Ilanga News

Ilanga travels to Zimbali and Prince’s Grant
 

 

On a recent visit to Kwa-Zulu Natal we focused on the golf experiences in the area. Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and its sub-tropical coast line rates as one of South Africa’s prime golf destinations. We visited two of the top golf courses in KZN.

Zimbali

Zimbali is a superb Tom Weiskopf design golf course, set on the lush North Coast. Distinct features of the course are that some holes are built among what were once canefields, almost devoid of trees, while others cut through the estate’s indigenous forest and wetlands.

Accommodation on offer on the Estate is either at Fairmont Zimbali Lodge or Zimbali Resort Hotel.

Zimbali Lodge offers exclusive lodge hospitality with its 76 guest rooms and suites, and the lodge rooms are nestled in the coastal forest in various buildings. The main building features an infinity pool surrounded by palm trees, and the lodge has a safari themed décor. The restaurant on site is only open for breakfast, but there are dining options at the nearby resort hotel. Light lunches are available at the cosy Trophy Bar, which also offers al-fresco dining. Forest walks and a lovely path to the beach are strongly recommended.

The Resort Hotel, a 5 min golf cart ride from the lodge, has over 170 rooms and suites, and also offers various restaurant offerings, a Spa, Health Club and Kids Club. There is access to the beach, which is within walking distance, approximately 500m from the hotel. All in all a very busy and buzzy feel in typical big resort fashion.

Hotel guests enjoy special rates and tee off times on the course, but pre-booking of all golf before arrival is strongly recommended. Golf carts are required, it is not a walking course.

 

 
Prince’s Grant

This magnificent course is open every day of the year. It is situated on the exclusive Dolphin coast, approximately 75km north of Durban, but certainly worth the drive. The golf course’s main appeal lies in the perfect use of the natural topography, and all holes fit the terrain. Some of the holes offer impressive views with the backdrop of the Indian Ocean which make a game on this course a very memorable experience.

Prince’s Grant is also a small golf resort, and the club house is home to guest accommodation which has an impressive staircase leading to the first floor rooms in this historic building. We recommend taking a golf cart, as distances between the holes can be long, with some steep inclines between holes.

 
Singita Lebombo Lodge – intensifying the connection with nature
 

Singita’s most contemporary safari lodge is set to close as it undergoes a complete re-alignment. The upgrade will involve an overall polishing of a cutting edge design that has always been ahead of its time!

Subtle, but significant refinements to the guestrooms will enhance the flow between spaces, and allow the rooms to connect even more dramatically with the surroundings. Common areas are going to be substantially expanded to extend the guest experience way beyond safari, while the kitchen will be opened up, re-organised and re-equipped, to create a space that is aligned with the lodge’s unique design. Singita are also planning to unveil a brand new family villa that will also incorporate some rather exciting elements.

The lodge will be closed from 16 January to 10 April 2016. Singita are excited to reveal a re-imagined property in which every detail has been designed to not only enhance guests’ experience, but to also intensify their connection with nature.