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

Endless Horizons is an award-winning 5 star boutique hotel situated on Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban North.

With 12 beautifully decorated bedrooms designed with a serene and luxurious feel, each of their rooms come complete with complimentary Wi-Fi, surround sound and mini bar.

The Executive rooms offer a picturesque 180 degree view of the Indian Ocean and Durban coast line. Other room features include an LCD TV with DSTV, air-con, tea and coffee.

We were recently treated to an incredible stay at Endless Horizons.

Upon arrival, we were graciously met by the staff at the door with welcome drinks. While we were checking in, our bags were carried up to our room for us, making for a smooth & stress free experience.

I already knew then and there that we would be well looked after.

Once we were handed our room keys and the receptionist had detailed everything we needed to know, we headed upstairs to our room for the night.

Our room was beautiful and had all the amenities one needed. The best part about the room was the sea view with a private balcony. There’s really nothing like waking up to the sound of the sea!

We freshened up and headed downstairs to have sundowners by the pool. There was just something so peaceful about this view:

At 6pm, we made our way towards the restaurant where we would be served dinner. Our host for the evening made us feel incredibly welcome as she took down our order for the evening.

For starters I ordered mussels while my partner had the pea & ham soup. Both were delicious and we almost thought our mains couldn’t top it!

We both ordered the steak for mains because who doesn’t love a good steak? It was cooked to perfection and I’m still dreaming about it!

For dessert we opted for the cheesecake which washed down nicely with our glass of red.
Definitely one of the best dinners I’ve had in a while.

After dinner, we headed to our room for a good full night’s sleep. The blackout curtains were a hit, giving us a much needed good quality sleep.

At 5am, I woke up, tip-toed to the curtains and stole a peek out the window. A beautiful sunrise over the sea greeted me. I quickly snapped a few images off my phone before hopping back into bed for another hour or two. Worth it? Totally!

At 7am, we headed down to the restaurant for our breakfast, and to take in that view one last time.

Endless Horizons truly is a hidden gem, and we would definitely recommend this place whether be it for your next meeting, casual sundowner or even a romantic overnight stay.

Tel: +27 (31) 564 0360
Fax: +27 (31) 563 9387
Email: info@endlesshorizons.co.za

ADDRESS
108 Umhlanga Rocks Drive,
Durban North, KwaZulu Natal,
South Africa, 4051

iNsingizi Lodge & Spa is a three-star lodge situated on a fifth generation, family-owned nature reserve and farm in Mid Illovo, just over an hours’ drive from Durban and King Shaka International Airport.

Tucked neatly away in Mid Illovo, lies iNsingizi Lodge & Spa, a hidden gem of inland KZN and a little piece of Africa. Durbanite was invited to experience the night spa package, which comprised of two massages in the late afternoon, dinner, a late night foot massage, an over-night stay and complimentary breakfast in the morning. Read on to hear what went down!

A leisurely 90 minute drive on the highway from Durban eventually lead us off the beaten track and onto a dirt path, where we followed the redbrick roads up, up, and into the lodge’s premises. Zebra, Wildebeest and rolling hills passed us by as we followed the many whimsical signposts to reception. Upon arrival, we were offered a glass of champagne and, seeing as it was fairly cold, my partner and I sat by the roaring fire while we chatted to our gracious hosts, Jen and Nadia, about what lay in store for us.

Our first massage comprised of a facial and head & shoulder massage and shortly after, we were to be treated to a full body, hot-stone massage. Engulfed in hanging fairy lights and cozily snug beneath the thatch roof, my partner and I filled out our massage forms and then went to check into our lovely rooms to change into our robes. Our room was well equipped with a King Size bed and electric blankets (which were already heated for us) coffee and tea, complimentary fudge on our pillows, mini Amarula bottles and a bottle of champagne for later in the evening.

At 5pm sharp, we were whisked away to our treatments within a cosy room out in the trees. Our masseurs, Sli and Phindile**, were absolutely heavenly to interact with and both my partner and I were pampered to the nines by them! We enjoyed 90 minutes of pure bliss while our muscles were massaged and all our knots rolled out. Afterwards, we dined in style – still in our robes! I ordered the salmon and cream cheese starter and the parmesan-crusted chicken for mains, and my partner ordered the veggie soup and the Oxtail. We indulged in red wine and pavlova for dessert, before making our way back to our rooms for our foot massage! Sli and Phindile had got our rooms ready for us while we were having dinner, even having drawn a romantic, candle-lit bubble bath! We enjoyed the feet TLC while we chatted to our masseurs and sipped on our champagne. Afterwards, the bath was calling our names and we enjoyed our Amarula on ice and ate our fudge – it was perhaps the most relaxed and at peace we had both ever felt…

After a 9 hour sleep in our cosy bed with relaxed muscles, we woke up feeling rejuvenated and revitalised, ready for the day ahead. We showered in the outdoor shower beneath the foliage, and then went to enjoy the breakfast by the pool.

We were thoroughly impressed by the service at iNsingizi, the beauty of the lodge and surroundings, and the amenities in the rooms. We just can’t stop talking about it and we recommend this mid-week treat to all.

For more information about iNsingizi Lodge and Spa, its offering and upcoming events, visit www.insingizi.co.za or contact (083) 414 1932 or info@insingizi.co.za.

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INSINGIZI LODGE AND SPA’S UPCOMING SPECIALS 2019
SPA SPECIALS

OCTOBER: NIGHT SPA PACKAGE – R1 700 per person

• Full Body Massage with hot stones (45 minutes)
• Foot Massage (45 minutes)
• Head & Shoulder Massage OR Facial (45 minutes)
• A delicious three-course dinner
• Accommodation for the night
• Breakfast the next day
• https://www.insingizi.co.za/spa-specials/ 

NOVEMBER: GIRLS NIGHT OUT PACKAGE – R1 800 per person

• Full Body Massage with hot stones (45 minutes)
• Foot Massage (45 minutes)
• Head & Shoulder Massage OR Facial (45 minutes)
• A delicious two-course lunch
• A hearty three-course dinner
• Accommodation for the night
• Breakfast the next day
• https://www.insingizi.co.za/spa-specials/ 

DECEMBER: END-OF-DECADE SPA SPECIAL – R2 000 per person

• Hand massage
• Foot Massage
• Facial massage
• Full body exfoliation massage
• Full body massage with hot stones
• Head and shoulder massage
• A delicious light lunch
• A hearty three-course dinner
• Accommodation for the night
• Breakfast the next day
• https://www.insingizi.co.za/spa-specials/

CYCLING SPECIAL

RIDE, RUB & GRUB

• Experience iNsingizi Lodge & Spa’s off-road tracks (part of the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge). 
• Enjoy relaxing foot, head or shoulder massage.
• Choose from a delicious two-course breakfast or lunch.
• Ride & Grub – R125 per person
• Ride, Rub & Grub – R400 per person
• https://www.insingizi.co.za/cycling/cycling-day-packages/