The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Should Definitely be on your Bucket List!

andBeyond's Ngorongoro Crater Lodge 

Should Definitely be on your Bucket List!

Everyone needs to check-in to

 andBeyond's Ngorongoro Crater Lodge to visit this 

UNESCO world heritage site.  This elegant lodge

 sits on the rim on the largest intact caldera in the 

world.  The floor of the caldera is like seeing 

Africa all at once...the big five, Maasai herdsmen, 

various landscapes, and many other animals and birds!  

andBeyond accurately describes this lodge as

 "where Versailles meets Maasai".  It is truly exotic. 

The views are unbelievable of the crater!  

And the wining and dining is wonderful!!  

The entrance....

The view of the crater and suites...

Our bedroom with a peek into 

our bathroom...

Our fireplace that was definitely needed

 at this high elevation!!!

The fabulous sitting area... We met people from all 

over the world while hanging out in the beautiful room. 

The dining room is elegant...

The magical view from our room...  

The view changes dramatically from hour to hour...

I can promise you that the general managers of this lodge..

Chris and Mandy Ford...are top notch and keep the cellar

 well stocked!  We are lucky to have befriended this 

dynamo couple almost four years ago!  

Out of the Ordinary...

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Barry says that I totally lived up to my reputation as 

far as taking him to really unexpected places when we we 

were "delivered" to the Forest Lodge at Grootbos!  

This place is fabulous!  The weather wasn't exactly

 fabulous...but we were there in their winter!  There

 were some things on our list that we didn't get to do

...but there were somethings that weren't even on 

our radar that we did and loved!

It was love at first sight...

Can you see the view of Walker's Bay?

There is a really good reason that the fireplace 

was blazing in our cottage...

We loved the uncluttered and clean

 lines of the lounge area...

The pool was beautiful, but a wee bit cold for a swim...

All of the exterior spaces and interior spaces are lovely....

I loved the Forest Lodge and everything it offered! 

 I knew it was going to be extra special when the dessert 

special on our first night was Mississippi Mud Cake!

Cape Town....is this really Africa?

That is what I kept saying to myself and out loud when 

I visited Cape Town the first time.  It is definitely one 

of my most favorite cities in the world!  How can it not

 be???  Just look at it!!!  There are lots of great places that

 I would love to permanently call home in Cape Town...

Ellerman House, Cape Grace, and The One and Only all

 immediately come to mind!

When we decided to take Davis to Cape Town, we know

 we had to check in to the...

I loved our colorful rooms!  I needed waking up after our 

"short" flight from the US!

I was also thrilled to see the Nespresso machine 

on our room, too! 

The soaking tub in the sumptuous bath is a nice

 way to combat jet lag, too!

The bar area is is beautiful on the inside and

 it has gorgeous views, too!  

The view from out room of Table Mountain would have

 been perfect if we had ever had a glimpse of the top 

while we were in residence!

YES! You Should Go to the Beach in Africa!!!

Yes!  For sure you should go to the beach in Africa!  No!  

You will not be staying in a grass and palm beach hut...

at least I am not!  We love Birkenhead House!  

It is in Hermanus, South Africa.  It is a part of

 the Royal Portfolio....which means that it is a sister 

lodge to Royal Malewane and La Residence.  

The owner of these 3 fine properties is Liz Biden. 

 After visiting these 3 fine properties, Barry said 

that he would go to a lodge on Three 

Mile Island if Liz Biden was the owner!

Presenting the lodge....

Our table for two where we loved watching 

Southern Right Whales...no binoculars needed!

The lovely living area in the lodge...

The pool area is pretty sweet daytime and nighttime!

And what a sophisticated room!!!

Bathroom is pretty swell too...

Sunset dining by the sea is a bonus...

My only advice is to NOT go in August!  It is COLD! 

 And the whales are just arriving!  And the seas

 can be really rough!  And you may not be able 

to go diving with the great white sharks!

Singita Boulders at Sabi Sand in South Africa

Singita means place of miracles.  And if you have

 been lucky enough to visit one of their properties....

you know that the name Singita is highly 

appropriate!  Even if you are a declared city-slicker, 

 I don't think you will think that is too rustic...

This is a view from inside the lodge...

And the pool isn't bad either....

Loved our cottage...

Could get used to this...

Having our own personal pool and 

deck was a fun place to spend time...

Loved to perch here for brunch and watch the animals. 

 It is definitely not a hardship to glamp here!!!

This Can't Be Africa????

A Continuation of I Wish I Could go to Africa but I Like Nice Places...

Well...yes it can!  No one was more surprised 

than me!  La Residence is located in South Africa

 in the wine country in a beautiful town named 

Franschhoek.   It is actually a sister hotel to

 Royal Malewane. This is one of the many reasons

that I think Africa is the perfect choice

for a honeymoon!

This entrance was a clue that I was in for a treat!!!

The entrance and dining area is stunning!

Our room was fantastic!

I wish that I had this bathroom at home...

The view from our balcony was jaw dropping...

The vista towards the pool and mountains....

The gardens...well, that is another story

 for a another day...

"I Wish I Could go to Africa...but I can't do Grass Huts....continued..."

A Continuation of "I Wish I Could Go to Africa...but I can't Stay in Grass Huts..."

In Johannesburg, South Africa, there are several 5 star choices for lodging.  If you are only spending the night in transit to somewhere else, I love the Hotel Intercontinental located right at the airport.  If not, the Hotel Saxon can stand up to any city hotel in the world!

A grand entrance for a truly grand hotel...

I love this fabulous bedroom....

This living area that is part of this "small suite"

 is pretty sweet....

I love how this wall is decorated with handmade

 baskets made in South Africa...

The pool area is a wonderful place to enjoy a respite....

I Wish that I Could Go to Africa...

I Wish That I Could Go to Africa....
If I only had a dollar for every time that someone says to me, "I wish that I could go to Africa, but I can't stay in rustic places like you do."  Well, I would love to show you some of my favorite "rustic" places that I love to visit in Africa.  I won't even post any of my animal photos...just the lodges....

Here is the first one.....

Royal Malewane in South Africa...

Here is the entrance...

The spa isn't too shabby...

Love the pool!!!

The cottages are fabulous...

No bucket showers here...

The spa area pool was nice, but it is pretty grand to 

have your own plunge pool, too...

The lodge living area is a nice place to read a book,

 catch up on email, or edit photos...

Wherever you decide to perch at Royal Malewane,

 I know you would love it!