Health Spa Reviews - Falaza Game Park

Review by Liesl Grobler

Just a few, easy-drive hours outside Durban is the Spa at Falaza Game Park - a place that promises the complete package when it comes to traditional African bush getaways.

The Spa at Falaza Game Park (nestled between the world heritage site St. Lucia and the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve) was recently upgraded. Here, in truly untouched South-African bush, the Falaza Spa draws as much on tradition as it does on modern beauty technology and indulgent spa treatments.

Much of the charm of the experience at the Spa is that it can hardly happen without having to stay over at the Falaza Game Park. This makes relaxation inevitable - four star permanent bush tents with all the luxuries of a great hotel, only better thanks to the remote setting. A white rhino mom and calf, antelope and giraffe often frequent the guest common area, comfortably grazing on the large lawn around the pool and thatched lapa.

In a slightly removed building, Mar-Louise Myburgh and Schanel Hiestermann, beauty therapists at the spa, welcome all guests with the Izinyawo, a traditional foot cleansing or foot gift. Each room has its own little outdoor secret garden where the Izinyawo is done - in an African wooden bowl with a blend of juniper, tangerine and blue mountain sage in warm water, and refreshing fruit juice to drink. From there treatments are done in four individually air-conditioned rooms. The earthy surrounds and walled-in privacy comes in handy with splendid outdoor bath treatments (in actual outdoor baths) such as the African Milk Beauty Bath.

Visiting the Falaza Game Park for an extended Spa indulgence becomes an option when perusing the list of packages available. Five days at the game park with all accommodation and meals included - and no less than 14 spa treatments - costs R7 500, a comparable alternative to a trip to Mauritius, excluding all the travel hassle and extras. You'll leave the getaway feeling and looking great, with only a few hours' travel home and no custom officers as a final goodbye.

Meals at the game park are filling and traditionally tasty. Some guests may wish to be careful not to be over-carbed!

The spa is well-equipped for all the usual treatments but the indulgences of the packages become a must on a stay-over especially if utter relaxation and quiet is on the weekend agenda at Falaza. The honeymoon and anniversary special from as little as R1100 per couple include a night at the game park, the traditional Izinyawo, a vuselela ubusha African massage and a candlelit dinner for two in a private garden, after which the outdoor bath can be used for the rest of the evening in total privacy.

The staff are friendly, the game visible and the surroundings include all the luxuries of a well-equipped city spa, but with all the relaxation and night-noises of the South African bush.

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