Occasionally we find that it can be difficult to get accommodation in some parts of South Africa during the South African School holidays….after all, it is not only visitors from overseas who want to visit Kruger, Durban or the Garden Route!

Given this, we thought it might be useful for people from other countries to know when the South African School holidays will fall in 2012. We realise that sometimes it will be unavoidable to travel at these times, however it might be worth keeping in mind just in case you do have some flexability on your dates. For example,  whilst 23 June to 15 July is holiday time across SA and it is very likely that every SANParks camp in Kruger is already fully booked, things will be a lot quieter from 16th July t0 28th September when the kids are back at school.

2012 SA School Holidays are:

• 29 March – 10 April 2012
• 23 June – 15 July 2012
• 29 September – 7 October 2012
• 8 December – 7 January 2013

For that last minute safari getaway, contact us for availability at AmaKhosi Safari Lodge, only 4 hours from Durban.

Until the end of January ONLY, they are offering a Stay for 3 Nights, Only Pay for 2 deal.

AmaKhosi Safari Lodge is situated in the 12,000 hectare Amazulu Private Game Reserve. The reserve is home to the Big 5 as well as giraffe, zebra, warthog and hyena, hippopotamus and crocodile. There are also no less than 400 bird species. Early morning and late afternoon guided walks and game drives lead you into the African bush to observe the animals and their fascinating behaviour.

he magnificent regal River Suites offer superb views of the flowing Mkuze River. Each suite boasts a separate air-conditioned bedroom and lounge with fully stocked mini bar and tea / coffee making facilities. Guests can slip into an African dreamland with high thatched ceilings and glass walls reaching for the open African sky.

AmaKhosi Safari Lodge is situated in the 12,000 hectare Amazulu Private Game Reserve, just over 3 hours north of Durban.

The reserve is made up of a varied ecosystem which includes savanna, mountains and wetlands – making it the ideal home to the Big 5 as well as giraffe, warthog and hyena, hippopotamus and crocodile. There are also no less than 400 bird species.

Early morning and late afternoon guided walks and game drives lead you into the African bush to observe the animals and their fascinating behaviour. Qualified game rangers introduce the unique role each animal plays on the massive stage within the African Kingdom.

For those who prefer to relax at camp, there is a library, swimming pool, game viewing deck and an outdoor lounge overlooking the flowing Mkuze River.

We are delighted to offer these 2 new special deals :

3rd Night Discounted Rate

Kids Stay Free over the UK Summer 2011 holidays

If you have already been on a traditional ‘Big 5′ safari, maybe this time you are looking for something a little ‘different’ but which will still enable you to enjoy South Africa’s wildlife ?

Riding amongst giraffe and impala on a pure bred Arabian horse is something that not many people can claim to have done. And you can do this at Pakamisa, in KwaZulu-Natal, just a few hours drive from Durban.

To encourage you even further, they are running a Stay for 3 Nights, Only Pay for 2 from now until the end of March.

Contact us now for more information.

The Boathouse in Ballito is offering a Stay for 4, Pay for 3 deal for the month of May only.

This 4* beach front retreat invites you to relax in splendour in Ballito, at the heart of the Dolphin Coast near Durban. Known as the pearl of the Dolphin Coast, Ballito is flanked by golden beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and is a popular destination for spotting the bottle-nose dolphin off the coast line.

Guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking Salmon Bay, while watching dolphins playing in the waves, before setting out for an activity-filled day or just soaking up the sun next to the swimming pool.

The guest house has direct access to the beach, offering the opportunity for lengthy strolls along the Dolphin Coast line.

Each room is individually decorated in its own colour scheme of fabric and style, and most have sea views.

The new airport for Durban (the King Shaka International Airport – or KSIR for short) has just announced that it will be fully operational from 1st May 2010.

All flights into Durban will go through here as of this date.

The current airport will be closed on the 30th April once the last flight into here has safely landed.

Although already a beautiful lodge, the Phinda Forest Lodge has undergone a recent refurbishment … and if it was ever possible to improve on perfection – well, they have successfully achieved this !

Forest Lodge is just one of lodges situated in the 22,000 hectare Big 5 Phinda Game Reserve, just 3 hours from Durban.

Forest Lodge is unique, in that it is extremely eco-sensitive, and it is set deep in a sand forest within the heart of the reserve. The refurbishment took over a year to complete, and care was taken to protect the natural surroundings.

The suites all now boast newly tiled bathrooms, and each suite has been completely repainted with colours reflecting the Zulu culture and which accentuate the dark, handsome furniture used throughout. Each suite now offers complete privacy and intimacy.

The main guest area in the lodge has also been extended, with over 100 square metres (330 square feet) being added to the deck, splitting it now into 2 levels. The boma area has also been completely rebuit, with the addition of an elevated platform designed to accommodate nighttime choir performances for guests enjoyment while dining around the open fire under the stars.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better … you can also stay here for 4 nights and only pay for 3 between the 6th April and the 10th October (excluding the World Cup period).

So go on … why not ask us to check availability for you now so that you can experience this all for yourself ?

For football fans visiting South Africa during the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and staying in and around Durban and Port Elizabeth to follow their teams, they can have the opportunity to stay somewhere completely unique – on a luxury cruise ship !

Durban Harbour will be host to the MS Noordam, which is one of the world’s biggest and most luxurious cruise ship and has over 950 cabins. Port Elizabeth Harbour will host the equally luxurious and large MS Westerdam for part of the tournament, also with over 950 cabins. Both cruise ships will give fans the opportunity to live aboard during the World Cup period and experience the unbeatable combination of a luxury cruise and soccer !

The MS Noordam will be moored at Durban Harbour for the majority of the tournament, but will also cruise around the coastline to dock at PE Harbour for the quarter-final and for the playoff for the 3rd and 4th place.

The MS Westerdam will be moored at PE Harbour for the first 14 days of the tournament, and then will cruise between PE and Cape Town for the rest of the time.

Day and half-day tours will also be offered to fans on board, which they can take advantage of inbetween games to explore the host cities.

An upcoming event in KwaZulu-Natal is the International Orchid Show that will be held in Durban from 24th – 27th September 2009.

The show will feature rare and exotic blooms, and is guaranteed to be a show full of colour for anyone, even if you are not an avid gardener !

There are also 4 major orchid growers in the province, so you could also combine the show with a visit to the actual orchid farms.

Situated overlooking the historic, famous landmark that is the Umhlanga lighthouse, The Oyster Box Hotel, which originally opened in 1954, has long been one of South Africa’s best-loved and most distinguished hotels. The 1st October 2009 will see this luxury boutique hotel reopen its doors to guests following a lengthy restoration project under The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. It promises to ooze the same abundance of colonial charm and original character it always did – but now with state-of-the-art technology to bring this legend into the 21st century!

The stylish décor will be an elegant combination of natural stones and woods; complemented by soothing, light colours and shades of the hotel’s beautiful surroundings. The hotel will boast 86 luxurious and individually designed rooms, an array of dining options and bars (including the award winning Grill Room and an Oyster Bar), an extensive spa and fitness facility as well as 2 heated pools including an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

It will also have a small cinema and a kids club.

But the “X-factor” for this property will always remain its key location on one of the most prestigious pieces of coastline you could ask for. Few places can offer the same sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, lush landscaped tropical gardens and direct beach access!

The Oyster Box Hotel is a few minutes walk from Umhlanga Village Centre, with easy access to Durban, the airport and numerous shopping centres, including free shuttles all day to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping.