sheenasumner

THE ULTIMATE SOUTH AFRICA ESCAPE FOUR SEASONS JOHANNESBURG TO SHAMWARI

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:58:50 GMT

A Preferred Partner Review, from Skyline to Savannah

There's a particular kind of trip that changes how you think about a country — and this was one of them. I flew into Johannesburg this May, spending two nights at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff before heading to the Eastern Cape for four nights at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, split across two very different camps: Sindile and Bayethe. It's a route I'd now recommend to almost anyone considering South Africa for the first time — city sophistication on one end, genuine wilderness on the other.

Here ' s everything I ' d want a client to know before booking their own South Africa escape.

PART ONE: FOUR SEASONS HOTEL THE WESTCLIFF, JOHANNESBURG

Nothing short of an exceptional property — set in one of the most influential and affluent areas of Johannesburg, with incredible views over Johannesburg Zoo directly across the road. At night you can hear the animals, including the lions roaring, which is a genuinely surreal way to fall asleep on your first night in the country.

The property is a hillside, village-style hotel set within around 3 hectares of gardens, roughly a kilometre from the zoo — 117 individually decorated rooms and suites in total. I stayed in a Premier King Room, and it did not disappoint: some rooms feature subtle references to Nelson Mandela and animal-print accents, keeping the interiors authentically African without ever tipping into cliché. The décor throughout is absolutely stunning — immaculately kept, with beautiful gardens to wander.

The in-house restaurant is exceptional — I had an amazing dinner on the first night, with phenomenal views over the city skyline. Beyond the main dining room, the property holds several venues in total, including Flames, known specifically for those skyline views. Two heated outdoor pools and a spa with nine treatment rooms round out the property, though with only two nights here I'd suggest clients build in a little longer if they want time to properly use the spa.

Highly, highly recommend — this is THE place to stay when visiting Johannesburg. It's around 40 minutes from O.R. Tambo International Airport, making it an easy, low-stress start or end to a longer South Africa itinerary.

PART TWO: SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, EASTERN CAPE

From Johannesburg, we moved on to Shamwari — splitting the safari between two distinct camps, Sindile and Bayethe, two nights at each. Shamwari spans approximately 25,000 hectares of malaria- free Eastern Cape, covering five of South Africa's nine biomes, and is home to the full Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo — alongside cheetah and abundant birdlife. It's a fantastic starting point for first-time safari-goers, and a visit to the reserve's conservation centre is an absolute must during any stay.

Sindile Camp

The perfect place for a honeymoon — just nine lodges in total, with stunning views rolling out over the savannah. We were extremely lucky on our very first game drive, seeing four of the Big Five, which even our ranger said doesn't happen often — though guests do have a genuinely strong chance of seeing all five during a stay here. The food was absolutely phenomenal, and if I had to pick a favourite of the two camps, Sindile would be mine.

A quick seasonal tip worth passing on to clients: we visited in autumn (May), and while it's cooler, it's actually a great time to visit — animals are considerably more visible than during peak summer heat, when they tend to retreat into the shade.

Bayethe Camp

A very different vibe to Sindile — much greener, and set in the north of the reserve. Fewer lions are typically seen here, but elephants are in abundance, along with several species of monkey. The food was again outstanding, and I spent an entire afternoon dedicated to the spa — the therapists were phenomenal.

One important note for clients planning ahead: as I was leaving, I was told the camp is due to close for a full refurbishment — worth checking current status before booking, as the camp experience may look different by the time it reopens.

BEYOND THE BIG FIVE: CONSERVATION AT SHAMWARI

Shamwari is a genuine conservation flagship, not simply a game reserve with a good story attached.

The reserve is home to Born Free big-cat sanctuaries, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, and the Shamwari Foundation, and has repeatedly won the World's Leading Conservation Company / Game Reserve award. The conservation centre visit was genuinely one of the highlights of the stay — a must for any guest, not just wildlife enthusiasts.

For clients travelling with children, it's also worth knowing the reserve has a dedicated family lodge, Riverdene, which I'd recommend cross-referencing — I've had clients stay there this year with great feedback. In total, Shamwari holds seven lodges across the reserve: Bayethe, Eagles Crag, Explorer Camp, Long Lee Manor, Riverdene, Sarili and Sindile.

One piece of current context worth flagging: Kerzner International Holdings — the group behind One&Only — assumed management of Shamwari's hospitality division from April 2026, adding it to their Rare Finds portfolio. The reserve itself remains owned by Investment Corporation of Dubai.

This ties in with the Bayethe refurbishment mentioned above, and is worth being aware of when discussing the property with clients.

Shamwari is roughly 45 minutes to an hour's drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Airport — no light aircraft transfer needed, which makes logistics considerably simpler than some other reserves.

FOUR SEASONS SHARM EL SHEIKH

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:32:23 GMT

A Preferred Partner Review, in Residence at the Red Sea

There are hotels you visit, and there are hotels you find yourself recommending to every client who mentions the word “Egypt.” The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is firmly the latter. I spent three nights there this February, staying in a Premier Suite in the resort's newly renovated wing — and I came away convinced this is one of the very best family resorts in Sharm El Sheikh, and one of the standout luxury Red Sea resorts full stop.

Here's everything I'd want a client to know before booking their own Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh family holiday.

A RESORT OF NOTE

This isn't a resort resting on reputation alone. In 2026 it was named to Condé Nast Traveller's newly launched Triple Crown Collection — a distinction reserved for the rare handful of properties that have been recognised across all three of the publication's flagship accolades (the Hot List, the Gold List, and the Reader's Choice Awards) over the past three decades. The Resort has also been awarded a Michelin Key, one of the hospitality industry's highest marks of distinction, and its signature restaurant Bullona holds a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award. For clients who want more than a beautiful setting — who want the assurance of independently verified excellence — this is about as decorated as the Red Sea gets.

TWO SIDES OF THE RESORT — AND WHICH ONE YOU WANT

The resort is split into two distinct sides: the original, more traditional wing, and the newly

renovated Premier side. Having now seen both, and heard back from several clients who've since stayed here, the verdict is unanimous — always book the Premier side. The traditional wing feels noticeably dated by comparison, whereas the Premier Suite I stayed in was sleek, contemporary and beautifully finished, with every detail considered. If you're weighing up room categories for an upcoming trip, this is the one piece of advice I'd give above all else: request Premier category.

For clients wanting to go further still, the Resort holds 52 luxury suites across nine categories — from one- and two-bedroom suites with private pools and sea views, right up to The Palace: a 565-square-metre, three-bedroom signature suite with its own two swimming pools, private fitness and spa treatment rooms, and a lawn reserved for sunrise yoga. Worth knowing for milestone celebrations or clients who simply want the very best the Resort offers.

Worth noting for clients browsing the images below: the private plunge pool shown is from the Premier Suite with Pool category — a step up from the standard Premier Suite I stayed in myself, and worth flagging as an upgrade option for anyone wanting that added privacy.

DINING: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

With 12 restaurants and bars spread across the resort, there is genuinely no chance of getting bored, even over a longer stay. The variety is impressive — from Bullona's Mediterranean fine dining, to Pan-Asian at Yatai, Levantine flavours at Zitouni, and classic Italian at Il Frantoio, alongside relaxed poolside and beachfront spots for lighter bites.

Dietary requirements and restrictions are very well catered for throughout, which is something I always flag for clients travelling with fussier eaters or specific allergies.

Whatever the occasion — a quiet family dinner, a celebratory night out, or simply lunch by the pool — there's a venue that fits.

THE GROUNDS

The landscaping here is genuinely impeccable — more than 3,000 palm trees, manicured gardens, and pops of colour at every turn. The resort is large enough that you can go for a proper walk and actually explore, cascading down the hillside toward a kilometre of private Red Sea beachfront. The one consideration I'd flag for clients: given how spread out the property is, it isn't the easiest resort to navigate for guests with mobility needs, so this is worth discussing at the planning stage. Staff throughout, without exception, were fantastic.

WELLNESS AT THE RESORT

Beyond the pools and beach, the Spa is well worth setting aside time for. Twelve treatment rooms include a lavish couple's suite and two outdoor cabanas facing the Red Sea, alongside a jacuzzi plunge pool, steam room and sauna. The signature Egyptian Masterpiece treatment draws on ancient Egyptian beauty rituals — a milk bath, brown sugar exfoliation and a Pharaonic massage, finished with a jojoba hair treatment — while couples can book the indulgent Chocolate Delight, a 130-minute ritual of exfoliation, chocolate wrap and massage. I sampled five different treatments across my stay, and not one of them disappointed — a genuinely elevated addition to any stay, and one worth pre-booking for clients ahead of arrival.

EVENINGS AT THE RESORT

The bar just up from reception is a brilliant spot for sundowners, and the live evening entertainment is a lovely way to ease into the evening before dinner. It's the kind of detail that elevates a stay from good to memorable — the sort of small, considered touch you'd expect from a Four Seasons property.

FAMILY & CHILDREN'S FACILITIES

This is precisely why it ranks among the best family resorts in Sharm El Sheikh. There are several family pools alongside a separate adults-only pool, so everyone gets their own space. The complimentary Kids For All Seasons programme keeps children aged 4 to 12 entertained with arts and crafts, tennis, swimming and treasure hunts, while a dedicated space for teens and professional babysitting services mean every age is genuinely catered for — not simply tolerated. Four lit tennis courts are also available for family matches or private lessons. It's the small touches that stood out most to me — staff circulating with cooling mist during the hottest parts of the day, and even a glasses-cleaning service. Thoughtful, understated, and exactly the kind of detail that makes a family holiday feel effortless.

MARINE LIFE & WATER EXCURSIONS

The house reef itself isn't the resort's strongest feature, but that's easily solved: the hotel has its own boat and dive suite, running daily excursions either as a group trip or a private charter, with access to a protected marine reserve. Sharm El Sheikh more broadly is home to some of the best marine life in the world, making it a wonderful destination for keen divers and snorkellers — even if this particular resort's reef access isn't the highlight, the wider region more than makes up for it.

LOCATION

The resort sits around a 10-minute drive from the airport, which is a real plus for families travelling with young children — minimal transfer time means minimal fuss. It's also close to Soho Square, ideal for clients who fancy leaving the resort for local restaurants, shopping, and a change of scene.

LOCATION

There's genuinely no bad time to visit Egypt. I travelled in February, and the weather was excellent — low-to-high 20s (°C) throughout the stay — though the island saw more wind than usual, which made evenings a little cooler than expected. Summer months are considerably warmer, so for clients after that sweet spot between warmth and comfort, my personal recommendation would be May or September.

WHO IT SUITS

With villas available up to 5–6 bedrooms, this is a genuine option for multi-generational family groups, as well as couples and larger groups more generally. Whether it's three generations under one roof or a smaller romantic escape in a Premier Suite, the resort flexes to suit.