Accommodation Review: Zulu Nyala Lodge, Johannesburg, South Africa

Peace and quiet await at this lovely property on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Ideally located for Lanseria Airport (great for cheap domestic flights in South Africa) but also close to Sandton and not far from Oliver Tambo Airport. We love the country house feel, the extensive grounds, pool and service. Definitely a place to consider as a base for exploring the City of Gold as well as an overnight stay when flying in or out of Lanseria.

Vital stats:

Zulu Nyala Country Manor, Johannesburg, South Africa

Opening dates: Open all year

Suggested length of stay: One night +

Getting there: Driving distances and times: Lanseria Airport – 13km, approximately 15 minutes, O.R. Tambo Airport – 40km, approximately 50 minutes, Sandton – 18km, approximately 30 minutes.

Location, location, location?

Zulu Nyala Country Manor is located in the suburb of Chartwell in Northern Johannesburg. It is very close to the huge entertainment development of Montecasino with restaurants, bars, cinemas. theatres and nightlife as well as upmarket shopping centres such as Cedar Square, Fourways Mall, Fourways Crossing.

If golf is your things then there are a number of courses nearby, and everyone will enjoy the World Heritage site the Cradle of Humankind which is less than half an hour away by car. As previoulsy mentioned, Lanseria Airport is close by too.

Rooms

There are 49 rooms divided into Standard, Deluxe, Junior Suite and Executive Suite. The hotel also has handicap-friendly rooms.

I had a twin room with two beds and plenty of space – especially as I was travelling alone…

From what I can tell, this is a twin room and these are meant to be two single beds. As is often the case in South Africa, hotel rooms and beds are generously proportioned. You won’t feel squeezed in a single bed, in other words.

A sofa provides a separate reading and relaxation area.

If you feel the urge to watch television, there are plenty of channels to choose from here. Tea and coffee making facilities are also included.

There was plenty of wardrobe space in the hall between the bedroom and bathroom, with a safe on the left (out of shot in this photo).

I liked the light and modern bathroom, a refreshing change from the dark and old-fashioned bathrooms that are quite prevalent in the country. The quality of tap water in Johannesburg is outstanding . indeed it has won awards in the past – so there is no need to worry about having to use the bottled variety.

The hotel chain’s own brand of toiletries is a nice touch.

The shower was wonderful – excellent water pressure and a non-leaking shower cabinet – yay!

And if you prefer to soak in a bathtub, they have you covered here too.

All in all the bathroom was a good size and in spotless condition.

Here is a video of my room and the grounds:

Food and drink

Usual board basis: Bed and breakfast

It is possible to select a room-only rate at Zulu Nyala Country Manor but that seems a bit silly given the excellent breakfast on offer each morning.

A full cooked breakfast is available as well as continental, and everything is self-service, buffet style. I found the quality of the food excellent and a very good start to the day.

Dining arrangement: Individual tables

Dining locations: Indoor and outdoor dining

There is a very pleasant restaurant area inside which is where I ate breakfast or you can eat on the terrace outside if you so desire.

Dinner is also served as a buffet, and here too I found the quality to be very high with a wide choice of dishes, including plenty to please vegetarians. In cooler months you can eat by the roaring fire inside but as it was warm on the evening I visited I enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy my meal al fresco.

Activities

I would say the number one activity here is just lazing around and relaxing, but if you feel like being slightly more active you can.

The pool is lovely and very inviting for a splash around and some sunbathing afterwards.

There are some 13 hectares of well-tended grounds to explore if you fancy a walk, with a variety of animals too.

The Manor is a popular wedding and conference destination, and there are separate areas which can accommodate hundreds of guests without disturbing those staying in the hotel.

Just walking around the hotel gardens is good exercise.

I told you the grounds were well-kept, didn’t I?

There is a lake at the back of the property too, which was rather spectacularly green in colour when I visited.

There is also plenty to see if you opt to leave the hotel for the day – both Johannesburg and Pretoria have enough arrractions to keep you busy for weeks.

The technical stuff

Power supply: Mains electricity 24/7

Communications: WiFi is free for guests and works in the main areas and the restaurant, as well as most of the rooms. I had no issues using the internet anywhere I wandered.

Health, safety and security

Water supply notes: Tap water is excellent and safe to drink.

Malarial protection recommended: Not necessary

Service

Service was friendly and efficient on all fronts from the moment I checked in until I left.

The verdict please, your honour...

The Good

The location (depending on your plans, but especially for Lanseria Airport), the room, the service, the food, the pool and the gardens.

The Bad

Nothing really, although I suppose if you plan to spend much time in Johannesburg you might prefer to stay more centrally.

The Ugly

Nothing.

Closing statement:

Zulu Nyala Country Manor is an excellent place to stay in the north of the fabulous city of Johannesburg and represents excellent value for money. Just a short and cheap Uber ride from Lanseria Airport, it is especially handy if you are flying in or out on a domestic journey. Highly recommended.

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