Western Cape to Eastern Cape: A Tale of Two South African Luxury Retreats
by Alice Metzler
G&T’s energetic mother-and-son duo, Alice and Jack, recently explored South Africa’s southeast coast together, and took full advantage of everything on offer! Alice shares her experience below of two of our favourite places to stay.
Coot Club: Western Cape's Luxury Lagoon Retreat Just Hours from Cape Town
Just two hours away from the buzz of Cape Town you will find Coot Club, a slow paced slice of heaven nestled in the picturesque Western Cape region of South Africa. This idyllic location surrounded by the Overberg mountains on the edge of the sparkling Klein River Lagoon caters for all types of travelers, from adventure seekers to those simply looking to unwind in luxury.
Cosy at Coot Club - Idyllic views and beautiful interiors (Image courtesey of Classic Portfolio)
With fat bikes, kayaks, paddleboards and an activity guide at guests' disposal for quad biking and 4x4 excursions across breathtaking terrain, you can fill your day with adventure or lie by one of the two infinity pools with a book in hand. The property's six beautifully appointed luxury suites offer privacy and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. In the chillier evening, we loved retreating to our own wood-fired hot tub under the star-filled South African sky. The clubhouse has a restaurant and bar on site for casual dining and sundowners featuring locally sourced ingredients and regional wines.
Fat biking - just one of the many activities available at Coot Club (Image courtesey of Private Collection)
Top tip: Head into the charming historic village of Stanford and eat at La Trattoria if you have a chance—we are still talking about their authentic wood-fired pizza two months later! While in the area, explore the renowned whale-watching town of Hermanus (just 30 minutes away) or visit some of the award-winning vineyards along the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley wine route.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: Eastern Cape's Premier Big 5 Safari Experience
As a complete contrast to coastal relaxation, we were also lucky enough to spend a few days at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape – one of the biggest privately owned reserves in Southern Africa spanning over 22,000 hectares and boasting the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo). Although the weather was not playing ball and we were faced with 24 hours of torrential rain, our spirits were not dampened. Instead, we leaned into the gorgeous cosy fires and delicious South African red wine while waiting for the weather to pass in our luxurious safari lodge.
Fort House view - the exclusive-use family villa at Kawndwe (Image courtesey of Private Collection)
Our incredible guide and tracker went above and beyond to make the experience unforgettable, even managing to tick off an elusive leopard sighting from this family's bucket list safari experience. The reserve's commitment to conservation means you're exploring pristine wilderness with minimal impact on the environment. Pancakes and coffee have never tasted better than they do at 6am in the African bush, watching the sunrise paint the savanna in golden hues as giraffes graze in the distance.
Kwandwe family adventure (Image courtesey of Private Collection)
For families considering a South African adventure, both Coot Club and Kwandwe offer specialized programs for children, making these luxury destinations perfect for multi-generational travel experiences throughout the year, with the best game viewing typically between May and September.