Jumbo trip to South Africa
head of the bed. It’s late afternoon and I’ve missed the 3.30pm drive. But my ranger Justin and his tracker Petro still offer to take me out.
We drive just a few miles before we come across the elephants.
As they rumble past, swishing their trunks through the trees and then turning over the soil, my heart feels like it’s going to burst.
I was lucky enough to grow up in South Africa and have spent time in the bush before. But I’ve never been so close to a herd as large as this.
I feel spoiled... yet want more! I ask Justin and Petro to find me a leopard and sure enough, a few days later, I was lucky enough to spend a good hour with one.
Maxabeni is a powerful and confident young male and we get to follow him. Justin explained Maxabeni had become so comfortable with the safari vehicles he learned to use them as cover before pouncing on impala.
Aside from being the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature, Sabi Sabi knows how to feed its guests – and there is an endless supply of food.
On waking, you are offered a selection of pastries and yoghurts, before you are taken on a morning drive. While out you stop for hot drinks and rusks – a twice- baked bread, popular with South Africans – before returning to the lodge for a full breakfast.
You get a few hours to relax – or you can go on a community visit or bus bush walk – before lunch is served. It s seems no time before afternoon tea, with an end endless array of cakes and sweets. The Then at 3.30pm you’re ushered out for theth afternoon drive before returnin turning to dinner – usua usually around six cour courses. So be p prepared to get fat.
After four d days my wa waistline was scr screaming to leave, but I wanted to stay. There is nothing like going to bed with the sound of lions reverberating through the night. But go I must and after a long drive back to Joburg I travel a further four hours south towards the Drakensburg Mountains.
Driving through the long winding roads makes you realise how vast the country is and you get the chance to glimpse into the lives of locals. The tiny villages dotted along the way are bustling with children who dance and wave as you drive through.
I’m staying at Cathedral Peak Hotel, the perfect place to relax for a weekend. There is a golf course, pool and outdoor play area.
It’s family-focused but is also the perfect base if you want to go hiking, off-road biking or horse riding.
And after a few days in the mountains I’m definitely ready for a trip to Durban... where I’ll hopefully get some sun and surf in abundance. FACTFILE Sabi Sabi rates start at around £500pp, per night, based on two sharing. This includes day and night safari drives led by qualified rangers and trackers, walking safaris, meals and transfers from the Sabi Sabi airstrip. See sabisabi.com Prices at Cathedral Peak Hotel start from £ 150 per night. See cathedralpeak.co.za.