Extend your summer with an African adventure

Have you been making the most of summer’s endless sunshine, pool parties, and beach barbecues? Great news – there’s no need to succumb to the cold weather blues as the first signs of fall make their presence known. Did you know Africa is officially the world’s sunniest continent? With a vast landscape that stretches from the golden deserts of the Sahara to the shimmering coasts of South Africa, it’s perpetually bathed in sunlight.

Swap the snow for the sun by booking an African adventure for the second half of 2023, and you’ll soak up more than just the soul-warming rays. You’ll also lap up the luxury at world-class hotels and lodges, immerse yourself in rich cultures, and get closer to nature than ever before.

Read on for a curated list of opulent yet authentically African accommodation options to add to your itinerary.

Accommodation

DORP

Where? Cape Town, South Africa.

Why? DORP is located on the slopes of Signal Hill, promising unparalleled views of the Mother City. It’s also celebrated for its homestyle ambience and variety of rooms and suites, from veranda rooms to luxurious premier suites. Traveling with a group or the extended family in tow? OnderDorp, a self-sufficient wing, offers 15 rooms, each with a kitchenette or a fully equipped kitchen.

The most unforgettable experience: Whiling away the afternoon in the Salon. It acts as the hotel’s library, lounge, café, and dining room, filled with towering bookcases and a jungle of plants.

Camp Doros

Where? Damaraland, Namibia.

Why? Camp Doros boasts an eco-friendly design (it’s 100% solar-powered) that minimizes travelers’ environmental impact. Settle down in a stylish en-suite tent before heading out on guided nature drives, walks, and rock engraving site visits. The camp is ideal for families and is fully inclusive year-round, ensuring an affordable, personalized experience.

The most unforgettable experience: Tracking desert-adapted black rhinos with an experienced and qualified Rhino Ranger team.

Ishara Mara

Where? Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

Why? A go-to for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups, Ishara Mara offers a blend of thrills and tranquillity. Choose between River, Family, Villa, and Safari Suites and enjoy every second of being surrounded by untamed wildlife in Kenya’s most iconic national reserve. Self-care is also on the agenda during your stay – relax in the infinity pool, work up a sweat in the gym, or book yourself a restorative treatment at Aya Spa.

The most unforgettable experience: The Starbed Experience. Sleep under a blanket of stars on a private observation deck – the ultimate romantic couples’ treat and the first of its kind in the Masai Mara.

Insika Lodge

Where? Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Why? Victoria Falls is just over 30 miles from the all-new Insika Lodge. With dedicated service, the lodge offers diverse spaces in its main area to connect with nature. Decks, a fireside bar deli, and expansive views enrich the mealtime experience. The authentic spa indulges mind, body, and soul, offering massages, facials, and more, amidst serene gardens. Plus, the lodge allows easy access to four national parks, so you can combine admiring one of the Seven Wonders of the World with amazing wildlife encounters.

The most unforgettable experience: A dip in the massive infinity horizon pool, where you can enjoy views of animals quenching their thirst at the nearby waterhole.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti

Where? Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Why? Usawa Serengeti comprises two mobile camps that move with the Great Migration herd. In short, you couldn’t possibly get any closer to the action. While mobile, the camps are brimming with luxurious creature comforts. They’re also solar-powered, with Wi-Fi, rechargeable lights, and charging stations in the rooms.

The most unforgettable experience: Embracing the rising mobile safari trend and watching the Great Migration unfold right in front of you.

Cape Cadogan Residence

Where? Cape Town, South Africa.

Why? A new private residence for exclusive-use bookings by the MORE Family Collection, the Cape Cadogan Residence is an air-conditioned, three-bedroom escape suitable for up to six guests. The residence has complimentary Wi-Fi, a glistening swimming pool, a residence butler, and a housekeeper. Furthermore, it’s close to all of Cape Town’s best bits and under an hour’s drive from Stellenbosch, a beloved town in the Winelands.

The most unforgettable experience: Mouthwatering food prepared with love by a private chef (at an additional cost).

Loapi Tented Camp

Where? Tswalu Private Wildlife Reserve, South Africa.

Why? Loapi Tented Camp is a trailblazing lodge with six safari homes, offering unparalleled privacy for two or four guests and spaced 164 feet apart. Eco-conscious design harmonizes with the valley’s contours, nestled between the Korannaberg mountains. Impeccable personal service by dedicated butlers and private-chef-crafted meals enhance the experience, and you’ll also have access to a private safari vehicle, guide, and tracker.

The most unforgettable experience: An early morning meerkat safari.

Kilima Sanctuary

Where? Machangulo Peninsula, Mozambique.

Why? Set atop forested dunes, Kilima Sanctuary is a remote yet accessible haven with an eco-friendly focus. Suites offer luxurious solace with en-suite facilities and sweeping ocean views. A lounge under clear skies overlooks the sea, while an expansive plunge pool provides discreet relaxation.

The most unforgettable experience: A movie night inside the property’s private cinema.

Wining and Dining

Jabulani Lodge

Where? Kapama Private Game Reserve, South Africa.

Why? Jabulani Lodge in the is leading the way in offering kosher cuisine to its guests from October. To cater to its Jewish guests, the Relais & Châteaux accredited lodge will have space for two dedicated kosher kitchens – one only for dairy (Milchik) and the other for meat (Fleischik). The lodge carefully sources kosher produce, and, in addition to the new kitchens, guests will be permitted to bring their own kosher chef to the lodge, as well as a Rabbi, if preferred.

Activities

New Salt Pans Experience

Where? Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana.

Why? Take to the skies and experience the Makgadikgadi salt pans from an entirely new perspective. The largest collection of salt pans on earth is a bucket list destination, and the Leroo La Tau sleep-out experience is a pinch-me way to experience it. A scenic heli flight to Kubu Island (and to visit the flamingo colonies in the Sua Pans and the Zebra Migration) completes this unmissable highlight for any Botswana safari-goer.

Guided Cycling Safari

Where? Okavango Delta, Botswana.

This is the ultimate adventure for anyone looking to create authentic connections with nature. Enjoy mornings spent cycling through the Delta and camping on riverbanks, soaking up plenty of sunshine and anticipating close-up wildlife encounters like no other. It’s a six-day experience that will give you a new perspective on this legendary region and demonstrate exactly why the mobile safari trend is skyrocketing.

New sightseeing bus tour in Hermanus

Where? Hermanus, South Africa.

Now guests can explore Hermanus on iconic red sightseeing tour buses!

Hermanus now offers the ‘Explorer Tour,’ a new offering from City Sightseeing South Africa. Tours are scheduled to begin operating in July 2023 with trips on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Sightseeing highlights and tours will include:

A choice of wine tasting (three wines) and cellar tour, or boat-based whale watching (additional charges), or additional leisure time, exploring the town of Hermanus and its array of shops and sites.
Panoramic views of Hermanus and Walker Bay
A live guided tour in English
Free WiFi
A scenic coastal drive

West Coast seafood helicopter tour

Where? Saldanha Bay

Enjoy a helicopter tour with a difference! Cape Town Helicopters (A GILTEDGE preferred supplier) now offers a tour of the famous Cape West Coast that’s not to be missed.

Fly up the West Coast to Saldanha Bay, to be met by hosts Kyle and Marti. Then settle down for an extraordinary seafood experience on the beach, enjoying freshly farmed mussels and oysters with champagne, along with starters of bread, smoked fish and soft drinks.

The entire tour duration is approximately 4 to 5 hours.