From spine-tingling wildlife encounters to legendary landscapes and a whole lot of wine, we can’t say enough about South Africa – it really does seem to have it all.
With luxury travellers itching for something new, we hosted an exclusive ‘Relaunch South Africa’ FAM trip in March for our US trade partners. Our goal was two-fold: to showcase the country’s unique travel treasures while promoting Delta Airlines’ thrice-weekly Johannesburg–Atlanta flights.
It was an unforgettable few days, and if you’re planning a luxury trip of a lifetime to South Africa in the coming months, these experiences should be at the top of your list:
A wine farm with a difference
You’ll never forget Babylonstoren, a stylish farm-to-table retreat quietly nestled in the Cape Winelands. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, a highlight of any stay here is a guided tour of the bountiful gardens and all its edible delights, including legumes, pears, figs, and mulberries.
The tour concludes in the farm’s cellar for an exceptional wine tasting experience with their knowledgeable staff. There’s also an award-winning restaurant, garden spa and sophisticated suites to fawn over. Did we say next-level luxury?
A hotel with heart and art
Switch out your regular hotel for a stay at Ellerman House. While it may be ultra-luxurious, you’ll feel right at home from the minute you check-in. This glamorous cliffside retreat features some of the best views in Cape Town, not to mention an Olympic-sized pool, a top-notch spa, and an exceptional art collection.
As best described by Jill Taylor of Jetset World Travel:
“Just walking around Ellerman House taking in the local art blew my mind. Being back on South African soil was fantastic.”
Get a feel for Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
If you have the tendency to overlook the city of Johannesburg, a stay at the urban sanctuary of Fairlawns will quickly change your mindset. It offers all the mod cons you could ever need, with two on-site restaurants, a private dining room and a glitzy champagne bar.
It proved the perfect arrival base for our US agents arriving at OR Tambo International Airport on Delta Airlines from Atlanta.
Luxury meets conservation at Tswalu
Instead of simply going on holiday, today’s travellers want to learn and grow whilst giving back to the people and places they encounter during their travels. This is exactly why we added Tswalu Kalahari Reserve to our ‘Relaunch South Africa’ itinerary, and you should add it to yours.
Level up on comfort at Tswalu’s The Motse Camp, an upmarket designer lodge where you can engage in purpose-driven experiences such as tracking the elusive desert black rhino.
As Meg Meyer of Cadence Travel best puts it:
“GILTEDGE put together such a wonderful itinerary with hand-selected properties. The obvious highlight of the trip was experiencing a safari through the lens of Tswalu.”
Do it with Delta
If you’re based in the USA, Delta relaunched its Johannesburg and Atlanta flights in August last year and now operates three times per week. If all goes well, the airline also plans to operate direct flights between Atlanta and Cape Town.
The pandemic has ushered in a boom in purpose-driven luxury travel, where it’s not just about going back to the way things were.
Get in touch here, and let our team assist with designing the ultimate South African itinerary.