Hidden Gems – Outdoor South Africa

Jun 24

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Beautiful Walks, Explore South Africa, Hidden Gems 0 comments tags: KwaZulu Natal, KZN Midlands, Midlands Meander, Self catering

Brambleberry Lodge

Situated in the Kwa Zulu Natal Midlands this group of three lodges situated alongside a beautiful and picturesque lake affords a large or small group of family or friends a unique opportunity to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the Kwa Zulu Natal midlands. The group three different size lodges situated in the Nottingham Road area is a mere hour and a half from Durban. The area is totally secluded and secure with gate access control to the property. While in easy reach of the N3, once in the property it is a haven of peace and tranquility. There are three varying options in terms of the accommodation to choose from, the main Lodge offers self-catering accommodation, sleeping a maximum of 16 or 8 individual rooms. All appliances are provided with large spacious living arrangements and a wonderful wrapped verandah allowing you to sit and be enveloped in the peaceful vista of the expansive lake. The homestead offers four bedrooms sleeping up to a maximum of 8. All accommodation has unparalleled views of the lake. Beautiful walks around the lake and in the nearby vicinity are perfect for all ages. The Lakeside Cabin is a two bedroom sleeping four maximum. Whilst […]

Apr 03

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Hidden Gems, Hiking, Photographic Opportunity, Things to do 0 comments tags: KwaZulu Natal, Oribi Gorge, The Gorge

The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa

An absolute seven star gem perched on the edge of the Orbi Gorge, The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa is an absolute must visit. An easy drive from Durban for 90 minutes or 2 hours if you are flying in and landing at King Shaka Airport. A warm and friendly welcome awaits you from the moment you announce yourself at the gate to the extremely warm and world class service that is provided throughout your stay. As if by magic every single staff member knew our names before we even introduced ourselves. The villa’s and suites provide unparalleled views of gorge, whose enchanting vistas are constantly changing. The suites are large and luxurious with king size beds and bath tub allowing you to relax and enjoy the serenity of the incredible views of the gorge. There is both an internal and external shower for the more adventurous. The villas are away from the main hotel complex, while suites are connected to the hotel. All your needs and requirements are met in the rooms which are difficult to tear yourself away from. Breakfast and dinners are served in the main dining room which is beautifully appointed providing incredible views during […]

Mar 21

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Cape Town, Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Franschhoek, Hidden Gems, Winelands 0 comments

Angala Boutique Hotel & Guest House

Situated in the Cape Winelands near Rus en Vrede Wine estate, this hidden gem is a five star experience you should not miss. From the moment of arrival the overall sense of serenity and calmness envelopes you. Situated at the foot of the Simonsberg, this five star rated hotel offers the discerning visitor everything and more your heart could desire. The lush green environs that help the buildings blend into the landscape add to the natural beauty of the grounds. Various accommodation packages are available from a River Cottage, to standard and deluxe rooms or magnificent suites depending upon your needs and requirements. To remove the stress and strain of the city away the hotel offers an entire range from the solar heated pool, infrared sauna and steam room, eco pool and spa. The staff and service are world class; treat yourself to the world class cuisine either at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Situated close to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch you can escape into the nearby winelands to discover the amazing wine farms and various eateries in the area. Whether it’s a couples retreat, wedding or family holiday in the Cape, we would recommend you take advantage of this hidden gem. […]

Feb 11

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Beautiful Walks, Camping, Explore South Africa, Food, Hidden Gems, Hiking, Photographic Opportunity, Things to do 0 comments tags: Clarens, free state

Clarens

We will be covering this unique area of South Africa over the next few weeks highlighting interesting and novel details on the area and reviewing some of the places to visit in the area. Are you looking for a difference experience away from the hustle and bustle of city life? A road trip to Clarens in the Free State is well worth the time. Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes from Johannesburg and 4 hours 30 minutes’ drive from Durban, it is time well spent. Nestled at the foot of the Maluti Mountains there are a wide range of accommodation types to choose from and a myriad of activities to enjoy both in the town and in its surrounds. There are many outside activities from fly fishing, to mountain walks and serious mountaineering to horseback riding, quad biking, to even hot air ballooning or golf. Established in 1912, the town of Clarens was a result of two farms being sold, after negotiations a decision was made to name the village after President Paul Kruger influence on the area after he as a voluntarily exile lived his last days in the town of Clarens in Switzerland. Following the Free State-Basotho War of […]

Nov 01

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Hidden Gems 0 comments

A Hidden Gem

On a recent trip to the Kruger Park we needed to find a place in the greater Nelspruit area to overnight en route and also to stay on our return journey. As we were driving to our destination we wanted a quite secluded place away from the hustle and bustle of the town. We did a fair an amount of research online and managed by chance to stumble upon Belgrace Boutique Hotel. Having arrived after a long road trip we wound our way up the R538 which takes you up to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. We turned off and were warmly welcomed by the guard at the gate. Winding our way down to the parking and reception we immediately knew that we had made the right decision in choosing to stay here. Welcome drinks and the quite trickle of the water fountain at the hotel entrance gave way to calm and exquisite surroundings of the hotel. The expansive dining room opened out onto a spacious verandah and gardens. There are eight magnificently decorated suites each with its own design and character and no expense have been spared with the décor and extras in the suites. Some of the suites have […]

Aug 29

by admin in Coffee & Cake, Explore South Africa, Hearty Meals, Hidden Gems, Off the Beaten Track, Things to do, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: bakery, coffee, relax, scones & cream, waffles

Drakensberg Valley Bakery

The Valley Bakery in the hilly slopes of the Drakensburg has become more than just a bakery in the Berg, it has become a Berg Institution. Travelers should not dream about vacationing in the Berg without stopping at this prized gem tucked away beyond an airstrip and behind rows of tall shady trees. This past weekend we made two stops at the Valley Bakery and we were not disappointed. On the first occasion, it was a glorious sunny day and we decided to have a cold beverage and treat in the shade of the verandah. Delicious looking biscuits, donuts and breads are the first treats that you notice when entering the bakery. There is also display cabinets showing off cute kitchen wares, baby clothes and various arts and crafts. Multiple cakes line the counters and sit in the cool fridges for customers to choose from, definitely making your mouth water at every sight. Creamy milkshakes, lemon meringue pies, cooked shoestring chips and quiche were our choice of the day and we could not falter the Bakery on any of these. On the second occasion, it was a chilly day and we were soothed by warm cappuccinos, a pepper steak pie […]

Oct 30

by Outdoor South Africa in Accomodation, Explore South Africa, Hidden Gems, Photographic Opportunity, Things to do 0 comments tags: scenery, wildlife rehabilitation, Zululand

Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre

As we embarked on our three hour car journey to the Hluhluwe area from Durban, we were filled with excitement and anticipation. We were headed for Emdoneni Lodge which has a Cat Rehabilitation Centre onsite. For the sum of R180.00 per adult, a tour guide will walk you into each cat enclosure, which gives you a close-up and personal experience with a variety of cats. Our first enclosure held wild cats which looked like ordinary ‘tabby’ cats with a more distinctive feature, being their red ears. The wild cats were as close as a metre away from us, which allowed us to identify with the guide’s description of the cats and with each of their individual personalities. The next enclosure held caracals, which are rather bulky looking cats with beautiful black tipped ears. One was relaxing in the tree above us and looked at us as though she knew we were talking about her. Being breeding season, the male caracal was in a separate enclosure, which we were guided into by our tour guide. As the guide was telling us more about caracals, Bar One (which was the male caracal’s name) was rubbing himself against our legs like a normal […]

Oct 26

by Outdoor South Africa in Accomodation, Coffee & Cake, Explore South Africa, Food, Hidden Gems 0 comments tags: fresh cream, scenery, scones & cream

A day in the KZN midlands

On a sunny yet overcast day we decided to venture out on a road trip to the Midlands. Our first stop was at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market which was bustling with people. The Farmer’s Market provides an experience for the whole family – it has food stalls, homemade and handmade goods, activities for children and it is pet friendly. It is best to get there as early as possible as the later it gets, the higher the chance of the goods being sold out which shows that this weekly event is much attended and that the goods are highly sought after. Our next stop was in Howick to see the waterfall. Our first priority, however, was to have some breakfast. A cute little place called “Ray’s cafe” caught our eye. Our breakfasts consisted of pork sausages, bacon, eggs, toast and chips and was reasonably priced – it hit the spot on a cold day. After we finished our breakfast in the quaint and homely cafe, we walked down the path passed all the little shops towards the waterfall. As we got closer the sound of the powerful gushing water captivated us and then we saw it – water plummeting down […]

Oct 13

by Outdoor South Africa in Explore South Africa, Hidden Gems, Photographic Opportunity, Things to do 0 comments tags: birds of prey, wildlife rehabilitation

Falcon Ridge

An awesome show to attend whilst in the Drakensberg area is the bird of prey show at Falcon Ridge. A team of dedicated and adventurous bird handlers put on an excellent show which offers an up close experience with the birds of prey. An educational talk is provided with each bird species and thereafter a jaw dropping presentation is exhibited by the birds themselves. The eagles were flying so high that they looked like a speck on my sunglasses and they were lost amongst the clouds catching the warm thermals as they rose higher and higher. In a few seconds they became visible again, like a rocket ship piercing through the blue skies to land back on a tree in front of us. Falcons are small birds of prey but possibly the fastest. The falcon on display was flying and making manoeuvres at ridiculously high speeds. There was also a beautiful owl on display who at first was a bit skittish but as his presentation continued got cheekier and cheekier and had the crowd laughing and loving him. This outdoor show is perfect for the whole family and will leave you feeling in awe of these amazing birds that we […]

Brambleberry Lodge

The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa

Angala Boutique Hotel & Guest House

Clarens

A Hidden Gem

Drakensberg Valley Bakery

Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre

A day in the KZN midlands

Falcon Ridge

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