Cover Photo Credit: Sashwa

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Top Wellness Lodges in South Africa

Why South Africa Should Be Everyone's Next Wellness Destination

South Africa has long been celebrated as a premier nature destination, renowned for its vast landscapes, rich biodiversity, and pioneering conservation efforts. Beyond its breathtaking scenery, South Africa is emerging as a leading wellness destination, offering travelers an opportunity to reconnect with nature, themselves, and the broader community.

At the heart of this transformation is the intrinsic connection between wellness and nature. Immersing oneself in the wild—whether through a serene bush walk, a wilderness meditation, or simply absorbing the stillness of the savanna from the pool—can profoundly calm the mind, rejuvenate the body, and uplift the soul.

Moreover, embarking on a wellness safari in South Africa extends benefits beyond personal well-being. Such journeys support local communities, contribute to environmental conservation, and play a role in the sustainable upliftment of the continent.

Our Definition of Wellness

At Africovery, we believe that wellness is deeply rooted in connecting with nature. However, our approach encompasses a holistic view, integrating the mind, body, and soul. Recognizing that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all concept, we craft personalized itineraries tailored to each guest's unique goals and intentions.

Why a Safari is the Ultimate Wellness Experience

• Nature's Tranquility: Witnessing Africa’s raw beauty offers a profound sense of calm and serenity.
  
• Deep Reconnection: The wilderness facilitates a reconnection with nature, oneself, and one's spirituality.
  
• Tailored Experiences: Customized journeys surpass the offerings of typical wellness resorts or hotels.
  
• Soul Rejuvenation: The savanna has long been known to rejuvenate souls and restore bodies.
  
• Personalized Encounters: Private reserves provide uniquely uplifting and personalized experiences.
  
• Healing Immersion: Being deeply immersed in nature offers immense potential for healing and personal growth.
  

To enhance this transformative journey, every Africovery trip includes the Africovery Journal. Developed in collaboration with leading therapists and healers who are also seasoned travelers, this journal offers a variety of self-guided prompts. By embracing the stillness and peace of the surroundings, guests often uncover answers to lingering questions, fostering deeper self-awareness and insight.

Top Safari Wellness Lodges & Spas

Kateka Safari Wellness

Location: Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Limpopo

Nestled within the expansive 65,000-hectare Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Kateka offers an intimate safari experience that emphasizes both luxury and wellness. Guests can indulge in personalized wellness programs, including yoga sessions, guided meditations, and holistic treatments, all set against the backdrop of the African bush.

Something we love: By far the most state of the art wellness facilities in the remotest of places, think ice baths, infrared saunas, and our favourite - the fully-equipped F45 gym overlooking the waterhole!

Sashwa River of Stars

Location: Greater Kruger Park, Limpopo

Sashwa River of Stars is a plant-based wellness safari lodge that offers a unique blend of immersive experiences designed to awaken the senses. Guests can partake in holistic wellness activities, enjoy vegan cuisine, and embark on transformative wilderness journeys that foster a deep sense of connection and self-discovery.

Something we love: The creative art studio is equipped with a variety of artistic tools just waiting for you to unleash your creative expression. The creative process can be a healing and therapeutic experience, especially surrounded by the serenity of the bush!

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Motswari (African Retreat)

Location: Greater Kruger Park, Limpopo

Motswari African Retreat provides an immersive safari experience that combines close wildlife encounters with wellness offerings. Guests can enjoy guided walking safaris, unwind with wellness treatments, and savor nutritious meals crafted by nutritional experts, all while being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild.

Something we love: The authentic nature of Motswari’s camps, combined with their conservation efforts (Rhino Disharmony), and of course the incredible varied skills of their wellness maitre-de, make Motswari an unrivalled wellness option! 

Royal Madikwe

Location: Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province

The Royal Madikwe is an intimate luxury safari lodge that offers exceptional hospitality and spectacular wildlife encounters. Guests can immerse themselves in the rhythm of the wild, reconnect with nature, and experience the serenity of the African bush in a setting that embodies both opulence and authenticity.

Londolozi (Healing House)

Location: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga

The Londolozi Healing House offers a unique wellness experience that combines core safari excursions with curated bodywork, yoga, and artful resting. This experience is designed to support guests in their journey towards holistic well-being, fostering a deep connection with the land and its wild creatures.

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Special Mention Wellness Lodges

Tswalu Kalahari

Location: Southern Kalahari, Northern Cape

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa's largest private wildlife reserve, offering a unique safari experience in a vast and remote landscape. Guests can enjoy private-vehicle safaris, luxury accommodations, and a variety of wellness treatments, including meditative walks, horse riding, and restorative body and face treatments. (Special mention of the Karoo stargazing!)

Simbavati Collection (Africalm)

Location: Timbavati and Klaserie Private Game Reserves, Limpopo

The Simbavati Lodge Collection offers luxury safari lodges that focus on wildlife, wilderness, and wellness. Their Africalm philosophy aims to help guests reconnect with nature and themselves through immersive experiences in some of South Africa's premier wildlife regions.

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Beach & Mountain Wellness Lodges

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Future Found Sanctuary

Location: Hout Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape

Future Found Sanctuary is a 5-star regenerative travel hotel nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain. Guests can indulge in luxurious villa accommodations, farm-to-table dining, and personalized wellness experiences, all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Constantia winelands.

Grootbos Nature Reserve

Location: Gansbaai, Western Cape

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a luxury eco-reserve situated between mountains, forest, and sea. The reserve offers a serene wellness spa nestled within the forest, providing rejuvenating treatments that foster a deeper connection with nature.

Sterrekopje

Location: Franschhoek, Western Cape

Sterrekopje is a regenerative farm and soulful sanctuary of healing, rest, creativity, and play. Guided by ancestral wisdom and a conscious way of living, this luxurious farmhouse exists to regenerate earth, body, and soul, offering guests a tranquil place of healing and sacred rest.

Africovery is a leading luxury wellness safari tour operator. We design exclusive wellness experiences that blend nature and conservation, at South Africa’s leading luxury safari lodges and hotels.

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