GARONGA SAFARI CAMP

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (SATOUR CLASSIFICATION): Not classified as yet.

LOCATION: Situated in the Limpopo Province within the Greater Makalali Game Reserve. The camp is situated one hour west of the Phalaborwa Gate to the Kruger National Park.

DESCRIPTION: Garonga offers an in-depth experience for wildlife lovers seeking more than the classic “Big Five” encounter. The ethos of Garonga is holistic, offering an unhurried and relaxing experience in a totally natural environment. This is reflected in the camp’s architecture and design that highlight the textures and colours of the earth. The main living area is totally open plan and has a “Moorish” North African feel.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: Each of the 6 en-suite 55 square metre rooms nestle into ebony trees on the banks of a water course and command beautiful views. The Hambleden Suite offers unparalleled luxury accommodation in exceptional surroundings making it an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
ROOM DÉCOR: Inspired by the ochre-red spires of nature’s termite mounds, the camp accommodation has been designed to reflect the textures of the earth. Thick earthen columns, generous cushions on low beds and billowing white fabrics exemplify this oasis in the middle of the South African bush.

The Hambleden Suite’s rich Balinese influences as well as the romance of old-colonial Africa create a strikingly elegant, warm and tactile atmosphere.

ROOM AMENITIES: Indulgences include hammocks on the wooden decks, indoor and outdoor showers and romantically draped beds. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms including amenities such as shampoo, body lotion and shower gel, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, hairdryer and sarongs.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Relaxation, flexibility, privacy and a “home from home” ambience are the essential values of Garonga. The service is professional, unobtrusive, and friendly where guests are welcomed as friends rather than as clients.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES: The exceptional safari cuisine is as a result of the culinary skills of the lodge's resident chef, complemented by the superb house wines, making every meal at Garonga Safari Camp a masterpiece of visual and taste sensations. The accent is on low-fat dishes, making use of local produce like wild fruits, berries and game. Local farmers supply fresh fruit and vegetables; cheese, milk and yoghurt come from a nearby organic dairy farm and citrus fruit is from Garonga's own orchard. Every dish is prepared fresh on the day having been chosen for its seasonal availability and colours.

GENERAL SERVICES / FACILITIES: Salt-water swimming pool, wine cellar, thatched sala used for aromatherapy, reflexology or reiki, bush bath, sleep-out deck, pastels and drawing easels, a small library, board games, curio shop and own airstrip.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: Garonga’s holistic philosophy is to offer a safari for the soul, an unhurried and intimate wildlife encounter – a time to reflect and find inspiration in nature. Activities include game drives, wilderness walks, outdoor bush baths, sleep-outs, aromatherapy and reflexology sessions, but many choose to lie in their hammocks watching the grazing game in the river bed below.

CLIMATE: The Limpopo Province is renowned for its hot yet pleasant summers and dry winters. Its’ weather is characterised by almost year-round sunshine. It can get very hot in summer (October – March), with temperatures rising to 27ºC (80,6 ºF) and, sometimes, even touching the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit).

HIPPO HOLLOW COUNTRY ESTATE

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification): TBA

LOCATION: Hippo Hollow Country Estate is situated outside Hazyview on the Sabi River between the Drakensberg Mountains to the west and the low-lying bushveld to the east. The distance from Johannesburg to Hippo Hollow Country Estate is approximately 5 hours (about 400kms); Nelspruit to Hippo Hollow Country Estate is approximately 45 minutes (about 60kms)

DESCRIPTION: Hippo Hollow Country Estate is situated in the heart of Mpumalanga and the gateway to all its attractions. The province of Mpumalanga is rich in history and wildlife. The sights of Mpumalanga Drakensberg and its waterfalls, God's window, Bourkes' Luck Potholes, and the Blyde River Canyon, the towns of Graskop and Pilgrims Rest near by with great pioneering history and gold mining have now been restored to their former glory together with a flourishing Art and Crafts industry. The Kruger National Park and private reserves on its eastern boundary are world renowned with a rich diversity of bird life and wildlife.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: There are 63 units in total. 18 Family chalets on the river and 19 twin bedded chalets situated in a sub tropical garden. Hippo Hollow also has 26 en-suite hotel rooms.

ROOM DÉCOR AND AMENITIES: The Lodge has an "Out of Africa " feel about it, and leaves you feeling totally relaxed and refreshed. Hippo Hollow’s chalets are semi-self catering, equipped to cater for a braai. HIPPO HOLLOW is a thatched lodge with 18 chalets. Each of the chalets is self catering with twin bedded accommodation. 18 of the chalets have a loft area with twin beds. They are tastefully decorated and have a gas barbecue and kitchen facilities for those who wish to self-cater.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Standing at GOD'S WINDOW or at one of the many fantastic waterfalls you will feel united with nature like never before. Walking through the streets of PILGRIMS REST you will take a walk through history long gone, yet so real.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE: There is a full service restaurant and bar in a spectacular setting overlooking the Sabi River, offering country cuisine and a fine wine selection. The sight of Kingfishers and other beautiful water birds as well as hippos grazing on the lawns often enhance dinners.

GENERAL FACILITIES:
For arts AND crafts lovers, we have a well-stocked curio shop on the premises including a selection of local art.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
2 large central swimming pools - a welcome respite on those hot Lowveld days!
You may also enjoy activities outside of Hippo Hollow, including:
- open air drives to Kruger Park
- river rafting
- fishing
- hiking
- golfing ( 2 Golf Courses with 1km of the Estate)
- Helicopter Scenic Flights over the Blyde River Canyon

CONFERENCE FACILITIES: Hippo Hollow arranges customized corporate incentive programmes. The lodge has a large conference centre with full banqueting facilities and all conference equipment.
IMVUBU SUITE - Seating capabilities:
Boardroom: 30 pax
Schoolroom: 50 pax
Cinema style: 100 pax
U-shape: 30 pax
Banquet round: 50 pax
Banquet sprig: 80 pax

CLIMATE: The climate is much more tolerable in the dry winter months of June, July and August. Then the days are mild and the nights a little cool. This time of the year is also ideal for animal viewing in the Kruger National Park, because the shrubs and trees don't have so many leaves to obstruct the view. Since it hardly ever rains in winter, the game must come to the waterholes to drink in the mornings and afternoons and can easily be observed from the car.

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