Wild and Wonderful South Africa
Wild and Wonderful South Africa!
It's been a whirlwind spring of travel! While these work trips may look like pure adventure from the outside (and yes, sometimes they really are), the heart of each journey is research. This past February, I spent time visiting properties across South Africa, sitting down with management teams, and getting into the details so your experience there is nothing short of exceptional.
I came home absolutely inspired, with so much to share. Here's a look at some of the properties and areas we explored...
Johannesburg
(The Gateway)
Most itineraries pass through Jo'burg quickly, but it is worth a moment of your attention. It is a vibrant, complex city, and depending on your routing, a night here can actually be a great addition. I always love setting the stage before heading into the bush.
Kapama Karula
(Kruger National Park)
Set within a private concession bordering Kruger, Karula is one of those properties that delivers on every front. The game viewing is exceptional, the lodge feels deeply connected to the landscape, and the team clearly cares about tailoring each guest's experience. It is ideal for first-time safari travelers and seasoned ones alike.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
(Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve)
This one earns every accolade it receives. Earth Lodge is literally sculpted into the earth! The architecture is extraordinary, and it somehow disappears into the bush around it. Sabi Sands has some of the best Big Five access in Africa, and the level of service here is world-class. I left genuinely wowed, and it has gone straight to the top of my recommendation list for that wow-factor trip.
La Résidence
(Franschhoek, The Winelands)
After the bush, the Winelands feel like a beautiful exhale. La Résidence is Provençal in spirit and romantic in every detail. It has eleven rooms, exceptional wine, and mountain views. It is special in a way that very few properties manage to be. Perfect for extending a safari trip or as a standalone escape.
Cape Town
(Table Mountain · Cape of Good Hope · Boulders Beach)
Cape Town is simply one of the great cities of the world, and the day trips make it even richer. Table Mountain is a must (take the cable car!), the Cape of Good Hope is dramatic and wild, and Boulders Beach, where you walk among African penguins, is one of those moments that never gets old no matter how many times I have been! Cape Town is the perfect bookend to a South Africa itinerary.
If Africa has been on your radar, I would love to help you put together an itinerary that truly fits your travel style. This is the kind of trip where the details, including the right lodge, the right season and the right sequence, make all the difference!