When it comes to luxury travel, it’s not just about five-star hotels or private jets. True luxury means something different to every traveller, and southern Africa offers a rich diversity of options to cater to every desire. Whether your idea of a dream vacation is a safari with modern comforts or a remote, eco-friendly escape, Scintilla crafts bespoke travel experiences tailored for your unique preferences.

Types of Luxury Travel

Luxury is in the eye of the traveller. For some, luxury might be watching the sunset over the savannah while enjoying a perfectly chilled drink, or the comfort of a hot water bottle on a chilly morning game drive. For others, luxury is defined by the most exclusive of services — think a copper clawfoot bathtub, a personal sommelier, and white-glove service. Understanding your luxury travel preferences helps us create customised travel packages that offer a boutique experience.

Credit: Ila Safari Lodge by Green Safaris, Zambia

Holistic Wellbeing: Luxury for Body and Mind

For those seeking ways to put their health at the centre of their travels, private yoga sessions at dawn, personalised spa treatments in remote locations, and wellness-focused cuisine nourish both body and soul. Whether it’s rejuvenating after a long day of adventure or starting the morning with a private fitness session, these immersive experiences prioritise mental and physical relaxation, ensuring that you return home refreshed and renewed.

Credit: Wellness treatment at andBeyond Sossusvlei

If you value the absence of distraction as the ultimate luxury, a private villa tucked into a remote location becomes a sanctuary, offering a luxurious escape from the constant buzz of modern life. These serene retreats allow guests to fully immerse in nature, offering silence, simplicity, and space — a perfect luxury vacation idea for those wishing to unplug.

Eco-conscious Luxury

Modern travellers often associate luxury with sustainability and expect impact-driven service. Staying in eco-friendly lodges, dining on locally sourced organic meals, or contributing to conservation efforts offers the opportunity for experiential and responsible travel. Southern Africa offers numerous exclusive travel experiences where guests can stay guilt-free, knowing their vacation has a positive environmental impact.

Credit: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Some travellers find luxury in giving back. Whether it’s an exclusive opportunity to participate in wildlife conservation projects or work alongside local communities, this unique luxury travel style allows guests to enjoy authentic experiences during their travels. Hands-on experiences, like tracking endangered species or assisting with community development, provide meaningful memories that elevate a luxury trip into something transformative.

Inclusive Luxury: Accessibility Redefined

Inclusive travel is the ultimate form of luxury. Wheelchair-accessible suites, specially designed safari vehicles, and personalised experiences that cater to different abilities ensure that all guests enjoy their personalised travel experience without compromise. From adapted adventure activities to private tours with specialised guides, inclusivity is a hallmark of high-end travel.

Credit: Daniel Patrick Vaughan for Conde Nast Traveller, Ximuwu Luxury Klaserie Lodge

Unconventional and Remote Stays

Luxury is also about unique spaces. Imagine spending the night in a treehouse suspended under the southern skies or waking up in a luxurious underwater ocean suite. These exclusive travel experiences offer adventure and surprise, creating lifelong memories in spaces that blend luxury with the wild. For others, a remote escape — be it a private island or a secluded lodge in the desert — provides true luxury: time away from the every day, with minimal human interaction and maximum tranquillity.

Credit: Lion Sands Treehouse

Tech-enhanced Luxury and Connectivity

Smart rooms with voice-activated controls and private high-speed internet connections are key components of a modern luxury experience for tech-savvy travellers. And when work beckons, having access to private WiFi lounges or even fully equipped office suites ensures that tailored travel experiences meet every need of digital nomads.

Credit: Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, African Bush Camps, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Culinary Luxury: Immersive Food Experiences

Authentic food immersion can be a luxury all its own. Private dining experiences with world-renowned chefs, wine tastings in hidden vineyards, farm-to-fork tours, or learning to cook traditional meals from local experts provide immersive cultural travel experiences that create a deep connection to your destination.

Credit: andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Whatever your idea of luxury entails — whether it’s wellness travel, eco-conscious escapes, or unique, locally infused experiences — we specialise in creating customised travel packages in exceptional locations. Any type of luxury is possible in southern Africa, where unparalleled natural beauty and world-class go hand in hand.

Get in touch with one of our vastly experienced consultants to start planning your perfect luxury experience in southern Africa.

Best prices

Best prices

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally infused experiences.
Local Knowledge

Local Knowledge

We’re based in Southern Africa and have first-hand knowledge of the experiences that await our travellers.
Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel

All the experiences and destinations we recommend support their communities and environment.
Boutique Focus

Boutique Focus

Our goal is to connect curious-minded travellers to the essence of the place they’re visiting.
Immersive Experiences

Immersive Experiences

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally-infused experiences.
Exceptional Locations

Exceptional Locations

Our bespoke journeys feature stylish, owner-run properties in exceptional locations.
Bespoke Trips

Bespoke Trips

Our consultants are widely travelled and vastly experienced, with expert knowledge of Southern Africa.