Toad Tree Cottage, Mtunzini, North Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

When we arrived it was as if we had taken a big step back into the past! The unit is full of old fixtures - brass light switches, old-fashioned round door-knobs, lamps made from vases and a claw-foot bath.  

We loved the little breakfast table and chairs in the kitchen and there were the modern necessities one needs for a self-catering stay. 

The outdoor area is absolutely fantastic - an undercover verandah, table and chairs for six with an umbrella for alfresco dining, an outdoor couch, bench and table and the lovely pool with loungers. 

There are 3 bedrooms (2 with double beds and one with twin beds), sleeping 6 in total and two bathrooms, both with a shower, bath, basin and toilet - enough space and privacy for the entire family. 

Mtunzini is a great town - everything is very well maintained and we did not see any litter at all anywhere. The beach is part of a nature conservancy so you have to pay to access it - which we loved as it meant there were only 10 other people to share it with! 

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottage and spent most of our time around the pool, enjoying being surrounded by trees and an abundance of birds.

Great features:

* Peace and quiet, lots of privacy

* Lovely outdoor area for relaxing and socialising

* Sparkling pool 

* Lots of trees and birds - great for the soul!

* The tv is hidden in a cupboard and there is no 'wifi' so you can just relax and enjoy the beauty and sounds that surround you

Not so great features:

* The downstairs bedroom is a bit dark

Price: Worth every cent! (Less than R500 per person)

Would we go back: Most definitely!

Recommended for: Couples or families looking to get away from the big city life and just relax

The host/s: Not very responsive over email or via sms but he was friendly in person and he gave us our privacy which was greatly appreciated.

For more information and bookings:

www.toadtree.co.za  

Breakfast table and chairs

Downstairs bedroom

Downstairs bedroom

Downstairs bathroom

Upstairs bathroom

Upstairs bedroom

Light switches

Main bedroom upstairs

Pool and chairs

Old lamp

Kitchen - basic but with all you need

Lounge

Undercover verandah and seating area

Lovely pool and loungers

Leopards and Louries, Camperdown, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

As we do not travel in peak season, this was our last trip for 2015.
We were a bit concerned when we ended up in a small suburb as the website described the place as a 'bush lodge'. However, once inside the gates, we were not disappointed!

The view is absolutely incredible and the rock pool is just as fantastic as the pictures on the website. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the yard with all of it's 'natural decor' (interesting bits of wood), amazing plants and flowers. 

The room itself is very basic - just a double bed, television, dressing table and chair and another table with a microwave. Unfortunately both units are built on to the owner's house and are right next to each other. 

The walls are paper thin so there is not much privacy. We were lucky that the couple that were staying next door went out for the afternoon so we had the entire place to ourselves. However on the Monday morning there were quite a few people (boarders from what I can gather) on the deck so we didn't even ask for a later check-out. 

Great features:

* Lovely view, peace and quiet

* The breakfast was basic but delicious

* Fantastic pool overlooking the view and a smaller one next to it

* Lots of amazing plants and birds

Not so great features:

* No privacy

* No shower curtain so the bathroom floor gets wet

* Only a microwave for cooking so rather bring your own dinner or go out 

Price: Average for a bed and breakfast (More than R500 per person but includes breakfast)

Would we go back: Probably not, we value our privacy

Recommended for: Couples / singles who are just stopping over for the night and intend on leaving early in the morning.

Host/s: The owner was very hard to get hold of over email and cell-phone but the lady who let us in was fantastic! She really made us feel welcome.

For more information and bookings: www.leopardsandlouries.co.za 

The pool

Outside seating area

Pool and entrance to breakfast deck

Entrance to the unit

Smaller pool

Table outside the room

Bathroom

Bedroom

Breakfast area

Breakfast deck

Some interesting bits of wood 

Another outside seating area