As Germany heads towards the colder months ahead, South Africa is looking forward to bright sunny days, endless blue skies and lush green landscapes. With Christmas and the holiday countdown fast approaching, this may be the perfect excuse to pack up and gift you and the family a summery escape from a cold festive season spent indoors to a wild outdoor summer where animals roam and there are endless activities for adults and kids under the warm summer sun.
Pilanesberg National Park. South Africa
When it comes to location, topography, and game viewing, the Pilanesberg is a cut above some of the other national parks in South Africa. Close to Johannesburg and an easy 2-hour drive from both international airports, the park forms part of the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld.
The Pilanesberg is not only home to an abundant wildlife population – with more than 360 bird species and 7 000 animals (including the notorious big-5) - but also houses a plethora of roads from which to enjoy them. Being part of an extinct volcanic crater, makes for a picturesque spread of undulating hills, rocky outcrops, and grasslands. With just over 57 000 hectares of malaria-free territory, the Pilanesberg is the fourth largest game reserve in South Africa.
When looking for a place to stay, both Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge and Bakubung Bush Lodge’s facilities and activities make them an easy choice for families. Kids can spend hours frolicking in the pool just going up and down the Kwa Maritane super tube slide, playing on the jungle gyms, or taking part in the resorts’ special Junior Rangers program. Junior Rangers aims to educate children about the fauna and flora of the local area and comprises of a fun range of activities for them to actively take part in. These resorts also offer the ever-popular snake demonstrations plus activities such as bush walks, archery, and tennis. Kwa Maritane even has a putt-putt course and climbing wall where kids can challenge themselves to learn a new skill.
During peak holiday seasons, both properties offer a comprehensive activity program for kids which means parents can take some time to pamper themselves at the Legacy Balance spa while the kids are kept entertained. Mealtimes are always fun for kids with a daily dessert station filled with all sorts of delicious goodies with which to build their own waffles and pancakes.
The choice of accommodation at both lodges are designed to suit each guest and their individual needs. For those looking for a real break from the daily routine and not having to worry about grocery shopping or cooking, there is a plethora of hotel rooms to book on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. There are family rooms that have easy access to the cool pool waters on a hot summer day, or selected park-facing rooms where you might just be treated to a wildlife sighting. All rooms have a balcony/patio from which you can enjoy your morning coffee while soaking up the sounds of the bush beyond.
Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa
Just an hour flight from Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in the world. About the size of Israel, the park was established in 1898 as a protected area for wildlife and today is home to a high density of wild animals including the Big 5: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. With its subtropical climate and authentic, untamed wilderness, Kruger is a not-to-be-missed experience.
The uber-luxurious Elephant Point is located on Kruger’s border on a secure private reserve and offers a range of 22 villa-style lodges run by Legacy Hotels & Resorts. Each lodge offers a unique luxury experience with five-star services available such as airport shuttles and private chef and butler experiences.
Elephant Point’s unique villa setup makes it the ideal option for travelling families. Offering all the luxuries and services of a hotel stay, the villas are a lovely choice for those wishing to travel in big family groups and to self-cater. The experience gives one the feeling of being in an exclusive, home-away-from-home with the choice to add luxury hotel add-ons like a private chef experience, your own personal game ranger and game vehicle, and even a mobile spa service to treat mom and the kids from the comfort of your own bedroom.
The villas are spread across the Elephant Point reserve which is surrounded by Big-5 Kruger area but fenced off from dangerous game. This allows families to take nature walks through the reserve and let the little ones burn off some steam. The ability to stretch your legs and enjoy nature, adrenalin free, is supreme, plus these walks are a lovely opportunity to learn more about the vegetation of the area and view grass-grazing animals while doing so.
Just down the road from Elephant Point and a stone’s throw from Kruger Park’s Phabeni Gate, is another lovely accommodation option for families. The Kruger Park Lodge is a relaxed collective of self-catering homes dotted around an 18-hole golf course. As adults and teens take on the course, kids can practice their golf skills on the putt-putt course. The lodge’s restaurant overlooks the large swimming pool, children’s jungle gyms, tennis courts and the flowing Sabie River beyond. Just a short stroll away is the hippo pool where families can enjoy a sundowner together while watching these might river beasts go about their evening routines.
What’s more, is that both Elephant Point and Kruger Park Lodge’s close location to the town of Hazyview means easy access to a plethora of guided adventure attractions such as tree-top canopy tours, hiking, white river rafting and more.
So, do not delay. The holidays are fast approaching.
A world of adventure awaits.
