Slow Luxury with Belmond: From Botswana’s Open Wilderness to Iconic Cape Town

This journey has taken days to fully absorb—not because it lacked clarity, but because it offered so much. My recent travels through Botswana and South Africa with Belmond, as part of the LGBTQ Advisory Board meetings, were an exercise in what Belmond calls “slow luxury.” It's a concept that reshapes how we think about indulgence—not as extravagance, but as presence, connection, and meaning.

Savute Elephant Lodge – Belmond Safari, Chobe National Park

We began at Savute Elephant Lodge, a Belmond Safari lodge in Chobe National Park, where luxury unfolds at nature’s pace. Our suite overlooked the Savute Channel, and each day brought the thrill of watching elephants come to the water—no schedule, no rush. 

Game drives here were nothing short of extraordinary. Our guide, Kenny, had a sixth sense for tracking wildlife. One minute we were admiring two lioness nursing their cubs; the next, we found ourselves within reaching distance of a leopard. Each sighting felt like a gift—unhurried, unscripted, unforgettable.

But the magic wasn’t only in the sightings. It was in the still moments—watching wildlife roam free against a pink dusk sky, or sharing quiet awe with friends. This was slow luxury at its purest: space to breathe, time to connect, and experiences that sink in.

Eagle Island Lodge – Belmond Safari, Okavango Delta

From Chobe, we flew deeper into Botswana’s wilderness to Eagle Island Lodge, a Belmond Safari located in the Okavango Delta. Our tented room—complete with a private plunge pool, an expansive deck overlooking the wetlands, and a dreamy soaker bathtub (my favorite). 

Our guide, OT, brought the delta to life: from hippos and crocodiles to baboons (one of which stole our sugar at breakfast) and two lions that met our gaze just feet away. We explored by mokoro—a traditional dugout canoe—and even took to the skies for a surprise helicopter flight over the delta.

Evenings brought sundowners in the most magical settings—one night at a pop-up bar, another at the lodge’s own Fish Eagle Bar. But the most impactful moments happened around the fire. We told stories. We laughed. And we realized how profoundly these experiences—and each other—had moved us.

This is the heart of slow luxury: allowing a place to transform you, not through rush or spectacle, but through quiet wonder and deep connection.

Mount Nelson – A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town

After days immersed in nature, we returned to civilization—though it felt more like stepping into a dream (a pink dream). Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, affectionately known as the Pink Nellie, welcomed us with its signature blend of grandeur and warmth. The hotel became a hub for our LGBTQ Advisory Board activities. Our meetings were fun and interesting.  Every year I am reminded how wonderful it is to be in the company of such smart and funny fellow board members. 

Our first evening, we shared a private paint-and-champagne evening, and an unforgettable dinner featuring a powerful performance by Isibane Se Afrika. 

One afternoon after meetings we visited Veld and Sea, set within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. There, we made botanical cocktails from foraged ingredients, shared stories over a sustainably prepared feast, and danced to live music by Hot Water under the wide African sky. All of the music we had heard on this adventure was unforgettable.

Returning to Mount Nelson at sunset via the coastal cliffs, we joined a joyful celebration of Belmond’s 10-year partnership with the IGLTA. Seeing the rainbow flag flying high above the Pink Nellie felt like a full-circle moment: a brand committed to inclusion, connection, and mindful luxury.

My Closing Thoughts

Belmond’s world isn’t one of rushed itineraries or surface-level indulgence. It’s a celebration of slow luxury—where time stretches, senses awaken, and stories unfold organically.

From the untouched beauty of Botswana’s wilds to the vibrancy of Cape Town, this journey reminded me why I do what I do. As a travel advisor, I’m not just curating trips. I’m helping others find space to reconnect—with nature, with culture, and with themselves.

And in that space, something extraordinary always happens.

For more information on Safari or Cape Town, please drop me a note: kelli@kelligreggtravel.com