Fine Dining – Outdoor South Africa

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. […]

Jan 15

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Beautiful Walks, Explore South Africa, Fine Dining 0 comments tags: Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Lowveld valley.

Highgrove House Country Hotel, Restaurant, Spa and Farm

If you are travelling en route to the Kruger Park in the Mpumalanga area and are looking for luxury accommodation in the vicinity then a night or two at Highgrove House Country Hotel is highly recommended. Set back off the road situated on a small holding the location is perfect either to stop off on the way to the park or on the return journey. Accommodation consists of 8 garden cottages allowing for a maximum of 16 guests on the property at any one moment in time. The entire property has the bygone colonial era ambience while encapsulating the very atypical South African authenticity. The grounds are extensive and the sub-tropical climate encourages bountiful growth of the plants and trees that cover the property. The towering trees that warmly welcome the visitor down the main road to the property are truly amazing and awe inspiring. The hotel is renowned for its cuisine having achieved many accolades in this regard. Its fine dining reputation has resulted in it being part of The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1950. Dining is either in main dining area The Royal, or on the patio overlooking the pool area. All […]

Jan 06

by Outdoor SA in Accomodation, Cape Town, Explore South Africa, Fine Dining, Food, Franschhoek, Photographic Opportunity, Things to do, Winelands 0 comments

Franschhoek Country House and Villas

Franschhoek Country House and Villa’s situated in the central village of Franschhoek offers the ideal place to stay if you are looking for accommodation in the Franschhoek valley. The tranquil ambience of the location while still very central allows the visitor to unwind and relax with five-star service in luxury surroundings. Accommodation on offer ranges from luxury Villa’s, Garden Cottages, Luxury Rooms and Standard Rooms. No detail has been spared with regards to the furnishing, décor and creature comforts provided in range of offerings providing the discerning traveler everything your heart desires. The overall theme and décor of the French Chic, with beautiful artwork and finishes throughout. The warmth and hospitality of all the staff is heartfelt and they go out of their way to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable. Breakfast is served every morning in the upstairs area overlooking the reception quadrant. For lunches and dinners, you can book at the Monneaux restaurant which is on the property. This multi award winning restaurant offers an enchanting setting both within the restaurant or on a pleasant day / evening you can sit outside in the garden area. The restaurant is located on the historical site which was first Franschhoek […]

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 […]

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 04

by Outdoor SA in Fine Dining, Food, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: 5 star, beautiful setting, champagne, coffee, Durban, Great Cuisine, Indian Ocean, lunch, Umhlanga

Little Havana

It’s no wonder that the restaurant has recently been voted The Best Steakhouse in South Africa. We have had the pleasure of eating here for dinner and lunch on a number of occasions, and our recent lunch once again proved to confirm this accolade. The upmarket décor and setting sets the scene for the diner to enjoy a sumptuous meal for the discerning palette. They are famous for their extensive range of steaks well aged and cooked to perfection. The menu is varied and offers a full range of offerings from seafoods, poultry, lamb, pork and of course the famous steaks. The walk in wine cellar offers you the chance to pair the perfect combination per course. The menu offers a wide range of starters and desserts to accompany your perfect meal not forgetting aperitifs, and the cigars. Vegetarians are also catered for with a superb offering. The restaurant is set upstairs in the Granada Centre in the village of Umhlanga. The mix of Colonial, Plantations and Cuba offers an interesting twist in the ambience and on the palette. During the day or on one of Durban’s balmy evenings sitting on the verandah provides a awesome setting, or inside the […]

Jul 29

by Outdoor SA in Fine Dining, Food 0 comments tags: 5 star, Beverley Hills, Durban, great food, Indian Ocean, lunch, Umhlanga

Lunch at The Beverly Hills at the Sugar Club

The cold weekend weather was a deciding factor to the team deciding to book for lunch at the Five Star Beverley Hills buffet lunch. Having booked the table we arrived and were warmly welcomed to our table and seated. As the wind whipped up the azure blue sea outside our drinks order was taken. The buffet table laden with starters and dessert certainly stirred the senses from a visual delight perspective. Our taste buds were soon not disappointed as we chose our various starters and sat down to enjoy the vast array of flavours and textures from our starters. All tastes are catered for from the soup of the day, through a myriad of salads, fresh salmon, and so many options to choose from. It’s all about pacing yourself ensuring that you allow room for the mains and desserts to come. The temptation to go back for more starters was resisted and then the next choice was what to decide to eat for the delectable mains. From roast beef, lamb and chicken, to the traditional Durban lamb curry or butter chicken curry with all the accompanying condiments certainly caused much debate. Should one keep to one main dish or try […]

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 […]

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.