SPLENDID DESTINATIONS TO SPEND YOUR WINTER HOLIDAY
Just over six hours away from Ballito, Umngazi Hotel & Spa is a unique destination that offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it a unique and unforgettable destination for families and couples alike. Located in a stunning location along the Wild Coast of South Africa, Umngazi Hotel & Spa is surrounded by lush, tropical gardens, unspoiled beaches, and rolling hillsides.
For families, they offer a wide range of exciting activities and amenities that will keep everyone entertained. Children can enjoy the safe and secure play area, swimming pool, and daily supervised activities. Parents can relax and unwind while taking advantage of the various wellness treatments offered at the award-winning spa or engaging in some of the water sports activities.
Couples can indulge in the romantic and tranquil atmosphere of the hotel, with stunning ocean views and comfortably appointed accommodations. The spa offers a wide range of treatments, including couples’ massages, and the breathtaking scenery makes for the perfect backdrop for romantic strolls along the beach.
The hotel’s cuisine is freshly and lovingly prepared and offers a variety of options for all tastes. The staff is warm, welcoming, and always ready to go above and beyond to make sure guests have an unforgettable experience. The destination is definitely worth the trip!
You can book your stay via email at requests@umngazi.co.za.
Located halfway between Johannesburg and Durban in the Northern Drakensberg, approximately three and a half hours away from Ballito, The Berghouse and Cottages resides on 512 hectares of mountainous property and has been privately owned by the Piccione family since 1996.
These stylishly decorated and comfortable country cottages are sprinkled lightly across the foothills of the mountains, overlooking the famous Drakensberg Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls, and massive spires of the Drakensberg and Maloti mountains. The cosy cottages offer log fireplaces and bed warmers to keep you warm and toasty in the wintertime. They also come equipped with kitchens and kitchenettes, including ovens, stoves, microwaves and kettles should you want to go with the self-catering option. Various meal options are also provided, including dinner and breakfast, with all meals delivered to your cottage.
Alternatively, a braai pack, picnic basket or cheese platter may be ordered. Enjoy warm hospitality, with staff that has a wealth of knowledge of the region, on-site free hiking trails (which all start from the doors of the cottages), guided horse riding, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, and the one-of-a-kind infinity rock pool.
Activities off-site include a nine-hole golf course next door, an adventure centre (offering quad biking, zip lines and numerous other alternative activities), hot air ballooning, and helicopter flips.
The Royal Natal National Park is only 16 kilometres away and has many lovely hiking trails and waterfalls, including the Tugela Falls (the highest on the planet at 983 metres high), Gudu Falls, and the Cascades, to wet your feet.
Experience this winter wonderland for yourself. Check out their website to book your stay www.berghouse.co.za The chills and thrills of the Drakensberg await!
Going to the Midlands? An easy few hundred metres off the freeway and less than two hours away from Ballito is the lovely Brahman Hills.
When we visited Brahman Hills, we booked the four-bedroom Caracal Cottage, which easily accommodated the entire family. The cottage has lovely views of the rolling hills with a jacuzzi and very comfortable rooms that all have en-suite bathrooms.
We had a busy Midlands weekend planned and we loved having this comfortable cottage as a base. Making dinner in the well-equipped self-catering kitchen at night was the perfect relaxed ending to our day filled with good conversation.
Afterward, we spent some time in the jacuzzi under the stars and then turned in for an early night. The next morning, we enjoyed a quick three-kilometre walk around the property with some wildlife greeting us along the way. After another full day out, we made it back in time to book and enjoy a fabulous massage at the on-site spa.
It was pure bliss! Dinner that evening was at Skyfall Casual Dining Restaurant. This was perfection – eight great meals with fantastic service!
The next morning was slow, an easy breakfast with a little more time to relax, and of course, enjoy the jacuzzi one last time. We were sad to go, but loved the experience and will definitely be back!
Contact them via reservations@brahmanhills.co.
Looking for something close to home? Embrace barefoot elegance at Sala Beach House. Located on KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast, in Shaka’s Rock, this is an enchanting coastal destination with plentiful beaches, unspoiled landscapes, and a temperate climate – the perfect surroundings for an uninterrupted escape.
Sala offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, a picturesque swimming pool, as well as private access to a gorgeous, sandy beach and protected tidal pool at Thompson’s Bay.
The main house perches on the seafront, featuring four guestrooms and three suites. There is also a self-contained three-bedroom villa with its own pool, living area and kitchen for those who prefer a little more privacy.
The on-site wellness spa welcomes you to unwind and be rejuvenated during the winter season. Be pampered by trained therapists and luxurious facilities.
Other activities in the area include snorkelling, coastal walks, deep-sea fishing, golf and surfing. As always, there is no shortage of activities to do in Ballito!
You can get in contact with them by email at stay@salabeach.co.za
to book your stay in a local paradise.