Can a continent often stereotyped as “poor” be home to some of the world’s most luxurious and valuable properties? The answer is a resounding yes. Today, we’re putting two mega-mansions in two of Africa’s most beautiful coastal cities—Zanzibar and Cape Town—head-to-head to determine which offers the best value for money.
The properties we’re looking at are worth a staggering $10 million, the kind of money that can buy you a private resort in a land full of beauty. The Cape Town mansion is located in the exclusive Llandudno suburb, part of the famed Atlantic Seaboard, often called Africa’s “Billionaire’s Row”. On the other side is a property in Zanzibar’s Fumba Uptown, on a street dubbed “Millionaire Mile”. While both sell a dream, they are selling very different ones. The Cape Town property offers proximity to an urban buzz and prestige, while the Zanzibar home provides privacy and a front-row seat to an emerging luxury market.
For a full breakdown of this incredible showdown and to see what these homes look like, watch the video tour.
The Verdict: A Tale of Two Mansions
I rated these two properties across several categories to determine a winner, and here’s my take:
Location & Prestige: Cape Town Wins
For a mainstream luxury audience, Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard takes the win. It has global recognition and immediate prestige, giving it “social clout” to own property on Africa’s Billionaire’s Row. While Fumba in Zanzibar is new and emerging, it doesn’t yet have the international recognition of Cape Town. Verdict: I’m giving two points to Cape Town for pure prestige and global recognition.
Size of Land: Zanzibar Wins (with a caveat)
When you’re putting down $10 million, size matters. The Cape Town mansion sits on a 1,600 sqm plot, which is two plots brought together, with a floor size of 1,450 sqm. In contrast, the Zanzibar property is on a massive 3,000 sqm plot, with 1,500 sqm under the roof. That’s twice the land space! However, the land in Cape Town is more prime and valuable due to its scarcity, with a 1,200 sqm plot going for R20 million because so few are available. Verdict: I’m giving one point to Zanzibar for the huge plot and one point to Cape Town for the higher value per square meter.
Architectural Design: Cape Town Wins
The Cape Town property is a masterclass in “cliffside” architecture. Its tiered structure and heavy use of glass are designed to maximize a small footprint while creating a dramatic visual connection to the ocean. It’s a clever design that solves a real challenge. The Zanzibar property is also impressive, but its design is more about “monumental presence” with a low-rise, sprawling layout that prioritizes privacy and shade. Verdict: The edge goes to Cape Town because its design is not just beautiful, but “clever,” demonstrating technical finesse and harmony with the site. I’m giving it two points.
Home Features: Zanzibar Wins
Cape Town’s mansion is like a luxury resort, with a lift, four staff quarters, two pools, Jacuzzis, a fully equipped gym, and a home theater. But Zanzibar simply “out-features” it. This eight-bedroom, ten-bathroom palace has four living rooms, four kitchens, a library, and a cinema that makes the one in Cape Town “look like a joke”. It’s a mansion built on a philosophy of abundance. Verdict: Zanzibar takes two points for its sheer scale and abundance of features.
Interior Design: It’s a Tie
The Cape Town home features a Balinese-inspired interior with a minimal but sophisticated feel that keeps your eyes on the ocean. In contrast, the Zanzibar home is big, bold, and palatial, with touches of Swahili and Arab design that feel unapologetic. Both did a great job. Verdict: Two points each, as it’s a tie.
Final Tally
- Zanzibar: 1 + 2 + 2 = 5 points
- Cape Town: 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 7 points
Overall Winner: The Cape Town Mansion
Conclusion: Prestige vs. Space
This head-to-head was a perfect example of what your money buys in different African markets. In Cape Town, you’re paying for “postcode” and prestige. The property is a statement of global success, but you get less land for your money. In Zanzibar, you’re paying for “square footage”. You get more living space, more kitchens, and more amenities. My key takeaway is that Cape Town is a “Gucci bag”—smaller but with universally known worth—while Zanzibar is a “custom-made suitcase”—massive, practical, but you have to explain its rarity.
If you want to put your money on prestige, Cape Town has the upper hand. But if you want to see your dollar visibly work harder, Zanzibar is the clear winner for value for money.
Let me know which of these properties you would like to put your money on in the comments, and be sure to watch the full video tour on my YouTube channel!