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Grace in the Mundane

Oct, 7   |  Rare Earth – Tshwene Lodge

       Tshwene Lodge is a perfect couple’s getaway for a weekend escape to relax, unwind and spend quality time together – in a canopy of trees, elevated on a mountain.

You might be wondering what type of animal vacates in mountains and trees or what Tshwene means… baboon! But it was rather a klipspringer pair, that occupied the surrounds during our stay and could be spotted at the watering hole from the viewing deck or from one’s private couple’s suite, adding to the romantic mood of the weekend.

Safari lodgers never miss sunrise or sunset, as it is always an opportunistic time to see the wilderness and wildlife at its best (and for me to photograph it). But also to acknowledge the beginning and end of day, to dream and reflect – accompanied with tea or coffee before breakfast and sundowners before dinner in the middle of the bush, or in the privacy of you couple’s suite or communal lodge areas such as the viewing deck. The beauty of Welgevonden’s wilderness and wildlife can be experienced wherever you are and whatever mood you are in.

It is always an exciting time to visit the bush during the different seasons and life-cycles. Towards the end of winter and brink of spring we witnessed flourishing wilderness, abundant wildlife, the Big Five and new arrivals. Apart from spotting regular game on safari game drives (Zebra, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Crocodile, Hippo and so on) we were fortunate to see three sets of baby and mother rhino and learn about Welgevonden Game Reserve and their great anti-poaching efforts to keep the endangered safe.

Of course there is instant access to wifi in main areas of lodge but I always prefer a wifi detox on game drives. I enjoy taking photographs on safari game drives as much as sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea whilst browsing one of the many African wildlife photography books of the lodge’s collection – making comparisons and taking notes.

During the day (or between safari game drives), on my way back and forth to the suite, as the clouds brushed over and returned, I changed from trousers to shorts, from book to camera, depending on the weather and if an animal was passing through. Unable to capture a sunrise or sunset I focused my camera’s gaze and aperture settings at the different shades and ombre of red, orange, yellow and green tree leaves on the scenic pathway from lodge to suite – as the sun came and went. At this time I realised how the wooden and rock suites are reflective of the natural beauty and elements of the surroundings, existing in harmony. Every morning I woke up in our gorgeous couple’s suite – in a canopy of trees and elevated on a mountain – with an Ernest Hemingway Africa quote in mind, ” I never knew a morning in Africa when I was not happy”.

At night time, a bubble bath with candles and Healing Earth is a relaxing way to end the day and prepare for a candle-lit dinner next to a chimney-lit fire (option to dine separately from other guests). Of all the romantic things to experience on a bush breaks (from sunrise to sunset, as well as unfenced wilderness and wildlife), my safari partner and I love lying on pool deck chairs, looking at a full sky of stars – something you don’t see everyday.

See my previous post, on another Rare Earth boutique lodge at Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, at Ekuthuleni Lodge!

Follow @rareearthretreats  IG account to see more of their luxury lodges, country houses and boutique coastal hotels.

 

 

Oct, 3   |  Rare Earth – Ekuthuleni Lodge

Only two and a half hours away from Johannesburg is Rare Earth’s
luxury boutique lodges at Welgevonden Private Game Reserve in Waterberg, Limpopo: Ekuthuleni Lodge for a cozy family retreat or Tshwene Lodge for a romantic couple’s getaway.

Both Ekuthuleni and Tshwene are small lodges catering for a few, offering an intimate setting and versatile space for relaxation and feasting between game drives. Depending on the weather – next to a fire or outside on the sunny deck – breakfast, lunch and dinner is severed in different areas of the lodge. Golden hour is during sunrise and sunset, when game drives depart, safari lodgers begin and end the day in its most splendid hour – picture perfect scenes of the landscape, flourishing wildlife and nature.

Only two and a half hours away from Johannesburg is unfenced life where wildlife, the Big Five and the endangered live in peace and harmony with nature, which humans can experience too.

On arrival at Ekuthuleni Lodge we were introduced to the accommodating and friendly staff who became more than friendly faces – even Instagram followers – during the course of our stay. The lodge villas are a comfortable distance apart, each with en suite bathrooms and outside shower, views of the African landscape and wildlife, in an escapement of hills.

Continental breakfast waiting on the table and English breakfast ordered from the kitchen is on the menu for the first meal of the day which was severved in the lodge’s lounge with a chimney-lit fire due to foggy weather. When the sun came out for lunch – warm winter salads and tapas – was served on the outside viewing deck where one could spot a few Zebra at the watering-hole. A five star and five course feast was enjoyed for dinner, served in the main dining hall with a chimney-lit fire because even during African winters – when the sun is out – it is cold. The food was so delicious that my stomach often presided over my camera. An over abundance of food and gluttony is always a common trend and hot topic between guests on a safari holiday.

Apart from the numerous times tea and coffee is served (before, during and after game drives), breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is nothing much more to do than take in nature’s scene, lounge around and read a book. I personally like to take this time to download, edit and share my latest snaps with friends and family via Facebook and Instagram (@grace_in_the_mundane) which is possible in the main areas of the lodge with free and unlimited access to wifi.

Whether in one’s private space, communal lodge areas, or safari game drives, one can catch the sunrise and sunset, wildlife and wilderness in the 360 degree backdrop of the African landscape. Welgevonden is also a small reserve therefore it is impossible not to spot the abundance of wildlife. On our first game drive, as the sun was about to set, we were fortunate to see three sets of mother and baby rhino – a first for me and the other nine guests at Ekuthuleni. This was the highlight of my weekend, to witness Rhino grazing without fear, as well as  learning about the reserve’s great anti-poaching efforts from our game driver Jonas. Seeing Ekuthuleni means “place of peace” and is a family lodge I found the baby and mother rhino theme fit perfectly into our experience.

Follow me on my next journey, on a romantic couple’s getaway, at  Tshwene Lodge .