Beyond the Safari: Selling Wellness in South Africa

When discussing a destination, an instant association with world-class wildlife experiences is of course a positive trait. But often a country like South Africa that’s widely regarded for its safaris might only be known to clients for that one thing. Anyone who’s visited the Rainbow Nation knows that there is so much more to experience than the Big Five, and that education is a vital resource to pass along to your clients when booking a vacation in South Africa.

Tailoring recommendations will depend, as always, on what your client is looking to get out of their trip as a whole. However, a great entry point into expanding their horizons beyond strictly safari is the broad category of wellness. Regardless of age, interest or income, there are aspects of wellness travel that appeal to nearly everyone. The simple fact that your client is booking a trip revolving around connecting with nature (fingers crossed for lions, giraffes and elephants!) implies that they might be open to tuning in to their other senses in the bush.

The following are a few suggestions for selling your client on wellness-related upgrades to their safari vacation package.

Pair big cats with downward dog

The meditative nature of yoga is a natural companion to any game reserve stay. Experiences like The Healing Safari with Dr. Tanya Pergola pair connection with South Africa’s stunning wildlife with the centering practice of yoga. Inspired by the “Book of Joy” using principles from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, this eco retreat has been designed to align wildlife viewing and all the facets of a South African safari with an introduction to Maasai yoga and meditation, which takes its cues from Africa’s landscapes. Beginning in Cape Town and moving on to KwaZulu-Natal, this safari is ideal in the spring or fall.

Yoga safaris are a way to engage already wellness-focused clients or introduce adventurous individuals to an entirely new category of travel (you can do yoga pretty much anywhere). With a safari — or an extension — that includes yoga, participants have the opportunity to practice in unforgettable locations, join other activities like a walking safari, and partake in delicious food and wine that’s locally sourced. They might even learn a few new moves to bring home with them. How’s that for a souvenir?

Surf’s up

If you have someone looking for adventure travel, South Africa has an endless range to offer from sky diving to shark diving. But many don’t realize that the surfing here is pristine, with 1,740 miles of coastline touching both the South Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. If you have honeymooners looking to get in the water, recommend a surf retreat as an alternative to passively lying on the beach. Or maybe a family with teens will consider a surf camp. Along South Africa’s acclaimed Garden Route are a number of surf lodges and outfitters that cater to visitors who surf back at home or have never been on a board. Better yet, surfing here is a year-round pastime.

When it comes to the stunningly scenic Garden Route, a 190-mile stretch of shoreline, clients can turn their big safari trip into a self-drive adventure. The route technically begins in Mossel Bay, five hours from Cape Town, but allows intrepid visitors to navigate a bounty of game reserves, boutique accommodations, tantalizing local cuisine and beaches with perfect surf, like Jeffrey’s Bay.

A centering stay on the Western Cape

Promoting wellness on a getaway can be anything from taking a hike to booking a single massage or facial to intentionally disconnecting from technology. A South African property that bakes wellness into everything they do is Bushmans Kloof, a wilderness reserve and wellness retreat that’s part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. The location alone will encourage guests to tap into their spirituality with 130 sites featuring ancient rock art (some dating back 10,000 years) set among 18,500 acres in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. A unique chance to connect with the region’s ancient San culture is yet another reason to consider a stay here, about 167 miles up the Western Cape from Cape Town International Airport in in Clanwilliam.

A stay in Cape Town, the provincial capital of the Western Cape, is a must before or after any wellness retreat farther afield. Flat-topped Table Mountain is not only an iconic part of the cityscape but a fantastic way to spend an afternoon with accessible hikes and views across the Cape Peninsula. Cape Town is an epicenter of diversity, which is reflected in the language, music, cuisine and customs from a tapestry of Dutch, French, Malay, Afrikaner and Xhosa peoples. Clients can learn more about South Africa’s blended history at any number of cultural institutions from the District Six Museum to the Iziko South African National Gallery.

From the Sponsor

South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for marketing South Africa as a preferred leisure and business events destination. From breathtaking beauty to sun-soaked coasts; from wildlife to adventure; from vibrant urban energy to the incredible warmth and cultural diversity of our people – South Africa is a traveler’s dream! With a wide variety of experiences in close proximity, including wildlife safaris in 19 national parks, breathtaking scenic outdoor spaces, vibrant modern cities, an amazing 2,500-km coastline with Blue Flag beaches, inspiring heritage and cultural journeys, as well as active adventure experiences, a South African holiday offers impressive value for time and money at any budget.

When your clients #VisitSouthAfrica they will reawaken their spirits by connecting with our vibrant people and unique experiences in a way that both renews and transforms them. For more information on South African Tourism, visit https://www.southafrica.net/us/en/travel.  For the latest travel trade updates, follow @SAtraveltrade on Twitter/ X https://x.com/satraveltrade.