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We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Grootbos

Wilderness
Garden Route, South Africa

Set in the picturesque mountain and sea landscape of the Hermanus area along the Cape South Coast, Grootbos is a beacon of style and sustainability.

The extravagant and luxurious Forest Lodge has 16 freestanding suites sprouting naturally from ancient Milkwood thickets providing a blend of aesthetic beauty and supreme comfort.

Garden Lodge is stylish, reflecting African warmth with 11 free-standing one or two-bedroom suites (accepting children of all ages).

Why we like Grootbos

Combining a stylish refuge from the world and a great place to let your children run free, Grootbos is ideal if you want to be well looked after. The marine orientated activities must be experienced and the plant nursery (which stocks the Eden Project) is well worth a visit. You will leave inspired.

Sustainability

Grootbos supports the Grootbos Foundation, which was established in 2003. This non-profit organisation is focused on conserving the fynbos ecosystem, as well as empowering and upskilling the local community. The foundation has been hugely successful, developing projects ranging from adult education and computer skills to sports camps and vegetable growing.

In 2017, Steppes Travel supported an exchange trip for a small group of Grootbos Foundation students, visiting the Eden Project and Kew Gardens in the UK.

Beyond the Ordinary

As well as land-based whale watching, Grootbos offers that chance to take to the skies – from the lodge’s exclusive airstrip – and spot whales from a light aircraft. This offers a fascinatingly different perspective and is arguably the best way to appreciate these vast cetaceans.

Grootbos, Hermanus, South Africa

Grootbos, Hermanus, South Africa

Grootbos, Hermanus, South Africa

garden route, south africa

garden route, south africa

garden route, south africa

Idea

Drive Cape Town to the Garden Route

Self-drive from Cape Town, through the vineyards and mountains of the Cape to the dazzling oceans and scenery of the Garden Route. Finish with a wildlife safari for an exhilarating end to this South Africa holiday.

11 days from £2,000pp

Famous bridge on the garden route, Garden Route, South Africa

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Idea

KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Coast and Battlefields

This diverse holiday offers a perfect mixture of wildlife, history and relaxation all in KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa blessed with a great climate and some beautiful scenery.

10 days from £3,350pp

Sign for Isandlwana Battlefield, KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg, South Africa

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Idea

Northern Wildlife Reserves and Cape Town

Set out on a stylish South African safari, exploring two of the country’s greatest wildlife reserves – the dry Kalahari and the game-rich Madikwe, before finishing at the stunning Silo Hotel in Cape Town.

9 days from £6,800pp

A male impala in a field of yellow flowers, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

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Idea

Romantic Safari through South Africa and Botswana

Set out on a romantic star-bed safari across southern Africa, staying at a handful of spectacular camps. Combining South Africa’s Madikwe Reserve with Botswana’s Chobe and the Okavango Delta.

9 days from £4,600pp

Aerial View, Okavango Delta, Botswana

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Idea

The Atlantic Coast, Cederberg and Winelands

Experience the diversity of South Africa’s Western Cape. Begin with the bustle and history of Cape Town, before continuing to the endless beaches of the windswept Atlantic seaboard and majestic beauty of the Cederberg Mountains. Finish amidst the vineyards of the winelands.

13 days from £2,000pp

Namaqualand, Eastern Cape, South Africa

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Idea

Madagascan Islands and South African Safari

Explore the wildlife-packed landscape that surrounds Marataba Safari Lodge – a beautiful, intimate tented camp in South Africa‘s dramatic Waterberg region. Then fly directly from Johannesburg to Nosy Be for a week on the idyllic Madagascan island of Nosy Komba, staying at…

12 days from £3,750pp

Sea View, Tsara Komba, Nosy Be, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Cape Town, Whales and Winelands Self Drive

Explore the sights and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town, before driving to the whale-watching mecca of Hermanus. Finish by escaping inland to the Cape Dutch architecture and quiet vineyards of Franschhoek, where you have the chance to sample some of South Africa‘s…

10 days from £3,100pp

Table Mountain and city at dusk, Cape Town, South Africa

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Idea

Cape Town and the Kruger National Park

Combining two of South Africa’s major highlights, the ‘Mother City’ Cape Town and world-renowned Kruger National Park, this holiday is the perfect introduction to the country.

9 days from £3,000pp

Cape buffalo, Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Idea

Safari through the Greater Kruger

Combine three beautiful lodges for the ultimate Greater Kruger National Park safari. This journey takes you across one of South Africa’s last great wildlife areas, staying in the remote northern reaches, as well as two private reserves.

9 days from £4,500pp

Bush breakfast, Kings Camp, Western Kruger Private Reserves

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Need Inspiration?
Browse our South Africa holiday ideas.

Our South Africa experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea

Drive Cape Town to the Garden Route

Self-drive from Cape Town, through the vineyards and mountains of the Cape to the dazzling oceans and scenery of the Garden Route. Finish with a wildlife safari for an exhilarating end to this South Africa holiday.

11 days from £2,000pp

Famous bridge on the garden route, Garden Route, South Africa

View Holiday Idea

Idea

KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Coast and Battlefields

This diverse holiday offers a perfect mixture of wildlife, history and relaxation all in KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa blessed with a great climate and some beautiful scenery.

10 days from £3,350pp

Sign for Isandlwana Battlefield, KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg, South Africa

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Northern Wildlife Reserves and Cape Town

Set out on a stylish South African safari, exploring two of the country’s greatest wildlife reserves – the dry Kalahari and the game-rich Madikwe, before finishing at the stunning Silo Hotel in Cape Town.

9 days from £6,800pp

A male impala in a field of yellow flowers, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Romantic Safari through South Africa and Botswana

Set out on a romantic star-bed safari across southern Africa, staying at a handful of spectacular camps. Combining South Africa’s Madikwe Reserve with Botswana’s Chobe and the Okavango Delta.

9 days from £4,600pp

Aerial View, Okavango Delta, Botswana

View Holiday Idea

Idea

The Atlantic Coast, Cederberg and Winelands

Experience the diversity of South Africa’s Western Cape. Begin with the bustle and history of Cape Town, before continuing to the endless beaches of the windswept Atlantic seaboard and majestic beauty of the Cederberg Mountains. Finish amidst the vineyards of…

13 days from £2,000pp

Namaqualand, Eastern Cape, South Africa

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Madagascan Islands and South African Safari

Explore the wildlife-packed landscape that surrounds Marataba Safari Lodge – a beautiful, intimate tented camp in South Africa‘s dramatic Waterberg region. Then fly directly from Johannesburg to Nosy Be for a week on the idyllic Madagascan island of Nosy Komba,…

12 days from £3,750pp

Sea View, Tsara Komba, Nosy Be, Madagascar

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Cape Town, Whales and Winelands Self Drive

Explore the sights and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town, before driving to the whale-watching mecca of Hermanus. Finish by escaping inland to the Cape Dutch architecture and quiet vineyards of Franschhoek, where you have the chance to sample some of…

10 days from £3,100pp

Table Mountain and city at dusk, Cape Town, South Africa

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Cape Town and the Kruger National Park

Combining two of South Africa’s major highlights, the ‘Mother City’ Cape Town and world-renowned Kruger National Park, this holiday is the perfect introduction to the country.

9 days from £3,000pp

Cape buffalo, Kruger National Park, South Africa

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Safari through the Greater Kruger

Combine three beautiful lodges for the ultimate Greater Kruger National Park safari. This journey takes you across one of South Africa’s last great wildlife areas, staying in the remote northern reaches, as well as two private reserves.

9 days from £4,500pp

Bush breakfast, Kings Camp, Western Kruger Private Reserves

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas

Where to stay in South Africa

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

More luxury accommodation

Grootbos

Wilderness
£££££

Set in the picturesque mountain and sea landscape of the Hermanus area along the Cape South Coast, Grootbos is a beacon of style and sustainability. The extravagant and luxurious Forest Lodge has 16 freestanding suites sprouting…

Birkenhead House

Boutique
£££££

A privately owned, world-class luxurious boutique hotel, Birkenhead House has an exhilarating cliff-top position overlooking the rugged and scenic Walker Bay in Hermanus. This small hotel exudes opulence, personalized service and exceptional hospitality. Accommodating 22 guests…

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Safari and Wildlife Lodge
£££££

Kwandwe is a 1,600-hectare private game reserve immensely rich in history and natural beauty. The area has undergone an intensive restocking and restoration programme, during which over 7000 head of game have been successfully reintroduced. This…

Schoone Oordt

£££££

Schoone Oordt Country House is situated between Cape Town and the Garden Route in the picturesque farming town of Swellendam. This much-photographed Georgian landmark is set within a large manicured grounds and its sun-kissed conservatory is…

The Plettenberg Hotel

£££££

The Plettenberg is a cosmopolitan hotel built on a rocky headland with breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains surrounding Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. The main lounge area is warm and welcoming with…

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I know from previous experience that Illona knows the country very well, and that is why I let her make the judgements about where best to stay, and I even change my mind about places, based on her advice. I get the photographs I want, because of this expertise and so it really adds value to my holiday. The advice was more than vindicated on this latest trip.

South Africa

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Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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