In following the adage of Go Big or Go Home, we decided to kick off our trip to Africa's southernmost country by going on safari. This involved months of researching, planning and discussing. When Gemma pulled the trigger and booked our flights, a deal that saved us both in cash and carbon footprint presented itself and we were able to fly from London to Jo'Burg to the tiny airport of Nelspruit for a fair price.
Next step, hotel. Because we were travelling out of season (South African winter), deals abounded. We opted for The Grand Kruger Lodge in Marloth Park, a wildlife area adjacent to Kruger National Park, and grand it was. With tons of options to choose from, we opted to rent our own little two-bedroom chalet complete with wraparound porch for sitting and wildlife spotting or doing yoga whilst wildlife spotting.
There is a zebra in there. His camouflage is working well.
The lodge's restaurant had two areas to dine: one inside with view outside through French doors, connecting to an outdoor terrace with views of the resident monkeys and family of warthogs. It was heaven.
Because we travelled out of season, we had the resort largely to ourselves. We got to know the staff pretty well and followed along with the progress of the World Cup from the TV in reception. It felt like a wonderful home away from home. On afternoons after safari, we took to reading on our porch or wandering, with and without car, around wider Marloth Park.
Besides regular monkey, warthog, zebra and springbok sightings, we were only confronted by an ostrich once. When you see an ostrich approaching your car, there's only one thing to be done. Put the car into reverse and fly backwards.
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