Overview
Proudly South African - Shouting "it's a wrap" in this beautiful Country isn't so easy
Like any other self-respecting film star, the giraffe walking the streets in South Africa would kick you to death with an 8 foot leg if you shot her from a bad angle. But that isn’t what makes South Africa unique. It’s the exciting dimension that 45 million people can bring to the concept of reinvention. A relatively young democracy requires innovation, originality, hope and transformation - this is what makes the filmmaker’s experience that much more appealing.
Despite nine official languages (most speak English), every single member of the nation uses the same two words to describe beauty: “South Africa”. Since 1994 another word has been added to that: “Proudly”. And there can’t be a more opportune occasion for us to say “Proudly South African” than now, as the country prepares to host the 2010 World Soccer Cup.
Since it stepped from the old, to the new South Africa in 1994, the country has enjoyed a considerable economic boom and substantial urban development. Liberation enabled an entire generation of talented individuals to emerge to become a productive part of the community. South Africa’s focus is growth and development with the entire country fast tracking a major upgrade of facilities, roads, stadiums, transport, communication and infrastructure.
The government’s pledge to develop and transform the nation is manifest in the entertainment sector, via the Department of Trade and Industry’s Tax Rebate Scheme to attract foreign production - which patently increased co-production since its launch in 2004, and is now poised to at least double it.
More Bang For Your Buck
Nowhere on planet Earth can shooting a movie (off-shore, or otherwise) be a painless endeavour, but in relative terms:
“South Africa is a very easy and pleasant country in which to work when compared to most bigger established film centres”, says Producer, Helena Spring, Head of World Production at Videovision Entertainment. “It has all the big city advantages with the small town friendliness."
World-class technical expertise, state of the art equipment and post-production facilities, 5 star accommodation, and an excellent service industry all combine to make South Africa a much sought-after production centre.
Research estimates that the national value of film is close to 500 million Euros. With repeat production business from international motion pictures, television, commercials and stills clients, the South African entertainment industry is becoming a world force. More than a revenue generator, film in South Africa provides a valuable opportunity for skills transfer, job creation and injection into the economy due to the multiplier effect.
A comprehensive sector review of the film industry in Gauteng by accounting firm Deloitte commissioned by the Gauteng Film Commission reveals that the province contributes R2bn per annum to the national economy. Gauteng accounts for 70% of Television production in the country and 44% of all commercials filmed in South Africa are shot in Gauteng. GFC Chief Executive, Terry Tselane, described the study as
“the most comprehensive sector review carried out in Gauteng - today it is the first of its kind in illustrating the true size and impact of the Gauteng film cluster.”
Trends and Developments
Now that there are five broadcasters in South Africa - Telkom, the SABC’s 3 channels and the PayTV MNet, plus a host of smaller ones due to come on line following the issue of new channel licences - the South African entertainment industry in joining the converging media world. The newest kid on the block, the powerful telecommunications conglomerate Telkom has formed Telkom Media which is currently commissioning programming.
MultiChoice, owner of the DStv bouquet of satellite pay-TV channels and a sister company to M-Net, recently demonstrated its HDTV test and its newly launched broadband service, as well as its upcoming video on demand and mobile TV services. The HD test (not the final encoding process) was displayed on an HD ready 16:9 plasma screen, was broadcast in the 720p (ie. 1280x720 pixels progressive) format using the MPEG4 compression standard. In reference to the global 720p versus 1080i HD format debate the broadcast technology division confirmed it won’t ever broadcast in 1080i or even 1080p because it uses up too much bandwidth. The plan is to put 20 hours of content onto the service at any one time, and this is to be available 24 hours after it has been screened on M-Net. DStv decoders will need new software to access this service.
Trials of DStv Mobile, MultiChoice’s digital video broadcast-handheld mobile TV service, are being conducted in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto and Cape Town, using the Samsung P910 handset. Apart from the technical aspects of the trial, the DStv Mobile division is still developing a business model for this service. An
update on the trial is expected in early 2008. DStv Broadband was launched on 1 November as a catch-up service for DStv Premium subscribers.
Content from selected DStv channels can be either streamed or downloaded from www.dstvbroadband.com.
Television has experienced some innovations in Durban. A local television format, KZN-2-NITE, provided an experimental facility for trainees entering the industry and indicated that KZN has the facilities and talent to run a television station. The ground-breaking Greater Durban Television (1995) was the first community television station to go on air in South Africa. This experimental project lasted a month and has placed Durban at the forefront of efforts to establish permanent community television stations in South Africa.
Finance
Filming in South Africa is cost-advantageous across the board, and this is augmented by the favourable exchange rate.
Currency value at time of going to press is:
US$1 = (ZAR) R 7.16
Euro1 = (ZAR) R10.57
GBP1 = (ZAR) R14.24
Seasoned facilitator of major studio productions shot in Southern Africa, Genevieve Hofmeyr, co-president of Moonlighting Films, estimates that:
“producing film and television in South Africa is approximately 30% - 35% cheaper than in the US or UK and there is very little skills compromise in making that saving”.
Tax Rebates and Incentives - The Good News
Good news for smaller budget, independent films, television series and Movies of the Week - as of 1st February, the entry level threshold (SA spend) of the rebate was reduced to $ 1.7 million from the previous $3.5 million for foreign films.
The Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI) has revised its Film and Television Production Rebate scheme and the improved incentive was effective from 01 February 2008. It targetted productions with principal photography starting from that date.
The DTI statement reveals two components:
The Location Film and Television Production Incentive replaces the Large Budget Film and Television Production Rebate, which the DTI implemented in 2004. This is only available to foreign-owned productions with Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE) of R12 million and above. It provides a rebate of 15 per cent of the QSAPE to approved productions in the following formats: feature films, telemovies, television drama series, documentaries, animation and short-form animations.
The South African Film and Television Production and Co-Production Incentive is being introduced to provide more financial support for locally-owned productions and co-productions. This component is available to South African productions and official treaty co-productions with a total production budget of R2.5 million and above. It provides a rebate of 35 per cent of the qualifying production expenditure in the following formats: feature films, telemovies, television drama series, documentaries, animation and short form animations. The value of the rebate for any qualifying production is capped at a maximum of R10million.
In an additional bid to boost production, the Cape Town Film Permitting Office has cut all public location fees by 50% and will give a further discount, should a production promote Cape Town in its region.
Without exception, South African producers view the revised structure as a win/win scenario:
“By addressing both local and international needs, the DTI has created a balanced model that continues to attract larger budget international productions, as well as jumpstarting many more indigenous productions giving rise to a more pronounced South African voice. Both will stimulate increased employment, generate greater revenue and hone skills and cultivate a culture of creativity, the real lifeblood of our industry” says Cape Town-based producer, Chris Roland of ZenHQ.
Since its inception in 2004, Moonlighting Films, alone, has processed seven successful applications and has a number of applications in the system. “Although the rebate has a cap, it is still an incentive for big budget films as every cent of soft money counts”. Moonlighting co-president, Genevieve Hofmey.
Co-production Treaties
South Africa currently shares co-production treaties with Italy, Canada and most recently, Germany. It also has a Memorandum of Understanding with India. For more information copies of treaties, tax breaks or agreements, contact the Durban or Gauteng Film office, the Cape Film Commission or the National Film and Video Foundation.
Another form of finance is through the IDC (Independent Development Corporation), a self-financing national development finance institution that provides financing to entrepreneurs engaged in the competitive industries of national development. In media and motion pictures, IDC’s finance has been in the form of equity, quasi equity, or commercial loans based on merit, as well as sustainable commercial viability. www.idc.co.za
Finance & Insurance - South Africa
Demographics
A Census conducted in 2001 reported a total population of 44.819 million people in South Africa. 
Of this the population classified themselves as follows:
- 79% as African
- 9.6% as white
- 8.9% as coloured
- 2.5% as Indian/Asian
The South African population consists of the following groups:
- the Nguni people (consisting of the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi)
- the Sotho-Tswana people (who include the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana))
- the Tsonga
- the Venda
- Afrikaners
- the English
- coloureds
- Indians
Locations
South Africa’s film centres are situated in Johannesburg (Gauteng), Cape Town (Western Cape), and Durban (KZN-Natal).
For some reason your investors may insist your A-lister goes through a unique life-levelling experience to make that 130 page script come alive. The story may require her to be attacked by a (controlled) North American bear in a (sunny) German forest, her fleeing to a fishing village where she is taken into custody by a cult stuck in the 19th century and, for the next 120 minutes the woman’s life is torn apart; she is later snapped up by a drop dead gorgeous, multi-lingual F1 racing driver in a Porsche, who takes her to meet his cousins in a Bedouin desert - where she gets pelted to death in a hail storm. The only one who can make it to her funeral is her cousin (and her captor) who is having an affair with his boss in a high rise office block in downtown LA, where all cars veer to the right of the road.
If this is your unfortunate synopsis, set in such eclectic terrain – your film CAN be made in South Africa. Within the country’s nine provinces (which include Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Northern Cape, Free State, North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo) you will find some of the most spectacular locations in the world, doubling for Malibu beaches, Vietnamese jungle, urban skyscraper, and every other ‘setting’ the screenwriter can conceive of.
It is no secret that South Africa is sunny (longest days of sunlight extend to 14 hours) and is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and eclectic locations which can double for Europe, the US, and Middle East.
“Neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia further increase the scope of landscape accessible from South Africa. Our locations in South Africa are relatively unspoilt, under-used and at reasonable cost,” says producer Genevieve Hofmeyr.
The production team on Canadian/UK/SA co-production mini-series “Rough” achieved the near impossible by designing seven countries, in one hundred and two sets, in thirty six days, in forty four locations around South Africa. Philo Pieterse served as the South African producer.
It is only in the last decade that South Africa has established industry bodies to regulate and promote production, most notable are the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) the Cape Film Commission (CFC) and Durban Film Office (DFO). All are on a considerable drive to procure business film production for their respective regions and cities.”Our strategy now is to enhance the profile of our skills, support services, facilities, technology and infrastructure. Cape Town is more than the mountain and ocean.” says Cape Film Commissioner, Laurence Mitchell.
As a sister organization for the Western Cape Province, the CFC is setting up the 2010 Media Centre in Cape Town. This facility will serve as a mini film office.
Proud of its rank in The World’s Top 5 Bluest Sky Destinations (expedia.co.uk – July 2006) Cape Town can take on the role of San Francisco, New Orleans or virtually any other international act. In its ongoing effort to make Cape Town film-friendly, the City of Cape Town has implemented the Film Unit Liaison Project (FULO) through which medium to large shoots can expect direct on-set assistance from the Cape Town Film Permitting Office.
If You're Going for Gold - Go To Gauteng
The province of Gauteng is the most economically significant province in SA. Strong infrastructure, plentiful resources and services have made the province the logical choice as the gateway to the African continent. Gauteng is home to the three largest broadcasters on the continent, including the global headquarters of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Gauteng generates 10% of Gross Domestic Product for the African continent, and a third of South Africa’s GDP. More than 100 nations are represented through embassies, consulates and trade and cultural missions. The GAUTRAIN rapid rail development project will link the central districts of Pretoria, Johannesburg and the O.R. Tambo Airport with the financial and shopping districts of Rosebank and Sandton.
Durban (Kzn-Natal)
The bustling port city of Durban is keen to parallel the established film industries in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Durban Film Office is a recent addition to the local film environment. Movie mogul Anant Singh plans to build the Durban Film City, an R40million studio complex at the Natal Command site on Durban’s golden mile.
The films, “Zulu” and “Zulu Dawn”, rank amongst the most successful international films made in South Africa. However, the picture that put the province on the map was the Ed Zwick’s helmed, Warner Bros. motion picture “Blood Diamond” (starring Leonardo diCaprio) – where the Sierra Leone segments were filmed on location in Port Edward – a two hour drive from Durban.
Most of the major exterior scenes in parts of West Africa and Sierra Leone in the “Rough” miniseries were shot in Kwa Zulu-Natal. These scenes were shot in the vast and exquisite hills of Zululand, in Ndwedwe - a two hour road trip from the closest city, Durban. The whole of Zululand is divided into Chieftain areas and the ‘Ndunas’ (Tribal Chieftains) gather once a year to meet with the King of Zululand.
The production had to transact with the local Ndunas not only to obtain permission to film on their land, but also to hire people from the local communities. “They were extremely co-operative and appreciative of donations to the local school and community hall.” says South African Line Producer, Johan Kruger. “We were pleased to be able to make a significant injection into this impoverished local community by employing eleven hundred extras, and numerous technicians - who had the rare opportunity to earn an income.”
Locations & Location Services - South Africa
Accommodation / Hotels
Air Charter
Air Freight & Courier Services
Camera Trucks, Hire / Rental
Caterers
Film Commissions
Freight Forwarders
Honeywagons
Kitchens
Location Facilities & Services
Location Finding
Location Vehicles & Equipment
Locations
Locations, Still Photography
Permit Services
Travel Agents
Talent
Crew
South African crew has been rated as one of the most hard-working and talented (English speaking) crew base in the world. In the absence of a Crew Union, South African crew is generally governed by the South African Crew Code of Conduct and General Crew Working Conditions as developed by the Commercials Producers Association (CPA).
CEO of Philo Films, Philo Pieterse, says: “Initially South African crews learnt their skills in the commercials industry working with international crews providing valuable skills transfer. Depending on the director, we can supply 95% (if not all), the crew in South Africa. Our country is rich with international awards from Cannes Lions to the U.K and U.S. for South African commercials directors”. “The skill level in South Africa has become increasingly impressive over the past three years,” says David Wicht, President of Film Afrika. “The turnover of work has been substantial, and so the quality of work has risen. It is very rare to bring in an H.O.D. from abroad, including ADs, and Art Directors”.
Location Manager and Production Manager Guilds
South Africa’s film industry does not have unions and there are therefore no Guilds. In Cape Town and the Western Cape, crews are ‘managed’ by crewing agencies and production companies.
Cast
South Africa is unique in its great multitude of cultures and colourful faces from African, Cape Malay, to Indians (Durban being the biggest settlement of Indians in the world outside of India), Oriental and European. South Africa has an amazing showcase of modelling and acting talent through the professional casting agencies.
Most of the working professional actors are represented by approximately twelve major talent agencies, the majority of whom are members of the Personal Managers Association. South African English accents vary from one end of the country to the other as well as obviously from one social and economic group to another.
South Africa is rich in Ethnic diversity and Casting Director, Christa Schamberger has been involved with casting for a wide variety of ethnic groups from Iraqis, French-speaking Zairians, Swahili-speaking Kenyans and Somalians to Tigrinia-speaking Ethiopians. “For a variety of current Projects I have had to find people who looked genuinely Chinese, Tibetan, Egyptian and the full spectrum of European looks from Scandinavian to Mediterranean.”
Schamberger says that working with directors from all over the globe has made South African artists adaptable to various styles of performance. “However, not all have formal training, and all will respond to direction!”
The Personal Managers Association has a Standard Terms & Conditions document which Schamberger recommends as a basic contract. “By and large artists' fees are negotiable. Since there is no standardised Contract, there is also no standardised breakdown of fees for features and television drama. As can be expected anywhere, you will pay according to experience and ability” says Schamberger.
Crew Hire
Crew Hire & Support Services
Casting agencies
Artists and Talent Agents - South Africa
Equipment
Whatever it takes to extend, lift, zoom, focus, pan, stabilise, tilt, roll, or fade – all can be hired in South Africa. The ‘personal touch’ is provided by Media Film Service; the equipment and lighting hire company offers a hands-on service in the form of a Cessna 210, 6-seater plane to support film shoots in remote areas such as Namibia and central South Africa.
All of the major equipment suppliers are represented in South Africa, such as Panavision, Arri and Kodak. Therefore, most state-of-the-art equipment is available at a similar cost to Europe or the US.
Equipment Rental - South Africa
Camera Equipment, Hire / Rental - South Africa
Studios
In the Western Cape include Studio City in Grabouw – just twenty five minutes, drive from Cape Town International Airport. It is a fully operational, large-scale film studio – which offers 4000 sqm (over 43,000 sqft) of studio space, 7000 sqm (over 75,000 sqft) of office/production space, a full catering service, an animal holding area, petrol station, gymnasium, workshops, and substantial storage space. Set in exquisite surrounds, the 263 hectare Studio City has been hailed as a unique contribution to the entertainment industry in Southern Africa.
Other Cape Studios are Tabletop Studio at the V&A Waterfront (which incorporates technologies like the Torrnado high speed camera and the IQ suite, and an on-site SFX and rigging workshop) MAI Studios (Southern Lighting) and Gold Island Studios.
Numerous production centres are being established. The MediaHive, situated in the centre of Cape Town, is seen as a “hub” for television, stills and casting, and has the added benefit of industry tenants who can provide production and post production services. The facility contains a 180m2 studio soundproof infinity curves.
Studios in Johannesburg include Atlas which offers sound stages, daylight and chromakey studios, tv/film and event production facilities.
Dreamworld Film City
The launch of the Dreamworld Film City event on 24th January 2008 - attended by dignitaries and the media on the Dreamworld site near Faure in Cape Town it was announced that a Heads of Agreement has been signed between Dreamworld Film City and Wesgro, the investment and trade promotion agency for the Western Cape. This R30-million investment secures Wesgo a 10% stake in Dreamworld and will ignite the first phase of the development which will see delivery of this flagship studio.
Executive Mayor, Helen Zille confirmed the City of Cape Town’s support “We are fully committed to helping to drive this project through. The South African Film industry has the potential to make a major international breakthrough; we just need to make the right strategic decisions in order to ride the wave. Supporting the studios is one such decision.”
Construction is now set to begin on the project, bringing to a conclusion a process that started almost four years ago. The launch follows the decision by Minister Tasneem Essop earlier this year to uphold the Environmental Record of Decision and sign off on the rezoning of the Dreamworld site.
In his address, Dreamworld Chairman, Anant Singh confirmed the vision for the development: “The studios have been designed to meet both local and international film needs.” The project, valued in excess of R400m, will be completed over phases with the different phases being developed at intervals, in line with the Environmental ROD and to ensure optimal operational capacity. Singh said the position of the site in Faure had been carefully chosen for its suitability as a film studio site on the advice of both Dreamworld’s international and local consulting teams, including international studio experts from the USA. “Dreamworld will provide a right-sized, world-class one-stop film city in an appropriate location that will entice year-round growth in film production”. (Issued by The Phoenix Partnership, on behalf of Dreamworld Film City).
Studios, Stages & Sets
Post Production
Videovision Entertainment (South Africa’s most prolific producing entity), headed up by Anant Singh – sells its product worldwide. “The fact that we are able to deliver films that are technically acceptable anywhere in the world, and pass all the Quality Control Tests (which are particularly stringent in Germany and the UK) speaks highly of our post production industry.” says Helena Spring, Head of Worldwide Production. The Waterfront Studios (situated at Cape Town’s “V&A Waterfront”) was recently established as a partnership between post production companies The Refinery and Condor. “
“The Animation and VFX industry was pre-dominantly made up of small companies and we developed an infrastructure to accommodate all skills needed, to collaborate on projects to create a critical mass," says Mike Smit, a respected industry visionary and veteran post production expert. “With changes in technology most films are post-produced digitally (DI) and this opened up an opportunity for us. With improved connectivity and bandwidth it is easier to be a world player in South Africa,” says Smit, whose company is busy supplying Dailies Approvals of Universal’s “Scorpion King”.
Waterfront Studios which supplies laboratory, telecine and digital editing services, is a fully integrated, digital post production facility that utilizes the best and latest in international technology and local talent in the commercial, feature film and TV broadcast industry. The CapeTown facility consists of a 16 and 35mm Front End Processing Laboratory (Kodak ImageCare accredited), Spirit II Datacine, with da Vinci 2k Plus, Ursa Diamond Telecines, Inferno, Flame, Combustion, IQ, EQ, Henry & Editbox, 2D, 3D Animation and graphics, AVID Adrenaline, Film & Media composers, DVXpress Pro’s, ISDN ADR studio, Digital video streaming, Internet Dailies delivery,
Waterfront Studios / ........
High Definition – Sony HDCAM and HDCam SR,Standard Definition – Digi Beta, Beta, DVCAM, DVCPro, DVD – PAL and NTSC. Most recently Waterfront Studios has provided front end services (16 and 35mm Productions) to for NBC-Universal/Film Afrika’s Scorpion King, Sony/Film Afrika’s Starship Troopers 2, NBC/Universal/Moonlighting’s Doomsday, Disgrace, The Deal, New Line Cinema’s Rendition, Warner Bros. 10 000BC.
“For many years we have pushed to do CGI in South Africa,” says David Wicht, “and we are currently doing final CGI on “Scorpion King : Rise of the Akkadian” for Universal Pictures. It’s the skills that are expensive – and they are mobile and move around the world, the equipment is inexpensive. “
The Digital Film Media company (servicing commercials, television and feature films in Johannesburg and Cape Town) has bought the first Assimilate™ SCRATCH ®Digital Intermediate Process solution to South Africa. The company offers complete data pipeline for affordable high performance digital technology. The easy to use tool suite for internal post production includes data management, multi-resolution review/playback, assemble/edit, conform, primary and secondary colour grading, multi-layer grading stack, playback and review, finish and final mastering in any format.
Stages, Studios and Sets
Post Production, Sound & Multimedia
Recent Productions
Moonlighting Films has been involved in some of the biggest productions to come to South Africa including Roland Emmerich’s 10,000BC, Ed Zwick’s ‘Blood Diamond’ and Neil Marshall’s ‘Doomsday’ (to be released in March 2008). These productions have enjoyed the great production value that South Africa offers along with its competitive cost effectiveness.
“Although the Rand is not as weak as it was against the Dollar a couple of years ago, the exchange rate is still attractive and South Africa is still one of the lowest cost film destinations in the world.” says Genevieve Hofmeyr, co-president of Moonlighting Films
Recent Produtions include:
In the Western Cape (incl Cape Town):
“Lord Of War” (facilitated by Reeleyes Film)
“Ask the Dust” (facilitated by Moonlighting Films for Cruise Wagner) starring “UCarmen Ekhayelistsha” produced by Spier Films
The TV series “Cooked” by Cooked Productions
Moonlighting Films projects include “The Deal” for Muse Entertainment, starring William H. Macey (who also served as producer)
“The Flood” a Power/Moonlighting/Muse production.
From Film Afrika’s slate came the Golden Bear nominated “Goodbye Bafana” directed by Bille August and starring Joseph Fiennes,
“Starship Troopers: Maruader” with Sony Pictures
“Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian” co-produced with Universal Pictures
Anant Singh’s “More Than Just A Game” (which won acclaim at the FIFA Official Draw – where it premiered) was set and filmed on Robben Island.
2007 was a busy year for DO Productions, with the company completing two co-productions and a feature for pioneering UK producers Warp X:
“Disgrace” filmed on location in Cape Town
"Citrusdal" starring John Malkovich in the lead role
“The World Unseen”.
Currently DO Productions is in production on a television feature “Rooibos with Milk” for German television producer UFA of Berlin, the sci-fi adventure feature “Lost City Raiders”, to be produced with Germany’s Tandem Communications.
In Gauteng (incl. Johannesburg):
The Canadian/UK/SA co-produced miniseries “Rough” by Philo Films
The UK/SA production “Skin” (Bard Entertainment/Elysian Films/Moonlighting Films)
In Johannesburg, Moonlighting also shot segments of Philip Noyce’s “Catch a Fire” starring Tim Robbins.
Production Companies
Production Companies, Animation
Production Companies, Commercials
Production Companies, Corporate
Production Companies, Documentary
Production Companies, Film
Production Companies, High Definition (HD)
Production Companies, Music
Production Companies, Radio
Production Companies, Radio Commercial
Production Companies, Television
Production Companies, Video
Accomodation
The economic boom across all economic sectors, means that there are never enough hotels, and in preparation for accommodating the 2010 World Cup Soccer Final, hotel construction is always in motion.
A number of South Africa's top-end hotels feature regularly in some of the best known "world's best" lists, including Conde Nast.
Accommodation categories include Bush & Game Lodges, Heritage Hotels, City and Modern Hotels, Golf and Country Estates, Country Lodges, Small Private hotels, B&B establishments and Beach Resorts. Numerous hotels have conference facilities, are home to casinos and are linked to shopping malls with restaurants and cineplexes.
Seasonal rates range from R400 per night in quaint guest houses and B&Bs (most common in Cape Town), to R2235 (for two in standard double room) per night in a National Hotel Group (such as Protea Hotels).
Other medium priced (National Group) hotels are City Lodge, and Southern Sun - Holiday Inn and Garden Courts - all offering good quality accommodation. Johannesburg top-end super deluxe hotels at R3000-R5000 per night include the Michelangelo and the centrally situated Westcliffe, Park Hyatt and The Grace hotels. Luxury boutique venues, replete with butler and private chef include “Saxon”.
“Getty Place” at Phinda Private Game Reserve is proof that a wildlife experience is priceless. This sophisticated sole-use villa on 3500 hectares of game reserve will set you back in the region of R40,000 per night. www.ccafrica.com
Numerous International franchises such as Hilton, Park Hyatt/Hyatt Regency, Best Westin and Sheraton can be found in most major cities.
Accomodation / Hotels - South Africa
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