Non Malarial Archives - Page 7 of 12

Rovos Rail (The Pride Of Africa)

A once in a lifetime experience in total luxury

This is true luxury in a grand style harking back to the grace of the age of steam. Although the coaches are vintage, they have been lovingly and lavishly restored providing one of the most luxurious experiences you will find anywhere in the world. You will be hauled by a steam engine for the start and ending of your journey (lack of coaling and watering facilities en route these days prevents more extensive use of these incredible locomotives). Once on board your every need is taken care of. The food is a sumptuous banquet often served stationary in the wilderness viewing the amazing African sunset.

While you are traveling

Excursions are arranged en route to game parks and other features of interest. As you can see from the map the routes over which Rovos Rail travels are extensive harking back to the colonial times when the railways were built as an extension of empire! Now you can relax and view the splendour of Africa unfolding before your eyes as you travel via Victoria Falls to Tanzania. A journey up to Windhoek will take you through the vast desert wilderness of Namibia. But the routes through South Africa to Cape Town, along the Garden Route and through Zululand to Durban are still the most popular and rewarding – especially at the start or finish of your holiday experience. Pretoria to Cape Town takes two gloriously full days and the train stops to allow you an undisturbed night’s rest. As always luxury demands its own price but we feel this compares very favourably with the top hotels anywhere in the world.

Kings Walden Garden Manor, Tzaneen, Limpopo,

A beautiful location set in stunning gardens with sweeping views

This is a small lodge with just 6 rooms all beautifully appointed and with mountain views. The property is especially well known for its gardens planted by the original owners in the 1930s. Fine dining is a key ingredient of your stay and the owners take pride in sourcing fresh produce daily

About the Location

This is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg Airport along excellent roads and just 20 minutes from the bustling town of Tzaneen. This area is often credited with having the best climate in South Africa as it is set high in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains which ensures that this tropical paradise rarely gets unbearably hot or humid. There is much to visit in this locations from The Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour, White Water Tubing, Quad Bike trails, Abseiling, Climbing wall, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Paintball, Kloofing or Canyoning. You are also close to the legendary ‘Kingdom’ of Mojadi – The Rain Queen. This is supposed to have been the inspiration for Kipling’s novel ‘She’. Close by is an enormous Baobab tree which has been dated as 1,700 years’ old. It is so large and hollow it houses the famous Baobab Tree Bar.

Ants Hill Bush Houses, Waterberg, Limpopo

Ants Hill is a truly different experience where you are able to experience living in your ‘own’ cottage in the African Bush

As well as the main Ants Hill lodge house there are four cottages providing a home from home…in the bush. The cottages are at your complete disposal together with the staff, resident chef and ranger. Guides will also lead you on exhilarating horseback safaris into the reserve. This will provide you with the ability to view rhino, giraffe, zebra, a host of antelope species and baboons. Night drives can be arranged to try to spot some elusive nocturnal species such as aardvark, bush babies and wild cats. The properties can sleep up to ten at Ants Nest and twelve at Ants Hill. The unique accommodation is decorated with extensive use of traditional furnishings at Ants Nest and bright African colours at Ants Hill. Beds are huge and the baths have to be seen to be believed! Both homes have beautiful pools and the one at Ants Hill is spectacularly situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking a gorge.

About Ants Hill’s Location

Ants Hill and Nest are located in the extraordinarily diverse biome of The Waterberg. The reserve is made out of 12 different ecological zones from open grassy plains to thick montane bush to savannah bushveld. Drives into the nearby ‘Big Five’ Waterberg National Park can be arranged. This is a wonderful location and experience for children of all ages and babysitting can be arranged.

Jembisa Bush House, Waterberg. Limpopo

Jembisa is a gem set in the non-malarial African Bush with your own chef, wine butler and game ranger

Jembisa is perfect for families wanting to try something completely different or couples traveling together. Jembisa offers, in our view, a unique experience. Your family or friends will occupy the house which has been set up as a family home… with a difference. Accommodation comprises five large and beautifully decorated, en suite bedrooms and a childrens’ bunk room. In addition, you will have your own compliment of staff catering to your every need. Game rangers are included who will teach you tracking, how to survive in the bush. They will also introduce you on game drives or on foot to many of the animals in the reserve which do not include the predators. However, most of all, you will be in the African Wilderness with a wonderful canopy of stars at night and just the sounds of the wild. The house can also be rented by couples at a rate that compares very favourably with the top game lodges. The food at Jembisa ranks with the best we have encountered in South Africa from their long-standing chef from Malawi.

About Jembisa’s Location

The Waterberg National Park is very close and drives into the park are provided to give guests the opportunity to see the ‘Big Five’ in this wild location. Elephant back safaris can also be experienced nearby. As well as the pool Jembisa has a floodlit tennis court, children’s games room and babysitting is also provided if required.

Ingwe Manor, Margate, South Coast

Popular location on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast with a Blue Flag Beach

This is a charming, 7-bedroom property with a unit suitable for a family. The rooms are nicely appointed and we particularly liked the four-poster bed! The bathrooms are enormous and by the exquisite pool and gazebo there is a Jacuzzi. The terrace is a perfect spot for breakfast or a sundowner, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

About the Location

The resort of Margate may be a little ‘tired’, although it does have an excellent, clean, Blue Flag beach with great facilities, but the delightful little resort of Ramsgate is a five-minute drive away with some very good restaurants. This would make an excellent base for a family to explore the South Coast area of KwaZulu-Natal and down to the Wild Coast and for golfers there are good courses nearby and the owner will be delighted to make arrangements and has been known to accompany guests for a game or two!

Three Trees at Spionkop

A stunning lodge in an historic location (non malarial)

Originally established to commemorate the location of one of the bitter struggles in the Boer War between the largest empire the world has known and one of the smallest nations at that time. Accommodation is in 6 exquisite twin bedded cottages overlooking the battlefield of Spioenkop. Winston Churchill took a very active part in the ultimately vain and costly attempt to capture the hill from the Boer commandos. There is a standalone two bedroom house named Churchills which is perfect for families. There is also a family suite. This is an all inclusive property and the dining room in located in the main house.

About the Location

The property is situated on a nature reserve so you may notice a rhino or giraffe wandering past you cottage. The lodge can arrange full day battlefield tours, game walks and rhino tracking, horse riding as well as mountain biking and hiking. For those who prefer less strenuous activities, there is a beautiful pool with sweeping views over the nature reserve and across to Spioenkop. This is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg Airport and around a 2 1/2 hour drive from Durban Airport. This can be included in a trip taking in a private safari lodge in Northern Zululand (this area is malarial), the Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift battlefields and the nearby Drakensberg Mountains.

Michael Poliza

Fairlight, Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast

Fairlight is right by a great beach on the Indian Ocean and walk to restaurants

Fairlight was the original building in this area over 100 years ago. Dating back to the early 1900’s, the house was built by Squire Bacon – Margaret Bacon Avenue is named after his wife. The Squire often enjoyed watching a particular trading schooner from England sailing past his house. Its name was ‘Fairlight’, and his house found a name. The property is rated 5 star and is alongside one of the finest bathing beaches on the North Coast. The 4 bedrooms and 2 suites (1 ideal for a family) are beautifully decorated and comfortable although the beds tend to be firm. All the rooms are sea facing and two can be used on a self-catering basis and for families. You will be able to enjoy the sumptuous breakfast overlooking the pool or the Indian Ocean.

About the Location

This property is conveniently located between Durban and the Game Reserves and just 20 minutes from Durban Airport. The area has many activities to keep even the most active people occupied. This includes Scuba Diving, Horse Riding, surfing, golf and for those who enjoy the finer things in life there are excellent restaurants a short walk away.

Teremok Marine Lodge, Umhlanga Rocks, Natal North Coast

Stylish accommodation close to one of the top beaches in South Africa

This lodge, set in one of the most exclusive residential areas in South Africa, has a rich and romantic history. The land was acquired by a Russian immigrant, who fled the revolution and his wife in 1965. He subsequently died tragically and the house that had been built was eventually sold to the current owners in 2002. The property was fully renovated and enlarged, keeping many of the original features. The luxurious accommodation comprises 8 beautiful suites, each with their own balcony and some with sea views. The decoration is always cooling and whilst some rooms reflect the heritage of the original owners, others relate to the theatrical connections of the present owners.

About the Location

The Wellness Centre includes a well-equipped gym and a therapist is available to provide various treatments for that well-earned pampering! The tropical gardens include a wonderful pool for enjoying sundowners around after the heat of the day. The beach is 200 metres away and the lively centre of Umhlanga Rocks, with numerous, good restaurants, is just 1 km distant. This is within easy reach of Durban (15 minutes) and the airport (25 minutes) and is close to the Gateway Mall for inveterate shoppers! The renowned Hluhluwe – Umfolozi Game Reserve is approximately a two and a half hour drive.

Cathedral Peak Hotel, Northern Drakensberg

Cathedral Peak Hotel has the majestic Drakensberg Mountain as a natural backcloth for this traditional family owned hotel

Cathedral Peak is a well-established, family run hotel set in the dramatic scenery of the northern Drakensbergs. The accommodation is comfortable. There are a variety of rooms. Over 100 Standard, Deluxe and Executive rooms, 4 Honeymoon Suites and one Presidential Suite. We suggest the Executive Rooms and the suites as the Standard and Deluxe rooms we find rather basic and can the decor can be a little dated. Cuisine is a traditional South African buffet style, which is among the best we have encountered in South Africa.

About Cathedral Peak Hotel’s Location

The hotel offers an abundance of amenities including tennis, a heated swimming pool with spectacular views, a 9-hole golf course, squash, badminton and bowls. This is an excellent base for hiking in the mountain scenery with a mixture of walks and hikes from a 30-minute stroll to a waterfall to a 10-hour hike to the top of Cathedral Peak (3,000 metres). There are guided hikes provided each day. Horse riding and helicopter tours can also be arranged. The area also has good fishing. There can be snow in the winter when the hotel takes on an altogether different but romantic air with blazing log fires but daytime temperatures can easily reach 20C (70F). Cathedral Peak is a 4 1/2 hour drive along good roads from Johannesburg and 2 1/2 hours from Durban. The Boer and Zulu Battlefields are within easy reach and the Northern Zululand Game Reserves are within a 4-hour drive.

Hartford House, Giant’s Castle, Drakensberg

A stylish 5 star country house hotel in the beautiful Natal Midlands

This is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s finest boutique hotels. The location is exceptional as the hotel forms part of Summerhill, which is one of South Africa’s leading racehorse stud farms. There are 14 luxurious suites decorated in a style that befits this gracious Victorian estate. There is a renowned restaurant for fine dining and the Natal Midlands area is home to numerous good and casual restaurants. The Wellness centre will pamper you especially after a long flight and swimming and tennis are also available in the exquisite gardens. This is a very popular location for weddings.

About the Location

Durban Airport is a 2 hour drive and from here you will be able to drive easily to the Drakensbergs (Giant’s Castle is relatively close and Cathedral Peak is not too far). There are numerous Boer War battlefields close by and the Zulu battlefields are a 1 1/2 hour drive. Personal tours into the Drakensbergs can be arranged.