Budget Savers in August

Thinking about tak­ing a well deserved break in August? Here are some "hot" spe­cials to help you shrug off the Winter blues (valid August 2009). Remember the pub­lic hol­i­day on Monday the 10^th ... that long week­end could be just the reju­vin­a­tion you need.

If you're think­ing about head­ing to Cape Town, Inn With A View on Kloof Nek above the City Bowl offers breath­tak­ing views of Table Mountain and the city below and a 25% dis­count on accom­mod­a­tion. All rooms have stun­ning pan­or­amic views of the moun­tain, so go ahead and treat yourself.

Head out of Cape Town to Franschhoek (just a 45 minute drive) and enjoy a 3-night week­end plus 1 round of golf or a 4-night stay plus 2 rounds of golf at Pearl Golf Lodges. Pearl Valley Golf Estate was recently rated the '5^th Best Golf Course in South Africa', by Golf Digest and received a '5 Star Golf Experience', by Compleat Golfer. But even if you're not a golfer, these styl­ish self-catering Lodges in mag­ni­fi­cent sur­rounds, with Franschhoek (the food and wine cap­ital of South Africa) and Paarl at your door­step, are sure to appeal.

Between Cape Town and the Garden Route, in the pic­tur­esque town of Swellendam, the 5-star graded De Kloof Luxury Estate offers romantic old-world charm with the lux­ury of all mod­ern con­veni­ences. Enjoy a very spe­cial 2-night Romantic Suite Breakaway for R2799 for 2 per­sons shar­ing for 2 nights, includes:

• 2 nights lux­ury accom­mod­a­tion in the Honeymoon Suite
  The Honeymoon Suite has a large liv­ing room with fire­place, Jacuzzi bubble bath, rain shower, his and hers basins, warm xl king-size water­bed with ergo mas­sage cush­ions, a secluded private ter­race with breath­tak­ing pan­or­amic views over the moun­tains and all 5 star lux­ur­ies and amenities
• 2 scrump­tious cham­pagne break­fasts with the news­pa­per to laze over
• An informal Wine tast­ing of an exclus­ive wine house from the Robertson wine val­ley on arrival day
• Tapas plat­ter meal for two with glass of wine (even­ing or lunch)
• DSTV movies, bath­robes and slip­pers, and fresh flowers in the room
• Use of golf clubs and balls for estate’s driv­ing range / put­ting green

Still in the Cape Overberg, Mosaic Farm (an eco-tourism estab­lish­ment) is offer­ing a very spe­cial 40% off to wel­come the whales to Walker Bay. For only R770 per per­son shar­ing per night, your stay includes:

• Accommodation in beau­ti­fully appoin­ted stone cot­tages with sweep­ing views of the Overberg Mountains
• Dinner and break­fast at the mag­ni­fi­cently restored 1892 Stanford Spookhuis
• Excursion to Walker Bay Beach for whale-watching
• Guided bird-watching

Continuing along the Southern coast on to the Garden Route, the 4-star graded One Hanois in Plettenberg Bay is offer­ing 3 spe­cial pack­ages dur­ing August. Choose between the Golf Extravaganza, the Wildlife Adventure and the Cheetahs, Monkeys, Birds and Golf Special. All of the pack­ages include 6 nights accom­mod­a­tion in a Luxury Suite and activ­it­ies relat­ing to your preference.

If you're aching for a wild­life exper­i­ence, Mkuze Falls Game Lodge in KwaZulu Natal is offer­ing a very spe­cial dis­count in August. Stay 2 nights and your part­ner stays at half price. That's a 25% dis­count on a 5-star lux­ury game view­ing exper­i­ence, includ­ing 3 superb meals daily, high tea, morn­ing and even­ing game drives (includ­ing bever­ages and snacks). This spe­cial is sure to get you purring.

Feeling stressed? Experience the tran­quil­lity of the Free State. Situated next to the Allemanskraal Dam, the 4-star graded Aldam Estate offers you the oppor­tun­ity to relax and revital­ise your­self with a Winter Warmer Special. Discounted rates on 2-, 4-, 5– and 6-sleeper chalets when stay­ing 2 nights or longer. Take your part­ner, some friends or the whole family.

In the North West Province, visit the Hartbeespoort Dam. La Dolce Vita Guest House (4-star graded) is offer­ing a num­ber of dis­coun­ted pack­ages sure to suit anyone's needs. From the Sweet Life Weekend Package to the Midweek Dash Special or Winter Warmer Stress Less Special, these spe­cial pack­ages offer din­ner, bed & break­fast plus a spe­cial treat (think boat cruise or spa treatment).

This is just a small selec­tion of the spe­cials avail­able in August. If these don’t quite suit your tastes or budget, find oth­ers at South Africa Special Offers. Remember, all spe­cials are sub­ject to avail­ab­il­ity, so if you're inter­ested book asap.