Toad Tree Lodge (Cheetah Cottage), Hluhluwe, Elephant Coast, KwaZulu Natal

There are 3 separate units which are part of this 'private reserve' within the Kuleni reserve, we stayed in the small unit, just for couples - Cheetah. 

We were greeted by a mother wart-hog and her three babies on arrival and a male Nyala as we drove towards our chalet, magic!

The outdoor area is fantastic and this is where we spent most of our time. It comprises a lovely partly under-cover deck with a private splash pool, loungers and a table and chairs. There is also a braai area and the entire unit is surrounded by natural bush.

Deck and braai area

The 'garden'

Splash pool and loungers

One of our favourite features was the loo with a view that looks onto the outdoor shower, which is completely private and protected from the wind. There is a bath which was tempting especially since it was so cold on the Sunday but due to the extreme water shortage in the area, we braved the shower instead. 

Outdoor shower

The lounge with a tv (not that you need one) and two couches overlooks the kitchen - which was small but it had what we needed to prepare basic meals for two. 

Lounge looking onto kitchen

The bedroom was comfortable and looked onto the pool and front yard. We had a couple of frogs join us on the window and sill during our stay.

View from the bed

Frog on the window

Frog on the sill

We did go for walks around the reserve although the trails are not marked on the map. Most of the time we did not have to leave the deck though as the animals came right up to the chalet and small man-made watering hole.

Warthogs came to visit

Crested Guinea Fowl at the watering hole

Warthogs by the braai area

Crested Guinea Fowls in the front yard

Male Nyala grazing in our front yard

One of the best parts of the trip was the arrival of the bush-babies every night. We would hear the thunk thunk on the roof before they climbed down the tree right in front of us to come feast on the bananas and pears we put on the deck for them - too precious!

Bush-babies - less than 2m away!

We loved the fact that the unit is north-facing so you get the best of the sun every day and you can just relax and enjoy the sounds of the bush from the deck. Although there were guests booked into the family unit next door, we definitely felt like we had our privacy and enjoyed every moment of our stay. 

Great features:

* Peace, quiet and privacy

* Great outdoor area

* Animals and birds come to visit

* Close to the Hluhluwe / Imfolozi Game Reserve

Not so great features:

* The bathroom tap leaks every time you turn it on so we had to keep drying around the basin. This is also a waste of water especially since the area already has a shortage of this precious resource. 

* No soap-dish to put your hand soap in (and no liquid hand-soap provided - almost every self-catering place provides this these days)

* The 'rinsing' sink in the kitchen is tiny - only one cup / plate fits in at a time. There also was no dish-rack provided so we had to stack the dishes on the towels provided. (There is a lady who will come and clean the kitchen for you but we prefer to do our own washing up so this was a bit inconvenient).

* The seal on the fridge has a big hole in it so the bottom of the fridge ices up (not great for the stuff in the vegetable drawers)

* We were not given a map of the reserve when we arrived and had to ask for one. Unfortunately the map does not have the walking trails marked on it so the only way to find them is to walk around and look for the markers

Price: 

We are normally budget to mid-range travellers but this was in celebration of two special occasions for us so treated ourselves. (More than R500 per person)

Recommended for:

This unit is only suitable for couples.

The host/s:

The owner was very friendly and efficient over email. The lady who runs the reserve was also helpful and kind.

For more information and bookings:

www.toadtreelodge.co.za