South Africa Blog Posts

Nestled in the heart of the Natal Battlefields, Fugitives' Drift Lodge offers a unique blend of historical significance and luxurious relaxation. This enchanting retreat serves as a gateway to the past, where guests can immerse themselves in the riveting stories of bravery and sacrifice that unfolded during the Anglo-Zulu War.

Whether you're a history buff eager to explore the battlefields or simply looking for a serene getaway infused with cultural richness, Fugitives' Drift Lodge promises an unforgettable experience that will linger in your memories long after your stay.

Few battles in military history exemplify courage and resilience, like the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War. This blog takes you back to Natal in 1879, where a small British garrison held off the powerful Zulu warriors in one of history's most legendary defences.

Delving into this remarkable story, we uncover both the heroism and the complexity of colonial conflicts. The Battle of Rorke's Drift stands as a testament to human bravery under fire but also highlights questions about imperialism, conflict, and legacy that resonate to this day.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to luxury-tented safari camps in Kruger National Park! Whether you're a seasoned safari enthusiast or embarking on your first adventure, our curated list of top camps promises an unforgettable experience.

From private plunge pools and exquisite dining to expert-guided bush walks and game drives, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty and excitement of Kruger National Park. Prepare for an adventure like no other, where luxury meets the wild.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to the top 12 luxury lodges in Kruger National Park, where opulence meets the wild heart of Africa. This curated list showcases lodges that offer unparalleled comfort, exceptional service, and thrilling wildlife encounters.

Located in Kruger National Park and nearby private reserves, these lodges offer an unforgettable safari experience. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or both, these luxurious retreats fulfil all your desires, ensuring a memorable South African safari.

Marakele National Park, nestled in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains in South Africa, is a sanctuary of natural beauty and biodiversity. This malaria-free area offers visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes, from lush valleys to towering mountain peaks, home to abundant wildlife and the world's largest colony of endangered Cape vultures.

Whether you're seeking thrilling game drives, serene bush walks, or simply a retreat into nature's splendor, Marakele National Park promises an unforgettable experience for all. Discover why this unique destination is worth visiting, and embark on a journey that blends adventure with tranquility.

Planning a safari to Madikwe Game Reserve and looking for the best lodges to stay at? Here are five lodges that stand out for their exceptional safari experiences and luxury accommodations. Whether you're seeking a family-friendly getaway or a romantic escape, these lodges offer something unique for every traveler.

Each of these lodges offers a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and adventure, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience. Whether you're seeking thrilling game drives, relaxing spa treatments, or family-friendly activities, these top lodges in Madikwe Game Reserve cater to every traveler's needs and preferences.

Welcome to Abalone Guest Lodge, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Hermanus, renowned for its breathtaking sea views, luxurious accommodations, and prime whale-watching opportunities. This comprehensive review explores whether the lodge lives up to its reputation, offering an in-depth look at its amenities, services, and overall guest experience.

Dive in to discover if Abalone Guest Lodge truly is the pearl of Hermanus's hospitality scene.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through South Africa's Eastern Cape. Discover diverse landscapes, rich culture, and thrilling adventures. From wild coastlines to wildlife encounters, explore hidden gems and must-visit attractions.

Create your own Eastern Cape travel bucket list and make memories to last a lifetime.

Pack your bags and let’s explore the Eastern Cape’s hidden gems and must-visit attractions that promise lifelong memories - your very own Eastern Cape travel bucket list.

A trip to Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa is an unparalleled experience, allowing visitors to observe some of the world's most spectacular wildlife in their natural habitat.

With access to exclusive areas of the park, luxurious accommodations, expert guides and personalised service, these private game lodges provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore and enjoy the African wilderness.

Kids In The Madikwe, a game reserve that offers up some of the best Big 5 sightings, a malaria-free area and a reserve that hosts some of the best family and child-friendly establishments in Southern Africa.

This is the Madikwe Game Reserve.

Explore the stunning city of Cape Town in a budget-friendly and time-efficient way - The City Sightseer Bus.

This double-decker 'topless' red bus offers travellers several routes to take in all the attractions, including Blue Route from the City to Hout Bay, Red Route for Table Mountain Cable Car and Purple Route through Constantia Vineyards.

With the guided tour commentated in 15 different languages, this is a great day out for both kids and adults alike!

Experience the beauty of Cape Town from a whole new perspective with an amazing Helicopter Flight over the city!

Get ready to take off and explore the stunning coastline, Table Mountain, Camps Bay Beach and more - all while taking in spectacular views that can only be seen from above.

Soar through the skies on a 12-13 minute flight or opt for one of the longer flights available to Hout Bay, Cape Point or even out to the Cape Winelands.

The Constantia Valley Wine Route is a stunning destination for wine lovers in South Africa. It offers an array of estates, each with its own special selection of wines and unique experiences to enjoy.

From the upgraded wine-tasting venue at Uitkyk Estate to Klein Constantia's "Beyond Restaurant", there are plenty of opportunities to sample some excellent local vintages. For those looking for something special, Groot Constantia is home to Cape Ruby port and Eagles Nest has partnered with the Western Cape Raptor Research Programme.

With its dynamic atmosphere and captivating art, Norval Foundation in Cape Town offers a unique experience for all ages who appreciate the beauty of art.

No matter who you are, the Norval Foundation has something to astound and delight! From spectacular exhibitions to an expansive sculpture garden featuring one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as a selection of educational workshops for kids - it is all here waiting.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful and diverse gardens in Cape Town. With its sprawling 1,300 acres of land, Kirstenbosch offers a journey of the senses with its vibrant flowers, lush greenery and an array of birdlife.

For those looking for a unique experience, take on the Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway - an elevated walkway that provides stunning views across the gardens.

Are you looking to immerse yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime African safari experience? Look no further than the iconic Singita Sweni Lodge.

As one of South Africa’s premier safari lodges, Singita Sweni offers stunningly luxurious accommodations and an abundance of exciting wildlife sightings that will create memories to last a lifetime.

"How many more sleeps?” this became our son's wake-up call as the days neared his first ‘safari’ to the Greater Kruger National Park.

James and I had decided to combine a bit of family time with a quick update of the 'family friendly safari lodges' in the greater Kruger area.

My 4-Day Kruger Adventure was one of the highlights of my travelling; having not visited the area for such a long time, the Kruger National Park was stunning.

Leaving Cape Town and flying north to OR Tambo and then a 5-hour drive to the Kruger from where we stayed in parks board accommodation.

If you're looking for an unpretentious good quality accommodation establishment, look no further than Impodimo in The Madikwe. Coming in at the perfect price, offering all the creature comforts as well as wildlife activities could easily be associated with a property 3x the price.

One will certainly not be disappointed.

A review of one of our favourite lodges not only in the Madikwe Game Reserve but the whole of South Africa.

Why and how (well you will have to read for more thoughts and opinions), but in a nutshell - magnificent wildlife, great food, great rooms and most importantly fantastic service.

One of those lodges that just blew us away. We knew that we were going somewhere special but just did not realise how extraordinary the experience would be.

Reflecting that old-world wildlife and birdlife experience - it is indeed more old school than new school regarding decor and feels.

There are few other places on earth where you can visit a battlefield area and see exactly what the soldiers of 130 years ago observed.

The now-famous battles of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana Battlefields are two of those places and the fact that they are located in the vast and unspoilt beauty of Zululand adds to their allure.

David Rattray is synonymous with Fugitives Drift. His love and hard work put this obscure corner of Zululand on the world map.

Initially, he pioneered the new tourism sector of historical tours in South Africa and then by attracting the great and good of this world including several members of the British Royal Family to this area who consequently were important in financing the influential David Rattray Foundation.

Some of the most beautiful game reserves in South Africa are located in Kwazulu Natal, within a few hours' drive of the airport.

Coupled with the Drakensberg Mountain range and the tropical Indian Ocean coast, you have a pretty impressive list of sights to see and experience.

When it comes to Durban however, people have mostly avoided the city as of no particular interest for the family. Think again.

After the Two Oceans and continuing our theme of running, on the 1st of June is the mother of all ultramarathon running in South Africa and the world, The Comrades Marathon.

This is a race of some pedigree and not only is it the oldest with it having begun in 1921 but it is also by far the largest with an average of 12000 runners competing annually.

My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It had been many years since I had been on safari in the Eastern Cape and I was eager to see how the experience had changed.

We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our rental car and drove the 2 hours to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived at the reception, we experienced the service that this Relais and Chateaux property is famous for.

We were met with a welcome drink, a cold towel and fresh homemade cookies accompanied by our check-in.

I have been travelling in Africa for over three decades. In that time, I have been on countless safaris; by Land Rover, on foot, by canoe and horseback, up and down mountains and valleys.

The sense of wonder and appreciation of natural beauty has never left me.

There are, of course, individual animals which I prefer above all others. Some are large, very large and some small but all, for some reason or other, have endeared themselves towards me. I will start with the very large.

About three hours' drive northwest of Addo Elephant National Park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country.

If the Addo Elephant National Park enjoys a lush and verdant environment, Samara Game Reserve (close to Camdeboo National Park) is the opposite. Its semi-desert environment is more akin to Namibia.

Yet here we are in the middle of the Great Karoo near the historic farming town of Graaff Reinet.