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On safari… South African Style
There are safaris and there are safaris… but nothing quite like a safari in a private game reserve in South Africa.
Most of these reserves are in the area that borders the Kruger national park, a half-day drive from Johannesburg through the scenic Mpumalanga landscape… or a short flight to Skukuza, from where a vehicle or light aircraft transfer is made.
Going on safari SA-style spells sheer unadulterated luxury, from the unexpected delight of cocoa and muffins on a game drive that begins at dawn… to the lingering nightcap that marks the end of another close-to-nature day.
Tell us more, most people say. To begin with, the lodges themselves. Small, intimate, with natural materials and African touches in the décor that make for true ethnic chic. Luxurious lounges, candle-lit dining bomas, spacious rooms, often extending on to private outdoor decks…
Service that is ever mindful of detail, personalized yet unobtrusive, offering company and conservation… or total privacy, if so desired.
What is a typical day like, people also ask. No two days are ever alike; wildlife encounters in the African bush are so varied. There is a pattern that emerges though. The day starts at first light, driving out in an open 4WD vehicle to take in the sights and sounds of early morning, an excellent time for wildlife viewing. Back at the lodge, it’s time for the comfort of a full breakfast. An easy morning follows, with reading (there are usually a selection of wildlife books to hand) relaxing at the pool and writing those all-important postcards. Lunch, with several salads and a variety of international dishes… then a short nap perhaps before the late afternoon game drive. Out in the fading light, an alfresco cocktail stop is a time to be savored.
Returning after sunset, to an early dinner, under the star-studded canopy of the African sky, it’s time to sit back with that nightcap and ponder over the fullness of the
day.
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