In The Wild Lion Sands

At the River Lodge, which together with the Ivory Lodge forms Lion Sands, the reception is warm, friendly and efficient. Within minutes Kindness familiarises us with the layout of the lodge and makes us feel right at home. We cannot help but admire the wisdom of her parents in giving their daughter such an appropriate name.

Rooms are linked to the central guest area by wooden walkways, almost as much frequented by bushbuck as by humans. Wooden decks and earthy décor meld in perfect harmony with the African bush. The mood is one of relaxed hospitality and the scene is set for an unforgettable experience.

Life starts early in the Game Reserve. It is a routine that is somewhat foreign to a city slicker but also one
that somehow brings the human heartbeat back into rhythm with Mother Nature. There is something bracing about being in the great outdoors as the sun comes up, something that bucks the spirit and revitalises the inner resources.

I forego the early morning game drive in favour of more coffee on the stoep, aptly called the Safari Lounge. Deep armchairs and voluminous sofas make for meditative sitting to ease into the day. I sink into reverie as the sun starts to tan the horizon. In the background, the sounds of morning gather momentum: the river flowing, a grass broom sweeping, the birds noisily making ready for another day.

The light moves quickly in the Game Reserve and soon the river lies before me – at first a ribbon of seemingly solid white and then, as the thin veil of mist slowly draws away, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the ancient trees on its banks. A large guinea fowl family crosses the sandbank in front of me, almost close enough to reach out and scoop up one of the downy chicks.

I watch in astonishment as two monkeys appear on the lapa roof opposite the Safari Lounge where I am sitting. They make themselves at home on the slope for a moment and watch me with as much curiosity as I bestow on them before scampering off into the branches of a nearby tree.

For one of them, the prospect of leftover biscotti for breakfast proves irresistible. He scurries over and along the edge of the Safari Lounge, before making a successful bid for the piece of biscotti. Another conveniently situated tree serves as a quick escape route and a perch from which to enjoy his freshly acquired morning carbohydrates. Our eyes meet across the empty lounge and we share a moment of quiet agreement. He has his biscotti, I have my large cup of steaming coffee, God is in His heaven and all is well with the world.

Later that morning, as I soak up some winter rays on the veranda of my room, a bushbuck and her calf come to nibble at the sweet, soft grasses around the deck. She eyes me warily and starts nervously when I move, but as long as I stay perfectly still, she is content to share a little space with me. The buck have clearly decided that River Lodge is a good place for a deer and, the staff tell us, the leopards are fast coming to share that view! Resultantly, guests are advised not to use the walkways without the protection of armed staff, especially at night. It seems that here at River Lodge, if you don’t go to the game the game will come to you.

The game also comes to you in the form of mouth-watering dishes prepared in the kitchen of Executive Chef, Janine Hobbs. For those who come to look at the game rather than to eat it, the menu offers a plethora of delightful alternatives. From fine dining in the restaurant to bistro- buffet under the stars in the Boma, dinner is a special occasion at River Lodge. The game rangers join diners and discourse is filled with interesting titbits garnered from their wealth of knowledge. The bush has a particular charm that comes alive under the expert guidance of these walking encyclopaedias.

There are few things that do the soul as much good as a bush-break. Far away from the highways, the billboards, the cell phones and the power suits, the heart can calm itself enough to, once again, find its centre of being. Thus rejuvenated, one can return to the responsibilities of everyday life, more able to focus and with a heart full of fond memories.

Lion Sands has recently joined forces and finalised a partnership agreement with The Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel, situated in the heart of Cape Town in the trendy Kloof Street area. The area has undergone a fabulous process of regeneration, and in keeping with this fresh new image, the hotel presents a blend of opulent bohemian-chic combined with old-world elegance and grace.

Whether it’s the irresistible city vibe and sophistication you yearn for or the serenity and majesty of the African bushveld your soul desires, both The Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel and Lion Sands Private Game Reserve will be sure to make your experience an unforgettable one.

Accommodation:
18 bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom, outdoor and inside showers and wooden deck. Accommodation for children under the age of 10 years is not available unless the lodge is block booked by the same family or group. The lodge also has a health spa and a bird hide. Game drives take place twice a day under the expert guidance of knowledgeable rangers.

Wildlife:
The Big Five,
Mammals - from bush babies and warthog to giraffe and elephant,
More than twenty species of birds,
Abundant flora, including trees as much as 800 years old.