Our media team spent time at Ezulwini Game Lodges in the big five Balule Nature Reserve, and decided to capture the essence of the safari lifestyle. The Ezulwini traverse offers abundant sightings of big game and predators, and we’re always quick to spill these once-in-a-lifetime sightings across social media platforms. But there’s another side to Ezulwini that is often neglected in favour of sharing wildlife images (there’s just so much to see!), and that is the atmosphere and personality of the lodge. A safari is an all round experience of the wild and in Swahili actually means “journey”. A journey into the bushveld lifestyle and heart of Africa! We’re talking boma braais with traditional dancing, sundowners, storytelling around campfires, the camaraderie and sampling traditional fare.
Gemma went behind the scenes to photograph a few memorable moments and capture the essence of Ezulwini as part of our #TheSafariLifestyle series. We’ve broken down each occasion into sections to provide you with a visual journey into forgotten aspects of the bushveld lifestyle.
Cuisine at Ezulwini Game Lodges
The food at Ezulwini is simple home cooked fare that caters for a wide variety of dietary requirements. Expect salads, wraps, English breakfasts and game drive snacks. Dinner is a “thing” on safari and is often a protracted affair comprising a traditional braai (barbecue) with sides served outdoors. These boma dinners normally end with a bit of a dance – guests are encouraged to jump up and join in the ceremonious display of dance moves.
Making Friends and Connecting with Guides
You arrive as strangers and leave as friends. There is nothing better than forming tight-knit friendships with people on the same wavelength – you go on game drives with them, share dinners and stories around the campfire. Your guides and trackers are your guardians and educators for the duration of your stay, so it’s natural that you’d form a special bond with the khaki-clad crew.
Quality Time Together
Ezulwini means “Place of Paradise” – and with good reason. There is ample opportunity for couples and friends to spend quality time together and for the die-hard romantics to indulge their endearing side. There are 4 superior suites, which have large wooden decks, plunge pools, and views of the river. One of these superior suites is a honeymoon suite, and the other a family room (Spelati). Grab a bottle of champagne and relax in the plunge pool or on the balcony. There are so many different ways of spending quality time together, and the Ezulwini team can certainly tailor-make a romantic session for their guests.
Meet the Ezulwini Team
We thought we’d share a few smiling faces that are part of the Ezulwini team. Guides, trackers, chefs, and managers – they’re all one big happy family at Ezulwini.
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