Baluleni Safari Lodge

This tranquil and peaceful Lodge on the shores of the Olifants River, in the 40 000 hectare Balule Nature Reserve inside the greater Kruger National Park, offers the splendour of the natural Africa Bush with breath-taking sunsets, wildlife which includes the Big 5, bird watching, safaris, bush walks, boma-dinners under the stars.

Enjoy a unique African Safari experience, go on guided open vehicle safaris, learn about the wilderness on a bush walk, listen to the sounds of the African Bush while dining under the stars, or simply relax at the Lodge by the pool side. 

The Lodge offers secluded and comfortable accommodation in five air-conditioned en-suite thatched chalets, two luxury en-suite tents with ceiling fans, and one air-conditioned en-suite thatched honeymoon cottage with full breakfast, high tea and dinners. These are served at a licensed dining/bar area or around the fire in the boma under the African skies. 

At the Baluleni Safari Lodge facilities include a licensed Dining/bar area and boma, full breakfasts and three course dinners are generally served in the dining area or outside on the patio. However, guests mostly prefer to enjoy a three course dinner under the stars around the fire in the boma. Guests enjoy sun downers on the patio or sharing a drink in the lounge while watching adventure wildlife DVD's. Early coffee and home-made rusks are available for guests at the accommodation. High tea with savories, snacks and cakes are served at the dining area. Guests also enjoy the swimming pool while relaxing with a cold drink in the shade. 

At the reception guests can arrange and depart for their three hour safaris in an open vehicle, an early morning Bush walk, a day tour in the Kruger National Park and other tours to different venues like Moholoholo, Cheetah Project, Panorama Route. 

The curio shop at reception offers a variety of the most sought after products made by local artists as well as signed copies of Elke's famous oil paintings and drawings. Guests also have access to internet and cell phone signal at reception.

Free secure parking and laundry services are available to guests.

Engela

The Friendly City - Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, situated in the Eastern Cape is South Africa’s fifth largest city and one of the leading ports. The city is vibrant and easy-going and national and international known as the “The Friendly City”. 

 The city was named in 1820 by the acting British Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Rufane Donkin, after his wife Elizabeth who died in 1818 in India. In 1820, the settlement was a small cluster of houses on the coast, protected by Fort Frederick on top of a nearby hill. Since then the city has grown to a city with a population of more than 700 000. 

The good-natured environment, the warm atmosphere of its lazy beaches and its warm, temperate climate all work together to make Port Elizabeth an engaging tourist destination. 

Port Elizabeth is ideally situated as base for coastal day drives to beautiful places such as Bluewater Bay, Schoenmakerskop, Seaview, and Van Staden’s River Mouth or inland to Groendal Wilderness Area, Addo Elephant National Park or Uitenhage Nature Reserve.

There is no shortage of things to do in and around Port Elizabeth. There is an abundance of historical sites, museums and monuments dating back to the 15th century; you can visit the Oceanarium; climb the Campanile; or snorkel and scuba in excellent diving spots. 

There are also other sea-related sports - boating, yachting, wind-surfing and angling. There are also interesting hiking trails through historic parks and nature reserves. 

Holiday accommodation is top-notch - from self-catering establishments to luxurious hotels and lodges, at prices to suit everybody.

Do not forget the many shopping malls and several fine restaurants. And, naturally the city has a good selection of wide, gently sloping beaches that are safe for swimming.

Come experience the friendliness of the Friendly City!

By Danie De Villiers - Freelance Writer

Scenic Eastern Cape

The beautiful shores of the Eastern Cape is aptly called the ‘Sunshine Coast’, so named for its long, sun-soaked days and warm seasons, is not only favored by South Africans, but also by tourists from abroad.

The reason is not only the sun-drenched beaches, but also because of its rural, mellow atmosphere, its superior swimming areas, surfing and angling opportunities and its wealth of other outdoor-related activities.

The province has plenty hiking trails, tracking beautiful mountains and valleys, and more than enough nature reserves offer great country accommodation and abundant wildlife.

The former Ciskei, once the scene of nine frontier wars between the Xhosas and the British, is now a tranquil holiday playground, world-renowned for its superb scenic landscapes, ultra-modern coastal resorts and tiny villages nestling at the feet of towering mountain ranges, such as the Katberge, Amatola, Winterberge and Hogsback.  

Beyond the Kei River mouth is the former Transkei. Here are bronze beaches of the Wild Coast - a palm-fringed paradise where monkeys play on the terraces of casino resorts and beautiful hotels.  

Danie de Villiers

Cape Town - Tourist Paradise

In 1580, Sir Francis Drake sailed round the most southern tip of Africa in his Golden Hind and was so impressed by what he saw that he called Table Mountain and the peninsula on which it stands “the Fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth”.

Today, more than 400 years since Drake sailed round the Cape, Cape Town is one of the world’s great holiday destinations. Cape Town, or also known as the Mother City, is a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Here, the 17th century pentagonal Castle of Good Hope rubs shoulders with towering sky-scrapers and modern shopping malls. In the Malay quarter, known as the ‘Bo-Kaap’ (Upper Cape), bulbous minarets rise high up above buildings festooned with cast-iron adornments from another world and age of long ago. Cobblestoned streets lead into cosy squares and long pedestrian malls, where street vendors sell antiques, clothing, handcrafts, African art and endless selections of stuff. 

At the Grand Parade flower vendors offer a dazzling array of indigenous flowers at giveaway prices, while other pavement vendors sell anything under the sun. In the arcades and alleyways buskers entertain passers-by with traditional songs, dances and music. 

 At the Waterfront there is a carnival atmosphere as the Atlantic Ocean gently touches the feet of strollers whilst seafood sizzles in pans of dockside bistros and restaurants. There are boat cruises and yacht trips as well as helicopter and bus rides to every corner of the peninsula. For bargain hunters there are an assortment of shops, craft markets and seaside stalls selling anything you want.

To the west and the south of the city, the coastline curves round to reveal bikini beaches and scenic mountain drives.

And the cherry on top of it all is the cable-way to the summit of Table Mountain!

Whatever you want from a holiday you name it, Cape Town has it all!

By Danie de Villiers- Freelance Writer

De Haven Oost Country Estate and Tourism Village

“A Taste of Nature   .......    A Touch of Style

....We welcome you back in 1925

Owing to our immense passion to create, we as a family-driven-company have designed a quaint old town reminiscent of yesteryear with an amazingly romantic country life atmosphere. We and our staff treat our guests as family.... you will feel as though you have come home. At De Haven Oost we transform an ordinary celebration into one that sparkles with that perfect fusion of food, friends, family, laughter, music, colour, romance and rhythm. A delightful way 

to celebrate any special occasion.”

De Haven Oost Country Estate & Tourism Village offers an unusual romantic escape from stressful city living. This 3 Star graded and AA Highly Recommended estate offers accommodation in guest suites and self-catering units.

Facilities include a spa, licensed restaurant, laundry services, team building, corporate functions, Wi-Fi Internet, wedding venue, chapel, bridal suite, lovely gardens, nanny service, kids play area, animal farm and eco-nursery. The owners have passionately designed a quaint arts and crafts village reminiscent of yesteryear with a countrified atmosphere.

The restaurant patio has a barbecue area as well as a beautiful fireplace and DStv for sports fans. Guests can mingle at the cocktail bar or relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace while sitting on the wooden terrace, or enjoy a cigar in the cigar lounge.

This unique 10 hectare country estate is strategically situated at the south entrance to the Dinokeng Tourism Route, "Africa in one day". (Cullinan) The estate is only a 10 minute drive east of Pretoria and the OR Tambo International Airport is 60 km away.

Beautiful Women