Go Wild: 2 Safari Stays You’ll Love!

Dear Travel Family, with this newsletter we would like to share our new safari findings with you. Now is the perfect time for a safari in South Africa and many clients are already enjoying all the bush has to offer with many more still to explore the bush in the coming months!

We discovered two new lodges – Elisa visited Tanda Tula Safari Camp in the Timbavati Game Reserve and Xavier experienced Samara Karoo Reserve. We are very blessed to be able to visit these wonderful places and meet the amazing teams that make all the magic happen. Thank you very much to the lodges for having us!

Enjoy the read and please let us know if you need any further information or have any questions😉.

Tanda Tula

…what a paradise in the middle of the Timbavati Game Reserve. There are several options to get there – either fly in with Federal Air from Johannesburg or Nelspruit Airport, or alternatively, you can self-drive or take a road transfer from Hoedspruit Airport. We chose the latter, and the drive only took about an hour. On the way to the lodge we saw many animals and were already very excited.

Tanda Tula has 9 suites, 2 of which are family suites. Each of them has its own mini bar, a fireplace, a small seating area, a king-size bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a huge bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. There are also private plunge pools, with views that overlook the currently dry riverbed. However, during the rainy season, there may be water here.

The lodge itself is very spacious and elegantly furnished. You feel at home immediately, especially because every single staff member is so friendly. Whether you are enjoying a drink on the veranda, sitting in the lounge by the fire, or chatting with a staff member at the bar; there are plenty of areas to relax. Furthermore, Tanda Tula offers a heated swimming pool, a boma, a curio shop, a library, a fitness area, a spa, a waterhole, a wine cellar, and even small private corners where you can enjoy a meal in complete intimacy.

The safaris take place in open Land Cruisers. Each guest receives their own insulated cold water bottle. When it gets cold, there are also hot water bottles, blankets, and ponchos available. A maximum of 6 guests are placed per Land Cruiser, so that every client has a  seat with a clear view. Binoculars are even provided, and those lucky enough to have Scotch as their ranger can ask him about every bird – he knows exactly which page it is on in his bird book and what it is called – we tested this several times 😊!

It was an incredibly beautiful stay and I can highly recommend Tanda Tula!

Samara Karoo Reserve

Samara is a truly remarkable, conservation-focused marvel in the middle of the Great Karoo. About a 3.5 hour drive from Port Elizabeth, this beautiful reserve is home to a unique ecosystem, which thrives in extreme weather conditions. It is hard to think that a place that is so seemingly dry, can be home to so much life! From antelope, to elephants, to predators, and much more… everything is possible!

Besides being home to so many animals; what was truly remarkable is all the fauna that can be found on the reserve. We learnt about the medicinal properties of various small plants and flowers in very informative game drives and learnt about the history of the area.

Samara is a must do for any repeating clients, who are interested in learning about the conservations efforts of a lodge, whilst experiencing a luxurious stay over with fantastic service!

The dining experience is an unforgettable one. From breakfast to dinner, every meal gives you lovely a la carte options in carefully curated menus. Each menu item has a South African flare to it, using only local ingredients. The incredible food was always accompanied by the most amazing team! Knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to assist with your needs… Samara has it all!

Finally the rooms – The Karoo Lodge houses amazingly large and spacious private units that are all dispersed throughout the property offering you tranquillity and privacy  during your stay. In the mornings you may even be greeted by antelope walking around the property! The units are mostly fenced in to keep out larger animals, but a few agile antelope will find their way onto the property.

We also got to see their amazing exclusive-use property, the Manor House. This includes 4 en-suite bedrooms in a homy and beautiful property. The Manor House comes with a private chef and you receive personal service throughout your stay. It is a perfect spot for a family looking for luxury, privacy, and an intimate experience with family and friends. The Manor House has a private boma, deck area and in-house seating space, so that clients can experience different dining locations throughout their stay!

All in all, Samara is a true home away from home!

For everyone that has been on safari, we know it is such a special experience and we look forward to having many more clients enjoy the marvels of the bush and for them to keep coming back!

Once you have breathed in the early morning African bush aromas and had a lekker sundowner with biltong, while watching the sun set, it is hard to stay away!

Until next time, your Ilanga Travel Family 😊.