The Umlingo
KZN Collection
The KZN Collection
If you would like any advice on planning a holiday to KZN please email us as we know all the best travel agents and tour operators should you need a referral.
Antbear
Eco Lodge
- DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS -
Antbear is an idyllic eco lodge tucked away in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains boasting breathtaking views of the Bushman’s River and Giants Castle mountain peak.
The lodge has been lovingly created by upcycling, recycling and repurposing invasive trees, broken tiles and glass - and the result is completely charming!
Its 15 rooms all feature a balcony or terrace and African-style décor with carved wooden furnishings made on-site by local craftsmen.
Each suite has a private lounge area with fireplace and minibar - and ensuite bathroom with spa bath. Some suites also have a loft upstairs with 2 single beds which are ideal for families.
Their honeymoon suite really has “wow” factor with a bit of a Flintstone twist! It’s a cosy, luxurious cave with jacuzzi, hammock - and views to die for! (see the pic above!)
Antbear is an ideal base for exploring the Midlands Meander as well as enjoying the great outdoors.
Activities include hiking to the Kamberg’s Bushmen paintings, saddling up for a Sengani horse trail through a wildlife reserve, or paddling in a canoe. Guests can even enjoy a bird’s eye view of the scenery from a microlight or hot air-balloon!
Andrew and his family ensure guests feel like part of the Antbear family (and their unique furniture!) by the time they leave…
Tembe
Elephant Park
- ELEPHANT COAST -
Tembe Elephant Park offers intimate encounters with some of the largest elephants in Africa. The 300 km2 reserve on KZN’s northern border with Mozambique, is the ancestral home of the Tembe tribe who now own and co-manage both the Park and the Lodge in what must surely be one of South Africa’s most successful community collaborations.
Tembe is a “Big Five” reserve known for its abundant elephant and buffalo sightings. The rare sand forest is also home to some unusual species such as the shy suni antelope and both black and white rhinos. Birdlife is also epic -with over 340 species listed.
Tembe’s Mahlasela Hide is home to an incredibly popular webcam allowing wildlife fans to enjoy Tembe’s waterhole action from armchairs around the world.
Accommodation is under canvas in luxurious safari tents on raised wooden decks, carefully positioned for maximum privacy. All suites boast beautiful, private ensuite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers.
The main lodge areas include a dining area, comfy lounge and bar under thatch - designed to have a minimal impact on the surrounding indigenous forest. There is also a refreshing pool and a boma for campfires under the stars.
Tembe is a full board safari lodge including two guided game drives per day in 4x4 open vehicles. Tembe offers incredible value for money - and uplifts its local community. Its success is evident from its popularity, its high ratio of repeat visitors and rave reviews.
Isibindi’s Kosi
Forest Lodge
- COASTAL LAKES & BEACHES -
Kosi Forest Lodge is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, offering an intimate, close encounter with untouched African wilderness.
Accommodation is in tent-style, thatched forest rooms, perched on raised wooden platforms and nested underneath a canopy of natal fig and milkwood trees. The style is romantically rustic - but with all the creature comforts needed for an unforgettable stay. The outdoor bathrooms are a real highlight!
A massive Zulu podberry tree is the focal point of the main lodge with the lounge, dining room and bar all opening onto a large wooden deck around the tree. Delicious meals are also served in a boma, with a crackling fire.
The bar and swimming pool overlook Lake Shengeza where the hippos grunt and wallow in the cool. There is also a bird hide in camp.
The Kosi lake system has long been regarded as one of the largest and most pristine estuary systems on the African coastline. It’s a magical ecosystem of lakes, wetlands, dunes, pans, mangrove swamps and rare raffia palm forests. Birdlife is epic with over 500 species.
Activities include canoeing, fishing, boat trips exploring the estuary and lakes with their famous traditional Tsonga fish traps and turtle tracking (seasonal) - as well as walks to the pristine Bhanga Nek Beach for picnics. The 4x4 excursion to go snorkelling in the Kosi Bay Mouth (1 hour away) is not to be missed!
Spion Kop
Lodge
- BATTLEFIELDS -
Situated on an expansive 700 hectare game farm, Spion Kop Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore the famous KZN Battlefields and surrounds.
It was here that, just over 120 years ago, a young journalist by the name of Winston Churchill, spent much of his time (then known as Spearman’s Farm) with British Commander -in Chief General Buller.
The lodge is now a living monument, beautifully restored from the original farm house into a beautiful Natal colonial-style lodge by owners Ray and Lynette Heron.
The converted barn now serves as a magnificent dining room with spectacular views over the hills where guests savour fine cuisine, excellent wines and warm hospitality.
There’s a lot to explore in the area - but even if you are not a history buff, you won’t want to miss experiencing a battlefields tour.
Relive the memories and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders: Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and General Louis Botha.
It’s a riveting tale, eloquently told by Ray or his son Alistair on the Spion kop (lookout hill). As the story goes, the British marched into the South African war in the spring of 1899, confident that it “would all be over by Christmas”. The war lasted three years and was to become the most costly Britain had ever fought. Tours can be enjoyed by air conditioned vehicle or on horseback.
Ghost
Mountain Inn
- MKUZE, ZULULAND -
At the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain in Mkuze lies the privately owned Ghost Mountain Inn - an oasis of calm and stylish comfort in the heart of Zululand.
This intimate, 4-star boutique hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the fantastic wildlife and coastal reserves in Maputaland and the Elephant Coast including Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Manyoni and uMkhuze Game Reserves.
Guests can book guided game drives, guided walks and boat cruises in the company of knowledgeable rangers. Their excursion to an authentic Zulu Homestead and Lebombo Scenic Drive are also not to be missed!
The spa offers a range of skin and body treatments and healthy lunches.
Meals are served either in the Dining Room, outside on the terrace or under the stars in a traditional Boma. Zulu dancers regularly entertain guests and Roy’s bar is a great place to enjoy sundowners and share stories.
The hotel has two beautiful swimming pools to cater for both families and those wanting to unwind and appreciate the birdsong - surrounded by 5 acres of indigenous gardens that lead down to the jetty and lake beyond.
Families are welcomed and a range of activities such as grubby bug walks, Zulu crafts and so much more!
Shayamanzi
Luxury Houseboat
- THE LAKE JOZINI EXPERIENCE -
Shayamanzi II (meaning “hit the water” in Zulu) is a beautiful house boat on Lake Jozini (AKA Pongolapoort Dam) and promises an unforgettable and unique KZN experience as she cruises around the 16,000 hectares of open water.
With the dramatic backdrop of the Lebombo Mountains and the promise of spotting wildlife on the banks of the Pongola Game Reserve - this must be one of KZN’s top bucket list adventures.
Guests can enjoy sundowners in the jacuzzi whilst watching wild elephants swimming and hippos grunting nearby. It’s the perfect escape to just relax and enjoy magnificent birding - or experience the thrill of Tiger Fishing.
The houseboat has a double pontoon with 10 luxury cabins at water level ensuring fantastic views with full length sliding window doors. All cabins have private ensuite bathrooms with showers.
The upper deck has a lounge, dining area and festive bar. Food is of a really high quality and they even offer a braai/BBQ!
No words can sum up the experience better than this video
Boats depart from Jozini Tiger Lodge which is 3 hours north of Durban, about 20km past Mkuze. A minimum 3 night stay is recommended.