Durban - There are tents and then there are tents. Ours had a bathroom with a petal-strewn foam bath drawn for us in time for our return from our late game drive in Nambiti Private Game Reserve near Ladysmith.
Now that is the sort of camping I can happily cope with on a cold winter's day, or any day for that matter, since the tents at four-star Springbok Lodge have airconditioning as well for hot summer days and nights.
And if it is really freezing, the beds have electric blankets. They also have raised, wood- floored tents, with electric everything, decanters of sherry, his and hers basins and outdoor showers.
The main lodge is an altogether more solid, thatched structure.
On arrival, we were met at reception by managers Brett and Wendy Gilder. To the left was a bar and a large, comfy lounge with fireplace, to the right the dining room and conference facilities.
Folding French doors took us on to the long, deep deck/veranda overlooking the pool, with the boma to the right and the reserve all around. Safely beyond was a fence, which means children of all ages can swim, use the playground equipment or relax on a lounger.
A welcome lunch was accompanied by satisfied sighs as we unwound from our drive and took in our surroundings.
Then it was into a game drive vehicle for a wonderful afternoon and early evening of viewing with head ranger Nicole Gmünder, who was Swiss-born and raised.
Her knowledge was impressive, as was her passion for her adopted home.
We were also impressed by the fleece-lined ponchos we were handed when as the sun dropped and the shadows lengthened. And early the next morning we received hot water bottles for the early morning activity.
Never have I been so excited to be waking up at 5am on a cold winter morning, since we were the guinea pigs for a maiden hot air balloon flight over the reserve.
What a treat! What a way to view the game, the reserve and the remarkable changing scenery. Seen from a balloon or otherwise, the views of the changing terrain were particularly beautiful.
Nambiti Private Game Reserve is a 8 000ha home to the Big Five as well as cheetah, hippo and more than 30 species of game which roam the grasslands and thornveld.
The Sundays River, carving through the reserve, creates a sanctuary that attracts several rare bird species and an enviable array of raptors and vultures.
An early morning coffee and snacks above the waterfall takes some beating.
The variety of game sightings was outstanding during our stay. We saw three male lions at one of the many dams, had a show-off cheetah pose for us, watched a beautiful serval stalk and catch a field mouse and got close to lionesses crunching on a kill.
We circumnavigated obstinate buffalo, saw loads of elephants, including tussling teenagers crashing into each other and the shrubbery with alarming force, and watched two male giraffes vying for dominance.
All the while Nicole educated us about the animals, the flora and the environment.
We also viewed eland, hartebees, kudu and many other species really close up and, in the evenings, with a glass before the fire, swopped stories with other guests.
We were joined one evening by German expatriates on a corporate outing. They, along with other guests, watched Germany defeat France during the World Cup, accompanied by much delight, several drinks and a delicious three-course meal prepared by Nicole’s husband.
The Kwa Cheetah Interaction Project, a rewarding and rare opportunity to interact with these and other cats, is close by and Springbok Lodge offers packages which include a visit as well as special interest stays – photography for instance and, hopefully soon, hot air ballooning. Call 036 6379604 or visit www.thespringboklodge.co.za
Sunday Tribune