Garonga Safari Camp & Little Garonga, Makalali Nature Reserve, South Africa

Africa, animal welfare, Interviews, South Africa, Videos 0 Comments

Luxury & Romance in the African bush

Garonga Safari Camp and Little Garonga are luxury camps set high above a dry riverbed in the 22 000 hectare Greater Makalali Private Nature Reserve west of the Kruger National Park. Garonga has six luxury tents and the luxurious bush camp, Little Garonga, has three suites. They both offer spectacular views of the green grasslands, trees and wild animals passing by.

The focus is on a holistic safari experience – safari for the soul. The soul safari experience includes bush walks in complete silence, meditation in the untouched wilderness, exciting game drives to see the Big Five, taking a bath in the bush or under the stars, massages and the “Sleep Out” – spending a night on your own in the African bushveld.

“May the ancient dust of Africa settle in your heart.”

The safari camp is perfect for couples and honeymooners who would like to experience nature and the soul of Africa up close. It can accommodate a maximum of 12 people and only children above the age of 12 are allowed.

We visited both camps at the end of summer, and the end of the rainy season. Since the region was blessed with abundant rainfall again this year, it was quite lush, a rather unusual picture of Africa!

In 1997 The Englishman, Bernardo Smith, opened Garonga Safari Camp. Ten years later, Little Garonga with three luxurious thatched suites opened its doors. Both camps have pools with great views of the wilderness.

“Unwind, Sleep Deeply, Be Yourself”

The camp has been refurbished recently and now boasts an authentic African atmosphere in warm, neutral tones, with beautiful decor and loads of cozy furniture.

The heart and soul of the camp is its staff. The 37 employees look after guests, affectionately and with a sense of fun and joy. They are all locals, and the staff village has just been renovated and now offers even more comfort.

Safari Tent

On the way to the tents, wild animals can cross your path. After all, you are in the middle of the bush and surrounded by beautiful nature. That’s why you cannot wander around alone at night.

In the spacious canvas tents, between the rough-plastered walls, there is a large bed with a mosquito net, a desk and a bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower.

From the large open platform deck complete with comfortable chairs and a hammock you have a fantastic view overlooking the riverbed.

The tents are modern, luxurious and furnished with a lot of African charm.

Lunchtime

In the morning and afternoon, meals can be enjoyed at private tables. In the evening there is usually a big communal round table. 

At lunchtime, delicious snacks, like salads, cheese, appetizers, etc. are served. In the main lounge, there is a help yourself bar and an air-cooled wine cellar with excellent South African wines.

Safari

As is customary in Africa, safari drives take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon. You never know what to expect and which animals you might see. That’s precisely what makes a safari so exciting – the anticipation! Makalali is a Big Five nature reserve outside the Kruger National Park. In addition to the Big Five, you can also expect to see cheetah, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and gazelles among others.

Protection & conservation of rhinos 
South Africa has a massive rhino poaching problem. Since 2014, the rhinos at the Makalali Reserve have been protected by an anti-poaching unit with great success!

Garonga’s philosophy, Safari for the soul, offers a casual and intimate encounter with wildlife, time for reflection and inspiration in nature.

Thanks to the experienced trackers, the rangers usually know where the animals are or in which direction they are heading. Exciting!

A few nervous looking impalas indicated that predators might be around.

And there they were – lions with a freshly killed kudu antelope. You do feel sorry for the poor kudu, but in their defense, it was the first meal in four days for the lions and their cubs. 

Afterward, stuffed, they were happy and cuddled.

At a game drive there is a lot of time to let the animals work their magic – just sitting there, watching them, absorbed in the moment. Fantastic!

We came across this herd of elephants. At first, it was only a few, but then another herd joined them. 

We sat quietly in our jeep and watched them, when all of a sudden, they moved – in our direction! After they had a good look at us, they strode along reasonably close to us! Simply brilliant!

It was literally teeming with elephants. They can sometimes be dangerous, as we learned shortly afterward. Derrick, our ranger had to scare some of them away, off the road so we could get out of there! Talk about an adrenaline rush!

Dinner time

In the evening, after an eventful day of wildlife sightings, guests can enjoy a drink by the warm, open fire in the lounge.

Drinks are followed by dinner at individual tables or the large communal table. Weather permitting, dinner is also sometimes served at the Boma with a romantic campfire atmosphere. 

Little Garonga

Little Garonga is located right next to the Safari Camp. The three suites can accommodate a maximum of eight people (including two children). The lodge has its own host, chef, waiter, and housekeeper. And if you want to, you can even do yoga in the gazebo next to the pool.

The main building serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In good weather, you can enjoy dinner by the pool with a bonfire. Alternatively, you can also join the other guests at the Safari Camp for dinner. 

The Hambleden Suite is perfect for couples with children or families. This suite has an indoor and outdoor lounge, mini-bar, open-air shower, a spacious bathroom with a copper bathtub, and a private pool with sun loungers, hammock and a magnificent view of the riverbed.

The Chiltern and Buckingham Suites have a platform deck with a hammock, a freestanding bathtub, an indoor and outdoor shower, a mini-bar and a beautiful lounge area in front of the large panoramic window.

Little Safari

At Little Garonga Phineas and Bongi escorted us on our game drives.

On this game drive, we saw also lions and lots of elephants.

Before the morning game drive, there is always coffee, tea, and snacks on offer. During the game drive, there is time for coffee in the middle of the bush, and afterward, back at the camp, a hearty breakfast is served.

The food is fantastic at both lodges! It leaves nothing to be desired.

Honeymoon & Wedding

Garonga is a perfect place for a bush wedding and ideal for a nature lover’s honeymoon. What could possibly be more romantic than a candlelight dinner in the bush or spending a night under the stars? The Sleep Out is a viewing deck with a four-poster bed where guests can enjoy a private dinner and spend the night alone in the bush. 

Honeymoon Special

  • A 45-minute massage per the couple
  • A bottle of champagne on arrival
  • Free roundtrip transfer from  Hoedspruit and /or Phalaborwa (when staying four nights)

Wedding Package from 880 EUR

  • Minister’s fee
  • Single tier wedding cake
  • Pressing of wedding outfits
  • A rustic bouquet of wildflowers
  • A bottle of champagne
  • A 45-minute massage for the bride and groom (when staying three nights)
  • A private dinner on the wedding night
  • Decorated setting for your wedding ceremony
  • A decorated open safari vehicle for transfers to and from the wedding ceremony
  • Airport transfers (Hoedspruit/Phalaborwa)

The Sleep Out

The Sleep Out offers couples the chance to spend the night under the stars, dining alone in the bush and sleeping in a four-poster bed on the viewing deck. A not-to-be-missed experience! 

Bush & Star Bath

At Safari Camp you have the opportunity to take a Star Bath. Little Garonga offers a Bush Bath. With a glass of sparkling wine, you can enjoy a warm bubble bath after a safari under the starry skies. We even heard a few hyenas nearby. Adventurous!

Massage Sala

Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit the spa overlooking the riverbed, but some of the other guests told us they were thrilled!

Garonga’s recommendations

Ants Nest / Ants Hill (Waterberg region), situated on the edge of a gorge, sustainable tourism in individual bush houses for couples and families, www.waterberg.net
Jaci ́s Safari Lodges (Madikwe North West province),   exclusive Starbed Suites, Tented Suites, Family Suites, and safari-style treehouse suites, www.jacislodges.co.za
Savanna (Sabi Sands), 5-star lodge with luxurious suites and colonial tents with Big Five Safaris, www.savannalodge.com
Makakatana Lodge (KZN Wetlands), owner-managed game lodge on the shores of Lake St. Lucia in the World Heritage iSimangaliso Wetland Park, one of the few natural wonders left on earth, www.makakatana.com
Olivers Hotel und Spa (Near White River), a noble estate with a mixture of Austrian and African flair with a golf course and spa, www.olivers.co.za
Three Tree Hill (Drakensberg), this Fair Trade Certified Lodge,   places great emphasis on sustainable, responsible tourism, www.threetreehill.co.za
Fugitives Drift Lodge, luxurious cottages and thought-provoking tours of the battlefields of the Zulu War, www.fugitivesdrift.com

Conclusion

We can honestly not say, we prefer one camp above the other. They each have their own unique charm. At Little Garonga, you have more peace, privacy, and even more luxury. But we also loved staying in a luxury tent right in the middle of the bush. The two main buildings are beautifully decorated in African style. Both camps offer lots of romance, beautiful pools, and attentive, friendly staff. The food is great. Whether you prefer it a bit wilder or more luxurious, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. The safaris were exciting, thrilling and very interesting. It was an extraordinary experience!

Room: Six luxury tents at Safari Camp and three suites at Little Garonga
Flight: Flight non-stop from Frankfurt to Johannesburg (10:30 hours) with South African Airways. Connecting flight to Hoedspruit with SA Express or Federal Air (about 50 minutes) or to Phalaborwa with SA Airlink (Garonga’s favorite);   Flight from Cape Town or Durban to Kruger Park Airport;   Flights with Federal Air directly to Garonga (90 minutes) or to other lodges
Transfer: From Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa it is about an hour and a half’s drive to the lodge (63 EUR per person, 112 EUR per person return). From the Kruger, Park Airport is about a three-hour drive to the lodge.
Air Temperature: 25 – 40 degrees Celsius in summer, 5 – 25 degrees Celsius in winter
Time difference: None
Best travel time: Summer is from September to April. It can be very hot with high rainfall. Winter is from May to August, although it does not rain, it gets considerably colder at night.
Vaccinations: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A, rabies and hepatitis B (for long-term stays), anti-malarial precautions are strongly recommended.
Price: From 420 EUR per person per night at Safari Camp, and from 530 EUR per person per night at Little Garonga. The price includes all meals, tea and coffee, game drives, bush walks, Sleep-out experience, bush bath, all beverages including house wines) laundry service and wireless internet access.
Special offers: Extended Stay Package: Based on a minimum of 5 nights stay, the guests will receive: One-night complimentary accommodation, road transfers (Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit), and a 30-minute massage per person.
Note: Only children above the age of 12 are allowed at Safari Camp, at Little Garonga children above the age of 6 are welcome.
Specialties: beautiful location in the African bush, luxurious tents with spectacular views, delicious food, friendly, attentive service, amiable owner, private luxury at Little Garonga
Perfect for: Couples, peace seekers, romantics, nature lovers, animal lovers, friends, and families


Garonga Safari Camp & Little Garonga
Telefon: +27 (0)87 806 2080 / 083 255 9093
Email: reservations.garonga@gmail.com
E-Mail Bernie: safari@garonga.com
www.garonga.com

Classic Safari Camps of Africa
TripAdvisor – 2019 Travellers’ Choice Winner
TripAdvisor – 2018 Certificate of Excellence and Hall of Fame
TripAdvisor – 2018 Travellers’ Choice Winner
Africa´s Fingerst – Best of the Best Award
Winner “Best Safari”
Echo Star Award

Do you like this article? Then make our day and share it! _______________________________________________________________________

Please note: Our stay was sponsored by Garonga. Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!  

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Rovos Rail, South Africa – Durban Safari with the Most Luxurious Train in the World & Tips

Africa, Interviews, South Africa, Südafrika, Videos 2 Comments

The colorful history of Rovos Rail – Traveling through the heart of Africa for more than 30 years

On April 29, 2019, the privately-owned luxury train tour operator, Rovos Rail, celebrates its 30th anniversary! Train enthusiast, Rohan Vos, originally intended to use the renovated train privately, to travel with his family through South Africa. But his visionary dreams led him to develop it into the most luxurious train in Africa.

The first overnight trip took place in 1987 with a seven-coach train to the former Eastern Transvaal. Since then, Rovos Rail has grown enormously and despite some serious setbacks and difficulties, now offers eight trips around South Africa with five trains that can accommodate 72 passengers. A sixth train is in production with completion aimed for December 2019. Rovos Rail Milestones >>

“The most luxurious trains in the world travelling through the heart of africa.” – Rovos Rail Tours

“We lost so much money in the early days, and we knew nothing about hospitality. In my naivety, I believed what we were offering was so unique that tickets would sell easily. Boy, was I mistaken.”– Rohan Vos, owner, and CEO of Rovos Rail Tours

Rovos Rail now employs 440 staff members, many who have been with the company since the beginning. Capital Park Station, is the impressive private railway station and headquarters in Pretoria. In 1999, the derelict 60-hectare property was rehabilitated and renovated to become the home of everything from the on-site laundry and kitchen to the locomotive and coach maintenance workshops responsible for the production of furniture and maintenance of the locomotives and wagons.

There is a story behind each Rovos Rail locomotive, and they all have their own distinctive character and charm. All the engines acquired for Rovos Rail have been named after the Vos children.

Rohan Vos had had his eye on locomotive 3360 “Shaun” since 1986. Ten years later, he purchased and lovingly restored it with the help of his staff. Use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped. Diesel or electric locomotives are used while steam is used in and around the area of Rovos Rail Station only on departure and arrival.

 “We also have our own little museum that pays homage to our 30 years of operation and also South Africa’s railway history.” – Rohan Vos

Even after 30 years, visionary, owner and CEO of Rovos Rail Tours, Rohan Vos, still loves greeting guests himself on their arrival in Pretoria, when he has time. We were also lucky enough to get to know the charismatic Rovos Rail’s owner!

If you feel like it, you can visit the workshop sheds in Pretoria upon arrival and watch the employees at work. They do magic! Transforming a wagon bought for 70,000 South African Rand into a luxuriously restored cart worth 1 million Rands.

Rovos Rail takes discerning passengers from its private train station to Cape Town, Durban, the Victoria Falls, and Namibia. Travel times vary between 48 hours and 15 days. The newest route, Trail of Two Oceans, from Dar Es Salaam to Lobito in Angola, will be launched in July this year. It will be the first time in history that a passenger train will cross the Copper Route from east to west.

Durban-Safari

Last year we had an unforgettable experience, traveling from Pretoria to Cape Town with Rovos Rail. This year, the most luxurious train in Africa, took us on a beautiful journey through KwaZulu-Natal. Our trip started in Durban, a popular city with sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean. In Zulu, it is aptly named Thekwini – the place where earth and water meet.

The three-day Durban Safari is Rohan Vos’ favorite.  On this trip through KwaZulu-Natal, you not only get to enjoy life on board but can also go on many interesting excursions. The program includes a trip to the Apartheid Museum, the Ardmore Pottery Workshop, a tour of several battlefields with a historian, a safari at the Spioenkop Game Reserve and a game drive at the Nambiti Conservancy, where you get to experience the Big Five up close.

Deluxe Suite

Settling into the elegant suite is a great feeling. The magnificent mahogany wood paneled suites, finished in brass and silver with handcrafted glass and lampshades, takes you on a journey back in time to the 1950s. The suite is ingeniously plannedand beautifully designed in Edwardian colonial style.

We got acquainted with our cabin hostess Merica, and then the train wheels started their clickety-clack, and we were sent off in style!

The minibar is stocked according to your preferences.

KwaZulu-Natal

From the Indian Ocean, the route led through KwaZulu-Natal to the Drakensberg Mountains. The name of this province, is a combination of KwaZulu, meaning place of the Zulu, and the former name of the province, Natal. The climate here is subtropical, and it is generally warm and humid. The Drakensberg is a sandstone and granite mountain range with some peaks higher than 3000 m.  It is part of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and a World Heritage Site.

Lunch Time

The delicious 4-course lunch allows you to enjoy the view, the delicious food, and the carefully paired wines.

The meals are top-notch. What makes it even more impressive, is the fact that the kitchen team prepares these dishes in such a small space!

Observation Car

A popular meeting point between meals and excursions is the observation deck.

Zululand

Zululand is located in the northern part of KwaZulu Natal, bordering Maputaland, the Kingdom of Swaziland, the Battlefields, the North Coast and in the east, the Indian Ocean. It is an area rich in symbolism and tradition, and the age-old Zulu culture remains today. Here you will find green hills, waving grasslands, lush forests and a peaceful, unhurried lifestyle.

Nelson Mandela Capture Site

By bus, we went on our first trip to the Apartheid Museum. It tells the remarkable story about the life and the long road to freedom of Nelson Mandela.

Born in 1924 in Mvezo, South Africa, into a Xhosa tribe, Nelson Mandela became the political leader of the African National Congress (ANC) and the first black president of South Africa. From 1964 to 1990, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, for acts of sabotage and for conspiring to overthrow the Apartheid regime violently. 

Ardmore Ceramic Art

After visiting the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, we went to the Ardmore Ceramics workshop. Thanks to the founder, Fée Halsted, 80 Zulu men and women have the opportunity to express their imagination based on nature and Zulu folklore and tradition. As such, theykeep their sense of rhythm, color, dance, and song alive.

Fée and her daughters have created a truly unique business with so much energy and love. Their patterns and designs even made it to Hérmes in France.

The sculptures are not only beautifully designed and painted – but they also often contain funny fantasy elements. The artists have free rein. They do not receive a fixed salary, but are paid according to the quality of their objects and can earn a good living.

After every excursion, we were warmly welcomed back at the train station by the professional and friendly Rovos Rail employees.

Dinner Time

The best thing about a Rovos Rail train journey is getting ready for dinner. The minimum requirement for men is a jacket, tie or bow tie and for women smart evening wear.

In the sparkling and ornate dining car, exquisite 4-course meals are served, each course served with iconic South African wines in soft, romantic candlelight.

Lounge Car

The perfect place to end the evening is in the lounge or observation car with cocktails and good wine. The last night on board is usually celebrated with a cocktail party.

Upon return to our suite, the beds were already lovingly turned down. Gently rocked to sleep at night – a dream!

Breakfast Time

Having a delicious breakfast while enjoying the majestic views.

Spionkop Lodge

Spionkop Lodge is a game farm adjacent to an 11,000-hectare nature reserve with magnificent views of the mountains, the bush and the battlefields of the area. You can either go on a safari or on a history tour of the Battlefields with the owner Raymond Heron or his son.

From here, British generals, such as Redvers Henry Buller, commanded their troops to fight the Boers. Mahatma Gandhi served as a stretcher bearer in this war. Winston Churchill personally convinced himself of the action on Spioenkop, and General Louis Botha commanded the Boer troops.

We stood on the summit plateau of Mount Alice and had a 360-degree view of the Spioenkop Game Reserve, the Tugela River, the Drakensberg and the “mountain of spies.” In 1899 the British suffered their worst defeat here at Spioenkop against the Boers. It was not until 1902 that the bitter war ended with a peace treaty.

The beautiful turn of the century farmhouse, formerly the British headquarters, has been lovingly restored in Natal colonial style.

Nambiti Big 5 Private Game Reserve

The Nambiti Reserve is set on 20,000-hectares of malaria-free bushveld with savannas, grasslands, the Sundays River and tall Acacia trees in KwaZulu-Natal.

Three jeeps awaited us, and off we went on safari with our ranger Ben.

On the way, we met some giraffes, waterbuck, kudu, antelope, and elephants.

Of course, you cannot wait to see the Big 5 when on safari! And if you then suddenly run into some elephants, it cannot get much better!

The grand finale of any safari is, as always, sundowners in the bush.

After the safari, we were welcomed back in romantic style with champagne and candles on the tracks.

Infos & Tipps

Durban

The Oyster Box Hotel, a chic and stylish 5-star hotel on the Indian Ocean, double rooms from 280 EUR, www.oysterboxhotel.com

KwaZulu-Natal

Spionkop Lodge, Spion Kop Lodge, one to three-day excursions with Raymond Heron to the Battlefields, double rooms from 100 EUR, www.spionkop.co.za

Hartford House, a stately home on the largest stud farm in South Africa, from 100 EUR per person per night, www.hartford.co.za

Fordoun Spa & Boutique Hotel, 5-star wellness temple with African healing arts, from 120 EUR per person per night, www.fordoun.com

Three Trees at Spioenkop, ecological lodge overlooking the Spioenkop Game Reserve, from 125 EUR per person per night, www.threetreehill.co.za

Pretoria

Castello di Monte, beautiful Tuscan style property with views over Pretoria, double rooms from 190 EUR, www.castello.co.za

Conclusion

Traveling on Rovos Rail pays tribute to a luxurious bygone era! The entire atmosphere on board is serene and romantic. We loved the suites, the food, the wines, the excursions, the attentive service and above all, what Rohan Vos has accomplished with great vision and passion over the last 30 years. It is absolutely amazing how he with his love of vintage trains and train journeys of yesteryear, has created a legacy and has brought the style and elegance of a past era back to life! We loved our trip on this world-class, one of its kind train. As a bonus, you always meet such fascinating people on board, you are completely spoiled and can learn so much about this beautiful country and its people on the intriguing excursions.

Congratulations on your 30thanniversary Rovos Rail! What a remarkable accomplishment. May there be many more!

Rooms: maximum 72 passengers in 36 suites
Transfer: Flight to Durban, transfers can be conveniently booked through Rovos
Vaccinations: tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A, rabies and hepatitis B (for long-term stays), malaria prophylaxis not necessary
Price: from 1400 per person   (Pullman Suite, Durban to Pretoria) including three meals daily, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sightseeing trips with a qualified guide, entrance fees to places of interest, 24-hour room service, mini bar, limited laundry service on the train
Special offers: 30% discount for their 30th anniversary valid until December 2019 in the Deluxe or Royal Suite ( more info >> )
Note: No Wi-Fi on board the train
Particularities: Luxurious design, beautiful suites, excellent food, friendly service, interesting excursions, and safaris
Perfect for: Couples, peace seekers, romantics, nature lovers, friends

Rovos Rail
Gauteng 0001, Paul Kruger St, Pretoria, Südafrika
Tel: +27 (0) 12 315 8242
reservations@rovos.co.za
www.rovos.com

Making of Rovos Rail – Video >>
Blog >>

World’s Leading Luxury Train  – World Travel Awards 2004-2008
Africa’s Leading Safari Train – World Travel Awards 2004-2007

Do you like this article, then make our day and share it! _______________________________________________________________________

Please note: Rovos Rail sponsored our journey. Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, 100% our own!  

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