Stay & Play

 The Safari Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve, South Africa

Article by Jennifer Merrick, Photos: Safari Lodge

We couldn’t have asked for a better welcome than the one we experienced at the Safari Lodge on the Amakhala Game Reserve. Less than five minutes after arrival, as we filled out registration forms, we heard someone say.

“It’s Norman!”

When we looked up, we saw an elephant lumbering up to the watering hole with its big ears flapping as if to wave hello.

The animals at Amakhala, a 7500-hectare private conservancy, aren’t usually given a name (it’s not a zoo), but Norman is an exception. This lone bull elephant, pushed out by the dominant male in the herd, has earned a special place in the heart of everyone here, and now mine, too.

The reserve, which began in 1999, is a joint conservation effort and has 10 individual lodges each with their own personality, style and comfort level. The Safari Lodge is all about luxury, relaxation and big-five adventure in a comfortable and authentic ambiance.

Sleeping 24 in 11 safari suites, its four-star wilderness accommodation features private plunge pools, lounge areas, stocked fridges, four-poster beds covered with mosquito nets (though it’s located in a malaria-free zone so it’s not a necessity) and a large bathtub complete with bubbles and sparkling wine on ice. Though even that couldn’t compete with the view we had of impalas and antelope grazing outside.

It takes no time at all to get into the rhythm of safari life: coffee, early morning game drive, full breakfast, relax and enjoy the surroundings, lunch, evening game drive-bath with aforementioned sparkling wine, dinner.

The game drives were led by professional, knowledgeable guides, and we spotted wildlife ranging from large game, like rhinos, lions and giraffes, to smaller creatures, like African slugs and tortoises.

And, of course, we couldn’t forget Norman, who we watched rolling around in the mud, having a grand time, which was exactly what we had, too, at the Safari Lodge on the Amakhala Game Reserve.

www.amakhala.co.za/lodges/safari-lodge