de hoop nature reserve

Now that beaches have reopened, De Hoop Nature Reserve is the ultimate romantic seaside getaway. Image: Adobe Stock

Must love travel: Valentine’s Day 2021 specials from around the country

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, here’s a roundup of romantic specials for February at some of South Africa’s top hotels and lodges.

de hoop nature reserve

Now that beaches have reopened, De Hoop Nature Reserve is the ultimate romantic seaside getaway. Image: Adobe Stock

Here’s a pick of some of the attractive specials on offer in South Africa during the month of love.

In keeping with Coronavirus requirements, all of these establishments are adhering to stringent health and safety cleaning protocols. Booking is essential in most cases, and that additional terms and conditions may apply.

Country quiet at Walkersons Hotel and Spa, Mpumalanga

Walkersons Hotel and Spa
Walkersons Hotel and Spa near Dullstroom is ideal for a quiet Valentine’s break. Image: Christy Strever

This five-star, 27-room boutique hotel near Dullstroom is ideal for exclusive weekend breaks, especially Valentine’s. It is located on 800ha of peaceful countryside. The scenery is beautiful and Dullstroom’s famous trout dams offer excellent fly-fishing.

Delicious cuisine is one of the hotel’s attractions: The Flying Scotsman and Terrace Restaurants cater for both guests and day visitors.

Walkersons Hotel & Spa is offering a Valentine’s weekend with 35% discount for a two-night stay on Friday and Saturday 12 and 13 February.  Enjoy a special menu, romantic turndown in your room and a small gift to celebrate Valentine’s. The discount is valid for the rest of February too, but without all the romantic “trimmings”. 

More information: reservations@walkersons.co.za or 013-253-7000; www.walkersons.co.za

Feel the love at Thanda Safari, KwaZulu-Natal

thanda safari lodge
A bush suite at Thanda Safari Lodge. Image: Adobe Stock

Thanda refers to “love” in Zulu. You’ll fall in love with this internationally award-winning Big Five game reserve in the heart of Zululand. It’s the perfect place for couples to experience the bush, the Big Five, romantic turndowns, Valentine sundowner cocktails and fine meals.

The lodge’s Valentine’s weekend package costs R6,500 per person sharing for a two-night (Friday and Saturday) stay at the luxurious Thanda Tented Camp. These are spacious safari-style tents with private viewing decks and en-suite bathrooms.

The package also includes four game drives with a guide and tracker, all meals and selected local beverages. Not included is a conservation levy of R200 per person, gratuities and all personal items.

More information: reservations@thanda.co.za or 032-586-0149; www.thandasafari.co.za

African adventure at Emdoneni Lodge, Hluhluwe

This award-winning, three-star lodge with an abundance of wildlife and natural vegetation is on a small game farm in Hluhluwe, near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. It offers exclusive, authentic and unforgettable African safaris.

Its accommodation, designed to give a taste of Africa with just the right amount of luxury, has four options – standard or deluxe chalets; African-style rondavels; and — perfect for couples wanting to celebrate Valentine’s in style — the Windfall Cottage.

The lodge’s Valentine’s package includes one overnight stay, dinner, breakfast, a guided sundowner walk, a cat tour, a spa voucher and a goodie bag.

More information:  035-562-7000/7001 or info@emdonenilodge.com; www.emdonenilodge.com

Unique location at The Turbine on Thesen Island

The Turbine Hotel
A view of the Turbine Hotel’s pool area. Image: Supplied

The five-star Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa is on Knysna’s Thesen Island in what was once an old power station. As one of the country’s most unusual hotels, it is an ideal place to spend Valentine’s weekend.

The Turbine has luxury and standard hotel rooms, self-catering and semi-self-catering suites and a romantic honeymoon suite. Facilities include the Island Café restaurant and newly reopened Gastro Pub, the Turbine Spa and the Turbine Water Club, which offers water-based activities.

The Valentine’s Day offers include a one-night special on Saturday 13 February at R2,850 per room, and a two-night special on 12 and 13 February at R5,190 per room, including bed and breakfast, a 45-minute couples’ back, neck and shoulder massage at the spa, and a romantic turndown platter.

Additional spa specials are also available.

More information: 044-302-5746 or reservations@turbinehotel.co.za; www.turbinehotel.co.za  

Natural sanctuary at De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape

The Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the Western Cape’s largest and most beautiful nature sanctuaries. A member of Cape Country Routes, the De Hoop Collection offers world-class whale watching, accommodation to suit all budgets and outdoor activities in abundance.

Spend Valentine’s weekend in a suite for two nights, enjoy romantic dinners at the Fig Tree Restaurant and breakfasts on the verandah watching birds on the vlei at R3,720 per couple on a dinner, B&B basis. A complimentary bird walk is included.

More information: 021-422 4522 or res@dehoopcollection.co.za; www.dehoopcollection.com.

Elegance at Eendracht in Stellenbosch

The elegant, award-winning Eendracht Hotel and Apartments is in the oldest part of Stellenbosch. Its Valentine’s Day package — a one-night stay for two — offers an Adventure Shop Boschendal e-bike tour for two on Saturday morning, a welcome mocktail on arrival at Eendracht, breakfast and a three-course lunch for two at Senobia’s on Sunday, at R2,495 per couple.

This package is only for overnighting on Saturday 13 February — inquire for a special rate to stay a second night.

More information: 021-883-8843 or reservations@eendracht-hotel.com; www.eendracht-hotel.com

Other deals from Cape Country Routes

This group of owner-operated and managed establishments includes more than 20 hotels, lodges and guest houses, unusual places, attractions and activities and tours in the Cape. For more information on the specials below, email info@capecountryroutes.com.

Agulhas Country Lodge

Agulhas Country Lodge’s elevated position at the southernmost tip of Africa in L’Agulhas offers remarkable sea views from nearly every vantage point. With eight en-suite rooms, all with sea-view balconies, a bar with an enclosed balcony, also with stunning views, and its decor of antique wood and fireplaces, the romantic ambience is perfect for Valentine’s.

The lodge has a 50% discount for the honeymoon suite for two people for two nights on 12 and 13 February at R625 per person per night, including breakfast.

De Zeekoe Guest Farm

de zeekoe oudtshoorn
De Zeekoe Guest Farm is surrounded by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. Image: Supplied

This four-star guest farm is just 7km outside Oudtshoorn and has a unique charm, with lots to do in the area. Various accommodation types are available — from stylish rooms at the Main House to luxurious, private, self-catering cottages with own pool. 

De Zeekoe’s Valentine’s weekend special is R700 per person per night for the cottages and R650 per person per night for rooms in the Main House, including breakfast.

Marine Dynamics in Kleinbaai

Marine Dynamics
Marine Dynamics has an onboard marine biologist. Image: Supplied

If keen to do something completely different for Valentine’s, consider this award-winning shark cage diving and viewing company in Kleinbaai, Western Cape.

Marine Dynamics has a 40% discount Valentine’s offer. Explore the famous Dyer Island ecosystem and stand a chance to see sharks, whales, dolphins, seals and penguins. An onboard marine biologist will educate you as you get up close and personal with the marine wildlife. A free visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary — a project of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust — is included. 

More information: 082-380-3405, sharks@marinedynamicstravel.com.

New Holme Country House

New Holme guest farm
New Holme is on a working sheep and game farm in the Karoo. Image: Supplied

Three-star New Holme Country House is a working sheep and game farm in the Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve, one of two reserves of the new Khoisan Karoo Conservancy. Experience traditional Karoo cuisine, sunset and night drives, the birds of the Karoo, Koi history, etchings and the ‘Shy Five’ night drive to look for aardvark, aardwolf, black-footed cat, porcupine and bat-eared fox.

A special Valentine’s rate of R1,500 per person for two nights includes New Holme’s signature three- course buffet and breakfast daily, and a night drive.  

Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve

Oudtshoorn Wildehondkloof game reserve
A sumptuous spread at Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve. Image: Supplied

Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve is 40km from Oudtshoorn. It has nine luxurious bedrooms, all en suite and air-conditioned, with stunning mountain and river views. Activities include guided game drives, diverse birdlife, hiking trails, swimming, mountain biking and exploring the countryside. 

Rates for a single-night Valentine’s package (dinner, B&B) start from R1,500 per person per night – and there’s a special treat of a free picnic basket. 

Tempting deals from Cape Summer Villas

This privately owned hotel group includes a boutique collection of nine properties in the Western Cape, along the Cape coast to Plettenberg Bay. Here are some of their specials.

Sky Villa Boutique Hotel

Sky Villa Plettenberg Bay
Sky Villa has stunning views of the Indian Ocean, Tsitsikamma Mountains, Keurbooms River and lagoon. Image: Supplied

If you’re looking for a luxurious Valentine’s experience, Sky Villa Boutique Hotel in Plettenberg Bay is the place. It is perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains and lagoon. This five-star boutique hotel is known for its warm hospitality, good design and lush indigenous gardens.

Sky Villa’s Perfect Date package at R4,200 per couple includes a two-night stay, bottle of sparkling wine and fruit basket on arrival, breakfast, a private dinner on the terrace and a 60-minute Thai oil massage by Royal Thai Plett, subject to availability.

More information: 087-550-2967 or info@skyvilla.co.za

Spanish Farm Guest Lodge

Spanish Farm Guest Lodge in Somerset West has a peaceful ambience and typical, warm South African hospitality. It has luxury, air-conditioned guesthouse bedrooms and self-catering villas with indigenous gardens, stunning scenery and panoramic views of False Bay and the surrounding mountains.

Escape the city for a Valentine’s getaway by taking advantage of the Romantic Escape package. Two nights at the lodge start from R3,400 for a standard guesthouse room to R5,900 for the honeymoon villa — this package includes breakfast, a bottle of wine or bubbly and a 60-minute Thai massage for two from Thai Sabai. The offer is for the whole of February.

More information: 021-852-7352 or info@spanishfarm.co.za

The Den Apartments

The Den’s elegant, self-catering apartments are fitted with exceptional fixtures, appliances and linen, with interior design by Clara’s Interiors. It has a communal rooftop deck with pool, braai area and views of the nearby mountains.

It is close to many of Stellenbosch’s top restaurants, and has easy access to all roads through the Winelands. The Den’s Romantic Hideaway special for February is a two-night, studio apartment stay at R3,000. It includes a cheese board with bottle of wine or bubbly, and an hour-long in-room massage for two.

More information: 066-297-4358 or enquiries@thedenstellenbosch.co.za