Luxury South Africa Holidays
Why book your luxury South Africa holiday with us
A luxury South Africa holiday with cazenove+loyd blends extraordinary wildlife, vibrant cities and world-class wine and cuisine.
Track the Big Five in private Kruger concessions, unwind in boutique lodges with a strong conservation focus or explore Cape Town’s iconic sights, food scene and coastal setting. We can arrange anything from an exhilarating sunrise game drive in Sabi Sand followed by breakfast beside the Sand River to private cellar tastings in the Cape Winelands hosted by the winemaker himself. Discover the untamed Kalahari or Karoo, or opt for malaria-free reserves, ideal for families seeking a South African safari with younger children.
Our team handpicks expert guides and memorable stays, crafting journeys that reveal hidden corners and authentic experiences for a perfect luxury South Africa holiday.
South Africa trip ideas
Our Destination Expert’s top tip
South Africa one of the few places in Africa with non-malarial safaris, so well worth considering if you would rather avoid taking medication for travel.
Our favourite places to stay in South Africa
Nothing but the best. Browse our carefully handpicked collection of tried-and-tested hotels, wine estates, safari lodges and coastal retreats in South Africa.
Chat to an expert to start planning your trip
Get in touch and one of our luxury travel experts will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream tailor-made holiday.
What our clients say
We had the pleasure of working with Melissa Kirby and the team at cazenove+loyd to plan a recent 18-day trip from the US to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The experience was a pleasure from beginning to end. Melissa listened carefully to our vision for the trip, gave us many good and interesting suggestions for each stop along the way, including transportation, hotels, safari camps, restaurants and guide services. The trip went off flawlessly. Upon our return, Melissa called to debrief, gathering valuable feedback and insights about our experience. We could not recommend Melissa Kirby and the cazenove+loyd team more.
The team put together a fantastic 10-day family vacation for us in South Africa. Not only did they build the trip within our budget, but every detail was considered. When there were some issues during the trip, the team at cazenove+loyd responded immediately and made sure we were well taken care of. Over the years, I have worked with a number of travel agencies, and this company is, by far, the most attentive – and a true pleasure to work with.
I just wanted to let you know that this trip was everything we could have asked for and more. The lodges and guides were outstanding all the way through and we learnt so much and had a fabulous time. Our guide in Cape Town, Charlene, was especially outstanding and went way beyond the pale to show us the beauty and complexity of South Africa. We were very moved by our experience and overjoyed by our choice to travel with cazenove+loyd.
We enjoyed a truly personal, tailor-made safari designed especially for us by Destination Expert, Melissa. She helped make our wedding anniversary celebrations an unforgettable experience.
We were really well supported from start to finish on our trip of a lifetime. She planned a brilliant itinerary for us using her knowledge of the various safari lodges in South Africa that would suit us. Melissa and the team at cazenove+loyd adapted our plans at very short notice, late at night, when our plane from London to Johannesburg was delayed for 24 hours, meaning we would have been stranded at Johannesburg Airport at 2am in the morning and would have missed our onward connecting flight. The team quickly and seamlessly booked us an airport hotel in Johannesburg and rescheduled our connecting flight. It was so reassuring that they were able to respond to a phone call during out-of-office hours. Along the journey, as a couple of decrepit pensioners, we were very well taken care of. Melissa arranged meet-and-greet facilities at every stage and wheel-chair assistance was provided all along the journey. We have travelled with many travel agencies over the years, but this company is, by far, the most attentive, experienced and helpful, and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with them. We will definitely be asking them to tailor-make another holiday for us and we have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone else.
An exceptional taste of South Africa's Garden Route and Cape Town, with fabulous boutique hotels along the way. Exactly what we'd hoped for. Thank you, cazenove+loyd.
Our South Africa Travel Guides + Inspiration
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KEY FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
- CURRENCY: South African Rand
- LANGUAGE: Zulu, Afrikaans and English
- TIME ZONE: GMT +02:00
- TIPPING: 10%
- PEAK TIME: November - March
- USEFUL PHRASES: Hi – Sawubona, Welcome! (to greet someone) – Ngiyakwemukela, How are you? – Unjani?, Thank you (very much) – Ngiyabonga (kakhulu), You're welcome! (for "thank you") – Kulungile
- COLDEST MONTH: June/July, 19°C on average
- HOTTEST MONTH: January, 33°C on average
FAQs about our Luxury South Africa Holidays
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
While you can visit all year round, the best time to visit South Africa depends on where you are exploring and what you would like to see due to microclimates. For whale sightings in Hermanus, it would be between July and the end of October. For a safari in the Kruger, April to September is when it is dry and the animals seek out the waterholes. Across the Kalahari Desert, green season is December to March, best for wildlife, birding and meeting the Kalahari lion (black-maned lion), cheetahs and leopards at their most active. Stretching across South Africa and Namibia is Namaqualand, which is breathtaking for its spring wildflower bloom from around mid-August to mid-September. Madikwe Game Reserve and the Waterberg Biosphere are two of South Africa’s highlights, both offering Big Five game-viewing, and we would recommend visiting between April and September.
Where to go on a holiday in December in South Africa?
Going to South Africa in December is a great idea and makes for an excellent family holiday. Cape Town and the Cape Winelands are an excellent combination of city, beach, food and wine. The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most spectacular coastal drives, stretching from Mossel Bay to Storms River and in December it shimmers in the sun and festivities. The Kruger is also very popular at this time of year and we would recommend booking early to get your choice of lodge or private villa. The Kruger can experience some rains in December but these help to clear the air.
What to take on a holiday to South Africa?
When you are packing for your luxury holiday to South Africa it can be helpful to take eye drops, camera (or camera phone) and binoculars for when you are on safari. We always recommend packing light layers or a light waterproof jacket, particularly on safari as early morning and late game drives start and end when the sun is away. For those going out on the water, around Hermanus or over to Robben Island, you may benefit from insect repellent and sea sickness tablets. Sunglasses, good thick-soled shoes or trainers and a cap are wise, and don’t forget those flip flops for warm and lazy days.
What to wear on Safari to South Africa?
If you are wondering what to wear on your holiday to South Africa, we recommend light layers of clothing. Game drives are usually first thing in the morning or late afternoon, which can be cold when you set out and head back in the evening, so layers are best.
If you are visiting Cape Town it is worth layering up there, too, as even in summer it can be cold at the top of Table Mountain. We recommend comfortable shoes for walking which offer support and have a thick sole particularly if you are heading up Lion’s Head or Table Mountain.
