Luxury villa to rent in Manda Island, Lamu, Kenya

The most romantic gem of a cottage opposite the Peponi Hotel.

Nestled directly on Mada Island’s beachfront, opposite the Peponi Hotel, this gem of a planation inspired cottage sleeps 1 or 2 couples. Adapted to the local climate and specifically to catch the tropical breeze under high ceilings and louvre shutters.

The main house is open plan with a double bedroom area set to one side of the living space. The guest cottage is equally comfortable and has a private terrace. Both are beautifully decorated.

Surrounded by numerous verandas and terraces, a plunge pool and mature gardens the cottage has direct beach access.

The house comes with a 9metre hardwood canoe with a distinctive 1030’s vibe. There is a generous mattress on the bow for sunbathing or sunset tours with a coffee table for picnics towards the rear. The boat is available for the duration of the stay and will be waiting at the airport when guests arrive andis strictly for use with the Captain.

 N.B. Syngué Sabour Cottage and Guest Suite is solar powered therefore the use of hairdryers, air conditioners and other high-consumption electronics is not permitted.

Luxury villa to rent in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, South Africa, Africa

A sophisticated safari experience in South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife area.

Set in the heart of a private wildlife concession near the Kruger, Cheetah Plains is not just a lodge, it’s a destination unto itself. Offering three beautifully appointed villas which can be booked individually or together for larger parties, this is where luxury meets the wild in utterly seamless style.

Each villa has been designed with space, privacy, and elegance in mind: open living areas that flow onto decks overlooking floodlit waterholes, sumptuous bedrooms with plush linens, indooroutdoor showers, and exemplary furnishings. Outside, the bush comes to you, mealtimes under acacia trees, private safari drives, and evenings by the fire with stars overhead and the distant roar of lions.

Service here is superb: deeply personal, attentive, and discreet. Think bespoke game drives, thoughtful cuisine, and staff who help you feel both pampered and immersed in the rhythm of the wild.

Cheetah Plains is for those who want more than just a holiday, it’s for those who want a story to take home.

Luxury villa to rent in Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa

The perfect beach house for a group of friends.

Super private, yet yards from one of South Africa’s most famous beaches, this is the prefect beach house from which to access everything Cape Town has to offer.

The house is supremely well located with amazing views through the glass fronted open plan living area, over 4th beach which has the calmest sea of any of Clifton’s glamorous beaches, making it perfect for swimming.

Very stylish and featuring some stunning artwork, it is a very comfortable house in all seasons, with underfloor heating for the cooler months.

The three bedrooms are spread over two floors, all rooms having outside access to decked areas.

A private house to rent on the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya

Beautifully designed and built entirely from sustainable materials, this exclusive-use house sits in the centre of the Borana Conservancy, famous for its rhinos and riding safaris.

Lengishu is a stunning new house located on Kenya’s newest and most successful private rhino conservancy, Borana. The private home is completely sustainable in design and was built to blend into its natural surroundings. With sweeping views across the Borana-Lewa landscape and into Northern Kenya, it’s difficult not to fall in love with this house.

The main house is central to the design with a large entrance hall leading to the sitting and dining rooms, which is warmed by two large open fireplaces with glorious views and an impressive vaulted ceiling. A covered veranda with a pizza oven allows for outdoor luncheons or evening entertaining. A studio with floor-to-ceiling windows and inspirational views is nestled below.

All the bedrooms are spacious with an open, uncluttered design and have en-suite bathrooms with rain showers and freestanding copper bathtubs. The floor-to-ceiling windows open on to the views beyond, making the most of a spectacular setting and allowing for bathtub game viewing.

There is never a dull moment at Lengishu – stay at the house and watch wildlife from the gorgeous infinity pool while sipping a G&T, play pétanque in the grounds or partake in a relaxing massage, the choice is yours.

Alternatively, enjoy daily game drives on the hunt for the big five, hop in a helicopter and explore the frontiers of Northern Kenya, go horse riding in the foothills of Mount Kenya, or venture out on foot with a conservancy ranger to spot black and white rhino.

Luxury villa to rent in Marrakech, Morocco

SJ Villas loves this elegant and sophisticated private estate.

Discover the elegant charm of Dar Farah, a sophisticated private estate nestled in the lush Ourika Valley, just a short drive from the vibrant heart of Marrakech. This luxurious property comfortably accommodates up to 15 guests, offering a grand array of amenities set within three-and-a-half acres of verdant gardens filled with ancient olive and fruit trees.

Dar Arbala features a large swimming pool, a shared clay tennis court, and cozy hammocks perfect for lazy afternoons. For those seeking activity, a badminton court is readily available, and the nearby terrain is ideal for hiking and exploring the seven local waterfalls. The property’s location also places guests close to the famed Monday market, a treasure trove of vintage finds and culinary delights.

The villa itself boasts grand Moorish architecture and elegantly moody interiors, including a plum dining room with a striking silver chandelier and luxurious four-poster beds adorned with hand-embroidered throws. Every detail ensures a stay of unparalleled comfort and style, enhanced by the attentive service of the ever-smiling butler, Brahim, who is ready to serve refreshing mint tea as you gaze out at the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

A very private beachfront sanctuary on Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Barefoot luxury, the SJ way…

Tucked away on the wild, unspoilt shores of Benguerra Island in Mozambique, Kisawa Sanctuary is one of the most extraordinary places we’ve come across — a vast private estate of sand dunes, coastal forest and five kilometres of untouched Indian Ocean coastline.

Designed with immense care and privacy in mind, the property can be booked as a whole or by residence, with 17 beautifully designed bungalows spread across 11 residences — perfect for couples, families, or a full takeover for something truly special. The style is clean, natural, and effortless. You have your own personal service team, your own electric Mini Moke to roam freely, and the freedom to be as private or as adventurous as you like.

The team here are exceptional — discreet, intuitive, and deeply welcoming — and the experiences on offer are unforgettable: dhow trips across the archipelago, paddleboarding in turquoise waters, diving untouched reefs, or joining scientists at the property’s sister organisation, Africa’s first permanent marine observatory.
It’s rare to find a place that gets everything right — but Kisawa really does. One of the most original and thoughtful barefoot luxury experiences we’ve seen.

A luxury villa to rent near Marrakesh, Morocco

Dar Inès is a private family home nestled in a century old olive grove, in the countryside of Marrakech, Morocco. 

Dar Inès is a private family home nestled in a century old olive grove, in the countryside of Marrakech, Morocco.

The sumptuous villa is situated in a peaceful location away from the crowds and offers gorgeous view of the famous Atlas Mountains.

Professionally run and with every luxury, beautiful, spacious interiors and fabulous outside living, nothing has been left to chance. Dar Inès is a bright house, tastefully decorated. Traditional Moroccan meet Western influences.

Dar Inès is set amongst landscaped gardens with beautiful palm trees and many other exotic plants. The swimming pool and pool house are a set away from the main house. There are plenty of terraces and outside dining options, as well as many opportunities for outdoor leisure and relaxation. The free-range chicken will graciously provide the eggs during your stay.

The house has five bedrooms on two levels, an open living, dining room and with a library. The kitchen is fully equipped and professionally fitted. The cook will be preparing each meal as per your wishes and dietary requirements.

On the ground floor, three bedrooms with different atmospheres, each of bedroom have king-size beds, are en-suite and have a private access to the garden. Designed like a loft, one of the three rooms can accommodate seven people in total thanks to a mezzanine. The master suite is upstairs, has a private terrace with two sun loungers, a bathroom, a large dressing room and a chimney. A further bedroom (that can also be transformed into a comfortable television room) has a private balcony and an en-suite shower room.

The staff is very knowledgeable about the area. They will recommend and organise wonderful outings should you wish an adventure.

A luxury villa to rent on Shela beach, Lamu, Kenya

A traditional Swahili house of whitewashed terraces and Arabic arches, sitting right on Shela beach with 270-degree views of the ocean.  

Built in authentic Swahili style, Forodhani House is a large whitewashed villa situated on a 12km stretch of pristine white sand on the beautiful island of Lamu.

The house has five en-suite bedrooms, all with shaded terraces and magnificent ocean views. The ground floor comprises a large kitchen, where the excellent cook works her magic, a beautiful dining terrace, a spacious lounge and a pool that looks out across the ocean.

Inside, everywhere is beautifully decorated, with a carefully curated a mix of hand-woven rugs, light curtains, antique coffee tables and old wooden chests. There are plenty of lounging areas, terraces, shady verandas and welcoming day beds, as well as Arabic arches that frame the sea and sky and remind you where you are.

Once outside you’re immediately struck by the 270-degree views of the ocean, and it’s not uncommon to look up from the breakfast table and spot schools of sardines jumping to escape barracuda, or dolphins swimming up the channel.

The village of Shela is right behind the house and has a great collection of markets and shops. Guided tours of Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO-listed site, can also be arranged.

Or you may simply want to spend your time on the beach. You can walk for miles along soft white sand from the steps of the villa, or try your hand at anything from kitesurfing to kayaking. Turtles come to nest and lay their eggs on these beaches, and you can even spot humpback and blue whales in season.   

A private island to rent 30km off the coast of Tanzania

An ultra-luxe private island hideaway in the Indian Ocean’s largest marine reserve, with a plantation-style villa, two traditional beach bandas, not one but three boats and an army of discreet staff. 

Few holidays compare to hiring your own private island, off limits to everyone but the staff and whoever you choose to bring.

Lying 30km off mainland Tanzania, in a marine reserve home to turtles, stingrays and migrating whale sharks, lies an island playground like few others we know.

Thanda Island was little more than a blip in the ocean before the Olofsson family took it on over a decade ago. The private villa they built has been designed in plantation-house style, with deep, wraparound verandas and five beautiful air-conditioned bedrooms, each with a four-poster bed.

The villa offers everything you’d want from an extravagant beach house, plus plenty more you never knew you needed, like an indoor aquarium, a Steinway grand piano, an excellent wine collection, a cigar humidor and a wraparound dining area with 180-degree views of the ocean. And though off the grid and 100% self-sufficient, the house still has great WiFi and mobile reception.

Away from the main house and sat right on the beach are a couple of two-storey, Tanzanian beach Bandas. Each Banda has a double bedroom and en-suite bathroom per floor. Airconditioned and beautifully decorated with locally carved furniture and fabrics from Mafia Island, they offer laidback island living with exquisite ocean views.

Outside are romantic copper beach baths, a glass-sided infinity pool, a cocktail bar, pizza oven and an outdoor sala overlooking the ocean used for yoga, meditation, reiki and spa treatments.

Life here unsurprisingly revolves around the ocean and the boat house is crammed with SUP boards, kayaks, banana boats, wakeboards, snorkelling gear and even a pair of jet skis.

Three larger boats along with captain and crew are also at your disposal. Scuba diving trips to nearby Mafia Island can easily be arranged, and game fishing season runs September until March, with sailfish often caught from November to January.

However, the highlight in the water is often swimming with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, which feed just south of Thanda Island from October until March.

The seafood is incredible too, with the likes of fresh lobster, red-snapper ceviche, seared tuna and prawns as big as langoustines appearing regularly on the menu.

A luxury game lodge to rent in the Waterberg, South Africa

A breathtakingly beautiful African home on a 20,000-acre private game reserve, with exquisite views and activities aplenty.

Situated in the malaria-free area of the Waterberg Mountains in northern South Africa lies Leobo Private Reserve, a beautiful 20,000-acre estate teeming with plains game, hippo and buffalo.

Built and designed by award-winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, this incredible house, or Observatory as it is known, is a true masterpiece, ideal for a couple or a family. With phenomenal views, funky architecture and utterly luxurious interiors, it will undoubtedly take your breath away.

Though lavish and luxurious, the real name of the game at Leobo is fun. The game viewing is world class. It’s one of only a handful of sole-use private reserves in Africa, meaning guests get full access to the entire estate and all its facilities.

Besides game viewing, other possible activities range from picnics by helicopter and camping beside hippos to fishing, kayaking and swimming with crocodiles.

This house itself is state-of-the-art, with breathtaking views in every direction. Serviced by a butler, maid and chef, it also has a heated infinity pool, a jacuzzi on the roof and a sensational sunken firepit. There is even an automated observatory for stargazing.

The house sleeps six adults and three children in three double rooms and a children’s triple bunk room. All bedrooms are spacious and airy and each is equipped with a cosy fireplace.

There are numerous places inside and outside the house to eat, relax and soak up the atmosphere.