – guests will also be shown how to build the perfect fire and assess when it has achieved optimum temperature. 

The experience is ideal for small groups of friends and families with children of all ages, and guests will stay in the sole-use four-suite Melton Manor. From here, travellers will enjoy the use of a private vehicle, guide and tracker, assuring tailor-made flexibility for safari activities, whilst traditional bush walks and game drives will include additional tips on edible flowers and plants found on the reserve, many of which will be incorporated into mealtime preparation.

Price tag for a three-night all-inclusive stay at Melton Manor including the Campfire Cooking package: R60 400 for four people.

For more information, click here.