Post-presidency, Mandela was invited by Steyn to take refuge on his estate within the Shambala Private Game Reserve. Grei loosely translates as “a society of people” in Portuguese, and head chef, Candice Philip aims to deliver “succulent and textural” dishes “with herbaceous and natural themes”. Meanwhile, gourmands will welcome the opportunity to try the cuisine at the Grei restaurant, formerly the Luke Dale Roberts X the Saxon.

The hotel is light and spacious, with dual sweeping staircases to welcome guests, and the 53 rooms and suites are elegantly decorated, in a contemporary African style. Opened as a hotel in 2001, the Saxon maintains the sense of serenity that provided Mandela with the peace and quiet needed to complete his memoirs. At that time, the property was the residence of current owner and Compare the Market founder Douw Steyn, himself a close friend of Mandela. Set amid 10 acres of pristine gardens, the historic Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg’s leafy Sandhurst neighbourhood is where Mandela stayed as he worked on his autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom. And to truly understand where he retreated to for rest and recuperation – and to write – there is the Saxon Hotel and Shambala Private Game Reserve.

There are a number of places to learn about Mandela’s importance within South Africa’s complicated history: the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, Robben Island off the Western Cape and Mandela House in Soweto. It’s difficult to overstate Nelson Mandela’s importance to South Africa, and any visitor to the country will see his influence with every step they take. Six years since the death of South Africa’s great president, we revisit two of his favourite places of refuge – still a haven for hectic minds and souls in need of a recharge.

Shambala private game reserve