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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

The hotel is located right in the heart of Franschhoek on Huguenot Street and just a few minutes walk from many award-winning restaurants, shops and galleries. The village is known as the gourmet capital of South Africa and the hotel will be delighted to assist with ideas for sampling the best the area has to offer, whether that be winery tours, visits to the weekly market, hiking trails or even meeting "Pigasso", the famous pig artist! 

Facilities include a spacious and beautifully appointed guest loung, a swimming pool and a lovely sundeck. 

There are just eight superior rooms and each one is air conditioned and has television, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, Wi Fi and safe. Ground floor rooms have private patios, whilst upper floors have a balcony. There is a restaurant and bar, where lunch and dinner can be arranged, all soft drinks and house wines are included. 

Last Word Franschhoek

Franschhoek

Located in the exclusive Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, this Big Five reserve covers nearly 15,000 acres, enjoying a fenceless border with the Kruger National Park, allowing animals the freedom to roam. 

Spend time between game drives relaxing on the viewing deck overlooking the Klaserie River. The lodge has a spectacular lounge area, dining room, bar, viewing deck, infinity swimming pool, boma and library. Mealtimes are always a highlight whether they take place at the lodge, beneath an 800 year old jackal berry tree or in the boma under the stars. The six spacious rooms all have air-conditioning and heating, indoor and outdoor showers, safe, mini bar as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. Activities include Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Walks,  Helicopter Scenic Flights, Night Drives, Rhino Tracking, and much more. 

Last Word Kitara

Kruger National Park

Located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve this lovely family-owned and run lodge. Set in tranquil gardens, with views over the waterhole, this feature is just a short distance away and is a place where most of the animals visit daily and where you can observe herds of elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, wild dogs, white and black rhinos, and many more wild animals, whilst you relax in the garden. 

You'll find a restaurant, bar and swimming pool and there are twice-daily game drives included. All the rooms are tastefully furnished and have air conditioning, television, mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, balcony or terrace. 

Activities include Game drives, Bird Watching, Game Viewing Hide, Game Walks (guided and self-guided), and High Tea and Wildlife Tours.

Last Word Madikwe

Madikwe

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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