Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
glamping it up on safari
A three-night stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city is exactly what I needed to reflect and reset, writes
A THREE-HOUR drive from Durban, with a few right and left turns along the way will land you in 14000 hectares that I now like to call a small paradise in KwaZulu-Natal.
Thanda Safari, situated North of KZN in Hluhluwe, is the perfect escape if you’re looking for five-star luxury accommodation, service, food, nature and the Big Five experience all rolled into one.
“Thanda” in Zulu means “love” and that’s the exact feeling and welcome you get when you step into the private game reserve. On arrival elephants, giraffes and nyala roamed freely, and the friendly staff greeted guests, including myself, with big smiles, iced cocktails and fresh hand towels to offer some cold comfort from the blistering heat and travel time.
I must admit that the excitement of being at the five-star place only hit me the day I had to travel to the safari. A few days before, I was very hesitant to leave the comforts of my home due to past experiences on a bush holiday.
I’ve been glamping on game reserves before and while the overall experience was great, I was left with insect bites that itched for days after my return and left bruises on my skin.
It’s definitely not a great way to end a holiday.
Also, being on a vegetarian fast for religious purposes made me nervous and sceptical of the food I would be eating. But all these concerns were quickly quashed.
We were escorted to our tented camps, which boasted a private viewing deck, a king size bed, an indoor bathroom, an outdoor shower, a ceiling fan, a bar fridge fully stocked with refreshments and other amenities one would expect in a hotel room.
Well, except for a TV. Not that anyone goes to the bush to watch TV anyway. It was still a bit jarring, but welcomed.
Already feeling a sense of relief, I kicked off my shoes and jumped on to a bed fit for a king.
By 2pm, it was already time for lunch and at 4pm, a delightful, full-on afternoon game drive.
As the sun set on the horizon, we were lucky to see all of South Africa’s Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
Guide Matthew Haynes and tracker Zakes Thabethe were some of the most knowledgeable individuals on the ground.
Along the way, Zakes’ tracking skills (along with my sharp eye for fine detail) helped spot a leopard in the golden bushes. We tracked its footprints for more than 15 minutes. I sat at the back of the elevated vehicle and could see much higher than the others.
Close to giving up on our search, I saw something rattle in the bush. “There it is,” I shouted. Little did I know that you aren’t suppose to shout. The leopard showed itself for a few seconds, then turned and disappeared back into the bushes. Matthew explained that the animal didn’t look comfortable and probably heard my voice. He also said that it was a rare find and I received a round of applause for spotting it.
By day two in the bush, my mind and body were in complete relaxation. I’m usually a stickler for time, but didn’t care for the clock.
A wake-up call at 5am to leave for a game drive at 5.30am may not sound like the best idea on holiday, however, once you’re out of bed, dressed and on the drive, you’ll thank yourself for making the effort.
If you’re not a morning person, then opt for the afternoon game drive. Either way, the scenic views are beyond spectacular and the animals show off.
On return you can be sure to find a great breakfast buffet or threecourse meal cooked freshly by the chefs.
We were treated to a “bush dinner” under the stars which featured a variety of meat and veg potjies, warthog sausage, freshly made bread, soup and dessert. It was just awesome and I am relieved that the weather played along or I would have missed this moment.
On day four, Thanda Safari’s tented camp site had become my home away from home and the staff had become my family, which made leaving sadder than I initially thought. The experience was definitely something to remember and every detail during my stay was considered and perfectly executed by the staff.
By the time I got home I had made up my mind not to be driven by the clock, but instead move at my own pace. I am stress free.
It’s amazing how much you can accomplish without worrying about time limitations.
Thanda Safari offers it’s guests two game drives a day. The first starts at 5.30am. This is usually the best time to see the animals as they hunt for food or walk around. Usually, as the day progresses, the animals find shade and do very little.
The second option is to go at 4pm. You get to witness beautiful sunsets and if you’re lucky see nocturnal animals.
All game drives offer a drinks and snack break in the bush before heading back to camp.
Guests are also able to do a walking safari. Rhino tracking, where guests track rhinos on foot, is available on request. Each of the activities last for two to three hours.