REPORT :
Garden Route Game Lodge
18th-21st May ‘23

See Photo Collage at end of Report.

On Thursday 18^th May eight of us gathered excitedly at the Cape Town International Airport to head up to the Garden Route Game Lodge.  This game lodge, just 13km from Albertinia and 329km from CTIA is a very pleasant drive from Cape Town.

Travelling on the N2, one goes over Sir Lowry’s Pass and past the towns of Caledon; Riversdale; Swellendam; Heidelberg & Riviersonderend, all the time going through fabulous scenery.  We all commented  on how stunningly green everything looks after the start of the Western Cape winter rains.

Arriving at the lodge at about 14h30 we were all checked in by such friendly staff, all welcoming us to the lodge – augers well for the time spent there!  We were shown to our rooms – all staying in the Hotel Rooms – very close to where the daily game drives leave from & also close to the swimming pool.

Our first game drive was at 16h00 – and we all gathered and were met by Martel who was to be our guide for our stay at the lodge.  A first-class experience awaited us all with Martel and her enthusiasm – she is so very knowledgeable – making the time spent in the reserve exciting and so very enjoyable.  On the first day we saw many animals and at each stop she related little stories about the animals she loves, and is was obvious she loves her job!

Returning from the game drive, the vehicle stops at the Boma where it is optional to stand at the bonfire and enjoy background drumming & a drink if you so choose!  On the first evening Sip and John stopped at the Boma and by all accounts even John had a little dance to the catchy music!

Dinner is served nightly in the Serengeti Restaurant and our group were given the best place in the house – in front of the fire!  Delicious 3 course evening meals are served, and the choice is difficult to make as to what you should choose!  By just after 20h30 each night we were more than happy to head to our accommodation.

Each day on the lodge property, starts the same – meet at 06.30 for coffee/tea and rusks or a glass of fruit juice and then you enjoy a 2-hour game drive.  Strangely, we all found the early morning drives far colder than the evening drives – and some of the ladies in the group, bought beanies and scarves to ‘cope’ with the cold!

On our second morning drive we went into the lion enclosure and were thrilled to get-up-close with these magnificent animals – one lion and 3 lionesses!  An absolute treat and so enjoyable to see them coupled with a herd of buffalo and our first morning drive was over and done.

One then gets to choose a full breakfast – from a very vast menu……. then you have time to chill and enjoy the lodge deck with its great views or once the day becomes warmer – one can head to the pool where they have pool service to enjoy.  They also have an awesome Spa – Anyana – two of the ladies in our group took advantage of this, and enjoyed pampering themselves!

On the second afternoon we were taken down to the Hippo Pool where two elusive hippos just peaked their eyes out the water and disappeared again!  Sightings of the Big 5 animals so far included Lion; Buffalo; Rhino & Elephant. The fifth animal – the leopard – the reserve does not have!

They do, however, have cheetah which Mertel said she would try to find on our final morning drive!

On the next morning it was hunting for the “Cheetah”, and they are tracked with sophisticated equipment – we apparently got very close to the one cheetah but in very dense bush…. after driving for at least another 45 minutes – and eventually “Mission accomplished” – there she was – stalking her breakfast – what a stunningly, beautiful animal – what a treat to see! (Mertel shared with us that the strong signal we had earlier was this very cheetah who moved alarmingly quickly in search of something to eat – when we arrived in the reserve she had apparently killed an ostrich & must have been hungry!)

In the afternoon we were ‘followed’ by a male ostrich who performed a dance right next to our vehicle – such a treat – which many of us ‘avid safari goers’ have not ever seen. The young lady from Berlin was very nervous of this ostrich and clung to her partner!

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Mertel but we were given Tracey the Senior Game Ranger for our next two drives.  Tracey said we should start our drive at 15h15 to enable her to take us to see the giraffe.

We had a fabulous afternoon drive over quite ‘rough’ terrain on the reserve during which time we had sensational views of mountains; some sable on the hill; learnt all about aloes and eventually the young man from Berlin who shared our drives spotted the giraffe – great excitement and a very fitting way to end our game viewing as with the pending rain (85% promised) for our last day at the lodge, we had all decided to have a lie in and not partake in our very last game drive!

Happy we all were, when on the last morning, we went in for breakfast so see all the rain-drenched youngsters trying to dry their bodies at the fire!

We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and waited until 11h00 for our transport to arrive – he was delayed slightly with heavy rain en route to the lodge. However, after a short stop at the Aloe Factory Shop we headed to Peregrines where we all enjoyed a light lunch (& some ‘gathering)

Our shuttles were all waiting at the airport to take us home.

Finally, to quote John Hemmingway:

“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa”.

Never truer words will linger with us after this tour.

We have our photographic memories to look at and a stillness in our souls to satisfy us!

Photo credits due to Mary Mecke are shown on some photos.

The End