A New Addition at Ilanga Travel!

We are very happy to introduce our new team member to you –  Susanne or Sue for short 😊

Some of you have probably already had the pleasure of working with her. Sue brings a breath of fresh air to our team, and we’ve already sent her on her first trip.

Enjoy the read!

Simbavati Adventure

My first business trip, i.e. site inspection, with Ilanga Travel started with awe-inspiring views of the Kruger National Park out of the plane window. At this time of year, it is a massive emerald green canvas dotted with tiny lodge accommodations – and I was going to stay at two of them for this trip – Simbavati River Lodge and Simbavati Hilltop Lodge.

I touched down at Hoedspruit airport, which has a quaint neighbourhood feel to it. An hour-long shuttle ride with gnus, elephants and giraffes along the sides of the road, like a welcoming committee, took me to my first destination:

Simbavati River Lodge

There the welcoming staff greeted me with a refreshing drink and an ice-cold cloth, to wipe away the dust form the drive. Now I could sit down, revitalised for a light unique lunch on a deck overlooking the  Nhlaralumi river.

A quick change into bush clothes and it was off to enjoy the three-hour afternoon game drive in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which has an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park.

Even though the bush was a lush green and very dense, I got to see many animals. Ffrom giraffe, elephant and lion right down to the small dung beetles. After a sundowner with drinks and snacks, I returned to camp for a delicious bush dinner.

I was then escorted, as you are not allowed to walk alone after dark (only the family rooms are fenced), to my luxury safari-style tent, with canvas walls and thatched roof. It includes modern amenities like a hair dryer, fluffy bathrobe and slippers. Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body cream were also all available in the ensuite bathroom.

The aircon kept the safari tent cool and the ceiling fan made sure that no mosquitos would come near me.  The very comfortable bed with crisp fresh bed linen and the sounds of the wild outside the tent (hippos from the river), accompanied me to sleep.

I got a very early courtesy wake up phone call for the morning game drive. There is such beauty in the morning, when the world out there starts waking up, the air is crisp, and the shadows come to life.

Such an array of wildlife to be seen and heard!

A vast selection for breakfast (the homemade muesli was amazing) was served on the same deck as lunch and dinner was the previous day, overlooking the river and a water hole.

This was visited by an elephant family this morning – They came quietly, surprisingly so for such large mammals! They had their morning wash and big gulps of water to drink and left just as quietly to cross the river – That was awe-inspiring!

After breakfast, I had an exhilarating morning walk in the wild, getting close to an elephant but feeling protected all the while by the armed game rangers. Then I had to pack up to move to my next accommodation and leave this beautiful lodge. 

Summary:

• 3 family chalets, one for 2 adults and 3 children, the other two for 2 adults and 2 children. Fenced with central swimming pool.
• 8 Luxury tents, 2 with bush view, 6 with river view. All with private decks and plunge pool. All ensuite with indoor and outdoor showers. Aircon and fan.
• Amenities: body wash and crème, shampoo and conditioner, gown and slippers, mosquito spray and hair dryer. Fully stocked mini bar, a kettle for tea and coffee and loads of snacks.
• Guest common areas: lounge, bar, boma and an extensive deck with views overlooking the Nhlaralumi River.
• Spa, Gym and children’s playroom
• Curio Shop
• 2 game drives per day, morning and late afternoon, children from age 6 allowed.
• Bush walk with 2 armed rangers, no children allowed.

I was shuttled to the next accommodation –

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge

I was excited when I arrived at Hilltop, where I was greeted by a whole herd of Nyala buck at the entrance to the lodge.

A beautiful upper deck with a panoramic view of the winding Nhlaralumi River and the Mbali Dam way below. On the same deck is a sophisticated lounge with elegant couches in earthy tones, an island style bar and an infinity pool looking out onto the bushveld.

After a quick scrumptious lunch, I got taken to my Luxury Safari Tent on stilts, with a splash pool and a daybed on my own private deck with the most magnificent panoramic views of the bushveld below. I had some time to cool off in my secluded deck pool, enjoying the view of giraffes in the distance and a waterbuck with its young having tentative sips of water by the dam.

It was then time to throw on the earth toned clothes for the promising afternoon game drive, excited, as I had yet to see rhino and leopard.

Even though the leopard was in hiding, I saw such an amazing variety of animals and out of nowhere, there was a sundowner bar set up beautifully in the middle of the bush, with a selection of snacks and drinks for me to indulge in.

Leaving this wonderful safari setup, Sarah our ranger, filled us with amazing information about the animal, bird, insect and plant life in the bush all along the way. She also gave us time to watch rhinos, giraffes and elephants for a while in silence before returning to camp.

After freshening up, there were pre-drinks at the fire pit after which we were led through to the boma for a selection of mouth-watering grilled meat and sides and our dinner was accompanied by the symphony of animal sounds behind the boma walls.

I did get a “bodyguard” back to the room on the well-lit elevated wooden walkways that leads to each of the luxurious safari tents.

The early morning wake-up call for the morning game drive came just as I had woken up. Crisp air, bush smell and excitement in the air was the start up to this amazing game drive that fulfilled my long time wish to see a leopard in the wild!!

No words can explain this emotional moment of grace and beauty!

This was the last game drive of the trip. It was time to leave again, this time homeward bound.

Summary:

• 8 Luxury Safari Tents with crisp linen, aircon and a fan for summer, heated blankets for winter. All with decks with plunge pool and covered day beds. All ensuite but with a small passage on the deck connecting bedroom and bathroom, with an outside shower on the deck. No children under 12 years of age.
• Amenities: body wash and cream, shampoo, conditioner, gown, slippers, mosquito spray, hair dryer, mini bar, kettle for tea and coffee and lots of snacks.
• Guest common areas: infinity pool, fire pit, boma, lounge seating area, bar and dining decks on different levels.
• Spa
• Curio Shop
• 2 game drives per day tailored for 6 people on a vehicle.

There were two further properties I had the privilege to view –

Mvubu Cottage

• 2 ensuite bedrooms with King beds
• Entrance leads into combined lounge dining area
• Fully equipped kitchen and separate pantry
• Undercover patio
• More outside seating
• Pool on viewing deck
• Undercover loft with big day bed

All meals can be had, and all facilities can be used at Simbavati River Lodge.

The other property I got to see was on the way to the airport at Klaserie Private Nature Reserve – 

Simbavati Waterside Lodge

• 4 family suites, water facing (2 interleading bedrooms), ensuite bathroom with inside and outside shower and separate toilet
• 2 bush facing suites, ensuite with private deck and wood fired plunge pool
• Mini bar, coffee station, aircon, ceiling fan, electric blankets for winter, hair dryer
• Electronic eco-friendly insect room spray
• Common area has a large swimming pool. Gym and spa
• Outside dining area overlooking the dam
• Bar, wine cellar, sitting area with board games
• Boma right by the dam
• Gift shop
• 2 game drives per day, maximum 8 people and children over 6 allowed

Each of the lodges are unique but they have one thing in common, they want to give all their visitors the best that they have to offer and I can speak for myself, I have felt incredibly special during my stay!

I was especially aware of the attentive service at meals, the comfort, luxury and thoughtful touches in the suites, and the efforts of the game rangers to educate me and to open my eyes to the vast beauty in the bush. Time to plan a return!

The best time for a safari in Kruger Park starts soon!

We look forward to your inquiries!

Your Ilanga Team!