Future Found Sanctuary by Time + Tide

Leeu House is situated in an enviable position on the main street of Franschhoek, a country guesthouse in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this vibrant village, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, wine farms and boutique shops. Stylish interiors are a 21st century take on the traditional Cape Dutch heritage of Franschhoek. The twelve individually styled rooms feature goose-down duvets and fine linens, air-conditioning, flat-screen smart televisions, unlimited Wi-Fi access, Nespresso machines and private bars. The en-suite bathrooms have marble floors, showers and vanity tops, freestanding baths, vast showers and underfloor heating. Three of the suites open onto their own private gardens, while others boast small intimate terrace courtyards. Dine inside in The Conservatory or al fresco on the terrace, enjoying Leeu Collection wines and spirits from the complimentary bar. Innovative cuisine is prepared by the talented culinary team headed by Oliver Cattermole. Committed to sourcing organic and ethically farmed ingredients, his globally influenced menu features the freshest local produce. All Leeu House guests have full access to the facilities and spectacular grounds at nearby sister property Leeu Estates, such as the on-site spa, inspired cuisine, or make use of the gym facilities and heated infinity swimming pool. Leeu Estates also features an extensive network of walking, jogging and cycling trails, and a world-class wine cellar. In addition to this, Leeu House is recognised for its fantastic work in the local community, where they do everything from providing tasty snacks to local schools and also sponsor a learning centre for disadvantaged children.

Originally a private retreat of the Brink family, Chitwa Chitwa was transformed by Charl into an oasis of conservation and harmony. With an extremely strong approach to conservation and land management, this beautiful lodge offers you a fabulous experience while visiting the Sabi Sands. The Chitwa Trust actively supports the local community through an educare centre as well as adult educational initiative. You’ll also find several environmental programmes in place at the lodge itself. As a family owned and run lodge, you will receive excellent service as well as comfort when staying here. With just eight luxury suites each stylishly decorated and spacious, this lodge is a nice and intimate experience for family and honeymooner alike. The Chitwa House is a private villa with just two beautifully appointed en-suite rooms with private decks and out-door showers. It has a massively spacious common room and benefits from private meals, driver, guides and chef. Magic.

The malaria free Tswalu Reserve, owned by the Oppenheimer family, consists of over 100,000 hectares of the ‘green’ Kalahari grasslands home to eighty mammal species and 340 varieties of bird. Furthermore, the reserve is not further divided up into concessions or reserves and the only accommodation is the Motse Camp and Tarkuni House, which only allow for a maximum of thirty guests at one time in the entire of Tswalu. If you are staying for three nights or more you’ll also get a complimentary private vehicle, guide and tracker to make this your very own private Kalahari. The motto is, if you see another Range Rover on your game drives, complain. And whilst you really couldn’t get any further from a package holiday, the accommodation at Tswalu truly does have it all ‘wrapped up’ as far as a five-star safari lodge goes, with more luxury, authenticity, exclusivity and conscientiousness than any other in Africa. Having won awards for both their spa and conservation work, you just have to see the efforts they make to look after the wildlife and support local communities to know the lengths they go to look after you.

Perfectly poised on the headland between two bays and at the heart of what is considered the ‘whale watching Mecca’ of the world, the 2,500-hectare Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is well-positioned to enjoy the area’s thrilling to its more relaxing of activities. Part of what makes Grootbos extra special is the property’s commitment to making a positive impact through various projects. From diving with great white sharks, horse riding on wild Atlantic beaches, spotting whales and pods of dolphin cavorting in Walker Bay to tasting regional wines, discovering the unique heritage of towns such as De Kelders and Hermanus, and trekking through the intriguing fynbos flora and fauna of its reserves and valleys – you won’t be short of things to do here on the Whale Coast and at Grootbos. For budding botanists, the reserve encompasses a vast swathe of the beautiful Cape Floristic Region, the smallest of earth’s six recognised floral kingdoms. There are two fabulous places to stay here – the homely Garden Lodge and contemporary Forest Lodge – as well as two fabulous Private Villas, all of which admire incredible vistas to the sea and mountains.