Contemporary luxury accommodation in the remote wilderness of Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Winner of numerous local and international awards, including One of Five Best Baths in the word with a View, The Outpost Safari Lodge is located in the northern region of the Kruger National park known as the Makuleke.

Home to large herds of elephant and buffalo, this remote region of the Kruger covers about 28 000 hectares, with the Limpopo River and Zimbabwe on it’s northern border and Crooks Corner and Mozambique on it’s eastern border. Whilst the location may be remote and the terrain rugged, it does not mean that you have to rough it.

Unlike most safari lodges that have a far more ethnic design, the Outpost is unashamedly contemporary in it’s design and is made up of the main lodge and 12 stand-alone living spaces set against the side of a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River. Each living space comes with it’s own own private outdoor terrace, indoor lounge and bedroom and an incredible award-winning en-suite bathroom with stunning views of the African bush.

Awards

• 101 Best New Hotels – Tatler Guide 2005 (UK 2005)
• 100 Best New Hotels in the World – Conde Nast Traveller (US May 2004)
• One of Five Best Baths with a View – Independent Newspaper (UK April 2004)
• Hottest New Game Lodge – Young Rich Travel (Australia September 2003)
• South Africa’s Sexiest Bathrooms – Style (South Africa July 2003)
• Best Safari Lodge – Wallpaper (UK May 2003)

More information:

• The Outpost Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park
• The Outpost Information and Booking Request form

We decided to stay that the City Lodge Airport Hotel in Johannesburg, here is my review:

Price: About £40 per night
The City Lodge Airport Hotel in Johannesburg, is as the name suggests conveniently located near the Johannesburg International Airport. There is a transfer shuttle bus from the Airport to the hotel every half-hour, which takes about 5 minutes.

We arrived at around 6am and found the shuttle bus waiting at the “public transport” area located outside the hotel, the driver was courteous and helpful and we were soon at the check in desk. This service is very convenient, but the hotel does charge an nominal 44 rand fee (about £3) per person.

The hotel is also not far from the giant Eastgate shopping center in Johannesburg. We organised a taxi to take us there from the reception and it cost us 90 rand (£6) and there are taxis available from the center to take you back to the hotel.

Our room was clean and tidy and came with the usual including air-conditioning and a nice flat screen TV. The bathroom had a fantastic shower, which was very welcome after the 10 hour flight from London Heathrow Airport.

Outside there is a nice pool area and peaceful garden, at the end of which is a small gym that guests can use free of charge. That afternoon, we sat and enjoyed a sun-downer in the garden and watched the local bird life that included a Hadada Ibis that came down onto the lawn just in front of us.

Meals were interesting as you can either order for the small hotel menu, or as we did go to the reception and order a “delivery service” from a number of local restaurants that will deliver the food to the hotel, who then will set up a table for you in the dinning area for you to eat your meal. I think this is a fantastic way of helping local businesses as well as allowing you the guest a greater choice of food.

If I had one bad thing to say about the City Lodge Airport Hotel, it would be that the area surrounding the hotel is not that scenic, but being near to the airport, I guess you should kind of expect it.

Safari-Guide Opinion
Overall the hotel is excellent for the price and is very conveniently located to the airport and is perfect should you need a one night stay-over. Highly recommended.

City Lodge Airport Hotel
Sandvale Road
Edenvale, 1610

Reservations: clairport.resv@citylodge.co.za

Directions:
At the Barbara Rd exit off the R24
4km from O.R.Tambo International Airport
3km from Edenvale or 8km from Eastgate for shopping & dining out