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SOUTH AFRICA, UNFILTERED: FROM COASTAL SOPHISTICATION TO THE RAW HEART OF THE WILD
BY SARAH MEADOWCROFT, GLOBAL TRAVEL
Cape Town: Where City Meets Sea A direct overnight flight from London to Cape Town feels like slipping between worlds. One moment, it’ s grey skies and schedules; the next, it’ s warmth, light, and the unmistakable sense of arrival somewhere extraordinary. Cape Town announces itself boldly, with drama and grace in equal measure, and for two nights I allowed myself to be fully absorbed by its rhythm.
Table Mountain was my first encounter, rising above the city like a guardian. From the summit, the views stretched endlessly: ocean meeting sky, the city laid out in quiet confidence below. Down at the waterfront, Cape Town revealed another side— vibrant, polished, and alive with movement. The smell of salt and fresh seafood mingled with the chatter of boats and cafés, a sensory embrace of city life by the sea.
My base was the iconic Ellerman House, perched high above the Atlantic. What sets Ellerman apart is its extraordinary private collection of South African art. Walking through the house felt like strolling through a living museum: bold contemporary works interwoven with pieces rooted in heritage, struggle, and identity. The art doesn’ t decorate the space— it defines it.
The wine cellar, carved into the rock beneath the house, was a sanctuary of quiet indulgence. Each tasting of South Africa’ s finest vintages felt like stepping into the country’ s heart and history, the cool stone walls amplifying every sip.
Cape Town’ s culinary scene delivered contrasts I will not soon forget. At Palm House, a Michelin-starred restaurant, dishes were refined, precise, and beautifully presented. The following night, at GOLD, an immersive African dining experience, I found myself swept into drumming, dancing, and laughter— a celebration that blurred the line between guest and participant. The scent of spices, the warmth of the music, the rhythm of feet on the floor: it was electric.
The Garden Route & Perivoli Lagoon House From Cape Town, the journey wound along the coast to Hermanus, with a stop to meet playful penguins waddling along pristine beaches. The stretch of coastline here is cinematic: wild, untouched, the air filled with sea spray and the distant cry of gulls. That evening, we arrived at Perivoli Lagoon House. Glass walls framed the surrounding mountains and still waters, blurring boundaries between interior and landscape. The house was a symphony of design and serenity. Sunlight poured into every corner; the lagoon mirrored the sky. Walking through the house, or simply sitting and watching the water ripple in the breeze, felt like inhabiting a dream.
Into the Wild: Hoedspruit, Jabulani & UmVangati Flying inland to Hoedspruit, I stepped into safari country. At Jabulani Safari Lodge, giraffes greeted us immediately, stretching their long necks in casual curiosity. The smell of dry grass, the soft hum of cicadas, the distant crack of branches under hooves— it was a sensory awakening.
From there, we travelled to UmVangati House, a hidden gem nestled deep within the Blyde River Canyon. Carved into red rock and surrounded by lush greenery, the villa was private and intimate. One moment remains vividly etched in my memory: soaking in a bath, the glass walls framing the canyon, the greenery below, and a watering hole opposite. A gentle breeze carried the scent of earth and water. Birds called softly from the trees. It was quiet, cinematic, and profoundly humbling. This place reveals itself slowly, leaving a lasting impression.
Siviti: The Safari of a Lifetime And then came Siviti Private Game Reserve, a private sanctuary where every expectation of a safari was surpassed.
My villa had its own pool and garden, shared freely with surrounding wildlife. Days began at sunrise and stretched into
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