Accomodation

Winter Tasting Menu at Granny Mouse

Published

10 years ago

7 June 2016

Durbanite

I had the opportunity to go and do a tasting of the brand new Winter Tasting Menu at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands.

Although I haven’t had the pleasure of staying at the hotel as a guest, I have been there before. The food is always outstanding, and it’s the situated in the most gorgeous part of the midlands meander. On my drive up, there were trees in all shades of orange, gold and red (my absolute FAVOURITE part of Autumn), and the air was chilly yet fresh.

Walking from my car to the reception, I was greeted by several members of staff strolling past, in the most friendly fashion – even the security guard at the gate was lovely and welcomed me with a smile! It’s so rare to find this kind of warmth in every single staff member at a hotel.

I was greeted in the lounge next to reception with a crackling fire and a glass of delicious Louisvale Chardonnay Pinot Noir Rosé MCC handed to me by the General Manager, Sean Granger.

Sean explained to us that The Eaves restaurant at Granny Mouse, where you will be able to experience the tasting, is all about a unique and fresh approach to dining, and how they like to bend the rules when it comes to the way the meals are put together. You can experience ‘country-relaxed’ fine dining at The Eaves, as opposed to a very uptight and formal dining experience. This lends to it’s ‘home away from home’ feel that is guaranteed to you coming back for more!

The creators of the amazing dishes are not referred to as mere ‘chefs’ at Granny Mouse, but rather as ‘Culinary Artists’, which is exactly what they are, as the dishes are works of art! The planning for each dish is started as a sketch, and we had these on our menu sheets that were at our seats when we sat down to begin the delicious task of tasting. So carefully thought out and planned.

The first course consisted of a Chickpea & Garlic puff pastry parcel, which was served with sour honey poached melon cubes, mildly spiced curry cream and coriander pearls, garnished with crispy coriander leaves. It was served with a glass of chilled Hartenberg 2014 Riesling.

I tried a taste of all the elements of this dish separately, and together with the wine, and they all work so well together. The pastry parcel was warming and absolutely divine, but when paired with the very gentle curry cream and the coriander pearls and sour honey melon, it was the perfect combination of sweet and savoury flavours, and the ideal cold-weather starter. The Riesling brought out the sweetness of the melon and honey too, which just added to the flavour.

First Course

The second course was a Dill & Verbena Sous-Vide Kingklip with white cabbage frittata, brandy flambeéd orange segments, maple carrot puree & candied orange peel. This course was served with a beer! The Old Main Brewery 1806 Real Ale.

Whoever would have thought to pair a fine-dining meal with a craft beer? Clearly the Granny Mouse culinary artist’s really do know how to cook outside the box, and it worked SO WELL! I’m not really a beer drinker, but this Real Ale was just light and delicious, and just bitter enough to bring out the flavours in the dish. The kingklip was perfectly cooked, and the white cabbage frittata was surprisingly delicious. But the star of this dish was the maple carrot puree – it had the most incredible smokiness to it, and when tasted with the orange segments and candied orange peel, it was sublime.

*fun fact – Old Main Brewery bottled the Real Ale especially for Granny Mouse, and this is why they are plain, dark-glass bottles with no labels!*

Second Course

The third course was a House-Smoked Lamb Loin, pan fried with brussel sprouts and mint, served with toasted sunflower seed crusted oyster mushrooms, sunflower seed brittle and mint jus. This smokey delight was served with a glass of Fairview Pegleg Carignan 2009.

I am a huge lamb-lover, and this dish did not disappoint. The meat was smoked in-house by culinary artist Wyland Green, and was melt-in-your-mouth tasty. I am, however, not a brussel sprouts eater, yet I ate everything on this plate! I think the smokiness of the meat and the sweetness of the mint and seed brittle just brought out a nicer flavour to the sprouts. The sunflower seed crusted oyster mushrooms were also delicious, and I was left with a clean plate once again. All of this paired with the lovely and rich red wine was the perfect combination.

Third Course

The fourth and final course was a sushi-lovers delight. An Asian Infusion of a spiced basmati rice pudding maki roll, wrapped in Rooibos jelly and stuffed with carrot puree, topped with wasabi white chocolate gel and sesame tuille, and served with cranberry ginger caviar and cucumber sorbet. This was served with straight-up ice-cold Pimms No 1.

This was just creative food at it’s best. The dessert was served as if it were real sushi, with the ‘ginger’ and ‘wasabi’ on the side – what was in actual fact pink cranberry and ginger caviar, and the most incredible cucumber sorbet, topped with verbena leaves. The ‘sushi’ itself was divine! The basmati rice in the rice pudding was the perfect amount of crunchy, the carrot puree was a gentle flavour to the slight burn of the wasabi white chocolate gel, and the Rooibos jelly wrapping was firm and delicious! When you managed to get a little bit of each aspect of the plate, onto your spoon and into your mouth at once, it tasted just like a proper Pimms cocktail with all of the trimmings, and this is why it was ultimately served with Pimms liqueur. To me, the idea of cucumber sorbet in a winter dessert was so novel, and yet with all of the other flavours it worked to create an out-of-this-world winter dessert.

Fourth Course

All in all, this has to have been quite possibly the best meal of my life. Every element was delicious and paired together with so much thought and attention to detail.

The hotel and grounds are unbelievably beautiful, and the perfect combination of old-school charm, and modern amenities. It’s also the perfect place for a romantic weekend away with your loved one, or the ideal venue for a wedding (I myself will be attending a very close friend’s wedding there next year – great choice my friend!). They also have a spa, for those decadent pamper treatments that we all want need to get every so often.

Chapel

At the moment Granny Mouse are running some fabulous specials, so please check out their specials page on their website. They have the more fine-dining restaurant, The Eaves, as well as a more relaxed Bistro restaurant, as well as an extensive wine cellar, where you can have various tastings (the brandy and chocolate tasting sounds right up my alley).

The Winter Wonder 2016 special is by far the best value for money you can get on a romantic weekend away. It consists of the following: –

Minimum 2 nights stay in a Garden or Deluxe Room
Bed and Breakfast
1 x 30min back and neck massage per person
A R250 discount voucher to put towards any future visits
6 bottles of delicious wine to take home with you on departure

All of that gloriousness comes in at a total of R3300 (R1650 for 2 nights stay). This is valid until the end of September, so if it sounds as appealing to you as it does to me, then get booking ASAP!

And finally…

Granny Mouse are running a fabulous competition on their Facebook page! During June, have a selfie taken in the frame at their Selfie Point. Share it on your social media platforms, tagging Granny Mouse and using the hashtags provided, and you will be entered into a draw for the best #GMselfie for June. The winner receives the unbelievable prize of 2 nights in a Deluxe Suite for 2 people, including breakfast, a 5 course food and wine pairing dinner in The Cellar on one night, and a Brandy and Chocolate tasting. This prize is valued at R7000!!!

The point is to get creative with your selfie, so go on and get snapping 😉

A huge thank you to Granny Mouse Country House and Spa, the General Manager Sean Granger, and the Culinary Artists Kirstie du Toit, Wyland Green and Leon de Kok for a fabulous afternoon.

#GMSelfie

Author: Durbanite

Related Topics:Granny Mouse Country House & Spa Winter Tasting Menu

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Accomodation

Review: Mavela Game Lodge – Zululand

Published

5 hours ago

18 February 2026

Carla Wynne

Mavela Game Lodge: A Hidden Big 5 Gem Just a Road Trip Away from Durban

If you’re a Durban local looking for a weekend escape that feels like Kruger-level magic without the long-haul flight, let me introduce you to your next obsession: Mavela Game Lodge nestled within the Manyoni Private Game Reserve in the heart of Zululand.

This is not just a bush getaway. It’s luxury, wildlife, five-star food, and once-in-a-lifetime sightings — all wrapped into one unforgettable experience.

The Stay: Luxury Tented Living (10/10)

We stayed in a luxury tented accommodation, and honestly? It redefined what “glamping” means.

Aircon and fan (because KZN heat is real).
A fully stocked coffee station for early mornings or chilly evenings.
An outdoor shower where you’re completely one with nature (don’t worry — there’s an indoor shower if you’re feeling shy).
Positioned right along the fence line.

At night and in the early mornings, lions were roaring and casually walking past our tent. Imagine falling asleep to that soundtrack. Pure bush magic.

They even provide a birding book — and since Manyoni is a hotspot for birding, it’s perfect if that’s your thing.

The Game Drives: Unreal Wildlife Encounters (11/10)

There are two game drives daily — one in the morning and one in the afternoon — and every single one felt like a National Geographic episode.

We experienced:

Female lions teaching their adolescent cubs how to hunt.
Cheetahs feeding up close.
Giraffes and zebras interacting in the wild.
A herd of elephants with their little ones completely surrounding our vehicle (heart-pounding but safe!).

Morning Game Drives

You’re treated to tea or bush coffee (yes, including Amarula hot chocolate coffee vibes) and rusks — sometimes with hippos watching you, sometimes overlooking the breathtaking reserve landscape.

Afternoon Game Drives

Same format, but now add:

A golden KZN sunset
Your drink of choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
Local snacks from biltong to more gourmet bites

It’s giving Durban safari aesthetic, and we loved every second.

The Food: Five-Star Dining in the Bush (10/10)

When they say you’re spoilt for choice, they mean it.

Their in-house chef delivers true restaurant-quality meals:

Dinner

A three-course masterpiece:

A berry palate cleanser
Perfectly cooked steak with gourmet mash and seasonal veggies
Hands down the best cheesecake we’ve had in a long time

Breakfast

A generous buffet-style tray served to you, plus a hot breakfast of your choosing. All you can eat. No complaints.

Lunch

Light but packed with flavour — think tasty meatball chutney, great sides, and just the right spicy kick.

You genuinely feel like you’re dining at a five-star restaurant — just with lions somewhere nearby.

The Service: Above & Beyond (10/10)

The staff deserve their own spotlight.

Always available.
Safety is a top priority.
They escort you back to your tent if animals are roaming nearby.
Rooms cleaned daily.
Warm, friendly, and genuinely passionate.

You truly switch off and feel like you’re on holiday from the moment you arrive.

The Views & Atmosphere (10/10)

The main deck area overlooks the reserve, so you could easily spot a lion or elephant wandering past while sipping your drink.

It’s peaceful.
It’s exclusive.
It’s intimate.
It’s a hidden gem.

For Durban locals wanting a luxury bush escape without leaving KZN, Mavela Game Lodge is elite.

You’re spoilt for:

Wildlife
Food
Views
Comfort
Service

It’s romantic enough for couples, adventurous enough for friends, and unforgettable enough that you’ll already be planning your next visit before you leave.

⭐ Overall Rating: 10/10

If you’re ready to experience Big 5 luxury just a road trip away, click here to book your stay.

Trust me — this is KZN’s best kept secret.

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Accomodation

Review: Radisson Blu Hotel – North Coast

Published

5 days ago

13 February 2026

Carla Wynne

Love Is in the Umhlanga Air — A Romantic February Escape at Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga.

February is the month of love, and if you’re looking for a romantic getaway without leaving Durban, Radisson Blu Umhlanga delivers the perfect mix of luxury, location, and laid-back coastal charm. Whether you’re planning a couples’ retreat or a relaxed break with family, this hotel ticks all the right boxes.

From the moment you arrive, the experience feels seamless. The friendly front desk team helps you check in quickly and effortlessly — exactly what you want when you’re ready to start your getaway.

We checked into the 15th floor, and that’s when the stay truly began.

The Room & The View

Our room was spacious, modern, and beautifully styled — but the real highlight? The view. Waking up to panoramic sights of Umhlanga and the ocean instantly sets the tone for romance. It’s the kind of view that makes you slow down, sip your coffee a little longer, and appreciate the moment.

Room comfort: 9/10
View: 10/10

Explore Without Leaving the Hotel

One of the best parts about Radisson Blu is that you don’t actually need to leave to enjoy yourself. The hotel is directly connected to Oceans Mall, which means shopping is literally steps away. Whether you’re browsing premium brands like Michael Kors or popping into Uniqlo for wardrobe essentials, there’s no shortage of retail therapy options.

For couples wanting to relax, the hotel also features its own spa and gym facilities — perfect for unwinding with a treatment or squeezing in a quick workout before breakfast.

Facilities: 9/10

Beach Walks & Poolside Moments

If you’re in the mood for fresh sea air, Umhlanga Beach is just a two-minute walk away. Early morning strolls or sunset walks along the promenade add that extra romantic touch to your stay.

Back at the hotel, the pool deck area is a standout feature. It’s the perfect space to chill, soak up the Umhlanga views, take a refreshing swim, and even enjoy a drink in hand while watching the ocean stretch out before you.

Location: 10/10
Pool deck experience: 9/10

Dining at FireLake Restaurant

The in-house restaurant, FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner — making it incredibly convenient for guests who want to relax and dine on-site.

Breakfast was a definite highlight. The buffet-style setup means it’s all-you-can-eat, with a wide variety of options to suit every taste. From hot breakfasts to lighter selections, it’s the kind of spread that fuels a full day of exploring or relaxing.

Breakfast experience: 9/10
Overall dining: 8.5/10

Radisson Blu Umhlanga strikes a beautiful balance between romantic escape and family-friendly comfort. Its prime location, ocean views, direct mall access, spa facilities, and standout breakfast offering make it an ideal February getaway — especially for couples celebrating the love month.

Overall experience: 9/10

If you’re ready to plan your romantic stay (or even a family break), you can CLICK HERE to book directly via their official website.

Love month in Umhlanga? Consider it sorted. 💙🌊

🎥 Click here to watch a snippet of our stay

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Accomodation

Review: Ndaka Safari Lodge – Nambiti Private Game Reserve

Published

3 weeks ago

26 January 2026

Shelley

A Luxury Bush Escape for the Couples and Families

Our weekend stay at Ndaka Safari Lodge, nestled within the breathtaking Nambiti Private Nature Reserve, was nothing short of unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we felt immersed in the tranquillity of the African bush while still enjoying every comfort of a luxury getaway.

We stayed in one of Ndaka’s spacious luxury tents, which perfectly balance elegance with nature. Waking up surrounded by the sounds of the bush and watching animals wander in the distance from the comfort of our tent was a truly special experience. The accommodation is thoughtfully designed, offering ample space for families while still feeling intimate and private.

Our days began early with a 5am morning game drive, which was absolutely worth the early wake-up call. Seeing elephants up close and personal as the sun rose over the reserve was an awe-inspiring moment and set the tone for the rest of the stay. On returning to the lodge, we were welcomed by a generous hot breakfast buffet, offering everything from classic bacon and eggs to lighter options like muesli and fresh fruit. Ndaka’s family-friendly approach really stands out here — kids are encouraged to eat what they love, and the separate kids’ breakfast buffet is a brilliant touch.

After breakfast, we spent time unwinding at the lodge. The pool area is perfect for relaxation, whether you’re sipping on a cocktail, reading a book, or simply soaking in the views. Parents can truly switch off knowing that Ndaka offers dedicated kid-friendly spaces, including jungle gyms and a playroom where attentive staff look after the children, allowing adults to enjoy some quiet time by the pool or indulge in the spa.

One of the standout experiences was the spa treatment in the open air, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bush. It was deeply comforting, grounding, and incredibly relaxing — a must-do during your stay.

The afternoon game drive was equally spectacular. We were lucky enough to witness lionesses on the hunt, along with sightings of zebras, buffalos, and cheetahs. The absolute highlight was seeing cheetah cubs being lovingly cared for by their mother — a rare and emotional moment that will stay with us forever. Throughout every drive, the ranger ensured we were comfortable, safe, and always positioned in the best spots, whether for morning coffee stops or unforgettable sundowner drinks in the bush.

What truly elevates Ndaka Safari Lodge is the exceptional staff and owners, who go above and beyond to make every guest feel genuinely cared for. Their warmth, attention to detail, and passion for what they do shines through in every interaction.

Ndaka Safari Lodge is truly a hidden gem, offering one-of-a-kind views, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and an experience that caters beautifully to both families and couples. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.