Best of Botswana, Cape Town & Winelands

Wilderness Mombo, on Mombo Island just off the northern tip of Chief’s Island, is built under large shady trees and overlooks a wonderful floodplain teeming with wildlife. Accommodation comprises eight spacious suites raised off the ground, all built to maximise the vistas over the plains. Each tent is elegantly furnished, complete with en-suite bathroom, a dressing area, indoor and outdoor showers; as well as a bathtub that creates a sense of indulgence. The expanded deck includes a sala and plunge pool. A large living and dining area looks out over that same view, while Wilderness Mombo’s famous traditional dinners are hosted in the nearby boma. Wilderness Mombo shares a Safari Boutique, spa, gym and lap pool with Wilderness Little Mombo. Large concentrations of plains game often occur in front of camp, and you may see a variety of animals without even leaving the veranda. Insider’s Tip: Arguably the best big game viewing in all of Africa with a bountiful hunting ground for large prides of lions and leopards.

Wilderness DumaTau’s extensive lagoon frontage ensures that each ultra-spacious 142 m2 guest suite has uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon, and the movements of the mega-herds of elephants the Linyanti is so famous for. All seven twin tented suites and one family unit have a private plunge pool and an inviting lounge, and feature a spacious bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. The main dining and lounge areas boast unimpeded wide-angle vistas overlooking the wildlife-rich lagoon, while the centrally located Osprey Retreat wellness centre and gym – shared with Wilderness Little DumaTau – includes an inviting shaded deck, a lap pool, spa, a drinks and snack counter, and Safari Boutique. Wilderness DumaTau runs on 100% solar energy. Insider’s Tip: The Linyanti is recognised as an IBA (Important Bird Area), so the hides and platforms in the area are ideal for bird watching and photographing wildlife.

Cape Town has no shortage of views, but few hotels position you inside one quite like The Silo. Perched six floors above the Zeitz MOCAA on the V&A Waterfront, the building's pillowed-glass windows frame Table Mountain, the harbour and Table Bay in every direction. The individually designed suites each carry their own colour palette and collection of contemporary African art. Options range from Silo Rooms with private balconies and en-suite bathrooms, to double-storey Duplex Suites spanning the sixth and seventh floors, to the 211 m2 Penthouse with its cinema room, private spa treatment room and two marble bathrooms. The Royal Suites face the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island across 132 m2 of living space. Directly below the hotel, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa houses the continent's largest collection of contemporary African art, accessible without stepping outside. Dining is anchored by The Granary Café, where Executive Chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert's seasonal menus are served beneath 5.5-metre glass windows. The Willaston Bar pours rare South African vintages and French Champagne through the day, and the rooftop pool terrace offers light meals with the city spread out beneath you. Insider's Tip: The Willaston Bar carries a number of South African vintages not readily available elsewhere. If wine is a priority, ask the team what's currently open that isn't on the standard list.

La Residence is one of the Cape Winelands' most celebrated addresses, and it earns that reputation through a combination of maximalist design, serious food, and a property that genuinely rewards time spent exploring it.Thirty acres of working farm, vineyard, and orchard, with mountains rising on every side and the village of Franschhoek a short drive down the road. Accommodation ranges from hotel suites in the main house to standalone Vineyard Suites with private plunge pools and garden terraces, through to Franschhoek House, an exclusive-use six-bedroom villa with its own heated pool, chef, and concierge. The design throughout draws on Liz Biden's signature approach: rich colour, layered texture, and an eye for the unexpected. All suites include breakfast, house wines and spirits, and laundry. The kitchen works from a farm-to-table philosophy, with produce grown on the estate informing menus that change with the seasons. The Great Hall dining room, with its chandeliers and Victorian tiles, makes dinner feel like an occasion. The Cellar Door Experience takes a smaller group underground for a five-course meal by candlelight surrounded by South African vintages. Beyond the estate, helicopter tours, horseback wine tastings, cycling trails, and the Franschhoek Wine Tram all sit within easy reach. Insider's Tip: The estate tour takes you through the vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens with the farm manager as guide; the miniature horses Tango and Twist have been known to steal the show.