Luxury Retreats in South Africa

South Africa

Garden Route Luxury Retreats

BY: DANIELLA SCHOEMAN

South Africa’s Garden Route - a magnificent 300km stretch of coast starting at the historically significant town of Mossel Bay and ending at the wild rushing mix of water where the Storms River meets the Indian Ocean.

Travelers who visit South Africa tend to stick to the fan favorites of Cape Town or the Kruger National Park. As a local, I know they’re missing out on a true gem. You see, the Garden Route offers the best of both worlds: the breathtaking natural beauty, adventure experiences, fine dining and luxury you expect from Cape Town along with the incredible wildlife sightings you get in the Kruger National Park.

The Garden Route is a vast area that encompasses a wide variety of landscapes such as the towering Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountain ranges, lush green forests, and a handful of sleepy coastal towns.

Everything about the Garden Route is spectacular and there is just so much to do in this one part of the country. So much awaits visitors that you simply can’t fit it all into one trip. Trust me, I’ve tried. Instead, I’ve returned over and over again and my bucket list just keeps growing.

I love this region so much that I recently moved to the Garden Route and we’ve started exploring the surrounding area as a new family of three to get my son used to traveling. To say, that traveling with children requires a shift in your thinking is an understatement. It’s a whole new experience compared to traveling as a couple.

Luckily, the Garden Route is the ideal destination for family getaways and there’s no need to compromise on luxury. The following three gorgeous Garden Route retreats deliver all you need for familyfriendly travel while providing ultra-luxe accommodations in unforgettable settings.

If you’re heading to South Africa for an authentic safari experience, you’ll find it in the Garden Route at Gondwana Game Reserve. Gondwana is close to the port hub of Mossel Bay and is home to the Big 5. Expect some exciting wildlife encounters during your stay. Since it’s a private game reserve you’ll enjoy a ton of perks that you wouldn’t normally get at public game reserves. For example, being able to go off road to get closer to the wildlife during game drives and not having limited time at each sighting. If you want to see a particular animal or need time to get the perfect shot, your ranger will do their best to make it happen for you.

Gondwana Game Reserve has a myriad of accommodation options that are spread out across the large reserve. Regardless of which you choose, you can expect either luxurious glamping style open plan suites or large luxury family villas on sprawling estates.

We stayed in a 4-bedroom Bush Villa during our stay and absolutely loved the spaciousness and privacy this setting afforded us. Even though it was quite a drive from the main lodge where meals were served, it was the perfect location for some quality family time and the sweeping views from the bedrooms, bathrooms, patio and pool were breathtakingly beautiful.

Gondwana Game Reserve

The drive between our Bush Villa and the restaurant for breakfast and dinner also served as a wonderful opportunity for wildlife spotting. We even had a chance encounter with a family of rhinos one evening which provided quite a lot of excitement. However, to experience the true magic of Gondwana, you need to go on a guided game drive. There is something thrilling about getting up close and personal to these wild African creatures and chances are good that you’ll come across most of the animals you’re hoping to see on safari.

Gondwana Lodge offers a PanAfrican cuisine that is a delightful mix of both European and African flavors. Enjoy a warm breakfast with a view out over the game reserve, tasty lunch platters and African-style boma braais (BBQ) in the evenings.

Gondwana Game Reserve is an ecofriendly luxury property managed by Gondwana Conservation Foundation (GCF) with a focus on wildlife conservation. Every aspect of the lodge has a focus on reducing its environmental footprint, protecting endangered species and reducing pressure on the water supply so you know a stay here has a positive impact on the environment.

Seeking an enchanting arboreal abode? Tsala Treetop Lodge near Plettenberg bay is the destination for you. This luxurious hotel consists of a series of treehouses which are set in the treetops of an age-old indigenous forest and connected by an elevated wooden walkway.

Tsala Treetop Lodge is the perfect escape for self-care and reflection and simply walking between your treehouse and the restaurant offers a chance for “shinrin yoku” or forest bathing. This unique accommodation combines the magical ambiance of the forest with endless views from the rooms and suites to create a place you’ll never want to leave.

This one-of-a-kind property delights visitors from the moment they arrive with its unique architectural design which both stands out and blends in. The Afro-Baroque décor mixes earthy colors with striking textures in a true celebration of the spirit of Africa. Expect lavish opulence and refined elegance in a laidback setting that is surprisingly very familyfriendly.

Tsala Treetop Lodge comprises of private suites and lavish villas with entrances that are almost hidden from sight in the forest but have decks and infinity pools that extend above the canopy. Our spacious villa had two bedrooms both with ensuite bathrooms, a lounge with a fireplace, a dining area with a small kitchenette.

Tsala Treetop Lodge

Each room had spectacular views which could be enjoyed from the bed or even from the outdoor shower. The large ceramic bathtubs dominated the large bathrooms and I enjoyed a heavenly soak each night of our stay - pure bliss.

Meals at Tsala Treetop Lodge is a grand affair and diners can enjoy a enchanting sunset while eating in the glass-walled dining room. Each dish is exquisitely presented and created with care by Chef Louise and his expert team. Breakfast each morning is served either in the dining room or al fresco on the deck and you can choose from a number of delicious options.

If you’re looking for an alternative option for dinner, head over to Zinzi - a restaurant on the property which is open to the public. Zinzi is located in the garden outside of the forest and surrounded by lovely manicured gardens and peaceful dams. This is fine dining at it’s best, so stay a while to enjoy the ambiance, mouthwatering dishes and exemplary local wine.

What I loved most about Tsala Treetop Lodge was the personal touches. From a welcome message next to our complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival to the personalized message from the chef on our menus to the goodnight letters and treats left on the bed at turndown each night. Every aspect of your stay is tailored to you for the most magical experience.

You can’t visit South Africa without spending time in a game reserve and Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is a great option for families with young children. This exceptional game reserve is easy to access from the town of Mossel Bay and is spread out over a number of locations and connected game farms.

The Outeniqua mountain range forms a stunning backdrop to the lodge and from certain accommodation options you can even glimpse the Indian Ocean. Botlierskop Game Reserve offers visitors a rather unconventional safari experience. Each part of the reserve is designated for different wildlife and predators like lion are kept separate from the other animals. This allows more freedom and flexibility for game drives through the reserve.

There are plenty of different accommodation choices available. From the Tented Lodge built on a rocky outcrop from which you can observe wildlife in the winding valleys below to the Manor House suites in the original farm house to the family-orientated Village Lodge to the luxe self-catering Bush Villas. Each accommodation type is located in it’s own section of the property and offers a unique experience to the others.

We stayed in a luxury suite at the Village Lodge during our visit. The lovely lodge is situated just outside of the game reserve making it safe

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

to walk around and explore the neatly tended herb and vegetable gardens. Botlierskop Village Lodge is the perfect destination for a country escape but with the added excitement of daily game drives.

Since the property is closest to the historical town and original mission station it has been designed to be reminiscent of a settlers village of yesteryear while still being thoroughly contemporary with all the modern amenities you expect from luxury accommodations. With a collection of houses on the property, they have been lovingly restored and expertly decorated so that each suite has its own style and special flair. They range from single suites to large units known as the family wing with up to four rooms.

Dining at Village Lodge in the Bellevue Restaurant is an absolute treat. The building was formerly used as a school and the space has been reimagined to reflect it’s history while still providing a pleasing ambiance for diners. There are both indoor and outdoor areas to eat and the interior courtyard has an open lawn, pool and play area for kids to safely enjoy some time outside. With an abundance of fresh produce grown in the gardens the chef is free to design the most appetizing dishes and every meal is memorable.