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  • Discover

Irish country-house charm

Within the magnificent 350-acre estate of Ashford Castle, overlooking magical Lough Corrib.

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Xigera Safari Lodge

Okavango Delta, Botswana

A luxury safari lodge in Botswana's Okavango Delta

The story of Xigera Safari Lodge is one of renewal. Of rebirth and family legacy, and of the pioneering spirit that drives us to seek out Africa’s wild spaces. The same spirit that inspired this remarkable reimagining, perhaps a complete reinvention, of an Okavango Delta safari. This is Xigera (pronounced ‘kee-jera’), named for the Pied Kingfisher that makes its home amid the watery channels of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve. Every aspect is handcrafted to beguile our guests’ senses and stir their souls – from the evocative interiors to one-of-a-kind encounters. But Xigera is equally a line in the sand. A raising of the bar. A bold statement in the realm of luxury safaris in Botswana, and an Okavango Delta safari experience like no other.

Discover the history of The Twelve Apostles

1721

1836

1929

1954

1955

1968

1986

1992

2002

2014

Lord Charles Somerset

1721

The first member of the van Breda family came to the Cape in 1721 and over the years the family acquired large tracks of land.

1836

Lord Charles Somerset, Governor of The Cape, gave Michael van Breda a piece of land at Oudekraal in 1836 on which to build his own hunting lodge.

Herbert Bakers Houses

1929

In 1929, Jack van Breda designed a handsome house, after the style of Sir Herbert Baker, with two big white frontal gables and a thatched roof. It took two years to build.

Portrait of Sir Henry Philip Price

1954

Van Breda sold the farm on 28 January 1954 to Sir Henry Philip Price, Chairman of a well-known London tailoring establishment for the price of GBP60 000. Price issued instructions for the homestead, and slightly more than one acre of ground (portion 3) was separated from the remainder of the estate.

Babylonstoren's garden

1955

In 1955 Emily Bolton purchased portion 3 of the farm, on which the house stood, from Sir Henry. Bolton, a rich English spinster, lived here with her lover, a Mr Butcher. Bolton and Butcher, both regarded as recluses, led strange, solitary lives and paid no attention to the house which fell into disarray.

Camps Bay 1968

1968

The Wiehahn family bought the surrounding Oudekraal Farm from Sir Henry’s estate on 28 May 1968.

Night Exterior of the Twelve Apostles

1986

In 1986 Mel Miller, who operated an advertising agency called The White House, bought the house on auction for R405 000.

PSG Investment Bank

1992

In 1992 Miller sold the house to the developer Stephen Jones for R3.1 million, who decided, amidst great controversy, to build a R40 million hotel and conference centre. Stephen Jones sold the hotel to Business Bank, which was then, along with its assets, sold to PSG Bank.

2002

In March 2002 the hotel became part of the family-owned Red Carnation Hotels and was re-named The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. Within just five years the property had been renovated. Around the hotel, alien plant species were removed and extensive indigenous gardens were cultivated.

2014

A member of Leading Hotels of the World, The Twelve Apostles won ‘South Africa’s Leading Spa Resort’ in the 2014 World Travel Awards, while Travel + Leisure named it one of the ‘Most Romantic Hotels in Cape Town’, and voted it amongst the ‘World’s Best 500 Hotels’.

Leopard Print Background

Meet our team

Every one of our team members is empowered to make a real difference, offering remarkably considerate service and discrete attention to detail. From freshly-cut flowers in the suites to personalised gifts for special occasions, it is no surprise that guests often remember the names of our staff and ask after them when they return.

Meet the characters of The Twelve Apostles
Twelve Apostles Spa Gazebo at sunset

Our differences

Our award-winning hotel has sea and mountain-facing luxurious rooms and exquisite dining experiences, including the Café Grill and the Azure Restaurant, famous for its seafood and fine dining. The Leopard Bar offers the most delicious cocktails and breath-taking sunsets. Discover scenic mountain trails and the healing holistic Spa with a stunning outdoor gazebo.

Reasons to love The Twelve Apostles

Discover more about The Twelve Apostles

Twelve Apostles Cinema snacks

Let the children play

We delight in all our family experiences

Sleep beautifully

Discover our bedrooms & suites

Stories of The Twelve Apostles

Discover our gallery

Wonderful recognition

Explore our awards & accolades

We care

Explore our sustainable initiatives
Twelve Apostles Cinema snacks

Let the children play

We delight in all our family experiences

Sleep beautifully

Discover our bedrooms & suites

Stories of The Twelve Apostles

Discover our gallery

Wonderful recognition

Explore our awards & accolades

We care

Explore our sustainable initiatives
Twelve Apostles Cinema snacks

Let the children play

We delight in all our family experiences

Sleep beautifully

Discover our bedrooms & suites
Protea Illustration

Extraordinary experiences

We are proud to have long-standing relationships with some of Cape Town’s most significant personalities and offer a range of uplifting experiences. Just a few examples: an unforgettable helicopter trip with Christo Brand, Nelson Mandela’s warder and close friend, who can tell Madiba’s story like no one else; paddling with penguins on an exclusive kayak tour; or foraging for botanicals to craft a bespoke G&T with our mixologist.

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Delicious dining

Our restaurants are consistently rated amongst Cape Town’s best, from the refined and special retreat of Azure Restaurant, to the laid-back charm of The Café Grill, infamous for Sushi By The Sea. Executive Chef Christo Pretorius uses only the finest, sustainable and organic ingredients, accompanied by hand-crafted wines from sister property Bouchard Finlayson selected by our sommelier Gregory Mutambe.

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The power of passion

"Opened in 2002, The Twelve Apostles has undergone a number of incarnations, from a private home, to advertising agency, to hotel. My own journey with Red Carnation began in 2001 in London and culminated in my appointment as General Manager at The Twelve Apostles in 2014.


I am proud to have witnessed the growth and achievements of our team and I’m equally proud of the role the hotel plays in the local community. Our location in the environs of a national park demands diligent sustainability practices. We have impressive water-saving initiatives, a system for the management of waste and energy consumption, and have eliminated single-use plastics from our operations.


For as long as I’ve worked at The 12A, it never ceases to delight me. Our hotel is close enough to Cape Town but far enough away from the ‘madding crowd’ to make your visit seem like a retreat. The V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay beaches, the historic Constantia Wine Route and Hout Bay are all within easy reach.


Our location is exceptional - wedged between mountain and sea – our design is incredible, and our guest experiences are so diverse. Experiences range from exhilarating helicopter flights and mountain walks, to High Tea by the Sea or a treatment in an outdoor mountain spa gazebo. Our views of the Atlantic Ocean are unequalled anywhere else in the city.


We look forward to welcoming you to our little slice of paradise very soon."


- Michael Nel, General Manager

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London

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Dorset

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Ireland

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Guernsey

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Edinburgh

  • 100 Princes Street

South Africa

  • Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat
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Botswana

  • Xigera Safari Lodge

Geneva

  • Hotel d'Angleterre

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