We try to visit a game park every year. We have just returned from Medikwe in the North West Province and Marekele in Limpopo. We stayed at the most luxurious game lodges and were spoilt rotten. We saw the big five which included lion eating an elephant’s carcass.
Nothing beats the feeling of tranquility of a game park, the different bird sounds, the smell of the bush, the spectacular sunrises and sunsets and being so close to nature.
The routine at the game lodges can be quite tiring especially if you don’t have time for an afternoon snooze and you decide to drive all the way from Cape Town. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time…
You get a wake-up call at 05:00, then go for coffee and rusks before you hop on the vehicle for your morning game drive. During the three hour game drive there is a drinks stop with more coffee, biscuits, rusks, fruit etc. I tried coffee laced with Amarula which was delicious.
You return to the game lodge at 09:00 for a hearty breakfast and then go and lie at the swimming pool, read a book or just relax. Lunch is served under the thorn trees overlooking the bush. Guests usually have an afternoon snooze before high tea at 16:00 and the afternoon game drive at 16:30. The game ranger always picks a scenic spot for gin & tonics and snacks. Pre-dinner drinks and dinner is served after you return to the lodge around 19:30.
In Medikwe we had our own private pool and glass doors that opened up so that our room became one with the bush. When you lie on your bed you can watch the steenbokkies graze in front of your suite. In Marekele we tried a bit of glamping and opted for a luxury tent with all the luxuries you can dream of: oval bath, inside/outside showers and a deck with a fantastic view overlooking the Waterberg Mountains.
Last year we stayed at the Rissington Inn in Hazeyview and went on daily game drives into the Kruger National Park from there. There are interesting places to visit nearby, from the quaint, historic town of Pilgrims Rest to the breath-taking Blyde River Canyon.
The year before we did a road trip to Kwazulu Natal and visited Indumu, Hluhluwe and Ithala.
Other years I stayed at Shamwari, Sanbona and a few lodges in the Amakhala Game Reserve in the Addo Elephant Park.
We are truly blessed to live in South Africa with the large selection of amazing game parks. If you decide to pitch a tent, stay in a self-catering bungalow or opt for a luxurious game lodge, the game viewing, tranquility and nature is what it is all about.
