Safari Plains in Bela Bela: A unique African safari experience with social distancing

Safari Plains

An African safari at Safari Plains, along Limpopo’s magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range, is actually the perfect option for those looking for physical distancing-inspired outings and holidays.

At Safari Plains, you can enjoy the beauty of the wide-open Savannah, its rich wildlife and spectacular landscapes, with limited contact with other people since the lockdown has kept many foreign tourists away.

In addition, the owners, the Extraordinary Collection, have also put in place various health protocols to protect you, your spouse, family or travelling group and their staff, from the pandemic. You can certainly expect among the best hospitality in South Africa.

So, if you are looking for an escape to a place offering the best of Africa – Safari Plains should be your destination. Want to see the Big Five? They have them and more! Read more here…

Like many of their previous guests, you are bound to find their staff friendly and professional. Their guides are also very well-informed about the African bush.

Accommodation at Safari Plains

When it comes to accommodation at Safari Plains, there are 20 luxuriously-appointed tents, which come with extra-length beds and other comforts. Their ‘family style’ luxury tents also offer a second bedroom with two comfy twin beds.

Each tent offers breath-taking views of the tranquil indigenous bushveld. You can relax late in the afternoon on your private timber wrap–around decks with your favourite book, camera or sundowner in hand.

You will find that in six of the tents offer a larger main area and come complete with a private sala, which is perfect for lounging on a lazy afternoon.

Each tent also comes with sunken baths and separate showers as well as a fully–stocked mini bar fridge, with tea and coffee facilities.

The Limpopo climate can be hot – so there is air conditioning throughout, ensuring you enjoy year-round temperature-controlled accommodation.

See their accommodation rates HERE and make an online booking HERE. You can take advantage of their specials HERE.

Facilities at Safari Plains

Standard guest facilities at Safari Plains include Wi-Fi access, secure parking for vehicles, laundry and babysitting services as well as road transfers to and from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

For your wellness, there are in-room gym bags available for use at the lodge, click here to find out more. Need to relax and loosen those knots in your body? Try their spa for amazing his and hers treatments and massages.

Planning a conference, wedding or a special event? The Safari Plains conference centre can accommodate up to 40 people with enough room for social distancing. The venue has all the facilities you will need for a memorable time in the countryside.

It is also an ideal location to say your ‘I do’s’. Arrangements can also be made that you have their entire team at your disposal. Your ceremony can be held on the large wooden deck of the main lodge with its magnificent vistas, or weather permitting, in the untamed bush, followed by a luxurious reception in their spectacular dining room.

This dining room redefines luxury in the bush with its impressive high ceilings and an elegant lounge. Their previous guests noted the fine cuisine prepared and served by the Chefs as well as the regional wines and cocktails they enjoyed in this space.

Activities at Safari Plains

With physical distancing in mind, you can still enjoy several activities at Safari Plains. The Greater Mabula Game Reserve is home to the Big Five as well as other predators such as Brown Hyena, Jackal and Cheetah as well as an impressive variety of antelope from Red Hartebeest to Eland, Gemsbok and Blesbok.

Or take leisurely Guided Safari Walks, Horseback Safaris, Eco Adventure Trails (Quad Bike Safaris), stargazing, and Hot Air Balloon Safaris, which can be booked through the lodge.

There is also an entertaining Kids Entertainment Program that is designed to introduce your kids to the ways of the bush.

Those not wanting to miss a round of golf can enjoy some time on the greens at nearby golf courses.

Reviews from previous Safari Plains guests

“The game drives were amazing, and the staff absolutely lovely. The pool area and location are fabulous. Very relaxing, a real treat. The chef went out of his way to accommodate allergies- thank you! We will be back!” wrote kirstenprangley on their TripAdvisor page.

Harry added; “I cannot recommend Safari Plains enough. Right from the beginning we were made to feel incredibly welcome and relaxed. The atmosphere is calm and informal but still maintains a level of class and sophistication. I was fortunate enough to spend my birthday here with my family and the staff made it nothing short of spectacular – nothing was ever too much to ask! The staff at the actual lodge and the tour guides that take you out were all so friendly and made us feel like we were staying with good friends.”

Safari Plains is located along Rooiberg Road, Mabula, Bela-Bela, in Limpopo. Here is their location on Google Maps. For bookings, call +27 (0)14 004 0162 / +27 (0) 11 516 4367 / +27 (0) 11 463 3070; email frontoffice@safariplains.co.za / res@extraordinary.co.za or visit them online at safariplains.co.za. Follow them on Facebook HERE.

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About us

Actually, Home Food and Travel offers a lot more than just reviews of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.  We also visit great destinations, receive advice from interior designers and stop to smell the roses and taste the coffee.

Our team of journalists are seasoned travels and love visiting the myriad of exciting places around South Africa.  Whether it is off the beaten track or in the heart of the top attractions of the country, we’ll be there,

Home Food and Travel advice on finding the right accommodation

So what is the right accommodation?  Well more often than not, it’s your travel budget that dictates the type of accommodation that you choose. 

Expensive is not always better.  Our team at Home Food and Travel will tell you that they have camped in areas with limited ablutions and had a wonderful holiday.  They have also spent a night in a five star hotel only to be disappointed because their expectations exceeded the experience.

The reason for your travels will also affect your choice.  A business trip requires different amenities to a beach holiday. 

Our articles, reviews and experiences can certainly help you make your decision.

Restaurants with a good mix of service, food and ambiance

To my mind a great restaurant offers three things – excellent service, great food and a wonderful ambiance.  Of these, service is the most important. 

No matter that the food is delicious and the setting delightful, poor service can ruin the occasion.  However, great service combined with mediocre meal and a plane jane restaurant can still be a pleasant night out.

We’ve eaten in restaurants that are really dirty but with incredible food and couldn’t help but give a rave review.  We’ve also hardly noticed what we ate because the setting was just amazing.

However, the best restaurants come with the best of service, food and ambiance.

Spas are the ultimate relaxation aid

How do you know when you have had a great spa experience?  The answer, of course, is when you doze off on the treatment table. 

Well that’s our theory anyway.  It also doesn’t take a grand location with enormous facilities for a spa to be really good

A small, personal spa that is owner run can result in the best massage you have ever experienced.  However, the grand spas in five star hotels offer unsurpassed facilities in an environment that just makes the stress in your shoulders and neck melt away before you even finish checking in.

Adventure!

You don’t have to be an adrenaline junky to enjoy an exciting experience.  In fact, what are commonly termed adventure activities usually have incredibly high safety standards and unblemished safety records.

Ziplining, bungy jumping and shark cage diving are all very safe.  It’s just that our mind tells us we are craaazzzzyyyy to be doing this.

On the road to great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities

If you’re driving, be safe and make use of all the wonderful farm stalls that populate South Africa’s open roads.

If you overhear somebody asking a lot of questions or see someone taking photos of empty bedrooms chances are it’s one of our Home Food and Travel team members.

We’re out looking or those great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.

See you on the road!

 

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