The lodge is privately owned and managed. A young and enthusiastic staff compliment with a great affinity for Zululand and boundless hospitality are committed to service excellence. Knowledgeable guides and a creative chef will ensure that your visit is tailored for your taste buds and truly an intimate experience of Zululand and its people.
Guests are encouraged to highlight special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
On arrival enjoy a complimentary welcome drink to ease you into the mood of rural tranquillity, while a qualified guide introduce you to the lodge and the remarkable region with all its biodiversity and attractions.
The layout
The lodge lies is designed in a semi-circle embracing a waterhole. Twelve sand-coloured bedrooms are grouped together in units of four rooms. The first unit of 4 rooms are adjacent to the main building with architectural features that enhance the hues of the surroundings. Each room has a back and front door offering a private stay.
From the national highway you will enter through the main gate and travel on paved roads to undercover parking in front of your room. The conference venue is situated away from the lodge to ensure privacy. Parking for busses is available.
The lodge's facilities
The main building conveys an air of elegance, with a lounge area, elegant dining room and cosy bar that leads to the pool amid sprawling lawns. The pool is a glorious invitation to enjoy the year round sunshine. Bask in Africa's glorious sun on the wood deck.
The cigar lounge, with its lofty grandeur and traditional earthy colours and crafts, invites you to sink away in the soft couches, whilst reading from the small library or enjoying a game of chess. Or you could simply enjoy the sounds of nature around a blazing log fire in the boma.
Restaurant
Meals are a feast of traditional tastes to tempt the discerning diner, whether it is a candlelit dinner in the elegant dining room, starlight supper alongside a campfire, a riverside breakfast or picnic at a lake. Health-conscious guests or special dietary requirements are catered for.
An unhurried breakfast is the prelude to a day of abundant discovery, starting with of a buffet with a selection of cereals, fruits, yoghurts and pastries while you wait for your plated hot breakfast made to your order.
Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the fully stocked bar with your hosts that will introduce you to South Africa's traditional liquors, beer and a selection of wines.
A standard dinner consists of a plated starter, buffet main meal with selection of fresh vegetables and salads, superior meat and delectable desserts. Coffee and tea, chocolates, local cheese's and complimentary sherry around the quiet intimacy of a campfire are a perfect conclusion to a day of sights and explorations.
Activities on property
Leisure options on the property include an enticing pool deck, manicured croquet lawn, a scenic river walk, a nature drive or a boat cruise where you could witness the grandeur of a bush sunset, along a reed-lined river banks. Big 5 safaris depart from the lodge into the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game reserve.
For the more energetic, unspoilt nature trails bring unrestricted encounters with the small pleasures that is Africa - the sun's warm embrace, the rich smell of soil, unspoilt sweeping grasslands, intriguing insects, the sounds of birds and antelope.
The surroundings
Spacious gardens flow into the surrounding bush offering tranquil views of the African Savannah. Wildlife graze right up to the front door. Where you will find a tame red duiker called 'Lilly', one of Africa's smallest antelope, waiting to greet you upon arrival.
At sunrise you could see the reedbuck shyly hiding in the reeds of the waterhole. During the day the zebra chase the impala and at sunset the woollynecked storks' beaks disappear into the ground searching for worms. Gazebo Safari Lodge is the only lodge in Hluhluwe where you will find white blesbuck while enjoying sundowners around the pool.
The lodge is graciously set on 500ha with two rivers on its borders. The riverine forests contribute to the variety of birdlife on the property. The indigenous garden has a variety of vegetation including the Lala palm used for basket weaving, the Marula tree which fruits are a favourite of elephants and monkeys, and Fever trees, whose
distinctive basks illuminates the savannah thornveld.
Accommodation
Stylish interiors and spacious rooms create a pleasant and warm ambience, from earthy cane to dark wood furniture. Italian tiles and roman pillars contribute to the elegant charm of the rooms. Well-lit dressing tables and a suitcase rack provide practical conveniences.
Pamper yourself with the luxury accommodation offering privacy and intimacy with nature.
The bedrooms include:
- five twin bedded rooms (with a shower only),
- four double bed rooms (1 with shower only and 3 with bath and shower),
- and three rooms with a double and single bed (Bath and shower),
- wo of the rooms are interlinked to their adjacent rooms, making it perfect for family needs,
- two self-catering options are also available with private lounge, fully equipped kitchenette and barbeque area.
Guests are spoilt in their room with little extra's like the welcome fruit basket and small memorabilia. In the evening you'll find your linen has been turned down and adorned with delectable chocolates to promote the sweetest of dreams. Weather cards assist you in planning your visit.
Amenities for your comfort include:
- Private veranda overlooking a waterhole
- En-suite bathrooms
- Air-conditioning
- Television
- Ceiling fan
- Bar fridge
- Tea & coffee facilities
- Private safe
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Candles
- Undercover parking
- Laundry service, and
- Housekeeping.
The following is available from reception on request
- International adaptors
- Torches
- Insect repellent machines, and
- Umbrellas
Conference facilities
Gazebo Safari Lodge is:
- ideally suited for teambuilding exercises and orientation courses,
- a secluded haven for inspiring and private brainstorming sessions, and
- a corporate escape with professional yet personalised service.
The conference venue is air-conditioned with the following facilities:
- an overhead projector & screen
- a television
- flipchart
- whiteboard
- video recorder
- podium
The venue can accommodate up to 50 delegates (Cinema shaped seating arrangement).
Please contact us for rates. Daily hire for delegates that do not overnight can be arranged. We would gladly assist in planning you program or recommending facilitators.
SPECIAL valid from 1 Jan to 30 July 2004
Visits longer than 3 nights receive 1 night accommodation complimentary.
Terms and Conditions
Guests are welcome to join activities at additional costs if they have not reserved under a fully inclusive rate, but prior arrangement is advised to avoid disappointment.
Activities are not refundable for guests who cancel on the scheduled day of the activity or who arrive after the activity has departed.
All costs should be confirmed with a reservation form as rates are subject to change without notice .
Full payment is required 2 weeks prior to the arrival date.
Cancellation policy for reservations cancelled 20 days prior to arrival date has a 50% cancellation fee, and 14 days prior to arrival date has a 100% cancellation fee. |