Malarial Archives - South Africa Sun

Makakatana Bay Lodge, St. Lucia

A stunning location in a romantic lodge in a World Heritage Site

Clients who have spent time at Makakatana often wish they had stayed longer. Although rated 4 star by the South African Tourist Grading Authority, the lodge has a number of luxurious rooms in individual ‘huts’ set among the trees over looking the southernmost bay in Lake St Lucia.

About the Location

This lodge is fully inclusive of all meals and full day safaris throughout the iSimangaliso Wetlands including Lake St. Lucia. You will see many animals and as well as elephant, buffalo and zebra you may also see leopard and hyena. In the underwater canyons in the Indian Ocean close to where the lake connects to the sea, coelacanthes are found. These are a strange primordial form of fish that until relatively recently were considered to be extinct. It is possible to arrange a day trip for scuba diving at Sodwana Bay which is a 2 hour drive from the lodge.

Amakhosi Lodge, Mkuze River, Northern Zululand

Amakhosi Lodge translates from Zulu as ‘The Palace of the Kings’ which is an apt description for this romantic hideaway

Amakhosi Lodge is in the Amazulu Game Reserve. Here you will find the Big Five. These include Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhinoceros but you will also see Hippo, Crocodile, Antelope and 400 bird species. This small, select lodge is set on the banks of the Mkuze River. The 6 suites overlook the river from a private deck. Each suite is complete with a lounge, luxurious bathroom and has the necessary benefit of air conditioning. Game viewing and safaris are under the strict supervision of experienced rangers. The lodge is renowned for its cuisine and there is a beautiful pool to cool off in after a day in the bush viewing game. This is a fully all-inclusive property and the price includes accommodation, all meals, game drives and local beverages.

About Amakhosi Lodge’s Location

You can easily combine a safari here with a trip to the hauntingly evocative KwaZulu – Natal battlefields. Within a short drive are Blood River, Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift, Ladysmith and Spioenkop – all reminders of the tragic history of this beautiful land. In this area you will still experience traditional and fascinating Zulu culture even though it is fast disappearing.This area is approximately a 5 hour drive from Johannesburg International airport and is 3 1/2 hours from Durban International Airport.

Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkuze, Northern Zululand

Ghost Mountain Inn is a great inexpensive alternative to staying at a private game reserve

Ghost Mountain Inn is an old established, family run inn is situated in a particularly attractive part of Zululand. The hotel is in the little town of Mkuze with views of the almost mystical Ghost Mountain (inspiring many legends among the local Zulus). The atmosphere here is very relaxed and continues to get excellent reviews. The hotel has 51 bedrooms that are well decorated in simple furnishings and each room has air conditioning, a ceiling fan and each night insect repellent systems keeps the mosquitoes at bay. This is particularly important during the wet summer months. Some family rooms are available. Each room has its own patio and from these there are views of the garden or mountain. Guests eat in the comfortable restaurant and there is a choice of buffet or a la carte eating. The guest lounge is open to the terrace in front of the generously sized pool, which is very welcome after the heat of the day. The hotel does cater for conferences so at times the atmosphere is busy. The gym and wellness centre caters for those needing exercise and massage treatments, There is also a small but interestingly stocked gift shop. On certain nights, guests may watch Zulu dancing around the bonfire in the boma.

About Ghost Mountain Inn’s Location

The hotel can arrange game drives into the adjacent Mkuze Game Reserve. For us, however, a trip to the Hluhluwe National Park (a half hour drive) with one of the hotel’s excellent rangers is an unforgettable experience. Fishing on the Jozini Lake can be arranged as well as horse riding. Therefore, whatever your requirement there is something for most tastes here. You are ensured a warm and friendly welcome just two and a half hours drive from Durban and close to the border with Swaziland. Although the accommodation cannot be compared with the exceptionally luxurious private game reserves, your game experience from Ghost Mountain will compare with the best.

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.

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.

Jock Safari Lodge, Southern Kruger Park

A rare private safari lodge in the Kruger Park, Note that malaria precautions are required for this location

We regard this as one of the best-kept secrets of the Kruger Park. One of the original private concessions in the Kruger Park, this lodge has been extensively refurbished and is now part of the Shamwari Dubai World Group. There is an impressively equipped Wellness Centre offering extensive pampering after a hard day watching game. The main lodge has 12 suites and there is a family lodge. Each suite is beautifully appointed and very private. The bedroom is centred around a four-poster bed complete with mosquito net and a view from the bed and the bathroom of the adjacent riverbed. The outside deck extends to a private viewing deck overlooking the valley and comes complete with its own plunge pool for cooling off in the heat of the day. Each suite has its own outside shower again in complete privacy. The central facilities are excellent with pool, elevated bar and extensive dining area overlooking the valley. Evening meals are often served buffet style in the boma around a log fire to complete the atmosphere.

About the Location

Game drives are included and are guided by experienced rangers who will drive you off road in the lodge’s concession area but also into the surrounding park for a complete game watching experience. The lodge gets its name from the book written by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick chronicling his hunting adventures 120 years ago with his Jack Russell Terrier called Jock and you will see memorials to the plucky little dog all over this part of South Africa. In honour of his memory, during the cooler months, the lodge creates a tented camp complete with outside bucket showers in order to recreate the feel of exploration in the 19th century. We consider this an excellent alternative to the numerous lodges in the private reserves adjoining the Kruger Park. Please note that this is a medium risk malaria area so you should consult your physician to take appropriate anti – malaria medication.

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.

Blyde River Canyon Lodge, Hoedspruit

Blyde River Canyon Lodge is one of the most romantic locations in South Africa

Blyde River Canyon Lodge is a pretty, 7 roomed thatched lodge. The lodge is situated near the town of Hoedspruit in the ‘state’ of Mpumalanga, east of Johannesburg. Accommodation is clean, simple and comfortable. The rooms and bathrooms are fairly basic but they do have air conditioning. In contrast, the common guest areas including the pool are excellent. Breakfasts are served on the veranda overlooking the grounds often in the company of zebra and reasonable dinners can be arranged. The enduring features of this property are the wonderful views from the grounds and the semi-tamed zebra, impala and even an elusive bush baby and occasional visit from a hippo.

About Blyde River Canyon Lodge’s Location

This is situated close to the spectacular Blyde River Canyon that is the world’s third largest canyon. This area is exceptionally photogenic. You can hike through the bottom of the gorge on good footpaths or go for a cruise on the Dam. This is an experience you won’t forget. You will walk among trees teeming with monkeys. You will gasp at the hippos and crocodiles basking on rocks as you cruise by at a safe distance. From the lodge you can drive to romantic Pilgrim’s Rest that hosted one of the earliest gold rushes in South Africa. History abounds in this area. This is also where the High Veld of the South African interior comes to a dramatic end plunging to the Low Veld some 2000 feet below. For clients who wish to travel to the Kruger Park, Orpen Gate is only a short (40 minutes) drive from the lodge. The area also boasts numerous private game reserves and animal rehabilitation centres. In the main, however, you will want to gaze in awe at the scenry along the Panorama Route.

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.