South Africa has some incredible places to stay, including some stunning private houses. Here are five of cazenove+loyd’s favourite homes from home in this diverse country.
South Africa is one of our favourite destinations in which to organise extraordinary trips for families or groups of friends, as it offers totally thrilling scenery, amazing experiences and incredible private houses that don’t compromise at all on luxury and impeccable service. With more than 25 years’ worth of contacts in the country, we have access to a secret resource of exclusive retreats but, more importantly, we have the back-up and knowledge to make your South African adventure that bit more special.
From Cape Town and the Winelands to Plettenberg Bay and De Hoop Nature Reserve, below we have handpicked just five villas that can form the basis of a holiday of a lifetime.
1 Morukuru Ocean House, De Hoop Nature Reserve
Three hours’ drive south-east of Cape Town lies Morukuru Ocean House, an idyllic four-bedroom hideaway set within De Hoop Nature Reserve, one of Africa’s most scenic coastal reserves. Perfect for a family holiday or a group of friends, activities here include game drives, guided marine walks, mountain-biking, sand-boarding and snorkelling. There are no set schedules and anything can be organised at the drop of a hat, as the villa comes with its own staff, vehicle and guide. We can even arrange for a winemaker from a local vineyard to come and give you an informative wine-tasting.
Between July and October, it is possible to watch southern right whales from Morukuru, as they gather in De Hoop’s protected waters close to the shore. For a truly awe-inspiring experience, you can observe these magnificent creatures from the air in a helicopter right from the house. Dolphins can be spotted all year round, and seals and African penguins are spied occasionally. After a day spent out and about exploring the dunes, rock pools, limestone cliffs and wetlands, you can enjoy an in-villa massage and settle down to sip a cocktail by crafted by your in-house butler. To us, this combination of exhilarating experiences followed by welcome pampering is unbeatable.