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you for sharing the magic of Garonga with me - a truly
unforgettable experience! A big thanks also to all
your staff members who "set the stage" so
well. Charlene Ramsden.
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Then,
in true Bernie style, we received our first of the evenings
drinks, accompanied by nuts, cheeses and meats, as we gazed
over the trees and river bed in front of the lodge deck,
drinking in the sights and sounds of the bushveld - a place
which I have loved since my first adventures as a young
boy to the Kruger regions, in an era when the camps were
rustic and paraffin lamps glowed at night. |
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Our
Garonga staff then escorted our team to the luxurious safari
tents, along pathways illuminated by candle lights as the songs
of evening insects rose through a canopy of trees above and
around us. In the room, I could truly understand why Garonga
is a favourite for honeymooners - the voluminous canvas safari
tent rises gracefully above earthy walls, a lazy hammock beckons
on the deck looking over the magnificent vista. But the focal
point is the sumptuous bed, with crisp cream linens and inviting
fabrics, surrounded by the generous flowing drapes of mosquito
nets. In the bathroom were matching hand basins and double shower,
while outside was another large, well-concealed and very tempting
shower.
Dinner is always an occasion at Garonga. Our lavish spread started
with spiced butternut soup, followed by medallions of impala
or chicken adorned with roasted vegetables and sumptuous salads,
finished off with a delicate yogurt terrine washed down with
port and coffee. All the meals at Garonga are faultless and
fellow guests remarked that it was the best fare they had experienced
at various safari lodges.
In the morning - after a night of indulgence, we were gently
wakened by staff at 5.30 am with coffee and rusks and asked
if we still wished to join the morning game drive. In spite
of a light drizzle, we did not need much encouragement to get
out into the crisp morning air on the back of an open landrover
to start the great adventure of spotting game. Although the
wildlife density at Garonga is not as heavy as camps in the
Sabi Sand, there were no disappointed faces - the highlight
of our encounters with wildlife was coming face to face with
rhino while on a game walk. During our stay, we got close and
personal with cheetah, elephant, mating hippos, giraffe, zebra,
gnu and a wide variety of antelope from the mighty eland to
the ubiquitous impala. Our driver, Lawrence Mkansi and tracker,
Jaffeth Malapane, were both great company, highly skilled and
share a deep knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants.
Back in camp, most of the team indulged in one of the numerous
therapies available in the outdoor sala - from aroma therapy
to Indian head massage and reflexology in the caring hands of
Bianca. Or one can use the pause between activities and wining
and dining, to chill out and siesta for a couple of hours. Another
Garonga speciality is a sensual bubble bath, taken outdoors
and surrounded by lanterns and the scent of aroma oils. Be sure
to indulge yourself and your loved one in that bathing pleasure
while sipping champagne under an African sky.
Too swiftly the time faded and our weekend "Bosberaad
Spanbou" passed, but we left content, relaxed, exhilarated
and exhausted! One day I shall return again to that place in
the wilds which has succeeded in so finely capturing the essence
of the African bush lodge, subtly blending together the pleasures,
pursuits, subtleties and rewards of the entire safari experience.
Mike Hewitt.
Garonga
is a benchmark for the entire safari and travel industry.
There is no other safari camp that can measure up
to the attention to detail, genuine hospitality and
unassuming service that we experienced with you. I
must complement your role as the hands on owner and
the way you uphold your high standards. You lead a
team of cheerful and dedicated staff who express themselves
with confidence, and appear to clearly enjoy their
occupations. The habitat around Garonga is diverse
and full of surprises; the bush here yields as many
subtle elements for me, than any “Big Five”
chase. It has been a while since I stumbled upon such
a magnificent rhino bull on foot. My grateful thanks
to all at Garonga who made our stay as wonderful and
relaxing as you could ever imagine.
Russell Weston. |
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