The bush is one of the few places you can go to escape the trappings of the modern world, relax and recharge. You don’t need to look too far to find a bush retreat in South Africa. There are hundreds of lodges and hotels around South Africa from which to choose. We have listed our 5 most popular destinations for bush breaks in South Africa below to help you narrow your search.
Mabula Game Lodge
Mabula Game Lodge Dining Area
In the lush Limpopo province, a mere two hours’ drive from Johannesburg, lies the Mabula Game reserve. The 12 000 hectare reserve is home to the big and the small five, three hundred bird species, one hundred plant species and sixty mammal species. There are three lodges located inside the reserve, the biggest of which is Mabula Game Lodge, the reserve’s flagship lodge. Guests can stay in African style luxury thatched suites or they can book the Mabula Villa which accommodates up to ten people. Guests can go on two daily game drives, play tennis or squash, laze around the lodge’s pool, go on a balloon safari or have a massage at the Mabula Spa. We currently have a two nights’ accommodation package for Mabula Game Lodge on offer for R3080 per person sharing.
Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp
Kwafubesi Tented Camp Deck
Kwafubesi tented camp is an intimate romantic camp in the Mabula Game Reserve. The lodge accommodates guests in five elevated luxury tents that are all en-suite. The lodge only accommodates ten guests at a time, which allows for a very intimate safari experience. Dinner is served under the African sky in a traditional boma. South African braai meat is served with bushveld tapas and one or two other unique dishes. The intimate feel and the traditional food at Kwafubesi makes it a home away from home for South African bush lovers. Kwafubesi packages start from R2780 per person, for a two night stay.
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge is situated inside the Kruger National Park in the Mluwati Concession, a privately run area of the park. The lodge was built in traditional Tsonga style rondawels. Hoyo Hoyo celebrates African culture through song, dance and storytelling. From the moment you arrive you are greeted with song and dance, before being ushered off to your luxurious room. After a long day of game drives, swimming in the infinity pool, treatments at the wellness centre and having a bush dinner, the lodge staff sing traditional songs and tell stories of days gone by around the campfire. Packages for Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge start from R4930 per person sharing, for a two night stay.
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Hamiltons Tented Camp Room
Hamiltons Tented Camp is an ultra-luxurious lodge inside the Mluwati Concession in Kruger National Park. When you arrive at Hamiltons it feels like you have stepped into a time machine and gone back to the early 1900s, when an African Safari was a glamorous journey that only the rich and famous could afford. The lodge has six luxurious elevated en-suite tents that can accommodate two guests each. Each tent has a private deck that overlooks the Nwaswitsontso River. Birdwatching and bush walks at Hamiltons are eventful. One minute you will be looking at an African Fish Eagle, and the next you might just walk into a pride of lions. Hamiltons Tented Camp packages start from R5715 per person sharing, for two nights.
Zuurberg Mountain Village
Zuurberg Mountain Village Game Viewing
Zuurberg Mountain Village is located in the Eastern Province, next to the Addo Elephant Park. The hotel is called a village because the chalets, which are scattered around the hotel’s grounds, resemble a small village. The 150 year old hotel is only an hour’s drive from the city of Port Elizabeth. There is an old world colonial feel to the hotel that can best be experienced in the hotel’s old English pub. The hotel’s biggest drawcard is the easy access it provides to Addo Elephant Park. The hotel offers private guided game drives and game walks inside the park. This four star hotel offers great value for money with Zuurberg packages starting from only R1600 per person sharing, for two nights’ accommodation.
