Elephant Hide Lodge in Knysna - great for honeymooners

The Elephant Hide Lodge is situated on a hill and overlooks the Knysna Lagoon. I'm certain this is the BEST view of the Lagoon in Knysna. The view is really spectacular... I found myself staring out in the far all the time I was there.


The suites are stand-alone chalets and very beautiful. The picture below is the executive suite which is also used as the honeymoon suite. The bath is raised behind the bed and looks out over the Lagoon as well.



This bath is one of the Lagoon Suites' bath and it's also very romantic with great views.



This is a view from the suites:

As you can see... there are beautiful views all over. This is from the swimming pool area.

This is the view from one of the Lagoon suites:

We stayed in a lagoon suite and everything was perfect. Each suite has a lounge area (with beautiful views) and a private deck (with beautiful views) and a bath and shower (with beutiful views). The rooms also have all the amenities you'll need.

Elephant Hide is really a very romantic and beautiful place in Knysna. It's still close to everything, but also away from all the busstle of the Town. I highly recommend Elephant Hide to honeymooners and for romantic getaways; as well as for families as they also have a family unit.

The owners are very friendly and welcoming and will make sure that you have the time of your life. They will take really good care of you.

You will also love the breakfast menu... amazing!!!

I can't wait to go back.

For more information, pictures and prices: http://www.lodgesinafrica.com/South_Africa/Garden_Route_Honeymoon_Accommodation/Elephant_Hide_Lodge_-_Knysna/

Emily Moon River Lodge... in Plettenberg Bay... WOW - what a beautiful place!!!


The view from the chalets and the restaurant is breathtaking - overlooking the Bitou river... it almost look like a very small part of the Okavango Delta.




The atmosphere at the lodge is vibey and relaxed and it feels like you just want to be there... being there is a destination in itself. They have this beautiful restaurant with food to die for. The restaurant is quite popular and reservations need to be made in advance. There is just such a 'lekker' feel to this lodge. All the furniture, decor and materials are from all over the world. The owner has been travelling a lot and he also has a furniture and decor shop in Johannesburg and at Emily Moon River Lodge... so you can even buy these beautiful things.



This is the beautiful view I've been talking about:

This is the entrance to the restaurant... you can also sit outside for lunch and dinner:

Here it is... the furniture shop at the lodge (lovely things):

They also have a sushi bar called Katy:

The owner's one daughter's name is Katy so the Sushi Bar has been named after her and his other daughter's name is Emily and the restaurant has been named after her. The name of the lodge also has a unique story behind it so be sure to ask your hosts if you get the change to visit them.

Each chalet has a private viewing deck and all the chalets are beautifully decorated with all the amenities you'll need. I highly recommend Emily Moon River Lodge for honeymooners, romantic getaways or even a long holiday in the Garden Route.

Beautiful!!!

For more information, pictures and prices:
http://www.lodgesinafrica.com/South_Africa/Garden_Route_Honeymoon_Accommodation/Emily_Moon_River_Lodge_-_Plettenberg_Bay/

African Oceans Manor on the Beach - Mossel Bay

What a nice surprise... a beautiful Manor on the beach in Mossel Bay which is 4 hours from Cape Town and 2 hours from Knysna. African Oceans is a 5 Star Guest Manor with 9 luxury suites and it's right on the beach as you can see below.



The suites are super luxurious with only the best of everything. From the dining room to the lounge to the suites... everything is new, clean and very luxurious. The honeymoon suite is very romantic and all the suites are very well priced... good value for money.


You can find more information and pictures of the suites on the Lodges in Africa website:
http://www.lodgesinafrica.com/South_Africa/Garden_Route_Honeymoon/African_Oceans_Manor_on_the_Beach_-_Mossel_Bay_%285_Star%29/

Why would you go to Mossel Bay for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway or even a week's holiday? It's only a 4-hour drive from Cape Town and close to all the attractions of the Garden Route such as the Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma and Oudtshoorn. There is a lovely beach for swimming and lazing in the sun so it's surely a great beach destination.

The staff are very friendly and welcoming and will take really good care of you. I highly recommend African Oceans Manor in Mossel Bay for honeymooners and people looking for a romantic beach getaway or a beach holiday.

Elephant Back Safari at Addo Elephant Safari Lodge

What an awesome experience... sitting bare-back on a gentle elephant giant and riding through the Zuurberg Mountains bush.


Addo Elephant Back Safari Lodge is a very special place - it's in the middle of nowhere and it feels like you're on top of the world. Wow, what a romantic place. It is definitely a romantic honeymoon spot, but also for anybody looking for an amazing experience with beautiful accommodation in a secluded place.


My pictures below definitely does not give this beautiful place justice. It is so much prettier.




We arrived late afternoon after a 1.5-hr nerve-wrecking drive up the Zuurberg Mountain pass. I would strongly suggest you avoid driving this road. It is a steap mountain pass with a very narrow road and lots of turns and bends. My sister and I were quite stressed along this road. I have to say that when you arrive at the lodge and see how beautiful it is, you feel the stress of the road is definitely worth it. There is however much better ways to get to Addo Elephant Safari Lodge. You can take their road transfer from Port Elizabeth Airport or Addo or you can fly with them from Port Elizabeth or Addo. They have an excellent deal where you get your transfers for FREE if you stay at the lodge for 2 nights. This is quite a good deal. You get a road transfer to the lodge and an air transfer out of the lodge. I would definitely recommend a 2-night stay at Addo Elephant Safari Lodge.


There is more than just the Elephant Back Safari that you can do whilst staying here. You can enjoy guided walks, game drives, medicinal plant walks, sundowners on the hill, bush dinners, elephant walks and bushman caves walks.


This is me riding on Thaba (it means happy) with Ignesuis (the Elephant Handler).

The elephant handlers at Addo Safaris are very professional and well-spoken. Their English is well and they can truly interact with the guest. They also know how to make you feel comfortable on this big animal. They have been working with Ellies for years and years. I was VERY impressed with them.

The chalets (built on stilts) are connected to the lodge with wooden walk-ways so it's really private. The view from the chalets are BEAUTIFUL and there's a jacuzzi on the deck that they will prepare for you once you return to your chalet.

The main area of the lodge is quite small with a dining room, lounge area and small bar area. It is however very cosy and comfortable and you get to meet other travellers and discuss your day's adventure. The owner of the lodge also eats with the guests in the evening and has a real hands-on operation. He made potjiekos the evening that we were there. I have to mention that it was also the best potjie that I ever had.

I highly recommend this lodge and it was certainly the highlight of my trip.

For more information, pictures and prices: http://www.lodgesinafrica.com/South_Africa/Game_Lodges_-_Safari_in_Addo/Addo_Elephant_Back_Safari_Lodge_%284_paws%29/

A weekend in Betty's Bay

A weekend in Betty's Bay is surely worth while... we had a lovely weekend with friends and their children there last weekend. The Harold Porter Botanical Garden and the Penguins at Stony Point makes this destination worth a visit.... and not to mention the sand dunes which makes sure for some good fun.

Penguin Honeymoon couple at Stony Point in Betty's Bay:

It's only an hour's drive from Cape Town between Pringle Bay and Kleinmond in the Overberg region of South Africa. Betty's Bay also offers some great beaches. Silver sands and Hangklip dunes are to the west of Stony Point. The beach is good for picnics, swimming and surfing.

It's a great place for a weekend getaway...

Romantic Accommodation in Stellenbosch - Spier Hotel

Dawie and I spent a lovely evening at the Spier Hotel on Friday 25 March.

The hotel offers village-style rooms around 6 courtyards - it's beautiful and very tranquil and relaxed in the beautiful gardens. The superior rooms are next to the river so it's even more tranquil and very private. I would recommend the superior rooms for honeymooners. For other honeymoon accommodation in the Winelands, have a look at our Lodges in Africa website.

The entire Spier Estate is really beautiful with the most amazing art all over and they also have very special restaurants... the famous Moyo's which is truly an experience and then also the famous Eight Restaurant which does not have a menu... you tell them what you'd like to eat and they make it for you. We also had a quick look at the Cheetahs they have on the Estate. This is an excursion that you can book and I think this would be nice for children or anyone interested in cheetahs. You can also enjoy a picnic on the beautiful lawns. You don't have to order a picnic basket... you can just pop in to the Delhi and select a few items and then you're on your way...

We had a lovely dining experience at Cape to Cuba in the town of Stellenbosch. The food was amazing and we were pleasantly surprized. I haven't been to Stellenbosch for quite some time and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and all the restaurants and terraces in the streets. We did not even get time for a wine tasting tour so we'll need to go back soon...

5 yr Wedding anniversary at Kirkman's Kamp in the Sabi Sands

My husband and I spent our 5-yr wedding anniversary at Kirkman's Kamp in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Kirkman's is one of my favourite game lodges in this area as they offer a home-away-from-home experience and phenomenal Big 5 game viewing.


We went in January which is actually the rainy season and not that good for game viewing. During the winter months from May to October I've seen the Big 5 within the 1st hour of the game drive. In January we saw the Big 5 over a period of 2 days. So you will still be able to see the Big 5, but not just all in your first game drive. The bush is BEAUTIFUL in January - green and lush...



In the evenings we had lovely sundowners in the bush before continuing on our evening game drive. They also did a lovely romantic room turndown with champagne and rose petals, etc.



They also did a lovely breakfast in the bush for us as a surprise one morning.



The room was lovely - very old-style colonial with a victoria bath and the works.



I can't wait to return... it was surely a nice and very romantic getaway for such a special occasion.

For more safari options: http://www.lodgesinafrica.com/blogcategory/Game_Lodges_-_Safari_in_Kruger/