A big five safari on the Garden Route
One doesn't have to travel to the far flung reaches of Kruger National Park to enjoy the ultimate big five safari experience. In fact, a magical safari is waiting for you on the Garden Route.
We were privileged to recently be able to spend an afternoon enjoying a big five game drive at Garden Route Game Lodge, which is located between Mossel Bay and Albertinia on the N2.
Only three and a half hours from Cape Town, the reserve is set over a sprawling piece of land that stretches out to the Langeberg Mountains in the distance. We visited in July, and while there was certainly a chilly bite to the air, it was a magical experience to see the animals amidst fields of yellow flowers and bright red aloes.
We ventured out on an open top game vehicle in search of everything the reserve has to offer, and it did not disappoint! Our very first sighting brought us right alongside the two resident elephant bulls who were scratching around in the dust, pulling up the sweet grasses and plenty of insects for their bird hangers on to enjoy!
What a great start to the day to get up close and personal with these two gentle giants. Then it was on to see some zebra, lions, giraffe, oryx, springbok, blue wildebeest, eland, hippos, and even some resident unicorns.
We were even privileged enough to take our baby along on the game drive - a first in her young life! In fact, this is a great experience to enjoy with kids, with Garden Route Game Lodge being one of the only reserves to allow children of all ages on their game drives. Its also malaria-free so you don't have to worry about any nasty little pests while enjoying your bush experience!
While we didn't have time to spend the night, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of fresh egg benedicts in the restaurant prior to our game drive which offers spectacular views out over the reserve and is a great place to rest up with a cup of coffee, especially in the winter months when the fires are roaring!
The reserve does also boast an outdoor boma area, two magnificent infinity pools overlooking the reserve, one of which is heated, a residents only lunch area and cocktail bar, and a number of accommodation options from typical hotel-style lodge rooms, to traditional wooden rondavel style bush chalets, and more modern suites with outdoor baths and private plunge pools. We look forward to returning soon to spend the night! Click here to book your stay at Garden Route Game Lodge.
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Janine Avery
Author