27th July 2016: Having been on safari in Kenya, I decided to try South Africa next, and I couldn’t have been more pleased that I did. From amazing wildlife to spectacular scenery, this diverse country has so much beauty and culture to offer, making it the perfect place to start a new adventure. Here are just four reasons to consider a South African safari for your next holiday.
1. The Location
For many, the search for wildlife is the major factor in booking a South Africa safari, but the dramatic landscape you discover along the way is also a highlight of its own. Arriving at Entabeni Conservancy, after a night flight with Virgin Atlantic, I was amazed at the stunning location. The Lakeside Lodge was set as the name suggests on a beautiful lake, north of Johannesburg. From majestic craggy rock formations and high cliffs, to wide open grass plains and sandy wetlands, this reserve has it all.
We were taken on an excursion into the bush, where we had a picnic lunch alongside natural rock pools and the scenery was not at all what I was expecting. The lush landscape had beautiful plants that attracted numerous birds, and there were also plenty of watering holes for all of the other animals. In the evening we enjoyed a barbecue in the Boma, which was a wonderful experience. There is something really special about eating under the stars on safari. As you explore the surroundings, you really see for yourself, why South Africa is often described as ‘the world in one country’.
2. The Guides
A safari wouldn’t be possible without the friendly and experienced guides, who went out of their way to make this trip unforgettable for all. We saw many amazing animals thanks to our guide, and luckily for us, they were experienced enough to know exactly where to go, based on one loud roar. We also headed out on a bush walk in the grounds, and spotted different animal tracks that were pointed out by our guide, proving that they really know their stuff and teaching us a thing or two along the way.
We were introduced to the anti-hunting group who work on protecting the animals from hunters, and also visited a wildlife centre, where we saw lions that had been rescued from the wild. It was so good to learn about what was being done to protect these animals, and experience our journey with people who really love what they do.
3. The Animals
For many, the stars of the show are of course, the animals, and what a great variety we found. With both morning and evening game drives, there was plenty of opportunity to see wildlife at its finest, and we certainly saw a lot. On the first day, we experienced an evening drive, where we were lucky enough to spot rhino and a herd of elephants with their young. Next we had an early start, but we weren’t disappointed as we encountered more rhino, giraffe, wildebeest and warthogs.
Out again we heard the loudest roar, which actually echoed all around us, so off we went in pursuit. It was rather a bumpy ride, but when we turned the corner, there he was, the lion we had all been waiting for, laying beside the track, not two metres away. It was so amazing that we could hardly speak. Not wanting to disturb him our guide asked us to keep quiet and observe, so we must have been watching him in silence for about ten minutes, before he decided to wander down the track, marking his territory as he went. Wow – nothing could top that!
It really was a really exciting journey, and completely surreal to be so close to animals in the wild, a memory that I will treasure.
4. The People
Our group got on well and we enjoyed each other’s company, so it was great to have like-minded travellers to share in this amazing adventure. We had seen so many animals together, and were overwhelmed by how emotional it was. It really added to the experience, having different people to share in the excitement, and to swap stories and experiences with after.
On our final night we joined our group for a farewell dinner at the Boma, and after exchanging email addresses and contact details, we headed back to pack, taking all our experiences and memories with us. It was just a lovely way to end this amazing holiday.
I would thoroughly recommend this wonderful South African Safari to anyone. We travelled with Saga and everything was organised well, with a variety of excursions and game drives, which definitely delivered in terms of animal sightings. From the moment we were picked up using Saga's VIP Door-to-Door Travel Service, we were looked after, making things so much easier, right from the start. We opted for an all-inclusive package, which meant that we could enjoy the food and drink, which was readily available, without worrying about extra costs.
Every detail of our safari was taken care of by Saga - from the delicious food that was readily available, all the included game drives and bush walks and our amazing Tour Guide who really went over and above to make sure we saw the "Big 5" and had a truly amazing time.
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