I continue my journey around South Africa inspecting properties for Real Africa and enjoying the stunning scenery and wonderful South African hospitality en route. I started continuing my visit around the lodges at the Amakhala Game Reserve where we left off last week.
Bush Lodge
For this 5 star lodge clients check-in at Reed Valley Inn and are then transferred to Bush Lodge. This is a bigger lodge than Bukela however the views from the dining, bar and lounge deck are awesome. The rooms are tented with a thatched roof. I liked this lodge very much. The lodge has a pool and a small spa area.
Leeuwenbosch
This is a stunning little property and it is where we had lunch. The lodge has 9 rooms five at Leeuwenbosch and four at Shearers. The lodge is the oldest property on Amakhala Game Reserve and the history of the property is very interesting. The lodge also has a little pub where the owner is happy to tell you stories from the old days!
I would recommend this property for any clients interested in history.
Singa Lodge
We also loved this lodge and they have three executive rooms that are fantastic. The standard rooms are also fine. The only downside is that there are no doors to the bathrooms. Ideal for honeymooners and couples….you can also walk to the sea from this property.
Ibhayi Town Lodge
This is the first proper hotel we have stayed in during this trip. We are staying in one of the more expensive rooms and it is large with a bath and shower. Nice room. The hotel has two swimming pools and a restaurant on site. The food at Ibhayi Town Lodge was amazing…it was the best steak I have ever had… and I have had a few!
WED 21 MAY
We had rain this morning! Once the rain stopped we made it for breakfast. After we said goodbye we headed back the N2 and joined the motorway heading west. We then turned on the R62. This route is so beautiful, the scenery is magical and is definitely one of the highlights of the trip so far. We stopped for lunch at Die Ark in Joubertina, the lunch was great and is a good place to advise clients to stop. The lunch cost us less than R150.00 in total for the two of us. We continued on the R62 until we reached Oudtshoorn where we then travelled to Rosenhof Country Lodge.
Rosenhof Country House
This beautiful country house has 12 very large standard rooms and 2 amazing Executive Suites. We really loved this place. All the standard rooms are garden facing overlooking a water feature. The Executive Suites even have a pool each which are bigger than some main swimming pools of a number of lodges we have seen! The property also has a gym with a view of the main sparkling swimming pool and a small spa area. The lodge can offer a 5 course dinner for R300.00 per person per night, however as the hotel is not too far away from the town there are a number of restaurants close by.
After our site inspection we headed out of town to La Plume.
La Plume
This is another amazing place with gorgeous views. The garden was also glorious with stunning manicured lawns and the hotel staff were extremely friendly. On arrival we were met by Karen and she showed us to our huge Luxury Room. She then also showed us some of the other rooms. They even have one room suitable for a family for 5. The bathrooms are amazing with only two not offering a bath and shower. The owners love their antiques and the pieces in the rooms are very tasteful. All rooms like all the other properties we have seen offer tea and coffee facilities plus you can help yourself to sherry. The room also has a fully stocked mini-bar. We had dinner at the property and the ostrich steaks were perfectly cooked. I would highly recommend this place to all and for a least two nights.
THU 22 MAY
After a wonderful breakfast we said goodbye to one of our favourite properties. We then travelled on the beautiful R62 to Worcester where we stopped for lunch. After lunch at Spur we travelled the short journey to the Cape Winelands and to Franschhoek and La Fontaine Guest House.
La Fontaine
This guest house is situated just off the main road in Franschhoek and is ideally positioned for visiting all the restaurants and wine estates in the area. The guest house has off road parking. The room we were given was nice and airy and overlooked the road. The bathroom had a shower and separate bath. The guest house has a nice lounge area and a small dining room. There is also seating outside where breakfast can be taken in the summer. The guest house also has a pool. There is also additional guest accommodation in the garden (Garden Cottages) and a separate cottage suitable for families. We had dinner at the neighbouring Bon Vivant Restaurant which offers fine dining at a reasonable price for UK travellers. Overall I would recommend this guest house.
Posted by Paul Hickey-Fry
