ECTOUR'S LILIZELA EASTERN CAPE FINALISTS
Wednesday, 17th October 2018
The Eastern Cape offers visitors a variety of authentic South African experiences from which to choose: Big Five game reserves, forest lodges and seaside chalets introduce our guests to exceptional wildlife experiences, on safari, on the river and in the ocean. Our geographically diverse province really does have something for everyone and will surprise and delight tourists as they return again and again.
The following accommodation establishments and activities have been selected as the Eastern Cape finalists in the South African Lilizela Tourism Awards for 2018. The Lilizela Awards recognise and reward tourism players and businesses that work passionately and with pride to deliver a world-class product and service, and whose delivery grows South Africa’s global destination competitiveness. We would like to congratulate these ECTOUR members and wish them the best of luck at the Lilizela National Awards which will take place later in the year.
BEACH BREAK, KOUGA TOURISM ROUTES, EASTERN CAPE
An idyllic seaside holiday destination: Beach Break in Cape St Francis. These five villas are located within the Cape St Francis Resort amongst the sand dunes, with no neighbours but nature. It’s the perfect place for a family holiday, as each house is comfortable, well-equipped and serviced. If lazy days on the beach, splashing in the waves and lounging at the pool sound too good to be true, then Cape St Francis is the place to go!
THE BOARDWALK HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, PORT ELIZABETH, EASTERN CAPE
Set along the Golden Mile of Port Elizabeth’s beachfront, the Boardwalk Hotel offers a five-star guest experience directly across from the Blue Flag-awarded Hobie Beach. All 140 rooms provide guests with unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean and the hotel is a superb base for those wishing to enjoy the best of Port Elizabeth and the surrounding areas.
THE CHOKKA TRAIL, KOUGA TOURISM ROUTES, EASTERN CAPE
Take a slackpacking trail through one of the most beautiful regions in South Africa, traversing St Francis Bay, Port St Francis, Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay. Slackpacking means that hikers can experience the coastline on foot and at their own pace, while only carrying a daypack to comfortable overnight guesthouse accommodation. Sightings include whales, dolphins and Cape Clawless Otter and, at low tide, hikers may even spot ancient Khoi fishtraps – it is an immersive, energizing four-day tour of the Kouga region.
FACE ADRENALIN – BLOUKRANS BUNGY, TSITSIKAMMA, EASTERN CAPE
A visit to (and jump from) the world’s highest bridge bungy is at the top of almost every adventurer’s Bucket List. At 216m, Bloukrans is also the world’s highest natural bungy offering guests the opportunity to bungy jump, walk the bridge or simply enjoy the action from the cliffside restaurant. This thrilling and unforgettable experience will leave you breathless; not only from adrenalin but also the sheer beauty of the Bloukrans Gorge and ocean beyond.
GANORA GUEST FARM & EXCURSIONS, KAROO HEARTLAND, EASTERN CAPE
Located just 7km outside the tiny hamlet of Nieu-Bethesda in the Karoo, Ganora Guest Farm offers visitors a unique slice of South African farm life, and a fair dose of culture and history too! Nestled in the foothills of the Sneeuberg Mountains, Ganora is able to offer a unique array of excursions including a medicinal plant walk, a tour of their private fossil collection, Bushman rock paintings, birding, mountain biking and more.
PRANA LODGE, WILD COAST, EASTERN CAPE
Overlooking the Indian Ocean along South Africa’s Wild Coast, Chintsa East is one of the Eastern Cape’s most picturesque spots. Prana Lodge Private Beach Estate and Spa stands nestled in a dune forest and indigenous gardens, overlooking Chintsa Bay. Named after the Sanskrit word Prana, meaning “life force” or “breath”, this exclusive hideaway is designed to rejuvenate – body, mind and soul.
SIBUYA GAME RESERVE – BUSH LOGDE, ROUTE 72 ON THE SUNSHINE COAST, EASTERN CAPE
Enjoy a truly South African safari experience at Sibuya Game Reserve, located just 130km from Port Elizabeth. Sibuya Game Reserve incorporates unique East Cape Valley Bushveld, Grasslands and Coastal Forests, and has more navigable river than any other game reserve in South Africa. The wildlife opportunities are vast and, along with the Big Five, visitors are able to spot everything from giraffe to otter. Seeing an elephant silhouetted against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean is an image not soon forgotten!
TSITSIKAMMA BACKPACKERS, TSITSIKAMMA, EASTERN CAPE
Settle in to the heart of Tsitsikamma at Tsitsikamma Backpackers, in the quaint village of Storms River. It's the perfect base from which to explore the many adventure opportunities in the area, including in-house Segway trips, ziplining, black-water tubing, canyoning, bungy jumping and much more. Tsitsikamma Backpackers is the type of home-away-from-home where you arrive as a guest and leave as a friend, and offers a variety of accommodation options from lovely tents to private and dorm rooms.
TSITSIKAMMA LODGE AND SPA, TSITSIKAMMA, EASTERN CAPE
Nestled against the foothills of the majestic Tsitsikamma Mountains, Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa is a truly splendid holiday experience. Drawing its architectural style from the forest and mountains, the lodge is built entirely of wood, using earth colours, to be in harmony with its natural surroundings. Free-standing cabins, with alluring spa baths, ensure a completely rejuvenating stay and a chance to unwind and connect with the ancient Tsitsikamma forest.
THUNZI BUSH LODGE, PORT ELIZABETH, EASTERN CAPE
A little slice of the bush, just a short trip from the city. Thunzi Bush Lodge is located in a tranquil sanctuary of coastal forest and bush, offering country-style, self-catering accommodation just 30km from the centre of Port Elizabeth. The lodge caters for nature-lovers who enjoy beach and forest walks, fishing and bird-watching. The walking trails around the lodge access the indigenous coastal forest ideal for birdwatching and wildlife such as bushbuck, blue duiker and vervet monkey.
UNTOUCHED ADVENTURES, TSITSIKAMMA, EASTERN CAPE
Explore more of the beautiful Storms River Mouth and Tsitsikamma National Park with Untouched Adventures: scuba diving, snorkelling and their famous kayak-and-lilo trip are all waiting for the whole family to enjoy! The kayak and lilo adventure is an immersive exploration of the Storms River Gorge, starting on kayaks before transferring to inflatable lilos to explore even deeper into the gorge. Travellers can expect magnificent views of the forest and gorge walls, bats’ cave and exciting cliff jumping to round off the adventure.
