Feature: Bird Spotting

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Hermanus

A romantic hideaway set in the beautiful fynbos countryside close to the sea

This is a small private nature reserve set in a remarkable location between Walker Bay, for some of the best land based whale watching in the world, and the Overberg Mountains. The accommodation is luxurious and comprise suites and cottages and ideal for a honeymoon ‘away from it all’.  The lodge is a popular venue for weddings.

About the Location

The bustling town of Hermanus is fairly close as are the world famous Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson Wineries. Nearby Gansbaai is popular for shark cage diving and you can also arrange boat tours in Walker Bay which is good during the whale season between June and December.


The Marine Hotel, Hermanus

This is luxury accommodation at its finest, equivalent to the top international hotels but distinctly South African. The 46 rooms are beautifully decorated in the unique, luxuriously restful style established by the late Liz McGrath. This is a sister hotel to The Cellars – Hohenort (Cape Town) and The Plettenberg Bay Hotel. These are all top of the range 5 star hotels with a level of service that is second to none.

About the Location

The hotel is situated right on the cliff top overlooking Walker Bay. In fact from the windows of some of the suites  you will be able to watch the whales in the bay between June and December.You will also be able to arrange a boat trip to see these magnificent creatures at close hand. There are two top restaurants – one featuring local seafood in a more casual, bistro type setting. If you don’t want to use the sea, which is a short walk down some steps from the grounds, you will be able to swim in the pool located near one of the restaurants. There is a health spa and, as you would expect a very imaginative gift shop.


Kings Walden Garden Manor

Kings Walden Garden Manor, Tzaneen, Limpopo,

A beautiful location set in stunning gardens with sweeping views

This is a small lodge with just 6 rooms all beautifully appointed and with mountain views. The property is especially well known for its gardens planted by the original owners in the 1930s. Fine dining is  a key ingredient of your stay and the owners take pride in sourcing fresh produce daily

About the Location

This is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg Airport along excellent roads and just 20 minutes from the bustling town of Tzaneen. This area is often credited with having the best climate in South Africa as it is set high in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains which ensures that this tropical paradise rarely gets unbearably hot or humid. There is much to visit in this locations from The Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour, White Water Tubing, Quad Bike trails, Abseiling, Climbing wall, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Paintball, Kloofing or Canyoning. You are also close to the legendary ‘Kingdom’ of Mojadi – The Rain Queen. This is supposed to have been the inspiration for Kipling’s novel ‘She’.  Close by is an enormous Baobab tree which has been dated as 1,700 years’ old. It is so large and hollow it houses the famous Baobab Tree Bar.


Ants Hill Bush Houses, Waterberg, Limpopo

Ants Hill is a truly different experience where you are able to experience living in your ‘own’ cottage in the African Bush

As well as the main Ants Hill lodge house there are four cottages  providing a home from home…in the bush. The cottages are at your complete disposal together with the staff, resident chef and ranger. Guides will also lead you on exhilarating horseback safaris into the reserve. This will provide you with the ability to view rhino, giraffe, zebra, a host of antelope species and baboons. Night drives can be arranged to try to spot some elusive nocturnal species such as aardvark, bush babies and wild cats. The properties can sleep up to ten at Ants Nest and twelve at Ants Hill. The unique accommodation is decorated with extensive use of traditional furnishings at Ants Nest and bright African colours at Ants Hill. Beds are huge and the baths have to be seen to be believed! Both homes have beautiful pools and the one at Ants Hill is spectacularly situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking a gorge.

About Ants Hill’s Location

Ants Hill and Nest are located in the extraordinarily diverse biome of The Waterberg. The reserve is made out of 12 different ecological zones from open grassy plains to thick montane bush to savannah bushveld. Drives into the nearby ‘Big Five’ Waterberg National Park can be arranged. This is a wonderful location and experience for children of all ages and babysitting can be arranged.

 

 


Jembisa Bush House

Jembisa Bush House, Waterberg. Limpopo

Jembisa is a gem set in the non-malarial African Bush with your own chef, wine butler and game ranger

Jembisa is perfect for families wanting to try something completely different or couples traveling together.  Jembisa offers, in our view, a unique experience. Your family or friends will occupy the house which has been set up as a family home… with a difference. Accommodation comprises five large and beautifully decorated, en suite bedrooms and a childrens’ bunk room. In addition,  you will have your own compliment of staff catering to your every need. Game rangers are included who will teach you tracking, how to survive in the bush. They will also introduce you on game drives or on foot to many of the animals in the reserve which do not include the predators. However, most of all, you will be in the African Wilderness with a wonderful canopy of stars at night and just the sounds of the wild. The house can also be rented by couples at a rate that compares very favourably with the top game lodges. The food at Jembisa ranks with the best we have encountered in South Africa from their long-standing chef from Malawi.

About Jembisa’s Location

The Waterberg National Park is very close and drives into the park are provided to give guests the opportunity to see the ‘Big Five’ in this wild location. Elephant back safaris can also be experienced nearby. As well as the pool Jembisa has  a floodlit tennis court, children’s games room and babysitting is also provided if required.


Three Trees at Spionkop

A stunning lodge in an historic location (non malarial)

Originally established to commemorate the location of one of the bitter struggles in the Boer War between the largest empire the world has known and one of the smallest nations at that time. Accommodation is in 6 exquisite twin bedded cottages overlooking the battlefield of Spioenkop. Winston Churchill took a very active part in the ultimately vain and costly attempt to capture the hill from the Boer commandos. There is a standalone two bedroom house named Churchills which is perfect for families. There is also a family suite. This is an all inclusive property and the dining room in located in the main house.

About the Location

The property is situated on a nature reserve so you may notice a rhino or giraffe wandering past you cottage. The lodge can arrange full day battlefield tours, game walks and rhino tracking, horse riding as well as mountain biking and hiking. For those who prefer less strenuous activities, there is a beautiful pool with sweeping views over the nature reserve and across to Spioenkop. This is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg Airport and around a 2 1/2 hour drive from Durban Airport. This can be included in a trip taking in a private safari lodge in Northern Zululand (this area is malarial), the Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift battlefields and the nearby Drakensberg Mountains.


Wendy’s Country Lodge, Mtubatuba,Hluhluwe

Comfortable cottage style accommodation close to Hluhluwe National Park

This is a convenient alternative from which to view the Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve and the St Lucia Wetlands area. The property is located in a quiet residential area of Mtubatuba which itself is close to the main N2 highway. Game drives into the nearby reserves can be arranged from the property. The accommodation here is delightful. The seven beautifully appointed, mostly spacious rooms are decorated in cottage style with large Victorian style bathrooms en suite. You can relax with a drink beside the refreshingly shaded pool, which, although not large, will provide a welcome respite from the heat of the day. The gardens are a tropical paradise and the owner’s pride and joy is the collection of orchids. The restaurant is renowned locally and is set around an unusual water feature reminiscent of a forest dell. You are ensured a warm and friendly welcome.

About the Location

This is a very convenient location approximately 2 hours’ drive from Durban International Airport. It is an easy drive into the Hluhluwe – Umfolozi National Park where you will find some of the best animal viewing in South Africa. Herds of elephant, Cape wild dogs, lions giraffe and numerous plains game. We have even spied a black mamba close to the main rest camp! This is an amazing place to visit. You are also close to Lake St Lucia and the iSimangaliso Wetlands National Park with its extraordinary scenery, birdlife and crocodiles and hippo.


Cathedral Peak Hotel

Cathedral Peak Hotel, Northern Drakensberg

Cathedral Peak Hotel has the majestic Drakensberg Mountain as a natural backcloth for this traditional family owned hotel

Cathedral Peak is a well-established, family run hotel set in the dramatic scenery of the northern Drakensbergs. The accommodation is comfortable. There are a variety of rooms. Over 100 Standard, Deluxe and Executive rooms, 4 Honeymoon Suites and one Presidential Suite. We suggest the Executive Rooms and the suites as the Standard and Deluxe rooms we find rather basic and can the decor can be a little dated. Cuisine is a traditional South African buffet style, which is among the best we have encountered in South Africa.

About Cathedral Peak Hotel’s  Location

The hotel offers an abundance of amenities including tennis, a heated swimming pool with spectacular views, a 9-hole golf course, squash, badminton and bowls. This is an excellent base for hiking in the mountain scenery with a mixture of walks and hikes from a 30-minute stroll to a waterfall to a 10-hour hike to the top of Cathedral Peak (3,000 metres). There are guided hikes provided each day. Horse riding and helicopter tours can also be arranged. The area also has good fishing. There can be snow in the winter when the hotel takes on an altogether different but romantic air with blazing log fires but daytime temperatures can easily reach 20C (70F). Cathedral Peak is a 4 1/2 hour drive along good roads from Johannesburg and 2 1/2 hours from Durban. The Boer and Zulu Battlefields are within easy reach and the Northern Zululand Game Reserves are within a 4-hour drive.


Thanda Private Game Reserve, Elephant Coast

One of the great Private Game Reserves of KwaZulu-Natal

Thanda has 9 luxury bush villas each with their own lounge, boma and, heated, splash pool. The bathroom features indoor and outdoor showers. In addition to an exclusive villa, there are also 16 luxurious tents with sweeping views of the reserve. These enable guests to get even closer to nature yet benefit from the height of luxury. The central facilities include full bar, lounge and ‘wellness centre’. The beautifully crafted food features traditional Zulu as well as interesting fusion between Western and African cuisine.

About the Location

There are a variety of different activities and experiences on offer. In addition to ‘Big Five’ game viewing on the reserve where the original ecosystem is being restored, Thanda can also arrange bush walks,  excursions to the nearby Indian Ocean beaches and a variety of Zulu cultural experiences. Private game drives can also be arranged. Accommodation is provided on an ‘All Inclusive’ basis including game drives. the best time of the year to visit this area for a wonderful game experience is during South Africa’s winter season between May and November. This is the dry season for this region and this will help with game viewing. The humidity which can be intense during the summer months is much less in winter.


White Elephant Safari Lodge, Pongola, Northern Zululand

A real back to nature experience in the African Bush in Northern Zululand

White Elephant Lodge offers safari with a difference. Accommodation in the Safari Lodge is in 8 luxurious safari tents. These are well equipped with beautiful bathrooms, private, outdoor canvas shower, private veranda and personal bar. Exquisite white percale bed linen completes the style and each tent has insect gauze on the windows, ceiling fans and mosquito nets. Sumptuous meals are served at the main house, which is a restored colonial homestead. Accommodation in the Bush Camp is simpler in 7 thatched  chalets. There is the same attention to style and quality and meals are taken in the dining area close to the viewing deck. Both lodges have a welcome swimming pool for relaxing beside after the day’s activities.

About the Location

The lodge is situated close to the border with Mozambique and Swaziland approximately a 5 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg airport and 3 hours from Durban Airport. Two eco activities are included in the price. Activities include game drives into the Pongola Game Reserve, which was the first to be declared by President Kruger at the end of the 1800s, guided walks, Rhino walks, and Elephanting where guests participate in the reserve’s elephant monitoring project. Guest can also take a scenic flight with the flying doctor service into local communities, experience a number of cultural tours into the surrounding Zulu communities or participate in a programme where a psychologist provides a de-stressing programme with the elephants. The lodge also has a fully equipped wellness centre. Therefore, whether you are looking for a game experience, want to discover Zulu culture or just a chance to relax and de-stress, White Elephant should provide you with a memorable experience.