As we bumped along the dirt road, I inhaled happiness…
The previous evening, there had been a severe storm, complete with thunder, lightning and torrential downpours.
We awoke to clear skies, sunshine and a newly washed world. The wilderness is undoubtedly my happy place but after spending most of the year locked down, sitting on the game drive vehicle with the wind in my hair, enjoying the smell of the African soil after rain and just completely relaxing… well, the effect was nothing short of profound. The African Bush is the perfect place to gain perspective and reconnect with your soul.
Little Mongena is a delightful lodge located in the Dinokeng Reserve – a mere 140km from Jozi. There’s a lapa, a plunge pool and a viewing deck, complete with comfortable couches, which also doubles as the restaurant.
Accommodation is in tents, each with a beautiful view of the dam – either from the little veranda or even from your bed! The tents have a bathroom en suite and everything else you could possibly need. I was really impressed with the number of plug points in each unit – you could each charge your phone, your camera batteries and still have plug points to spare. The air conditioner was efficient and an absolute blessing in the heat.
The heart and soul of any lodge is the people and at Little Mongena you have some of the best. I was travelling with two elderly relatives and had concerns about their ability to get onto the game drive vehicles. Prior to arrival, I made contact with the General Manager, Duncan Eicker, expressing my concerns. He assured me that he would take care of it. He made certain that they were allocated to the unit with the lowest step, and on arrival we were presented with the choice of a step or a small ladder which he had specifically gone and purchased prior to our arrival. Hammanskraal is not Sandton, yet he managed to source an appropriate item, keeping in touch with me throughout the process, allowing me to choose a preferred set of steps. A level of service which is exceedingly rare these days. During our stay, both our rangers were ladies, and they were fabulous. Zaan and Cherise were knowledgeable, courteous, engaging and considerate drivers. Our experience was richer for their understanding of the bush and desire to give us the best possible experience.
I subscribe to the notion that the bush chooses what it will reveal. You could pass within five meters of an elephant and not know it was there. Ultimately, it is all up to chance. On one occasion, we happened to notice a baby wildebeest, and in stopping to take a closer look, were rewarded with a lovely sighting of a black rhino cow and her calf. It was such a privilege to see these animals.
Sometimes you are destined not to see a particular animal. We were taken to the enclosures which contained a pair of leopards (in separate areas, but next to each other) that are awaiting release into the reserve. The area was not large, nor was it particularly overgrown, and whilst we could see their spoor, we could not see the pair who lived up to their reputation as the masters of disguise.
We had so many amazing sightings, from buffalo, lion, cheetah and rhino, through eland, zebra, impala and wildebeest (with their new-born young), to various birding specials, rock monitors and even dung beetles busily rolling their balls along the road. We were taught how to make bracelets from the bark of the silver cluster-leaf and were intrigued with the magico-medicinal properties of many of the plants. We heard lion and jackal calling at night, and an ostrich making a loud “boom” during the day (a first for me!). We stopped to appreciate the beauty of tiny wildflowers and had sundowner drinks in scenic spots. The staff were attentive and polite, and the food was simply superb. Each day started with a full-house breakfast after the game drive, a high tea each afternoon and a delicious three course dinner at night. So generous were the portions, we were seldom able to finish what was on our plates…
2020 has been a hard year for all of us. We have yet to see the back of this pandemic, and with the infections once again on the rise, it is preferable to keep travelling locally. I believe that we underestimate the effect this year has had on our minds and souls. Spending time reconnecting with nature is the perfect antidote. Returning from what was effectively only three days, I feel completely rejuvenated and ready to once again take on the world.
Perhaps you should give yourself, or someone close to you, the gift of a wilderness experience this Christmas? It truly is one of the most meaningful breaks I have experienced in a long time, primarily because it gave me the ability to just breathe, get some perspective and realise that this too shall pass…
#TravelLocal #LittleMongena #AfricanSoul #Restored
Telephone: +27 11 568 4705
Reservations: res@wildhospitality.com
Office Hours 08:00am – 17:00 pm GMT+2 Monday – Friday