Explore South Africa – Page 2 – Outdoor South Africa

Feb 21

by admin in Accomodation, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: Namibia, Windhoek

The Olive Exclusive All Suite Hotel

We wound our way through the streets of Windhoek navigating using our GPS until we found our Hotel in central Windhoek. The hotel is right in the middle of the suburbs of Windhoek perched on the side of a steep hill. The hotel offers seven different suites to choose from with the premier suites having the own plunge pool situated in the middle of the verandah that spans the length of each room. The suites are large and roomy and consist of a double volume. The décor is very modern and tastefully done with an Afro Namibian twist. The décor uses a theme of an organic rough-hewn feel in terms of the various pieces of furniture used. The walls feature pictures of abstract Namibian landscapes by well-known South African designer and photographer Micky Hoyle. The seven suites are individually decorated each reflecting a different region in Namibia, and each has its own lounge area with fireplace and dining room, for private dining should you wish . Each suite has an extra-length bed dressed in crisp, pure-cotton linen. The bathrooms are generous and offer a free standing tub with sweeping views. Rooms are air-conditioned, however, on both the first and last […]

Feb 19

by admin in Accomodation, Uncategorized 0 comments

Our Namibian adventure Part 1

And so our Namibian adventure began. Our flight on British Airways from OR Tambo International (Johannesburg) to Hosea Kutako International in Windhoek was initially uneventful until we started to descend into Windhoek. We since learnt why it is called Windhoek, windy it is with only 28 days of calm weather a year. The pilot concluded a skillful landing notwithstanding the challenges faced with the heat and wind of the area. Climbing out onto the tarmac you know you have arrived with the intense dry heat that welcomes your arrival. Fire engines stand on the ready to cool down the tarmac should the heat become too intense. Passing through customs was relatively pain free, baggage collected we went through to obtain our hired vehicle which we would need for out 400 km drive to Sossusvlei area. (More to follow on our epic road trip). Our first and last nights of the trip were planned to spend in Windhoek. Our drive from the airport started to unearth the delights of the country as we drove the 45 km to the city. GPS loaded we arrived in Windhoek and made our way to our hotel.

Oct 02

by Outdoor SA in Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Food, Hearty Meals, Things to do 0 comments tags: Butcher Block, Durban, fillet, Great Cuisine, great food, Indian Ocean, lunch, meat, rump, sirloin, Steak, Steakhouse, T Bone, Umhlanga, wine

Butcher Block Umhlanga

The team decided to visit the restaurant for dinner recently. Set in the Holiday Inn Express in Umhlanga just off Umhlanga Rocks Drive allows for plenty of parking for guests visiting the restaurant who are not staying in the hotel. The restaurant has a sister situated in Crowne Plaza Johannesburg, Rosebank. The Umhlanga restaurant is large and spacious with a warm ambience. It has a modern and clean design and caters for a more upmarket meal, family meal or a quick bite to eat. We found the staff to be warm friendly and attentive. They have a good wine selection for those with a discerning palette. Well known for its main feature on the menu of steak, the group was founded in 2003 as a steakhouse. The menu is full and varied with a great range of starters from chicken livers to the well-known favourite prawn cocktail through to soup; SA stock of boerewors, Mozambican strips chicken or beef, mussels and mushrooms. The full range of steak types, fillet, rump, sirloin, T-Bone and prime rib are all on offer with various cuts and basted to perfection. Chicken, fish, prawns, calamari, lamb shank, curry. The list is endless and there is […]

Sep 21

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Explore South Africa 0 comments tags: 5 star, beautiful setting, Bed and Breakfast, breakfast, gardens, great food, Pietermaritzburg, relax, Self catering

Lexden Bed & Breakfast

Old World Charm Set high up at number 176 Howick Road with sweeping views over Pietermaritzburg, Lexden offers the discerning visitor to Pietermaritzburg luxury accommodation in a variety of choices. There are three luxury rooms with ten rooms in total and an option of self-catering in certain rooms or a full bed and breakfast offering with the luxury rooms. Set in a plush garden there is an overall sense of tranquility and gracefulness with the timelessness echoing back to the times when ‘things moved a bit slower’. The large rooms are warm and welcoming with all the mod cons that a discerning traveller would require, while beautifully decorated by the owner and ex interior decorator Karrin Hatfield. The bathrooms are large and expansive allowing you to unwind from the stressful day. Services include – Laundry facilities – TV with limited DSTV Channels and free Wi-Fi – Fully air-conditioned accommodation – Cotton bed linen and down and feather pillows and duvets – Fridge and air conditioning in each room – Mini Bar if required The main house is both gracious and warm housing the main dining area in which a slow and leisurely breakfast can be enjoyed. If you are a […]

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 […]

Aug 27

by admin in Beautiful Walks, Hiking, Things to do, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: Drakensberg, hiking, walking

Sterkspruit Falls

While on holiday in the central Drakensberg we decided on a beautiful August morning to walk to the Sterkspruit Falls from the Monks Cowl Ezemvelo office. We decided on the short walk to Sterkspriut as it is relatively flat and we were feeling a little fragile after the weekend’s activities. We paid the park entrance fee of R 35 per adult and signed the mountain register. We were all quite happy to pay fee as Evemvelo KZN wildlife do such an amazing job of conservation around the province. We walked the circular route first stopping at Sterkspriut Falls its self, the river has dramatically eroded the river valley. The path arrives at a viewing platform at the top of the falls and from the perspective offered it is difficult to comprehend the power of the water and the time taken for the river to have made such a dramatic mark on the landscape. The path continues onto Crystal Pools where one could actually swim in the pools formed by the river, by this point we were all quite hot and were all very tempted to just jump into the icy cool water. Although no one jumped in we all took […]

Apr 17

by admin in Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Food 0 comments tags: 5 star, breakfast, champagne, oysters, waffles

Breakfast at the Oyster Box

We arrived at the Oyster Box for breakfast on a beautiful autumn Durban morning, although still a bit warm outside there was a crispness to the air and it was a perfectly clear day. We had booked to sit inside as we had been warned that sitting outside could get a bit hot and or windy, however on this particular morning we would have been safe either way. The four of us were seated at a booth style table that was very comfortable and form where much laughter would resonate over the next few hours. Having arrived early and hungry we took full advantage of the vast spread the Oyster Box had laid out. We started with fruit, yogurt and muesli, then onto cold meat, cheese and pastry’s. At this point the more adventures members of the group indulged in a few fresh oysters. After a pot of filter coffee we tacked the full compliment of eggs, bacon, sausages and poached haddock in cream. At this point it might have been wise to call it a day but with our eyes ever bigger than our stomachs we wrapped breakfast up with a syrupy waffle and cream topped off […]

Mar 23

by Outdoor South Africa in Camping, Explore South Africa, Photographic Opportunity 0 comments tags: camping, expolre, fishing, midmar dam, outdoors

Get Outside and Explore South Africa

How the adventure began The idea of our expedition to spend the weekend camping at the beautiful Midmar Dam in the KZN midlands started as many great plans do… on a Sunday evening while the Monday blues were setting in. I had been longing to get away and just do something as we spend most weekends in shopping malls and coffee shops. But those really do not constitute actual activities. So the plan was hatched, we would go to Midmar Dam and try do some sailing and camp the following Saturday night. I spent many happy weekends in my varsity days camping, hiking and rock climbing in the Drakensberg and I longed to get outside again and re-connect with nature. I understand that what was a good plan back then would not cut the mustard anymore. In the days of my youthful camping we would head off on a Friday afternoon and sometimes not know where we would be sleeping that night. We had minimal supplies and even less money and to top it all off, the money we did have, we needed to use to buy enough petrol to get us home again. Anyway like I said I was […]

Jan 28

by Outdoor South Africa in Accomodation, Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Food, Photographic Opportunity 0 comments tags: 5 star, big 5, luxuary safari, private game researve

Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge

The Lodge is set in the broader private game reserve of Nambiti. Some two hours from Durban just past the town of Ladysmith it is an easy drive from Durban. The reserve was crafted out of a number of old cattle farms in the area and allowed to return to its natural state. It is now home to the big five with a number of various lodges on the reserve. is home to elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino, as well as over 30 other animal species. It is also rich in bird-life and indigenous flora. The lodge offers luxury accommodation from the romantic honeymoon suite to eight suites. Sumptuous breakfasts and lunches can be enjoyed on the expansive deck. Early morning rising to enjoy a cup of coffee before heading out on a game drive to explore the bush and take in the beautiful flora and fauna while tracking down elephant, lion or buffalo. Back at the lodge you can relax and unwind indulging your senses until the 4.00 pm departure on the night drive with a stop in the bush for a drink and then return to the lodge for an amazing meal.

Nov 29

by Outdoor South Africa in Coffee & Cake, Explore South Africa, Food 0 comments tags: coffee, fresh cream, syrup, waffles

Midlands Waffles

For me the Belgian chocolate shop is a ‘must visit’ destination when in the Midlands. Their variety of chocolates is enough to make any sweet-lover weak at the knees. On this sunny Saturday, the sign that caught my eye was Florentine’s Belgian Waffles. This quaint little waffle restaurant is adjacent to the chocolate shop and is situated in a little wooden hut with an extended deck. Serving a variety of sweet and savory waffle dishes we were surprised at the creative toppings that one can order. If you are not a waffle fan, there is also a choice of toasted sandwiches. We chose to have the traditional waffles with syrup and cream or ice cream and we were not disappointed. They were so tasty and just the right size. It was so nice to relax and look out over the farmlands enjoying the surroundings and our delicious find.