Cape Town & Contrasting Luxury Safaris: South Africa & Botswana

This 120-room luxury property has been our favorite hotel in Cape Town for quite some time, with much positive client feedback. Cape Grace is located on a private yacht basin on the city’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The rooms here are particularly large and each room is decorated with Cape Dutch antiques and man-made fabrics. We particularly enjoyed the library with its warm, open fireplace, nice 45-foot outdoor pool, and a very lovely spa (with panoramic views!).

This 120-room luxury property has been our favorite hotel in Cape Town for quite some time, with much positive client feedback. Cape Grace is located on a private yacht basin on the city’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The rooms here are particularly large and each room is decorated with Cape Dutch antiques and man-made fabrics. We particularly enjoyed the library with its warm, open fireplace, nice 45-foot outdoor pool, and a very lovely spa (with panoramic views!).

This is our new favorite luxury city property in all of Africa! With stunning views overlooking affluent Bantry Bay (20-minute drive to Cape Town waterfront), Ellerman was once the home of a shipping magnate and later transformed into a magnificent 13 room/suite hotel. We particularly like the 3-5 bedroom private villas. Ideal for families, these villas come with a private pool, chef, and wine tastings. Outstanding dining, spa facilities, gym, heated freshwater pool are among the property’s 5-star amenities. Ellerman’s setting and unique accommodations remind us of the iconic Hotel du Cap in Antibes, France, not bad company!

This is our new favorite luxury city property in all of Africa! With stunning views overlooking affluent Bantry Bay (a 20-minute drive to Cape Town waterfront), Ellerman was once the home of a shipping magnate and later transformed into a magnificent 13-room/suite hotel. We particularly like the 3-5 bedroom private villas. Ideal for families, these villas come with a private pool, chef, and wine tastings. Outstanding dining, spa facilities, a gym, and a heated freshwater pool are among the property’s 5-star amenities. Ellerman’s setting and unique accommodations remind us of the iconic Hotel du Cap in Antibes, France, not bad company!

In 1925, Luke Bailes’ grandfather purchased a piece of land in what would later become the Sabi Sand Reserve in South Africa. In 1993, Luke (the founder of Singita) opened the Singita Ebony Lodge, transforming the 30,000 acres of land from a hunting concession to an exclusive conservation reserve. Since then, Singita (meaning “Place of Miracles”) has opened 15 lodges across five regions of Africa, each one devoted to the conservation and protection of the land and animals; the enrichment and betterment of the local communities; and, of course, superb guides, wildlife encounters, and luxurious amenities. Consisting of eight one-bedroom River Suites, two one-bedroom Bush Suites, and two two-bedroom Family Suites, Singita Boulders Lodge is located on the boulders-strewn banks of the Sand River. Each suite features an en suite bathroom, private sitting room, and a wildlife-viewing deck with a private plunge pool. You will find very few walls here, having been replaced with canvas and glass for an immersive safari experience with maximized views of the Sand River. The décor blends rustic, handmade furnishings made from fossilized tree stumps, slabs of solid stone, wrought iron, and leather balanced with the soft sheep-skin rugs, natural flax bed linen, and cotton towels. Amenities here include a main lodge swimming pool, spa, and fitness center; great food; and a fantastic wine selection from the lodge’s Premier Wine Boutique. Please note, Wi-Fi is available, but spotty, and though the suites do not have televisions, there is one in the library at the main lodge. Please note, children above the age of 10 are welcome at Boulders!

In 1925, Luke Bailes’ grandfather purchased a piece of land in what would later become the Sabi Sand Reserve in South Africa. In 1993, Luke (the founder of Singita) opened the Singita Ebony Lodge, transforming the 30,000 acres of land from a hunting concession to an exclusive conservation reserve. Since then, Singita (meaning “Place of Miracles”) has opened 15 lodges across five regions of Africa, each one devoted to the conservation and protection of the land and animals; the enrichment and betterment of the local communities; and, of course, superb guides, wildlife encounters, and luxurious amenities. Consisting of eight one-bedroom River Suites, two one-bedroom Bush Suites, and two two-bedroom Family Suites, Singita Boulders Lodge is located on the boulders-strewn banks of the Sand River. Each suite features an en suite bathroom, a private sitting room, and a wildlife-viewing deck with a private plunge pool. You will find very few walls here, having been replaced with canvas and glass for an immersive safari experience with maximized views of the Sand River. The décor blends rustic, handmade furnishings made from fossilized tree stumps, slabs of solid stone, wrought iron, and leather balanced with the soft sheep-skin rugs, natural flax bed linen, and cotton towels. Amenities include a main lodge swimming pool, spa, and fitness center; great food; and a fantastic wine selection from the lodge’s Premier Wine Boutique. Please note, Wi-Fi is available, but spotty, and though the suites do not have televisions, there is one in the library at the main lodge. Please note, children above the age of 10 are welcome at Boulders!

Chief’s Camp is yet another example of the many luxury safari camps to choose from in the predator-rich Okavango Delta. Set in the Moremi Game Reserve, Chief’s Camp is made up of 101,500 sq. feet of luxury bush pavilions and one suite, all with private decks with plunge pools, as well as indoor and outdoor showers (using the outdoor showers in this remote, pristine environment is truly exhilarating!) We particularly like the pavilion’s polished teakwood floors, insect-proof netted windows and colorful batik fabrics. Other amenities include a new spa treatment room, a small pool, and a picturesque dining area/observation deck. Based on the Chief’s location overlooking a large lagoon on the northwest tip of Chief’s Island, many mokoro (canoe/boat) game excursions are a continuing fun activity in the summer! Chief’s extraordinary location and wildlife-rich Moremi Island allows for game-viewing to include all of the “Big 5” (African lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhino) hence, our choice as a prime family safari site. Chief’s renovation includes 10 luxury bush pavilions (in effect like small cottages), all with private terrace plunge pools, 462 sq. feet!

Chief’s Camp is yet another example of the many luxury safari camps to choose from in the predator-rich Okavango Delta. Set in the Moremi Game Reserve, Chief’s Camp is made up of 101,500 sq. feet of luxury bush pavilions and one suite, all with private decks with plunge pools, as well as indoor and outdoor showers (using the outdoor showers in this remote, pristine environment is truly exhilarating!) We particularly like the pavilion’s polished teakwood floors, insect-proof netted windows, and colorful batik fabrics. Other amenities include a new spa treatment room, a small pool, and a picturesque dining area/observation deck. Based on the Chief’s location overlooking a large lagoon on the northwest tip of Chief’s Island, many mokoro (canoe/boat) game excursions are a continuing fun activity in the summer! Chief’s extraordinary location and wildlife-rich Moremi Island allow for game-viewing to include all of the “Big 5” (African lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhino) hence, our choice as a prime family safari site. Chief’s renovation includes 10 luxury bush pavilions (like small cottages), all with private terrace plunge pools, 462 sq. feet!

On the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, the Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards are a breath of fresh air from city life. Mont Rochelle is famously known as the “French Corner” of the Cape with 26 rooms and suites, a large outdoor swimming pool, a luxury spa, and a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking and retail therapy. Our most recent trip to Africa in January 2020 found us enjoying lunch at Mont Rochelle. We were most impressed by the hotel’s scenery overlooking the vineyards and its culinary offerings, specifically the Butter Chicken Curry. Enjoy! 

On the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, the Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards are a breath of fresh air from city life. Mont Rochelle is famously known as the “French Corner” of the Cape with 26 rooms and suites, a large outdoor swimming pool, a luxury spa, and a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking and retail therapy. Our most recent trip to Africa in January 2020 found us enjoying lunch at Mont Rochelle. We were most impressed by the hotel’s scenery overlooking the vineyards and its culinary offerings, specifically the Butter Chicken Curry. Enjoy!