There’s nothing better than a quarterly vacation to restore energy levels and to welcome a new season. Problem is, unless you’re Scrooge McDuck, vacationing can be an expensive endeavour when you tally up the costs: accommodation, transport and entertainment. Luckily for us, the travel industry and its rates change as the seasons do, resulting in great off-season deals that are easier on the pocket.
Here are a few of my favourite locations:
Lakeside Lodge – Sedgefield (only R 1 800 for a two-night stay for two people sharing)
Situated along the Garden Route in Swartvlei, the Lakeside Lodge offers you an intimate experience. The 7-roomed, self-catering hotel is nestled in the Wilderness National Park, giving you a panoramic view of all that nature has to offer. You even get to enjoy a complimentary pontoon boat trip.
Things to do – Onsite and surrounding area activities and attractions:
• Swimming
• Croquet
• Mountain biking
• Fishing
• Boating (boat parking available for private boats)
• Water skiing
• Surfing
• Bird watching
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Hiking
• Billiards
• Golfing
• Paragliding
Sarabi Lodge – Gauteng (only R499 for one night’s stay for two including breakfast, dinner and wine)
This peaceful sanctuary is situated only minutes away from major city establishments, making it an ideal escape for the business traveller, a family vacation or nature enthusiasts. Nestled between the likes of Gold Reef City, Emperors Palace, Kyalami Race Circuit, Pretoria Zoo and more, you can relax and unwind in the presence of unspoiled scenic beauty.
Things to do – Onsite and surrounding area activities and attractions:
• Driving range – 5 mins
• 18 hole golf course(International Standard) – 10 mins
• Go-carting – 15 mins
• Ice-skating – 10 mins
• Mini golf – 15 mins
• Horseback riding- 5 mins
• Emperors Palace Casino & Entertainment world – 10 mins
• Carnival City Casino & Entertainment World – 15 mins
• Gold Reef City Casino & Entertainment World – 45 mins
• Monte Casino & Entertainment World – 30 mins
• Apartheid Museum – 45 mins
• Pretoria Zoo – 30 mins
• Gold Reef City Theme Park – 45 mins
• Wild Water Theme Park – 10 mins
• Quad biking – 15 mins
• Snake park – 30 mins
• Kyalami Race Circuit – 30 mins
• Turfontein Racecourse – 45 mins
• Lakeside water sports – 10 mins
• East Rand Mall – 15 mins
• Festival Mall – 10 mins
• Lakeside Mall – 10 mins
• Bruma Flea Market – 10 mins
• Sandton City – 30 mins
• Planet Fitness Gym – 10 mins
• Soweto Township – 45 mins
• Kruger National Park (Safari Tour) – 3 hrs
• Sun City – Valley of the Waves – 2 hrs
Saint Lucia Safari Lodge – Kwa-Zulu Natal (only R1 089 for three-night self-catering getaways for up to four people sharing)
Escape the city rat-race and enjoy life at a slower pace. Saint Lucia Safari Lodge is nestled in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom, bringing you a 3-star safari experience. Enjoy all that iSamanguliso Wetlands Park has to offer and meet the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and experience Africa in all of its natural splendour.
Turtle tours, safaris, croc and hippo estuary trips, wetland trails, beach fly-fishing and scuba diving are among the many things to do at St.Lucia Safari Lodge.
Things to do – Onsite and surrounding area activities and attractions:
• Explore the Zulu Kingdom
• Lake St. Lucia
• Whale watching
• Bird watching
• Estuary trips: hippo and crocodile
• Elephant Coast beaches
• Turtle Tours
• Fishing: deep see, rock, beach and fly-fishing
• World Heritage Site
• Night and day game drives
• Wilderness Trails: dune forests, swamplands, wetlands, grasslands and riverine forests
• Assortment of water sports
There are so many options when it comes to exploring locally, even more so if you’re answering natures call to leave the daily hustle and bustle behind, even if only for a few days.
If the safaris, sleeping in log cabins and showering outdoors are not your forte, then why not enjoy a breakaway at a local B&B, farmstead, guesthouse or luxury cruise.
*Please note that these specials are available for limited time only.