South Africa’s Top Southern Safari Lodges

The Garden Route and Eastern Cape in South Africa go hand in hand when you’re planning a luxury holiday. Both offer the most wonderful driving routes through some of Africa’s most beautiful and scenic countryside and the Eastern Cape offers abundant wildlife and luxurious safari camps and lodges. Here you can really explore to your hearts desire and will be swept up in the huge romance of these fantastic areas. Here we outline three properties which will certainly win your hearts on holiday in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route:

 

 

SHAMWARI

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Luxury accommodation at Shamwari is offered in six different lodges, all of which are 5* graded.  The Eagles Crag Lodge has nine detached suites that can sleep a maximum of two adults, they include a private plunge pool with a deck. Villa Lobengula has six suites which can take a maximum of two adults, they include their own private patio with a mini bar. Long lee manor has 15 bedrooms that can sleep a maximum of two adults, it also includes two private swimming pools, a conference facility for up to 35 people, a relaxation retreat with two therapy rooms, steam room and sauna, a fitness centre, gift boutique, perimeter electric fence, indoor and outdoor dining facilities, business desk with internet access and wi-fi connection, and a temperature controlled wine cellar. Bayethe lodge has 12 detached tents that can sleep a maximum of two adults each, they also include their own plunge pool each. Riverdene Lodge has nine luxury rooms each sharing with one child and finally, Sarili Lodge has four rooms and one suite that can accommodate two adults each. Shamwari offers a range of activities including game drives, reading, spa treatments, swimming, enjoying delicious food or a game walk. You can visit one of the two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries, the Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre or The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Shamwari really does have something to suit everyone.

 

TSALA TREETOPS

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Tsala has ten private treetop suites that are tucked into the forest canopy. They are constructed of stone, wood and glass. Each room has a fireplace and a spacious bathroom. The suites have a private deck and their own infinity pool extending into the forest, so it is the ultimate place for privacy. Tsala also has six treetop villas that accommodate a maximum of two people. They are built high above the ground with views of the forest below. Each suite has in indoor and outdoor shower, and a large lounge with a fireplace and dining area. They also come with a private deck and an infinity pool, perfect for a family holiday or a honeymoon.

 

HOG HOLLOW

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Hog Hollow has sixteen suites of which all are situated in the gardens surrounding the main house. The beds are king size and the suites have a well-stocked mini bar. You can sit out on your private wooden deck enveloped in the warmth of the African sun. The main house has a large dining room table where guests plan their daily activities over breakfast and then later on they can unwind in the evening around the Boma, which is a place for festive occasions and where you can end the day on a pile of comfy cushions with a fire on nearby, and your favourite drink in hand. The lodge offers many activities such as, walking from the lodge through the forest to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, or The Birds of Eden, or The Elephant Sanctuary. Or you can go and see the wild cats at Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre, and a Snake and Crocodile Sanctuary.  A little further up the road there is the highest bungee jump in the world and the Treetops Canopy tours. About 20km from the lodge is the local town, which is close to the warm Indian Ocean, all with Robberg Peninsula as a backdrop, here you will find many things to interest you such as a boat-based whale and dolphin trip around the bay with Ocean Blue Adventures.

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