By Alethea Naidoo at Explore2Find.Blog
You’ll truly understand what the phrase “Africa is not a place, it’s a feeling” means after visiting Garden Route Game Lodge. When people hear you’re from South Africa, one of the first associations they make is “safari”. It was only after our stay at Garden Route Game Lodge that I came to truly understand what this means; or at least, what it means for me.
Upon arrival at the lodge, you’re greeted by a porter eager to help with your belongings; a much-welcomed gesture, especially after a long journey. Check-in is quick and effortless, and meeting the staff nearby is always pleasant, as they become your family away from home for the duration of your stay.
After settling into your room, you’ll discover that you’re surrounded by beautiful plains stretching wide and vast across the horizon and beyond. That’s where you’ll meet your part of Africa in the coming hours.
Dawn adventures
Our first safari was a morning drive, leaving before sunrise; this gives you a real sense of adventure and purpose. The game viewing vehicle was exceptionally well-maintained, and our field guide was knowledgeable and expertly equipped to navigate the terrain, locate animals, and offer fascinating facts whilst remaining fun and friendly. I was genuinely impressed, appreciating that this is no small task.
On our first morning drive, the air was cold with heavy mist, which somehow added to the sense of adventure and the unknown. It allowed us to witness nature in its most natural state; somewhere most of us don’t spend enough time; creating an incredible feeling.
A window into the wild
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but we saw four of the Big Five — absolutely remarkable to me. What I loved about this particular lodge was that we didn’t need to be out for hours just to spot a single animal. We were lucky to witness countless creatures in varied settings and at different times of day.
For example, we saw a group of rhinoceroses grazing together, and the next day we observed a mother and baby rhino drinking water and grazing alone. We were able to get incredibly close to these majestic beings – something I won’t soon forget.
We also witnessed a male lion accompanied by three lionesses with their kill from earlier that day, which struck me as exceptionally rare. We saw a cheetah gaining ground as it chased a group of bucks, elephants playing and galloping around the nearby plains, and encounters with buffalo, zebra, and many stunning bird species.
Where giraffes and sunsets steal the show
The absolute highlight for me occurred during our afternoon game drive whilst tracking a group of giraffes. We were on this mission for some time, making our way to the top of a mountainous area; quite remote, as the road was less travelled. We were about to lose hope when, right at the mountain’s peak as we took a slight bend, we spotted the beautiful elongated neck of a giraffe through the trees.
The happiness and joy our group felt was genuine. As we rounded the bend, seeing the vegetation open up to reveal six or seven more giraffe was absolutely spectacular. The sun gently kissed their golden fur as they grazed peacefully whilst we looked on in awe; truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As if this moment couldn’t get any better, our guide offered sundowners and light snacks whilst we enjoyed the sunset and these beautiful animals nearby. We returned to the lodge that evening with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts. I think our group would agree that we all left with a little bit of Africa in our souls.
Nature’s embrace from the water’s edge
The pool area was another special offering my family and I enjoyed. Although we visited in winter, we were lucky to have warmish weather during the day and could use the heated pool. Located right at the edge overlooking the majestic plains and beautiful scenery, we absolutely loved relaxing in the water whilst overlooking nature in all its glory; something to behold and savour.
After this experience, I’m somehow changed. Perhaps it’s a newfound love and appreciation for nature and wildlife, or a desire to draw closer to this world. It’s probably both.
Thank you, Garden Route Game Lodge, for offering a world-class experience and representing South Africa so well.
Additional noteworthy features:
- Pre-planned itinerary optimises your trip without requiring personal planning
- Dinner menu changes nightly, adding an element of surprise
- Special occasions are made truly special
- Personalised notes and welcome letters add a personal touch
- Kid-friendly with colouring activities at mealtimes and a games room
- Bonfire upon returning from afternoon game drives with marshmallows to roast
