WELCOME TO SOUTH AFRICA!

Discover why South Africa is the adventure capital of the world, why the natural beauty and wildlife will leave you awe-struck, why it’s possible to afford luxury accommodation and why our friendly people, rich culture and freedom struggle will warm your heart! Follow the African drum and gumboot beat; the bright sun, stars and city streets; the bouquet of our prize-winning wines; the invigorating mountain or ocean air. And, most of all, follow your desire for a personal journey, one that will change you beyond expectation, starting right here…

South Africa is enriched with many fascinating experiences, many world renowned people and many amazing places. From the pictoresque Garden Route towns of the Western Cape to the sandy shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa offers something for everyone. It is one great cultural meeting points of the African continent, especially manifested in the big cities.

Many visitors are surprised by the excellent infrastructure, well maintained roads and the growing number of accommodation in B&B's, Self Catering apartments and Luxury Guest Houses. These make South Africa a perfect country to tour around and because of the fall of the rand also a cheap one too for international tourists. You can tour the whole of South Africa in a month, but it is often more rewarding to focus your attention on one part of the country.

The West houses South Africas main attraction, Cape Town. It’s dramatic setting along the Cape Peninsula coastline with in the centre Table Mountain makes Cape Town South Africa’s most visited, most beautiful and most romantic city. The many different faces in the streets are proof of South Africa’s rainbow nation.
From Cape Town it is easy to visit the other attractions of the Western Cape, the vineyards in the Winelands, the ostriches in Oudtshoorn, Cape of Good Hope and the Garden Route. Further away the Little Karoos dry interior is punctuated by Afrikaner villages. Accommodation is easily found in luxury Guest Houses, hotels, B&B's and Self Catering apartments.

When you are looking for a more "african" experience head for the eastern provinces.You will probably arrive at Oliver Tambo Airport, Gauteng . Johannesburg has a reputation among both tourists and South Africans as a place to be avoided, but many are seduced by its energy and vibrancy. 50 Km up north Pretoria has a completely different atmosphere. Being South Africa’s administrative capital it is filled with civil servants and students from around the World. Less than an hour from Johannesburg, the Magalies Mountains offer ample opportunities for hiking, horse riding and nature trailing. Many people from Johannesburg spend their weekends and holidays here, so accomodation is varied and plentiful.

Half a days drive takes you to Mpumalanga or Limpopo. Limpopo tends not to feature on the standard tourist intinerary but the empty spaces of this province have their own unique “go safari “appeal . There is plenty to satisfy both the wannabe pioneer and indulged tourist.
At the foot of the Waterberg lies Bela-Bela and country side, waiting to be discovered by all adventure addicts. The indigenous bushveld vegetation of the area with breathtaking scenes is the ideal setting to experience nature.
The mountains of Haenertsburg, Magoebaskloof and Agatha are linked via the spectacular Georges Valley which comprises indigenous forests, cascading waterfalls, placid lakes and craggy kloofs.
The area around Tzaneen produces the majority of the country's subtropical fruits and winter vegatables. The mountanious landscape, the subtropical climate, the lush indigenous vegetation which alternates with plantations, and the largely unspoilt natural environment, make this pictoresque area one of the most attractive recreation and tourist areas in South Africa.
Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit are the main entrances to the northern and middle part off Kruger National Park, therefore Bed and Breakfast or other accommodation can be found easily. The safari industry here is divers, bushwalks, guided BIG 5 safari tours, microlight/ helicopter flights and a large variety of other activities are offered.

For many tour operators Mpumalanga ( Place of the Rising Sun ) is the main gateway to Kruger and the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. It is the second largest canyon in Africa, and is known as one of the great wonders of nature on the continent. Many tourists regard Mpumalanga as a doormat for Kruger National Park, but it is well worth visiting in its own right.'Pilgrims Rest, Sabie, Graskop, Hazyview and Waterval Boven are just a few of the places you should not miss. These towns offer accommodation in game lodges, self catering units and upmarket B&B's and Guest Houses. The Long Tom Pass, God's Window, the Three Rondavels, Bourke Luck Potholes, many vistas and waterfalls make beautifull stops on your way from Johannesburg to Kruger, KwazuluNatal or Limpopo. The Drakensberg is the ideal spot for kloofing, rafting, hiking, absailing, mountain biking, ballooning and rock climbing. Dullstroom, a chic, attractive town is in the heart of trout country. If you are an angling aficionado, this is the place to be. Many Guest Houses offer all-inclusive fishing trips.

Though Kruger National Park is the province’s biggest draw card, you can experience the thrill of Big 5 game safari’s in many private parks as well. Safari’s can be booked at most tourist information centres. They can supply you with information on Bed and Breakfast accommodation, from low budget self catering apartments to 5 star safari lodges.

Limpopo and Mpumalanga share the mighty Kruger National Park. With its fast savannas and abundant wildlife, the park is one of the best safari destinations in the world. Southern Kruger National Park is the most popular part of the park, here you will find the highest concentration of animals. For those who like self-catering, both the campings and SC units are well equipped.

A visit to Kruger Park can easily be combined with a trip into Kwazulu Natal. South Africa’s most African province has all this continent is famous for by the tourist. Wildlife, culture, pristine beaches and the towering, covered in mist, peaks of the Drakensberg range. Kwazulu Natal offers superb bird watching and game parks. In the north, Maputaland , a patchwork of wetlands, wilderness, Zulu villages and freshwater lakes, meets the sea in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park), one of South Africa’s World Heritage sites.
For hiking and kloofing, the Drakensberg Mountains are the best spot. Crystal clear lakes and rivers, giant peaks and waterfalls form the scenery while walking, mountaineering or hiking.
Durban, South Africa’s major harbour is a mixture of cultural flavours, derived from Zulu, Indian, Arabic and white communities, one of the few cities in South Africa worth a visit in its own right.

An excellent short cut takes you through Swaziland, completely different from South Africa. Swaziland, one of the smallest countries in Africa, has a reputation for friendliness in Southern Africa. It contains several large game parks and reserves, which are sponsored by the government and are popular tourist destinations Compared to other countries in the region, Swaziland is known for its civility and peacefulness. Swaziland can be done in 2 or 3 days, but it has enough on offer to stay at least a week. Though accommodation is not as plentiful as in South Africa, both the backpacker and people looking for more luxurious accommodation wil easily find a place to their liking.

The coastline of the Eastern Cape stretches from the spectacular, subtropical Wild Coast in the north, through Port Elizabeth to the forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Addo Elephant National Park and some private reserves like Amakhala and Shamwari, an hour’s drive inland, are the only reserves in the southern half that offer serious game viewing and are malaria free all year round. The north-west part of the province is dominated by the empty spaces of the Karoo.

The main attractions here are Mountain Zebra National Park, a terrific place to see herbivors in a dramatic setting of arid plains and flat topped Mountains, and the 18th century Cape Dutch town of Graaff Reinet. East London, the country’s largest river port has a good surf beach and spectacular bay.
Just north of East London starts the famous Wild Coast, one of the most unspoilt area’s in South Africa. Here you can still find traditional, rural Xhosa villages. Waterfalls, steep-sided gorges, rolling hills, rivers and beaches form a spectacular coastline. This is the Africa completely missed by the tourist who restricts his stay to Cape Town or the Garden Route. Many Guest House, B&B's and Hotels are ituated on or close by the beach.

More off the beaten track is South Africas interior with its open horizons, isolated villages and fast vistas. The North West province extends from Gauteng to the Botswana border and the Kalahari desert. It’s one of the most visited province’s in South Africa but most tourists flock in Sun City and the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. But it can be very rewarding to explore the rest of this province. 
In  the north, on the border with Botswana, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s gems, a huge Big 5 park with upclass accommodation. All Big 5 can be spotted here, plus the endangered wild dog. It is a malaria free area, making it a good option for children.

Being the largest province, covering one-third of the nation’s landmass, the Northern Cape is not an easy region to travel. It is dominated by heat, empty spaces, aridity and huge travelling distances. Its main attraction is the desert, its wildlife, diamonds and flowers. The Northern Cape is off the beaten track, but the tourist will be rewarded with stunning panorama’s and complete silence.
Upington, the main town, is the gateway to Namibia, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls NP. In the west, the brief winter rains in August and September set alive Namaqualand. From a harsh desert the land transforms into a magnificent display of wild flowers. Further up north you can explore South Africa’s only mountain desert, Richtersveld NP.It is a stunning, hot, dry and forbidding place, only to be explored by 4x4 drive or drifting down the Orange River in a canoe.

The Free State is an ideal place for a farm- or homestay, a self-catering camping trip or a multinight hiking trail. The high-lands with their eroded sandstone hills dominate the eastern part, to the west the landscape consists largely of rolling grass- and farm-lands.
The highlight of the Eastern Highlands is Golden Gate Highlands National Park, part of the Drakensberg, not famous for its wildlife but for the red sandstone outcrops, this is one of Africa’s best hiking spots.
Travellling southeast you should stop at the Basotho Cultural Village and Phuthadijhaba. Here it is possible to hike up the highest plateaus of the Drakensberg.

The eastern Free State is the gateway to Lesotho, a tourist can cross the border close to all small towns. Lesotho (the land of the people who speak Sesotho ) is totally surrounded by South Africa and is making a reputation for itself as a fantastic adventure tourist destination. The Basotho people are very friendly and welcoming, and the country is relatively safe and politically stable compared to some of its neighbours. No post-apartheid effects, traditional lifestyles still very much alive and a laid back pace make Lesotho refreshingly different. Add superb mountain views, excellent hiking and horse riding trails, comfortable accommodation in lodges, B&B's, Guest Houses and hotels and most places are accessible with an ordinary rental car.

The South African Bed and Breakfast accommodation website offers an easy and fast way to find business or holiday accommodation in South Africa. Whether you are looking for a Bed and Breakfast, Guest House, Hotel, Backpackers, Game Lodge, Farmstay or Self Catering, South Africa offers accommodation to suit every budget. So whether you are an international tourist looking to spend your next holiday in South Africa, a soccer lover already looking to book accommodation for FIFA World Cup in 2010, or a domestic tourist considering taking a shot’ left to somewhere in Mzansi, this is the website for you.

Establishments in South Africa can have themselve graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa on a 5 star basis. Many establishments make use of this service and you will see the star grading displayed on most advertising material.
- 1 star - Clean, comfortable and functional.
- 2 star - Good: Quality furnishings, service and guest care.
- 3 star - Very good: Better furnishings, service and guest care.
- 4 star - Superior: Excellent comfort and very high standard furnishings, service and guest care.
- 5 star - Exceptional: Top of the line quality and luxurious accommodation to match the best international standards. Flawless service and guest care.

The different accommodation types are defined as :
- Bed and Breakfast accommodation is provided in a family (private) home and the owner/manager lives in the house or on the property. Breakfast must be served. Bathroom facilities may or may not be en-suite and/or private. In general, the guest shares the public areas with the host family.
- Self Catering accommodation is a house, cottage, chalet, bungalow, flat, studio, apartment, villa, houseboat, tent or any accommodation where facilities and equipment are provided for guests to cater for themselves. The facilities should be adequate to cater for the maximum advertised number of residents.
- A guest house can be an existing home, a renovated home or a building that has been specifically designed to provide overnight accommodation. They will also serve dinner. A guest house will have public areas for the exclusive use of its guests. A guest house is a commercial enterprise and as such the owner or manager may live on the property.
- A hotel provides accommodation to the travelling public, has a reception area, and offers at least a 'breakfast room' or communal eating area. In general a hotel makes food and beverage services available to guests; these may be outsourced or provided by the hotel.
- A lodge is an accommodation facility located in natural surroundings. The rates charged are usually inclusive of all meals and the experience offered at the lodge, with game drives, battlefield tours, etc.
- A Backpacker and/or Hostelling establishment is an accommodation facility that provides communal facilities, including dormitories yet may offer a range of alternative sleeping arrangements. Only establishments that cater for transient guests (travelling public) will qualify for grading.
- A Caravan and Camping Park is a facility that provides ablution and toilet facilities and space for guests to provide for their own accommodation, such as a tent, motor home and or caravan.
- A country house is a large guest house, usually situated in natural, peaceful surroundings such as near a nature reserve, a forest, a lake etc. It offers all the services of a hotel, including dinner.

Whether you are after wilderness and wildlife, or refinement and relaxation, South Africa is bound to please. The country offers something for everyone. You can stay in luxurious lodges or low-key backpacker hostels, you always have incredible natural beauty nearby. We are sure you will enjoy your stay in South Africa, the Rainbow Nation. To find accommodation, use the search box at the top, click a Province or the map of South Africa below.

The JOIN SABB team - Phalaborwa

All Eastern Cape accommodation

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