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The Oyster Box

The Oyster Box

Umhlanga

Situated overlooking the historical and famous landmark, the Umhlanga lighthouse, The Oyster Box has long been one of South Africa’s best-loved and most distinguished hotels, which occupies a special place in the hearts of the countless guests who have enjoyed its warmth, caring service and relaxed elegance since it first opening in 1947.

Standing proud on Umhlanga’s beachfront, directly on the beach and overlooking the Indian Ocean, the 86-room Oyster Box is one of South Africa’s best-loved hotels. Renowned for generous hospitality, attentive service and exceptional cuisine, The Oyster Box offers all the colonial charm and nostalgia of a bygone era, but with all the modern comfort and amenities.

Perfectly situated on the ocean’s edge, a brief 5 minutes walk from Umhlanga Village Centre, the Oyster Box Hotel is conveniently located for quick and easy access to Afro-chic Durban city centre, International Airports and numerous stylish shopping centres…yet has a feeling of classical charm and elegance like nowhere else on earth.

Nearby tourist attractions of immense interest to travellers include Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Ushaka Marine World and Sun Coast Casino. Further afield, the historical Natal Midlands and majestic Drakensberg Mountains, as well as excellent Big Five game parks, lodges and historical battlefields can be explored.

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Amenities

Gym, Restaurant, Spa, Swimming Pool, Parking, Bar, Disabled Rooms, Kiddies Club, Beach, Luxury

Inclusions

Our Offers

Other Options

This is a simple safari camp located in the Ikoma open area, strategically positioned on the path of the annual Great Migration between the Serengeti National Park and the Grumeti Game Reserve in northern Tanzania. This prime location offers you an authentic and immersive wildlife experience in one of Africa’s most celebrated ecosystems. 

The camp consists of 35 spacious “Meru” tents, each raised on a wooden platform and equipped with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding bush where wildlife frequently roams. The central restaurant and bar area boasts a large campfire – an ideal spot to unwind with a chilled drink after a long day of exciting game viewing.

Proximity to the Serengeti National Park allows easy access to some of the best game viewing in the region.  Yet being outside the park boundaries also means that you can enjoy unique activities not permitted within the park, such as night game drives and guided walking safaris. These experiences offer a different perspective on the African bush, you can spot nocturnal animals like leopards, hyenas, and bush babies or track wildlife on foot with an experienced guide.

The camp is particularly popular during the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles pass through the area, followed closely by predators like lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Even outside the migration season, the Ikoma region is teeming with wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, and a variety of antelope species. Birdwatching is also exceptional, with over 500 bird species recorded in the area.

Ikoma Tented Camp

North Central Serengeti

Located just outside the boundary of Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania. This intimate camp offers a genuine wilderness experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the country.  

There are 21 spacious canvas tents, each set on a raised wooden platform and with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, providing a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring. The verandas have sweeping views of the bush, where you may spot wildlife wandering nearby. The camp also has a swimming pool and comfortable public areas, including a bar / dining area. 

One of the main attractions of the camp is its proximity to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania's premier wildlife destinations. The park is renowned for its large elephant population, with herds of up to 300 individuals often seen migrating through the park. On guided game drives you may encounter a diverse range of wildlife, including lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, and zebra. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, boasting over 550 species of birds, including the striking Kori bustard and the colourful lilac-breasted roller.

In addition to game drives, the camp offers guided walking safaris, where you can explore the surroundings on foot, accompanied by an experienced guide. These walks provide a more intimate perspective on the flora and fauna of the region, as well as insights into the smaller creatures often overlooked during a game drive. The camp’s bar and lounge provide a relaxing atmosphere to unwind with a drink after a day of adventure.

Tarangire Roikia Tented Camp

Tarangire

The lodge is set in 30 acres of grounds, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the highlands, this boutique lodge offers a wildlife experience in one of Africa's most remarkable natural environments. The Ngorongoro region is famed for its dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and extraordinary concentration of wildlife. 

One of the lodge's highlights is its proximity to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas and a haven for wildlife. The crater floor is home to an incredible diversity of species, including the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. On game drives into the crater, you might also see hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, and a variety of antelope. The area is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 species recorded in the region. 

In between game drives, there’s a pool for a refreshing dip, a gym, a TV lounge and a spa. 

In addition to game drives, the lodge offers guided walking tours, cultural experiences with the Maasai people, and excursions to nearby attractions such as the Olduvai Gorge, known as the "Cradle of Mankind."

The Retreat at Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro

How our Tent Ratings work

These are based on our personal experience of the hotel, camp or lodge and should not be compared against ratings you find elsewhere. We intend to guide you and don’t be put off by a low tent rating as some of our favourites fall into the 2 and 3-tent categories.​

It is also important to bear in mind that standards vary from country to country and a 4-tent hotel in South Africa cannot be compared with a 4-tent hotel in another part of the world. 

To summarise our grading system, we have considered the following.

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High in both quality and luxury of experience, and property must have ‘wowed’ us on many levels.

This is our benchmark for excellent service and experience, location and /or activities. 

Good relative value, excellent location and/or experience, and offering an ideal base for exploring the area.

Budget-focused stopover property, sometimes it’s the ideal location on a driving itinerary.

Don’t be put off, these stays are comfortable and a perfect pit stop on a journey where the choices may be limited. 

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Your Adventure, Your Way

All good things start with a conversation and planning your holiday shouldn't be like flicking through a catalogue. Email us, book a free consultation, or give us a call, to get your next bespoke adventure underway.

Phone:

+44 (0)7516 766404

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