When my now-husband and I were planning our honeymoon in Africa, we knew that after a few days of safari in Zimbabwe we wanted to fly to South Africa.
We knew we wanted to visit the famous penguin beaches. We wanted to make it to the top of Table Mountain, and we wanted to stay at a couple of Cape Town's most beloved hotels. What we didn't know was that a search for some peace and seclusion during our time on the continent's southernmost tip would lead us to a four-bedroom, pink villa on the country's lesser-known Eastern Cape with only wild giraffes for company.
On arrival into the country's tiny ‘East London’ airport, just 90 minutes from Cape Town, we were somewhat dubious about our last-minute decision, but the minute we drove up to the aptly-named ‘Paradise’ villa and were confronted with its breathtaking architecture we knew that luxury holiday property experts, Oliver's Travels, had nailed it with this find.
Admittedly the three spare bedrooms - all of which had just as spectacular views of the ocean and endless bushveld as our chosen master - were excessive for the two of us. As, perhaps, was the private chef and enormous swimming pool (you know, considering those panoramic views of, and easy access to, the Indian Ocean), but if you can't justify overindulgence on your honeymoon, when can you?
Or, at least, that's what we told ourselves when we were greeted by homemade scones still warm from the oven and two majestic giraffes walking past the living room window as we set about exploring our palatial, meticulously designed new home for the next few days.
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At the heart of the villa, an open, theatre-style kitchen faces out over an enormous wooden 10-person dining table and onto sweeping ocean views. Spoilt for choice in terms of seating, the two of us were undoubtedly dwarfed by the enormity of the space but relished in the opportunity to get to know our chef, Adam, on a more personal level.
Having introduced us to the menu for the next few days - and the treasure trove-like wine cellar - we quickly became aware that saying ‘yes’ to the private chef package (partly as yet another ‘honeymoon indulgence’ and partly because we didn't have a car with which to find a supermarket even slightly nearby this remote spot) was already one of our more brilliant decisions.
From Eggs Benedict and avocado salsa toast in the kitchen to a ‘bush breakfast’ served deep in the - you guessed it - bush, our days here immediately look set to be elite from the moment we woke up.
Spinach and feta stuffed chicken breasts, sirloin steaks with a red wine reduction, and a pan-seared chicken with lemon beurre blanc sauce and the most incredible garlic mashed potatoes were just some of the evening highlights, while a ‘beach braai’ (an iconic South African take on the barbecue) may have been moved poolside - due to the whipping November winds churning up enough sand to ruin even the most delicious plate of food - but was one of the best, and most memorable, meals we had during our entire honeymoon.
Barbecued meats were served alongside potato salad, quinoa salad, apple salad and pasta salad, as well as freshly-made garlic bread and barbecued pineapple. And while I'd love to say it was miles too much for just the two of us we polished-off almost every last bite with shameful ease.
Whipping winds-aside, you'd be foolish to visit Paradise and not take several strolls along the untouched two-kilometre beachfront. Just a ten minute wander from the villa's front door, even the walk to the beach is an experience. Taking you through just a sliver of this magnificent and secluded 700 acre reserve, our first experience of what we thought was merely a route to get from A to B served up no fewer than seven enormous giraffes, three zebras and three giant tortoises.
Now you might think - having just returned from one of the world's most epic animal-spotting safari experiences in Zimbabwe - that we could be desensitised to the magnitude of this moment. But - perhaps largely thanks to our lack of a safari guide, a jeep or, really, anything but our beach towels and holiday reading material - it was as though this was our first ever encounter with either species. Up close and personal, these incredible animals were happily wandering mere metres - I'm talking fewer than ten - from us, as we stood there silently gawping.
The zebras bounced away into the trees just as quickly as they appeared, and while they were certainly less quick and bouncy the tortoises were similarly nonplussed by our presence.
The giraffes, however, were acutely more aware. They each stopped for a moment - together, as a pack - to make intense eye contact with us, and we weren't quite sure what to do. Were they about to attack? Did they want our packed lunch? Did they think we were their packed lunch??
After what felt like the longest, most surreal staring contest - during which we remembered that giraffes are, luckily, herbivores - they all simultaneously looked back in the direction they'd been walking and continued on their path. They may as well have shrugged, they were that unfazed by discovering us. Equally grateful for their nonchalance as we were giddy about that incredible up-close-and-personal interaction, we picked our jaws up off the floor and headed for those incredible white sands.
As picturesque as if we'd just fallen into a brochure, this truly untouched beachfront felt entirely private, and stretched well beyond the eye could see.
And while the wind did occasionally lift light sheets of sand to whip at pace against the backs of our legs, it also left the most beautiful ‘impact ripples’ across the entire landscape where ordinarily you'd see endless footprints, tumbling sandcastles and other, less welcome, signs of fellow holidaymakers. That afternoon was about as remote - and as peaceful - as I've ever felt in my 30 years on this earth so far.
After hours of paddling, sliding down sand dunes and picking up some of the most beautiful shells - and a less beautiful dose of sunburn - we headed back up to the palatial pink villa where we'd almost forgotten we'd booked early evening massages.
Moments later I was face-down on a treatment bed in one of the spare bedrooms being utterly spoiled by an exceptional massage therapist who'd been promptly booked by the Paradise team after I'd let them know that I'd been tempted by the ‘Ngculura Experience’ - a full-body, indulgent treatment with the promise of relaxing mind and body, and releasing muscular tension.
Remember when I said I was feeling more peaceful than ever only hours prior? Well that was beaten surprisingly quickly.
One incredible supper, huge brunch, morning of whale-watching from the garden and afternoon of sundowners - with Gail, the incredible reserve manager, and Chef Adam - later, and we were heading back to the airport for our quick return flight to Cape Town, armed with some of resident guide, WeWe's, very own organic honey. As well as an absolute determination that this once-in-a-lifetime experience would in fact need to become twice-in-a-lifetime, at the very least.
Next time we visit we might even invite some family and friends…
Prices start at £2,580/night and flights are available from most major UK airports via Cape Town.
With twenty years of experience in the travel industry, the team at Oliver's Travels has a wealth of impeccable, hand-picked properties all over the world. Having placed over 100,000 guests in their properties last year, there's no doubt that they're fast-becoming go-to holiday experts behind many of the most memorable, one-of-a-kind trips.
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