Top 5 South African resorts
In December 2019, I got the chance to go to South Africa and explore this wonderful country. There, I managed to stay in some of the most incredible places of all time and I would like to share with you my top 5!
SATYAGHARA HOUSE – JOHANESBURG
“One hundred years ago, Mohandas Gandhi lived in this house in Johannesburg. Today, the Satyagraha House is both a museum and a guest house. A unique way to immerse yourself in the privacy of a man and the history of a country.”
Are the words you could read when you come in the sanctuary of peace. We had just landed in South Africa after quite an exhausting flight and stepping into this humble and quiet paradise was very calming.
We slept in one of their simply decorated bedrooms surrounded by plants and light and managed to get some rest quite fast (the welcoming iced tea helped). Around this oasis, we met Alice, our local guide for the day who took us aroundimportant parts of South African History (Apartheid Museum, Soweto which is one of the biggest slums of the country, the location of the Youth Massacre, Nelson Mandela’s former house…) after a lovely lunch at Stanley 44. Once back at the hotel we enjoyed a nice visit of where Gandhi used to live for a year,under the inscription “My life is a message“. There, they kept his under the roof bedroom and a replica of his glasses as well asthe simplicity of his lifestyle, which was inspiring.
We had an amazing diner prepared by a local chef and with food cultivated in the house’s garden, so entirely vegan. I truly recommend this stay or at least a visit of this house and museum!
Amazulu Lodge – St Lucia
This four star accommodation is the perfect gateway to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (the site of my first ever Safari experience, check it here!). I truly appreciated the central pool, the interior of the rooms based on the traditional Zulu hut as well as the very high ceiling. This hotel was also very close to the main area of St Lucia with all its restaurants and shops.
RHINO RIDGE SAFARI LODGE – ZULULAND
This hotel is the only private lodge in the iconic Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (read about my safari experiences in this park here!), giving its guests the certainty that they are traveling with purpose as they are working hand in hand in bringing the white rhino back from extinction. In addition, this lodge has, for me, the most amazing view of them all. Honestly, what a blast to wake up on top of the South African bush facing the sunrise, listening to the wild noises and enjoying such a wonderful place?
This lodge is one out of several, owned by Isibindi Africa Lodges that have one mission: “saving our planet for our children’s children“. Therefore when you visit one of those lodges, you make a difference and will live a journey with purpose. What I also loved was the generosity of this place. Indeed, you had the opportunity to hop on a great safari car every morning and evening as well as going on wonderful bush walks!
LA GRENADINE – CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is full of animation and things to see and do. What I truly appreciated about La Grenadine was its homey feel and quietness.
As soon as you open the wooden gates hidden under the grenade tree, you forget the agitation behind you and can only appreciate the calm and serenity this stylish place has to offer: vintage furniture, jazz music playing in a duplex a luminous living room, fresh pancakes on the common table, a magical garden and very comfortable rooms… A dream!
Staying there makes you also environmentally conscious: low-usage plumbing, solar panels and efficient heating keep energy consumption to a minimum, while 1% of turnover goes to NGOs, charities and other worthy causes.
CEDERBERG RIDGE WILDERNESS LODGE – CEDERBERG MOUNTAINS
Approximately two hours from Cape Town, this wonderful place is the perfect spot to relax or go on adventures with their tones of different outdoor activities. The scenery is absolutely breath-taking and lets you immerge yourself in raw nature in all it’s luxury. The restaurant it also to die for!
