Rest, Recover, & Relax on Safari – L
Life should be grasped by the reigns, right? Treasure every moment. Squeeze in all you can. Then out of seemingly nowhere arrives that moment of overwhelm. Perhaps you’re juggling 15 work projects while making the morning coffees and taking a client call; in the midst of parenting the kids, grandkids and furkids simultaneously while cookies burn in the oven; organizing sporting events, finances, the next dinner party. The ‘to-do’ list never ends.
Then we stop for a brief moment of precious silence and the lightbulb pops as we realize it’s time for a well-deserved escape. Let’s take a vacation! Again here comes our achieving mind, so excited for our next destination that we schedule our vacation time so tightly, squeezing in as many experiences possible, that we return needing a vacation-from-our-vacation. Sound familiar?
Queue one of the hottest trends in travel right now: Wellness Travel. You just found your balance.
Wellness Travel: travel that allows you to enhance or ignite a healthy lifestyle while increasing a sense of well-being, with a focus on disconnecting from technology and modern-day stressors while reconnecting with nature and in turn, reconnecting with yourself.
Over the last twenty years At Rothschild Safaris we’ve mastered The Art Of Getting Away From It All by bringing our travelers bespoke African Safaris teeming with wildlife and lacking Wi-Fi (the perfect combination in our eyes), allowing you to find that moment of Zen; the quietude among the chattering, a little freedom from everyday constraints, an escape from the hustle, a moment to rejuvenate our weary bodies and exhausted minds. And excitingly, every year new divine spa and wellness experiences are popping up on the Safari radar.
For expert guidance on how and where to inject a little ‘you time’, to pamper your body and nourish your soul whilst in South Africa, the list below steps beyond the realm of facials and massages, opening a new world of wellness treats you may never have known possible…Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. Your next zen moment may be waiting below. Meditation optional.
Spa And Wellness: The Safari Lovers Edition
ROYAL MALEWANE, Timbavati Reserve
This premier, award-winning safari lodge in the Greater Kruger region is exceptional at tending to every detail, complemented by outstanding service and action-packed Big Five game viewing. Rest your soul in one of six luxurious suites with plunge pools at the Main Lodge or an exclusive house complete with a private butler, chef and your own game viewing vehicle for a truly indulgent experience. An onsite gym and lap pool caters to fitness enthusiasts, but, it is their divine Bush Spa you’ll fall in love with; restore mind and body with hot and cold African baths, a steam room, sauna, healthy snacks and juices, and invigorating treatments in exclusive private casitas.
Award-Winning: Winner of the ‘Best Safari Spa in Africa’ in 2015 and 2013 according to the Safari Awards, multiple Conde Nast awards as a top lodge in Africa, and renowned for luxurious treatments in a beautiful location.
Signature Spa Treatment: The Royal Thaba Massage; deep tissue incorporating a traditional African ‘Knobkierrie’ or wooden instrument to loosen stressed muscles.
SINGITA LEBOMBO, Sabi Sand Reserve
With excellent Big Five game viewing, luxurious loft-style suites and a well-known name in the Safari industry, we invite you to Singita Lebombo; visually stunning contemporary décor with an African fusion, and excellent service where the smallest of details are catered to. Relaxation begins with bush walks, a swim in the heated pool, spend some time with the qualified sommelier in the wine cellar, have fun with a cooking class or simply count the stars from your elevated viewing deck. Enjoy spa treatments from the privacy of your own suite deck, or in the indulgent Bush Spa. A holistic and restorative approach is key here and treatments are curated to complement the tranquility of the surrounding bush.
Wonderful Wildlife and Photography: The game here is superb, and will leave you feeling you’ve seen (almost) all you could dream of. For an additional cost, photography equipment is available for rent during your stay, and an excellent on-site photography studio allows one-on-one advice and professional tips for selecting, editing and enhancing your images.
Signature Spa Treatment: The Sleep Improvement Massage incorporates aromatherapy, crystal therapy (optional) and acupressure targeting the pineal gland to encourage production of melatonin which is necessary for a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Spa And Wellness: The Wine Lovers Edition
LEEU ESTATES, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Imagine afternoon tea in a conservatory overlooking vineyards and mountains, a spa treatment before a delicious meal, private wine tastings in the onsite wine studio, balancing rest with gym time, and indulgent spa treatments. This divine property with a scenic setting has art pieces adorning the walls, and a fantastic management team ready to ensure you are at your ultimate relaxation during your stay. The spa incorporates African rituals and holistic wisdom; three expansive treatment rooms afford views over the breathtaking Franschhoek valley. Explore further to discover a plunge pool overlooking a lily pond, his-and-hers steam rooms, juice infusions, heated floors, a relaxation area with an infinity pool for summer and fireplace with blankets for winter.
Conveniently Close To Franschhoek: The setting is so stunning you may be happy never to leave. For the curious traveler, close by is the colonial town of Franschhoek where you can spend time perusing the boutiques, dining in quaint cafes and tasting chocolates at the boutique chocolaterie.
Signature Spa Treatment: We love the African Fuse massage. Relaxing, enveloping, and you’ll leave wondering where time went.
BABYLONSTOREN, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
A property needing no introduction, we love the array of experiences available at this beautiful Cape Dutch hotel in a spectacular setting. Spend time wandering the thoughtfully curated gardens, take a bicycle ride through the expansive 200-hectare working farm, row at the local dam, have fun baking bread with the local bakers, workout at the gym or dip in the pool. We highly recommend an indulgent dining experience at the onsite Babel (bookings essential, all meals are farm-to-table inspired). The designer spa at Babylonstoren invites guests to enjoy their sauna, steam room, indoor heated vitality pool, tropical rain showers, and salt room. This is all before you even arrive for your massage.
Wine Then Spa, or Spa Then Wine? Wine tasting is at the core of Babylonstoren’s heart, so time must be allocated to a guided tour of the wine cellar and olive press to indulge in what the Winelands is most famous for.
Signature Spa Treatment: Do yourself a favor and book the Private Hammam Water Ritual for a truly Middle Eastern inspired journey including a full body exfoliation, body butter, head and scalp treatment. Afterwards, relax in the chill room or out in the bamboo garden with a cold-pressed juice and nourishing lunch.
Spa And Wellness: The Cape Town Spa Edition
CAPE GRACE, Cape Town
Winning an array of awards from Travel + Leisure to Conde Nast, we love this hotel for many reasons; the contemporary luxe feel, divine décor, welcoming service and picturesque harbor front location ideal for leisurely walks and explorations on foot. As you enter the wellness spa, sunlight illuminates a relaxation area where you can lie on a day bed enjoying top-floor views of Table Mountain and the marina along with complimentary herbal tea and snacks from the Health Bar. The active may head to the fitness center, while a sauna melts sore muscles. A varied spa treatment menu includes a gentleman’s menu with grooming services.
For The Tastebuds: While spa treatments will have your body, mind and spirit feeling elated, tend to your insides with delicious meals infused with local flavors at the onsite Signal restaurant, or try the signature Cape Grace afternoon tea. For a tipple, world-class whiskeys and South African wines are served at the Bascule Bar.
Signature Spa Treatment: The range of Kalahari signature treatments are created with natural healing ingredients such as mineral salts, red sand, and plant oils. We also recommend the Rolling Sands Massage using dancing arm movements and scented candles.
One&Only, Cape Town
Directly on the V&A Waterfront, the One&Only is a large resort with a unique feature; the dedicated spa area is an entire mini island on the waterfront. A complete retreat with lush vegetation surrounded by water, take your time meandering the property before or after your treatment. Bali inspired décor features 12 treatment rooms, his-and-her thermal suites, an ice fountain, a steam room and a vitality pool.
The Little Things: Every tiny detail has been considered in the amenities and facilities, from plush robes and slippers to hair straighteners. Help yourself to complimentary fresh juices, herbal teas, healthy snacks, and indulgent sweet treats. After your treatment, discover endless bubbly in the post-treatment pamper room.
Signature Spa Treatment: A Bespoke Facial involving face-mapping and a custom-designed concoction perfectly suited to your skin.
Spa And Wellness: The Johannesburg Stopover Edition
Pre or post Safari, you may find your journey requires a stopover in Johannesburg. What better way to melt away jet lag or wind down after an exciting Safari than here. The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa redefines elegance; an entrance hall welcomes you with a sweeping feature staircase and spectacular chandelier, while outside you’ll discover a beautifully landscaped garden setting with water features and an infinity pool. Close to the city center but in a quiet oasis where every detail is catered to, enjoy a glass of wine in the piano lounger, activate your energy in the fitness center or admire the African artifacts in the dining room and cigar lounge.
The Perfect Relaxation Stopover: You are invited to arrive an hour prior to your treatment, to enjoy the fully immersive experience this property provides. Facilities include a jacuzzi pool, juice bar, steam room, sauna, and floatation therapy. After you’ve taste-tested each experience to your heart’s desire, your therapist will escort you to your treatment room. Experiences range from 30 minutes to 7 hours. Yes, you read that right, 7 hours.
Signature Spa Treatment: The Tibetan Sound Therapy Room, complemented by the African Opulence Signature journey. We’ll leave this one to you to discover.
Nourishing The Inner Goddess / God
A wellness experience is not all facials and massages. All senses must be incorporated for a wholly immersive journey. As such, South Africa is a fantastic region for food and wine lovers, and most particularly, Cape Town and the Winelands. Our love of all things delicious has lead us to create an extensive list of our favorite vineyards to sample local award-winning wines and enjoy long lunches, endless recommendations for indulgent dinners, casual dining experiences and fun foodie markets. Ask us for the insider details, and we are more than happy to share our best-kept secrets with you.