Sani Valley Nature Lodges
If you are looking for a luxury private lodge in the most magnificent setting that also caters to your ideal level of seclusion, then the Sani Valley Nature Lodges are the place for you!
Our private nature lodges are only a two hours drive from Durban. They sit within the malaria-free dramatic Drakensberg mountain range, border a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are the closest luxury lodges to the famous Sani Pass.
Our Accommodation
Enjoy a memorable experience at our Sani Valley Nature Lodges offering you very comfortable accommodation, delicious food and breathtaking scenery. Remember to pack your camera!
We provide all the facilities that let you select your level of seclusion and isolation. Our five spacious lodges have different open-plan layouts and are individually dotted around a large lake, giving you true privacy. Each lodge provides a different aspect and panoramic view of the spectacular Drakensberg mountains.
Choose between fully or semi-catered and self-catering options where you have your own full kitchen, meaning you select the level of interaction with food and chefs. If you do not want to cater for yourself delicious breakfast dishes and taste bud-tingling dinners are prepared with great care by our kitchen. No Michelin star chef is on call, just yummy dishes prepared with top-quality local ingredients.
Our club house offers a great central dining facility downstairs with glass sliding doors linking a protected lake-side veranda. The club house can comfortably seat 60 people for dinner parties, mini conferences, company parties or milestone celebrations like birthdays, wedding parties or other private events.
The upstairs area offers a great bar facility, a large TV to watch your favourite sporting event, comfortable couches, great fishing memorabilia and a decked veranda, with wonderful views onto the Drakensberg mountains and down the Sani Valley across the lake. The bar is not stocked permanently but can be on request. Our motorized boats are parked securely in the boat house directly on the water. For all boat and fishing rod hire, please enquire at reception.
Outdoor Activities
Get in touch with your wild side! Enjoy the freedom of 260 acres of lake, surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and game. Game viewing, fishing, horse riding and bird watching are only a few of the activities on offer at Sani Valley Nature Lodges.
We doen't have the big five, but you will be able to walk among the zebra, wildebeest, eland, springbok and many other antelopes within our well stocked boundary fence. Sani Valley offers some of best game viewing and bird watching in the Drakensberg region.
Alternatively, pamper yourself with a soothing massage by one of our experienced masseurs on your private deck overlooking the lake. Or enjoy the warmth and bubbles of a soothing hot tub and let the powerful jets massage your cares away! Our lodges Lakeside, Early Mist and Bushman all boast a private and easy-to-operate Jacuzzi to help you relax and unwind on holiday in South Africa.
If clean air and no crowds is what you are looking for, then come and visit us.
Shikwari Nature Reserve
Situated close to Kruger Park and the Panorama Route, our Shikwari Nature Reserve offers two camps as well as giraffes and other African wildlife such as zebras, wildebeests, kudus, impalas, nyalas, waterbucks, bush bucks and steenboks as well as duikers and ostriches plus many birds. A full breakfast and dinner are offered and usually served al fresco on the veranda or deck Boma. Enjoy a friendly, relaxed service in amazing bushveld surroundings where we also have wonderful areas for celebrations and weddings.
Our Accommodation
Shikwari Suites, 4 star rated with the TGCSA - Free Wi-Fi is available for both camps in the lounge/veranda area of this main camp. Relax on the shady lodge veranda taking in the view and cool off in the pool with an amazing view. All meals are taken at this camp. The breakfast is a buffet Continental and a plated English; dinner is a 2 course meal - main and dessert, including homemade bread and dips as an appetizer.
Six luxury thatched suites are tucked into the natural bush, are decorated with stylish furniture and offer each a private bathroom and outdoor shower, a small patio, a mini fridge stocked on request as well as a choice of beds with percale linen. Enjoy the hospitality tray with fresh ground coffee, a French coffee press, a choice of quality teas and homemade cookies. There is also a turndown service with homemade nougat/chocolates and a paid laundry service. Guests at this camp are only booked on a half board option.
Please note there is no capacity for more than 2 adults neither in the suites nor in the rondavels - However, 2 children, between 5 and 12 years, may share each unit with their parents or an older sibling.
Pangolin Rondavels - These are in a separate area from the Shikwari Suites and not graded. This comfortable budget option camp is located approximately 500 meters from the main lodge and offers 4 traditional thatched rondavels grouped around a pool.
There is no television or Wi-Fi in this camp. However these are available at the Shikwari Suites lounge, including satellite premium DSTV and free Internet connection. This camp consists of two rondavels with bush bathroom - with outdoor shower, covered toilet and basin, plus the other two rondavels share a separate bathroom as well as an outdoor shower.
Beds offer percale linen and towels are supplied. All rooms have a wardrobe, seating, ceiling fans and a hospitality tray with kettle, milk, coffee and teas. One room is air-conditioned.
A Boma is available for braais (barbecues) where guests need to bring their own braai tools, tableware and charcoal. Breakfast is included in the Pangolin rate and there is a half board option as well. All guests take meals booked at the main Shikwari Suites camp.
Activities
Guided game walks are available at the lodge and trips to Kruger National Park with our FGASA guide in an open game vehicle. The reserve is also close to many other exciting day trips such as the Panorama Route and the Graskop Gorge Lift, Blyde boat cruise, Jessica Hippo, Hoedspruit Endangered Species, Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation and Echo Caves plus some exciting adventure options such as quad biking, paintball and abseiling as well as canopy tours. Please note: We are unable to accept day visitors.
T'niqua Stable Inn
Come, relax and explore our picturesque surrounds on the Garden Route. Just 4 km outside town, T'Niqua Stable Inn offers bed and brekafast and self-catering accommodation in Plettenberg Bay on a beautiful horse estate. Heaven meets earth in our tranquil farm environment in a coastal green belt consisting of fynbos and proteas which makes for a wonderful beach and bush experience.
Our Accommodation
Our farm cottage is fully equipped for self-catering and consists of a double bedroom, a private bathroom, a kitchen and a veranda overlooking the garden with a barbecue facility. However, a full English breakfast is available on request.
Situated in the main house with a separate entrance, a standard en-suite double bedroom is also available.
The farmhouse has six rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and kitchenettes. The four double bedrooms downstairs open directly onto the central living area with a fireplace and braai facility that leads onto the garden. The two spacious family rooms upstairs provide a comfortable stay for up to four with breath-taking views of the Indian ocean. The farmhouse is also ideal for small weddings, any party functions, small conferences, team building exercises with the option of renting it as one unit which sleeps up to 16 people.
Guests are also welcome to enjoy the boma with a big fire in the evenings.
Activities
Enjoy trips on a restored farm-wagon drawn by our gentle Percheron horses to picturesque picnic spots. An eight minute walk to the Still Bay cliffs, the farm also offers hiking- and mountain bike trails with excellent bird-watching opportunities.
Dining
Welcome at our unique equestrian-themed Munching Cowboy Restaurant which is a contemporary, casual and bistro-type venue offering classic, flavourful food with an upscale flair. From reinvented traditional South African dishes and gourmet desserts to upscaled burgers, family-styled food, buffet dinners and light meals - the kitchen team is creative and dedicated to delivering a high quality meal in a casual and informal setting. While our guests may chose to dine at one of the many smaller tables, often our dinners are shared around the large banquet table in the main hall.
Thali Thali Game Lodge
Take time out and relax at Thali Thali Game Lodge in the Langebaan area offering a laid-back West Coast style break-away - complete with guided game drives, archery lessons and sundowners on the deck of our restaurant and bar. Visit for the day or stay longer.
Thali Thali is a 1,460 hectare Cape West Coast game and fynbos reserve situated just over a 1 hours drive from Cape Town, bordering the West Coast National Park and Langebaan. The Langebaan Lagoon is known as the jewel of the West Coast which enjoys almost year-round sunshine and boasts azure waters as well as natural beauty.
Our Accommodation
We can accommodate 29 people for over-night stays with 3 accommodation options.
Our game lodge consists of 8 units that were designed to offer a relaxing experience with the entertainment area featuring bar facilities and an open-air Lapa. The 8 units are made up of three West Coast style self-catering chalets and five luxury en-suite glamping tents with bed and breakfast.
The big original farmhouse with 4 bedrooms is separate from all the other units and ideal for families or groups. It has a massive fireplace in the kitchen and a wrap-around porch that lends it to lazy afternoons in the sun.
Our Facilities
Our game reserve boasts many different bird species and a wide range of African game like cape buffalos, water buffalos, kudus, oryx, giraffes, blue wildebeests, elands, zebras, sable antelopes, red hartebeests, springboks, duiker, bonteboks, steenboks, ostriches, dromedary camels and emus. You are welcome to book and enjoy a guided safari trip which is conducted daily at 10:00 and 15:30. Our trained guides will take you on an informative 90 minute drive where you will have an excellent chance of spotting all our featured species. Bookings are essential.
Get close to the flora on the game reserve and discover the three different kinds of vegetation types: Strandveld, Renosterveld and Weskus Savannah.
We also have the perfect venue for your wedding or other celebrations, for your corporate event and conferences.
The Beach Hotel
We are one of Gqeberha’s finest family hotels, situated in the magnificent beachfront area, directly opposite Hobie Beach and next to the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex. The Beach Hotel combines splendid service with quality accommodation, stylish cuisine and facilities for a perfect family holiday, a relaxing getaway at the Sunshine Coast of South Africa or a business trip.
Our Accommodation
The stunning four star hotel offers homely comfort in its 58 spacious, en-suite guest rooms, including one suite, one family room and four executive rooms with lounge areas. Some units offer magnificent sea views and others are opening onto the tranquil courtyard.
Our Facilities
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining in our three onsite restaurants which suit everyone’s palate. Enjoy a relaxing environment, sipping a cocktail while overlooking the Indian ocean at The Verandah restaurant, or indulge in our famous buffets at The Crest. Resident foodies will love the fine dining cuisine at Ginger, voted one of the best restaurants in Gqeberha - it is definitely a must.
Functions & Events
Wether it's a spring afternoon tea, a bubbly brunch, a Christmas day lunch or year end celebrations / functions, The Beach hotel offers you the ideal venue, including weddings, other special occasions and conferences.
Our History
It is believed that the original Beach Hotel and surrounding area belonged to Piet Retief and his family. His home, a tennis court and servants quarters stood on this ground. Tenders for the proposed Beach Hotel were called for on 22 June 1893. The wood and iron structure was designed by architect George William Smith. Construction progressed rapidly and on 16 February 1894, the hotel was officially opened with a grand luncheon party.
Then, sadly, at 5 o'clock on 01 December 1915, the hotel went up in flames. The fire destroyed the entire building within an hour. In 1922 the Humewood district was ripe for development after the Marine Drive was completed. Mr. Bill Poole immediately took the option on the first hotel site and built the second Beach Hotel which was completed in 1924. The hotel changed hands several times and was later bought by a Mrs. Lupping at an auction for £46 000. Later, Wilfred Guscott bought the hotel from the Luppings, and his nephew, Roy Lombard, bought it in 1958 and brought about the first alterations to the hotel when he elevated it to the first three star hotel in the country. It is now a popular family run hotel which welcomes holidaymakers and businessmen alike from across the world.
The Phatt Chef Roadside Diner and B&B
At the top of Oliviershoek Pass, our fun and relaxed The Phatt Chef Roadside Diner and B&B in the Northern Drakensberg is situated half way between Harrismith and Bergville.
This is not just another roadside attraction on the R74. We serve great food and offer affordable owner-run accommodation with great hospitality and excellent service in a 85 year old stone farm house, which is located on the border of the South African provinces Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. We cater to families looking for a fun filled holiday in the Drakensberg as well as being an ideal stop over for travellers between Cape Town and Kwa Zulu Natal, Gauteng and Durban, Free State and the Natal Midlands.
Our Accommodation
Choose between comfortable Bed and Breakfast rooms - double, twin and family rooms. All guest rooms have en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, tea / coffee facilities as well as incredible views over the Drakensberg mountain range - from Champagne Castle in the south to the Amphitheater in the north.
Relax in the shared guest lounge after a day of hiking in the Royal Natal National Park Drakensberg World Heritage Site or windsurfing at the nearby Sterkfontein Dam, after angling and cycling or a gorge walk at the Tugela Falls. We have access to little travelled roads and trails in the area as well lots of local knowledge and gladly give you advice on what to see and do in our beautiful region.
Feel like organizing a party or family get-together? How about a reunion of friends or a bachelor's party? Book out the entire house for your guests at a fully inclusive, dinner / bed and Breakfast rate.
Wining & Dining
Run by the well experienced Chef Patron Simon Kerr and his wife Megan, we serve a range of dishes that keep all our guests satisfied, ranging from a full English breakfast which we serve weather permitting on the veranda; lunch and dinner as well as coffee and cakes, day teas with our world class scones and our own strawberry jam to passing tourists, locals as well as in-house guests. Our innovative new and seasonally changing menu is largely influenced by the slow food movement, fresh, local seasonal ingredients and respect for the origin of foodstuff.
The Bent Arm Bar is a country pub and open daily for refreshments comprising local beers and ciders, a wide selection of wines and spirits as well as an interesting collection of malt whiskeys, aged brandies and some crafty gins too.
We also cater for special functions and events and do package deals for groups or clubs, especially cycle teams, mountain bikers and motor bike enthusiasts. We are open for business and look forward to hosting you for a quick coffee or a sit down meal as you pass by. If you’re not heading somewhere in a hurry, relax, chill and unwind in our garden.
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Welcome to your home in the bush. Nestled amongst the rolling mountains of the Lowveld in the heart of Mpumalanga, lies Tomjachu Bush Retreat - Once a family home, it is now an award-winning, owner-run retreat, situated within its own private nature reserve, 15km outside Nelspruit. It is the perfect destination for anyone looking for accommodation in Nelspruit to unwind and relax in nature, with plenty of activities on offer to those looking for a touch of adventure. Our retreat’s location within a private reserve allows you to explore the abundant natural wonders that flourish in the surrounding 550 hectare property, whilst immersing yourself in elegant comfort.
Our hidden Lowveld gem is often praised for its breathtaking views of the towering Bekker Mountains, and endless bushveld vistas running unbroken all the way to the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park.
Our Accommodation
Stay in the classically styled Homestead in one of our 3 individual bedrooms or in one of three private cottages accommodating 2 to 4 guests.
Alternatively choose our 5-star self-catering Valbonne Villa which sleeps groups of 6-12.
All accommodation options are surrounded by beautiful gardens sharing spectacular mountain bushveld views. Some have private pools, some have self-catering facilities and everyone is welcome to enjoy our dining room menus which embody home-style cooking with elegant flair using home-grown, locally sourced ingredients.
Our Activities
Immerse yourself in the marvels of nature with an array of activities to keep you entertained throughout your stay.
All our accommodation includes access to the 15 Kilometres of hiking and biking trails on the nature reserve.
Also enjoy an adventurous game drive with our knowledgeable guide, hike up to the majestic Zebra Heights and meander amongst the bounteous plains game which roams around the property. Or simply sit back with a glass of award-winning wine on our extensive verandas and indulge yourself in the natural orchestra of over 275 bird species.
Vredenburg Manor House
Dating back to the 1800s, our Cape Dutch styled guesthouse in Somerset West also is a wedding and function venue as well as a conference centre in the Cape Winelands. We are just 12 km from Stellenbosch and about 40 km from Cape Town. Enjoy German speaking hosts.
Our Accommodation
We offer five spacious guest rooms and two cottages. Both cottages are fully equipped with a fully fitted modern kitchen, thus giving you the opportunity to book the cottages as self-catering or bed and breakfast. Vredenburg Manor House features an exotic garden, watered by borehole and greywater, and an outdoor swimming pool with lots of space to unwind and soak up the sun whilst enjoying a view of the Hottentot’s Holland Mountain Range.
The elegantly decorated rooms offer the most comfortable super king size beds with pure Egyptian cotton bedding, ample seating, satellite TV with more than twenty channels, coffee stations with an espresso machine and a mini bar fridge. All rooms and cottages are air-conditioned and have underfloor heating.
Our property is close to a variety of restaurants and bars. Dinner, packed lunches and special diet menus are available on request and which we gladly serve in beautiful surroundings.
