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Royal Hotel, Pilgrim’s Rest

A living museum with style

This is a step back into the past. The whole of Pilgrims Rest is a living museum dating back to one of the earliest gold rushes in South Africa. The Royal Hotel has 50 bedrooms beautifully decorated in the Victorian style that harks back to its origins as a miners’ hotel. The accommodation is comfortable rather than the height of luxury and where possible some original touches have been maintained – particularly in the miners’ cottages which form part of the hotel. A feature that has changed very little over the years is the hotel bar that is a national institution reputedly with the greatest variety of scotch anywhere in South Africa.

About the Location

The entire street is a national monument and there are a number of interesting buildings in the area dating back to the 1870’s. Pilgrims Rest is close to the Panorama Route and Blyde River Canyon and there is fishing in the innumerable mountain streams nearby. The hotel has a pool and can arrange horse riding and golf. The Kruger Park is an hour’s drive away so this can be incorporated as an interesting stop over from Johannesburg.

Notten’s Bush Camp, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

A firm favourite in one of the best locations for game viewing

Set within the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Notten’s Bush Camp is an exclusively intimate retreat. The Lodge has been run by the Notten family for the past 30 years and is alive with the heart and soul of Africa. This is truly one of our and our clients’ favourite game lodges. Each of the 8 private suites is traditionally styled, spacious and cooled by ceiling fans. This very different to most of the private game lodges with the deliberate absence of electricity. Ambient candlelight and lanterns capture an enchanting spirit of romance and the African bush reminiscent of a bygone era. You will warm to the wonderful staff many of whom are from the local Shangaan people and who have been with the lodge for many years. This speaks volumes for the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the unique lodge which has been voted one of the best game lodges in Africa. The rooms are all en suite, with mosquito netting on the windows and doors, and private viewing decks.

About the Location

The views in this peaceful setting are breathtaking and relaxation is guaranteed. Guests can also explore the regions prolific wildlife on safaris led by experienced rangers in open-top Land Rovers. Daily bush walks are available, and lazy hours at the sparkling infinity pool or a visit to the well equipped spa can fill the gaps. Notten’s prides itself in offering its guests some of the best wildlife experiences on offer in South Africa. The evocative sounds of the African night sets the perfect mood for dinning in the enchanting candlelit boma, beneath a canopy of stars. The massage deck is an ideal, peaceful setting for relaxing therapeutic treatments. Other facilities include the indoor lounge with a large fireplace, bar and wine cellar. The open-plan lounge and dining area leads onto a wooden deck overlooking a vast plain and waterhole. Our clients regard a visit to Notten’s as one of the highlights of their stays in South Africa.

Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge, Sabi Sands

Hark back to a bygone age of colonial exploration in the bush

This contrasts with Earth Lodge with a style that harks back to the early days of exploration in the bush. The name evokes the pioneers who built the Selati Railway line to Mozambique to service the early gold rush. The accommodation is in 8 beautifully and traditionally furnished thatched cottages. You will feel that you are in a luxurious pioneer camp. The honeymoon suite is exceptionally large with a bathroom to match! The suite also has its own private pool opening right out onto the surrounding bush. There is a central pool area with a viewing deck to enjoy a relaxing sundowner after the heat of the day in anticipation of another exiting evening game drive.

About the Location

You are well aware of being right in the bush with the sound of exotic birds breaking the unique silence of the African bush. There are two game drives a day into the surrounding Sabi Sands Reserve that is part of the Kruger Park. The reserve has some of the best game viewing in the Kruger area with frequent sightings of all the predators. When you are not seeing game, you can be pampered in Earth Lodge’s popular Wellness Centre – but be sure to book your treatment well in advance! The food and wine matches the lodge’s reputation and relaxed air as one of the top game lodges in South Africa.

Foresters Arms, Swaziland

Conveniently situated in the Kingdom of Swaziland halfway between the Kruger Park and Northern Zululand

This is a long established and renowned lodge in the middle of Swaziland. The lodge is well appointed with 34 luxurious rooms set in beautiful grounds overlooking the rolling, green hills of Swaziland. The style is English Country House with tasteful furnishings. The restaurant is reputed to be one of the finest in this tiny kingdom.

About the Location

The capital of Mbabane is fairly close with its market full of Swazi and other African crafts with the gaily-dressed stallholders milling around. From here you can also visit the world famous Swazi Candles and Glassblowing as well as some ancient mines. In the south of the country as you drive towards KwaZulu-Natal you will find Game Reserves with unique accommodation.

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, Sabi Sands

Ecological opulence in the African Bush

Minimalist opulence probably best describes the accommodation experience at Earth Lodge. This is also reflected in the price for staying here. The entire location has been designed to be almost obscured from the surrounding bush cleverly using a combination of natural materials in the building process. Each of the 13 suites are exceptionally private and large and although air-conditioned they feel naturally cool. The bathroom is a feature with a large bath and equally sizeable shower complimented by an extravagant private outside shower. Each room has a large living area and a tiled patio leading onto a welcome, cooling splash pool and a view of the nearby waterhole. You are well aware of being right in the bush with the sound of exotic birds and hippos grunting breaking the unique silence of the African bush.

About the Location

There are two game drives a day into the surrounding Sabi Sands Reserve that is part of the Kruger Park. The reserve has some of the best game viewing in the Kruger area with frequent sightings of all the predators. When you are not seeing game, you can be pampered in the lodge’s popular Wellness Centre – but be sure to book your treatment well in advance! The food and wine matches the lodge’s reputation as one of the top game lodges in South Africa.

Londolozi, Sabi Sands

Ultimate luxury in the African Bush

Londolozi has the deserved reputation as being one of the best and most luxurious of all the lodges in South Africa. The property is divided into four separate ‘lodges’, each with their own character. These are Founders Camp, Pioneer Camp, Battleur Camp and Tree Camp. Game drives are into the Sabi Sands section of the Kruger Park and the game viewing is usually excellent. This is an all-inclusive lodge and you will marvel at the high level of the cuisine that can be achieved in the middle of the bush.

About the Location

Sabi Sands, on the edge of the Kruger Park is renowned as one of the best locations for animal viewing. In particular, sightings of lions and leopards as well as elephant and plains game are usually assured.

Highgrove Country House Lodge, White River / Hazyview, Mpumalanga

A beautiful location especially when the jacaranda trees are blooming

For clients looking from an ‘away from it all’ experience in total luxury, Highgrove is definitely worth a visit. Set in its own parkland the 10 suites are beautifully decorated with the style you would expect from leading hotels. You are ensured a friendly welcome and the cuisine is regularly rated by our clients among the high points of their visit to South Africa. During springtime (October) you will also gaze in wonder at the avenue of jacaranda trees, which, although not native to South Africa, are almost as much of a floral icon as the Proteas of the Cape. The property is very popular as a wedding destination. As well as the luxurious accommodation, Highgrove is known for its fine cuisine.

About the Location

Highgrove is an excellent base from which to explore the Panorama Route including the Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest and it is also just a 40-minute drive to the Paul Kruger Gate for the Kruger Park. The lodge does arrange game drives into the park. The area around White River and Sabie is steeped in history and the little towns are home to many craftsmen and artists. The Lodge also has beautiful walking trails in the stunning surrounding coutryside. For those who wish to be pampered, visit the Orchard Spa.

Swartberg Hotel, Prince Albert

Traditional style in the Victorian gem of Prince Albert

The Swartberg Hotel has been operating for 150 years, is a national monument and has been fully refurbished and updated. This is a great country hotel offering accommodation in reasonably sized en suite rooms with air conditioning and many with beautiful antique furniture complimenting the beautiful wood floors. The restaurant is well regarded locally and in the warm summer evenings a cool beer on the stoep dripping with colourful bougainvillea is a must.

About the Location

Prince Albert is the town where time has stopped. Established in the Victorian era, the area specialises in rearing Karoo Lamb (also a local delicacy), citrus fruit and olives. The town boasts an excellent, small, leather shop and an outlet, which specialises in hand made rugs and other woollen items all made in Prince Albert. You are close to the spectacular Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort Pass.

Queen’s Hotel, Oudtshoorn

Traditional South African Country Hotel with a regal history

A delightful oasis set in the centre of hot, dusty Oudtshoorn. This is a timeless, if slightly impersonal, hotel frequented in 1947 by the British Royal Family on their trip to the, then, Union of South Africa. The hotel has undergone extensive renovation and the 40 rooms are clean cut with extensive use of cooling white most with en suite bathrooms. The lounge and dining room are beautifully decorated and the reception area with its black and white floor tiles and rich yellowwood staircase is a local landmark. There is a small pool in a very private garden.

About the Location

This is a good base from which to explore the sights of the region including Ostrich leather workshops and retail outlets, Cango Wildlife Ranch where you can stroke Cheetah (5 minutes drive), Ostrich show farms (a number within 10 minutes’ drive), The Cango Caves (20 minutes’ drive and the Swartberg Pass (45 minutes away).

Rosenhof, Oudtshoorn

Luxury Boutique Hotel in Oudtshoorn

This is a charming, and popular, small hotel on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn. The 12 bedrooms and two executive suites are mostly arranged in small cottages around a central, gassy courtyard set aside from the principal Manor House. This has the beautiful dining room and lounge as well as the reception area. As you can see from the pictures the rooms are of a generous size with big bathrooms. The emphasis is on luxury and this shown to great effect in the two bed roomed executive suites, which are complete with their own plunge pool. There is a pool for general use. This is a property, which continues to get very good reviews from our clients and this is in part to the great hospitality shown by the staff.

About the Location

The lodge is on the edge of Oudtshoorn in a quiet residential location. The Cango Wildlife Ranch is a 5 minute drive and the Cango Caves are 15 minutes away. There are several ostrich ‘Feather Palaces’ within a short drive as is the great headquarters of ‘Ostrich International’ for an amazing variety of ostrich leather goods.