Dreaming of your very own safari or beach Villa – try our Exclusive Escapes

You don’t have to follow the norm and be woken up at 5am for a summer game drive anymore or have dinner at 7pm sharp – go or eat whenever you want to with your family and friends. Small groups are taking the safari circuit by storm and exclusive use villas and lodges are increasing each year. Many luxury lodges have caught onto this trend and many offer a separate ‘mini-lodge’ from 2 to 3 rooms on a sole-use basis. Most also throw in a free private guid, game drive vehicle and chef for good measure. Surprisingly as lavish as this sound, it doesn’t always work out more expensive than the normal lodge room rates and one gets the benefit of complete exclusivity and flexibility.

From Cape Town to the Serengeti these villas are now on offer everywhere. We cannot think of a better way for multi-generation travel, a group of friends or a special family celebration.

Here are just a few some of our favourite sole-use properties throughout Africa:

Morukuru Ocean House, Cape, South Africa

Situated in one of Africa’s most beautiful coastal reserves De Hoop offers 51km of spotless white beaches and dunes lapped by a warm Indian Ocean, limestone cliffs, rock pools, coastal fynbos. The Southern Right whales migrate to the shallow coastal basins for the calving season from mid July to November. Ocean House is booked under the famous Morukuru freedom concept: no schedules! A private pool, delicious food, drinks served by your personal butler, your own private kitchen with chef, open plan living areas and romantic fireplace awaits. Amazing views, top service, a huge range of activities and complete privacy guaranteed.

Valbonne House at Tomjachu, Nelspruit, South Africa

Valbonne House offers a fully serviced and exquisite self-catering villa suitable for 12 guests of all ages. An extensive covered terrace leads to a large braai area set in luscious gardens, with an infinity pool - all overlooking the most spectacular and dramatic views. It is a double-storey, dramatic classical ‘lowveld’ home with cool sprawling veranda and six suites brimming with family antiques, paintings and local art. Set in this spectacular location that hangs above the Bekker Mountains, looking towards the Crocodile Valley Gorge and river.

Little Mombo, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Next door to Mombo main camp and together they are quite simply the benchmark of safari camps in Africa, looking over a floodplain that literally overflows with game. You are never out of sight from game and in most cases, on the open plains, you will see up to 10 different species of animal. The decor and interiors are stunning with panoramic views of the floodplains, but to top things off the guiding and in-house service is unsurpassed. The camp can be booked exclusively for 6 people and adds another dimension to a specialist and phenomenal natural wildlife experience.

Villa Santorini, Vilanculos, Mozambique

This white walled villa commands panoramic views across the expanse of Vilanculos Bay from its private, elevated position. It is situated a few kilometres from the coastal town of Vilanculos, surrounded by dense coastal vegetation and fronted by its own stretch of beach. Elegant, cool interiors echo the space and flow of nature. An amazing open ocean-facing deck with pool, patios, wind-protected courtyard pool, guest beverage-kitchen and a range of communal and intimate spaces, provides guests with a wide range of relaxation and dining options in a stunning backdrop. The reef life in the waters of the six islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago includes big game fish, Devil Rays, Giant Turtles, Surgeon, Moorish Idols and Butterfly fish to name a few.

Phinda Homestead, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Stylish comfort, coupled with genuine hospitality from your personal chef and butler, will have you feeling at ease in this most spacious private villa - the owner’s house. An interactive kitchen prepares glorious meals to share with special people around a spacious table... or savour a delectable picnic on an extended game drive. While away a quiet afternoon drinking in the views from the open viewing decks or give in to the seduction of plump cushions around the sparkling swimming pool. As night closes in, admire the glorious colours of an African sunset steal over the skies as the warm light of dozens of lanterns creates in the private outdoor boma.

Matemwe Beach House, Zanzibar

The north-east part of Zanzibar Island is known as Matemwe. This area is famous for its fine sand beaches, the brilliant colours of the Indian Ocean. Matemwe Beach House enjoys unspoilt views through palm trees of the Indian Ocean and Mnemba Island. The en-suite rooms are airy and spacious, with rustic wooden furniture and bright cotton bed linen. You can remain tucked away in their house in complete isolation, or wander over to the main lodge for some sundowners, a spa treatment or diving and snorkelling. Matemwe is just 60 minutes drive from Stone Town, allowing for easy day trips and excursions to all corners of this fascinating island.

Wolwedans Private Camp, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Imagine a luxurious private lodge in an untouched desert - three spacious en-suite bedrooms; a ‘Sala’ where one can have laze away siestas. The whole lodge is an open-plan design allowing uninterrupted views of the surrounding wonderful landscape. It is designed for those who enjoy the peace that utter silence can afford. Get away for a day or two and revel in the luxury of reading, reflecting or taking walks in one of the most enchanting and contrasting landscapes in Africa. And the best part – it’s all yours.