Celebrate your birthday in the wild
A BUSH birthday in search of the Big Five proved to be on par with any international holiday I could have gone on to celebrate. Over the past few months, local travel has grown on me.
The opportunity to see Thanda Private Nature Reserve, a five-star safari spot in Hluhluwe, comes rarely.
Despite the blistering winter sun creeping into my car throughout the three-hour drive to the reserve, counting down to my bush birthday made it pleasurable.
Thanda makes sure that people feel welcome and are given the royal treatment when they visit.
Although a popular hangout for international tourists, of late many locals have come from all across the country to enjoy this Big Five spot.
Our game driver, Zee, happily greeted us at the gate, taking in our luggage as we drove through to our tented camp.
On the way, we were spied on by nyala, impala and a kudu.
The Tented Camp was a treat, having all the fixtures of what a home away from home should look like. The cosy tentlike structure had twin beds, a bathroom, outside shower and a pretty terrace that overlooked the vast lands before us.
With minimal electricity and lighting, this set the tone for what camping would be like with an added touch of glamour.
At night we heard the hyena in the distance, celebrating a kill.
The next morning we headed to the Safari Lodge, a five-star private Zulu homestead-inspired accommodation.
Inside our lodge was a private lounge stocked with family games, a fireplace, bookshelf and mini-bar.
The room was spacious. It overlooked the pool and dining area.
I loved the bathroom facilities the most. There was an eggshaped bath, his and her dressing tables and a rain shower and toilet.
The outside shower proved adventurous.
There is also a lapa where you can easily spend hours in nature or catch up on some reading. I must admit Thanda kept us busy the entire weekend.
Besides some quiet nights near the fireplace and some spent splashing in our private pool, the game drives, photography lesson and nature interaction took up pretty much all of our time.
Not that I’m complaining. I have never been so close to nature.
From tracing a pride of lions and witnessing the buffalo in herds drink from the watering hole to hopelessly going in search for nature’s elusive animal, the leopard, it was a joy ride.
I once witnessed a daughter lioness and her mother hunt a giraffe calf.
It was by far the most intense hour of my life.
While we didn’t spot the leopards, on a morning drive we saw prints from an adult and a cub. Our guide, Themba, said they were fresh tracks.
I am hoping that on the next safari I’ll get lucky.
Besides the unique game drive offerings, Thanda is a haven away from city life where you get to meet all sorts of delightful people.
We met a Swedish family who were excited about the Big Five.
The South African mother and daughter duo kept us entertained with their vast game knowledge.
During game drives, we got to connect with most of the guests during an early morning hot chocolate or late night wine in the bush.
The number of interesting people you meet will surprise you.
The dining experience at both accommodation venues was top class. The food was freshly prepared, keeping to South Africa’s unique flavours.
On the night of my birthday, we had a bush dinner – a thrilling night time experience out in the open!
The food was delicious. I had some kingklip skewers, a tomato chutney that I loved and roasted veggies. For dessert, I tucked into my coffee birthday cake.
Boma dinners and bush dinners happen twice a week to give visitors the African experience. Bonfires and lamps set the tone for a memorable evening.
Zulu dancers razzled and dazzled us with their African-inspired dances.
We were told that the three neighbouring communities were close-knit with Thanda.
My “can’t stop talking about” activity was the photography session with photographer Christian Speka. The session is inclusive of the rate.
Christian bases his sessions according to the camera one uses and throws in some mobile photography advice.
It usually takes two hours.
The bush walk is another treat for guests who get to walk with some of the wild’s biggest animals.
Guests said they saw the black rhino and buffalos during their walk.
My only complaint throughout the trip was that I wished staff at the Safari Lodge were as friendly to locals, as they were with foreigners.
Some staff dismissed us on several occasions.
However, the staff at the Tented Camp were hospitable and friendly.
Since coming home, I have been raving about going back. Maybe this time I will see that leopard every one loves to talk about.