









Highlights
- Intimate family-run lodge
- Discreetly positioned to ensure privacy and tranquillity
- Breath-taking views
- Outdoor showers
- Private bar and dining areas
- Swimming Pool
Information
- Lodge type; Luxury Safari Lodge
- Location; Amakhala Game Reserve
- Lodge size; Three tented chalets
- Recommended stay; 2-5 nights
Introduction
Amakhala HillsNek is ideally positioned in a remote corner of the Malaria Free Amakhala Game Reserve offering up a private and intimate safari lodge experience.
HillsNek is the ideal lodge for small groups of friends, families or those looking for that ultimate romantic getaway.
Reserve Information
The privately owned Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa that offers visitors the chance to view the "Big Five", lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species.
The reserve hosts five of South Africa's seven biomes, bushveld to savannah. For a change of pace relax on board the boat cruise while meandering lazily along the Bushman's River.
A truly special part of the country this is, the Amakhala and Shamwari Game Reserves are split only by the N2 (national road) that runs between the two.
Rooms and Suites
Only three luxury tented chalets are on offer, each one offering private verandahs, en-suite bathrooms (with indoor/ outdoor showers and a large free standing bath), large double beds and views that go on forever.
Cuisine and Wine
All meals at HillsNek are in a word stunning, the three-course dinners are without question one of the highlights of your stay.
Facilities
The main lounge area offers a small library were one can sit back and just relax. There is also a swimming pool for those hot South African summers.
Activities
Morning and afternoon game drives are included in the daily rates, guided by professional guides in 4x4 safari vehicles. Other activities within the Amakhala Game Reserve include;
- Family safaris
- Boat safari
- Night Drives
- Star Gazing
- Birding
- Bush Walks
- Archery
- Fishing
- And surrounding historical sites
Child Friendly
Amakhala Hillsnek Lodge is family friendly with babysitting services, to fun kiddies programmes and child-friendly menus.
Rates from R6 980.00 per person
- Per person per night sharing (pp)
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Selected house beverages
- 2 game drive activities
- Premium branded beverages
- Transfers
- Telephone calls
- Laundry
- Items of personal nature
- Insurance
Addo Elephant Back Safari
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.
Samara Game Reserve Review
About three hours' drive northwest of Addo National Park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country.
If Addo 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.
Kwandwe Game Reserve Review
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.
Death of a Cheetah
When you live in Africa, love the smell of nature and its strong call, and perhaps even more importantly, understand the natural cycles; you see the death of wildlife as part of the natural order.
The strong conquer the weak, and the old give space to the young.
When you look at a magnificent animal and predator die in an area which is desperately (and successfully) trying to rehabilitate natural corridors of flora and fauna over a previously devastated land, no one would think less of you for shedding a tear.