A South African's Guide to South Africa: Luxury Hotels, Restaurants and Experiences from a Local's Point of View

Itineraries

Today’s guide is courtesy of Lily Pond Luxury’s Michaela Barrett, a South African native. We’ve asked Michaela to highlight a few of her favorite sites and spots to format an epic South African luxury adventure fit for first-timers and luxury lovers alike!

When to travel (and for how long):

This is a tricky question! Typically, the best time of year for safaris is May to September (the winter) as it is the dry season and will allow the best animal viewing because they congregate around watering holes. However, if you want to experience the beaches and nature in Cape Town more than you want to see animals in a Game Reserve, then November to March will suit your needs better. The recommended length of time to stay would be about 5 days in Cape Town and 3-4 days on Safari, longer if you wish to tack on the Winelands at the start or end.

Where to stay:

All of the luxury properties suggested below offer extra amenities for Lily Pond Luxury clients, including breakfast, credits, and upgrades where available. Ask your advisor how best to select the perfect property for you!

Silo Hotel: This hotel is fairly new to Cape Town’s hotel scene and has quickly risen to the top of the list of luxury hotels in the city. There are only 28 rooms in the modern eclectic hotel, and each room has a private balcony and its own collection of Contemporary African Art. There is also a spectacular one-bedroom penthouse included in the 28 rooms and private residences along the Atlantic Seaboard. There are a few dining experiences available within the hotel that offer incredible views of Table Mountain. The Silo Spa is a great place to unwind.

The Vineyard: This Claremont based hotel has become one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in Cape Town over the past two centuries since the original house was built in February 1800. The architecture is still true to its original English style, but the contemporary interior styling of the house creates a comfortable environment for today’s guests. Hotel amenities include a spa, fitness center, jogging route, and a resident of the hotel since the 1980s that guests will look forward to meeting are the Mountain Tortoises that roam the property. The Constantia Winelands are a short distance from the hotel, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are a 25-minute walk, or a 10-minute drive, away.

One&Only: Also located at the V&A Waterfront, the One&Only is also very well located for exploring the city. The rooms are spacious, and guests will have spectacular views of Table Mountain, the Marina, or both from private balconies. The One Above Penthouse offers the ultimate luxurious accommodation experience, with 4 king-sized beds, 2 private pools, a glass wine cellar, and outdoor spaces on both floors. The Nobu restaurant is located in the hotel, along with Isola – a more laid-back restaurant, a bar and lounge, a wine studio, and private dining options. Unwind after a day of sightseeing at the exclusive Spa Island and infinity pool.

Singita Lodges: Singita is dedicated to environmentally conscious hospitality, sustainable conservation, and empowering local communities. Singita means “Place of Miracles” in Shangaan, and that is exactly what this exclusive chain offers. Game viewing is consistently spectacular, as the limited number of guests means fewer people to chase away and interfere with the wild animals. The chain includes 15 lodges across four countries, five of which are in South Africa. Our advisors can help you decide which lodge is the best fit for you, or you could try out a few. Each lodge differs a little from the others, but at the heart of it all is a desire to connect with nature and witness wild animals in their natural state like never. A safari brings out the child-like wonder at the world that everyone should experience at least once in their adult life.

Food in Cape Town

Cape Town is a foodie’s paradise. With the South African currency (the rand) as weak as it is, tourists can enjoy fine dining for a fraction of what it would in the US or Europe. Cult-favorite Nobu has a location in the One&Only hotel and dishes range from $7 to $35 on average (yes, please). Many other restaurants inspired by traditional South African flavors offer the same luxury dining experience – with tasting menus featured at most high-end restaurants – with their own unique atmosphere that sets them apart as their own experience. Fyn is another must-try for foodies staying in the city. With an open-plan kitchen, chic Asian-inspired décor, and an uninterrupted view of Table Mountain and the city below, guests can rest assured they will have a dining experience to remember (and unforgettable cocktails). South Africa is well-known for its wines, and Stellenbosch and surrounds – the Capetonian Winelands – are dotted with wine estates, many of which feature their own special fine dining experiences. Wine Pairing menus and wine tasting are experiences that no wine-lover should miss when visiting South Africa. Some of the Wineland classic restaurants include Delaire Graff, Die Werf, La Colombe, and Babylonstoren.

Activities in Cape Town:

Classic must-sees in Cape Town often include the restaurants and wine estates mentioned above, but there are many more experiences that visitors wouldn’t want to miss. The iconic Table Mountain and Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners of the Apartheid Regime were imprisoned) are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and highly recommended for visitors to South Africa to see. The nearby V&A Waterfront is a shopping mall with outdoor entertainment that includes traditional music, and within walking distance is the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) – two fun activities that could be combined into one day. If you’re there in the summer, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Clifton, Camps Bay and Boulder’s Beaches are beautiful destinations each of which you could easily spend an entire day at. The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock is a fun, trendy destination that features boutique stores, food markets, and one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in the country- ranked in the Top 50 in the World, The Test Kitchen (which you need to reserve at least a month in advance). The Bo-Kaap is a formerly segregated area that is the historical center of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town and the oldest surviving residential neighborhood in Cape Town. It is recognizable for its widely photographed brightly colored homes. Visit the Southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas.

Your Lily Pond Luxury travel advisor can arrange guided tours to any of these sites at your leisure.

Visas and Safety:

American passport holders do not need visas to visit South Africa for 90 days or less for tourism. Passports must be valid for 30 or more days after the intended return date from South Africa. South Africa is a safe place, but poverty is rife. Keep your belongings close to you at all times, try to use bags that have zippers instead of bags that do not close, and stay in more touristy areas. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t flaunt your wealth and you will be fine.

Stay up to date with the latest COVID requirements using the tools found in our blog about getting back to travel.

Getting there:

You’re in luck. South Africa is one of the easiest places to get to in Africa from the United States. United flies to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport direct from Newark as well as DC (17.5 hours) and then it is approximately a two-hour flight to Cape Town. Generally speaking, travelers will want to spend at least 3-4 nights in Cape Town, possibly venturing into the Winelands, and cap off their trip with a safari.

Getting between safari lodges, with or without COVID restrictions, can require lots of flying. If you’re willing to charter lots of small planes and sit on flights, it’s doable, but if you’re trying to limit the time spent in the air and maximize budget, it’s best to stay within South Africa. for your safari, rather than attempting to spend too much time hopping around. If you chose to do a safari (a highly recommended experience) you will charter a light aircraft from OR Tambo airport directly to your lodge – we recommend the Kruger National Park, or the adjacent Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Both offer prime game viewing and top lodges for a true “safari” experience, without the headache of wasting days in transit.

Venturing to Neighbouring Countries:

Neighboring Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are also beautiful destinations. While Botswana’s safaris are somewhat similar to what you will find in the Kruger, there are a variety of landscapes that differ – such as the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans that you will experience at Jack’s Camp, or the Okavango Delta at Seba Luxury Camp. Namibia is a coastal desert and is home to the breathtaking Fish River Canyon – the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. The Fish River Lodge offers an “on-the-edge” experience with incredible views of the canyon below with nothing else as far as the eye can see. Zimbabwe is home to the thundering Victoria Falls and the Victoria Falls Hotel has one of the best vantage points of this Natural Wonder, right across the border in Zambia is the Royal Livingston hotel by Anantara and is incredibly close to the falls, also with an amazing perspective of the “smoke that thunders”. Mozambique is for ocean lovers, and the White Pearle Resort and Azura Quilalea Private Island are two amazing hotels to kick back and enjoy the white sandy beaches. For those on return visits to Africa, trying another country is perfect to expand your horizons. Because once you visit Africa once, you’ll always yearn to return!

Michaela Barrett is a rising Junior at Wake Forest University, where is studying communications and journalism. She is spending the summer with Lily Pond Luxury, expanding her love of experiential travel.

Blog