RETIRE IN STYLE: Over 60 and going places: see the world without roughing it

Luxury rail and private reserves, a Nile cruise, Japan and Antarctica – six exceptional escapes bring adventure closer.

It’s a growing market. South Africa’s over-60 population has nearly doubled since 2002, reaching 6.6 million in 2025. That’s 10.5% of the population, according to Statistics South Africa. And the appetite to explore is holding firm: US research by the American Association of Retired Persons found that 64% of over-fifties planned to travel in 2026, with bucket-list experiences accounting for one in five planned trips abroad.

Six high-end escapes offer different takes on travelling well after 60.

Flying between Pretoria and Cape Town takes a couple of hours. Rovos Rail, ranked the world’s fourth-best luxury train journey, makes a persuasive case for taking three nights instead. The 1,600km meander from the Highveld through the Karoo and Cape winelands stops for excursions in Kimberley and Matjiesfontein. On board, meals, drinks, room service and limited laundry are included.

At Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, the real luxury is deciding how the day unfolds. Each booking comes with a private 4×4, guide and tracker, so there’s no shared safari timetable to follow. From Motse, days might include game drives, nature walks, tracking, stargazing or a meerkat encounter. Meals, drinks and laundry are included. Winter has another advantage: cooler conditions bring opportunities to see usually nocturnal species in daylight – and game drives can start later.

Big Five fatigue? Grootbos delivers a different experience. Set between mountain, fynbos and sea near Gansbaai, the private nature reserve offers 4×4 flower safaris, guided walks, coastal drives and seasonal land-based whale watching. July to December is prime whale season, making it possible to watch southern right whales without boarding a boat. Meals, non-alcoholic drinks and many guided activities are included in the rate.

Cost: R33,000 per night for two adults sharing a Luxury Suite, plus a R400pp nightly conservation contribution

The Nile is hardly short of history; the Oberoi Philae adds some serious polish. Its luxury cruises between Luxor and Aswan combine sightseeing by small luxury coach with onboard Egyptologists, private docking and a maximum of just 44 guests. Days move between temples and tombs; evenings return to spacious cabins, fine dining and the quiet of the river. The ship offers easier embarkation arrangements for guests with mobility needs – a useful detail on a journey where ancient sites do much of the talking.

Best time: Cruises operate most of the year; check 2026 sailing dates directly with Oberoi

Japan rewards curiosity, but navigating several cities can eat into the pleasure. InsideJapan’s 15-day Luxury Japan tour slows the pace, pairs upper four- and five-star hotels with a tour leader, and forwards luggage between key stops. The route takes in Tokyo, Nagoya, Inuyama, Kyoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Osaka, with a private transfer on arrival.