There’s more to South Africa than first meets the eye. The country has world class cities and ‘Big Five’ safaris, and you might even have heard of the pristine beaches and world-class vineyards. But did you know that South Africa is also home to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled marine reserves in the world? Or that the coastline offers encounters with rare marine mammals?

Natural Selection’s Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is our first property in South Africa and it is without a doubt one of the country’s best kept secrets. A six kilometre stretch of  uninhabited coast line, home to finest land based whale watching in the world. The lodge is an easy 3 hour drive from Cape Town and is the perfect complement to a stay in the winelands or a safari. Days are spent whale-watching right from your bed, guided coastal walks  or just relaxing with your feet in the sand.

Next, we’re going to the Wild Coast in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, to Mkambati Game Reserve, one of the most diverse coastal reserves anywhere in Africa. Magic ingredients include tumbling waterfalls and gin-clear rivers, deep gorges, rolling grasslands, pockets of dense forest and secluded beaches.