There are some trips that feel exciting the moment you start planning them… and this one has been giving me that feeling for months.

Next month, Brian and I are heading off on a three-week South African adventure — and I can’t wait. It’s a journey that blends stylish city stays, big landscapes, powerful history, proper safari time, beautiful coastline and the kind of slow, scenic road trip moments that South Africa does better than almost anywhere else.

It’s also one of those itineraries that reminds me why I love my job. Because South Africa isn’t “a holiday” — it’s a whole collection of experiences, stitched together into one unforgettable story.

Gilly Bachelor

First stop: Johannesburg

We’re flying Business Class with Kenya Airways, which will be our first time with them — so yes, I will be reporting back!

The honest reason we’ve chosen them? It was the best-priced Business Class option, and when you’re travelling long-haul and packing in a full itinerary, arriving rested is a total game-changer.

And here’s one of my top travel tips already built into the plan… we’ve arranged a private driver from Johannesburg airport. After a long flight, the last thing either of us wants is to navigate an unfamiliar city straight away.

We’re starting with two nights at The Residence, which is hands down one of our favourite boutique hotels in Johannesburg. It feels like a real sanctuary — gorgeous rooms, excellent service, and a calm, luxurious atmosphere that’s perfect when you’re coming off international flights.

After those two nights, we’ll collect our hire car and hit the road. We’ll be driving ourselves for much of this itinerary, and I know that’s something that can make a lot of clients feel nervous. South Africa can look daunting on a map, and people often worry about road conditions, safety, or simply the stress of being behind the wheel somewhere unfamiliar.

But here’s the truth: we’ve driven in South Africa before and loved every second.

The Drakensberg: breathtaking scenery and a slower pace…

  • From Johannesburg, we’ll be heading to the Drakensberg Mountains, and this part of the trip is all about space, stillness and scenery that makes you stop in your tracks.
  • We’re staying at Montusi Mountain Lodge, set against the dramatic Amphitheatre escarpment. Mornings here are for fresh air and mountain views, and the days can be as active or as relaxed as you feel. Walks, waterfalls, birdlife, quiet moments with a coffee… it’s exactly the kind of place that resets you.

A deep dive into history: Fugitives’ Drift

  • One of the most meaningful parts of the itinerary is our stay at Fugitives’ Drift, known for its extraordinary battlefield tours. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s storytelling, brought to life in the landscape itself. These are the moments travel is really capable of: giving you perspective, connection, and a deeper understanding of a place.

Safari time: the magic of the bush

  • Next we will be heading to Mavela Game Lodge, located in a private reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, and it’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after you get home. Early mornings, warm hospitality, expert guides, and that constant sense of anticipation — because you never know what’s around the next bend.
  • The Big Five are always exciting, but some of the most special moments in Africa aren’t always the “big” sightings. It’s the atmosphere, the light, the sounds, and that feeling of being completely immersed in nature.

A glamorous pause by the ocean: The Oyster Box

  • After the bush, we’ll swap dusty tracks for sea air and a touch of coastal glamour at The Oyster Box in Umhlanga. Classic elegance, ocean views, exceptional cuisine — the perfect place to exhale after early starts and game drives.

Hermanus and Thatch House: Brian’s favourite stop

  • From Durban, we’ll fly down to Cape Town and head to Thatch House Boutique Hotel near Hermanus, which has become a bit of a home from home for us.
  • Hermanus may be out of whale season when we visit, but it’s still one of my favourite coastal escapes — and for Brian, Thatch House is non-negotiable. Its combination of luxury, personal service, beautiful surroundings and a real sense of calm makes it the perfect place to recharge before the final stretch of our adventure.

It’s also a reminder that travel is at its best when it balances the destinations we love with the destinations we need to experience.

A wild and wonderful finale in the Cederberg

  • To finish, we’re heading into the Cederberg Mountains to stay at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge, where rugged landscapes, fireside evenings, farm-to-table dining and star-filled skies await. Here, we’ll hike, explore the fynbos scenery, and simply savour the peace and beauty of one of South Africa’s most dramatic regions.

Why I’m excited to share this trip

This itinerary is such a perfect reminder of what South Africa does brilliantly: contrast.

  • City energy and wide-open silence;
  • History and adventure;
  • Luxury and wilderness.
  • Mountains, bush, coastline and countryside — all in one journey.

And throughout our trip, I’ll be sharing plenty of insights (including our first experience flying Kenya Airways in Business Class, and what it’s really like driving yourself across the country), as well as practical, honest advice for clients who dream of visiting South Africa themselves.

If South Africa has been on your “one day…” list, consider this your gentle nudge. Sometimes one day becomes much closer than you think.

 

Gillyx

Why not get in touch to start planning your South African adventure?