Pretoria - Feb 2021

a pool. We could easily spend the whole day sipping rock
shandies and cooling off in the infinity pool, listening to the
calls of nature and the trickle of running water while gazing
at the river. It’s seriously tranquil. Or maybe escape and
lounge on the bedroom’s balcony with a good book.
The afternoon game drives are just as stunning as the
morning ones. Vic, our field guide, was so knowledgeable …
there was no question he couldn’t answer. Not to mention
that he has eyes like a hawk … he didn’t miss a thing, not
even a chameleon crossing the road went unnoticed.
This reserve is home to the Big 5 with a rich diversity of fauna
and flora. The bush is thick and lush, and the terrain is varied.
We were all particularly set on spotting a lion throughout
the trip, especially after waking up to his roar on the first
morning, but unfortunately, he had a way of hiding from us.
We were thrilled to see all sorts of other animals, like zebra,
waterbuck, wildebeest, impala … the list goes on. We even
crossed paths with two cheeky elephants who came over
to say hi. The afternoon drives carry on until after sunset.
One memorable moment happened as we headed back to
the lodge. Our guide stopped in the middle of a bridge and
turned off the vehicle. As we kept dead still, in pitch-black
darkness, with just the reflection of the water and the stars
above, we saw flickers of light surround us as fireflies circled
the area. It was magical.
Back at the lodge, the soft lighting combined with the
contemporary and African-influenced decor set a warm
and welcoming tone. On the first night, while we wined
and dined in true VIP style, we chatted with CEO, Ian
Beauchamp, who told us the lodge is committed to
sustainable tourism, and he and his team work with the
Mashishimale community to create jobs for them while
conserving and protecting the wilderness. After all, abelana
means ‘to share amongst each other’.
The food is another highlight, and every night you can
expect something different, either an à la carte menu, a set
menu or a braai with a wide selection of salads. All meals
throughout the trip were well portioned and beautifully
presented. The coconut and butternut soup with crispy
butternut shavings was a real hit.
A staff member will safely escort you when you retire to your
exquisite and spacious thatch en-suite room for the night,
should you encounter a hippo.
We so enjoyed lazing about the infinity pool,
admiring the natural beauty of the river.
The luxurious en-suite rooms with a balcony
overlook the Selati River.
Returning at night can be rather romantic. As you enter, you
will find a bed covered in draped netting lit by gorgeous
hanging lampshades – making this the perfect spot to bring
along that someone special. Not to mention the bathroom
with his-and-hers basins, long-hanging mirrors and an openplan
shower – all in plain sight of the river. We particularly
enjoyed sleeping with our sliding door open and mesh door
closed, making it easy to fall asleep to the sounds of nightlife
in the private reserve.
Just when we thought we’d experienced it all, we were
taken on an hour-long safari to the Abelana Safari Camp
on the south side of the reserve which is among distinctive
rock formations. We had one of the most memorable
sundowners high up on a deck on top of 'The jewel of
Abelana' as it’s known by some. We sipped away as we
watched the sunset and even spotted impala drinking
water over 100m down below.
This campsite is completely off-the-grid and can
accommodate eight people in four luxury tents. Perfect for
intimate get-togethers and guests looking for a more rustic
stay. We're told that if you’re lucky, you might even see a
leopard walk around the camp at night.
On our last day, the reality of going back home sank in, but
to our surprise, we could reminisce over a lovely bush spread
of tasty snacks, fine wine and G&Ts in all sorts of flavours.
When we returned to the lodge, the boma next to the river
was lit and the braai was on the go. As the night was still
young, we couldn’t resist one last dip in the pool.
Our three-night stay was a real treat … and it ended on a
high when we finally spotted a lion on the early morning
drive before we headed home.
If you’re looking for long-lasting memories among the
beauty of the African bush, then look no further than
Abelana Game Reserve.
One night’s stay at Abelana River Lodge in an airconditioned
suite with en-suite indoor and outdoor showers
is R7500 a person a night sharing. This includes all meals, teas
and coffees, morning and afternoon/evening game drives
with qualified guide and tracker and an optional walk.
Details: 061-952-4302, res@abelanagamereserve.com or
abelanagamereserve.com
February 21 Get It Magazine 33