Ludo's Research Trip to South Africa

We began with an overnight at City Lodge Hotel at Johannesburg Airport, a practical option for clients wanting to stay within the terminal and better value than the Intercontinental. The next day, I flew to Skukuza—a short 40-minute hop, and I was genuinely impressed with Airlink’s service and aircraft. Highly recommend. Top tip on Airlink – the front 2 rows are the old business class and are much more spacious. I would recommend getting these seats at check in or pre booking in advance if possible - 1A and 2A are also stand-alone rather than 2-2 for the rest of the plane.

Our first main stop was the spectacular Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, their flagship property. Nestled in one of the premier conservancies bordering Kruger National Park, it's a prime location for Big Five sightings. The guiding, service, and room sizes were all superb. It may not be for everyone, but it suited my tastes. The rooms were some of the largest I’ve seen in a safari lodge, and the attention to detail was meticulous. The private pools often attract elephants for a drink, and we even spotted hyenas darting through camp at night.

Beyond game drives, the lodge offers bush walks, spa treatments, gym access, and cultural experiences. In fact, the team encouraged us to spend an afternoon just relaxing in our suites, sometimes the wildlife comes to you.

And what a lineup of wildlife. We saw the Big Five and more. The proximity to the animals was remarkable, thanks to decades of respectful guiding and a strict three-vehicle rule at sightings. Highlights: A leopard just metres away, an elephant towering above us, and a rhino with her calf right beside our vehicle.

We also explored the other properties in the Sabi Sabi family:

Bush Lodge: Perfect for families, with a fantastic kids’ club, spacious family suites, and a beautiful view over a waterhole. It would pair wonderfully with a stay at Constance Ephelia for a memorable Easter break.

Selati Camp: Steeped in vintage charm and history, ideal for honeymooners and older couples. We saw zebra at the waterhole during our visit, and I particularly loved the elegant bar area with its premium drink selection.

Little Bush Camp: A charming, intimate camp nestled near a dry riverbed. The rooms are beautifully styled with modern touches and rustic charm, and the open-air dining experiences, including dinners in the riverbed, make it a dreamy option for couples.

From Skukuza, we flew to Cape Town and drove two hours to the jaw-dropping Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Owned by the Lutzeyer family since 1991, it sits above South Africa’s southern coast, with sweeping views toward Hermanus and Antarctica. We stayed in the Forest Lodge, an adults-only retreat, while Garden Lodge caters to a younger crowd.

Honestly, the view when walking through the doors left me speechless. Each evening, we gathered to watch the sunset, nobody missed it.

But Grootbos isn’t just about the view. Built on a protected nature reserve, the property is deeply rooted in conservation and sustainability. They offer immersive experiences in the unique fynbos biome, where guests learn about rare plant species, birds, mammals, and amphibians, some endangered. The Grootbos Foundation supports extensive local community projects, and we’ll be sharing more about this soon in a special "In Conversation With" feature.

Other activities include tracking the Marine Big Five, exploring ancient caves, and horseback riding.

The food and wine were standout highlights. Menus are vegetarian-based with optional meat add-ons, don’t miss the ostrich fillet or smoked trout breakfast. Grootbos also boasts one of South Africa’s largest private wine collections. Our final dinner took place in a forest clearing lit with fairy lights and heaters, truly cinematic.

Michael, the owner, is ever-present, and every staff member exudes passion and knowledge. While there’s always room for minor improvements (I found the outdoor showers a little too open), Grootbos is easily one of the most impressive eco-luxury properties I’ve experienced. If you're in South Africa, book three nights, and you'll leave inspired by what sustainable travel can look like.

Our last leg took us to Steenberg Hotel, a serene property set within a working vineyard just outside Cape Town. The gardens are lush and colourful, framed by whitewashed buildings and the backdrop of Table Mountain. We stayed in villas with private pools, and I have to agree with the GM, it’s one of the best pool views in the region.

Dinner was a treat; Steenberg is home to two acclaimed restaurants, Tryn and Bistro Sixteen82, both of which attract visitors from across the Cape. We also sampled their wines, I'm still dreaming about the bubbles.

For our final night, I stayed at Cape Cadogan, a chic urban bolthole just 10 minutes from the V&A Waterfront and steps from Kloof Street. The rooms were spacious and stylish, with two petite but perfectly welcome pools. The restaurant next door, Upper Union, was outstanding. With the GBP strong, oysters and wine were a steal!

I even squeezed in a picnic with friends in Constantia and caught the finish line of the Ocean2Ocean Ultra Marathon, a perfect cap to the trip.