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But the traveller to Southern Africa
will often find it worthwhile to spend a day or two around a city like
Cape Town -
which abounds with natural beauty and grandeur - provides a superb way
of ending a journey.
Hotels therefore make an ideal stopover
at the start or end of safari, provide accessibility to safari routes,
and time to adjust to Africa
or rest between lodges, in either colonial splendour or modern state-of-the-art
establishments.
Below are brief descriptions of the Accommodation
categories found in South Africa.
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Bush & Game
Lodges - Offer a variety of experiences and can be either a
permanent tented camp or structures made of natural materials,
blending harmoniously with environment, but generally very
luxurious. Big range of establishments in this category, each
unique in giving one contact with the bush - which could be a Big
Five experience or something more subtle, e.g. A Desert
experience. Usually all meals and activities included in price.
Guests often hosted by guides who cater to every need and interest
- help with the interpretation of sights & sounds of African
bush and wildlife.
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Colonial/Heritage
hotels - have fascinating charm and ambiance, gracious
accommodation, dignified attention to detail and fine traditions
like "High Teas" - allowing visitor to step back into a
golden era of hospitality.
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City/Modern hotels
- offer first class accommodation and are often connected to
shopping experiences/malls - convenient at the end of a safari for
shopping and souvenir/jewellery purchases.
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Estate hotels -
Generally these are superlative, smaller establishments, usually
linked to a golf or wine estate. Buildings often have historic
significance. Style will generally be of understated elegance and
sophistication.
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Country hotels -
Tranquil, secure environments, landscaped gardens, beautiful
settings, many dating back to the colonial era and retaining proud
traditions of personalized service and attention to detail - often
owner managed.
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Country Lodges -
Smaller, gracious establishments, exuding charm and understated
luxury. Charm lies in total experience of activities like horse
riding, fly-fishing, hiking and rambles through forests or on
beaches, picnic lunches etc. Some country lodges are culturally
based, where guests experience and learn about a particular way of
life or ethnic group.
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Small Private hotels
- Usually with less than 15 rooms provide exclusivity,
personalized, discreet service, where owner & staff cater to
every whim. Exceptional standards & service excellence are
generally hallmarks of these establishments.
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Guest
Houses - Small, upmarket establishments,
usually owner-managed, with about 5 rooms or suites, set in tranquil
suburbs or countryside. Lunch and dinners usually available, or by
prior arrangement with management
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Bed & Breakfast
establishments - Reasonably priced, comfortable, often
selected on the basis of the strong individual stamp owners place
on their service & amenities. Ideal where you would rather
spend money on actual safari. Owners generally live on premises.
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Beach Lodge/Resort
- Generally situated on some of the finest stretches of beach,
Lodges are usually small and situated in remote, pristine areas;
while Hotels are larger and offer a range of activities/water
sports etc, and are usually close to a large town or city.
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Resort - Large
hotels offering a wide variety of rooms and suites, a selection of
restaurants & bars, conference facilities etc, often with a
central theme, and boasting amenities such as golf course, casino
or a myriad of water sports & activities.
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Rest Camps -
situated in national parks, often thatched rondavel/bungalow-type
accommodation, clean, reasonably priced. Camps have good
infrastructure, including restaurants, shops & filling
stations. Only offered as a set excursion for those on self-drive
safaris
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Backpackers -
budget accommodation mostly students
Search
for Accommodation in South Africa
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