City Lodge Hotels has some hidden hotel gems that make for an ideal base when you want something a little different from your trip.

The south of Johannesburg in Gauteng has a lot to offer, from rollercoasters to nature reserves, and Road Lodge Southgate is right in the heart of it.

First up is the iconic FNB Stadium – aka “the Calabash” or Soccer City – that hosts major international music artists and thunderous local derby football matches.

For the adrenaline junkies, step up to thrilling rides at Gold Reef City – are you brave enough to go on the Tower of Terror or the Anaconda? There’s also the iconic Soweto Towers vertical adventure centre, offering everything from scad and bungee freefall and ziplines to paintball.

On the cultural front, we suggest visiting the Apartheid Museum right next to Gold Reef City, or the Hector Pietersen Memorial and Museum in Soweto, both of which provide essential insight into South Africa’s struggle against Apartheid and the enduring impact of resistance, sacrifice, and resilience.

If you’re more the forest-bathing zen type keen on time in nature, there are plenty of scenic trails to walk, run or cycle at Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Thaba Trails and Rietvlei Zoo Farm.

With Road Lodge Southgate as your base, you’ll have plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

Town Lodge Polokwane located within the vibrant Moroccan-themed Meropa Casino and Entertainment is your one-stop entertainment destination in Limpopo. This beautiful hotel offers an affordable and comfortable stay for guests keen to take a flutter at the tables or slots.

Meropa Casino offers 339 slot machines and 18 tables (American Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker), some of which are in private gaming rooms and the Salon Prive. It also features a spa, friendly day care centre to keep the kids entertained, bird and reptile park, and cultural village – something for everyone!

For those keen to get out of the town, head to the Polokwane Nature Reserve, one of the biggest municipal-owned game reserves in South Africa and home to a variety of animals and birds, with a number of day trip hiking trails. You’ll also marvel at sightings of the province’s signature baobab trees.

In the heart of the Northern Cape is Road Lodge Kimberley, a convenient stop on the N12 that in addition to comfortable, budget-friendly accommodation, also has an electric vehicle charging station.

While you’re in Kimberley, don’t miss a trip to the famous Big Hole, one of the deepest cavities excavated by man. It occupies a surface of 17 hectares, is 463m wide and 240m deep, with a circumference of 1.6km, and was an active diamond mine from 1871 to 1914. This wonder was created by some 50,000 miners using only picks and shovels, and produced 2,722kg (14.5m carats) of diamonds from 22.5m tons of earth. Learn about this and more at the fascinating Kimberley Mine Museum.

Also within easy reach of Road Lodge Kimberley is Williams Humphreys Art Gallery nestled in the Oppenheimer Gardens. It’s considered one of the finest national art museums in South Africa and remains a cultural gem for art lovers passing through the Diamond City.

Road Lodge Rustenburg in the North West is situated in the heart of platinum country, close to of Sun City Casino and various sports grounds, businesses, and entertainment and shopping destinations.

Located next to Waterfall Mall and close to Rustenburg Mall, with several other shopping centres nearby, guests keen on a bit of retail therapy have easy access to a wide range of stores, banks, restaurants, and a cinema complex.

It’s also within easy reach of the Pilanesberg National Park, home to the Big 5, and several other nature reserves that offer a variety of hiking trails through the bushveld.

For those unafraid of heights, sign up to zipline through a 2.5-billion-year-old UNESCO-protected gorge with Magaliesberg Canopy Tour. Experience 2.5 hours of ziplining on 10 slides between 11 platforms with the most spectacular views. You can also tick off a bucket list item of a hot air balloon ride over this remarkable biosphere with Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris and others offering this lofty form of transport.

Town Lodge Mbombela and Road Lodge Mbombela in Mpumalanga are sister hotels, each with a different price point to better suit your budget and accommodation needs. They are an ideal stop on your way to and from our biggest natural attraction – the Kruger National Park – as well as trips on the N4 highway to Mozambique or the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland).

Mbombela (previously Nelspruit) in the Lowveld is rich in attractions, including the incredible 26km long Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. There are a wealth of activities on offer on land and river and in the air, providing opportunities to explore this natural wonder, with the famous Three Rondavels mountains as natural landmarks.

Another natural wonder of the world is the Sudwala Caves, the oldest known cave system on the planet. This remarkable natural phenomenon invites visitors to explore echoes of the ancient past through guided tours revealing timeless stalactites, stalagmites, and fossil treasures.

Just moments away, the experience shifts from serene to exhilarating in the Sudwala Zipline – the ultimate family adventure – that launches thrill-seekers on a 430-meter glide above the sweeping beauty of the Houtbosloop Valley.

Road Lodge Mbombela:

Town Lodge Mbombela:

These hidden hotel gems in five of our country’s provinces provide guests with convenient, comfortable, and easy stays and experiences to make memories that will last a lifetime. Book now!

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