South Africa is a country that surprises every time. The African continent is so diverse that you can go there for many years, several times a year, and constantly discover something new. It's the same with lodges. Lodge, i.e. luxurious tents/safari houses - it's impossible to stay in all of them!
South Africa
South Africa is particularly rich in interesting places, magical, often harsh landscapes, and beautiful colonial towns full of traces of history. It has the greatest cuisine in the world, with fresh seafood and juicy steaks and excellent wines. You will find many luxurious hotels there, as well as a legendary one "The pride of Africa", that is Rovos Rail train. On board you will go on a journey back in time.
Every trip to South Africa is worth starting or ending in Cape Town, where you will be enchanted by the raw ocean with beautiful beaches, but also with steep cliffs that rise above the ocean waves. If you look closely, you can easily spot whales. You will see endless savannah, full of life and colors, wild animals, dried riverbeds, but also rivers flowing rapidly. Just raise your head to the sky to find beautiful and diverse birds, and at night the brightest and most beautiful stars in the world. Can you dream of anything more during your vacation?
In turn, if you go on a journey into the interior of the country to regions such as Madikwe Park or Kruger Park, you will see endless savannah...
To travel is to live
Many travelers introduce themselves by mentioning the number of countries they have visited - 100, 150. I go back to places that interest me, and I may have visited a hundred countries, maybe more, but I only know a few. Although I also consider this statement quite bold. Travel and return to places that you like and have a place in your hearts. Visit them at other times of the year and you will see for yourself how much you would lose by not returning.
Traveling is not only about sightseeing or relaxation. It is also about education, enriching knowledge and helping to understand the surrounding world. For example, by choosing to spend a few days on safari, you support local communities. You give people living there jobs and funds for their children's education. In addition, every lodge or hotel with which it cooperates CARTER®, donates part of the income to local communities. So a lot of good things are happening thanks to your support. You bring hope! I have heard this many times from my African friends. Therefore, be sure that in each of the places recommended by CARTER® you will be welcomed with a sincere and warm smile.
Kruger Park and surroundings - luxury safari in the Sabi Sands Reserve
Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. Right after getting off the plane, you can see that we are in Africa. This is indicated by the charming, thatched-roof airport building. Small in size, new, very neat and traveler-friendly. My driver was already waiting for me. We went to the famous Sabi Sand reserve, bordering the Kruger Park. I planned my week-long stay to visit several luxurious lodges. Of course, there was an employee there before CARTER® during the inspection and thanks to this we can recommend them to our clients. Many of you have already visited them. They all offer above-standard quality and exceptional service. An individual welcome with chilled towels and a glass of champagne or freshly squeezed juice. Uncomplicated, private check in, often serving a personal butler. Safari trips in Land Rover/Cruiser 4 x 4 vehicles in excellent condition, the best of the best guides and rangers with unprecedented knowledge. In a word, we guarantee the greatest experiences and unforgettable memories from safari with CARTER🇧🇷!
Savanna Game Lodge 5*lux – the best place for a children's safari in South Africa
- Luxurious, spacious cottages with terraces and swimming pools, comfortably furnished in safari style. From the moment you arrive, you feel the promise of a great adventure. A friendly place
- Family atmosphere during meals, at one large table. Excellent cuisine. Evening barbecue by the bonfire, accompanied by dancing and singing from a band from a neighboring village.
- Extraordinary: one of the restaurants in a carefully restored railway carriage! A fantastic surprise and a very elegant place.
- An excellent safari thanks to highly experienced guides who are among the best in their field.
I recommend it to those seeking adventure in the atmosphere of African hospitality and comfort!
Leopard Hills Safari Lodge 5*
- An intimate lodge at a very high, 5* level, perfect for family trips.
- Luxurious accommodation, cottages with beautiful views and private pools.
- à la carte restaurant with a selection of excellent dishes, very good wines and a beautiful viewing terrace.
- A place where just being is enough. You can have a great rest, even if you decide not to go on safari. Impeccable service and service.
- Excellent safari, experienced guides.
Leadwood River Lodge 5*LUX
- Luxurious, intimate lodge, family-friendly, personalized service.
- Large villas with terraces and private pools, overlooking a river frequented by animals.
- Possibility to privatize the entire lodge for a group or large family, as it consists of only 4 luxury villas.
- Excellent cuisine, restaurant with a beautiful view, selection of wines and premium drinks.
- Excellent safari, experienced guides.
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge 5* – family holiday near the Kruger Park
- One of the three Sabi Sabi lodges, the most friendly to families and the youngest guests.
- Fantastic, large and safe "EleFun" kids club! Excellent, qualified, international staff to care for children. Educational fun and games, safari for children.
- Comfortable, spacious cottages, some with their own swimming pools.
- Food in the form of a self-service buffet and à la carte , Optional.
- Special children's menu in the self-service buffet.
- A perfect luxury safari, well-equipped and tastefully decorated Amani SPA
Safari with children in South Africa – what is worth knowing when planning a family trip to South Africa
It is worth emphasizing that the level of hygiene and cleanliness in most luxury hotels and holiday villas in South Africa exceeds that of other African countries. Apart from safaris in the Kruger Park, customers traveling with children really appreciate seeing animals and relaxing in malaria-free parks such as Madikwe, Addo Elephant National Park (suitable for safaris with small children) or in the desert scenery of the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. People traveling with an agency CARTER they also really enjoy sightseeing tours with a private driver, visiting the Garden Route and the surrounding area of Cape Town. These regions offer a multitude of attractions for children and teenagers in the form of nature parks, beaches with penguins, opportunities to watch whales and practice many sports such as kayaking, trekking and golf. The best family trips to South Africa are those that combine elements of nature, culture and give a sense of uniqueness.
Explore the largest national parks and most beautiful malaria-free reserves in South Africa. They are safe, well-developed in terms of infrastructure and free from malaria and other tropical diseases.
1. Shamwari
The Shamwari Reserve is just a 45-minute drive from Port Elizabeth and covers 25000ha; you can spend a few interesting days there, in different parts of the reserve observing animal life and birds such as: the southern scarlet shrew, the African stonechat (Saxicola torquatus) and the anteater-chat. Home to Africa's Big Five, the Shamwari Game Reserve has received numerous international awards, including the most prestigious World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for several years in a row. It is situated among the lush vegetation of the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elisabeth and Grahamstown. During a safari at Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, participants are given the opportunity to take part in an animal conservation program. Activities include tracking animals and helping veterinarians return recovered animals back to nature. Shamwari also offers 4X4 bush driving lessons, park safaris, stargazing, wine tastings and botanical walks.
2. Elephant National Park – Addo Elephant Park
Best known for its huge herds of elephants, but unlike any other park, it boasts the Big Seven, namely the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African buffalo, great white shark and right whale. It enjoys a great location close to the Garden Route in the Eastern Cape. Addo Park is the fastest growing national park in South Africa. There are probably more plant species here than in any other nature reserve. Smaller animals living in Addo include kudu, jackals and rare bird species such as the colorful yellow-throated shrike, Cape buzzard and huge colonies of penguins and gannets. This small reserve, with an area of only 2000 hectares, was established in 1931. protecting the last 11 elephants in this area. Four of the females had a genetic defect that made them tusk-free from birth and were thus spared by the bone hunters. Thanks to this, these few animals managed to survive. Currently, there are over 600 elephants in Addo, all descended from the lucky eleven.
3. Pilanesberg National Park
The fourth largest National Park in South Africa. It is famous for the Big Five as well as the sable antelope, the brown hyena and the endangered African wild dog. Pilanesberg Park is home to over 350 species of birds. It is an easily accessible place, as it can be reached in just two and a half hours from the airport in Johannesburg.
4. Madikwe Reserve
Located in the North West Province, it is famous for its endangered African wild dogs and excellent sightings of the Big Five. It is also one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. An additional advantage is that it is easy to get to; from Johannesburg you can get there in five hours by car or in an hour by plane.
5. Kwandwe Reserve
Experience Africa's Big Five in a unique setting on the Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is another one that offers malaria-free safaris in South Africa. Here you can see the Big Five (black and white rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard), as well as an extraordinary variety of predators and game, including cheetah, kudu, springbok, eland, giraffe, black wildebeest and gemsbok.
The name means "place of the blue crane" in the Xhosa language, which is also the national bird of South Africa. You can also see other endangered species here, such as the Knysna woodpecker, Cape gysbok and fish eagle. It is also one of the best safari destinations for families, with exclusive villas; importantly, there are no age restrictions for children. Getting to Kwandwe is very easy and the nearest airport is Port Elizabeth Airport, just a two-hour drive from the reserve.
6. Tswalu Kalahari Private Reserve
It is worth exploring this largest private game reserve in South Africa. It is truly a special place for many reasons; is home to a unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as oryx, cheetah, pangolin, aardvark, desert-adapted black rhinoceros, black-maned lion and many others such as the brown hyena and meerkats. Guests can experience horseback safaris, bushwalking or dine at the Michelin-starred Klein Jan restaurant.
7. Sanbona Reserve
Perfect place for a safari with small children; conveniently located near Cape Town, only 3 hours away. The Sanbona Game Reserve, with an area of 540 square kilometers, is the home of freely roaming white lions.
8. Gondwana Reserve
Situated directly on the Garden Route between the cities of Mossel Bay and Cape Town. Gondwana is a malaria-free nature reserve with an area of approximately 11.500 hectares, surrounded by small hills and typical vegetation of the region. When it comes to accommodation, Gondwana is intended more for luxury lovers than the average traveler. The spectacular location between the Outeniqa and Swartberg mountains makes it very picturesque. The Gondwana Conservation Foundation (GCF) was established as a not-for-profit organization to contribute to the conservation of the endangered wildlife of the Southern Cape in South Africa. The Southern Cape is home to one of the most critically endangered vegetation types on earth (Fynbos).
Author: Travel Agency CARTER
