Sun Destinations

While sitting at the back of the open-topped Land Rover, Zeena looked at me with a sense of wonderment and exclaimed, “Ag. When you smell that smell you know you have ARRIVED.”

Zeena and I are currently staying at nDzuti Safari Camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. This is the second time we have been on safari together but our first time at nDzuti – and hopefully not our last.  Zeena’s simple statement about the smell of the African bush eloquently summed up how I was feeling.  The travel writers of the safari world have the ability to blog about recent sightings, upload photos and wax lyrical about their surrounds; but the one thing that cannot be captured is the myriad of “bush” smells.  A safari is a sensory holiday. And here we are, sitting in the middle of the Klaserie indulging our senses.

So how did we get to nDzuti? We flew from O.R. Tambo to Hoedspruit Airport which took an hour. From there, Judy – the lodge owner, picked us up in her bush-beaten Land Rover – the iconic vehicle of safaris. Judy came across as being friendly and unassuming – the ideal personality for owning and running a lodge. En route to camp we drove via Incheni gate which is only recommended for sturdy 4×4 vehicles because of the tough roads.

On the way to camp, we stumbled across impala, buffalo and the European-breasted roller. After an hour’s drive into the Klaserie we arrived at camp.  Fenced off from the wildlife and overlooking the riverbed, nDzuti has that “welcoming” atmosphere which adds to the safari experience.  To say it’s a  “home away from home” is cliché but it certainly feels like we are in a massive shared home. The windows of my room offer panoramic views of the lawn, swimming pool and riverbed. The perfect spot for me to blog and feel inspired !

When we completed our tour of the camp we met the legendary safari guide, AK, who can almost do the splits (you need to go on safari to understand the odd things that happen around the campfire). Apart from his bendy legs, he is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide with years of experience. The rest of the day we spent chatting to Bruce (Judy’s husband) on the patio while sipping the obligatory gin & tonics – which our boss will cover.

They really cater to your needs here – food is excellent, staff are friendly and the fact that it is owner-managed makes the world of difference. The balance between friendliness and solitude here is ideal.

Thus far we have seen:

• 6 hippos showing off in a dam. A little bit of yawning and bubble blowing.
• Dwarf mongoose
• Zebra
• A rare sighting of an impala
• Giraffe
• Birds
• Warthog and piglets
• Wildebeest
• Rhino
• Numerous Golden-orb spiders
• A ginger-ale and Cranberry colour sunset

Catch you guys later, I hear the kettle boiling. They have real coffee and fresh milk here. Time to feed my addiction while Zeena tweets and hashtags away.

Breathtaking Klaserie Landscapes in the nDzuti Safari Camp traverse.

One of the warthogs we spotted while out on an evening game drive.

This dazzling golden-orb spider made itself at home outside of our room.

Zeena Ponto – our Sun Destinations representative.

Hippo making its way towards us.