Sensational safari experiences await sharing a sanctuary of biodiversity …
Sitting down to a pool-side three-course lunch with Impala grazing just a few meters away is a common occurrence at Safari Plains. The pool deck is the best spot to spend your time … soaking up the African sun, taking a dip to cool off, dining and gazing out into the open savannah plains. And just ahead is a watering hole where you can catch sight of a wild animal stopping by for a drink of water.
Welcome to the Waterberg region, Limpopo and what better way to experience the bushveld than sleeping in a tucked away tent surrounded by nature itself.
Sandy paths lead to your tented safari suite, cleverly positioned for privacy. And you are, trust us, in for a glamping treat. You won’t find the usual zipped up tented experience where you need to duck down to climb in and have no space to unpack. Rather it’s a timber wrap-around deck with a swinging chair and a door that opens up to an air-conditioned luxury suite with all that you need – and more. Think romantic draped mosquito netting covering your bed, a working desk and a mini bar with a decanter of sherry – a glass before bed and a hot water bottle waiting in the sheets will make for a cosy night’s sleep. Freshening up is a breeze in the fully-kitted bathroom with his and her basins, shower, full length mirror and even a rail to hang up your outfits. There is a lovely sunken bath and through the tented mesh windows you can see outside into the bush – still giving you a sense of camping but way more glamorous.
The lodge is kid-friendly with family style tented suites that have a second bedroom, with the added bonus of babysitting services on offer. By booking one of the luxury suites, you can enjoy a day bed for lazy afternoons.
A loud grunting sound is your friendly-reminder of the roaming visitors at the camp. Impala are plentiful and love to wonder around and the red-billed hornbill is another happy camper that flies about.
Outside the camp, there are 12 000 hectares of Mabula Game Reserve to explore. They have the Big Five, Little Five, Ugly Five plus around 300 bird species so you won’t want to miss the two daily safaris.
The bush fever is turned up high when you are on a chase dashing past common sighting to get a glimpse of a few ellies and you arrive just in the nick of time and see them heading into the dense bush. We also spotted a beautiful White Blesbuck and got to meet one of the fastest antelope, the Tsessebe. There were also lows… circling for some time in the hopes to see a wild dog but no luck there. Our highlight … getting to see the endangered ground hornbills and having a sundowner by the wild fig tree, home to baboons.
Returning back to the lodge at night you get a whiff of the sweet Baobab scent as you walk in and the lit-up lanterns illuminate the lodge making it all feel magical. Both the bar and dining area are spacious and grand but sitting around the roaring boma fire outside with a glass of wine is a far better way to end off the day.
We miss the smell of the freshly baked bread arriving to the table before every meal and would go back again to order a plate of their butternut lasagna. Food manager Paul Putter works closely with both chefs and front of desk to ensure that the menu favours majority of the guest dietary requirements. No easy task when you offer an à la cart menu. We commend the consideration of guests and inventive menu options of dishes like falafel served with hummus and crispy chickpeas.
The staff are always checking in on you and at Safari plains you are always well fed, feeling energised and plugged into nature. They have a spa on site for a rejuvenating spoil and you can shop at their safari curios for mementoes.
Rates are R6186 per person sharing. Inclusive of accommodation, three meals and selected beverages, two safaris daily.
Details: safariplains.co.za
A luxury villa in Africa’s Waterberg region. Your very own private chef and butler. And surprise … a submerged hippo waiting to welcome you.
It’s not surprising that celebs escape to Kingfisher Villa Suites – a private getaway where you as the guest set the pace on how your day unfolds, from dining schedules to when you hit the tracks on your sunrise and sunset safaris.
A spacious luxury lodge and a handful of attentive staff rushing to meet guests’ expectations … it really is all about the ultimate VIP experience.
From the high thatched ceilings and gorgeous hanging chandeliers to the three-dimensional wooden artwork on the walls, interior designer Esley Georgiou made sure there was a touch of modern glamour while keeping to the neutral tones and wood finishing which complement the surrounds of the African bush.
There’s an elegant indoor dining room, a plush lounge with blankets and a wood fireplace to keep things snug. A wooden deck wraps around the lodge with outdoor dining options, romantic swings for two and, in the centre, a rim-flow swimming pool overlooking a private watering hole – home to a vocal Pied Kingfisher chirruk chirruking while hovering over the water hunting for its next meal, and a hippo – a pleasant surprise for exploring the deck.
The lodge has a variety of suites, each uniquely designed to characteristics of various species of kingfisher. Worth boosting about is the Giant Suite – named after the Giant Kingfisher, the biggest of the species – it’s the biggest suite – an indulgent space with touches of luxe gold, a king-size bed, walk-in closet and massive bathroom with shower, his and hers wash basin and a bathtub with window views of nature. All the air-conditioned suites have everything you need to stay connected (if you must!). … working desk, TV and high-speed Wi-Fi. All face waterside with a wide-open view of Mabula Game Reserve, a view far from home.
While there are several activities in close proximity – including horseback safaris and quad biking, once butler Willam Tlhoaele mixes you up a chilled cocktail and the menu comes around with drool-worthy options you might decide to stay put and indulge. We highly recommend you pack a pair of comfy pants for the day you check out because both private chefs Marco Venter and chef Flora Bunda will keep your taste buds happy … what with early morning tea, a continental platter followed by a hot breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner menu, high tea and game drive snacks. Yes … we know you don’t have to eat it all … but it’s tough to pass on any course when there are crumbed prawn tails and ostrich carpaccio on the menu. Chef Marco was always full of surprises and treated us to a live pasta cooking class where we got to ask him 101 questions and tuck into his blue cheese and biltong pasta. A food and wine pairing dinner was also no sweat for Chef Marco as he set us up next to the fireplace and decked our table in white while we dined to our own playlist in the background. Also, out of nowhere on a morning safari, he popped up in the bush flipping a few flapjacks topped with berries, banana and honey. That was not the only sweet surprise … while we enjoyed our treat, a hippo was catching the last bit of morning sun. Brilliant bush experience!
Guide Tshepo Loni impressed, achieving his mission to show us all of the Big Five – covering a great deal of the 12 000 hectares of Mabula Game Reserve. He also knew all of the best spots to stretch legs, refresh and have a nibble (like we needed more food). On our drives, we experienced the playful nature of the bush … two sparring giraffes, lion cubs wrestling, the marking of a python and elephants playing hide and seek. The strong smell of fever bush, sightings of more than 50 buffalo surrounding us and meeting the famous fighting giraffe Scar make Mabula Game Reserve memorable. The beauty of having a watering hole in front of Kingfisher Villa Suites is while you are not out on the tracks, you can be chilling by the boma and with a stroke of luck, spot something incredible like a leopard crossing by in near distance. Yes, that was us … we also sighted a young croc, impala, warthog and two Egyptian geese all together basking and grazing. While we didn’t manage to snap a shot of the leopard passing by, the other bunch stayed around long enough for us to rush for our camera to take a few pics.
This lodge is family-friendly and can be booked for exclusive use or by suite. Rates at Kingfisher Villa are R7040 per person sharing, R10 560 single, and is inclusive of accommodation, three meals and selected beverages, and two safaris daily.
Details: kingfishervilla.co.za
