De Zeekoe
The name De Zeekoe, is derived from the Dutch name of the farm, Zeekoegat, which literally means “hippo waterhole”. Over a century ago, these odd looking, water-loving creatures used to frequent the riverbed that still runs through our farm to this very day.
Situated only 7 km outside Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo, the hinterland of the Garden Route, surrounded by the famous Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, is one of the world’s 17 “hot spots” with 3 overlapping flower zones.
Our Accommodation
De Zeekoe’s unique charm and extraordinary activities attract guests of a different kind. People from all walks of life visit this stylish lucerne farm in search of a unique experience. Choose between various accommodation types, ranging from stylish rooms at the main house to luxurious cottages with own private pool.
The idyllic setting indeed has something to offer for everyone - from the daring adventure seekers to those who just yearn for a quiet getaway. This hidden gem has spectacular views with 168 bird species and not the “Big 5” but the “Shy 5”.
De Zeekoe offers the most unique opportunity in the world, to walk with wild meerkats (Five Shy meerkats) and to be part of the Shy 5 experience!
Our experienced team is dedicated to satisfy your needs and will ensure a pleasant stay. All our facilities and activities will be handled professionally from start to finish. We look forward to welcoming you to our guest farm close to the ostrich capital of the world.
About the Area
This ostrich region is home to the spectacular Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show cave system; an ecological hotspot where three distinct plant biomes (succulent karoo, cape thicket and fynbos) converge; and the Swartberg mountain range, which is part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site.
De Zeekoe is only a 10 min drive from Oudtshoorn and perfectly based to explore the scenic attractions of the Klein Karoo as well as the natural beauty of the nearby Garden Route.
Desert Homestead Lodge
Only about 30 km from the entrance to the Sossusvlei National Park (Sesriem) and not far from the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the Desert Homestead Lodge is perfect for a stay in Namibia's world natural heritage region with the highest dunes in the world. The lodge is located in a private nature reserve of over 150,000 hectares, the “Namib Tsaris Nature Reserve”, which merges into the “Namib Rand Reserve” in the west.
Casual ease, panoramic views, extensive pool and terrace areas, good cuisine and the range of many activities characterize the lodge. The architecture is the modern interpretation of an estate with a horse stud. The furniture and equipment in the main building with restaurant, lobby and lounge, as well as in the guest houses, are harmonious and chic.
Our standard here is to be ecologically sustainable, thanks to the complete operation with solar energy, solar hot water and the further use of service water from the laundry.
Our houses are designed in the style of a thatched riding stables, the 20 guest houses convey rustic cosiness. The family house with a traditional grass roof is the suite of the Desert Homestead Lodge with a combined living room/ bedroom, built, decorated and furnished in the style of a riding house. With a bathroom and a separate further bedroom, it is ideal for families as well as for small groups of up to 4 people traveling together.
Groot Constantia Museum
The Dutch East India Company nominated Simon van der Stel to manage the Cape of Good Hope in 1679, according to history. He requested land from the Company after years of devoted service. He dispatched riders to gather soil samples on a regular basis in order to conduct research. He fell in love with the soil in 1685 and chose 891 morgen (about 763 ha) behind Table Mountain for its wine-growing potential and breathtaking landscape. Over the years the wines produced on the estate caught the attention of influential people across the globe - due to its impressive quality.
Groot Constantia’s rich history shows how one man’s love of wine established South Africa’s first wine farm more than 330 years ago and how those 891 morgen of land formed the origins of the commercial South African wine industry, with Emperors and Kings such as Frederick the Great of Prussia and Louis Phillipe (King of the French) buying ‘Constantia Wyn’ at auctions across Europe.
South Africa’s oldest wine became so celebrated globally, that it appears in Jane Austen’s novel "Sense and Sensibility" as a cure for a broken heart to be drunk to lift a character’s spirit as in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Charles Dickens.
The Museum
Its Orientation Centre in the Jonkershuis complex uses panel, object and archaeological displays to give an overview of Groot Constantia from the past to present, including slavery on the estate.
Carriages are on display in the Coach House and in the historical wine cellar, while the Wine Museum exhibits wine storage and drinking vessels from antiquity to the early 20th century.
The Homestead, with its exhibition of furniture, paintings, textiles, ceramics, brass and copperware, provides an insight into the life of a successful 18th to late 19th century Cape farmer.
iGowati Country Hotel
We are situated in Khorixas in Damaraland. It is the perfect stopover on your way to see the wonders of Damaraland. iGowati means "desert dunes". The Lodge is build and decorated in the colors of the Namib Desert.
The accommodation is covered in natural thatch that is commonly seen in Namibia. Our lodge offers you the amenities of a city hotel in a rural setting. We offer a friendly and efficient service. The Damara people that work at iGowati are believed to be one of the first ancient groups to settle in Namibia and are of Bantu origin. Damaraland and Khorixas have a slow African rhythm with friendly people and a welcoming environment to all guests visiting our town and lodge.
We have 29 en-suite rooms equipped with telephones, fans and coffee/tea making facilities. Our restaurant offers and ala-carte menu as well as buffets for large groups and our bar is open during the day. At night the Aba's khab traditional group entertains our guests and Mr. Michael Doeseb cultural historian shares some interesting facts about the Damara people and their traditions most evenings.
We have a swimming pool to cool off in and our curio shop have some of the interesting arts from Damaraland and the rest of Namibia. We also offer some necessities to travelers and campers.
Our aim is to help make your dream of an unforgettable African holiday a reality.
Iketla Lodge
Situated on a private nature reserve near Ohrigstad, South Africa, our Iketla Lodge offers excellent birding and nature walks as well as luxury accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Unparalleled natural beauty, silence, peace and tranquillity await - thus making it easy to live out the meaning of the name Iketla “be relaxed, be peaceful”.
Our lodge is located in the mountains near the Blyde River Canyon, en route to the Kruger National Park, and therefore ideal to explore the spectacular Panaroma Route as well as the Kruger Lowveld region when staying with us.
Our Accommodation
When building Iketla, the owner endeavoured to minimize the impact of development on the natural environment. The result is a comfortable retreat set amidst nature in its purest form. The surroundings and infrastructure add to the overall feel of relaxation and tranquillity.
Using natural materials where possible, the child-friendly accommodation units were designed and built to ensure maximum comfort, luxury, space and privacy, with private patios providing magnificent views of the valley below, mountains, cliffs and indigenous forests. Unique en-suite bathrooms come with a stone-built indoor shower and open air outdoor shower - very private and exotic!
A maximum of 16 guests per night can enjoy luxury and elegance in a relaxed and convivial environment. Our personal service and attention to detail will ensure an unforgettable experience.
Our Activities
Whether lounging by the pool, enjoying the view from your patio or sitting quietly on a rock looking into the valley, Iketla is the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
You are welcome to explore the bush on your own. Trails are well marked, safe and vary in difficulty and distance. Routes are colour-coded so that you easily decide on the distance, time and relative difficulty. With more than 200 bird species the unspoilt African bush and indigenous forests are a haven for bird watchers.
For complete relaxation and rejuvenation we also invite you to visit our spa facilities, where we offer a full Swedish body and hot stone massages.
Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
Our unique Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is home to many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife, and is located within the Klaserie in the shadow of the majestic Mariepskop which forms part of the mighty northern Drakensberg mountains.
At Moholoholo we are often faced with the difficult decision of what to do with an injured or poisoned animal which cannot be released back into the wild. As a result, we have a number of “permanent residents” at the centre and at our own cost we use them as “ambassadors” for their respective species. Members of the public are therefore able to get an up close and personal experience of these incredible creatures and with our hands on approach we have the ability to demonstrate to you the threats and problems our wildlife is facing today.
We have a long standing and successful serval breeding project and could successfully reintroduce more than 160 animals to areas where they have become extinct. We are also actively involved in research on the movement and behaviour of leopards as well as a number of vulture species that we monitor daily at our “vulture restaurant”. A visit to our centre is an experience of a lifetime and will leave you with lasting memories.
Make it a whole relaxing weekend and stay either at our comfortable Moholoholo Mountain View Camp, located in a Lowveld acasia woodland, at our luxury Moholoholo Forest Camp, nestled beneath the majestic northern Drakensberg mountains and amongst the huge African Quinine trees of the Klaserie which is home to a variety of bird and African game species, or at our resort-style Moholoholo Ya Mati.
Volunteer/ Student Program
Since 1998 the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has been accepting volunteer students. These students travel from all over the world for a unique African experience. They are involved in all day-to-day activities and have become a pivotal part of the animal care and treatment at the centre. A large part of the student’s duties is to care for these animals, and this involves everything from feeding, cleaning and providing stimulation for our more intelligent residents (such as the honey badgers). Whilst working here you will also be involved in any call-outs, drop-offs or hand-raising of baby animals brought to us.
To date we have captured a number of leopards for research purposes, with astounding results. During your stay at Moholoholo you may be lucky enough to be involved in the capture or release of a leopard. There is no typical day at our Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, anything can happen! Working with wild animals can delay meals and rob you of your sleep, so be prepared for the unexpected. However, everything adds to making your experience more memorable.
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
We are the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary and aims to create awareness about the plight of primates and foster a greater understanding of our primate cousins. Over the course of our tours – which we call “monkey safaris” – you’ll be able to see over 550 primates of various species – Capuchin Monkeys, Ring-tailed and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs, Gibbons and Howler Monkeys, to name a few.
The 128-metre suspension bridge, which runs through the forest canopy, gives you the chance to see these primates from another perspective – and not only literally. In addition to the tour itself, Monkeyland has a restaurant, a souvenir store and a viewing deck.
Many of our tour guides are multi-lingual and as such can accommodate speakers of English, Afrikaans, German, French and Spanish.
A Little History
Monkeyland was founded by Tony Blignaut, who dreamed of and saw the need for a forest sanctuary that could restore the freedom of ex-captive primates. In his research he found that many of South Africa’s captive primates lived in terrible conditions in people’s homes. The owners of these animals are often overwhelmed by and unprepared for the difficulties of keeping intelligent, wild animals as pets and, before Monkeyland, there was nowhere they could turn to find a more appropriate home.
As well as these ex- pets and zoo animals being provided with a more suitable home in a semi-free-roaming forest, the Monkeyland primates are able to find their own companions and mates and form family groups. In doing so they gain the potential to breed and strengthen collective bonds, which facilitates the ability to form genuine familial and inter-family structures.
Pezulu Tree House Game Lodge
Whether you're after excitement or tranquility, The small exclusive Pezulu Tree House Game Lodge is situated in the game rich area of Hoedspruit within South Africa's Limpopo Province, and is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life. With a wide variety of experiences, being near to the world famous Kruger National Park and the scenic Panorama Route, visiting Pezulu is something you'll simply never forget.
Our Accommodation
With each tree house built around the canopy of growing trees, our unique 4 star accommodation fuses nature and comfort. Built to celebrate its surroundings, with a total of 37 people who can be accommodated, this child-friendly lodge is intentionally small, to keep the experience personal for each guest.
Children love tree houses, and ours are no exception. Give your young ones a lifelong memory to cherish with our large family tree houses, and let their imaginations run wild in the South African bush. If it's a romantic get away you are looking for, our tree houses are well spaced from each other and completely private - our honeymoon suites are especially cosy!
If you need to unwind on those hot summer days in the African bush, the magnificent rock pool is the place to be. Grab a pool lounger and let the stress melt away! Once the heat of the sun subsides, enjoy a drink at the panoramic lookout point as the sun sets over the Drakensberg mountains.
Pezulu is a one-of-a-kind place, with a friendly team who strives to provide unmatched experiences and service to ensure every minute is a memory. The thatched main building of the lodge is interweaved with a large Marula tree. Inside you'll find a cosy lounge, the reception, a dining area, a curio shop and a charming bush bar.
A delicious 3 course dinner is served under the stars around a log fire in our beautiful Boma, and if you'd like to celebrate something special, simply ask!
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Experience with us a luxury safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Big 5 Park, the oldest nature reserve in Africa. Our Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the only private lodge in the iconic Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. Situated on the western boundary, our game lodge offers a chic alternative to the traditional park visit, with exciting extra options thrown in.
Our Accommodation
What sets Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge apart is a breathtaking combination of its expansive natural views and visionary architecture which strategically makes the most of its prime position overlooking the local drinking hole and wild game of the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. The exquisite surrounding wilderness is brought into the lodge by incorporating open spaces and maximising the expansive views over the reserve. Accommodation rates include two game drives per day.
As a luxury safari lodge, we make every effort to ensure that our guests enjoy a true African safari experience - without compromising on luxury and comfort. The lodge features slick, contemporary design and boasts a deck that extends along one side of the lodge, an 11 metre infinity lap pool and a sundeck as well as a spa.
The 18 modern guest rooms are nestled high up on the ridge with views of the game reserve and offer utmost privacy. Choose between four room types: 2 honeymoon villas nestled in the indigenous bush with private plunge pools overlooking the reserve; 8 glamorous bush villas with deep baths and open fireplaces; 4 safari rooms with showers opening out onto the bushveld; and 2 child-friendly safari suites ideal for families.
Activities
At Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, we want you to have the opportunity to have a taste of the places, people, fauna and flora of wildest Africa. Our safaris through the Big 5 Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are all about that you enjoy truly what Africa has to offer. That’s why we offer a range of activities to enrich your stay with us, including guided gorge and bush trail walks, game drives and cultural experiences. Our Zulu homestays give you the unique opportunity to step into the world of a traditional Zulu family.
The Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park is home to an incredible array of creatures great and small, including the Big 5. Whether on an interesting safari drive, on a bush walk, or even from the comfort of your room, the exciting sightings will make your trip a memorable one.
Wellness
Complete your Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge experience with a rejuvenating wellness treatment in our in-huose Spa. Best of all, our tranquil treatment rooms overlook the African bushveld below. Where else can you spot a rhino, giraffe or zebras while indulging in the ultimate relaxation on your spa holiday in South Africa?
Rhino River Lodge
Situated 30kms north of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, our family-owned and operated Big 5 Rhino River Lodge is located in the magnificent, 23,000-hectare Manyoni Private Game Reserve in the very heart of Zululand. This area is renowned for its African wildlife and rich cultural heritage.
Our relaxed safari lodge has a reputation for excellent customer service and superior value for money. Experience South Africa at its best, amongst untamed nature and warm hospitality. Join us for our guided game drives in an open safari vehicle, where a knowledgeable ranger will show you the Big 5 and many other African animals and birds. Enjoy hearty South African cuisine highlighting local ingredients, served under the stars around a campfire. Indulge in a comfortable night’s sleep in our well-appointed safari accommodation.
Accommodation
Rhino River Lodge offers three types of accommodation to suit our guests’ various needs. Guests can choose from double en-suite luxury rooms, family chalets or one of our two-bedroom private safari homes (the Cottage and the Homestead). The camp accommodates a maximum of 24 people at any time. Our game lodge grounds sprawl through an area of thick riverine vegetation, rich with bird and animal life, and filled with magnificent fig and fever trees. The grounds include the reception with curio shop, a swimming pool, a dining room with bar and a guest lounge. Wi-Fi is also available.
Safari Activities
We have become one of the premier wildlife viewing destinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal and feature beautiful varied landscapes from acacia thornveld to open savannah and riverine forest. Game drives are regulated by the reserve and coordinated by ecotourism businesses to minimize the impact on the environment and the wildlife and to provide guests a better and more intimate game viewing experience.
While on a guided safari at Rhino River Lodge you will have the opportunity to not only see the Big 5 - rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion, but also cheetahs, wild dogs and much more game. Your day will begin just before the sun rises as guests meet up at the main lodge area for a cup of coffee or tea and freshly baked muffin before the three hour morning game drive begins at first light, which includes a midway coffee/tea break.
Upon returning to camp, enjoy a full English-style breakfast. After breakfast the day is yours to relax and at approximately 1:30 a light lunch will be served. The afternoon game drive begins about 2.5 hours before sunset. Just before sunset the game drive vehicle will stop for a special safari tradition, the sundowner. As the sun sets, take in the air, sights and sounds of the African bush while having a refreshing beverage. The drive will continue on for a short while after the sun sets, in search of the more rarely observed nocturnal animals.
Back at camp, a hearty three-course dinner is served, weather-permitting, under the stars around the campfire under the stars. After dinner, you are welcome to join us around the campfire for a night cap.
