About
This is the thinking safari-goer’s alternative to Kruger: still with the Big Five game and luxury accommodation, but with an added dose of remoteness and tranquility. From its wild clifftop location in the private Zululand Rhino Reserve, family-run Leopard Mountain commands breathtaking vistas over leagues of bushland, forest and a seasonal river – “the most spectacular views in Zululand” according to its owners. There’s also a spa, access to an elephant project and thrilling walking safaris.
Accommodation
The nine luxurious stone-and-thatch chalets are as swanky as they are attractive. Inside each spacious bolthole are seriously comfy beds, but the real joy awaits outdoors. Choose (or just alternate) between your balcony’s unheated plunge pool, hammock, armchair and open-to-the-elements shower, and gaze for miles down the valley as eagles soar only yards away.
Facilities
Dining takes place in the main lodge, either in a cosy dining room or out in the boma, under an impossible number of stars. The cuisine is traditional South African, hale and hearty, and supported by an award-winning wine cellar. There’s also a bar and an Africology Spa, its natural body, skin and beauty treatments inspired by traditional healers.
Activities
Game drives depart twice-daily in 4x4s, and are a reliable bet for encounters with the Big Five, plus cheetah and rare wild dog. In between come midday waterhole trips (when conditions allow), on which guests can observe animals drinking and the odd predator ambush. Pre-arranged walking safaris are especially recommended: you might taste the fruit of the pink ivory tree, smell the fresh bush after a thunderstorm or stroll barefoot through rivers. Also possible are visits to Elephant Interaction, an education centre where guests can meet and feed Jabulani, Rachael and the enormous Rambo - and even touch their tongues!
Child Policy
Children over 12 are welcome, and can participate in all game-viewing activities.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
