Recharge Wilderness Wilderness Recharge

Words Chris Maxwell In the footsteps of A short flight out of Johannesburg, but a world away from the bustle of ’s commercial hub, luxury Sabi Sabi offers the chance to switch off and immerse yourself in nature at its wildest

quatting down at the edge awards for their hospitality with the exhilarating bounces of To maintain harmony with head out to discover which at the edge of the bush, to share of the watering hole, you and green credentials. Indeed, a ride through the bush. Accommodation their surroundings, the lodge’s animals are making the most of anecdotes and field more wildlife Splace your hand next to Earth Lodge, Director’s destination, Greeted with a welcome Director travelled with 13 suites have been set into a first light. The pairing allocated questions (an ’s trunk, the fresh footprint of a – the has secured a place among cocktail and a chilled face-towel specialist tour operator Best of slope and built from a mixture to Director, ranger Eve Wood-Hill we learnt, contains more than same one that had taken a drink National Geographic’s “Unique at Earth Lodge, you take a curving South Africa Travel. Tailored of the local earth and thatching and tracker Patrick Nyalungu, 60,000 muscles). Local ingredients here a few hours earlier while lodges of the world”, an exclusive underground passage that packages start from £2,220 per grass. Each luxurious interior have decades of experience are celebrated in dishes from an you watched from the safety of list of outstanding boutique emerges on to a stunning open person sharing, inclusive of has been individually designed, between them. Their rapport ever-changing menu that on a jeep. While your guide assures retreats in extraordinary terrace whose foreground water return private air shuttle; featuring bespoke furniture was seemingly telepathic as they Director’s visit included pan-fried you that Africa’s top predator locations “with a demonstrated features and plants blend into VIP meet-and-greet service; and wooden sculptures by local detected buffalo, white rhino and kingklip (eel) with greens, roasted has moved on and is probably commitment to sustainability, the wilderness beyond. There are transfers; two game drives artists. All suites have ensuite tracks. Nyalungu’s ability cauliflower and sauce vierge, cat-napping in the mid-morning authenticity and excellence”. no fences to keep the wildlife at daily; walking safaris; all meals; bathrooms, but they also have to spot a single dusty leopard and butternut and chickpea curry sun, your instinct is to look over An authentic safari experience bay here. Guests can walk around sundown drinks; selected a private plunge pool and footprint from a fast-moving with cashews and apricot each shoulder, hair standing on starts from the moment you step freely by day, but you must call local beverages; house wines; shower outside, enabling you to jeep was as worthy of admiration chutney. For special occasions end, as you realise that you really off your flight at the small but for a chaperone whenever you and all conservation fees. bathe al fresco while keeping as the animal itself. The evening Sabi Sabi will even set up a private are out on foot in the wilderness beautiful airport at Skukuza (a want to move between your suite Add four nights at the your eyes trained on the safaris, which start just before table for you a short drive away at where the continent’s “big five” – twice-daily 50-minute hop from and the lounge, bar and dining five-star Cape Grace hotel in Getting there wilderness for animal activity. dusk, pause for drinks and the reserve’s secluded jabula lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and Johannesburg, which makes areas after dark. The antics of the Cape Town for £825 per person Director flew from London If you want to be sure of snacks to be served at sundown (Zulu for “be happy”) deck, which elephant – roam free. this a viable short break when 18-strong local lion family, the sharing on a bed-and-breakfast Heathrow to Johannesburg tracking down the region’s most before continuing in the dark overlooks a waterfall. It’s the A walking safari is just one of visiting the city on business). Southern Pride, around the basis. Prices exclude with South African Airways, celebrated creatures, you’ll need with the help of Nyalungu’s perfect chance to be completely the ways in which Sabi Sabi Your transfer to the lodge, lodge are well documented – international flights and are and from Johannesburg some expert help during the spotlight, returning to the lodge alone with nature, consider what private game reserve brings its courtesy of a friendly guide in an visit YouTube and search “lion subject to availability. to Skukuza with SA Airlink. game drives, which take place at in time for dinner. you’ve seen so far and speculate guests as close as possible to open-topped jeep, takes the form gets a fright at his own reflection” In Johannesburg Director both ends of the day. This is The rangers rejoin the guests at on where you might find that nature. Located in South Africa’s of an informative hour-long for a taster. But rest assured stayed at the Saxon Hotel, Villas flysaa.com where Sabi Sabi takes the their dining tables, set outdoors next set of lion tracks. Sabi Sand reserve – 250 square game drive. You’ll catch sight that you’re more likely to see and Spa. flyairlink.com experience to another level, with miles of pristine bushveld next of your first veld fauna – on this nipping at the lawns its hugely impressive roster of Special offer for IoD members to the – occasion, a mongoose, a herd of or curious staring back bestofsouthafricatravel.com guides. After being woken before IoD members can obtain a discount of £100 per person and also enjoy a free private dining experience the resort is a collection of lodges and a huge bull at you from a safe distance as 01233 802727 dawn to enjoy the glorious while on safari by quoting “IoD” if they book with Best of South Africa Travel by 30 September 2017. that have won international elephant – as you learn to roll you enjoy your afternoon tea. saxon.co.za sunrise over breakfast, guests

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