As Durbanites, our stay at the Africamps White Elephant Safari exceeded all expectations. From the moment we checked in, the adventure began with a scenic self-drive through the reserve to our campsite. Nestled with the perfect view of the Jozini River, our glamping site was the epitome of luxury in the bush. The highlight was the wood-fired hot tub, right at our doorstep. It required no electricity, so load-shedding was not even a concern – a feature that added to the off-grid experience.

The camp itself is glamping at its finest.

We had a fully equipped 4-plate gas stove and everything we needed, from stylish plates to branded Africamps tin mugs – perfect for that early morning bush coffee. Outside, the braai stand was set up and ready for use. Our first night, we braaiied our own meat, prepared salads, and enjoyed a meal under the stars. It was a quintessential South African experience, glamping style.

The accommodation was spacious and comfortable, with enough room for five people. The air-conditioning was a blessing for hot days, while extra blankets and a heater kept us warm when the temperatures dipped. The large shower and bathroom were a luxury for a group to share comfortably.

On the second day, we woke up early to brew coffee on the gas stove and were treated to an Africamps breakfast basket. It included everything from sausages, bacon, and eggs to muesli, yogurt, and fruit – more than enough to feed five people. The breakfast basket is definitely a must-have for those who don’t want the hassle of bringing their own food – it’s great value for money.

After a leisurely morning, we were picked up for a water safari cruise. Our ranger took us on a game drive en route to Lake Jozini, where we saw an African eagle, zebras, giraffes, and more. It was breathtaking, and we hadn’t even reached the boat yet!

The water cruise itself was unforgettable. We saw rhinos, hippos up close, and even watched a crocodile dive into the water. Our ranger kept us safe and informed throughout, pointing out rare bird species like the lily trotter. It was an awe-inspiring adventure that really brought us close to nature.

Returning to camp after the cruise, we were greeted with a pre-booked braai basket. This was a lifesaver as we hadn’t packed enough food for the evening. The basket had everything – from salad and sides to steak and sausages. While braaiing, we took full advantage of the campsite’s WiFi to stream the Springbok game. Enjoying a good braai, some beers, and the match under the stars made for a perfect ending to our day.

Our final evening was spent soaking in the hot tub, gazing up at the star-filled sky. In the morning, we reluctantly packed up and bid farewell to Africamps. Before leaving, we explored the reception area, which has a large pool and a convenient little shop for last-minute essentials.

Overall, Africamps White Elephant Safari is a must-visit, whether you’re traveling with friends or family. The combination of luxurious glamping, breathtaking wildlife experiences, and thoughtful amenities makes it a top choice for a getaway. Be sure to book in advance – it fills up quickly! Highly recommended!

Check out our reel here.

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Ratings:

Service – 9/10
Location: 9/10
Ambience – 9/10
Food – 9/10
Overall – 9/10

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How do I book my stay at Africamps?
Book your stay through their website here.
Or email: hello@africamps.com

For Durbanites, a trip to Cape Town is always enthralling. White-sand beaches, throngs of restaurants, and sea life sightings are just some of the things we look forward to when visiting our Mother City. Of course, the various accommodation on offer forms part of said hype – and can either make or break your experience!

Well, we’re here to tell you this: If you’re looking for a hotel that’s contemporary, comfy, central, quiet and not too costly, we’ve found the place for you. Not to mention its fascinating decor, great hospitality, and luxury charm that just wraps you up and keeps you snug throughout your entire stay.

The opulent Cape Milner building matches Cape Town’s Victorian aesthetic. But inside you’ll find a mix of art-deco, modern and African chic; much like the feel of modern Africa today.

As if wedged at the bottom of Table Mountain, the views from the rooms and lounges are spectacular. We particularly enjoyed dining out in the swanky Glass Lounge, where you can look up into the blue sky or night stars while you enjoy a hearty lamb shank below.

Our homely rooms overlooked the serene Milner Road, with its impressive avenues of trees. We were given complimentary macarons on arrival and enjoyed them with tea as we watched the rain pitter-patter on the tails of unbothered squirrels — how cute! The Milner Hotel really is a place you can enjoy come rain or shine.

The hotel was the absolute, perfect base from which to explore pretty much everything and anything. Just a few minutes drive away lies Bree and Kloof  – two favourites, Metropolitan streets for tourists and locals alike. Over the few days of our stay we visited many great spots, all within 5-10 minutes away.

We sank our teeth into cheesy pizza at the much-hyped “I love the dough” and tried out “Mochi Mochi” for dessert; we ordered fizzing and steaming cocktails from “Cause and Effect” at the V&A; and of course, we spent a fun-filled evening at the cheeky and illustrious “Beefcakes” in Green Point.

After each jam-packed day, coming home to our state-of-the-art bathtub and luxurious linen was the cherry on top. It fitted in perfectly with our diverse range of activities we had planned, and matched the entire style of our trip.

We didn’t want to leave!

And of course, we can’t wait to stay again…

To book your stay at the Cape Milner, contact

Tel: +27 11 516 4367
Email: res@extraordinary.co.za

Tugela River Lodge is a self-catering eco-lodge situated in Winterton. They are completely off the grid, using solar power and gas to run their lodge.

Being pet-friendly, Tugela is the perfect place to bring the entire family, literally! As well as for singles, couples or friends.

ACCOMMODATION

With 5 cottages to choose from, you can either book the Main Lodge which sleeps up to 14, The Hideaway which is a 6 sleeper and The Rapids, The River House and Kingfisher Cottage which are all 4 sleeper.

All of the cottages don’t have any TV sets. Tugela River Lodge wants to instead encourage visitors to experience nature – which we definitely agree with.

We stayed at the River House which was a double storey house, ensuring we each had privacy as a couple.

HISTORY

The Green family have been running the lodge for over 20 years. They have a passion for mountain biking, trail running and the outdoors in general. Every year, The Berg & Bush cycle ride and The Oxpecker trail run take place.

THE EXPERIENCE

Upon arrival, check in was such a breeze – we found our accommodation easily and settled in for the night.

For dinner we opted to have a braai. The boys loved catching up while us girls chilled on the comfiest couches with a glass of red.

We were joined by two of the owner’s dogs, as well as a cat, making us feel right at home.

Our double storey house had more of a modern feel than the rest of the cottages. We had a spacious lounge all to ourselves which was part of an open plan kitchen. The main bedroom had a double bed with an open plan shower and toilet, while the upstairs room had a double bed with the most gorgeous outside view.

We were fully equipped with high speed WI-FI too. A bonus if you’re needing this feature while on your trip away. The River House is the only unit to have this functionality.

The River House is also ideal for bringing your pets as the property is well fenced off – You don’t have to worry about losing your fur-babies!

WHAT TO DO NEARBY

You don’t really need to leave Tugela. With plenty of walking trails available, one can find themselves walking along the beautiful Tugela River.

If you feel like a drive however, we would recommend  Spioenkop Nature Reserve. A popular water sport destination, it also offers a serene game reserve environment. We saw rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and many different species of birds.

You can also take a drive through the Tugela game reserve with a cooler box and watch the sun go down with views of the Drakensberg on one side and the Freestate on the other.

ACTIVITIES AT TUGELA:

Other activities at Tugela include trails for walking/running, kayaking along the river, daily animal feeding and use of their farmstall for any fresh produce.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT TUGELA RIVER LODGE:

Email: info@tugelariverlodge.co.za
Cellphone/Whatsapp: +27 82 823 4746

Website: www.tugelariverlodge.co.za