Luxury Safari Magazine's Diane McLeish reviews Kay and Monty Vineyard Boutique Wine Estate

We all love drinking good wine……

My road trip along the Garden Route was not just about the destination, it was about the little moments and surprises we found along the way. The Garden Route is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches with seamlessly endless ocean views and exquisite luxurious hotels. Our journey led us to the area around Plettenberg Bay, and I was surprised to learn that this little-known area is the smallest wine-growing region and is South Africa’s smallest “Wine of Origin” production area.

Visitors to South Africa usually associate the Winelands with the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Cape Town areas. Beyond Plettenberg Bay’s natural beauty, this region is also gaining recognition for its burgeoning wine industry. The climate resembles that of the Mediterranean, offering an ideal terroir for grape cultivation and winemaking.

To read more, please click here

Diane McLeish reviews Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Hotel Cape Town

Step into a world where refreshing ocean breezes and elegant charm converge…

Arriving to the warmest of welcomes by an enthusiastic team, this small boutique hotel with just nine rooms feels as if we have arrived at someone’s country home. We are led to a deck overlooking the ocean, and that created such an inviting arrival experience that it made us feel valued and comfortable from the moment we stepped through the door.

So exquisite was the elegant entrance and lounge area with generous vases of fresh flowers, inviting plush sofas with deep cushions, that they beckoned me to sink into them and relax. The unique pieces of antique furnishings and soft, muted lighting created an atmosphere of refined comfort that blends coastal chic with laid-back luxury in the best possible way.

To read the whole review, please click here

Luxury Safari Magazine's Diane McLeish reviews Kay and Monty Vineyard Boutique Wine Estate

We all love drinking good wine……

My road trip along the Garden Route was not just about the destination, it was about the little moments and surprises we found along the way. The Garden Route is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches with seamlessly endless ocean views and exquisite luxurious hotels. Our journey led us to the area around Plettenberg Bay, and I was surprised to learn that this little-known area is the smallest wine-growing region and is South Africa’s smallest “Wine of Origin” production area.

Visitors to South Africa usually associate the Winelands with the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Cape Town areas. Beyond Plettenberg Bay’s natural beauty, this region is also gaining recognition for its burgeoning wine industry. The climate resembles that of the Mediterranean, offering an ideal terroir for grape cultivation and winemaking.

To read more, please click here

Luxury Safari Magazine's Diane McLeish reviews The Old Rectory, South Africa

“To save the future, we need to rescue the past “

I found it difficult to imagine that this intimate retreat with its fresh, bright and modern style was originally constructed by the Dutch East India Company in 1777, to house troops who supervised the storage and shipment of timber from the bay until it was purchased by the Anglican Church in 1869. Today, it is reborn as a boutique hotel, its lovely, thatched Cape Dutch style is designed with plenty of modern class. This National Monument blends heritage and hospitality with effortless grace.

The buildings have been immaculately restored and expanded from a military barracks to a whalers’ home, school, blacksmiths workshop, chapel and later the rectory for the Anglican Church. Today, it is recreated as a boutique 5-star hotel, the lovely Cape Dutch style mixed with plenty of contemporary features.

To read more, please click here

Luxury Safari Magazine welcomes Opulent Travel Concierge: Redfining luxury

Opulent Travel Concierge is dedicated to curating unparalleled travel odysseys that epitomise luxury for our discerning clientele. Our travel office offers everything from seamless private helicopter transfers to exclusive, tailor-made adventures in the world’s most remote and sought-after destinations. Membership in our elite concierge club is limited, ensuring that each experience is as unique and exclusive as our clients themselves, much like a family office for travel. The only boundary to what we can orchestrate is your imagination. Indulge in a journey where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed your highest expectations.

If you seek a travel planner who not only organises your adventures but guarantees to create memories worth bragging about and takes care of every element of your trip, look no further. We are unique and do not cater to everyone; we keep it private and small and only cater to our exclusive club members.

To read more, please click here

Luxury Safari Magazine welcomes Tintswalo Siankaba Zambia

Tintswalo Siankaba in Zambia has completed a significant upgrade to its lodge facilities, now featuring air-conditioning in all guest suites.

In addition to refurbishing the original swimming pool and sundeck overlooking the Zambezi River, the lodge has also introduced a second swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

Located on two lush, forested islands, Tintswalo Siankaba provides a tranquil and secluded natural setting worlds away from the bustle of everyday life.

To find out more click here

CHECK OUT OR LATEST LUXURY SAFARI MAGAZINE NEWSLETTER INTRODUCING OUR LATEST FEATURED BRANDS

Dear Luxury Safari Magazine Reader,

We are delighted to welcome The Marine, Abalone Hotel & Villas and The Plettenberg to grace the pages of Luxury Safari Magazine and Luxuria Lifestyle International.

Our LSM & LLI senior management teams will also be visiting these 3 stunning South African properties very soon, to bring you a personal experience / review feature about the very best each resort has to offer.

To find out more please click HERE..

Head to Plett for barefoot luxury at The Plettenberg

Perched on a rocky headland in one of South Africa’s most breathtaking beach towns, The Plettenberg is the crown jewel of the Garden Route. A proud member of the family-owned Liz McGrath Collection, alongside its distinguished sister properties – The Marine in Hermanus and The Cellars-Hohenort in Cape Town, this 5-star Small Luxury Hotels of the World property blends barefoot luxury with effortless style.

Offering direct access to pristine beaches, The Plettenberg presents an inviting mix of exclusivity and laid-back charm. Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat or an action-filled family getaway, the hotel welcomes all with warmth and impeccable hospitality—including children and VIP fur babies!

To find out more click here

LUXURY SAFARI MAGAZINE TRAVELS TO KENYA WITH AHNASA LUXURY TRAVEL TO REVIEW El KARAMA LODGE & TUMAREN CAMP

Dear Luxury Safari Magazine Reader,

We were recently invited by Ahnasa Luxury Travel to visit Kenya to review the stunning El Karama Lodge and Tumaran Camp for Luxury Safari Magazine and Luxuria Lifestyle International.

Find out below what our Safari Journalist Emma Blunt thought of these two Kenya resorts and how she was looked after by Ahnasa Luxury Travel.

LSM’s Emma Blunt visits El Karama, where small is beautiful.

When Ahnasa Luxury Travel set out to craft my ultimate safari, they didn’t just look for luxury – they sought a narrative. A place where conservation and sustainability is not an afterthought but the beating heart of the experience.

To read both of Emma’s reviews please click HERE..

LUXURY SAFARI MAGAZINE NAMED AS ONE OF THE WORLDS TOP 100 BLOGS FOR 2025

We are delighted to announce that Luxury Safari Magazine has been named by media, marketing and advertising industry experts FeedSpot as one of the worlds top 100 blogs.

This is a huge accolade for our publication on an international scale and to our team who work very hard to showcase our brand, media partners and advertisers to our luxury travel consumer audience around the world.

Additionally, all advertisers who work with us at LSM also receive free coverage in our sister publication Luxuria Lifestyle International read in over 40 countries and with over 100k wealthy newsletter subscribers.

To work with LSM and LLI please email info@luxurialifestyle.com.

LUXURY SAFARI MAGAZINE WELCOMES AHNASA - REDEFINING LUXURY TRAVEL IN AFRICA

Dear Luxury Safari Magazine Reader,

We are delighted to welcome and introduce Ahnasa: Redefining Luxury Travel in Africa.

The Ultimate Bespoke Safari Experience with Unforgettable Journeys & Timeless memories.

Luxury travel is no longer just about indulgence—it is about meaning, exclusivity, and transformation. At Ahnasa, we curate journeys that are as enriching as they are luxurious, connecting our guests to the raw beauty and soul of Africa.

As the recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including Middle East & Africa Bespoke Sustainable Travel Company 2023, Leading Luxury Travel Agency Nairobi 2023, Best Bespoke Luxury Travel Company 2024, and Sustainable Travel Experts East Africa 2024, Ahnasa is synonymous with excellence, sustainability, and extraordinary adventure.

Our ethos is simple: travel should inspire, awaken the senses, and leave a lasting imprint on our guests.

Look out for a lot more to come from Ahnasa in Luxury Safari Magazine and Luxuria Lifestyle International  very soon, as our team travels with them across Africa, to bring you some amazing luxury travel and safari reviews.

To find out a lot more about Ahnasa, please click HERE.. or visit their website & Instagram..

To work with LSM & LLI globally please email info@luxurialifestyle.com

Best Wishes,

The LSM and LLI HQ Teams

LUXURY SAFARI MAGAZINE WELCOMES DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE JEWELL OF THE CAPE WINELANDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Inspired by the landscape, culture and natural beauty of its setting atop the Helshoogte Pass, Delaire Graff Estate – which opened its doors in 2009 – is renowned as the Jewel of the Cape Winelands.

Having undergone a significant refurbishment in 2023, Delaire Graff Estate reopened its doors with 16 luxurious lodges and an Owner’s Villa, a tranquil spa, and a Japanese restaurant, HŌSEKI.

Implemented by the renowned David Collins Studio – who has worked with the Estate since its inception – and guided by the vision of Owner and renowned diamantaire Laurence Graff OBE, interiors have been reimagined and refined while honouring the original ethos and spirit of Delaire Graff Estate.

To find out more please click HERE..

A Retreat Shaped by the Elements: Emma Blunt Experiences Simbavati Cederberg Ridge

There’s something about the Cederberg that gets under your skin. Here, the elements of nature aren’t just a backdrop; they breathe life into the experience, shaping every moment. The earth, ancient and wise, stretches out in ochre-hued rock formations and fynbos-covered valleys. The air, crisp and scented with wild herbs, fills your lungs as you mountain bike through untouched wilderness.

The fire of the sun ignites the sky in a blaze of gold at sunset, only to be echoed later in the flickering flames of the boma. And the water, cool and restorative, offers a welcome retreat in the heat of the day, whether in the lodge’s pools or a refreshing sip of locally sourced rooibos tea.

To find out more please click here

Diane McLeish helps you to Plan your excitng African Safari

An African safari might just be the best holiday you can give yourself as the exceptional experiences that the continent offers are unforgettable adventures.

Once you set foot on its shores, Africa takes hold of you. The epic scale of wide spaces is inspiring, the diversity makes every moment special and the rhythm and sounds of the bush play with your senses as every day brings you a deeper sense of enchantment.

The word safari conjures up images of wildlife, vast African savannahs, wide skies and 4×4 vehicles gliding across the plains.

Safari means “journey” in Swahili, the language of East Africa and is synonymous with Africa. It is a journey into the wilderness to observe free-roaming wildlife, with no hunting involved.

To read more click here

Where the Wild Breathes: Emma Blunt Slows Down in the Soul of Bushman’s Kloof

The land breathes here. It inhales the past, the stories etched into stone, the whispers of the wind through ancient rock formations. It exhales life, regeneration, the quiet pulse of nature reclaiming itself. Bushman’s Kloof is not a place to rush through; it’s a place to slow down, to let the wilderness wrap around you, to feel your own breath sync with the rhythm of the earth.

Tucked away in the Cederberg Mountains, this private wilderness reserve and wellness spans 7,500 hectares, once farmland, now a testament to the patience of nature’s restoration. Four farms were merged to create what it is today, and while remnants of its past life still linger – patches of farmland, the ongoing battle against invasive plant species like boar Jackson – the transformation is evident.

To find out more please click here

Diane McLeish reviews a luxurious Rovos Rail journey South Africa to Zimbabwe

I love to travel. The greatest journeys, however, are by train.

Rail journeys are wonderful and all are in some way exceptional – the cross-section of life they carry, the scenery they pass through or the distances they travel.

In an age when it is seen as if the romance has been leached out of travel and the demand for “slow travel” grows, train journeys are bringing travels to less-trodden places often in grand style.

The demand is not new, but these kinds of journeys are more and more on traveller’s wish lists and the trend now for rail travel is to slow down and see more and enjoy the journey. It is not so much about reliving the past but finding novel ways to be present. This certainly includes iconic journeys such as South Africa’s Rovos Rail which is a privately owned and family-run business and ranked as one of the top luxurious train journeys in the world.

To read more click here