For honeymoons, of course, we always gladly recommend Seychelles or Mauritius because of the unbeatable honeymoon discounts, but Zanzibar has captured our hearts. The island Unguja – better known as Zanzibar, which means the coast of the blacks, is situated in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa and is an absolute romantic paradise! You are surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, picture-perfect beaches, tropical climate, warm-hearted people, and delicious fresh food.
While Mauritius and the Seychelles have already become quite touristy, with especially La Digue running the risk of being completely concreted over, Zanzibar still has its original charm with the hotels hidden amid tropical palm trees. You still have the opportunity to experience paradise up close: you can stay right on the beach, go swimming withdolphins, snorkeling or diving, or watch the sunset on a typical dhow boat. There are so many romantic moments to enjoy.
Our Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels
On Zanzibar one still finds authentic, small boutique hotels, eco-lodges and also some bigger yet romantic resorts. There is something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. We have been lucky enough, to have visited 4 of these top 10 hotels so far! Be inspired!
The South of Zanzibar
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THE RESIDENCE BY CENIZARO, ZANZIBAR {25%Discount+ Extras}
The Residence Zanzibar is located on the south coast and has 66 pool villas that are either right on the beach or hidden in the garden. The big glass infinity pool is perfect for swimming and relaxation. The south is also ideal for snorkeling and swimming with dolphins. And for all the animal lovers, there are plenty of monkeys to watch at the Residence. The kind-hearted employeestake care of guests with heart and soul, and in the evening, it has such a romantic ambiance with BBQs on the beach or dinner by candlelight. (Price: from US $ 275 per person per night, including half-board)
Honeymoon Special 25% Discount
Exotic fruit bowl
Beach bag
A local Pareo “Kitenge “
A romantic dinner for two during your stay
(A minimum stay of 4nights applies. The offer is valid for 9monthsafterthewedding date.)
Fumba Beach Lodge is a luxurious and secluded hideaway in the beautiful wilderness comprising of 3 protected beaches and 26 suites in the southwest of Zanzibar. The Luxury Suites have private roof terraces, open-air showers, and luxurious bathtubs with views of the ocean. The Baobab Suites are cradled around a magnificent Baobab tree and offer ultimate extravagance and a romantic ambiance for honeymooners. The lodge is far away from all the busy tourist areas and provides unobtrusive luxury with attentive, personal service. You can enjoy the tranquility by the pool on the cliffs, relax at the Baobab Spa or go on a blue safari and enjoy snorkeling and swimming with dolphins. (from US$ 100 per person per night, including half-board)
The North of Zanzibar
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ZURI ZANZIBAR
{Honeymoon Extras}
The charming, modern designed hotel is situated in the northwest on a long stretch of private beach, without tidal waves, and it is perfect for honeymooners, beach weddings, and relaxation. The 55 thatched bungalows with chic hammocks, outdoor showers, and luxurious furniture, offer loads of privacy and reminds one of a traditional African village. You can relax and unwind at the stunning infinity pool, on the endless white sandy beach, or in your villa. The sunsets and private dinners on the beach are especially romantic. (from US$ 195 per person per night, including half-board)
Honeymoon Special
A bottle of sparkling wine
20% Discount on a 60-minute couple massage
Lunch on the beach for two
A VIP gift
Romantic room decoration
Sundowners on your terrace once during your stay
(A minimum stay of 4 nights applies. May be combined with other special offers. Valid for 1 year after the wedding date)
The environmentally friendly Milele Villas promise pure romance and privacy! It only has 2 villas, which can be rented exclusively. Each villaaccommodates up to 12 people. Villa Tatu has an open plan design and is decorated in the beautiful African style. Villa Lisa beautifully merges Arabian and Mediterranean style elements. Each villa has its own pool and spectacular sunset and ocean views.The great team of loving employees ensures that you are pampered all-around. Apart from the half-board package, the Full Experience package even includes a massage and the use of a car. (Price: from US$ 404 per night including half-board, afternoon tea, use of a car during your stay, and a massage)
Essque Zalu Zanzibar is ultimately stylish and one of the most luxurious resorts in Zanzibar. In the 40 suites with ocean or garden views and 9 villas, each with its own private pool, you can stay under a traditional Makuti roof, relax by the pool and enjoy the fantastic views of the Indian Ocean. There are 3 restaurants, a café, 2 bars, and the Zanzibar Spa. (Price: from US$ 200 per person per night, including half-board.)
The Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island only 4.5 km off the northeast coast of Zanzibar in the middle of breathtaking coral reefs andsome of the most beautiful diving sites Africa. With only 12 beach houses, each with a large veranda, it is known as one of the most romantic private island destinations in the world and offers complete privacy and rustic exclusivity. (Price:from US$ 1125 per person per night all-inclusive)
Xanadu is one of the newest and most elegant resorts on the east coast of Zanzibar, located on an endless stretch of palm-fringed beach. The 7 unique and individually designed Xanadu Villas are set amidst a tropical garden and surrounded by palm trees. It is perfect for honeymooners looking for privacy, attentive service, and fine dining. Each villa has a private pool, a butler, an outdoor shower, one or more bathrooms, a lounge, a kitchen, and direct beach access. The kitchen serves fresh Swahili cuisine in an international gourmet style. The Kiota Spa offers treatments in the privacy of your villa or at the spa right on the beach. (Price: from US$ 308 per person per night, including full-board)
The Baraza is a romantic and luxurious 5-star resort and belongs to the Zanzibar Collection. It is located along the award-winning, Bwejuu beach and is reminiscent of the Zanzibar’s heritage dating back to the era of the Sultans. It has 30 luxurious private villas, each with its own pool, a spa with a whirlpool and a lap pool, a massive pool, a tennis court, a fitness center, and a PADI diving center. (Price: from US $ 335 per person per night, including full-board)
The Palms belongs, like the Baraza, to the Zanzibar Collection. It only has 7 villas and is located on an untouched beach, a breathtaking sanctuary for sophisticated wedding couples. The stylish villas all have spacious terraces and their own pools. The Sanctuary Spa offers invigorating Thai and the well-known Balinese massages. (Price: from US$ 300 per person per night all-inclusive)
This small boutique hotel is located in an enchanting bay on the east coast of Zanzibar. It has 16 rooms, built in the typical Zanzibari style. The luxurious Sea View Suites have their own plunge pools, a real blessing in the warm, tropical weather. From the large infinity pool, you have a panoramic view of the turquoise ocean. It has a stress free and relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for honeymooners, looking for an intimate and authentic experience. And for all the animal lovers, in the evening little bush babies come by to feed. (Price: from US$ 250 per night including breakfast)
Transfer We can highly recommend our driver Bamanga Style – very reliable, such a nice person and also a great tour guide! Telephone:+255 773 392 959Facebook:Bamanga Style
MoreTipsaboutLuxuryHotels on Zanzibar and the surrounding islands can be found at Zanzibar Retreats – Luxury Accommodation in Zanzibar.
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We recovered from our long flight to Johannesburg at this secluded and romantic, luxury 5-star boutique hotel. It is part of the Morukuru Family and the Relais & Châteaux group. This sublime retreat is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Johannesburg, the quiet and popular suburb, Atholl in Sandton.
Whether you are staying in one the nine suites, in the AtholPlace Villa with four bedrooms, or unwinding at the pool, it is the perfect place to relax before or after a safari holiday and enjoy gourmet cuisine at the in-house restaurant.
A particular highlight of this chic city hotel is the gourmet cuisine and personal service. Gloria, at reception, welcomed us so warmly that we immediately felt right at home.
In the comfortable library with an open fireplace, you can relax upon arrival, while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee.
The lounge, the library, the bar, and the restaurant are all modern and tastefully decorated in bright, neutral, and warm colors. The open plan design allows you to relish the fresh air while admiring the incredible landscape and the beautifully designed garden.
Since its renovation in 2013, AtholPlace has been completely off the grid, and relies on environmentally friendly energy and renewable electricity, thanks to the installation of solar panels.
“Dear Mrs. De Caro, we are very pleased to announce that you won the Relais & Châteaux photo contest Delicious Journeys, in the category Travel.” – Philippe Gombert, President of Relais & Châteaux (photobelow)
The large garden with its heated pool under palm trees is the ideal spot to relax and unwind.
Suites
The Superior Suites in the main building are spacious, comprising 52 square meters. They are stylishly furnished in neutral and natural tones with modern furniture, African artworks, and loving attention to detail.
All suites have balconies, and most of them offer a view of the garden and pool.
You can prepare yourself a delicious cup of coffee or tea, and the mini bar is lavishly stocked.
The bathroom is spacious with double vanity, a shower, and a bathtub.
The Deluxe Suites, 45 square meters in size are located separately in another building in the garden. The AtholPlace Villa is located directly next door to the hotel and can accommodate up to eight people.
Delicious Journeys
In one of the most popular restaurants in the city, delicious dishes with local and international flavors are served in a colorful, stylish atmosphere.
You can dine in the restaurant, on the open covered terrace or in the garden with great views overlooking the pool and the magnificent palm tree landscape.
Breakfast
Enjoying breakfast out in the open overlooking the pool is really great!
The selection of dishes is diverse and very delicious with fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juice, cereals, pancakes, and egg dishes made to order.
Dinner
In the evening you can enjoy some of the best South African cuisine on offer in a romantic ambiance.
The á la carte dinner menu, consisting of a choice of three starters, four main courses, and a few decadent desserts, changes regularly.
Chef Willy Malherbe spoils his guests with fresh ingredients from local suppliers, of which almost a third are organic. Thanks to sustainable fishing practices, nearly half of the fish products are certified by various labels.
Bar
The stylish bar is perfect for an aperitif or an after-dinner drink.
Wellness
The hotel doesn’t have its own spa. But you can order a variety of beauty and wellness treatments, and enjoy it in the privacy of your suite. Superb and so relaxing!
Animal welfare
Together with the Goodwill Foundation, AtholPlace is involved in different initiatives from ecological and social development to the prevention of poaching in natural parks.
Honeymoon
Honeymoon Special
Upgrade to a Superior Suite (depending on availability) when booking a Deluxe Suite
Romantic dinner for two
Tips
Shopping Rosebank Art and Craft Market – South African arts and crafts from all over Africa Rosebank Shopping Centre – famous shopping mall in Johannesburg Rosebank Sunday Market – arts and crafts by local artists Nelson Mandela Square– popular shopping center with cafes, restaurants and a statue of the infamous Nelson Mandela Melrose Arch – international, high street, open-air fashion experience with a 100 of the best retailers in the country Sandton City – largest shopping mall in Joburg and one of the largest in Africa Hyde Park Corner – upscale, high-end mall with countless luxury brands
Conclusion
AtholPlace is a tropical sanctuary in the middle of a city with more than a million inhabitants. It is the ideal place to relax and unwind and enjoy excellent food. The ambiance is relaxed, and it has an understated elegance with splendid views of the surrounding greenery! The suites are beautifully furnished and cozy. It is absolutely awesome for a stopover or a city trip. The location is superb, and the staff warm-hearted and very accommodating. We felt very much at home here!
Room: 5 Superior Suites (52 square meters), 4 Deluxe Suites (45 square meters) and The AtholPlace Villa (650 square meters) Transfer: About a 30-40 minute drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport (30 km) or a 15-minute ride with the Gautrain Metro to Sandton Station Air Temperature: Summer 10-35 °C. Winter 4-22 °C. Best Travel Time: All year round: April and May, as well as September, October, and November, are the most pleasant. The subtropical highland climate typically has hot summer days with thunderstorms in the afternoon and cool evenings (October until April), and dry and sunny winter days with colder nights (May to September). Flight duration: Nonstop from Frankfurt to Johannesburg in about 11 hours. Time difference: None Price: From 275 EUR per night, including breakfast in a Deluxe Suite. Mini-bar: All beverages are included. Special features: Quiet sanctuary in a beautiful area, stunning suites, nice pool, delicious gourmet cuisine Activities: Massage treatments in the comfort of your own suite (performed by an outside company), some of the best shopping and cultural attractions nearby. Special offers: Family offer: 40% off the second Deluxe Suite when booking two Deluxe Suites for a family with 2 adults and a maximum of 3 children under the age of 12. Day package: Use of a Deluxe Suite between 12:00 and 20:00. Airport transfer to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport and lunch or dinner in the restaurant (without drinks) and use of the hotel facilities, maximum 4 guests per suite, package cost : ZAR 7,300 (about 430 EUR for 2 guests, surcharge for lunch or dinner for maximum 2 additional guests: ZAR 600 per person. Perfect for: Couples, families, gourmets, and friends
Relais & Châteaux
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award – 2018
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award – 2018
Morukuru AtholPlace Hotel & Villa is part of the Morukuru Family – a collection of exclusive houses in the Madikwe Game Reserve and in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. www.morukuru.com
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Please note: AtholPlace Hotel & Villa sponsored our stay. Thank you! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own.
A luxurious, stylish safari lodge with spectacular wildlife encounters
We love the African bush: watching leopards with their cubs, early morning coffee in the bushveld, nyala antelope walking past the pool, sundowners, romantic campfire dinners and relaxing by the pool. What more could you wish for? And it’s especially beautiful here at Kings Camp!
Experience the charm and romance of a bygone era, spectacular wildlife sightings and marvel at the beautiful views of the African grasslands at this luxurious safari lodge with nine stylish safari-colonial suites.
The 60,000 hectare Timbavati Reserve, with its shady acacia and mopane trees, small lakes and the Nhlaralumi River, is breathtakingly beautiful – a piece of pristine Africa on the western border of the Kruger National Park. The reserve was established in the 1950s by a group of landowners who wanted to conserve the area, the fences adjacent to the Kruger National Park were removed in 1993, and now guests have the opportunity to experience wildlife at its best on an area of 2.2 million hectares. The Timbavati Nature Reserve is home to 40 mammal and 282 bird species. The animals can even walk through the camp so you cannot walk around alone at night.
You can splash around in the pool overlooking a busy waterhole, sip a cocktail in the open lounge or bar and enjoy the excellent food in a romantic setting in the restaurant. Thanks to the kind and dedicated staff you will be spoiled all around.
Joof Alberts bought, renovated and opened this eco-lodge for discerning clients in 1995. Since 1998, it has been managed by husband and wife team, Warren and Lisha Moore, as if it was their own. Thanks to them and their dedicated staff, many of whom have been there from the very beginning, they manage to create an atmosphere, where one really feels welcome and at home.
“The magic of the Timbavati bush is waiting…”
High up in a tree-house style lounge you can enjoy the silence of nature.
Honeymoon Suite
The large honeymoon suite has a huge verandah with sun loungers, seating area, and private pool, a large king-sized four-poster bed, an open plan lounge with a comfortable seating area and a stylish open-plan bathroom with free-standing bathtub, double basins, and indoor and outdoor showers. You have plenty of space to relax, switch off and let nature work its magic thanks to the two large double doors framing the majestic landscape.
Wild animals visited the small waterhole in front of our suite. We saw some beautiful nyalas that are also depicted in the paintings in the suite, hornbills, and squirrels.
The wonderful Patricia: such a kind-hearted soul and just one of the many wonderful staff members at the lodge. Almost everyone addresses you by your first name, a very personal and warm gesture that really makes you feel at home.
“Kings Camp cordially invites you to join the spirit of mandleve and to walk with us into an eden of the past in this pristine corner of unspoiled Africa.”
The dark wood, the warm colors, the beautiful paintings, the golden picture frames, the massive chandeliers, and many striking design elements give the suite a palatial and at the same time intimate feel.
There is a Nespresso coffee machine, delicious sherry and a generously filled mini-bar in the suite.
Waterbuck Private Camp
The Waterbuck Camp overlooks a dry riverbed, has four bedrooms and can sleep up to eight people. It has a pool and a vast garden. This private villa offers privacy and pure luxury!
The camp has its own private game vehicle, ranger, tracker, chef, and housekeeper.
Sunrise Safari
You have to get up early for the morning game drive. After a wake-up call, a fresh cup of coffee and a small snack in the library we left the lodge just before sunrise at 5:00 am (5:30 am in the winter). Actually, we were just hoping to see a few Impala antelope – but once again the safari gods smiled upon us, and we saw so much more!
Sunrise in the African bush is a fantastic experience and worth getting up early for. The animals are more active in the morning, so the chances of some rare animal sightings are better. Just remember to dress warmly, especially in winter.
How sweet and perfect are these young nyalas!
After listening to all sorts of beautiful birds, zebras, nyalas and loads of interesting information and stories from our ranger Neil, we made our first Big 5 sighting.
We found Ntumbi, a beautiful leopard lady, busy feasting on her freshly caught prey in a small embankment. Neil drove down the slope, and we had a fantastic view of the leopardess. The leopards here are used to the jeeps and therefore simply cannot be bothered by their presence.
Ntumbi even brought her prey up into a big mopane tree right next to us.
Just when we thought it could not get any better, Ntumbi’s 9-month-old boy appeared and lay down on the ground next to the jeep, watching us. What a breathtaking experience to be able to look such a magnificent creature directly in the eyes. Unforgettable!
In awe, we spent a small eternity watching the leopards. Luckily, there were not many jeeps driving around, so we had time to take in the moment. Brilliant!
Lazy and full, Ntumbi was just hanging in the beautiful mopane tree.
After this amazing experience, we had a small breakfast with fresh coffee and hot chocolate in a dry riverbed in the middle of the African bush.
Freshly brewed bush coffee with Amarula – there is hardly anything better!
On the way back to the camp we even discovered some rhinos – great that they are protected here!
At around 9:00 we happily returned to camp, having experienced a wealth of wildlife sightings and ready to enjoy a hearty breakfast at the restaurant. If you want to, you can go on a guided bush walk afterwards.
Restaurant
The spacious restaurant serves delicious, tasty meals by the log fire or on the large terrace overlooking the waterhole.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served buffet style. Scrumptious, warm egg dishes are made to order.
Lunch
After relaxing for a while in your exquisite villa or enjoying a spa treatment, lunch is served between 13:30 and 15:00 with a beautiful view of the bush and the possibility of seeing some wildlife.
Sunset Safari
After a cup of afternoon coffee or tea in the library, we went on our next safari in the afternoon at 16:00 (15:30 in the winter).
The excitement when leaving is always tangible; you never know what you might see this time round.
We saw many animals on our afternoon game drive: impalas, kudu, giraffes, buffalos, wildebeests, rhinos, leopards and elephants.
These little elephant bulls gave us quite a show – so sweet. Annoyed, they ran towards the vehicle, angrily threw branches around, then tried to hide and even struck an impressive pose – incredibly cute!
But when the elephant mom got impatient, our ranger wisely decided it was time to move on.
We also saw Ntumbi and her cub again in the same spot as earlier the morning, still nibbling on their prey.
With a little luck, you can also see lions, cheetahs, hyenas and larger antelope like roan, eland, and tsessebe.
Lady luck was on our side, as we spotted yet another leopard. In the beautiful light of the sunset, we watched Marula and her 4-month-old cub.
Nothing is more amazing than having sundowners in the bush. With a gin & tonic in hand and some South African snacks like Biltong, nuts and dried fruit, we enjoyed the sunset.
At about 7 pm we went back to the camp. There we were warmly welcomed with a small aperitif.
Bar
After a refreshing drink at the bar, once you have had the opportunity to freshen up in your villa, it was dinner time.
Dinner
In the private dining room with its stunning chandelier and romantic fireplace, sumptuous meals are served matched with iconic South African wines.
Dinner served by the open fire under the starry African sky is especially romantic.
This is how you imagine Africa! Heavenly!
Social commitment & animal conservation
Apart from animal conservation, Kings Camp also strives to help the surrounding communities in cultural, environmental and economic terms. The Timbavati Foundation supports local sustainability programs that involve 29 high schools and an ever-growing number of primary schools in the area.
Honeymoon & Wedding
Kings Camp offers a perfect and stylish bush setting for proposing, hosting a wedding with a colonial charm or enjoying a romantic honeymoon. Wedding ceremonies take place in the middle of the African wilderness in a dry riverbed.
Wedding ceremony in a dry riverbed in the heart of the bushveld
Local flowers of your choice for the bridal bouquet and the bridal table
Sparkling wine for the bridal couple
Single layer wedding cake with a topping of your choice
Local Shangaan dancers to perform at the ceremony or reception
Wedding turndown for the bridal couple
Gift for the bridal couple, courtesy of Kings Camp
Spa
In addition to a fitness room, there is also a beautiful spa. You can treat yourself to a relaxing massage or a regenerating beauty treatment at the spa or for ultimate privacy, in the comfort of your suite.
Conclusion
From the warm welcome to the farewell, we felt very much at home at Kings Camp. The suites are exquisite and offer loads of privacy. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and the staff incredibly kind. Thanks to our excellent guide Neil and his tracker Donald, we had amazing and unforgettable safaris and wildlife sightings. The lodge is truly a haven where you can experience the African bush in refined luxury. The ambiance is wonderfully relaxing! If you would like to enjoy a unique, extraordinary African bush experience, we highly recommend this lodge!
Room: Six Luxury Suites, one Family Suite and two Honeymoon Suites with Pool Flight: Flight nonstop from Frankfurt to Johannesburg in 10 and a half hours with South African Airways; the flight to Hoedspruit with SA Express takes about 50 minutes Transfer: from Hoedspruit about 1 hour drive to the lodge Air Temperature: 25 – 40 degrees Celsius in summer, 5 – 25 degrees Celsius in winter Time difference: none Best travel time: Summer is from September to April: it is very hot with high rainfall. Winter is from May to August: it does not rain, but it is considerably colder at night. Vaccinations: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A, rabies and hepatitis B (for long-term stays), adequate malaria precautions are advisable Price: From 620 EUR per person per night in a Luxury Suite.This fee includes all meals, tea & coffee, mini bar, game drives, all beverages (excluding premier wines), laundry service, wireless Internet access Note: Only children above the age of six are allowed Special offers: 8-Night Luxury Bush Trilogy from 6700 EUR per person including flights (3 Nights Madikwe Hills | 3 Nights Leopard Hills | 2 Nights Kings Camp) Specialties: Exciting safaris with great rangers, wonderful wildlife experiences also at the lodge, super-friendly staff, luxurious suites, delicious cuisine, extremely relaxing atmosphere Perfect for: Couples, adventurers, peace seekers, romantics, nature lovers, animal lovers, and families
The privately owned boutique hotel, Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa – a member of Relais & Châteaux, is situated on Paje Beach on the East coast of Zanzibar. The resort only has 11 villas. The beach is well-known as one of the top kitesurfing spots in the world, and from mid–December to the mid-March and mid-June to mid-September, it is a kitesurfer’s paradise.
The four-hectare beach resort also has two restaurants, a rooftop bar and lounge, and a modern watersport and kitesurfing center.
“A little paradise for enjoying a taste of carefree living”
Maître de Maison – Linda Le Dirach
Spa
The spa is set amidst the beautiful natural surroundings. A variety of body treatments and wellness therapies are offered. The treatments have a holistic approach to enhance wellbeing and relaxation. Therapists use local products made from natural ingredients such as seagrass, coconut, and spices. Next to the open treatment rooms and the outdoor fitness center, there is a sauna and a steam room.
Relaxing Massage
Relax your senses with a full body treatment using exquisite oil of rose, jasmine or lavender to calm your nervous system and leave you completely at peace.
Zanzibar Spice Massage Revive your skin’s natural health with this traditional oil based treatment. A holistic massage with Zanzibar spices and coconut oil is used to stimulate blood circulation and strengthen the immune system.
The therapists and the treatments were extraordinary – one of the best treatments we had on our trip to Zanzibar.
Pool
The huge pool is perfect for relaxation, and there is also a children’s pool.
Beach
On the 200 meter beachfront, you can relax on the beach beds, and watch the kitesurfers, or if you are brave enough, kitesurf yourself.
Villas
There are five beachfront one bedroom villas, five two bedroom family villas, and a five-bedroom presidential villa. With their traditional palm roofs and sun-bleached wood, they look like part of a rustic fishing village.
Beach Villa with one bedroom
Family villa with two bedrooms
The villas are set on 1500 square meter plots in a fabulous tropical garden.The double story villas each have a pool, two bedrooms and a lounge with a dining area.
WE BELIEVE THAT SPACE IS LUXURY.
Each villa has two bathrooms, one is an indoor rain shower, and the other one is a spectacular outdoor bathroom with freestanding bathtub and a shower.
Deluxe Room with Shared Pool
The two bedrooms in the family villa, are also individually rented as deluxe bedrooms. The pool and the lounge can then be shared. The beautiful outdoor bathroom can be used by both parties or by appointment during the day.
A lovely fruit basket awaited us on arrival.
The rooms are spacious and modern in design and decorated in neutral tones. The terrace has a rustic ambiance and is furnished with a hammock and sun loungers.
When booking, you cannot choose whether you would like to stay up- or downstairs, but you can express your wishes. Each has its advantages. Upstairs offers magnificent views, and downstairs you have direct access to the pool.
Beach Restaurant
The Beach Restaurant serves fresh local fish and vegetables cultivated in the organic garden.
Sundowners
On top of the restaurant, there is a bar and a rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the lake.
Doors to Zanzibar
The main restaurant serves dishes with typical Zanzibari flavors. The fresh fruit and vegetables are from the organic garden, and other ingredients are freshly bought from local traders.
Breakfast
Shop Next to the spa, there is a small shop with a collection of stunning local products like spices, jam, honey, clothes, and these great Masai necklaces.
Sustainability
The resort has its own desalination plant, a wind turbine, an organic fruit and vegetable garden, and a solar heating system. The local population is supported through and trained at the carpentry workshop. All the hotel furniture is also handmade here.
Honeymoon Special
one hour massage per person
bottle of wine upon arrival
romantic dinner setup and floral arrangement in room
(The offer is valid within 1 year of wedding. Minimum stay: 4 nights.)
Conclusion
For kitesurfers, this hotel is an oasis. The beach is picture perfect, but only has limited use for bathing. The spa is really excellent and well worth a visit. For couples, we would recommend the villas on the beach as they offer more privacy.
Room: 11 villas: five beach villas, five family villas, and a presidential villa Flight duration:About 11 hours nonstop from Germany to Zanzibar with Condor, or about 15 hours with Emirates via Dubai Transfer: 45 km from the airport away, about a 60-minute drive. We can highly recommend Bamanga Style as a driver and guide. Vaccinations: Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever. Without these vaccinations, entry into the country is not allowed. Air Temperature: 22 – 32 degrees Celsius Water Temperature: 24 – 27 degrees Celsius Time difference: CET +2 hours Best Travel Time: December and January are hot and dry; July to September is mostly dry with moderate temperatures; March to May is the rainy season, but short rain showers are also possible at other times. Price: From 318 EUR per night (Cinnamon Double Room) including breakfast Special offers: 20% low season discount (01.04.2019 – 14.04.2019 and 24.04.2019 – 30.06.2019); every 5th night free; Children under 16 years stay free of charge Activities: Relaxation, kitesurfing, sunset cruises, spa treatments, snorkeling trips Special features: lovely villas, nice outdoor bathrooms, excellent spa Perfect for: Water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, couples, families and sun seekers
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Note:Our stay was partially sponsored by Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa.Thank you so much!Nevertheless,the opinions expressed in this article are as always, 100% our own!
This small secluded piece of paradise, comprising only two private villas, Villa Lisa and Villa Tatu, is located in the north of Zanzibar on Fukuchani beach. Each villa can accommodate up to 12 people and has its own pool.
Your dream of owning a villa on the beach can come true, even if only for a few nights. The service is excellent, there are many great extras, and the staff is caring, ensuring that guests are well taken care of! Perfect for honeymooners, friends,and families!
Hannes, originally from Austria, is the manager. He has leased the villas from a friend and fulfilled his lifelong dream of living in Zanzibar. With his team of local employees, he now tries to fulfill every wish of his guests, before they can even express them.
Milele Villas makes a substantial contribution to the lives of the local people and the environment. The eco-villas rely entirelyon solar energy and rainwater is used for the pools, showers, andtoilets. The villas are a vitalsource of income for the staff and the surrounding farmers and traders. In the future, the villas should become completely self-sufficient, by only using renewable energy resources and all food will be bought from the local farmers and fishermen.
Private Beach Villa
VILLA LISA
This spacious villa, in typical African style, is hidden behind a magnificently blooming Bougainvillea and palm trees, in an 1800 square meter garden. Comprising 350 square meters, you will find a twin and two double rooms on the ground floor and an open Africa lounge with 2 double beds and a sunset deck, upstairs. All the rooms have fans, mosquito nets, and private bathrooms. You have fantastic sea views from everywhere!
The large garden surrounding the villas is filled with indigenous trees, shrubs, bushes, andeven Baobab trees. The natural surroundings not only create a magical atmosphere, but a living space for African bird and butterfly species.
Due to the tides, there are only a few hours when you can swim in the ocean, but luckily there also is the pool!
You can eat, when and where you would like to. The service is excellent!
Mohammed always found us a beautiful spot for breakfast and dinner, even if it meant moving the tables around.
The fresh fruit (mangos, bananas, pineapples, papayas, and coconuts) either comes from the fruit trees in the garden, or from the local farmers. It is grown without the use of chemical substances or pesticides.
In the afternoon you can relax on the terrace by the pool with afternoon tea.
We had the entire villa to ourselves and could literally choose where we wanted to sleep every night.
The villas are cozy and furnished in typical Zanzibar style with unique furniture made out of old dhows (fishing boats).
There are no air conditioners, but the villa is naturally refreshed by the gentle breeze from the ocean.
From the sunset deck with its sofa on the top floor, you have mesmerizing views over the landscape and the ocean.
There are also two more beds with a bathroom in this impressive open space area.
With the walkie talkie app on the villa’s mobile phone, you can comfortably order snacks and drinks.
It is especially romantic in the evening. After a beautiful sunset, you can enjoy a three-course meal on the jetty in the water or on the sandy beach. Dinner is served every evening in an incredibly romantic atmosphere with so much attention to detail.
For Christmas, there was a fantastic BBQ with buffet, just for the two villas!
The food is sourced locally, and all the fish and seafood is bought from the local fish market. With the use of local spices, delicious dishes are served.
Private Beach Villa
VILLA TATU
“Tatu” means three in Swahili. Aptly named, because the 330 square meter villa consists of three areas: two triple rooms, two double rooms, anda lounge. On the roof terrace, you can relax wonderfully while admiring the beautiful view of the Indian Ocean.
Beach
During ebb tide, you can watch the local women collecting seaweed and marine animals such as octopus, red snapper, sea bream, and kingfish.
At sunset, the boats go out to catch tuna, mackerel and other big game fish.
Massage
In the “Full Experience” price a Swedish massage is included. For the massage, a massage bed is specially set-up in the beautiful surroundings. Flora was our lovely massage therapist. With the sounds of the ocean and the birds in the background, we were able to relax completely.
Shop
Activities
Just around the corner from the villas, fisherman Haji Silima has a small zoo – the Fukuchani Aquarium & Zoo. He wants to support the local community with the proceeds from it.
In the zoo, you can see indigenous animals like turtles, fish, chameleons, dik-dik, different butterflies and bush babies.
In Zanzibar you can also go snorkeling or diving, just relax or go on a tour. There are tours to Jozani Forest, Sunset Cruises, a Stone Town and a Spice Tour. Nungwi Beach is a mere 15 kilometers away. Here you can find lots of restaurants and watch the local fishermen.
Tipps
Eco & Culture Tours Sansibar – Tours fostering a better understanding of the local cultural, social and environmental issues
The Zanzibari – Boutique Hotel in Nungwi with 11 villas Mapito Tented Camp – unadorned luxury in the bush with 13 tents in the Serengeti
Dhow Furniture – unique furniture made from the traditional dhows
Conclusion
We spent Christmas here and could not have chosen a more romantic place. It is perfect for a romantic getaway and relaxation by the ocean. Muhammad even serenaded us with “Merry Christmas.” Hannes and his team, lovingly take care of their guests and offer excellent service! The villas, each with its pool, are a dream. We love the open-air design in the African style. Whether as a couple or as part of a larger group, here you find a unique and idyllic hideaway, secluded from mass tourism.
Rooms: two villas (Lisa and Tatu) Flight duration: about 11 hours nonstop from Germany to Zanzibar with Condor, about 15 hours with Emirates via Dubai Transfer: 45 km from the airport, about a 60-minute drive. We can highly recommend Bamanga Style asa driver and guide. Vaccinations: Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever Air Temperature: 22 – 32 degrees Celsius Water Temperature: 24 – 27 degrees Celsius Time difference: CET +2 hours Best Travel time: December and January arehot and dry; July to September is mostly dry; March to May is the rainyseason. Short rain showers are also possible at other times. Price: From 555 EUR for 2 nights including breakfast. A minimum stay of two nights applies. Special offers: 20% low season discount (01.04.2019 – 14.04.2019 and 24.04.2019 – 30.06.2019); every 5th night free; Children under 16 years stay free of charge Activities: Relaxation, swimming, diving, excursions, sunset cruises, small zoo around the corner Special features: absolute peace and quiet, beautiful tropical garden, incredible pool villas, excellent service, delicious food, supporting locals, eco-tourism Perfect for: Romantics, nature lovers, couples, honeymooners, families
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Please note:Our stay (less discount) was self-financed! Thank you, Milele Villas, for the discounted rate! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article is 100% our own!
Zanzibar is a gorgeous island in East Africa, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Tanzania. The natural surroundings are beautiful, and you encounter many wild animals like monkeys, bush babies, turtles, and dolphins.
Dolphins are immensely fascinating beings, they have always captivated me. I have already had the privilege to swim with these majestic creatures in Mauritius and Kenya. There we were quite lucky to see them. In Zanzibar, the chance of encountering them are much higher. Even on the way back from a snorkeling trip, we saw some. This time, however, I could hear them, and I am convinced, call them! It was an unforgettable experience!
East Africa Diving
We went on a snorkeling trip from Zuri Zanzibar with East Africa Diving. That we ended up swimming with dolphins, was an absolute coincidence. Usually, everybody goes to the south to see dolphins. Our tour started in the north and went to the Mnemba Atoll. We were actually already on the way back when a few divers spotted the dolphins.
Immediately, we were told: “Put your snorkeling gear on, and get into the water!”
I was so excited that I struggled to put my mask on and got into the water relatively late and the dolphins were already far off. The divers were lucky and got into the water much quicker. Thanks to the calm waters, I could hear their whistling crystal clear. So, everyone got back onto the boat, (it is not that easy to get on to a rubber duck) and followed the dolphins, but once again, they were much faster.
I was adamant about seeing them! Everybody was making their way back onto the boat, but I stayed in the water, floating in the vast ocean. At a distance, I could see their fins. Luckily, it took some time for everybody to get onto the boat, so I had time on my side. I tried to call them, as I have seen them do in the Maldives, by whistling. There I was, alone in the ocean, whistling and whistling, when suddenly their fins came closer into sight. They really came back.
The whole school of dolphins, about 40 of them, came at me, and slowly swam around me! And they even made different sounds, almost as if they were purring. This was extraordinary! I will never forget these 25 seconds.
But, let me start at the beginning…
Ally picked us up by boat early in the morning from ZuriZanzibar and dropped us off at the diving school.
East Africa Diving is located on Nungwi beach in the north of Zanzibar and is led by the South African Delene. She is assisted by a great team of Zanzibar captains, International PADI instructors, and PADI divemasters.
Wild cows obviously also feel very much at home on the beach.
After putting on our diving and snorkeling gear, off, we went on the 8 meters long “Zodiac” out to sea in the direction of Mnemba Atoll.
Divers have the chance to explore the coral reef to its full extent here.
There is also plenty to see for snorkelers. Although we must say, we did find it better in the south. The coral reefs there are healthier and much more bustling with sea life.
And then we were so lucky to encounter the dolphins on our way back. Ally said, that out of seven days he usually encounters them on five. So the probability of seeing some dolphins is quite high!
Blue Safari & Dolphin Cruise with Locals
Most dolphins can be found around Kizimkazi, in the south of Zanzibar. As you have to leave quite early for the dolphin cruise, it is ideal to also stay in the area.
A perfect starting point for a Blue or water safari, and a dolphin cruise is the Eco Dolphin Safari Lodge. The accommodation is basic but cozy, and the prices are low!
The locals pick you up early in the morning with a fishing boat. After a quick stop to collect the snorkeling gear at Kizimkazi fishing village, we made our way to Pungume Island, passing numerous fishing boats on our way.
The snorkeling here is fantastic. I have not seen such a well-preserved and colorful reef in a long time. There is a myriad of fish in the pristine reef. The perfect snorkeling spot!
After about an hour to an hour and a half’s snorkeling, we went to a deserted sandbank.
There we had some time for swimming and relaxation while the captains prepared a delicious BBQ.
There were fresh fish, lobster, Chapati, an East African grilled bread, with homemade dip. Yummy! And honestly, it was the best lobster we had on our entire Zanzibar trip. Freshly grilled by the locals, it was the best by far!
Our trip was organized by Astrid from the Dolphin Safari Lodge. But quite often one of the locals will walk along the beach and advertise these tours. These guys are really nice and will go the extra mile to make your trip a memorable one. And of course, they have the opportunity to make some money. In comparison to the offers at the hotel, you can get them at half price when booking directly with one of the locals. If you prefer to play it safe, booking through Astrid is reliable and good value for money.
We had a great day with Rama and his team! Thank you so much! Actually, we planned a dolphin cruise with them for the next day, but the sun is quite harsh, and we were sunburnt after spending a whole day on the boat. So, we thought it best to take a break from the sun.
Dolphin Safari Lodge
Dolphin Safari Lodge has a pool, five bungalows and safari style tented accommodation, with basic bathrooms. These tents have unbeatable ocean views. There are also five Bandas beautifully set in the natural surroundings close to the water. The location is absolutely fantastic, the local food is delicious, and the owners, their five dogs, and the Masai are lovely. The prices at this simplistic eco-lodge are unbeatable!
Promised Land Lodge
Directly adjacent to the Dolphin Safari Lodge is the Promised Land Lodge. We went for a walk through the lodge. It has a reggae feel, a pool, and 16 rooms. The garden is fantastic, the location is superb, and everything is well looked after.
The Residence Zanzibar – Dolphin Cruise
The Residence Zanzibar (Our Review >>) is also in the south of Zanzibar and an ideal location for dolphin cruises and snorkeling trips.
With a guide and a captain, we went out to sea early in the morning. Mostly, these tours start very early in the morning, but you also have the chance to see dolphins later during the day.
Thanks to our excellent guides and also to the communication with other guides, we were once again lucky and also encountered dolphins on this trip.
All of a sudden, they were there! Now, we just had to wait for the right moment to jump into the water. Dolphins are fast. But with lady luck on your side, they might swim right by you! Exhilarating!
Info
East Africa Diving
Snorkeling Tour: $ 60 per person from Zuri Zanzibar Beach
Nungwi Zanzibar 0000, Tanzania,www.east-africa-diving.com
Dolphin Safari Lodge
Price: from 50 EUR / night including breakfast
Blue Safari: $ 45 per person, including lunch
Dolphin Cruise: $ 25 per person
Kizimkazi Dimbani, Tanzania, Phone: +255 774 007 360 www.dolphin-safari-lodge.com
Blue Safari & Dolphin Cruise with the locals
Blue Safari: $ 60 per person, including lunch
Dolphin Cruise: $ 35 per person
Sunset Cruise: $ 80 per person including soft drinks and fruits
Our local guide: Rama +255 774 114 525
Transportation: To get from A to B on Zanzibar, we can highly recommend our driver Bamanga style! Very reliable and such a nice person!
Phone: +255 773 392 959, Facebook: Bamanga Style
Note: Naturally, many tourists would like to swim with the dolphins because it is such a great experience. But too many boats are not a good thing. It is already a borderline scenario. The welfare of the animals and their natural habitat should be respected, as is the case in Mauritius. If you happen to come across dolphins by chance, it is even more spectacular, and of course, then you are alone with them. You really have to be lucky, but it can happen!
Have loads of fun!
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Please note: The Blue Safari with Locals and the trip with East Africa Diving, we financed ourselves.Our Dolphin Cruise at The Residence Zanzibar was sponsored. Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions voiced in this article are 100% our own!
Romance, Monkeys & Dolphins at a Luxurious Beach Resort
Monkeys climb and jump around in the trees, while bright yellow birds build their nests in the palm trees and in the turquoise blue ocean you can meet dozens of dolphins. The Residence Zanzibar is an absolute paradise for humans and animals alike.
Located directly on a beautiful kilometer-long beach in the south of Zanzibar, the resort is set, in the middle of a 32-hectare lush, tropical garden.
Zanzibar is about 40 km off the east coast of Tanzania. With its palm-fringed white sandy beaches, warm-hearted people, quaint fishing villages, fragrant spice plantations, colorful markets, monkeys, dolphins and bush babies, it is a fabulous paradise in the Indian Ocean.
All 66 villas have their own pool with garden or sea views and offer a lot of privacy. You might even see a cute, small Elephant shrew scurry by and watch the monkeys climb onto the umbrella and to take a peek inside the villa.
Zanzibar has a lot of monkeys. The Red Colobus monkeys are endemic to Zanzibar. They were saved from extinction thanks to the efforts at the national park, Jozani Forest. However, these red monkeys leave the forest that is 27 km away and comfortably climb the trees at the resort. And the cheeky Black monkeys or White-throated monkeys, seem to be just as at home here.
Interview with Bruce Bowan … the passionate General Manager of the Resort
“Our biggest asset is our people and I as a general manager I´m very proud of our team!” – Bruce Bowan
Karibu /Welcome
The elegant design of the luxurious 5-star resort is inspired by African, Omani, British and Indian influences. Everything blends in beautifully with the tropical garden and the natural surroundings.
The hospitality is typically African – loving and warm.
The monkeys sometimes even make themselves at home on the armchairs in the lobby.
Happiness comes in Waves
The beach at the resort is swept every morning. It is bright, white and miles long. The bathtub-warm water of the ocean is crystal clear and perfect for swimming at high tide.
Life is cool by the Pool
For relaxation and during low tide, the huge infinity pool beckons.
The sand may brush off.
The salt may wash away.
The tans may fade.
But the memories will last forever!!
In the afternoon, ice-cream is served as a refreshing snack at the pool.
The glass front overlooking the sea is quite spectacular!
Pool Villa Hideaway
Luxury Garden Pool Villa
The 155 square meter villas are traditionally furnished and offer plenty of space and luxury with a separate living room and bedroom.
The lounge decks have wicker armchairs and loungers overlooking the private pool and nature. Of course, a sea view is unbeatable, but even this hidden location in the tropical garden has its charm.
The king-sized covered bed ensures a deep, peaceful sleep – even with open doors. Fantastic!
One morning, the monkeys woke us. They also wanted to have a look at the villa. When they did not find any food, they decided to move on.
If you prefer privacy, you can enjoy every meal on your terrace.
With great attention to detail, the lovely employees take care of the villa and sometimes surprised us with a bouquet of flowers, flower petals on the bed or in the bathtub. Employees like Marseline, are the heart and soul of the resort!
The bright, spacious bathroom has chic double basins, a freestanding bathtub, a separate shower and private garden with outdoor shower. Here the small weaver birds bustle about.
From the bathtub, one can observe the small, bright, yellow birds building their nests. So cute to watch.
Ocean Front Pool Villas
The beautiful beachfront villas are situated right on the beach and offer breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean from every room. Pure romance!
Each villa has bicycles that one can use to explore the resort with.
While exploring, you might come across a few monkeys. And be warned, they are quite inquisitive. One jumped onto my leg, and the cheeky little bugger showed me its bum. Funny!
Good Food is Good Mood
The Dining Room
The Dining Room serves Indian, Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine with a traditional Zanzibar twist.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here with wonderful views of the beach and the sea.
The breakfast selection is extensive with fresh juices, freshly prepared egg and hot dishes!
Almost all the hotel staff in Zanzibar, come from mainland Tanzania. Together with Mr. Shams, they take care of the physical well-being of their guests with a lot of dedication.
With a little luck, the monkeys also enjoy breakfast in the trees right by the restaurant. The red fruits or sugar sachets at the tables are very tempting.
And even at the main restaurant, the weaver birds are very busy building their intricate nests. One really is surrounded by animals everywhere.
The Dining Room Bar
The quaint bar is right next to the pool and is perfect for a refreshing drink by the pool or at sunset.
The bartenders are passionate about making colorful cocktails and snacks.
Jetty Sundowner
Sundowners on the jetty with canapés and delicious wine is especially romantic. You can relax and enjoy the incredible ocean view.
Dinner is served as a themed buffet or a set menu, and the selection is very diverse.
At the Indian buffet, the chef himself can sometimes be seen at the oven preparing delicious naan bread.
The food is delicious, and every evening another exciting meal awaited us.
Roasted Duck Breast
Sweet Potato Purée & Crispy Vegetable Mango Chutney with Star anise
Entertainment in the evening is also taken care of. These three “flowery” singers, for example, always ensure that there is a great mood at dinner on Thursdays.
Beach BBQ
With dinner on the beach, all the guests can enjoy a delicious BBQ accompanied by live music with their feet in the sand.
The Pavillion
On some evenings, you can choose between The Dining Room and The Pavillon. In this somewhat remote restaurant, Mediterranean and dishes from the Middle East are served, with a touch of oriental culture and traditional music.
Keep calm and Spa on
The Spa, led by the Indian Spa Manager, has six spacious treatment pavilions, a large whirlpool, a sauna and a steam room. A variety of relaxing and beautifying treatments from the UK spa brand ila are offered. Indian Ayurveda treatments will be added soon.
Ila means “earth” in Sanskrit. Natural plant and mineral ingredients ensure well-being, healing and relaxation.
The relaxation massage is excellent and highly recommended. The charming and experienced therapists genuinely understand their craft.
After the massage, you can relax in the large whirlpool.
Activities
Yoga, tennis, cycling, fitness center activities, kayaking, paddle boat hire, Hobie cat sailing and snorkeling are included. Kite surfing, deep sea fishing, dolphin safaris, dhow cruises and scuba diving are available at an additional cost.
Yoga One can always join a yoga class at the new yoga pavilion amidst the natural surroundings at the spa in the afternoon. It is conducted by the Spa Manager himself and is a marvelous balancing experience.
Kids Club Children from 4 years old can visit the resort. The Smiling Monkey Kids Club has a daily changing, exciting program just for them.
Cooking class
The cooking class is really cool. With Abduly and a lot of fun and simple ingredients we learned how to cook a delicious fish curry with spinach and ugali (similar to polenta). Delicious!
Dolphin Cruise
Of course, the ultimate highlight is a boat tour with the chance to see some dolphins and even swim with them. Most boats in Zanzibar, go out to sea very early, but you still have the opportunity to find dolphins later in the day. And then there are fewer boats around.
Thanks to our excellent guides, we were lucky! When you find dolphins, you wait for the right moment and jump into the water! The dolphins are skilled swimmers, but for a few moments you can swim with them, observe them under water and sometimes even hear them.
Blue Safari For snorkeling, you should take a trip to Pungume Island. The reef there is still pristine, and there are tons of beautiful, colorful fish. Add lunch on the beach, and you have a winning combination, a perfect day on the beach and in the sea.
Spice Tour A Spice Tour, to the spice plantations, is a must. You also get to know the country and its people a bit better.
We visited the ZITO Spice Farm. So interesting!
In addition to nutmeg, pepper and the lipstick fruit, there is much to discover. You should also use the opportunity to buy some spices and take them home. You will not get them any fresher than here!
Mr. Butterfly (watch video) is already a bit of a celebrity. With ease, he climbs the highest palm trees and even sings while doing so. And he sings very well indeed!
With a lot of passion, unique things are made from palm leaves for the visitors. Impressive!
Jozani Forest
At Jozani Forest, the chance to see monkeys is about 50%. At The Residence, it is nearly 100%. We really saw monkeys every day. The Jozani Forest and the mangroves are still worth a visit.
Honeymoon & Wedding
The Residence is the ideal spot if you are looking for some romance. The possibilities for romantic dinners on the beach are endless.
Honeymoon Special Honeymooners get 25% discount and an exotic fruit bowl, beach bag, a local pareo “Kitenge”, and a romantic dinner during their stay. A minimum stay of four nights applies, and the special is valid up to 9 months after the wedding.
Conclusion
We felt very much at home at The Residence Zanzibar! The variety of animals makes it utterly unique – almost as if you were in the wilderness! Going for a leisurely ride on the bikes through the resort, taking a refreshing dip in your own pool or enjoying the sunset at the enormous infinity pool – extremely relaxing and very romantic! With great attention to detail, no effort is spared to ensure that guests have a memorable stay. The location, directly on the beach and the proximity to the dolphins, is perfect. And the endearing employees are the icing on the cake, they make your holiday unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Room: 66 pool villas with sea or garden views (one or two bedrooms) Flight duration: about 11 hours nonstop from Germany to Zanzibar with Condor, about 15 hours with Emirates via Dubai Transfer: 58 km from the airport, about an hour and fifteen-minute drive, we can highly recommend Bamanga style as a driver and guide Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Yellow fever (we were not checked, but without it, entry is not possible) Air Temperature:22 – 32 degrees Celsius Water Temperature: 24 – 27 degrees Celsius Time difference: CET +2 hours Best travel time: December and January are hot and dry;July to September is mostly dry with pleasant temperatures; March to May is rain season; Short rain showers are possible at other times. Price: from 575 EUR / night including half board in the Luxury Garden Villa Special offers: 25% discount from 4 nights (bookable 15 days in advance) including half board Activities: Dolphin Cruise, Cooking Class, Spice Tour, Yoga, Water Sports and much more Highlights: Superb pool villas with loads of privacy, chance to meet monkeys, dolphins and beautiful snorkeling areas are close by, dedicated staff, delicious food, beautiful infinity pool Perfect for: Romantics, Nature lovers, Animal lovers, Couples, Honeymooners, Families
Top 25 Hotels, Africa – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2019
Top 25 Luxury Hotels, Africa – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2019
Top 25 Hotels for Service, Africa – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2019
Top 10 Hotels, Tansania – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2019
Top 10 Luxury Hotels, Tansania – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2019
Top 10 Hotels for Service, Tansania – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2019
Zanzibar’s Leading Resort – World Travel Awards 2016
Top 10 Hotels for Romance, Tanzania – TripAdvisor Traveller Choice 2014
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Note:Our stay was sponsored by The Residence Zanzibar.Thank you so much!Nevertheless,the opinions expressed in this article are as always, 100% our own!
Lush tropical gardens, one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast, spacious, colonial-style suites – The Residence Mauritius is a romantic beach paradise, reminiscent of a bygone era, but where the spirit of Mauritius lives on today. It opened its doors in 1998 and with its classic, plantation style design, it has a sense of nostalgia, blended with modern, elegant design.
TURN BACK THE SANDS OF TIME
You already get to experience the warm-heartedness of the staff when you arrive at reception. The vast lobby is majestic and impressive. The design is inspired by the plantation houses that stood on the estates of the sugar barons at the turn of the century around the 1900s.
The 5-star resort belongs to the Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts – a Residence Collection. It is well known for creating warm hospitality and relaxing environments within its independent luxury hotels in some of the most desirable locations in the world while reflecting the charm of the particular country. So far, the collection includes five luxury hotels in Tunisia, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Maldives and Bintan.
Mauritius – untouchedbeaches,ancientjunglesandrugged cliffs,bluelagoonsandmajesticvolcanoes.Countlesscultureswiththeir colorfulstories have become intertwined with the astonishing natural beauty of the island, to tell the story of its magnificenthistory.
At The Residence Mauritius you can enjoy delicious Creole cuisine in three restaurants, relax at the large pool, participate in the many activities on offer or spoil yourself in the Ylang-Ylang fragrant Sanctuary Spa.
Pool
The big lagoon-style pool with jacuzzi offers plenty of pace with a great view of the turquoise blue sea.
Reserving sunbeds is pointless. If they are not used for a while, you can just pick up your stuff at the concierge. Brilliant!
Beach
The beach is endless. You can go for a leisurely stroll, swim, ride and of course, just relax.
All the beaches in Mauritius are open to the public are, so you can also chat to some of the locals.
Rooms & Suites
The 135 rooms and 28 suites of The Residence all have private balconies or terraces with magnificent views of the tropical surroundings or the Indian Ocean.
Colonial Ocean Front Suite
We stayed in a great suite with a fantastic ocean view. The suites radiate the romantic atmosphere of a bygone era with luxurious marble bathrooms, beautiful carpets, big sliding doors, vertical blinds and grand, colonial wooden furniture. The attention to detail is evident in every corner.
The Residence was the first hotel on the island to introduce a butler service and it is reminiscent of the service in the grand, colonial houses of yesteryear. It is always a bit awkward at first but having someone do the unpacking and packing for you, is such a spoil.
The luxurious marble bathroom with built-in wardrobe, nostalgic dressing table, bath and shower together with the large mirrors has a historical and modern effect at the same time. It has nostalgic fittings, candles, many useful items and even talc powder (for perspiration, I was told). All kinds of extras that add to that certain something.
For some romantic time, you can even have a bath prepared with different bath additives, for example, Frangipani. They also add a bath time snack!
example, Frangipani. They also add a bath time snack!
We always love to sleep with open doors! There are almost no mosquitoes in Mauritius and the bed has a mosquito net so we could sleep peacefully with the doors wide open!
Restaurants
Breakfast | The Dining Room
The lavish breakfast with western and local specialties is served the open-plan main restaurant The DiningRoom overlooking the pool, and the ocean. It is marvelous to have breakfast here in the fresh air in the morning.
Lunch | The Verandah
Lunch is served in The Verandah restaurant. You can enjoy everything, from light snacks, salad, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches to down to ice cream, either in the restaurant or directly at the pool.
Afternoon Tea & Cocktails | The Bar
Colonial style is synonymous with afternoon tea. You can enjoy these sweet delicacies in the comfortable armchairs and sofas in The Bar. In the evening, you can have a yummy cocktail and listen to some live music.
Dinner & Lunch | The Plantation
We found the restaurant, The Plantation, at the other end of the beach stunning. It has open plan design and fantastic views of the sea.
Tip: On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday there is a great pop-up bar right on the beach in front the restaurant. Unfortunately, when we were there, a cyclone passed over the island.
The Plantation serves fresh fish dishes and Creole cuisine. Really tasty!
In the evening, it is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. For special events, they even set-up romantic lantern-lit tables on the beach. They often host special themed dinners with live music, for example, “Lobster Night.”
Dinner | The Dining Room
After a delicious local rum, beer or cocktail, you can enjoy a variety of international and local dishes with Mauritian spices in a romantic atmosphere at the main restaurant in the evening. Buffet and menu options are available.
At the weekend we were so lucky to experience a great Sega dance show. It was extraordinary! Afterwards, there was an incredible live band!
Spa
The magnificent “The Sanctuary Spa” with its Zen style design provides pampering and therapeutic spa rituals and treatments inspired by the French luxury brand, CARITA.
The spa has eight treatment rooms and a treatment pavilion on the beach.
The treatments by the experienced therapists are tailored to your personal needs tailored and wonderfully relaxing. Here you get to experience your own, private Zen moment. The signature massage with fragrant Ylang-Ylang oil was extremely relaxing.
Activities
If you prefer to be more active, there are three tennis courts and a fitness center. Other activities on offer: Windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, paddling, kayaks, Hobie cats, water skiing, catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing, glass bottom boat rides and scuba diving with the PADI- diving center.
Catamaran Cruise
We can highly recommend the Catamaran day trip. After a chilled cruise to a waterfall, listening to some House music, snorkeling on the reef and lunch on board, we could relax on the beautiful Île aux Cerfs island. In the late afternoon, we made our way back to the hotel.
Unfortunately, as almost everywhere on earth, the beautiful coral reefs have almost been completely destroyed. Our movie tip:Chasing Coral – simultaneously tremendous and frightening!
The Île aux Cerfs seems very crowded at first – like we have never seen before. But if you walk a little further (merely go left and wade through the water), you get away from the crowds and discover one of the most beautiful spots on earth
Horse riding
Naturally, the endless beach is perfect for riding.
Honeymoon & Wedding
“The Residence” is also the perfect place to get married! The ceremony can either take place on the beach, in the tropical garden or in case of bad weather, in The Dining Room. The hotel staff goes out of their way to ensure the day is as perfect as possible and they do so with a lot of love! Quite often the pool boys will be the musicians and the kitchen girls the dancers!
Honeymoon Special 50% discount for honeymooners, for couples celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary and after that, every consecutive 5th anniversary. Additionally, a bottle of Champagne, a catamaran cruise, a fruit basket, a beach bag, a pareo and a T-shirt. This offer is valid for up to 9 months after the wedding date. A meal surcharge for the bride applies. Can only be combined with the Early Bird discount. Children can stay with their parents. Wedding anniversaries: valid up to one month before or after the respective anniversary date.
Wedding proposal – Arrangement “Iceland Dreams Proposal”
(from 380 EUR per couple)
Two glasses of sparkling house wine, chocolate dipped fruits and a celebration cake, 90-minute Ylang-Ylang couples massage, followed by a complimentary 30-minute hammam session, a romantic three-course meal for two (excluding beverages) on the beach overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Wedding proposal -Arrangement “Love’s Enchantment Proposal”
(from 530 EUR per couple )
Welcome canapes and a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a bouquet of exotic tropical flowers, 90-minute Ylang-Ylang spa massage followed by a complimentary 30-minute hammam session, two glasses of sparkling wine, chocolate dipped fruits and oysters post spa, a delicious afternoon tea in The Bar, a romantic three-course meal (excluding beverages) on the beach and an exclusive chocolate cake
CONCLUSION
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Residence and not only because we love the colonial style. Whether you are in your beautiful suite, at the pool or on the beach – you just feel at home everywhere. The sea is wonderful for swimming. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and the atmosphere relaxing, the ambiance romantic and the service loving and attentive. The employees do everything with so much love to ensure your holiday is just perfect. The small extras and loving attention to detail are exceptional. The Residence is everything you could wish for and more!
Room: 135 rooms and 28 suites Flight duration: Nonstop from Germany (Frankfurt) with Condor in approximately 11 hours Transfer: 48 km from Mauritius Airport, about a 50-minute taxi drive Taxi: We can highly recommend Dany (Tel. Nr.: +230 5946-2899) Vaccinations: Not necessary Air Temperature: 15-36 degrees Celsius Water Temperature: 23-30 degrees Celsius Best Travel time: Summer: April – May & September – November. Wet: December – April Winter: May – November (cooler and drier). Mauritius has a tropical climate with year-round heat. Thanks to the south-east trade winds, it never is too humid. Time difference: CET + 4 hours Price: From 243 EUR per night including breakfast and a 30-minute massage Romance highlight: Romantic dinner in “The Plantation” restaurant Special features: Great design, attentive, friendly service, loving details, beautiful suites, fantastic beach, great food Resort Credit Special: from 5 nights 100 EUR Resort Credit per stay Repeat Special: Repeat guests receive a complimentary lunch every day, a bottle of rum, 15% discount on spa treatments, 10% discount on beverages/minibar and at the shops Golf Special: From 7 nights one complimentary green fee per stay at the golf course Perfect for: honeymooners, couples, people seeking peace and quiet, romantics, nature lovers, families and water sports enthusiasts
Top 10 hotels for romance in Mauritius – TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2016
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
13th best hotel in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean – Condé Nast Traveller Reader’s Travel Awards 2009
World Travel Awards – Mauritius’ Leading Resort 2005
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Please Note: Our stay was sponsored by The Residence Mauritius. Our heartfelt thanks! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!
You can not only swim in the sea along the beautiful coast of Kenya, but also go diving and snorkelling.
Pilli Pipa offers full-day snorkelling trips at the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve with the chance of seeing some dolphins! So, of course we had to go along!
Pilli Pipa is a small family-owned business run by Selina and Harm Lutjeboer. It was founded in 1989 and some employees have been there ever since. They have a lot of experience, safety is of great importance to them and the number of guests is limited to ensure a personal service.
A driver from Pilli Pipa picked us up from The Sands at Chale Island at 06:45 in the morning. They will fetch you from any hotel at Diani beach.
From the pier in Shimoni, you then go to the boat – a chic Arabian dhow – with a sun roof.
We were lucky enough to have some dolphins swim with us!
In the protected coral reefs of Kisite Marine Park, you can discover up to 360 fish species, sea turtles and whales and with a bit of luck some dolphins might even snorkel close by, because they are so curious.
Pilli Pipa strictly adheres to the Code of Conduct to ensure that the dolphins are not hunted, disturbed or stressed in any way.
And how lucky we were!
Even as we came closer to the Marine Park, we saw a few dolphins. They even stayed with us when we got off the boat, so we could quite calmly observe them from the water. What a great experience! Even just to see dolphins nearby, is already very special! But to be this close to them, was truly spectacular!
After a few minutes we left them in peace and swam to the reef. There was still so much more to experience, for example, sea turtles.
Snorkelling is more my thing… So I was very glad when Mohammed, one of the crew members, did the diving on my behalf and took some really great pictures and videos with my camera.
We spent a lot of time in the water and could explore the underwater world extensively.
We then went on to another reef with a sandbank. Once again, there was so much to discover and we had plenty of time to do so.
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With us on board were the captain and four other crew members.
You can even snorkel here as a complete beginner, because you are supervised by one of the crew members the whole time. And anyone that would like to learn to dive, this is the ideal chance to try it out!
Lunch
Afterwards we enjoyed a mouth-watering 3-course lunch in Selina and Harm’s private home on Wasini Island. We were spoiled with crab, red snapper, coconut rice, sweet potatoes and many other tasty dishes.
I enjoyed the roasted seaweed most! Wine, beer and juice were on offer.
At the end of the meal, you could enjoy dessert with coffee or tea in the Day Dreamer’s Lounge with a view of the water.
If you feel like it, you can visit the caves where slaves were once captured, after the snorkelling trip.
What a great and eventful day! Dolphins are such beautiful animals!
We were back in the hotel at about 19:00.
Conclusion
The tour is really worth it. To see some dolphins, luck has to be on your side, but there are also plenty of great fish to see! The boat was not too crowded and the crew was always looking for interesting fish to show us. The whole team was very nice and took great care of us all. And we did notice that they really respect the welfare of the animals! Lunch was also really delicious! So, it does not matter whether you want to dive or snorkel, we highly recommend this tour!
Information
Snorkelling tour (full day): USD 135 (lunch with wine, beer and soft drinks, equipment, marine park fees, transportation, snacks and soft drinks on the boat included) Price list
Important! Do not forget your sun cream! (I underestimated the sun and felt it afterwards.)
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Hinweis:Pilli Pipa sponsored our great dolphin safari. Thank you so much! Nonetheless, the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, absolutely 100% our own! The tour was organized by Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board). A heartfelt thank you!!
After we went to Namibia last year and to South Africa in April, we finally got to visit Africa again – this time we went to Kenya. We have wanted to go there for a long time! The combination of beach and safari is really awesome!
And we are off to the coast. The flight to the Kenyan coast only takes 8 and a half hours. We flew non-stop over night with Condor from Frankfurt to Mombasa. You land very early and also depart early again, but actually that is good, because otherwise you would probably be stuck in traffic.
At the airport we were picked up punctually by a driver from D.M.Tours. Driving on your own in Kenya is not recommended. Sections of road are rather undeveloped and the Kenyans are not exactly considerate drivers. With your own driver you can sit back, relax and start your holiday.
After an approximately 2 hour drive we reached the pier to Chale Island (about 12 km south of Diani Beach).
At low tide you will be picked up here with the tractor and at high tide with the boat, of course.
After a short crossing (600 m) we were finally there – on the only island and one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in Kenya, the 4 star hotel resort, The Sands at Chale Island.
We were heartily welcomed with a warm “Karibu” – the Swahili word for welcome!
Interview with Richard Glaser
We met with Richard Glaser the manager of The Sands at Nomad & Chale Island! Richard has been living in this beautiful country with his wife Claudia and 2 sons for 10 years. He loves Kenya above all else. Let him tell you why.
“Once you are infected with the Africa virus, you have to come back here again and again” – Richard Glaser, GM The Sands
(Photo: The Sands at Chale Island)
Chale Beach
Right next to reception is the beautiful powdery white sandy beach, the Indian Ocean and one of the most beautiful beaches in Kenya. Depending on the tides you can snorkel, swim or relax on the sun beds with a delicious cocktail or “Tusker” beer (a well-known beer brand in Kenya).
The water temperature is at least 26° Celsius – that is almost bathtub warm!
There are no beach boys on this private beach, but wood carvers, who offer beautiful sculptures and carvings.
As you are in the east of Kenya, you can watch the beautiful sunrise from here. If you want to see the sunset, you should stay in one of the Overwater Suites on the other side of the island.
“Talking to each other means loving one another.” -from Kenya
What we particularly love about Africa are its friendly people! From the beginning to the end of our trip we met such lovely people. And the staff on Chale Island was sweet, friendly, open and very accommodating. We had a lot of fun with them!
Pool
The hotel has 3 swimming pools. The central pool has a large jacuzzi and is very warm. Unfortunately, it is only open until 19:00, but you can enjoy it until sunset.
Another pool with pool bar is located between the Towers, right at the ocean.
A third salt water pool with direct access to the ocean can be found on the other side of the island – at the spa and fitness center.
Rooms and Suites
The accommodation is environmentally friendly and buildings are constructed from natural Kenyan materials such as wood and bamboo. The accommodation facilities are spread out through the island and offer a lot of privacy! There are the standard and superior Bandas, the Towers with double rooms and penthouse suites, the Overwater Suites and the Suite on the Rocks. The suites are just perfect for honeymooners!
For the sake of the environment, electricity is only available in the rooms from 6pm until 10am with the exception of the Penthouse and Overwater Suites as well as the Suite on the Rocks. If you want to recharge something, you are welcome to do so at the front desk. The safe is also located there.
All rooms have sea views, air conditioning, fans, showers and a terrace or balcony. The interesting mix of Swahili style, Italian stucco, antique Lamu and mahogany furniture is very cozy.
The Bandas
The comfy Bandas have palm-thatched roofs, a private front garden, a veranda with sun beds, a Swahili day bed and great views of the ocean, the beach, the lagoon, the channel or the mangroves. The superior bandas also have large glass doors and outdoor showers.
The Towers
There are 40 double rooms and 2 penthouse suites in the two towers. The standard semi-circular rooms have large balconies each with a Swahili day bed.
The penthouse suites are located above the tree tops at the top of the towers. They have a separate living room, a water dispenser, a minibar, a huge balcony, a lounge on the 2nd floor and a jacuzzi on the roof with a 270 degree sea view.
We stayed in one of these beautiful penthouse suites – in the North Tower.
The large balcony with its breathtaking view is a real dream!
The rooms and the bathroom are decorated in warm African colors with gorgeous materials. Very comfortable!
The highlight is the rooftop jacuzzi with its beautiful view!
Overwater Suiten
The Overwater Suites are unique in Kenya. They are secluded and located on the northwest of the island and have beautiful views of the ocean, Bird Island, Gazi Bay and fantastic sunsets. They have large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and an additional living room. On the veranda they also have a jacuzzi, sun beds, a day bed and a ladder that leads directly into the sea. You really have peace and quiet here and can spend some wonderful romantic moments.
Suite on the Rocks
A very special suite is located directly on the beach on a small separate islet and is connected to the main island by a stone bridge.
Rainwater can flow through a hole in the roof directly into a miniature garden in the center of the suite and a circular staircase leads to the upper lounge. A special highlight is the jacuzzi on the reef with a sun terrace with sun beds and a Swahili day bed for relaxing.
Culinary highlights
Buffet restaurant The hotel offers meals on half board, full board and all inclusive basis. In the evening, delicious themed buffets are served with Oriental, Mediterranean and traditional Kenyan cuisine.
Highly recommended are the live grill stations with the catch of the day in the evening or eggs in the morning. The food is very delicious and diverse! Our tip: At the back of the restaurant, behind the live stations, there are more tables and couches.
Bars Snacks, afternoon tea and of course, drinks are offered at the main bar “Chapateria” at reception. The “Galana” pool bar is located at the pool between the towers.
Maisha Poa Spa
The “Maisha Poa” (Swahili: good life) Spa is located in the middle of the island, surrounded by beautiful nature. The semi-open treatment houses are spread out over the tidal lake in the middle of the mangrove forest.
We enjoyed an excellent aromatherapy massage! Massages in Africa are very special indeed and definitely not to be missed!
Thanks to our therapists, Amon and Dorcas, we were able to relax completely. Spa Menu
Shops
Souvenirs, sun cream! And all things nice can be found in the two shops between the main pool and the two towers.
Forest Walk
During the Forest Walk with Erick you can explore the sacred forest (Kaya) and visit another beach. When the inhabitants of the local communities are worried, they come into the forest to pray, for example, for rain. When their prayers have been answered, they come back and happily celebrate with a beach barbecue.
On our way, we met two boys who just grilled their freshly caught blowfish for lunch.
Honeymoon & Wedding
This island is the perfect place for a honeymoon or dream wedding right on the beach with the Indian Ocean in the background! If you like, you can also get married in complete privacy on the Suite on the Rocks’ veranda.
Wedding Package
Document service, marriage certificate, wedding fees, wedding officer, decoration for the ceremony, room flowers, bridal bouquet and corsage, wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, manicure and pedicure for the bride, partner massage for the bride and groom (all for € 1900)
(Minimum stay requirements: 3 nights in Bandas or Suites, valid for up to 6 months after the wedding.
We were lucky enough to witness a beach wedding. For the celebration, tables were set up on the beach and lanterns and fairy lights enhanced the romantic atmosphere. Wonderful – by day and at night!
The ceremony on the beach, with the sounds of the ocean in the background, singers and floral decoration, incredibly beautiful and so romantic!
It was so sweet – the hotel staff was also curious and watched the whole ceremony hidden behind a tree!
Romantic dinner on the beach With romantic lanterns and your toes in the sand, you can sit back and relax while being served a delicious 4-course menu.
Water sports & more
For the more energetic, the diving and water sports center “Diving the Crab” offers a variety of water sports such as snorkeling, glass bottom boat trips, kayaking, windsurfing, deep sea fishing, catamaran sailing and diving (PADI/SSI). With some luck between November and February, you can even watch whale sharks. Diving the Crab Price list
At reception, there is a notice board with a new list of activities every day, such as the Forest Walk with Erick, a snorkeling course in the pool, snorkeling tours, yoga and much more. You should also make sure you do not miss the Giriama dance group’s performance!
Conclusion
We found it incredibly magnificent on this dream island with its extremely beautiful natural surroundings, the great beach and the warm hearted staff. They made our stay here unforgettable.Due to the fact that the rooms/bandas are spread out, it never seems full and there are many romantic and hidden corners. I do not think we have even discovered everything in our 3 days. And then there is also the wonderful climate – the same as in the Seychelles! Fantastic and highly recommended!
Rooms: 60 rooms (Double rooms in the Towers, Bandas, Penthouse Suites, Overwater Suites, Suite on the Rocks) Transfer: About 2 hours from Mombasa airport. Our tip: D.M.Tours Check-in / Check-out: 12:00 / 10:00 Air Temperature: 20 – 32.5° Celsius Water Temperature: 26 – 29° Celsius Malaria: Malaria risk area. Ensure that you take the necessary malaria prophylaxis (Malarone) Vaccinations: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B; Yellow fever when entering neighboring countries such as Tanzania more info Best time to visit: Year round; High season is from June – September, October – February are the hottest, March – May are the rainiest months and there might still be some rain in November. Flight duration: With Condor nonstop from Frankfurt to Mombasa in 8 and a half hours Time difference: 2 hours (1 hour in summer) Price: Double Rooms in The Towers: from € 134- /night incl. HB; Bandas: from € 218- /night incl. HB; Penthouse: from € 482-/night incl. HB; Overwater Suites: from € 534/night incl. HB; Suite on the Rocks: from € 666-/night incl. HB. Special features: private island with private beach and lots of privacy, cozy rooms, great service, great food Perfect for: couples, families, nature lovers, beach lovers, weddings and honeymoons
The Sands at Chale Island
Diani Beach Road
Diani Beach, Kenya
Telefon:+254 728 333310
info@thesandsatchaleisland.com www.thesandsatchaleisland.com
Certificate of Excellence Winner 2014, 2016 – TripAdvisor
The 5-star sister hotel, The Sands at Nomad, is located just half an hour away – right on Diani Beach and not far from the Ukunda Airstrip. These two hotels can be combined perfectly during a round trip. (Our review >>)
For us, however, the journey went on to the Ukunda Airstrip. A driver from DM Tours picked us up again on time for our flight to the Masai Mara. (Mara Bush Camp Review >>)
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Note: During our stay we were supported by The Sands at Chale Island und D.M.Tours. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in this article is nonetheless 100% our own! This journey was organized by Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board). A heartfelt thank you!
Rugged landscapes, amazing views, gourmet food, whale watching or even swimming with sharks
After our visit to the Cape Winelands we reached the small village of De Kelders, 160 km southeast of Cape Town. This small village is quietly situated between Stanford and Gansbaai and right on the coast. Here you can escape hectic city life and just enjoy the tranquillity.
The coast between De Kelders and Hermanus is a whale watcher’s paradise. Here you will find up to 80 Southern Right Whales (15-20m long) giving birth in the bay from June to early December with the best whale watching time being in October and November. Both these towns have received Best Whale Watching Site awards from UNESCO.
Anyone that is seeking adventure and would like to dive with white sharks, is exactly in the right place when in Gansbaai. The waters around Dyer Island, about 12 km off the coast, are swarming with white sharks (8m long) like hardly any other place on earth, due to a large seal colony. Shark cage diving is just not our thing!
This small town is simply perfect to just go for a walk or hike, relax and unwind. You can walk for hours along the ocean and let your eyes wander over the splendid landscape. It is very safe here and nothing is fenced in.
Sea Star Lodge
The chic Sea Star Lodge, formerly a private home, is the first of 3 hotels in the Sea Star Collection by German emigrant and owner Ardi Hasenohrl. Sea Star Rocks in Cape Town and Sea Star Cliff, about a kilometre down the road, is also part of the Sea Star Collection.
This cozy 5-star Guest House or B & B, is located directly on the coast of Walker Bay. You have stunning views of the Atlantic coast from everywhere. When the fog floats over the ocean in the morning, it is absolutely beautiful!
Manager Clarissa took great care of us. She always spoiled us with a delicious glass of wine and some nice conversation and gave us tips for trips and dinner.
On the upper floor you will find the lounge with a sofa, fireplace, bookshelves, breakfast table and the kitchen. You simply feel right at home. On a lower floor level there is a small pool and a sauna.
Now manager Candice, along with the rest of the team, which also includes the 2 dogs Mulan and Max, takes care of the guests.
Breakfast
Breakfast is varied, delicious and everything you could wish for. You can also order hot egg dishes, which are then prepared with love.
Rooms
Rooftop Room
This stylish Rooftop Room has a 35 square meter roof terrace and a great bathroom with glorious views. You could watch the whales from your bathtub, when you are here at the right time of year. There also is a 32″ LCD TV, a Blu Ray DVD player, a Nespresso coffee machine and of course a delicious bottle of Sea Star wine.
Owners Suite
You almost feel like in an apartment when you are in the 85 square meter Owners Suite.
Apart from the great view, there also is a dining table with a fireplace, a huge couch, a king-size bed, a Jacuzzi bathtub, a walk-in closet, a Nespresso coffee machine and a full HD projector with a large screen. The DVDs can be found in a number of drawers in the lounge.
Interview with the owner Ardi Hasenohrl
We spoke with Ardi, the very nice owner of the 3 houses in the Sea Star Collection. You quite simply feel just how much he loves this country and his 3 hotels.
Sea Star Cliff
This luxurious and stylish lodge provides guesthouse accommodation and is situated almost right on the cliffs and offers stunning views of the Atlantic coast. It was opened by Ardi Hasenohrl as the 2nd hotel in the Sea Star Collection. In the tastefully decorated, very modern rooms you can sleep under the stars and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view from your bed or the bathtub.
Some days cooking is also done in the Sea Star Cliff – personally by the managers Elzette and Jean! Both are chefs and also cook in the restaurant Springfontein.
Sea Star Lodge guests can also come and eat here. We enjoyed a very delicious 4-course meal with matching wines and that for only 37 EUR per person!
Tips for Dinner
Blue Goose Restaurant Chic and extremely good fish and grill restaurant. A 3-course meal including wine for 2 people costs only about 32 EUR. 12 Franken St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa,www.facebook.com/Blue-Goose
Coffee on the Rocks (open until 17:00)
Cosy cafe right on the coast overlooking the whales. 81 Cliff St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa, www.coffee-on-the-rocks.com
Pop-Up-Restaurant Niel Stemmet Anyone that stays at one of the Sea Star hotels, can also go to dinner at the private restaurant of interior designer and chef, Niel Stemmet! Definitely not be missed! www.dekeldersprivateretreat.com
Springfontein (open for dinner Wed – Sat)
Award-winning cuisine on a wine farm with fresh home grown ingredients and a touch of molecular gastronomy. www.springfontein.co.za
Honeymoon & Marriage proposals
De Kelders is a very romantic place and the Sea Star Guest Houses provide everything so that you can spend beautiful and romantic moments here as a couple. Owner Ardi always tries to offer his guests something very special. There are many unusual locations for marriage proposals here. As such Ardi for example, once organized a helicopter tour for a German couple. When they flew over the beach, there was a huge heart drawn in the sand by his staff. The “groom-to-be” took the ring out of his pocket and asked his sweetheart to marry him. Everyone was of course, very happy!
For honeymooners, there is also 10% discount, a bottle of sparkling wine and rose petals in the room and bathtub. Romantic picnics on the beach, special spa massages, candlelight dinners etc. are also available on request.
Tips for Trips
Walker Bay Nature Reserve The perfect place to soak up the sea breeze and go hiking. Tip: As a guest staying at one of the Sea Star hotels, admission is free. Just mention it at the barrier.
Hermanus The small town of Hermanus is just half an hour’s drive away and is perfect for whale watching (at the right time) and for shopping.
Horse Riding mit Bertie We took a beautiful ride on the beach with Bertie, but you can also go riding in the mountains. Riding from 18 EUR per hour. Bookings for beginners and advanced riders can be made telephonically at 079 1958463.
Masakhane Township Tour with Vuyi Our tip to get to know the lives of the locals better. Vuyi, one of the staff members at Sea Star Lodge, took us into her township and showed us where she lives. We tried home-brewed beer and the trip gave us a lot of insight. Unemployment is widespread here. Mostly the people here are from the poorer Eastern Cape and the rest of the family still resides there. We learned about the fates of many parents that see their children very seldom. They can often only find work in faraway places and then send money home for their children’s education. The standard of living is constantly being improved by the government, but it is still a completely different life all together.
A new preschool is currently being built in the township. Thanks to a sponsor, a part of the preschool children’s meals is also covered.
African Seabird and Penguin Sanctuary Founded in 2006, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, tries to protect and preserve the fragile marine ecosystem. An important part of their work and research is the protection of the breeding and calving grounds of the Southern Right Whale as well as the protection of endangered species such as the African Penguin and the Great White Shark. Injured and sick birds and penguins are nursed back to health in the sanctuary and then released back into the wild.
Shark Cage Diving /Marine Dynamic Shark Tours (Winner – African Responsible Tourism Award – Best Wildlife Conservation) 5 Geelbek St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa, www.sharkwatchsa.com
Tip: When booking through the Sea Star hotels, you also get a bottle of wine
Conclusion
We felt right home in this wonderful guest house. Everything is very personal and the all-round service comes from the heart. It feels more like you are visiting friends, than staying at a hotel. Thanks to the guesthouse ambiance you also quickly get to know the other guests. And then the view really is priceless – and all at a great price! No wonder that there are so many regulars here. We will definitely come again – then of course, at the right time to also do some whale watching.
Rooms: 6 rooms at Sea Star Lodge and 9 rooms at Sea Star Cliff Transfer: About 2 hours by car (144 km) from Cape Town Airport Parking: Right in in front of the guest house Minibar: 1 bottle of wine from the Sea Star Collection included Air Temperature: 7 to 26˚ Celsius Best Season: All year round Time Difference: None Price: From EUR 98 per night in a double room including breakfast at Sea Star Lodge or 110 EUR at Sea Star Cliff Features: Stunning sea views | great quiet location | wonderful landscapes Honeymoon Special: 10% Discount, 1 bottle of sparkling wine, rose petals in the room and bathtub Perfect for: Couples, families, gourmets, people seeking peace and quiet, nature lovers, animal lovers, adventure seekers
Sea Star Lodge
19 Ingang St, Gansbaai, 7220
South Africa www.seastar.co.za
Top 10 | 5-Star Accommodation in Hermanus
Certificate of Excellence 2016 | Tripadvisor
Luxury Travel Guide | Global Awards 2016
Top Establishment | Best Value 2016
More tips for a romantic tour of South Africa can be found here.
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Note: During our stay we were partially supported by the Sea Star Lodge. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in this article are as always 100% our own!
Our trip was planned and organized by Silke Marshall Marketing Solutions. A heartfelt thank you! A visit to the Sea Star Lodge is part of the “Favourite Gourmet Self-Drive Journey”.
A Gourmet & Adventure Road Trip in Pictures with hotel, restaurant, adventure and travel tips
Stunning sunsets, gourmet food at its finest, the best wines, beautiful scenery, incredible starry skies, romantic candlelight and fireplaces – to us, this is pure romance and Africa! We fell in love with Africa on our Namibia trip last year and could finally visit the continent again this year. This time we went on a gourmet tour to South Africa. And South Africa is an insanely amazing country!
You can find some of the world’s best restaurants and wineries here as well as beautiful luxury hotels and lodges. There are so many good and inexpensive restaurants (see tips below) that you are spoiled for choice. To get as a good a meal in Germany, you have to go a star-rated restaurant and will then easily pay three times as much.
The South African Rand is currently at a record low. Of course that is bad for the locals! For us, as travelers, that however also means, a luxury holiday at competitive prices. And with so much romance, this country is of course perfect for your honeymoon or even a marriage proposal! Furthermore, South Africa is one of the most family-friendly and secure long haul destinations.
South Africa has beautiful beaches, rugged coastlines, deserts, endless dry savannahs, scrublands, rainforests, lagoons, wetlands, high plateaus, low and extremely high mountain ranges. As they say, the whole world in one country. And yes, this country in southern Africa is so incredibly diverse, that even after our trip, we still feel we have missed out on so much. One simply can experience and do so much here, that one holiday is hardly enough.
The climate on the Atlantic coast in the west is sometimes rough and not necessarily suitable for a beach holiday, as the water is just too cold. Nonetheless there are still a few hardy surfers and swimmers. To the east on the Indian Ocean the weather is mild with a Mediterranean climate and in the northeast it is tropical and hot.
The combination of modern big city life, European comfort and the originality of black continent Africa with its friendly people and unique flora and fauna is something really special.
If you want to enjoy the best gourmet food and delicious wines, exciting entertainment and great trips, the Western and Eastern Cape is the place to be! Those looking for wild Africa and even more romance, should definitely visit the Kruger Park. A combination of both, is of course, perfect!
We would like to give you some tips for your dream holiday or maybe even your honeymoon in South Africa. Apart from the hotels and restaurants where we were, we have even more tips from travelers we met along on the way!
21 days, 1120 km, 2 flights, 5 Hotels, 3 Lodges and 10 Safaris
We traveled to South Africa from mid-April to early May 2016. We experienced this time, it is autumn in South Africa, as very pleasant. Sure, there were a couple of rainy days, but otherwise the weather was nice and warm. It was also not that crowded in Cape Town. Where on usually waits three hours in line at Table Mountain during peak season, we simply walked through.
We started our trip in Camps Bay, Cape Town. From there we went to Paarl and Robertson, you should also not miss Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands and then to De Kelders on the rough (whale) coast. After that, we drove to Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth on the Garden Route. From Port Elizabeth we took a domestic flight to Hoedspruit and from there we went to the Kruger Park.
We visited beautiful hidden gems – great hotels, guest houses and lodges with lots of charm and that special something. And they all were unique in their own way.
Be inspired by our pictures and tips!
Cape Town/Camps Bay
Cape Town is definitely worth a visit or even better, several visits! We stayed 4 nights and feel that we have only seen a very small fraction of the city. In the absolute peak season, between Christmas and New Year, it is teeming with tourists. Even in the green season, from June to August, Cape Town is worth a visit. Then it is quiet, windless, mosquito and tourist free.
Exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world, also called “Mother City”, stays with you forever. The view of the 1086 m high Table Mountain on one side and the amazing view of the ocean on the other, is impressive. The city is an exciting mix of Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Florida and California.
Sea Five Boutique Hotel /Camps Bay
This luxury beach house with 7 suites, priced from 169 EUR per night, is centrally located on a quiet hillside of Camps Bay, one of South Africa’s most famous beaches. From here it is just 300 meters to the beach. The tasteful design, relaxing atmosphere and the great pool guarantees that holiday feeling from the first moment on. The rooms are very spacious and beautifully decorated. And such a fully stocked minibar inclusive in the price, is seldom seen! Our report>
5 Central Drive, Camps Bay 8005, Kapstadt, South Africa, www.seafive.co.za
Sea Star Rocks /Camps Bay
The very stylish Sea Star Collection hotel has 3 suites, priced from 182 EUR per night, and an overwhelming view of the ocean. The huge glass doors offer a wonderful panoramic view of Lion’s Head, Bakoven and Camps Bay beach. To have such a view is really pure luxury! But besides this, the hotel, with the huge paintings on the walls and bright yellow armchairs, is stylishly furnished. You can take a dip in the 18-meter infinity pool or relax in the hot tub. The very likeable managers Thekla and Clarissa takes great care of their guests. Our report>
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat /Cederberg Mountains
(Beautiful Lodge in the wilderness, No. 2 of the Top 25 Hotels in Africa , 140 miles north of Cape Town)
Agert Pakhuis Pass, Cederberg Mountains, Clanwilliam, 8135, South Africa, www.bushmanskloof.co.za
Restaurants We went to these restaurants ourselves, or they were highly recommended to us.
Codfathers /Camps Bay (visited by us)
(best seafood & sushi)
37 The Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa, www.codfather.co.za
The Hussar Grill /Camps Bay (visited by us)
(Delicious steak & great atmosphere)
108 Camps Bay Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa, www.hussargrill.co.za
Paranga /Camps Bay
(Trendy cuisine on the beach front)
Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa, www.paranga.co.za
The Round House /Camps Bay
(Fine dining with seasonal cuisine)
The Glen, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa www.theroundhouserestaurant.com
Umi Fusion /Camps Bay
(Modern Japanese cuisine with great views)
201 The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa www.umirestaurant.co.za
The Bungalow /Clifton
(International cuisine with spectacular views)
Glen Country Club, 3 Victoria Road (Old LA Med), Clifton, South Africa, www.thebungalow.co.za
Willoughby & Co /V&A Waterfront
(Very fine Japanese cuisine, sushi is the house specialty)
Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Breakwater Blvd, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, www.willoughbyandco.co.za
The Test Kitchen /Woodstock
(Africa’s best restaurant – 2016 World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards)
The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa, www.thetestkitchen.co.za
The Potluck Club /Woodstock
(Modern and world-renowned, many small plates to share) Silo Top Floor, The Old Biscuit Mill, 373-375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa, www.thepotluckclub.co.za
Myoga /Newlands
(Brilliant 7-course meal for only R365 per person) 60 Colinton Road, At the Vineyard Hotel and Spa, Newlands, 7700, South Africa, www.myoga.co.za
Wine Tasting – Eagle´s Nest /Constantia (visited by us)
(Award-winning wines with a delicious cheese platter in a warm atmosphere, separate white wine only tasting also available) Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa http://eaglesnestwines.com
Wine Tasting – Beau Constantia /Constantia Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa,www.beauconstantia.com
Tip: Both wineries are accessible on the City Sightseeing Bus (Wine Tour). Personally, we found Groot Constantia too big and a bit too touristy.
Table Mountain / Cape Town
(brilliant view from this city’s landmark, easily accessible by cable car or with rock climbing) www.tablemountain.net
Sundowners on Signal Hill / Cape Town
Locals gather here for a drink and to watch the beautiful sunset.
(Parking at the top of Kloof Nek Road or use the red City Sightseeing bus)
City Sightseeing Bus /Cape Town (used by us)
(Explore the city in a convenient and interesting way, also goes directly to Table Mountain) www.citysightseeing.co.za
Cape Peninsula Route /Cape Peninsula (visited by us)
(250 km long route via Camps Bay, Constantia and Kirstenbosch, Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, Simon’s Town, Cape Point to Chapman’s Peak Drive.)
Boulders Beach /Simon´s Town (visited by us)
(Home to a Jackass penguin colony – a bit touristy, but very cute)
Kleintuin Road, Sea Forth, Simon’s Town, South Africa, more info: www.capetown.travel
Cape Winelands
South Africa is famous for its fine wines. The vineyards in the Western Cape belong to UNESCO and include the 6 wine regions Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington. You can enjoy great wine tastings, wine tours and tasty food is also served at the countless wineries. The beautiful landscape is best explored during the South African winter, since everything is wonderfully green then. However, it can also rain every now and then.
Palmiet Valley Wine Estate /Paarl
This 300-year-old wine farm is located in the Paarl Valley, between countless vineyards and the Drakenstein mountains, a mere 40 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. The historic manor in the Cape Dutch style has a swimming pool and 13 rooms in 6 categories, priced from 75 EUR per night. Every room has a romantic four-poster bed and a great bathroom. The stylish and peaceful estate is especially popular with bridal couples. Weddings can take place in the cellar, the small chapel or in the open air. Up to 80 people can celebrate at a wedding to their heart’s content. The gourmet breakfast and the 3-course dinner are a real treat. (Our report follows)
Sonstraal Rd, Paarl, 7628, South Africa, www.palmietvalleyestate.co.za
Rosendal Winery and Wellness Retreat /Robertson
The romantic guest house with 8 rooms, priced from 64 EUR per night, can be reached from Cape Town via Route 62 in about 2 hours. Five of the bedrooms, the Spa Suites, are in the main house and have a great view of the infinity pool. Three rooms are located in the farm house and overlook the vineyards. The restaurant has a really gifted chef who conjures up very delicious gourmet food in the cozy restaurant. The Spa is also highly recommended, for example, for a Signature African Wood Massage. (Our report follows)
Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guest House /Franschhoek
(Nice guest house with 6 rooms) www.aka.co.za
Majeka House /Stellenbosch
(Luxury hotel with 20 extravagant rooms and spa) www.majekahouse.co.za
Restaurants
La Petite Ferme/Franschhoek
(Top 15, “Best Value” in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, very idyllic) Lambrechts Rd, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa, www.lapetiteferme.co.za
Bread & Wine at Moreson /Franschhoek
(For that special lunch at the top winery “Môreson”)
Moreson Farm, Happy Valley Road, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa www.moreson.co.za
The Tasting Room /Franschhoek
(Internationally acclaimed and highly creative cuisine at Le Quartier Français)
Wilhelmina St, Franschhoek, 7690, Südafrika, www.lqf.co.za/restaurants
Olive Tasting – Marbrin Farm /Robertson (visited by us)
(Very entertaining olive oil tasting on a fine, isolated farm, top quality)
Klaasvoogds East, Robertson, 6707, South Africa, www.marbrin.co.za
De Kelders | Gansbaai | Hermanus
These three cities are located about 170 kilometers southeast of Cape Town on the Walker Bay coast. Those who would like to dive with white sharks, is exactly in the right place when in Gansbaai. The waters around Dyer Island, about 12 km off the coast, are swarming with white sharks (8 m) like hardly any other place on earth, due to a large seal colony. Shark cage diving is just not our thing!
The coast between De Kelders and Hermanus is a whale watcher’s paradise from June to November every year, with the best time being in October and November. Then there are up to 80 Southern Right Whales (15-20 m) giving birth in the bay. Both towns have received Best Whale Watching Site awards from UNESCO.
Sea Star Lodge /De Kelders
This modern 5-star guest house is located in De Kelders on the coast of Walker Bay. You have a magnificent view of the Atlantic coast from the lounge and the 6 suites, priced from 91 EUR per night. We stayed in the Master Suite – which is almost as big as an apartment – and the Tree Top Room with a great bathroom and a terrace with uninterrupted ocean views! Manager Candice takes good care of the guests. Whoever feels like it, can go on a very interesting township tour with Vuyi, one of the staff members. Tip: If you stay here, you can occasionally go out for dinner to the private restaurant of interior designer Niel Stemmet or to the Sea Star Cliff. Very delicious! (Our report follows)
Sea Star Cliff /De Kelders (visited by us)
(Very stylish guest house directly on the Cape Whale Coast) www.seastarcliff.co.za/
De Kelders Private Retreat /De Kelders (visited by us)
(Guest rooms in the private house of the cool interior designer and chef Neil Stemmet www.dekeldersprivateretreat.com
Harbour House Hotel /Hermanus
(Beautiful rooms in a prominent position right on the coast) www.harbourhousehotel.co.za
Restaurants
Blue Goose Restaurant /Gansbaai (visited by us)
(Chic superb fish and grill restaurant) 12 Franken St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa,www.facebook.com/Blue-Goose
Coffee on the Rocks /De Kelders
(Cozy cafe and AirBnB accommodation, right on the coast and perfect for whale watching) 81 Cliff St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa, www.coffee-on-the-rocks.com
Adventure
Horse Riding mit Bertie /Gansbaai (visited by us)
(Beautiful rides on the beach or in the mountains for beginners and advanced riders, 1 hour from R350) Telephone: 079 1958463
Township Tour with Vuyi /Sea Star Lodge, De Kelders (visited by us)
(Interesting tour to get to know the lives of the local people a bit better)
Great White Shark Cage Diving /Gansbaai
(For the brave – should be great)
9 Kus Drive, Kleinbaai, Gansbaai, South Africa, 7220, www.sharkcagediving.co.za
Shopping
Lembu Gallery and Studio /Hermanus (visited by us)
(Handmade art, decorative items & fabrics – can also be ordered online)
167a Main Road, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa, www.lembu.net
Anza Curtains /Hermanus (visited by us)
(Nice shop for interior design & decoration)
151C Main Road, Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa, Facebook: Anza Curtains
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a very popular and fertile region along the Indian Ocean and the N2. It is situated between Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth. It is greener here than in the deserts landscapes to the north. There are numerous great beaches, beautiful lagoons, rugged cliffs, deep forests (Knysna), the Tsitsikamma National Park with the Storms River Mouth and many small, beautiful towns such as George, Wilderness and Oudtshoorn. For the more active, there is plenty to do: swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, biking, golfing, canoeing, abseiling or bungee jumping.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge & Villa /Plettenberg Bay
This cozy and romantic lodge, surrounded by nature and overlooking the Tsitsikamma mountains, is located 18 km from Plettenberg Bay. The 16 suites, priced from 190 EUR per night, all have a fireplace, a large bathroom with a corner bath, a minibar, a terrace with a wonderful view of the countryside and no TV. Highlight: the large glass doors in our room and in the bathroom can open completely. The fireplace was also another highlight! You can enjoy a good meal in the cozy restaurant or go for a swim in the pool. The Villa and the new Country House with pool can comfortable accommodate large families or up to 3 couples travelling. For animal encounters, you can visit Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, the Elephant Sanctuary and the Knysna Elephant Park. Or you can explore the countryside on horseback with Hog Hollow Horse Trails. (Our report follows)
Restaurant
Askop Road, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602, South Africa, www.hog-hollow.com
The Fat Fish /Plettenberg Bay (visited by us)
(Brilliant seafood & sushi)
Milkwood Centre, Hopwood St, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa www.thefatfish.co.za
HillsNek SafariCamp /Port Elizabeth
This family run safari lodge with full board and 4 tents, priced from 430 EUR per night, is located in a quiet corner of the Amakala Game Reserve. The tents are all connected by wooden walkways to the main lodge and they each have a great safari-style bathroom, a romantic outdoor shower, no TV (we always find this great!), a minibar and spectacular panoramic views over the landscape. With a little luck, you get to see wild animals on the game drives at 06:00 or at 16:00. The lodge is perfect for families, friends and couples. It is also very popular for marriage proposals. A romantic dinner at sunset on your own private terrace or in your tent offers the perfect setting for it. (Our report follows)
Plett Game Reserve /Plettenberg Bay
(Colonial style lodge with 10 rooms, safari on horseback included) www.plett-game-reserve.co.za
The Fernery Lodge & Chalets /Tsitsikamma
(6 suites & 11 chalets in the beautiful countryside with ocean views and a great restaurant) www.forestferns.co.za
Tsala Treetop Lodge /Plettenberg Bay
(Romantic luxury treehouse suites and villas + great restaurant “Zinzi”) www.tsala.com
Gorah Elephant Camp /Addo Elephant Park, nahe Port Elizabeth
(The only camp in the Addo Elephant Park with 11 tents in the chic colonial style) www.gorah.hunterhotels.com
Adventure
Tsitsikamma National Park /Garden Route National Park (visited by us)
(Hike to Storm’s River Bridge)
Garden Route National Park, 6308, South Africa, www.sanparks.org
Addo Elephant Nationalpark /Port Elizabeth
(Safari in your own car)
R335, Addo, 6105, South Africa,www.sanparks.org/parks/addo
Kruger National Park
The absolute highlight of our trip – the famous Kruger National Park. It is the largest wildlife sanctuary and the most exciting safari destination in South Africa. In summer, from November to April, it is hot with higher rainfall, but warm and dry in winter. Game drives and encounters with African wildlife are spectacular and unforgettable!
Makumu Game Lodge /Kruger Park
This exceptional luxury lodge is located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (60,000 hectares) – one of the largest private reserves in the country and part of the Kruger National Park. It offers total privacy, all-inclusive luxury and nature in abundance. Even the furnishings of the main house and 3 suites, priced from 454 EUR per night, is luxurious and individualistic. The Zulu, Ndebele and Bushman Suites are inspired by these South African tribes. Every detail was selected with great care. To create the perfect bush feeling, there is no power in the suites, but only candlelight. If you are lucky, a few elephants might even pass by the pool. The warm-hearted manager couple, Chris (ranger) and Janet, the ingenious cook Nelly and the whole team will make your stay unforgettable. The food is top notch and the safaris are absolutely spectacular! With luck (we are in the bush after all) we encountered the Big Five and of course lots of other wild animals. (Our report follows)
Garonga Safari Camp / Makalali Private Game Reserve
(Romantic camp with 12 tents, west of the Kruger Park) www.garonga.com
Further information
Best time
Spring and autumn are recommended in particular. When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in South Africa. Therefore Christmas and New Year are especially popular. During peak season, from November to February, Cape Town is very hot, windy, crowded, expensive and the roads are full. September and October are more ideal, the plants bloom, temperatures are bearable, it is the best time for whale watching, but it could be windy. Mid-January to mid-March is warm with lower rainfall. From the middle of May to early September it is cool with short, but heavy rain showers. There are also warmer days during this time period and the prices are lower.
Flights
You can fly nonstop with Condor from Frankfurt to Cape Town overnight in about 12 hours. Very comfortable! We can highly recommend the Premium Class. Obviously, it is more expensive, but so worthwhile! The 15 cm extra legroom are already really worth it – this way you will survive the night on the plane well. On top of that there is also a wellness set: extra-wide pillows, additional baggage allowance and a really good Premium menu! If you have the necessary small change, business class is of course, even more comfortable.
Pretty cool: Condor donates 0.60 EUR of each flight to the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP. Among others, a school to the value of 40,000 EUR has already been financed in Omuhonga, in the north of Namibia.
There is a great honeymoon special with South African Airways: 50% discount for the 2nd person, valid up until 6 months after the wedding date.
Rental Car
Just like in Namibia, we can again highly recommend Avis for South Africa. We arrived in De Kelders with a flat tire. And instead of just changing the tyre, they brought us a new car from Cape Town. And an even better one. This is what I call service!
We hope you have found a few cool tips here! Have a great trip! What are your tips for South Africa?
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Note: During our stay we were partially supported by all 8 hotels, guest houses and lodges. Thank you so much! Thanks to Condor for the upgrade! The opinions expressed in this article are as always 100% our own!
Our visit to the 8 hotels, guest houses and lodges was part of the “Favourite Gourmet Self-Drive Journey”. Planned and organized by Silke Marshall Marketing Solutions. A heartfelt thank you!!!
Luxurious Beach Style – only 300 meters from the beach
The first stop on our South Africa trip led us to the idyllic and stylish Sea Five Boutique Hotel. This stunning beach house with only 7 suites is centrally located on a quiet hillside of Camps Bay – one of South Africa’s most famous beaches. It is impressively nestled between Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the Atlantic coast.
The romantic and bright white boutique hotel blends great design, cozy furnishings and stylish décor in the beach look. When you enter the house, you feel right at home, almost like in your own beach house, rather than in a hotel. Due to the small number of rooms, you also quite often have the house all to yourself. And also very laid-back, room keys are simply left lying on a table in the lounge.
Overlooking Lion’s Head you can unwind at the poolside and enjoy a delicious cocktail.
The blend of chic Mediterranean and South African style comes from the top designer Francois Du Plessis and the Italian hotel manager Marco Castoldi.
You can have breakfast in the elegant lounge or directly at the pool. Everything you could wish for is there. Fresh juice, fruit, cheese, meat, cereals and warm egg dishes.
The hotel itself does not offer dinner, but there are enough restaurants nearby. (See tips below)
If you feel like it, afternoon tea is served at 5 o’clock with homemade cakes and biscuits.
The cheerful staff always created a good atmosphere. By the way, Elvis Kaya from Malawi is also a great painter! Those who would like to, can also directly acquire some of his very beautiful paintings.
The heart of every hotel is its staff and manager. We had some time to chat with Marco Castoldi, the friendly manager of the hotel.
Rooms
The hotel has 7 individually and warmly decorated suites. There are 2 Mountain Junior Suites, 2 Ocean View Suites, 1 Penthouse Master Suite and 2 Garden Rooms. All rooms have their own satellite TV, air conditioning, safe, mini bar, terrace and bathroom with underfloor heating.
Mountain Junior Suites
We stayed in one of the two stylish Mountain View Suites with views of Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles.
Feel-good atmosphere with bright natural colors, beautiful fabrics and plenty of space.
The mini bar is included and restocked every day. What a luxury!
Everything is superbly spacious and tastefully furnished.
Penthouse Master Suite
The penthouse suite occupies the entire top floor and has 4 terraces with spectacular panoramic views. It also has two bathrooms with underfloor heating, a spa bath, two additional single beds and a private lounge with dining table. It comfortably accommodates a family or 2 friendly couples. Children above the age of 8 are allowed.
Ocean View Suites
The Ocean View Suites have great views of the ocean and are also called the honeymoon suites.
Garden Rooms
The Garden Rooms are on the ground floor and have a quiet terrace in the garden of the hotel.
Beach Life
The beach and the vibrant beach promenade are only a short walk away. Camps Bay is a safe area. You can even walk freely at night here. And the parking attendants ensure safe parking. In exchange for a small tip, they will gladly watch your car.
The beach promenade somehow reminded us of the Ocean Drive in Miami. Prestigious cars, tons of restaurants and many athletes.
Unfortunately, we found the sea too cold for swimming. However, there are still many brave enough to take the plunge into the cold waters.
Looks a bit like in the Seychelles!
Camps Bay Beach
There are plenty of restaurants and bars that provide entertainment in the evening, or you can just go to the beach and enjoy the sunset!
Recommendations for dinner
Codfathers (Best Seafood & Sushi)
37 The Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa Telephone: 021 438 0782, www.codfather.co.za
The Hussar Grill (Best Steak)
108 Camps Bay Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Telephone: 021 – 438 0151, www.hussargrill.co.za
Paranga (Trendy cuisine at the beach)
Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Telephone: 021-438 0404, www.paranga.co.za
The Round House (Fine dining with seasonal cuisine)
The Glen, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Telephone: 021-438 4347; www.theroundhouserestaurant.com
Umi Fusion (Modern Japanese cuisine with great views)
201 The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Telephone: 021-437 1802, www.umirestaurant.co.za
The Bungalow (International cuisine with spectacular views)
Glen Country Club, 3 Victoria Road (Old LA Med), Clifton, South Africa
Telephone: 021-437 1802, www.thebungalow.co.za
You can start the evening with a delicious cocktail in a relaxed atmosphere at the pool.
Conclusion
The hotel is located in a quiet side street, yet only a stone’s throw away from the awesome Camps Bay Beach. The tasteful design and the relaxing atmosphere creates that holiday feeling from the first moment on. And then, the combination of beach with these huge mountains in the background, is really spectacular! We felt right at home here and can highly recommend this little oasis.
Rooms: 7 Suites Transfer: From the airport about 30 minutes by car Parking: In-house garage Minibar: non-alcoholic, alcoholic beverages and coffee and tea included Air Temperature: 7 – 29 degrees Celsius Water Temperature: 15-19 degrees Celsius When to visit: All year-round. November to February is peak season. A few more rainy days can be expected from May to September. Duration: A non-stop flight from Germany to Cape Town takes about 11 hours and 40 minutes (for example with Condor) Time difference: None Price: From 169 EUR per night including breakfast Features: Feel-good atmosphere | Great location | Great design Perfect for: Couples, families, gourmets, friends, beach lovers, city travelers
Sea Five Boutique Hotel
5 Central Drive
Camps Bay 8005
Cape Town
South Africa
Please note: Our stay was in part supported by Sea Five Boutique Hotel. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in this article are as always 100% our own.
Our trip was planned and organized by Silke Marshall Marketing Solutions. A heartfelt thank you! The visit to Sea Five Boutique Hotel was part of the “Favourite Gourmet Self-Drive Journey”.
Majestic nature, wildlife, wellness, luxury and maybe even your dream wedding in the bush
This luxurious, privately run lodge is located 29 km south east of Windhoek and about 75 km from the airport, making it the ideal beginning or even better, as in our case, the perfect ending to a memorable Namibia trip. GocheGanas is situated high on a hilltop with breathtaking beautiful views onto the awesome Namibian landscape. This luxurious lodge offers a unique combination of wildlife, nature and wellness experiences.
“GOCHEGANAS” means “place of camel thorns abounding with candle-pod Acacias” in the Damara language.
Elegant chalets
The lodge has sixteen spacious and elegantly designed chalets, each with an en-suite bathroom, private wooden terrace, air conditioning, TV, mini-bar and telephone. One definitely does not need the TV here, as the bush TV is much more interesting.
Ten of the chalets have double beds and a view protected outdoor shower, the other five chalets have superior king-size beds. There is also a family suite with two separate double rooms, which are connected by a spacious terrace.
The view is absolutely amazing in the morning! We would always love to see it.
Wellness Village
For total relaxation there is a great spa with eleven modern equipped treatment rooms, with state of the art equipment such as a heated indoor swimming pool with a masonry vault, an outdoor swimming pool with breathtaking views, a Granite Bath (cave sauna), Kneipp showers and a well equipped fitness gym, yoga facilities as well as a fruit and juice bar.
A large variety of wellness treatments are offered from facial and hair treatments, peelings and massages, pedicures, manicures and baths. For your massage experience you can choose from Marula Oil, Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Four Hands and Outdoor massages. GocheGanas truly offers an extensive wellness experience at an affordable price.
At the outdoor swimming pool you should also have your camera or binoculars ready to watch the giraffe, waterbuck and many other animals passing by.
Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended is the Outdoor massage. After all, who would expect, that when you are picked up in your bathrobe, you first have to get into a Jeep! We were a bit surprised. Once we arrived at a quiet spot, the massage tables were set up and ready was the small outdoor spa. How wonderful to be massaged in the wilderness, in a light breeze with birds chirping in the background.
There are such a variety of treatments on offer and more than enough treatment rooms and staff, that one can spontaneously decide to try a treatment. Besides the Outdoor massage, we also had hair treatments, pedicures and Indian Head massages. They were all done very professionally and were so relaxing.
There are 25 different wildlife species located on this private and beautiful 6,000 hectare nature reserve including square-lipped (white) rhinoceros, bat-eared foxes, giraffe, mountain- and plains zebra, cheetah, jackal, leopards, blue- and black wildebeest, eland, oryx, red hartebeest, kudu, springbok, waterbuck, steenbok, duiker, klipspringer, ostriches and warthogs.
Among the activities offered are hikes, guided or individually, game drives, mountain biking, again guided or individually, climbing tours, trips to Windhoek and star gazing under professional guidance.
For the protection of the animals, especially the square-lipped (white) rhinoceros, a Wildlife Welfare Program was launched. There are currently 6 rhinos that live in GocheGanas and 8 rhinos have already been bred and given to other national parks.
Game drive with guide Early in the morning or late in the afternoon you can explore the abundant wildlife with a game drive. Our drive with guide Mark, was really very interesting. Even though we had already experienced many game drives on our trip, we were still able to discover new animals and learn more.
At sunset we stopped for sundowner drinks and snacks.
Walking on your own It is so cool that you can walk around on your own here. You get a trail map and then you just follow the painted tracks (white paws and arrows). Such a tour then takes 1-2 hours and with a little luck, you may even get to see some of the many wild animals on your way.
Your physical well-being…
… is well taken care of! The lodge offers excellent gourmet cuisine. In the evening a 3-course meal is served and you can choose between 3 different main courses. Namibian, sometimes even European and vegetarian dishes are served. We always thought the food was delicious!
With a sundowner in the 360 ° bar you can end your day on a high note.
Honeymoon
In the seclusion of the lodge, with its great wellness program and the magnificent landscape, your honeymoon can only be fantastic. Unique sunsets, a sundowner cocktail at the bar or a romantic candlelight dinner under the stars – this is pure romance! Here you can really enjoy your time together as a couple.
Honeymoon-Special: Special turndown service, upgrade to a king-size bed chalet, candlelight dinner around the campfire, Crystal Bath with champagne in the spa
Weddings
One can also get married at GocheGanas. You can either experience “the most beautiful day in your life” just as a couple or in a small group. Naturally, the entire lodge can also be booked exclusively. Up to 35 people can stay here and celebrate all night long.
For the wedding ceremony itself, you drive about 20 minutes to this stunning location, the staff affectionately calls “Little Switzerland”. A gazebo is put up and is then beautifully decorated.
The view here is absolutely breathtaking! On the way to the ceremony, guests get to see some more wildlife. And, how wonderful it must be to get married with giraffes passing by?!
Interview mit manager Katharina Faasch-Lourens
The multilingual management team of the lodge is always available. Whether it is making small talk at breakfast or dinner – the team will tackle things personally to ensure that their guests are well taken care of. They have quite a few interesting stories to tell!
Manager Katharina was kind enough to tell us a bit more about the lodge and its amenities.
Conclusion
This dream lodge really has so much to offer! The beautiful chalets and the views are simply to die for! The Wellness Village is a great place to relax and get pampered. The food is delicious and the game drives are diverse and interesting!
We found it just gorgeous and very relaxing! The perfect way to end our road trip in Namibia. At GocheGanas you simply feel completely at home and can really unwind! The wide open spaces and the view of the mountains are just amazing! We did not want to leave!
The management team really has some great ideas! Whether the spectacular outdoor massage in the bush, a bush lunch under an acacia tree, a bush dinner with barbecue or the bonfire on special occasions – at GocheGanas anything is possible!
Air temperature: 4 – 38 degrees Celsius Altitude: 1714 – 2211 m above sea level When to go: May to September. Rainy season is from January to March. Late April / May is perfect weather wise Price: From 306 EUR per night (double room) including dinner, bed and breakfast. Board: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Overall rating: ***** Special features: Multilingual management team (including German), beautiful scenery with a wonderful panoramic views, excellent wellness facilities, great game drives, delicious food, very friendly staff, conference room for up to 15 people Tip: Stay for a minimum of 2 nights stay, if not longer – you can really relax here and there is so much to experience
GocheGanas is located in a malaria and ebola-free area!
Snorkeling, Speedboat Tour & Dolphin Watching with Adrien’s dream
Who has not dreamed of swimming with dolphins? I have most definitely! However, I am not a fan of these parks where dolphins are being held in captivity. Even better that with Adrien’s dream in Flic en Flac, one can observe the dolphins in their natural habitat and can even swim with them.
As we stayed in the north in the beautiful Hotel Angsana Balaclava, our day started early in the morning at 6 when a driver from Solis, our travel agency in Mauritius, picked us up. On the way to Flic en Flac we were able to enjoy the delicious brunch that the hotel packed for us. Thanks again to Kiran!
To get up at 5.30 when you are on holiday is inhumane, but the beautiful sunrise totally made up for it. The earlier you get started, the better your chance of seeing dolphins. The trip to Flic en Flac takes about forty five minutes. As you have to drive through Port Louis, where there always is a lot of traffic, it may take a little longer.
Tour: The Dolphin Expedition (2 hours)
The tour to the dolphins started at 7. The meeting place is the Fish Landing Station of Flic en Flac, the beach between Klondike and Villa Caroline Hotel. From there we went out into the ocean with our cheerful guides.
They send a few scouts boats out beforehand, that then tell the guides exactly where the dolphins are. In the mornings you will find the dolphins mostly in Point Moyenne, Tamarin Bay or Black River Bay. From there they swim out to sea. So off we went in search of the dolphins.
All of a sudden, there they were: a group of about 70 smaller dolphins. What an amazing experience to be so close to these wonderful mammals.
And then we had to get into the water…
Who dares?
We had to jump off the boat into the water and swim with the dolphins. Easier said than done! To get into the water is still ok. But where are the dolphins? Luckily, Stefano, a really great guide, was with us. He swam towards us, took me on the one and another man on the other hand and simply pulled us with him. Suddenly we were at least three times as fast. Stefano swam like a dolphin. And then we were right in the middle of the dolphins. They swam under and around us. What a great and exciting feeling!
Then we went back to the boat. The boat overtook the dolphins and we jumped back into the water in front of them.
Guide Stefano took this picture with my camera on a dive with the dolphins.Merci!
At the end of the tour we were served a light breakfast as refreshment on the boat.
After the 2 hour dolphin tour we changed boats. Next, we went by speedboat to Le Mourne and Crystal Rock.
Tour: The Crystal Dream (6-hours with BBQ Lunch)
Crystal Rockor “The Eiffel Tower of Mauritius” according to our guide
Here we took a break and did some wonderful snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. Once again, Stefano was worth his weight in gold and showed us all the best spots.
Benitier Island
At the end of the journey, we arrived at Benitier Island, a small, lonely, wild, romantic island off the west coast of Mauritius, where the guides prepared a mouthwatering meal.
BBQ: Marinated chicken skewers, shrimp skewers, marinated sea bream fillet with garlic & herbs, sautéed rice, pawpaw salad, carrot & cabbage salad, garlic bread and for dessert: grilled banana with coconut flakes.
Yummy!
Stefano our cool guide
We had a great, eventful day and were driven back to the hotel exhausted, but happy.
The experienced and humorous guides from Adrien’s Dream were amazing! It was great fun. We can highly recommend the tours with these guys. Although you have to get up early, it is worth it!
The good news: Adrien’s Dream strictly adheres to the regulations of the Dolphin Watching Guideline from MMCS & MTA.
