The 16 Most Exclusive Estates In South Africa

By | December 8, 2019

Afrasia bank, in association with New World Wealth has released its latest wealth report, detailing where South Africa’s wealthiest people choose to live and work.

These wealth statistics are taken from New World Wealth’s in-house high net worth individuals (HNWI) database, which comprises dossiers on over 150,000 HNWIs from around the world.

The most affluent areas in and around Johannesburg include Sandhurst, Hyde Park, and Bryanston – while in Cape Town, Camps Bay, Bishopscourt, Constantia and Clifton were all named as top HNWI suburbs.

However, the report also found that an increasing number of South Africa’s HNWI’s were choosing to live in gated communities and estates.

These estates allow these wealthy individuals to enjoy traditional ‘luxury’ activities such as golf, horseriding and tennis in a community setting, surrounded by state-of-the-art security.

Ratings that help determine the top estates include:

  • Security – access gate, private security personnel.
  • Activities – gym, swimming pool, golf, horse riding, polo, tennis.
  • Facilities – shops, offices, parks, gathering places, children playgrounds, schools, hospitals.
  • Quality and design of houses.
  • Space – average stand size and placing / spacing of houses.
  • Views, scenery and wildlife.
  • Resale and price growth potential.

In no specific order, the report found that the following were South Africa’s most exclusive estates.


Zimbali

  • From R1,750,000 to R35,000,000 
  • Median price – R4,350,000

Zimbali is a residential and resort estate bordering Ballito on KZN’s North Coast. The estate boasts its own beach alongside an 18 hole golf course, gym facilities, a number of swimming pools and world-renowned bird watching.


Fancourt

  • From R3,000,000 to R39,000,000 
  • Median price – N/A

Situated in scenic George on the Garden Route, Fancourt is famous for its golf facilities and outdoor activities in the nearby Outeniqua mountains.


Pearl Valley

  • From R3,000,000 to R15,000,000
  • Median price – R2,742,000

One of the many estates situated in Paarl in the Western Cape, Pearl Valley stands out for its close location to Stellenbosch, restaurants and bars as well as the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.


Val de Vie

  • From R2,900,000 to R24,950,000
  • Median price – R3,300,000

Surrounded by three mountain ranges, Val die Vie based in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley is known for it’s state-of-the-art security features, and boasts itself as one of the gastronomical capitals of South Africa.


Pezula (golf and private)

  • From R6,000,000 to R56,000,000 
  • Median price – N/A 

Based in Knysna, Pezula is known for its low-density living and scenic Garden route trails. It also boasts the nearby Pezula Championship Golf Course and Conrad Resort Hotel.


Whale Rock Ridge

  • From R4,000,000 to R20,500,000
  • Median price – N/A

Situated on top of a large ridge in Plettenberg Bay, Whale Rock offers near 360 degree views of the Tsitsikamma forest, the Indian Ocean and Robberg.


Steenberg

  • From R8.500,000 to R22,500,000
  • Median price – R18,400,000

Based in the Constantia Valley, Steenberg offers access to one of South Africa’s top three golf courses as well as the world-renowned Catharina’s Restaurant.


Erinvale

  • From R5,000,000 to R22,000,000
  • Median price – R9,440,000

Aside from being a golfer’s dream, Erinvale Golfing Estate offers property for sale that provides a safe and secure environment, perfectly suited to raising a family. Expect views of rolling winelands and the majestic Helderberg range on a typical walk around the estate. Erinvale Golfing Estate property includes club house access. Polo, croquet and lawn bowling clubs are conveniently located nearby.


De Zalze

  • From R2,800,000 to R35,000,000
  • Median price – R8,550,000

De Zalze is located in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The 300 hectare estate is also a working farm, comprising 120 hectares of vineyards, citrus orchards and olive groves. It is home to a particularly scenic golf course and 3 top restaurants.


Simola  

  • From R3,200,000 to R33,000,000
  • Median price – N/A

Based in Knysna in the scenic Garden Route, Simola offers access to a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course as well as a number of outdoor activities based in the beautiful surrounds.


Blair Atholl

  • From R6,500,000 to R34,000,000
  • Median price – R8,250,000

Boasting a Gary Player golf course as well as and an incredibly low housing density, the estate offers 329 stands (at an average 3 700 square metres each) that are separated by at least half an acre of natural vegetation, so you can rest assured that there will always be plenty of space between you and a handful of select neighbours.


Silverhurst

  • From R18,500,000 to R65,000,000
  • Median price – N/A

Offering a number of villas on the Steenberg mountains, Silverhurst is situated within walking distance of the Constantial mall as well as a short trip from Kirstenbosch gardens. It also offers some of the oldest and famed schools in the country with both Bishops and Herschel  nearby.


Dainfern

  • From R3,000,000 to R30,000,000
  • Median price – R8,750,000

Situated in an ideal travel location for those living and working in the Johannesburg area, the Dainfern Golf and residential estate is family-oriented, promising a wide range of outdoor activities and close proximity to large retail centres.


Waterfall Equestrian

  • From R2,300,000 – R65,000,000
  • Median price – R15,000,000

One of the first new major estate developments in the Midrand area, Waterfall Equestrian falls part of a number of Waterfall estates that offer Equestrian and Golf, all while being within easy travelling distance of both Johannesburg and Pretoria.


Steyn City

  • From R2,o00,000 to R21,000,000
  • Median price – R3,800,000

Steyn City is a new estate located between Fourways and Lanseria in Johannesburg. The 900 hectare estate offers apartments and houses and is the largest estate in the country in terms of land size. It currently includes: an equestrian center, a golf course and over 250 hectares of landscaped parkland.


Arabella

  • From R2,700,000 to R5,500,000
  • Median price – R4,900,000

Another golf-centered estate, located on the Bot River Lagoon in Kleinmond, Arabella is a hotspot for wealthy second home owners. Priding itself on its exclusivity, only a few of the playing holes have houses on them and as a result stands are limited.