Montusi Mountain Lodge

The Drakensberg: 3 Nights

Montusi Mountain Lodge offers genuine hospitality in the tranquillity of one of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa. Space, comfort and peace are what you will find when you treat yourself to the natural splendour and peaceful, romantic ambiance of this Drakensberg haven.

Situated in the Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban, Montusi is one of the few destinations with a panoramic vista of the Drakensberg's most famous feature, the Amphitheatre escarpment.

The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, and nature lovers will enjoy the many hiking and walking trails available for all levels of ability. There are easier walks through lush meadows and across clear streams, or more strenuous hikes up and across rugged mountain terrain.

In addition there are countless other activities including bird watching, horse riding and trout fishing (on a 'catch and release' basis). Golfers can visit the 9-hole Amphitheatre Golf Course at Hlalanathi just 8 km away. The lodge also has a tennis court and racquets/balls can be collected from the main reception for any budding Wimbledon champions in the making.

The main lodge consists of a large and beautifully thatched main lodge with reception, dining room, terrace, bar, lounge and massage room.

The swimming pool looks out at the escarpment and the surrounding rocks have provided inspiration for this unusual and beautifully crafted pool which makes it the guest's favourite place in summer.

The intimate restaurant (with a log fireplace) is renowned for sumptuous local cuisine with innovative menus.

The 16 individual free-standing suites offer guests privacy, are uniquely decorated with stunning views of the Amphitheatre Mountain. Suites have one or two bedrooms with a en-suite bathroom (bath and walk-in shower), a lounge, patio, gas operated fireplace and tea/coffee making facility.

Along side each suite there is a private covered carport for one vehicle.

Southern Sun Elangeni

Durban: 2 Nights

With over 320 days of sunshine per year, Durban is a holidaymakers paradise. The 6 km 'Golden Mile' of beaches are packed with sun worshippers throughout the year, while the warm waters of the Indian Ocean entice swimmers, surfers and other water sport and diving enthusiasts.

For those looking for attractions away from the sand and sea, Durban offers a bustling cosmopolitan city with excellent restaurants, museums, live music and theatre. Durban is also home to the largest population of Indian descendents in South Africa, so it is not surprising, therefore, that the city is renowned for its aromatic spice markets and delicious curries - reputed to be some of the best in the world outside of India itself.

Some of the best diving in South Africa can be found at Aliwal Shoal, just 50 km south of Durban. Aliwal is voted as being one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.  Besides being able to dive and swim alongside the many tropical fish species and loggerhead turtles, the major attraction at Aliwal is the ragged tooth shark, or 'Raggy' as it is fondly known within the local dive community.  From July to November the ragged tooth sharks visit Aliwal Shoal in their annual migration from the Cape to the St Lucia Marine Reserve, and the docile nature of this species means that divers can get extremely close to the sharks without the need for a diving cage.

One of Durban's premier hotels, the Southern Sun Elangeni has breathtaking views of Durban's Golden Mile and warm Indian Ocean.

All the 734 air-conditioned rooms have sea views, and are furnished in a modern style. There are also 3 outdoor pools (one of which is heated), beauty salons, a spa and a gymnasium.

The hotel is home to several of Durban's most exciting restaurants and bars. Guests are presented with a wide range of dining options, from generous buffets to traditional Japanese and exotic curries. Visitors looking to experience glamour and stunning views of the Indian Ocean and vibrant cocktails head to Sky, the hotel's exclusive Durban venue at the top of the Maharani Tower.

Kosi Forest Lodge

St Lucia Wetland Park: 3 Nights

Kosi Forest Lodge is located in a private nature reserve in a tranquil sand forest alongside one of the lakes in the Kosi Lakes system, an unspoilt wilderness area which forms part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (also now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park), an internationally recognised World Heritage Site.

The 11,000 hectare, 30 km long nature reserve is a tropical paradise of crystal clear water, marshland, swamp and coastal forests that is home to about 250 species of bird. Activities here include guided canoeing on the lakes, walks through the ancient Raffia Forest, boat trips to explore the unique system of lakes and channels where you may spot hippo, crocodile, and rare birds like the Pels Fishing Owl and Palm Nut Vulture, and exceptional snorkelling in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Another additional activity is to join a 4x4 excursion to Kosi Bay Mouth to view ancient Thonga Fish Traps.

A massive Zulu Podberry tree is the focal point of the main lodge with the lounge, dining room and bar all opening onto a large wooden deck around the tree.

Kosi Forest Lodge takes full advantage of Maputuland's sultry weather with most meals served alfresco - on the deck or under large Albizia trees. Candles light the area at night giving it a warm, romantic ambience reminiscent of wild African adventures of long ago.

The rooms are constructed of wood, thatch and canvas, each positioned to give total privacy. They are comfortably furnished with mosquito nets and fans. A unique feature of each room is the romantic outside boma bathroom with bath and shower set in soft white sand under the forest canopy.

A swimming pool, built into the deck at the lake's edge is a wonderful way to spend a few relaxing hours in the sunshine, while watching hippos and flamingoes in the lake.

Ghost Mountain Inn

KwaZulu-Natal: 2 Nights

At the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain, 300 km north of Durban, lies the privately owned 4* Ghost Mountain Inn, a perfect setting for taking time out to relax and experience the charms of Africa in comfort and style. This intimate and beautiful hotel is the ideal location from which to explore the array of wildlife and coastal reserves in Maputaland and the Elephant Coast.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of wildlife and the scenic splendors of this rich and diverse region during game drives or guided forest walks in the nearby Mkhuze Big 5 Game Reserve, or join a boat cruise on Lake Jozini and view elephants swimming or even fish for a tiger fish. The area is also a bird watcher's paradise, and birding walks can be arranged. Night game drives in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve are another highlight.

The more active can work out in the small gym, take a scenic hike up Ghost Mountain and be rewarded with the outstanding views of the Lebombo Mountain Range and the plains beyond, or the culturally curious can visit a Zulu homestead and meet the locals.

Alternatively just take time out to relax and be pampered with skin and body treatments at the spa or simply enjoy the two swimming pools and glorious indigenous gardens.

Relax in one of the 74 tastefully appointed en-suite bedrooms or suites, all set within the gardens. Guests can choose from one of 4 suites, or a Mountain View Room, a Garden Room, a Superior Room or a Standard Room, depending on budget.  Four of the Standard Rooms are interleading, making these an ideal choice for families travelling with children.

Meals are either served in the dining room, outdoors on the terrace or under the stars in the traditional boma.

Pakamisa Lodge

Pakamisa Game Reserve: 2 Nights

Pakamisa Lodge offers an unforgettable African experience in a private 2,500 hectare game reserve. The reserve is predator and malaria free, creating a safe environment for a range of activities for adults and children not usually available in other Big 5 Reserves. Pakamisa in Zulu means 'to lift up' and guests are assured that their spirits will soar in this African Shangri-La.

Pakamisa is home to a collection of magnificent Arabian horses all superbly trained by the owner. There are few greater thrills than exploring the wild African bush on horseback. Each trail ride offers incredible game viewing from the meandering plains or the challenging hilly ascents. There is nothing more exciting than riding into a herd of impala, giraffe, wildebeest and warthogs and getting close to them before they trot off. No horse lover coming to South Africa should miss this opportunity!

For visitors who would like to experience Pakamisa on two legs rather than four, there are numerous walks and trails through the valleys, along the river banks, or climb the Pakamisa Mountain for the most rewarding panoramic view of 360 degrees. Or traverse the reserve in an open safari vehicle with an experienced game ranger who will explain the fascinating life cycles of insects, plants and trees and the behaviour patterns of mammals, big and small, that you may encounter along the way.

The main lodge has breathtaking views over the reserve, the evergreen valley and plains of the Pongola River and the surrounding mountains. The eight meter high ceilings, legendary of hotels in bygone days, create a pleasant, cool atmosphere. The impressive Main House, with its eclectic mix of African and European art and antiques, offers an ideal place for quiet relaxation or pre-dinner socializing, or alternatively slip into the intimate atmosphere of the Hunter's Bar for a cocktail. The large pool is the ideal place to relax around and enjoy a light snack or a lunchtime drink.

The 8 spacious, tastefully-decorated suites offer the highest standards for comfort and complete relaxation. Each suite consists of a bedroom, a deluxe bathroom and a cosy sunken lounge leading onto a spacious veranda. The rooms have been individually styled and themed after an African animal. The suites are deliberately techno-free with no telephone or television, but internet access is available at the reception area of the Main House for those who simply cannot let go of the outside world.