Rhino River Lodge, Hluhluwe, KwaZulu Natal

Rhino River Lodge is an intimate and exclusive private game reserve and lodge with some of the best game viewing Zululand has to offer. Superb accommodation and exemplary service together with cuisine that features traditional South African flavours, dishes, and cooking styles and a wine list has been hand-picked to provide our guests with a selection of some of the finest affordable wines that South Africa has to offer await you.

Break down the hate!

Rhino River Lodge is located in Zululand, 30 kilometres north of Hluhluwe in the shadow of the majestic Lebombo Mountains and is a private reserve within the greater Zululand Rhino Reserve. The rare and endangered black rhino is found in this park; a rare privilege for guests to see. 20 black rhinos have been relocated into the park, and their numbers have now swelled to 30, providing for excellent game viewing opportunities.

Love

Delightful two bed roomed log cabins constructed solely from locally sourced materials await you, ironstone flooring and high thatched roofs make for a cool interior to the spacious cabins. Each cabin has its own private boma attached for relaxing evenings and private dinners can be arranged.

In addition to these stunning log cabins, there are four luxury en suite double or twin rooms each with private entrance and veranda that overlooks the Umsunduze River. All accommodation has coffee and tea making facilities, bar fridge, mosquito nets and ceiling fans.

Watch as rhinos and elephants collide; see the reclusive black rhino as he slips through the riverine bush; Hear the leopard’s rasping call as he prowls his territory at night; Delight in the many different antelope that inhabit the Zululand bush; Be dazzled by the herds of Zebra and their beautiful foals and get close the ever curious Giraffe that think they can hide behind the thorn trees!

Beauty

Natal Spa Hot Springs and Leisure Resort

Escape to a rejuvenating oasis at Natal Spa Hot Springs & Leisure Resort, situated on the road between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg on the Battlefields Route.  Set on 800 hectares of KwaZulu-Natal bushveld, the Resort has access to approximately four kilometres of the Bivane River flowing through the property. Famous for its serene location and the natural healing properties of the hot pools: at a source temperature of 37°C, the pools discovered in 1880, provide a constant supply of beneficial waters for guests and are well known for their anti-oxidant action. Claims made by Alkaline Springs, in Europe, is that the South African Medicinal Springs are superior in mineral content, temperature and other essential factors.

Although the main attraction on the Resort is of course the hot mineral pools, another popular attraction is the great 110m long super tube.  For the active there is quad bike trails, squash, tennis, hiking, birding trails, mountain bike trails and fishing. Indoor, relax with some snooker or table tennis.

Highlights in the hotel include an airy dining room and terrace with lovely views of the garden and pool areas, among others. Buffet breakfasts and dinners or a’ la carte dinners are on offer. Light meals are available from The Bistro, including snack platters, tea and scones, whilst the Raptors Restaurant bar is open from 10am until late which is a welcoming respite where guests can enjoy having drinks and socialising. The Boulders Bar alongside the heated pools also offers another venue to meet up.

The accommodation throughout the Resort is tastefully decorated and each room has tea/coffee making facilities and TV, offering 11 Hotel Bouquet DSTV channels.  Set amongst giant Cambrian granite boulders that are millions of years old, and with abundant birdlife, the Resort is also an idyllic and beautiful setting for wedding receptions and conferences. Three well-equipped conference rooms, which can accommodate between 10 – 120 delegates, are available.

The Wellness Centre & Beauty Spa are also popular attractions on the Resort and offer guests revitalising and pampering massages and treatments to indulge in.

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Valley of a 1000 Hills, KwaZulu Natal

The Valley of 1000 Hills Route is one of KwaZulu Natal's best kept secrets. The Valley of a 1000 Hills forms around the majestic valley created by the Mngeni River and its tributaries. Many artists and crafters have been attracted to the beauty and tranquillity of this area which is dotted with cozy guest lodges, friendly pubs and tea gardens with sweeping views over the hills and dams.

The main attractions on the 1000 Hills Experience are the dramatic landscape and Zulu culture which is well interpreted at three cultural villages.

The 1000 Hills Choo- Choo offers steam train trips from Kloof station to Cato Ridge on weekends and the more adventurous can view the stunning scenery from the skies. Microlight flips are organised from Cato Ridge Airfield.

 There are also boat cruises on Shongweni, Nagle and Inanda Dams and visitors can spend a day on a fishing trip or escorted 4 wheel drives through the Valley Floor.

Engela

Woman To Woman

Durban as holiday destination

Bustling Durban is the hub of Kwazulu-Natal’s  business and industry and pulses with all the energy of a major port city. Luxury hotels abound on Durban’s beachfront, and this city is often referred to as South Africa’s Miami Beach.

Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its port is the busiest in South Africa and also one of the 10 largest in the world.

Durban is blessed with balmy weather all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise. The beachfront is bordered by five star hotels and luxury apartments, all of which have an idyllic view of the Indian Ocean.

The Central Business District, a hive of activity, is within easy reach of all hotels and convention venues. If however, you wish to travel further afield, there is a very competent public transport system running throughout Durban, as well as an abundance of taxis. Durban is a major gateway to Africa and is also the largest and busiest port city on the continent. Due to this, there is an extensive road network leading to and from any destination in South Africa.

Durban is a sporting paradise. The sunny climate combined with a wealth of facilities makes for a year round sporting extravaganza. Water sports such as surfing, body boarding, sailing and scuba diving are obvious favourites given Durban's proximity to the warm Indian Ocean.

Accommodation in Durban itself is conveniently concentrated along the beachfront or Golden Mile, close to the Durban central business district.  Slick, high rise Durban hotels with sea views and swimming pools proliferate along this lively strip. Another area that’s close to the beachfront and CBD with more hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and affordable self-catering apartments and villas are the leafy suburbs of Berea and Morningside, well endowed with exceptional restaurants and shopping malls. It is highly advisable to book accommodation in advance during peak season (December and January) as scores of holiday makers descend upon all the beach locations in Durban. Durban North is also an extremely popular choice with holiday makers.

Engela de Villiers