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Karongwe River Lodge

Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Days 1 - 3: Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Karongwe River Lodge Location Map

The 4* Karongwe River Lodge is situated in the 9,000 hectare fenced Karongwe Private Game Reserve, just 45 minutes from the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Home to the Big 5 of the African bush - lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant - guests may also see cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, impala and bushbuck to name a few of the many other wildlife species to be found here. Hippo and crocodiles are often spotted along the river banks.

There are also over 365 different bird species.

Spend the afternoon relaxing beside the pool or watching game from your own private balcony before being whisked off on a late afternoon game drive with your own personal ranger. Sip a sundowner as the sun sets behind the nearby Drakensberg mountains and enjoy a night drive back to the lodge where a delicious feast awaits you.

Dining under the stars has never been so romantic as you enjoy our Pan-African cuisine in a rustic outside boma or on alternate evenings, in the magnificent dining room. To compliment your meal, the lodge offers an impressive selection of South African and imported wines and beers as well as a wide variety of spirits and soft drinks.

Settle in at your choice of one of 11 luxurious private suites. All suites are air conditioned, spacious and tastefully decorated, with en-suite bathrooms.

The suites also have a private deck with chairs for guest's viewing pleasure. All suites are complete with mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities.

Example Details For Karongwe River Lodge

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Suite
Includes: All meals; teas/coffee; snacks; the Karongwe gate entrance fee and Rhino Levy; dawn and dusk safaris; drinks on dusk safaris (limited to one per person with a choice of local beer, wine or soft drink); are included. PLEASE NOTE: The Tourism Levy is not included and will be added to your room to settle upon departure (currently ZAR 14 per person per night, subject to change).

Children under the age of 16 years and guests over the age of 75 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Details on request.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

 
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Karongwe River Lodge Location.

Directions

From Johannesburg: Take the N4 motorway towards Mbombela (Nelspruit), passing eMalahleni (Witbank) and Middleburg. Turn left into eMakhazeni (Belfast). Once in eMakhazeni, follow the signs and turn right towards Dullstroom, passing through Mashishing (Lydenburg). Continue on the R36 to Ohrigstad and the JG Strydom Tunnel. Approximately 10 km after the tunnel, turn left onto the R36 towards Tzaneen. The Karongwe Game Reserve is situated on your right.

From Hoedspruit: Head south on Argyle Road (650m), then turn left toward R527 (100m) Turn right toward R527 (140m), turn right onto R527 (31.1 km) and then turn right onto R36 (23.1 km).

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome. Children under the age of 6 years are not allowed on game drives - the Little Paw Centre which offers a children's programme is available (additional charge). Children under the age of 16 are not permitted on bush walks.

All rooms are equipped with mini bar stocked with mineral water, tea/coffee making facilities, a hair dryer, safe, air conditioning, and mosquito nets. All rooms have a bath and shower.

The two Presidential Suites have their own private plunge pools.

Private dining can be arranged (subject to availability).

A same day laundry service is available (weather permitting) at an additional cost.

There is complimentary Wi-Fi in the main areas, but limited mobile phone reception.

International adaptors are available in the curio shop to purchase.

All guests are required to settle their account for extras, such as telephone calls, beverages, on departure. This can be done by credit card or cash.

Your rate includes a Rhino Levy, which is essential in the fight against chromalena, poaching, and many other activities that preserve the wildlife heritage of the Karongwe Reserve for future generations to come.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years and guests over the age of 75 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Regardless of age, guests must be able to walk unassisted in order to join a guided walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Rissington Inn

Hazyview

Day 4: Hazyview

Rissington Inn Location Map

Tucked away just outside Hazyview, Rissington Inn is just a 10 minute drive from the Phabeni Gate of the Kruger National Park, and is the ideal location to base yourself to explore everything that the Lowveld area has to offer.

The restaurant offers a delicious 3 course menu with a choice of three starters, three main courses and a few desserts every day.  Rissington's bar is home to many an interesting tale - a great place to enjoy a relaxing drink, discuss the day’s events or kick of your shoes and read the newspapers. The library is situated next to the restaurant - perfect for coffee after dinner. There is also a television for the sports fan (or the soap addict) and a library of books on a wide range of topics and in a number of languages.

There is a swimming pool, or guests can walk across the property's estate for sightings of smaller wildlife and birds.

The rooms at Rissington Inn all have their own individual characters and have en-suite bathrooms.

The Superior Rooms are situated in the shady, thatched former-tobacco barn, next to the main house. Each has its own small veranda with a daybed looking over the valley. Some rooms have a romantic Victorian bath in the bedroom as well as an en-suite shower room.

The Garden Suites are very spacious with large verandas and views over the Sabie River valley. Bathrooms have Victorian baths and walled-off outside showers.

The 2 Hillside Suites both have 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with an outside shower, a sitting room, a veranda and sun terrace. These 2 suites also share a private swimming pool.

Example Details For Rissington Inn

Nights: 1 Night
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Superior Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.
 
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Rissington Inn Location.

Address

Rissington Inn,Off R40, Hazyview

Directions

From Nelspruit/Mbombela (45 minutes): Take R40 North to White River/Witrivier (passing straight through Rocky Drift). In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself (with White River Toyota ahead of you on the left), turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next lights, turn right - with the playing fields on your left and, further on, an open park with a pond on your right. Cross over the next set of lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview, signposted to Phalaborwa (the R538 to Hazyview via the Numbi Gate is a slow, busy, potholed road and not recommended.) Continue on the R40 for about 45 km, where you will come to a T-junction. Turn left to Hazyview and travel a further 1 km exactly. You will see the entrance to Rissington Inn on your left. Rissington is 1 km down this gravel road. Follow the signs. 

From KMIA Kruger Nelspruit Airport (45 minutes): Turn right out of the airport in the direction of White River/Witrivier on the R538. Continue on this road for 12 km (there is a quick left and immediately right turn at the Plaston intersection – do not turn right to Kabokweni!) to the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40 (signposted Phalaborwa). After approx 45 km, at the T-junction, turn left, staying on the R40 and following signs to Hazyview and the Paul Kruger and Phabeni Gates. The entrance to Rissington is exactly 1 km from the T-junction on the left. Follow the signs.

From Skukuza (1 hour) and Paul Kruger Gate (30 minutes): Follow signs from the camp or the airport to the Paul Kruger Gate (about 12km). Travel through the gate and continue on the R536 to Hazyview. After crossing the North Sand River (some 50 km from the Gate), go straight across the first 4-way stop and straight across the next 2 stop streets. Continue over the roundabout to the traffic lights. Turn left in the direction of White River on the R40. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1 km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right hand side just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1 km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.

From Phabeni Gate (10 minutes):  From the gate, follow the road to the T-junction. Turn left onto the R536 to Hazyview. After crossing the Sand River (some 10 km from the Gate), go straight across the first 4-way stop and straight across the next 2 stop streets. Continue over the roundabout to the traffic lights. Turn left in the direction of White River on the R40. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1 km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right hand side just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1 km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.

From Sabie (45 minutes): Take the R536 to Hazyview. Pass the Sabi River Sun on your left and at the T-junction, turn right to Hazyview. Go straight over the next stop street and continue to the lights. Carry straight on, in the direction of White River on the R40. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1 km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1 km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.

From Hoedspruit/Eastgate Airport (75 minutes): Take the R40 southwards towards Hazyview, turning left at Klaserie to stay on the R40. Be especially cautious about speeding on this road. Pass through the towns of Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge and Marite, following signs to White River and Hazyview. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1 km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right hand side just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1 km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria (4 hours): Take N12 or N4 Highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg’s O.R.Tambo Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12) and then follow N4 Highway through Belfast and Machadodorp. After the Machado Toll Plaza follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 towards Nelspruit (lunch at Old Joe’s Kaia is recommended). Turn left where you rejoin the main N4 at Montrose and continue towards Nelspruit/Mbombela. At Nelspruit/Mbombela, follow the Hazyview/White River R40 signs from the N4 and around two subsequent roundabouts until you meet the R40 alongside the Mercedes dealer. Turn left and follow instructions from Nelspruit/Mbombela above. SCENIC ROUTE (4.5 hours) - Take N12 or N4 Highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni and then follow N4 Highway to the Belfast/eMakhazeni turnoff. Take the off-ramp and head into Belfast/eMakhazeni, then right, following signs to Dullstroom/Emnotweni. Pass through Dullstroom/Emnotweni and carry on to the T-junction, turning left to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, turn right following signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie turn right and follow directions as above.

From Eswatini: Follow the MR3 through Mbabane to the Oshoek Border Post. After crossing the border continue on the N17 for 26 km before turning right onto the R541. Follow the R541 for 38 km (turning left at a T-junction to stay on the R541) taking signs to Badplaas. At the end of the R541 turn right onto the R38 towards Barberton, continuing on the road for 61 km. After this, turn left onto the R40 at the T-junction and follow signs to Nelspruit. Upon reaching Nelspruit follow the directions above.

There are two toll plazas on the N4 at Middelburg and Machado.  There is an additional toll at Diamond Hill between Pretoria and Witbank/eMalahleni (R32) for those not using the N12 from Johannesburg.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children of any age are welcome.

The en-suite rooms at the Rissington Inn all have their own individual characters and have en-suite bathrooms and a full range of facilities. All rooms have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a minibar fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, and a television. ceiling fans. The Garden Suites have a walled-off outside shower.

The Hillside Suites has 2 en-suite bedrooms, an outside shower, a spacious sitting room and a sun terrace.  There are 2 Hillside Suites in total and they both share the same private swimming pool.

The bar has its own verandah with a wonderful view as the sun goes down over the Sabie River Valley.

There is a main swimming pool.

Rissington's dining room can seat approximately 30 people and offers a table d'hote (prix fixe) menu with three or four choices changing daily and picked from an extensive array of soups, starters, a variety of trout dishes, curries, some game, steak and a range of local African, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and child-friendly dishes.

The library is situated next to the restaurant and contains books on a wide range of topics and in a number of languages. There is also a television. The games room behind offers pool and table-tennis as well as a range of board and card games.

There is a separate bar are offering a wide range of local and imported beers, wines and other drinks.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted.

The cell/mobile number to contact Rissington Inn, as an alternative to their landline number, is +27 (0) 82 327 6842.

Rio Azul

Bazaruto Archipelago

Days 5 - 10: Bazaruto Archipelago

Rio Azul Location Map

Rio Azul (meaning 'Blue River') offers the perfect opportunity for couples or families looking for a beach holiday.  The lodge is located on the banks of the Govuro River, approximately 80 km north of Vilanculos, at the northern end of the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The main guest area consists of a lounge, dining room, a bar area with a big wooden deck in front and a plunge pool. The view from the bar is possibly one of the most spectacular in Africa, overlooking the Guvoru River during sunsets. Another part of the experience here is the excellent fine dining experience, with freshly caught cuisine to tantalise your senses.

Activities range from walking on pristine beaches, dhow trips, kayaking, snorkelling, island trips and beach picnics. Each chalet also has the use of its own "tinnie" boat, a small aluminium alloy boat with 15hp outboard motors that is so easy to use it doesn't require a boating license. Set out on your very own adventure in the lagoon, take a camera, some binoculars or even snacks and enjoy the freedom. The lagoon is home to a myriad of birdlife, offering excellent bird watching opportunities.

Fishermen will also delight in the deep sea fishing trips that can be arranged - catering for beginners through to the more experienced - on both the esturary and the sea.

The accommodation consists of 5 thatched luxury beach front chalets and 2 luxury villas.

Both villas have a private lounge with overhead fans and a full kitchen for private dining. Each villa has 3 rooms sleeping 6 adults, which are all en-suite. The villa also has a loft with beds for up to 4 children. Each villa also has its own swimming pool and is situated along pristine beach shores.

Dining at Rio Azul is a delightful affair with the freshest ingredients locally sourced and produced, or grown in their own vegetable and herb garden, as well as straight from the sea. Expect Mozambican specialties such as peri-peri chicken and freshly caught prawns. The 3 course dinners in particular are always a delightful experience and can vary between relaxed and informal evenings, romantic and candle lit affairs, as well as lively beach BBQs.

Example Details For Rio Azul

Nights: 6 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Chalet
Includes: Return airport transfers; all meals; unlimited use of esturary boat (excluding petrol cost); use of kayaks; tea/coffee; and snorkelling (on request and local trips only - NOT sea snorkelling) are included.
 
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Rio Azul Location.

Check In / Check Out

Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival, and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.

General Information For Guests

Children aged 6 years and older are welcome.

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