South Africa: Cape Town, the Garden Route and Safari

Woodbury Lodge, situated in the beautiful Amakhala Game Reserve, has a spectacular setting against a cliff above the Bushman's river valley, a perfect vantage point to catch the thrilling sight of an elephant herd passing by in the late afternoon. Guests are accommodated in stone-and-thatch sleeping lodges, all with air conditioning and an en suite bathroom. Meals have a South African flavour and are served in the relaxed and stylish setting of the central dining room. Guests can also gather around the outdoor fire for a drink and snacks before dinner. The lodge offers a range of morning and evening safaris. You can take safari drives in an open Land Rover in search of rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, black wildebeest, zebras, tortoises and more than 16 antelope species. Alternatively, try a night drive to seek out elusive nocturnal animals such as lynxes, porcupines and spring hares. A guided walk with one ...

Located in a quiet residential street in the Cape Town suburb of Tamboerskloof, Trevoyan Guest House is a beautifully restored Victorian property close to the slopes of Table Mountain. Trevoyan offers seven spacious rooms, some of which are located in the main house and some in a garden villa. The guest house has an inviting lounge, a veranda and a small library. The beautiful garden is shaded by a large oak tree and features patio areas and a solar-heated pool with city and Table Mountain views.

Situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg mountain range (a Unesco world heritage site), 4.5km outside Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, Surval Boutique Olive Estate offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Schoemanshoek valley. There are 31 stylish rooms in a serene working farm setting, ranging from the comfortable honeymoon suite, superior and standard rooms to family rooms, and single rooms for the solo traveller. There is an elegant fine dining restaurant, Su Casa ('your home'), as well as a bistro menu inspired by the produce of the local Klein Karoo region, complemented by international flair and a comprehensive wine list. Features: 31 rooms, restaurant, bar, lounge, 2 outdoor pools, fitness centre, garden. Room amenities: Private bathroom, television, fridge, air conditioning, minibar, hairdryer, Wi-Fi.

Christiana Lodge offers a chic beach retreat in Plettenberg Bay's fashionable Solar Beach. This architect-designed guesthouse makes use of natural light and guests can relax in the golden light of sunset in the living room. The lodge's design has an infusion of wrought iron and aged cane furnishings. Raised above the dunes, there are expansive views of the Brakkloof wetlands. Features: 10 luxury rooms, lounge and dining area, covered deck, swimming pool, parking. Room amenities: Private bathroom, patio/balcony, air conditioning/ceiling fans.

Centrally located between the famed winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek at the foothills of the Simonsberg mountains, Angala offers a serene and unpretentious retreat amid the splendour of mountain and vineyard scenery. This charming haven is attractively decorated in French country cottage style, set among manicured gardens. Each of the nine spacious rooms and suites are furnished in light, neutral colours, each with authentic sculptures and decorative items. Various room configurations accommodate 2 to 4 guests, with private verandas, gardens and landscape views. The main house boasts elegant spaces with magnificent vistas, where guests may savour fine wines and gourmet meals. The bar, dining room and wide verandas open out to an eco-pool. There is a minimum 2-night stay between November and March