Cape Coastal, Kalahari & Sabi Sand: Private Villa Safari

The 2500 hectare Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a jewel in the crown of the Cape Floral Kingdom offering guests a complete immersion into the wondrous and magnificent world of fynbos. The rolling hills, mountains and valleys are home to a wide variety of fynbos types as well as pockets of Afromontane and ancient milkwood forests. The air is filled with the sweet, heady scent of seasonal flowers; the landscape sings with the sound of a million insects and birds; and the vast sky puts on an ever-changing display of colour and light.

The name Grootbos, an Afrikaans word meaning Big Forest, comes from the presence of the ancient indigenous and endangered Milkwood forests. Milkwood trees are known to live for more than 1000 years and their gnarled branches and mossy beards create an atmosphere of enchantment and mystique. It is amongst these ancient forests that Grootbos has artfully laid out their exquisite 5-star accommodation offerings, with sweeping views across the fynbos plains towards the sparkling ocean in the distance.

Every aspect of Grootbos has been designed to integrate and accentuate your experience of the pristine natural environment. In addition to the perfectly appointed luxury accommodation and facilities, there are numerous hiking trails and guided activities that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of this unique floral kingdom.

Nestled in the heart of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, these two elegant villas offer a secluded sanctuary with ten luxurious suites, each boasting panoramic views of the whale-watching paradise that is Walker Bay. Available exclusively for private use, these villas rank among the most luxurious accommodations in South Africa, designed for an unparalleled experience. Guests will enjoy spacious living areas, including two lounges, a dining room, a media room with a big screen and projector, a wine cellar, an outdoor BBQ area, a private pool, and a fully equipped kitchen. A dedicated private guide, chef, and butler ensure personalized service, making every stay a truly bespoke Grootbos experience. Perfect for intimate groups or multigenerational families, these villas promise unrivalled privacy and exclusivity.

Activities & Highlights
Experience the unique landscape of Grootbos on horseback, taking in sweeping views or riding down the expansive sand dunes. Walker Bay’s yearly visit from Southern Right whales offers a rare opportunity to witness these gentle giants breaching and playing in the bay’s calm waters as they come to mate and calf. Guests can also embark on a botanical safari, exploring the world’s richest temperate flora, including six species newly discovered by science. For beach lovers, Grootbos offers a variety of coastal activities, from peaceful walks along the shoreline to whale watching and exploring the coastal ecosystem.

For a marine adventure, Grootbos offers exclusive boat trips through Dyer Island Cruises, departing from Kleinbaai harbour. This tour not only features the magnificent whales but also provides a chance to see the Marine Big 5: whales, dolphins, African Penguins, Cape Fur Seals, and surface sightings of the Great White Shark. The boat accommodates 20 guests, offering comfort with sun shelters, upper decks, snacks, and beverages.

Accommodation
Villa Two at Grootbos offers an exquisite blend of nature and luxury, with four uniquely designed suites that seamlessly integrate with the pristine surroundings. Each suite has its own distinct personality while offering stunning views of the natural landscape. Dedicated staff, including a personal chef, are on hand to ensure every need is met, providing the perfect retreat for those seeking both comfort and exclusivity. This villa promises a crafted getaway, complete with top-tier facilities and breathtaking natural beauty.

Tswalu is a vast, magical land of infinite possibility, with sweeping vistas and a liberating sense of space. The green Kalahari is nature at its most diverse and surprising, and to spend time here is to be touched by exuberant, soulful beauty. It offers an escape to a place that’s governed by the ancient rhythms of the seasons, rather than the clock and the calendar. It offers a vision of hope that brings together conservation, research and unrivalled safari experience.

At Tswalu you’ll encounter species you may have seen elsewhere, along with drier area specialist species that you probably haven’t. While zebra, buffalo and giraffe will be familiar if you’ve been on safari before, this will likely be your first opportunity to capture iconic Kalahari images such as dainty springbok with a backdrop of red sand, or the silhouette of a gemsbok atop a dune. Many of the species found at Tswalu are of particular significance to the San people, as evidenced by their inclusion in ancient galleries of rock art.

Tswalu is unquestionably one of the best places in southern Africa to see cheetahs in the wild. The vast open spaces and antelope herds of the Kalahari readily lend themselves to high-speed pursuits. Visiting Tswalu also gives you front-row seats for sightings of species that prove elusive elsewhere, from aardvark and pangolin to Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra.

Tswalu Tarkuni is nestled in a secluded valley beneath the majestic Korannaberg Mountains, offering an exclusive-use, private homestead for up to 10 guests. Designed for families or groups of friends, Tarkuni provides a luxurious retreat in five spacious suites, all located under one roof. Guests will enjoy complete privacy and comfort with a dedicated host, private chef, and personalized service throughout their stay. The homestead comes equipped with a private safari vehicle, guide, and tracker, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience tailored to your preferences.

Activities & Highlights
With your private guide and tracker, explore the diverse landscapes of the southern Kalahari on richly interpretative game drives. Track iconic species such as the black-maned lion, desert black rhino, pangolin, and aardvark. Beyond game drives, enjoy guided bush walks, horseback safaris, and visits to habituated meerkat colonies. Scientific research is at the heart of Tswalu, and guests can learn about conservation efforts through the Tswalu Foundation’s research programs.

Tswalu Kalahari is committed to sustainability, as a proud member of The Long Run, following the 4C framework (Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce). The Tswalu Foundation furthers this mission by supporting ecological research, helping to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the Kalahari ecosystem.

Accommodation
Tarkuni features five luxurious suites, accommodating up to 10 guests in total. Each suite offers a spacious bathroom with a free-standing bath and shower, as well as a private outdoor deck with sun loungers. The homestead includes an expansive lounge and dining area with a fireplace, opening onto a shaded veranda that overlooks the water-wise plunge pool and sundowner firepit. Additional amenities include a boma for starlit barbecues, a gazebo for massages or relaxation, and access to the gym, photo studio, and gallery located at the Motse. Tarkuni is the epitome of exclusive, sustainable luxury in the heart of the Kalahari.

With its ample size (65 000 hectares) and prime location adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers an entirely unique luxury private safari experience. The two reserves share a fenceless boundary, so wildlife can wander freely. The game viewing possibilities are unparalleled. Alongside the Big Five, the reserve is home to hundreds of mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile, fish species, and more.

Leopards are the reserve’s greatest claim to fame. Normally shy and elusive, these big cats are frequently spotted by visitors across the reserve – particularly on a morning or late-afternoon safari game drive. Beyond the vast grasslands and woodland savannah, the Sabi and Sand rivers run through the reserve providing water to a diverse and abundant variety of wildlife. The rivers also create the riverine vegetation that provides such an excellent habitat for the wildlife.

The exceptional hospitality, luxury accommodation, and fine African cuisine add to the experience, giving you an entirely unique African safari adventure that will linger in your memories forever. In terms of quality and diversity, the game viewing and wildlife encounters in Sabi Sand Game Reserve are among the best in Africa, and in the world. From luxury bush camps to opulent private villas, and from intimate hideaways to family getaways, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve has a wide range of safari lodges for you to choose from.

Nestled on the banks of the Matshipiri River in the eastern side of the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Cheetah Plains offers an unparalleled private safari experience. This exclusive-use luxury lodge combines eco-conscious innovation with impeccable hospitality. Designed with imaginative architecture and adorned with curated décor pieces and African artworks, Cheetah Plains provides an inspiring environment for discerning travellers. The lodge is fully off-grid, powered by solar energy and equipped with grey-water recycling systems, ensuring a sustainable yet luxurious stay in the African wilderness.

Activities & Highlights
Cheetah Plains is dedicated to sustainability without compromising on luxury. Guests are treated to twice-daily game drives, led by expert guides and trackers in electric Land Cruiser safari vehicles. These silent, zero-emission vehicles allow for a more immersive wildlife experience. For those seeking a closer connection to nature, guided bush walks offer a deeper understanding of the ecosystem, heightening the senses as you explore the plains that inspired the lodge’s name. The lodge’s attentive staff, including a host, culinary team, spa therapist, and safari specialists, are exclusively assigned to each villa, ensuring personalized service throughout your stay.

Accommodation
Cheetah Plains features three exclusive-use villas, each designed to accommodate between four and eight guests. Every villa is individually curated to deliver a sophisticated eco-luxe experience and includes a formal lounge, living room, dining area, expansive sun deck, private swimming pool, wine gallery, chef’s kitchen, and dedicated guest suites. The private suites within each villa are spacious and elegantly appointed, featuring open-plan bedrooms, lounges, walk-in dressing rooms, luxurious bathrooms, and private decks.

Mapogo House stands out for its commanding position over a productive waterhole. The villa's bold design reflects the strength of the famed Mapogo lion coalition that once dominated this region, offering guests both a powerful connection to the area's wildlife and a unique vantage point from which to enjoy the safari experience.