We have selected five of our favourite properties which we believe are some of South Africa’s most exceptional lodges. Their special, highly discounted, SA resident rates have been extended into 2021, giving South Africans more opportunity to experience some of the most magical and romantic places in the country.
We’ve read and heard many snarky comments during this time about “South African visitors finally being good enough to stay at these properties” and these lodges bringing their pricing down to “more realistic rates” – however such remarks are based on a lack of insight. These incredible properties are unbelievably costly to run, most have a limited number of rooms to maintain an exclusive and personal experience, have high staff to guest ratios, employ skilled sought-after staff to ensure an exceptional safari/nature experience and extraordinary dining, are situated in remote locations making deliveries of goods a challenge and contribute immensely to conservation and community upliftment efforts in their regions. So these super low rates being offered during this time of the pandemic in many cases only barely contribute to overheads and are being offered in order to help keep their staff employed. It’s unlikely once the situation settles and tourism returns to some form of “normality” that we will see these prices again in the market.
So now is really the time to take advantage and make the most of this opportunity to experience such highly acclaimed lodges, and understand what makes South Africa such a popular destination with our international visitors from around the world.
We’ve chosen these top five lodges for their unique locations and wildlife experiences, exquisite suites, romantic features and contribution to conservation.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Location and unique Experience
Recognised by National Geographic as one of the Unique Lodges of the World, Sabi Sabi’s Earth Lodge is sculpted into a slope of the earth, almost invisible in the landscape, the lodge uses texture, light and space to present a lodge like no other. Taking its cue from the surrounding environment, it has been described as the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa. The lodge is located in the renowned Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve – known as one of the best wildlife reserves in Africa and arguably the best in South Africa. Sabi Sands is particularly noted for its sightings of one of the most elusive of the Big Five – the leopard, as it has the highest concentration of these animals in all of South Africa. It is the one place in which you can almost guarantee your clients a leopard sighting.
The Suites
Home to 13 ultra-luxurious suites including the Amber Presidential Suite, the lodge breaks with traditional bush lodge style to create a masterpiece of artistry and innovation. Each of the suites at this luxury lodge features individually designed furniture, private plunge pool, en-suite glass fronted bathroom and indoor and outdoor shower. The natural wooden sculptures by renowned South African artist Geoffrey Armstrong add a powerful magic.
Lepogo Lodges Noka Camp
Location and Unique Experience
Sitting on top of a spectacular 100 ft rock face with the swirling Palala River below, Noka Camp encourages complete tranquility with uncompromised luxury. Noka Camp is nestled in the heart of the malaria free Lapalala Game Reserve and offers an exquisite base from which to explore the 50,000 hectares of pure wilderness. Vast, remote and serene, the Lapalala Wilderness awakens the senses with its deep valleys and spectacular cliffs echoing to the sound of tumbling streams. From crystal clear rock pools to wide open plains, this is an area rich in an abundant array of wildlife and largely untouched by man. Activities include game drives, bush walks, water safaris, river swimming, visits to an iron age site and bushmen rock art, astronomy, fishing, as well as community and conservation experiences. Lepogo Lodges as a non for-profit venture. It is one of the few lodges globally giving 100% of any financial gains back into the reserve for the benefit of wildlife, local community and future generations. Cheetah reintroduction and preservation is a priority for the owners and foremost in their personal conservation goals. The name Lepogo is derived from the Sotho for Cheetah.
The Villas
The villas all have incredibly features: At night your sky bed experience provides for one of the most romantic settings you can imagine as you choose to either sleep outside under the stars or inside your stunning villa in unparalleled luxury. Enjoy the breath-taking views and spectacular sunsets from the luxury of a sunken bath. The bathrooms are designed to incorporate the great outdoors and truly allow you to soak up the natural environment. Each room has its own heated plunge pool built into the platform on top of the cliff, there aren’t many pools that will offer such a view. This takes the infinity pool concept to a new level. Each room has its own beautifully positioned outdoor sitting area, allowing you to enjoy the endless views at your leisure.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Location and Unique Experience
Grootbos, a luxury eco reserve close to the southern tip of Africa, tucked between mountain, forest and sea, is a world leader in sustainable tourism and has been awarded the highest international accolades possible, making us one of only a handful of lodges to do so. Carefully curated experiences offer guests the chance to grow, learn and discover. Whether it's spotting whales and their calves in the ocean, learning how bees pollinate flowers or meeting passionate people changing the world, you'll have your eyes opened - as well as your heart. Experiences at Grootbos are inspired by the pristine surroundings and have conservation and community at its core. Guests can enjoy botanical 4x4 tours, walks and hikes, horse riding, quad biking, fat bike trails, shark cage diving, whales watching, marine safaris, a river cruise, a coastal safari, bird watching… and more.
The freshest air, the cleanest water and the clearest views: a stay at Grootbos is a glimpse into a truly organic life. Much of the food served is grown on the reserve and you can taste this in every mouthful.
The Suites
Meander through an ancient Milkwood forest, soak up the beauty of the fynbos or admire dramatic mountain and sea views as you wind your way towards your private suite. All of the accommodation at Grootbos has been designed to complement the pristine natural setting, while never compromising on style or luxury. Private, peaceful and luxurious, Garden Lodge suites are ideal for enjoying time with loved ones, soaking up the silence or simply connecting with nature. Curl up in the sun-filled lounge with a book, enjoy a cup of tea on your own wooden deck or simply appreciate the gorgeous views from every room in your exquisitely furnished suite. Forest Lodges suites are secluded, tranquil and opulent, perfect for romance, contemplation and connecting deeply with both nature and yourself. Taste the fresh air, listen to the sound of the ocean and breathe in the smell of the unique fynbos that surrounds you.
Samara Game Reserve
Location and Unique Experience
Spanning 67,000 acres of malaria-free wilderness in the Great Karoo, award-winning Samara offers a Big Five safari with a difference just 2.5 hours by car from Port Elizabeth. The landscape itself is unique – an unexpected and diverse semi-arid paradise of mountains and grasslands, where thousands of wild animals, from cheetah to elephant to springbok, roam once more. A total of 26 guests at any one time are invited to join this conservation journey, a guest-to-land ratio almost unparalleled in Africa. Easily accessible from the Garden Route, Samara is also just 40 minutes from the historical town of Graaff-Reinet, rich in culture and heritage. A spectacular destination for discerning travellers seeking a holiday with purpose and genuine hospitality, Samara offers a safari for the soul. A timeless landscape of space, stars and silence, a magical region known as the heart and soul of South Africa. A vast semi-desert stretching across four provinces, the Karoo is South Africa’s answer to the Australian Outback. Characterised by extensive open plains bordered by dolerite-capped mountains, the immense, heart-lifting spaces of the Karoo have a unique, humbling kind of magic. There is no better place to clear your lungs, reconnect with your senses, and feel the stresses of daily life begin to slip away.
The Suites
Each Manor House suite comprises a bedroom and bathroom with shower and free-standing bath. A private patio with outdoor seating looks out over a mountain landscape – the perfect location for lazy afternoons catching up on reading. Karoo Retreats suites are ideal for couples, each spacious suite contains a four-poster bed, fireplace, air-conditioning and luxury en-suite bathroom. Private covered patios with outdoor seating look out over a waterhole, providing the ideal location for morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars. These suites have outdoor showers fashioned out of natural Karoo stone, offering an authentic al fresco experience with views over the mountain landscape.
The most romantic feature of the lodge is Samara’s star bed on the Milk River, which will provide you with a wilderness experience to take your breath away. Arrive at sunset for a picnic dinner and drinks. Watch as the local wildlife descend to the water to quench their thirst. Take in the spectacular views over the mountainous landscape, free of light and noise pollution. As the night sky develops, marvel at the Milky Way, pointing out different constellations with the aid of our star books, before drifting off to sleep wrapped in a thick mohair blanket. Awaken to the big skies and birdsong of the Karoo as another beautiful day dawns.
Lush Private Game Reserve
Location and Unique Experience
Lush is located on the Black Rhino Reserve – a private concession within the Big Five greater Pilanesberg National Park. The park has a unique setting, encircled by the hills of a volcanic ring-dyke complex, and as a guest of Lush, you are assured a private – and unique – safari experience, with the rare opportunity to see the black rhino. The lodge has traversing access to the whole of Pilanesberg, including the Black Rhino Game Reserve and the park’s limited-access Wilderness Area – established for the protection and breeding of this critically endangered animal, threatened by poaching. Enjoy twice daily game drives with scenic stops along the way for refreshments, guided morning bush walks to bring you closer to nature and optional hot air balloon safaris – the ultimate romantic safari experience.
The Suites
With only five suites, either mountain- or bush-facing, you are assured of an intimate experience. Suites are designed with privacy and every comfort in mind, each include: an emperor-sized bed, pause area (incl. Smeg minibar and Nespresso coffee machine), in-room freestanding bath with a view, open-air shower and private splash pool on the deck.
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