21-Day Ultimate South Africa Self-drive Safari - Standard - NETT

A comfortable boutique hotel in the leafy suburb of Kempton Park, Johannesburg. You’re only 10 minutes’ drive from OR Tambo International Airport but you'll feel like you're at a safari lodge miles away from civilisation.

There are no animals here, but the mix of modern elegance and safari chic will set the mood for your upcoming trip. You’ll like it here. The garden is quiet and peaceful.

The Safari Club offers a small intimate setting and atmosphere with 11 garden-facing rooms, 5 rooms within the manor and a large family room. It offers all the amenities you’d expect of an overnight stay with some extras included too. 

You’ll have tea and coffee facilities, air conditioning (not in the family cottage), WiFi, TV and bathroom with shower. It’s a comfortable stay and a great start to your holiday.

nThambo Tree Camp is a small, intimate safari lodge in the massive, indifferent Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. You’re basically in a place which shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park.

We're talking west of the Timbavati and 60,000 whopping hectares either side of the Klaserie River. Wildlife sure can roam here. And roam it does. And frankly, animals don't care if they're in Klaserie, Timbavati, Manyeleti, Sabi Sands or the Kruger National Park. They don't even know that this whole caboodle is the Greater Kruger Park. But we do... Wilkommen.

The unfenced borders means wildlife can be in and around camp at any time. So much so that guides will escort you to and from your rooms at night. And there's an air horn in your room in case of emergency... eek. Wild. Watch out for trunks too. If you're in the splash pool. Herds do occasionally wander over for a drink from the pool.

There are beautiful views of the plain and a small waterhole in front of camp. Those mountains in the distance? The mighty Drakensberg.

There are five chalets which sleep two. Showers only and pedestal fans in each room.

All are positioned on stilts at eye level with the trees. You can think like a monkey or a bird and game watch all day. The waterhole in front of camp attracts a number of species day and night; warthog, baboon, elephant, even lion and leopard can be spotted in front of camp.

Situated just outside of Hazyview, between the Drakensberg Mountains to the west and the low-lying bushveld of the Greater Kruger Area to the east. Hippo Hollow began life as a local farmers pub on a family pecan farm, now it's a 91-bedroomed country hotel on the banks of the Sabie River. A good base to explore the Mpumalanga Province.

There’s a range to choose from. 

18 thatched River Chalets overlook the Sabie River and are good for small families. The one bedroomed Garden Chalets are for couples and the Courtyard Rooms are best for business travellers. All rooms and chalets have ensuite bathrooms and tea/coffee facilities.

River Chalets:
They are all close together and have steps inside to a loft area, so better for children who are past toddler age. Air conditioned with a main bedroom and 2 single beds or a sleeper couch in the loft. Private deck with river views, double showers and ceiling fans.

Garden Chalets:
19 air conditioned chalets in the gardens. They sleep 2 and have ceiling fans, double showers, satellite television, tea & coffee facilities and verandahs overlooking the garden or pool.

Courtyard Rooms:
54 air conditioned rooms with television and Wi-Fi. These rooms have balconies or verandahs overlooking the gardens. For younger children, cots are available on request. For older children, a number of interleading rooms are available.

In the Kingdom of Swaziland, Summerfields Resort is an all-suite, all view luxury and exclusive accommodation within an enclave of the botanical gardens. It’s spectacular. Both the resort and the gardens. You’re going to love this place. 

From the Garden Villas, your own private garden retreat to the classic contemporary Luxury and Executive Suites to Dove Nest Lodge with its eclectic Bijoux country charm, Summerfields is an all-suite resort in an incredible setting of the Summerfields Botanical Gardens.

Views onto the distant mountains or the lush garden. It’s all serene, sophisticated and spacious. Tranquil and peaceful. Sigh. Now that’s how you holiday in style. Oh and your breakfast is included. Grand.

When we say grand. It really is grand. Everything about it. Set in 100 hectares of conservation based biodiversity. An appreciation and enjoyment of the incredible plant life of Swaziland. Lakes, waterfalls, ancient cycads, succulents, orchards and tropical palm gardens. It’s enviably green and sustainable. A respite in what could be the most beautiful gardens you’ve ever seen. It’s certainly some of the most beautiful we’ve come across.

Swaziland (or rather the Kingdom of Eswatini) itself is the size of Wales, so it’s no surprise there’s loads to do here. Especially since you can explore the botanical gardens, the surrounds and the rest of the country which is spectacular. Adventure activities, fine dining, golfing in indigenous bush of the Nkonyeni Golf Estate or go fishing. You have a wonderland right on your doorstep. You need only make sure you have enough time to take it all in.

Lidiko Lodge has a distinctive bed and breakfast kinda vibe where friendly staff greet you with feeling and enquire about your day ahead with genuine interest.

Accommodation is in 16 en-suite garden rooms. The two family/triple rooms are part of the original building. Fourteen others were custom built in the same colonial style.

The family rooms are for two adults and two children - under 12 years of age. They can also be triple rooms so would work for three adults travelling together.

Think classic African hinterland architecture: cool, big and thatched. A rondavel-type room with an en-suite bathroom. Private entrance and patio overlooking the gardens towards the Great St Lucia Lake.

The family units have two rooms and two bathrooms with an inter-leading door between the two rooms. These sleep 2 adults and 2 children - between 3 and 16 years old. Private patio, own entrance and they lead onto the pool area.

There are also 12 double or twin garden rooms. They're by the terraced courtyard with the swimming pool in the centre. All have private entrance, private patio and en suite bathrooms with separate shower and bath. 

Charming and welcoming. Sea-Rendipty Guest House is simple yet more than adequate and a fine choice of accommodation in Salt Rock on the Dolphin Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Clean and neat with only six rooms, Sea-Rendipity Guest House, previously called Saffron House under the previous owners, is a great place to stay. Well located to the beach, it’s a five minute walk and it’s also only 15 minutes from the Ushaka Marine Airport and an easy half hour to the buzzing hub of Durban’s CBD.        

It’s not what you’d call fancy, but if you’re looking for a good accommodation on the coast then Sea-Renditpity it is. The name, a quirky play on the word serendipity, which means to find something good without looking. Look no further. 

The rooms, each with a private entrance, all open up onto a patio on the immaculate garden and crystal swimming pool.  In a quiet suburb, make yourself at home. You may not want to leave, but leave you must, even if only for the day to go to any of the incredible surrounding beaches and to explore.

Lily Pond Country Lodge is on the Garden Route. Set in 12 hectares of gardens and yellowwood forest. These large, evergreen conifers are the national tree of South Africa. Respect. And no surprise, the lodge is on the edge of Tsitsikamma National Park. A total stunner. All coast, reefs, rivers, forests. A hiking and water sports mecca.

Several options here. Garden Rooms, Luxury Suites, Luxury Garden Suites and a Honeymoon Suite. All air conditioned. All have an honesty bar, fridge, tea & coffee, CD, iPod docking station and a TV.

The four Garden Rooms have wide sliding doors - and when we say wide we’re talking three and a half metres wide. They lead out onto private patios with views over the  gardens and lily ponds. Twin or king-size beds. Open plan bathrooms with oval baths and walk-in rain showers.

So, the two Luxury Suites had to overdo it, didn’t they. Their sliding doors are bigger. They’re 4 meters wide. So there. They also lead out onto their own private patios and overlook the gardens and lily ponds. They also have that marvellous invention that is underfloor heating. Cosy. Extra length twin-beds or king-size beds. Open plan bathrooms with double baths and separate showers.

But the Luxury Garden Suites are even bigger. They too have the wide sliding doors. They too lead out onto their own patios - but this time overlooking the lily ponds and forest. These suites are decorated in a modern, Afro-Zen style and have their own separate entrances, sitting areas, extra-length twin-beds or king-size beds. The open plan bathrooms have freestanding baths and double indoor/outdoor showers which open onto their private courtyards.

If that doesn’t sound like enough romance head for the Honeymoon Suite. Yes, yes, wide sliding doors that open onto a wooden deck and large, private garden next to the evergreen, indigenous forest. This is also all Afro-Zen style and has its own separate entrance. There’s a lounge area, extra-length twin-beds (Really? On your honeymoon?) or a king-size. The open-plan bathroom has a spa bath and double indoor /outdoor shower opening onto a private courtyard. Bath robes too, so you’ll look all smashing and suave.

Talk about manicured lawns, a faultless facade and an impeccable appearance, with not a thing out of place, and you’re clearly describing Whale Rock Lodge in Hermanus. With service to suit and luxury touches throughout, this lodge exceeds all expectations.

Even on arrival, the entrance hints towards the grandeur of what lies beyond. Previously just the lodge, this property now also includes a Villa since December 2017, making this the ultimate coastal sanctuary with an intimate feel and focus on the finer details.

Situated in Westcliff, the Bakker Family prides themselves on excellent service and a more than comfortable stay in contemporary styled rooms. This owner run property, with distant sea-views, could easily be featured in any home or interior magazine for its simple elegance and chic style.

17 Luxurious rooms and suites. From Deluxe to Family, there’s a room for all types of travellers. Each individually and stylishly decorated with the added comforts of a ‘home away from home’. You’ll wish you could stay longer.

All rooms offer - 100% Percale linens, en-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower, flat screen TV with selected DSTV bouquet, wi-fi, minibar, hairdryer, international plugs, safes and top quality bath & body products.

Ideal for Millennials or at least those living in the 21st Century. This independently owned and run 4* hotel is smart and eloquent. Swanky, as they'd say.

Consisting of 36 luxury suites, this boutique hotel is all about attention to detail and although simplistic in design and décor, it offers a new age feel with a modern twist and present day façade. 

An all-suite hotel. All suites luxury. All luxurious.

Studio Suites: Open plan with either a Twin or King bed. Air-conditioning, lounge, flat screen TV, en-suite bathroom, kitchenette, tea & coffee station, mini bar, safe and universal plug points

Hyde Suites: Quiet and spacious with Twin or King bed and electric blankets in the colder months. Lounge with air-conditioning, electric fan in bedroom, en-suite bathroom, kitchenette, flat screen TV, tea & coffee station, mini bar, safe and universal plug points

Deluxe Suites: As above, just the “Deluxe” version. More spacious.

The sky deck and rooftop pool give you surrounding views of Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill. The perfect spot to chill out or watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand. 

Stylish. Minimalist. Sophisticated. On point.