The Soul Safari concept was pioneered some years ago by the charming Bernie Smith
of Garonga Safari Camp near Hoedspruit in Limpopo. Back then it raised a few
eyebrows – a soul safari? Male ballerinas? Lite beer? Quick, call ranger
security, get the rifles!
But now the Lowveld has chilled out to the point
we call it the Slowveld, and people like me and the Ministry of Fabulousness,
remain eternally grateful to Bernie for the chance take our souls on safari.
The
great outdoors meets inner peace. Gentle game drives end with massages in the
Aroma Boma. Nature provides the inspiration for the North African style décor.
Try a night time Bush Bath or head for the outdoor deck for sleeping out under
the stars; just you and the roaring lions…
Oh
and of course, Darling. This was indeed his first visit to the African bush
after many years on an island in the Pacific and I think it would be safe to
say he thoroughly enjoyed the Soul Safari. Astonishingly he remembered the name
of the fork-tailed drongo – “That’s a fork-tailed drongo!” he shouted excitedly
– he was peeing and had a beer in his hand.
I was impressed.
Garonga
is a special place. We met a German family that had been there for two weeks once a year, eleven years in a row. That’s Trip Advisor fantasy stuff
isn’t it?
Darling and I got to see giraffe, rhino, zebra, wildebeest and lion. Although
the lion were furtive. During breakfast we saw two elephants at the watering
hole below the lodge and a whole gang of zebras and bokke pull in over lunch. We
also spotted a very cheeky squirrel that stole the nuts and muffins from the
breakfast buffet.
We saw the iconic African sunset – and most deliciously of
all - a leopard that strolled sexily over the sun kissed path on our first game
drive. Aah lucky leopard. Darling’s first. Yeah, Garonga definitely scores high
on the Fabulousness Rating. Soul Safari, must do. Check out www.garonga.com
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