Whether you’re on an African honeymoon safari, celebrating your 30^th wedding anniversary, or need a break from the kids on your family safari vacation, the spas of southern Africa provide the perfect retreat for a little much-needed “me” time.

Below are 3 of the best spa and relaxation experiences to be had in southern Africa:

Image to the left taken from the Tswalu Kalahari website.

The Spa at Tswalu Kalahari: Winner of The Best Safari Spa Award in the Les Nouvelles Esthétiques 2011 Spa Awards, the Tswalu Kalahari spa is one of South Africa’s most celebrated spas. According to a recent press release from Tswalu Kalahari, the managing editor of Les Nouvelles Esthétiques, Dr. Nadine de Freitas, says “In judging the spas, we look for the personalised aspects in the spa visit, in addition to absolute attention to detail, impeccable spa standards and faultless service excellence, which all adds up to a spa experience which is beyond the client’s expectations.” And the Tswalu Kalahari spa undoubtedly fits each of these descriptions.

Recently renovated in both design and spa treatment selections, the Tswalu Kalahari spa is constantly working to enhance client experience. Currently, the spa offers a variety of specialty treatments, including the signature Tswalu touch experience, an aromatic candle massage, and a hot stone massage—just to name a few. The signature Tswalu touch experience, for example, immerses guests into a state of deep relaxation while rejuvenating and cleansing the skin. Specifically, guests can choose between a natural red dune sand or desert crystal exfoliation before they receive a Kalahari stone massage fusion—unique to Tswalu Kalahari.

Arabella Hotel & Spa: Recognized for its contemporary, yet tranquil, environment, the spa at Arabella Hotel & Spa reflects a unique fusion of relaxation, comfort, and pure luxury. This award-winning spa is primarily known for its lavish African Rainforest Experience treatment, which consists of “a two-hour sensory water and steam treatment using African products and inspired by African rains.” The spa at Arabella prides itself on its unsurpassed ability to bring both Eastern and Western therapeutic philosophies to life in all of its spa treatments. This is the perfect spa for those looking to find inner balance and restore their bodies’ nutrients.

Image above taken from the African Pride Hotels website.

Londolozi’s Granite Suites River Baths: Many of the luxury accommodations in southern Africa offer romantic outdoor bush bath experiences, but Londolozi’s Granite Suites arguably offers the best. This rejuvenating experience takes place in natural surroundings that overlook a quaint river bank, submerging guests into a state of complete relaxation. With the distant sounds of moving water, chirping birds, and the rustle of the ebony tree leaves, there is nothing more serene and rejuvenating than a Londolozi River Bath.

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It’s that time of year when you need to decide where your next family vacation is going to be. Don’t choose the traditional beach resort or overcrowded tourism destination. Choose to experience something completely different from the ordinary.

Unlike traditional five star hotels, accommodations offered by Hills of Africa Travel allow you to immerse yourself into the African culture and absorb the true feeling of Africa’s spirit, while staying in a comfortable and luxurious lodge. Hills of Africa Travel only partners with the best tourism companies to ensure you and your family have the trip of a lifetime in lodges that boast luxurious rooms, personal service, Africa’s unique spirit, lavish amenities, and unspoiled wilderness.

Top Ten Reasons Why an African Family Safari Trip Beats Any Other Vacation:

1. Personalized itineraries: Hills of Africa Travel’s customized African safari itineraries take you wherever you want to go and incorporate only activities you want to do. Each itinerary is tailored to every family’s individual needs and wildest desires. From the sprawling floodplains of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, to the remote islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique, Hills of Africa Travel incorporates Africa’s most highly acclaimed destinations into clients’ personalized itineraries.

2. New flavors and cuisine: Africa’s accommodations and restaurants boast delicious local flavors and dishes, as well as international cuisine. Catering to every appetite, lodges, camps, and hotels, as well as many restaurants off of the reserves, offer both traditional African dishes and westernized dishes. Wet your appetite at one of Cape Town’s finest restaurants, or enjoy a delicious meal beneath the stars at one of South Africa’s premier accommodations such as Kensington Place in Cape Town, or Tswalu in the Kalahari. Dining beneath the stars is a magnificent way to enjoy delicious cuisine under Africa’s night sky and among the beauty of nature. Share a bottle of wine and exciting stories from the day and unwind before retreating back to your suite for a wonderful night’s sleep. The many famous chefs of Africa find creative ways to incorporate African flavors into traditional, world-renowned dishes, making dining experiences both enriching and unique.

3. Pristine beaches: Home to some of the world’s most secluded beaches it’s no wonder beach lovers visit Africa’s unspoiled coastline in search of absolute relaxation. Travel off the beaten path to the stunning, prehistoric beaches of the Makgadikgadi or venture to the pink beaches of Mozambique.

One of the most celebrated beach destinations in Africa is the Garden Route, which is home to stunning backdrops, sprawling white beaches, and magnificent wildlife. Africa’s unspoiled, secluded beaches are some of the most gorgeous beaches in the entire world and should not be missed while on an African safari vacation. Whether you enjoy breathing in the ocean’s salty sea breeze, diving, water sports, basking in the sun, or photography, you’ll love the golden beaches of Africa.

4. Immerse yourself in local cultures: Discover traditional crafts, values, rituals, geology, archaeology, and anthropology of the region as you travel to nearby villages. Knowledgeable guides provide you with spectacular details about the regions’ deeply rooted history of evolution and the origins of Africa’s most ancient areas. Whether visiting people of the Lozi culture in Liuwa National Park, or the Sans Tribe Busmen in Bostwana, you’ll enjoy an enriching and unforgettable learning experience. Uncover the traditional laws and systems of various cultures, and how these cultures utilize their natural resources. In addition, learn directly from ancestors about survival skills, hunting techniques, tribal weaponry, and the laws of nature.

5. Relaxation: Many accommodations throughout the southern regions of Africa offer spa services and relaxing amenities for those looking to take a break from adventurous activities. After a long day traveling across salt pans, sprawling grasslands, or visiting local villages—depending on where you stay—you can relax with a soothing game of golf, a spa visit, a sunset river cruise, or a swim in your lodge’s pool. If you’re a golf lover, Zimbabwe’s Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve and Victoria Falls offer excellent golf courses, as well as the Kalahari, which is known for its legendary Sishen Golf Course. For those who love the spa, you can retreat to complete relaxation and enjoy state-of-the-art treatments such as reflexology, Swedish massages, and body treatments in one of Africa’s celebrated spas. Some of Africa’s most highly acclaimed spas include the Singita Pamushana Spa in Zimbabwe, the Safari Spa in Victoria Falls, and Tswalu’s Sanctuary Spa in the Kalahari.  Many spas also offer revitalizing massages in the privacy of your own suite. Whatever spa service you choose, you’ll feel refreshed and prepared to take on your next adventure.

Don’t miss out on the family vacation of a lifetime. Contact Hills of Africa Travel today at (877) 845-4802 and let us create a personalized itinerary for you and your family. We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .