An exotic destination like South Africa might not be the first location that comes to mind when you think of a dream vacation with luxury accommodation. But this extraordinary country has a lot to offer and is actually a bit of an undiscovered gem when it comes to high-end vacations.
The South African landscape is, of course, known for its stunning, untouched nature, the opportunity to spot the Big 5, and the adventurous safaris you can experience there. One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Kruger National Park, located in the northeast of South Africa, near the border with neighboring countries Zimbabwe and Mozambique. And what makes your vacation even better than a luxury villa in South Africa, close to this world-famous park?
One of the greatest advantages of staying in a luxury villa in South Africa is the opportunity to spot the Big 5 from the comfort of your own accommodation. The Big 5 - consisting of lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards - are the most iconic animals of the African savannah. These are the five mightiest animals of the African animal kingdom and are often the reason why many people travel to the continent of Africa.
Because luxury villas in South Africa are often strategically located near wildlife reserves and parks, you can easily travel to these natural areas for a day trip or safari. You also have direct views of the nature surrounding your holiday address and the animals roaming wild there from your vacation villa. With a bit of luck, you can spot a lion, elephant, or rhino from your lounge chair!
Just a quick refresher: the Big 5 are lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards. But why exactly? The lion is often called the king of the animal kingdom. The elephant is the largest land animal in the world, the buffalo the most dangerous of the five, the rhino the most threatened, and the leopard the hardest to spot. But that's not the reason these animals were chosen to be crowned with this title.
Contrary to what many people think, it also has nothing to do with the size of the animals. In that case, the giraffe and hippo would easily have beaten the leopard. The Big 5 is originally a hunting term: these five animals are the most dangerous to hunt on the African continent, and it was often the case that hunters were killed by these animals. Fortunately, hunting of animals is becoming less common, and the animals are well protected by the local population against illegal hunting, allowing you nowadays the chance to spot the endangered rhino from your luxury villa in South Africa.
In addition to spotting wild animals, a luxury villa in South Africa offers many more benefits. There are various amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Think, for example, of a private concierge who can answer all your questions and help you make bookings and reservations for restaurants and outings. Enjoy everything your private chef serves you every day. And after a long day in the wildlife park, of course, you can enjoy a massage, a drink by the fireplace, or take a dip in the private pool or Jacuzzi. In other words, everything you can expect from a luxury villa in South Africa!
Image credit: Gillian McLaren
