{"id":10463,"date":"2020-12-04T12:30:39","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T10:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/?p=10463"},"modified":"2024-05-28T12:41:50","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T10:41:50","slug":"humbling-beauty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/blog\/2020\/12\/04\/humbling-beauty\/","title":{"rendered":"Humbling beauty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even if you didn\u2019t see a single animal on your entire trip, you would still leave amazed at the beauty and sheer diversity of the terrain surrounding Rhino River Lodge in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Of course you will see animals, loads of them, and make memories to last a lifetime.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are everywhere, we are surrounded. I am nervous and completely in awe. Twenty? No, maybe thirty wild African elephant are milling around as we sit, dead silent, in the game vehicle watching them in their most natural environment. The lush, thick grass they are munching on rustles under their impossibly massive feet as they meander past, almost oblivious to our existence. The babies of the herd wobble animatedly from side to side, looking a little bit drunk, as they try to find their balance and their place in the world. There are moments in your life that you know you will never forget, and I know, instinctively, sitting in this jungle-like setting with these majestic creatures around us, that this is one of them.<\/p>\n

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The beautiful, diverse terrain and magnificent trees are as impressive as the wildlife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LIVING THE DREAM<\/strong>
\nSituated in the 23 000-hectare Manyoni Game Reserve, 30km north of Hluhluwe, Rhino River Lodge is a family-owned safari lodge that offers a variety of upmarket accommodation options, wonderful, friendly service and once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences.
\nOwned by Ballito-based husband and wife team Dale and Shannon Airton and their partner Donald Alexander, the lodge was born, in 2005, out of a passion for conservation and a desire to rehabilitate the natural environment.
\nDale spent most of his life in the bush and studied conservation. He was working for KZN Wildlife at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve when he fell in love with this particular piece of land.
\n\u201cIt was an old game hunting farm and Manyoni as it is now didn\u2019t exist. It was made up of individual plots of land, some of which were being used for commercial cattle farming.\u201d<\/em>
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\nThe catalyst for dropping the fences and joining the 17 properties was the introduction of black rhino into the area \u2013 a project that was funded by the WWF, KZN Wildlife and the private sector. \u201cWe ultimately became the custodians of these rhino,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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\nOwning a property like Rhino River Lodge was always a dream for Dale. And now, he is living that dream. Seeing the transition of the terrain to what it is now an authentic, big five wildlife reserve, has been an incredible experience. He says. \u201cI am passionate about conservation, and tourism is a means to that end. It has been remarkable to see the land transform naturally and become so wild. It happened the way nature intended and hasn\u2019t been manipulated at all \u2026 and now you will bump into big animals here,\u201d he says, smiling.<\/p>\n

SAFARI SLUMBER FINE FARE AND SMILES<\/strong>
\nThe lodge itself has also transitioned over the years, and now comprises three different types of accommodation: double en-suite luxury rooms, family chalets and two two-bedroom private safari homes – the Cottage and the Homestead.
\nThe Homestead, where we spent two nights, is a stylish self-catering safari home with two bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom with beautiful bush-facing tub and outdoor shower. The stacking doors in the lounge open out completely onto a stunning private deck and swimming pool, overlooking the Msunduze River bed.<\/p>\n

\"\"It\u2019s a short walk from your accommodation to the main lodge area, which is made up of a small reception area and curio shop, open dining area and lounge and swimming pool and boma. The contemporary, stylish d\u00e9cor is carefully thought out and comfortable, but not over-the-top or flamboyant. Amongst the biggest drawcards of Rhino River Lodge, made evident by the number of repeat visitors they have, are the friendly staff, warm atmosphere and delicious, homestyle food. \u201cWe are a small, close, hands-on team,\u201d says Dale, \u201cand that\u2019s exactly what we have always wanted to be. We have worked hard to cultivate this ethos, and we want our guests to feel like they are joining a family when they visit us.\u201d The food and service during our stay was top-notch and, definitely worth a mention, was the wonderful dinner under the stars we were treated to, with our own private bonfire and just the nocturnal sounds of Africa to keep us company.<\/p>\n

AFRICAN MAGNIFICENCE<\/strong>
\nWonderful creature comforts aside though, it is the sheer magnificence and humbling beauty of the diverse surrounding habitat that really leave an imprint when you visit this property. From thick riverine vegetation, rich with animal and bird life to open savannah bushveld and acacia thornveld, the terrain is simply a feast for the eyes.<\/p>\n