{"id":2661,"date":"2019-11-21T06:54:43","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T04:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/versed-office.flywheelsites.com\/?p=2661"},"modified":"2020-10-19T09:14:52","modified_gmt":"2020-10-19T07:14:52","slug":"the-luxury-lodge-issue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leopard.voyage\/france\/the-luxury-lodge-issue\/","title":{"rendered":"The Luxury Lodge Issue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The best luxury safari lodges in Kruger.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It would be impossible to start this newsletter without mentioning South Africa’s joyous victory at the Rugby World Cup in Japan this month. It <\/a>meant so much more for the country than just the trophy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last month, I visited some of the best luxury lodges in Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger. It was a wonderful time to reconnect with the lodge staff, view any improvements and visit new lodges. I savoured the short time in the bush, away from news, email and the other distractions of daily life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This newsletter is longer than usual and contains a full review of all the lodges I saw. Feel free to skip straight to the videos<\/a> of the lodges<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re planning a trip to Kruger National Park, the first thing to understand is that Kruger is enormous, almost the size of Belgium. It borders Mozambique to the east and Zimbabwe to the north. A number of private game reserves, where the land is independently owned, share an open border with Kruger, allowing animals to roam freely across the land. The lodges I visited were located in Kruger, and three private game reserves: Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Klaserie. These private game reserves are all part of the Greater Kruger and are situated on the western border of Kruger. The closest airports are Nelspruit in the south and Hoedspruit and Palaborwa in the west. Most of the lodges also have private airstrips within easy access if you are short of time or don’t like long drives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people ask about the difference between staying at a luxury safari lodge or doing a self drive safari. Both are fantastic, and it depends on what kind of experience you want. You have a good and equal chance of seeing wildlife whether camping or staying at a lodge. I love camping just as much as staying in luxury lodges – it just depends on the kind of holiday you want. Game viewing at a luxury lodges is often a more exclusive experience, with fewer people at each sighting and also the ability to drive off road to view the animals close up. At luxury lodges, you have experienced rangers and trackers take you out on a game drive every morning and evening, which is helpful for first time safaris. If you self drive, you will need to look carefully to spot the animals, and will have to stick to the roads at all times. The other differences are more obvious – luxury game lodges are beautifully decorated and very comfortable and most will include all food and drinks in the rate, whereas on a self drive safari you would self cater. The staff and service at a lodge are what distinguishes one luxury lodge from another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going on safari is a truly enthralling experience. I love it because each safari is unique. You wake up at 5 AM, not knowing what you will see. After a cup of tea or coffee, still groggy eyed, you set off into the bush, already alive with bird sound and activity. You may see a herd of elephant, walking past you as if you do not exist. You may see a pack of painted wolves starting out on a hunt, or a leopard in a tree protecting her kill from a hyena lurking below. I cannot think of a more thrilling experience to be had than these encounters with wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention.”<\/p>Pico Iyer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Lodges in Sabi Sands<\/strong>
Sabi Sands is a 65,000 hectare private game reserve sharing an open fence with Kruger. Sabi Sands is especially good for big cat sightings. There are a number of established lions prides and leopards in the area. It is one of the oldest of the private reserves and has had great success in stopping rhino poaching on their land. I saw Savanna Lodge<\/a>, Dulini<\/a>, River Lodge<\/a> and Leadwood Lodge<\/a> in the Sabi Sands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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