How To Plan A Luxury Vacation In Cape Town, South Africa

aerial view of Cape Town - a luxury vacation destination
aerial view of Cape Town - a luxury vacation destination

South Africa is one the best countries to visit, delivering everything from traditional African culture to unforgettable luxury vacation experiences. Cape Town, specifically, is the premier destination in South Africa for an epic experience on the continent. From amazing restaurants to special occasion excursions, the Mother City is one the top cities in Africa for luxury travel.

If you’re looking for a top-tier travel experience, here are some recommendations for how to stay, play, and gourmet in Cape Town.

Book A Stay At The Silo Hotel

bedroom view of Silo Hotel in Cape Town - luxury vacation
Photo Credit: The Royal Portfolio

Located in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, The Silo Hotel is one of the most exclusive places to stay in the city. The uniquely-designed property is situated in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex occupying six floors above the Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA). With 360-degree views from Table Mountain to Robben Island, The Silo Hotel is dripping in luxury from its aesthetic to its services.

In addition to being a high-end accommodation, guests can relax at the spa or enjoy the rooftop pool. Tea lovers must indulge in taking afternoon tea while overlooking Table Mountain. The Silo Hotel also offers guided tours of its private art collection containing over 300 pieces of contemporary African art. Along with concierge service, airport transfers, and 24-hour guest services, there will be little reason to lift a finger during your stay.

Choose from six categories of rooms, including family suites and a spacious one-bedroom penthouse. Room rates vary depending on the season, with nightly rates in June and July around $800 per night and peak season rates averaging $1,100 nightly.

Rent A Villa For Your Group In Camps Bay

beach view of Camps Bay in South Africa
Photo Credit: Franz Marc Frei

Camps Bay sits on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula, attracting crowds for its beautiful beaches and mesmerizing views. Along the coast of this affluent suburb of Cape Town, you’ll find upscale seafood restaurants, relaxing cafes, and cocktail bars. Aside from its peaceful atmosphere, Camps Bay also has some of the most impressive villas for a luxury stay.

Luxury villa rentals are typically best for those who want ultra-luxury accommodations or for groups who prefer to stay together. Villas in Camps Bay currently range from $842 to $8,713 per night on AirBNB. However, you can also book directly with certain properties. These modern homes often include a private pool, hot tub, and sea and mountain views in every direction.

Dine At The World-Renowned Nobu

One&Only hotel bar area with view of Table Mountain
Photo Credit: Simone Cheri

Located inside the One&Only Cape Town, a luxury waterfront resort, Nobu gives luxury from the minute you step out of the car. Nobu is known as the world’s most revered Japanese restaurant and a go-to spot for celebrities and notable figures. Serving Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, Nobu Cape Town is the only restaurant in the group on the African continent.

Unlike other locations around the world, Nobu Cape Town delivers a luxury dining experience at a much more affordable price. The menu is fairly extensive, with its Omakase multi-course tasting menu as one of the popular options for the full Nobu experience.

Visit The Black-Owned Wine Farm Klein Goederust

Klein Goederust wine farm property in Cape Town
Photo Credit: Simone Cheri

Klein Goederust is a boutique winery with origins that date back to 1905. In 2019 the Siguqa family acquired the property, making it the first and only Black-owned wine farm in the Franschhoek wine region. Inspired by the family matriarch Nomaroma Siguqa, a lifelong Cape wine farm laborer, the property’s century-old vineyard and historic buildings have since been renovated.

Today, Klein Goederust is a beautiful destination to visit while in Cape Town. Their flagship product is the Nomaroma MCC, however, they also have a delicious Chenin Blanc and two reds — a Shiraz and a Cabernet-Merlot blend.

The winery is located an hour away from Cape Town’s city center. While you can arrive via a rideshare service like Uber, it’s best to reserve a car service to ensure an easy return to the city after your day in the vineyards.

Catch Aerial Views Of Cape Town With A Helicopter Tour

two black women in front of helicopter in Cape Town
Photo Credit: Meg Ten Eyck

Cape Town has one of the most stunning landscapes you’ll find anywhere in the world. From the citywide landmarks that are Table Mountain and Lion’s Head to the epic meeting of two oceans – the Atlantic and Indian Oceans – there’s no better way to see the city than from the sky.

Treat yourself or someone special to a helicopter ride for aerial views of the Mother City. There are several companies to choose from, with rates averaging $115 for a 15- to 30-minute ride. Longer helicopter rides are also available, including 30-minute and 60-minute options to explore more of the city.

Head To The Winelands In A Chauffeured-Driven Jeep

Simone Cheri in Stellenbosch with Cape Town Jeep Tours
Photo Credit: Meg Ten Eyck

Getting to Cape Town’s nearby wine regions takes a bit of planning in advance. You can book a public tour or take an Uber, but when it comes to luxury, private transit is the way to go.

Jeep Tours Cape Town offers a wide variety of services from private function transfer to planned wined tours. This female-owned company provides chauffeured-driven tours of Cape Town and its surrounding areas in specially designed Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Sip your way through the wine regions of Stellenbosch or Constantia while taking in the breathtaking views of each region.

Rates for a private Jeep wine tour experience range between $150 and $180 per person, on average. Tours range from five to eight hours, depending on your tour of choice. Along with a hotel pick-up, tours include a photo stop at lookout points, wine tastings, and a charcuterie board. Get extra fancy with optional add-ons of a gourmet picnic, fine dining lunch, or helicopter fly-in on the Stellenbosch tour.

In addition to a wine farm tour, the company offers a range of tours to suit different interests. Take a dune tour or learn about the country’s history through a cultural tour. Adventure tours are also available and large groups can ride in style by reserving multiple vehicles for an epic day of exploring.

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