Country Lodge Archives - Page 7 of 8

Tarn Country House, The Crags

Great location, fabulous reviews and pretty accommodation and surroundings

Tarn Country House is located 15 minutes’ drive from bustling Plettenberg Bay with its wonderful beaches. Situated against the backdrop of the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the Whiskey Creek Nature Reserve, there are 8 large beautifully decorated suites each with their own, private entrance. The extensive grounds are attractively landscaped with indigenous plants.

About the Location

There is a large pool and the sea is just 2 kms away. Tarn has an excellent restaurant with a good choice of freshly prepared food. The Mauritian Stir Fry is exceptional! There are many activities in the locality. Nature’s Valley is a short drive and the fine beach is a draw for surfers – unfortunately not so good for swimming. Keurboomstrand has exceptional coastal scenery and for bathing you will love Plettenberg Bay. Storms River and the Tsitsikamma Forest National Park is a 30-minute drive. The animal parks at The Crags are just down the road and here you can walk with elephants, wild cats, monkeys and birds for a truly unique experience. Renowned Bramon winery is very close.

Tsitsikamma Lodge, Storms River

Rustic accommodation in log cabins which are great for families

Although very close to the N2 highway, as soon as you go through the gates you pass into a different world. The emphasis is on quiet ambience with accommodation set around 32 log cabins complete with private decks and barbecue area. The mountains provide a spectacular setting. The cabins are comfortably appointed and are large and many feature a spa bath. The swimming pool is a feature and is a good location to cool off from the heat of the day. The restaurant provides good food throughout the day and may feature an extensive buffet in the evening.

About the Location

A short distance away is the Storms River Gorge with a spectacular bridge but unfortunately pedestrian access is now prohibited. A little further and you will be able to walk into the Tsitsikamma Forest to see the incredible Yellowwood trees. Storms River Adventures is in nearby Storms River Village that is a 10-minute drive. Here you can abseil, go black water tubing, mountain biking or take the unique and exhilarating Tree Top Canopy Tour. The Tsitsikamma National Park is 15 minutes’ drive away and here you will find trails into the forest, the pedestrian suspension bridge across the River Mouth (not for the faint hearted and caves where some of the earliest human beings once lived. There is also a small sandy beach and a restaurant. All the features of this area are only a short drive away.

River Bend Country Lodge, Addo National Park

Great accommodation close to The Addo National Park

As a place to stay, now within the borders of the recently enlarged Addo National Park, and be pampered this small hotel of just 8 luxury suites offers their guests a calm and relaxed environment. The hotel’s rooms are exquisitely decorated and are in bungalows set around a central courtyard.

About the Location

After a morning’s game drive, return and have a leisurely breakfast overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Sunday’s River Valley, maybe relax beside the pool and then visit the health and beauty facilities before taking another game drive in the late afternoon. We advise an early and late drive because you will see different varieties of game. In the early morning you will see many different antelope including the massive, but normally shy and reclusive, Eland. Springbok, Kudu and Hartebeest abound and you are quite likely to spot a pair of jackal returning after a hard night’s work! Elephants will be walking to the waterholes for a morning’s refreshment and you will also see Warthog, Zebra, Meerkat, Ostrich and the extraordinary Secretary birds as the search for snakes! In the late afternoon you should see Rhino and Cape buffalo and, as they are introduced, Lion.

Oyster Bay Beach Lodge, Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis

Out of the way charm

If you are looking for accommodation that is different and in a remote location but relatively easy to get to, then Oyster Bay could be for you. The 10 bedrooms and 4 Cape Dutch style chalets are simply furnished but comfortable. The lodge serves breakfast, a simple lunch and dinner.

About the Location

There is a reasonably sized pool but you are within easy walking of an incredible beach that has the feel of being part of Oyster Bay Lodge. Even in the height of the summer season when nearby Jeffrey’s Bay is heaving with surfers, this location has a wonderful ‘get away from it all’ feel. You should note that access to Oyster Bay is 25 kms along a good quality gravel road. Accommodation can be provided on a dinner, bed & breakfast, bed & breakfast or self-catering basis.

Elephant House, Addo National Park

Elephant House is a charming retreat close to the Addo National Park

Elephant House has a very African feel. The seven rooms are arranged around a courtyard and are thatched with deep verandas; there is also a separate cottage. The rooms are simply, but effectively decorated to a very high standard and they are larger than average. They have a pleasantly cool feel, which is necessary during the summer heat. The pool is very welcome after a hot day spotting game in the nearby Addo Park. We believe the value represented by The Elephant House will amaze you.

About the location

You can take an organised game drives into the Addo National Park with an experienced ranger or maybe you would like to drive yourself into the reserve. Elephant House can also arrange safaris into the private game reserves such as Schotia, Shamwari, Lalibela and River Bend. These will provide a different experience with the rangers able to drive off the main paths into the bush to find game.

Ocean View Hotel, Coffee Bay, The Wild Coast

A charming location by the side of a spectacular beach

For the adventurous, Coffee Bay will reward you with a beautiful beach, rugged coastline near to the impressive ‘Hole in the Wall’ which is one of the Wild Coast’s renowned views. Ocean View is a simple hotel comprising 30 double rooms (most en suite) some with stunning views over the ocean. We were particularly impressed by the spectacular sunrises! The pretty grounds extend down to the beach and include a pool and bar. The food in the dining room is simple, traditional South African fare served by friendly and obliging Xhosa locals. By South African standards this offers good, if slightly simple, but inexpensive accommodation.

About the Location

Coffee Bay can be reached from the N2 highway near Umtata, along a reasonable tarred road but there are potholes and free roaming domestic and wild animals that means a good hour’s drive. To get to Coffee Bay you will most likely either fly into Port Elizabeth or Durban (7 hour’s drive) or to Umtata (less frequent flights but only 1 hour’s drive. Driving through the Transkei, as this area of the Eastern Cape is known, is an experience – this is ‘real’ Africa with bustling towns and markets and the hill tops dotted with pretty rounds huts. It is, however, a relatively poor area and you will see scenes of poverty, over grazing and appalling soil erosion. Once you arrive at Coffee Bay, however, you will be rewarded with one of the most scenic coastal vistas and a beach that has been voted one of the best in South Africa.

Kariega Private Game Reserve,Nr. Kenton-on-Sea

A great option for families seeking a safari

This is a perfect safari location for families. Accommodation is in three lodges. The largest, Main Lodge, has log cabin style accommodation with large central dining facility and boma (open fenced area for wonderful evening meals around a log fire) and a great infinity pool looking over the characteristic Eastern Cape bush with views across the Bushman’s River and the Indian Ocean in the distance. Ukhozi Lodge is smaller; just 10 log cabins, and are more refined lending itself to older families. River Lodge is more exclusive with just 5 luxurious suites and is reached by boat for an even more exotic ‘feel’. The Homestead is for families who want the seclusion of their ‘own’ accommodation complete with their ‘own’ staff.

About the Location

The Game Reserve is divided into two. The area that includes the three lodges does not have the large predators, which means that walking safaris are arranged with children in mind for a special up close encounter with a wide range of plains animals. The lodge also has a boat for river-based safaris on the Bushman’s River. Game drives into the other part of the reserve will provide guests with memorable encounters with the ‘Big Five’ including Lion, Elephant Rhino and Cape buffalo. The remaining member. Leopard, are endemic to the region but tend to be very shy so sightings happen only occasionally. The game is managed on this reserve and we understand that the big predators are fed by the management. Although reducing the authenticity of the ‘Safari Experience’, this will help to conserve the usual prey of the big cats.

Woodall Country House & Spa, Addo National Park

Woodall is for people wanting to be pampered and enjoy a ‘get away from it all’ feel.

Woodall is owner run and is a consistent favourite of ours and our clients. Accommodation comprises very luxuriously appointed rooms and suites in the main house and four cottages in the grounds. Some rooms in the cottages also feature very private outside showers in addition to the luxury provided by the well-equipped bathrooms. These are beautiful set alongside a peaceful lake and among citrus orchards. The stunning pool is surrounded by palms and a waterfall and is situated close to an excellent wellness centre.As well as the sumptuous breakfasts, dinners served in the thatched restaurant overlooking the dam is an experience in itself. Great, freshly cooked food and perfect selection of wines.

About Woodall’s Location

The area is a haven for water birds. Woodall is well renowned for its fine cuisine and you are sure to be impressed by the imaginative dinner menu and the extensive wine list. Escorted game drives are arranged in the Addo National Park and Schotia and Shamwari Private Game Reserves. From here, you can also explore the Zuurberg Mountain area and tour around the historic 1820 Settler region.

Lalibela Private Game Reserve, Near Addo, Eastern Cape

Lalibela has been one of the most consistent private game reserves in The Eastern Cape – a firm favourite!

Lalibela is close to Shamwari and the Addo National Park. The reserve is under new management and as of June 2017 will be undergoing extensive renovations. The accommodation promises to provide you with a real ‘African’ feel. There are three camps with one comprising luxury tented accommodation. Mark’s Camp is the main lodge and sleeps 16 people in four individual, thatched chalets and two family chalets. Lentaba Lodge is more secluded based on 8 individual, thatched huts with private observation decks. For those lazy afternoons there is also a swimming pool in each camp overlooking the surrounding bush. The Tented Camp accommodates 16 people in 8 tents. Accommodation here is all-inclusive and the cuisine is first class providing a blend of Africa with some sophistication.

About Lalibela’s location

Game viewing is excellent and includes the ‘Big Five’ and as you can see from the pictures you should be ensured some spectacular memories. The Game Rangers are knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. The vegetation is undergoing extensive rehabilitation. Much of this part of South Africa was farmed and the reserve is undertaking a program removing alien species. The reserve is conveniently situated near to the main highway between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth. The airport is only an hour’s drive away. this region is called the Settler Region and there is much historical context with the British settlers who were encouraged to farm in 1822 but who endured much hardship.

Ocean View House, Camps Bay

Ocean View is in a great location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the edge of stylish Camps Bay

Ocean View is a classy boutique hotel which has 30 rooms extending from standard to top of the range Panorama Suite. Each has clean cut modern decor with many offering exceptional views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in one direction and the imposing Twelve Apostles mountain range in the other. Sunsets over the ocean are among the best you will encounter.

About Ocean View’s Location

Camps Bay is a lively community with restaurants, bars and nightlife right next to one of the most popular beaches in South Africa. This does mean that in peak season (December / January) the area can get very busy. This is a convenient location from which to explore Cape Town. The Table Mountain Cableway is just 15 minutes’ drive away and the Waterfront is a 15-minute drive. The pretty area around Hout Bay is 10 minutes’ drive and Cape Point will take around 40 minutes to drive. Whatever your requirements in the Cape Town area, Ocean View makes a very relaxing alternative to the very busy city centre hotels.