BEYOND THE TYPICAL TOURIST ROUTE
Some places are felt through quiet moments, open skies, vast spaces, and a deep connection with nature. In this edition of the Collective, we feature partners that are off the beaten track and far from the crowds, places where the journey slows and the magic of being immersed in nature reignites the soul.
Tucked away in the Cederberg Mountains, Bushmans Kloof is where time stands still and nature takes centre stage. This wilderness sanctuary offers more than just luxury—it invites you to walk among ancient rock art, breathe in the silence of wide-open plains, and reconnect with something elemental.
With 7,500 hectares of pristine mountain wilderness, guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to filling their days. They can explore the reserve on guided hikes or scenic bush drives, cycle along rugged trails, swim in crystal-clear mountain pools, cast a line for Clanwilliam Yellowfish, or enjoy a peaceful paddle on the dam.
Bushmans Kloof offers an unforgettable wilderness experience. If adventure isn’t quite what excites, the spa is a natural extension of the landscape—rooted in ancient healing, treatments draw on indigenous wisdom and local botanicals, offering a deeply grounding experience that goes beyond relaxation.
Did you know?
Bushmans Kloof is home to over 130 ancient San rock art sites, some estimated to be up to 10,000 years old, making it one of the world’s most significant open air galleries of prehistoric art, and a place where history is literally written on the rocks.
Samara isn’t your typical safari destination — and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
Tucked away in the heart of the Great Karoo, this family-owned reserve is all about space, silence, and a slower, more meaningful experience. There are no crowds here, no rush to tick animals off a list. Just open landscapes, endless skies, and the quiet energy that comes from being completely present in nature. Game drives often feel more like conversations than checklists. Guests might choose to stop to admire the tiniest plant growing out of a rock, or just sit and take in the stillness. Samara is peaceful, honest, and deeply grounding.
Did you know?
At Samara Karoo, every step is a journey through time. Beneath one’s feet lie ancient fossils—perhaps even those of a dicynodont, a tusked, mammal-like reptile that roamed these lands 253 million years ago. Moments later, guests might find themselves tracking one of its distant descendants: the elusive cheetah.
Some places just feel different — quieter, more personal, and deeply special.
Tswalu is one of those places.
Hidden in the vast Kalahari in the Northern Cape, far from busy roads and the usual tourist hubs, lies Tswalu in South Africa’s largest private reserve. Days here are completely one’s own. There are no fixed schedules as each guest has their very own vehicle and guide. Guests get to decide when to head out on safari, what they hope to see, and how they want to explore. They might discover cheetahs, meerkats, or end up enjoying a picnic on a sand dune, or simply find themselves contemplating life under a night sky lit with stars.
Did you know?
Tswalu is home to one of the few places in the world where you can see pangolins in the wild. These shy, nocturnal creatures are extremely rare and notoriously hard to spot — but at Tswalu, careful conservation and protection efforts have made sightings possible, especially during the cooler months.
Recently, three of our Cape Town team members, Tara Wagner, Jutta Tuck and Noli Jamnda, enjoyed the Soetmelksvlei experience at Babylonstoren. This is what they have to say about their experience:
“We were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to visit Soetmelksvlei – a brand-new experience at Babylonstoren. It was like stepping back in time to the late 19th century, fully immersed in authentic South African farm life.
We were collected early in the morning by our wonderful transfer and touring partners, Saffa Tours, and after a smooth transfer from Newlands, we arrived at Babylonstoren. A short 10-minute ride in a Land Rover took us through a beautiful blue gum forest and into Soetmelksvlei.
Our guide, Adele, welcomed us and gave us a rundown of the day. We kicked things off with a bowl of porridge and moerkoffie, followed by watching the farmer milk one of the cows — a real highlight! We also got to see the fascinating process of cream being separated from milk using a hand-cranked separator — a simple but clever bit of old-world engineering.
We met all the farm animals — horses, sheep, chickens, and two very sweet Collies, Tessa and Pippa, who stayed by our sides throughout the day. We also spent time with the miniature donkeys, Faf and Tjokkie, who are taken on walks around the farm.
The experience is hands-on and really well done — no electricity, just good old-fashioned tools and methods. We explored the farmhouse kitchen (and enjoyed warm bread with churned butter), watched craftspeople at work, and browsed the adorable farm shop filled with nostalgic treasures.
The day ended perfectly with a generous harvest lunch — fresh, seasonal, and absolutely delicious.
Soetmelksvlei is open:
Wednesday to Sunday in summer (September–March), from 09h00 to 17h00
Thursday to Sunday in winter (April–August), from 09h00 to 16h00
Shuttle times:
Departs Babylonstoren every 15 minutes from 08h30 to 13h00
Returns every 15 minutes until 17h00 in summer and until 16h00 in winter
It’s a simple, soulful step back in time — beautifully put together and well worth a visit.”
COLLECTIVE MONTHLY WRAP UP
Please click on the link below for all the latest
Third Party Product updates for the month of July.
This month’s update spotlights the following and more:
Brookdale & Jamala – Stay 5 Pay 7 nights special.
Marataba FREE fly in promotion.
New vehicles at Royal Malewane.
Ximuwu Lodge, fully wheelchair accessible lodge
Keeping the dream alive,
Eluisa Di Benedetto | Product Manager
