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In the heart of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge offers guests the chance to spot the iconic Big Five and much more besides.

Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge: the Big Five–and beyond–in South Africa 

Explore these incomparable establishments and make the most of the mountains. From South Africa to Japan, from the French Alps to the Norwegian fjords, each destination promises a unique experience in a breathtaking landscape.

Head for the hills: our exceptional mountain properties 

On August 12, World Elephant Day pays tribute to the most majestic giants of the savannah. In South Africa, they embody the untamed beauty of a destination where Relais & Châteaux celebrates the glory of nature and the harmony between humankind and its wild surroundings.Through nine exceptional properties, nestled in private game reserves or boasting breathtaking ocean vistas, discover a country where every stay becomes an act of conservation. From the Lands of the Kruger to the dramatic coastline around Cape Town, South Africa reveals itself in all its splendor, offering unforgettable encounters that proudly showcase its respect for the living world.Whether nestled in the wilds of the savanna or enjoying ocean views, Relais & Châteaux properties will reveal to you the treasures of this country. Each location exudes passion and authenticity as they present the best of South Africa’s flora and fauna, hospitality, and food and wine. The lodges, estates, hotels, and restaurants are all committed to eco-responsible experiences that deeply respect the country’s wildlife. These are universal values that unite all Relais & Châteaux properties.

The Nine Gems of South Africa

Ludovic Caron & Sophie Vaillant

Gift certificates

Treat someone to an experience at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge with our gift certificates

with our gift certificates

Treat someone to an experience at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

Plan your visit to the restaurant Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

The lodge is located in the heart of the Nambiti Private Reserve, which boasts the highest density of wildlife in the region. Accompanied by a ranger, you’ll explore the bush and savannah landscapes, following rivers and crossing vast plains, multiplying your opportunities to encounter the Big Five–lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo—as well as giraffes, hippos, zebras and numerous birds. Observing big cats and rare wildlife in this pristine natural environment remains one of the world’s most epic experiences, to be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime.

Safaris in the Nambiti Reserve

After your safari, experience the enchantment of an African evening within the boma, a wooden enclosure erected around the fire, for dinner under the stars. With a glass of South African Chardonnay in hand, you’ll be entertained with Zulu songs and dance performances before the chef serves meat grilled on the braai, the traditional Afrikaner barbecue, paired with a touch of French gastronomy.

An African night in the boma

Watch the sunset from the heart of the South African bush at Esiweni Lodge. At our pop-up bar, in the middle of nature, the first nocturnal sounds can be heard in the distance as the Milky Way and the stars come into view above. Experience the magic that can only be found around a camp fire in Africa, accompanied by a glass of champagne–this is destined to be a memory that lasts forever.

Bush bar

It's a creative cuisine blending modernity, tradition, and products from the African countryside.

Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge Restaurant

Nestled in KwaZulu-Natal, this magnificent lodge built high upon a cliff overlooks the Sundays River. Its five independent, elegantly decorated suites each have terraces, whose sweeping views invite guests into a state of blissful reverie. The Nambiti reserve, with its bush and savanna, plains and waterfalls, is home to the region’s greatest concentration of animals. In addition to the Big Five, you can expect to cross cheetahs and black rhinos, as well as the many species of birds. At the end of a day spent in the open air, the lodge offers you relaxing comfort, accompanied by an elegant touch of French art de vivre and extraordinary African experiences.

Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

Plan your stay at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

Whether from the main lodge's terrace or the private terrace of your suite, you won’t have to wait long to glimpse the region’s abundant animal life. The view stretches over vast wilderness, taking in the Sundays River, its bush, savannah, plains and waterfalls. Listen to the birdlife and look out for the movements of the Big Five.

Run wild

You are invited to eat in the heart of the bush, in one of the most beautiful spots in the reserve. The chef serves gourmet cuisine to a soundtrack of birdsong and the flow of the river, as you take in the spectacular beauty of this wild landscape. Additionally, you can swim in the river, to complete this enchanting interlude.

A gourmet lunch in the bush

Activities, excursions and other attractions during your stay at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

Suites

Our 5 suites

This journey starts on Table Mountain above Cape Town, an iconic site with panoramic views of breathtaking urban expanses and natural scenery. You then wind your way eastward to walk the Garden Route between green mountains and sapphire waters. The KwaZulu-Natal region is next, where animals are in their element on a superb wildlife reserve. Your trip ends with warm sands, either on the savannah of Namibia’s immense Kalahari Desert or on the snow-white beaches of Mauritius.

It’s a kaleidoscope of landscapes! Ten nights to soak up the ambiance in Cape Town, walk the coastal Garden Route along the Indian Ocean, and gaze upon the dramatic expanses of South Africa’s former Zulu Kingdom, to then set off for Namibia’s Kalahari Desert or tread the white sand beaches of Mauritius.

Southern Africa: A Kaleidoscope of Landscapes!

Travel the southern regions of the African continent, from South Africa to Namibia. This exhilarating, inventive itinerary explores two of South Africa’s principal cities and goes deep into extraordinary countryside. Experience the warmth and grandeur of Cape Town, the hustle-bustle of Johannesburg, and the wild natural expanses of the Nambiti Game Reserve in Zululand, traversing South Africa’s lands and history. The adventure continues in Namibia’s Erongo Mountains, where thrilling encounters with rhinos, giraffes, and leopards await.

This Route du Bonheur is your chance to explore both South Africa and Namibia. In four stops and ten nights, take an exciting trip through two neighboring countries, from Cape Town to the former Zulu Kingdom, from bustling Johannesburg to the rugged Erongo Mountains in central Namibia.

Southern Africa: Exploring South Africa and Namibia

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Relais &amp; Châteaux has created several itineraries that include a stop at this property, as part of a wider exploration of the region.

Our Label spas are recognized for their highly curated ranges of treatments and equipment, offering guests well-being experiences that reflect their location and the values of the property.

Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge
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Plan your stay at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

Our 5 suites

Suites

Search for Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge on our Routes du Bonheur

Activities, excursions and other attractions during your stay at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge