Protea Hotel OR Tambo

Johannesburg: 1 Night

The 4* Protea Hotel OR Tambo Airport is set in the heart of Kempton Park, just minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport - a mere 3 km to be precise.

Themed around an aircraft hangar, the industrial ambiance of the hotel is felt in the polished concrete floors, steel finishes, chrome lighting and top to bottom windows that overlook the aeroplanes as they dock and take off.

Relax at the hotel's heated swimming pool with sun lounges built inside the pool. Fitness enthusiasts can make use of the 24 hour in-house Techno Gym.

Guests can experience fine fusion cuisine and delicacies at the vibrant a la carte restaurant, The Warehouse which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by the skilled chef and his team.

The restaurant echoes the hotel's industrial aircraft theme with wooden shipment boxes that line the walls and aircraft parts that hang in strategic areas. In the summer months, you can enjoy an open air meal on the terrace or by the pool. Room service is available 24 hours a day for those who are too jet lagged to step out of their room.

Each of the modern, well-appointed rooms have air-conditioning, satellite TV, coffee/tea making facilities and Wi-Fi. All bedroom windows, with blackout curtains, are double glazed to drastically reduce take-off and landing noise for your convenience.

The hotel also offers a complimentary daily airport shuttle between the hours of 06:15 and 22:45.

Hippo Hollow Country Estate

Hazyview: 2 Nights

The Lowveld area around the Kruger Park is beautiful, and there are several attractions worthy of a visit during your stay in the area. The small town of Hazyview is an ideal place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area.

The self-drive Lowveld Panarama Route includes highlights such as Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Lisbon Falls, the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes.

Other activities in the area include visiting the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, which focuses on the conservation of rare, vunerable or endangered animals, enjoying a morning or afternoon tour at Moholoholo (a haven for the rehabilitation and care of abandoned or injured wildlife), visiting the Shangana Cultural Village, white water rafting, or taking an early morning balloon ride over the surrounding countryside.

The Kruger National Park itself is only an hours drive away, and is home to hundreds of species of wildlife and birds, including the Big 5.

Hippo Hollow Country Estate is situated on the Sabi River just outside Hazyview where beautiful water birds as well as hippos grazing on the lawns is a common sight.

Accommodation consists of 37 chalets located on the river or in a sub tropical garden as well as 54 en-suite hotel rooms. There are 2 large central swimming pools and a well-stocked curio shop on the premises including a selection of local art. There is a full service restaurant and bar offering country cuisine and a fine wine selection.

Open vehicle safari adventures into South Africa's largest and world famous game reserve, the Kruger National Park, in a specially modified open vehicle can be arranged (additional cost).

The Shangaan River Club, based at Hippo Hollow, offers traditional South African and Shangaan cuisine accompanied by a night of Shangaan dance and song enthusiastically provided by children from a local orphanage. The evening entertainment begins at 18:30 and prebooking is advised.

Piggs Peak Hotel

Eswatini: 1 Night

Nestled snugly and conveniently in the between South Africa and Mozambique is Africa's best kept secret - the Kingdom of Swaziland. Mountainous grandeur, lush forests, fertile valleys and the hot still beat of the African lowveld combine to take a visitor on a scenic tour of wonder. Visitors to the Kingdom cannot but feel and appreciate the warmth and friendliness of their hosts.

Swaziland - independent since 1968 - is one of the only three monarchies left in Africa. Few countries today can boast the safety, stability and peace which Swaziland enjoys.

Access to Swaziland can be made through any of 12 border posts, with all corners of the country accessible by tarred road. The capital Mbabane, and the industrial hub of Manzini, are sophisticated business centers offering an upbeat alternative to the tranquility and sense of timeless found in more outlying areas.

No matter where your travels take you, you will meet the friendliness and genuine desire to help and share that make it easy to see why Swaziland claims to offer the visitor "The Royal Experience."

Just across the Swaziland border, nestling in rich green forests, lies the luxurious Protea Pigg's Peak Hotel and Casino. Every room and suite overlooks the valley, and the views that stretch to the horizon are matched in magnificence by the food and excellent service.

Guests can enjoy tennis on the floodlit courts; squash courts; play a game of bowls; laze by the pool; or follow trails or ride a horse along the colour-coded paths deep into the forests; or test their skills at clay pigeon shooting.

Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: 1 Night

You don't have to visit Kruger to experience wildlife, or see the Big 5 close to. Only 280 km north of Durban, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park covers 96,000 hectares and is renowned for its variety of bird and animal life.

There have been over 300 bird species recorded, and cheetah, wild dog, the Big 5 and many species of antelope and other plains game including giraffe and zebra inhabit the Park, offering the visitor a varied self-drive game viewing experience.

The Park is most famous for its population of white rhino, of which there are about 1,600, and it is practically impossible to visit the Park without seeing one - if this happens, then you are extremely unlucky!

The excellent road infrastructure means that self-driving is easy in a 2WD, or you can arrange to go on a guided game drive from the camps.  Viewing hides overlook waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range.

Situated between the renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and the Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park is the Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris. Rich in natural ambience and with a distinctively African rhythm, Protea Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris treats guests to luxurious accommodation, tantalising cuisine, and a world-class service with friendly staff.

The hotel's en-suite rooms all offer satellite television, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.

Relax on the swimming pool terrace and soak up the cultural richness in the evenings, when Zulu dance shows are held beneath the magnificent Umkanyakude (Fever) tree.

Hluhluwe & Safaris offers a choice of 3, 6 or 9 hour open vehicle game drives through the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, home of the Big Five. Pre-bookings are required before your arrival date and each game drive needs a minimum of 4 people. Game drives are available either in the morning or in the afternoons. Packed lunches can also be requested for at an additional cost.

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Umhlanga Ridge

Durban: 1 Night

Just minutes driving distance from the main beachfront, the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Durban Umhlanga Ridge is a luxurious destination situated in the secure environment of the Umhlanga New Town Centre, opposite the Wavehouse and the Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

From here, guest can enjoy access to the nearby theatres, restaurants, shops and movies, all of which is within a very easy walking distance.

The hotel is stylish, elegant and has a range of rooms all fully equipped with modern luxuries including high speed internet.

In addition, the hotel offers its own roof-top swimming pool which boasts breathtaking views of the picturesque Umhlanga region, and is the perfect location for days spent at leisure when you aren’t out exploring all that this city has to offer.

The contemporary styled bedrooms boast laminate timber floors and a light, serene atmosphere perfectly suited to Durban's climate. A 32 inch wall-mounted LCD television and comfy lounge chair ensure that you remain relaxed and entertained at all times. 

One look at the view from the windows will leave you wishing you could stay just one more day.

Drakensberg Gardens Resort

The Drakensberg: 2 Nights

The first European settlers called them 'Dragon Mountains'; the Zulus call them 'Barrier of Spears' - whatever you know them as, the Drakensberg mountain range is one of the most spectacular natural features of Africa. It is also the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, and stretches the entire length of the western boundary of KwaZulu-Natal, forming a natural boundary between the province and Lesotho.

With over 200 kilometers of unspoiled escarpment awaiting the tourist, it is an ideal place for those who want to get away from it all for a few days. 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, fly-fishing, and art-courses to be enjoyed.

The Drakensberg has between 35,000 and 40,000 works of bushman art, which is the largest collection of such work in the world. San rock art paintings found here date back thousands of years, and are still clearly visible on the walls and the ceilings in the caves.

Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Leisure Resort is located on a scenic 860 acre estate, in the heart of the Southern Drakensberg.

Your choice of accommodation are contemporary rooms or thatched bungalows. All of the en-suite rooms have television, tea/coffee making facilities and heaters for those cold winter days.

A lounge and bar is available for those who want to relax with magnificent views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

Crawfords Beach Lodge

East London: 1 Night

A mere 42 km from East London, Crawford’s Beach Lodge is situated in the scenic Chintsa East village. Set along a breath-taking coastline, the lodge offers luxury wild coast accommodation, gourmet cuisine and a wide variety of adventurous or relaxing activities to suit any guest or family. 

Guests are encouraged to explore and discover this diverse and scenic region themselves, whether it be by hiking, canoeing, or just enjoy being down on the beach, the Wild Coast will always have something up its sleeve to keep you entertained and amazed. If you are wishing to simply relax and recharge, then why not also enjoy some pampering at the luxury spa.

Whether you are looking for a short break away or an family adventure, Crawford’s Beach Lodge is the perfect base for a Wild Coast holiday.

Wake up to spectacular sea views and magnificent surroundings in rooms that offer everything you expect would from a luxurious beach resort.

The lodge has a range of rooms and suites, consisting of Dolphin, Kingfisher and Mussel Cracker rooms, all of which have air conditioning, satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.

Every room offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean and its coastline, whilst the Mussel Cracker rooms look out over the swimming pool.

Tsitsikamma Village Inn

The Garden Route: 1 Night

The historic Tsitsikamma Village Inn, offering scenic accommodation, was established in 1946 and is situated in the Storms River Village, tucked away in the lush Tsitsikamma forest, close to Storms River Mouth, in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Storms River Village is a hive of activity, mountain biking events, plenty of hikes and walks starting from our doorstep, adventure sports such as black water tubing or kayaking/lilo-ing, nearby beaches, segway forest tours, tree top canopy tour, and more. All activities can be booked at the helpful reception.

This historic South African hotel has served as a stop-over for travellers for more than a century. Most of the rooms are situated around a typical Village green. These buildings reflect many of the different building styles that were to be found in the Cape Colony during the 1800s.

Enjoy delicious meals, fine wine and local beers on tap at one of the 3 dining areas within the Tsitsikamma Village Inn - De Oude Martha Restaurant, the Hunters Pub and Cafe Bacchus, or take a journey back in time with Elvis and Marilyn Monroe at Marilyn’s 60’s Diner. The on-site Micro Brewery is a must for any beer lover.

Premier Hotel Knysna - The Moorings

Knysna: 1 Night

Situated right in the heart of the Garden Route and set on the shores of a beautiful lagoon, Knysna (pronounced 'Nysna') is a bustling little holiday town with a lively Waterfront area.

The excellent selection of accommodation and restaurants, coupled with the many activities on offer, makes this a superb holiday destination and a perfect base from which to explore the many attractions of the Garden Route. The annual Knysna Oyster Festival takes place mid-year in Knysna and is one of the area’s annual highlights, boasting amazing food, great music and friendly people.

The Knysna Lagoon is sheltered from the ocean by a coral reef and the Knysna Heads - 2 large cliff formations which form a natural narrow opening into the ocean. Several operators offer relaxing catamaran trips and sunset champagne cruises out to the Heads and into the open sea, which is a great way to escape the busy streets for a while.

The surrounding forests and nature reserves provide ample opportunity for leisurely walks or picnics, short hikes or more strenuous day walks, plus a number of biking trails. Nearby Brenton-on-Sea beach is a magnificent 7 km stretch of uninterrupted white sands around a half heart-shaped bay.

The Premier Hotel Knysna is situated on the secluded banks of the Knysna Lagoon in the midst of enchanting woodland gardens. The area offers an abundance of outdoor leisure activities such as fishing, swimming, boating or bird watching while Knysna is only minutes away where guests can enjoy a wide variety of shopping malls, restaurants, and pubs.

The hotel offers a range of luxury waterfront accommodation. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, and select DSTV channels.

Diaz Hotel & Resort

The Garden Route: 1 Night

Located only 10 metres from the high-water mark and offering spectacular ocean views from every window and balcony, the Diaz Hotel and Resort welcomes you to the pristine seashore of Mossel Bay's renowned Diaz Beach, offering a thrilling and entertaining experience right in the heart of the picturesque and famous Garden Route.

Discover all of the delights Mossel Bay has to offer. This charming town boasts long and scenic shorelines, pristine beaches and seasonal whale and dolphin watching.

Take in the spectacular views of both the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains as you enjoy a wealth of culinary choices, from scrumptious dinners and cocktails to informal café-style lunches and cool drinks. You'll find a menu to suit every member of the family.

Relax by the exclusive outdoor rim-flow pool under the warm African sun as the waves lazily wash against the beach in the background.

In addition, there is a separate water park next to the hotel which guests can visit, promising a fun and exciting action packed day. For those wishing to just relax, enjoy the Lazy River and drift along without a care in the world.

The Diaz Hotel offers 86 superior sea-facing rooms, each with a private balcony from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mossel Bay.

SunSquare Cape Town

Cape Town: 2 Nights

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted amongst the top cities in the world to visit and it is no surprise that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers.

One of the main tourist attractions is the tastefully restored V&A Waterfront with its many shops, bars and restaurants. There is also an aquarium and one of the largest craft markets in Southern Africa. Boats offer tours of the harbour from the quayside and the whole place is always buzzing with life and activity. The City Bowl is home to many museums and historical buildings which can all be viewed from a 'topless' hop on/hop off tourist bus, complete with interesting commentary as you ride around the city.

The adventurous can climb up (or abseil down) Table Mountain, windsurf or kitesurf at Bloubergstrand Beach, dive in shark tanks, or do any one of a dozen more adrenalin pumping activities. For a more relaxed pace of life, there are miles of sandy beaches for soaking up the African sun, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

SunSquare Cape Town is located in the cosmopolitan and vibrant suburb of Gardens, on the edge of the Cape Town City Bowl.

Situated close to CBD as well as the Cape Town International Convention Centre, whilst the Cape Town International Airport is only a short 20-minute drive from the hotel.

All bedrooms are refreshingly modern and offer comfort and style, featuring stylish furnishings, warm lighting, contemporary flat-screen televisions, ultra-modern writing desks, electronic safes, as well as in-room fridges and super-cool new air conditioning.

There is also an outdoor swimming pool for guest's enjoyment.