Sun Destinations

Handed a welcome drink and smile from fresh-faced Lily at reception, I had a feeling my nThambo Tree Camp experience was going to be bliss.

Tented tree house accommodation

I was right.

As soon as I stepped inside our tented tree house accommodation I was met with an air of romance. The gently draped mosquito net, the white linen, and even the rolled towels made for a relaxing atmosphere I couldn’t ignore. My better half and I stood outside on the balcony for a while and watched a pair of giraffes eat from a nearby tree, before heading back to the main lodge to grab some lunch of our own.

Tracking wildlife

Setting off on a game drive with the nThambo crew was quite a treat. The guides were passionate, well-informed and delivered on their wildlife tracking, leading us to a site where three lions fed on a giraffe. This is big five territory and the experience tracking them was exhilarating.

The rangers of nThambo are connected to a radio network which links the game rangers of other nearby lodges together. That way, if there is something incredible happening out there in the wilderness and one ranger stumbles across it, they are able to share the experience and alert others.

A large part of the appeal of enjoying a safari in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is the fact that wildlife sightings are far more intimate with no more than two safari vehicles allowed on a site at once.

While out on the game drive our ranger found us a quiet spot to hop out the vehicle, stretch our legs and enjoy the African sunset while sipping on a beverage of our choice. A spread of snacks were also laid out for us to nibble on – complete with an option of traditional South African biltong for the foreigners to fall in love with.

A scrumptious affair

Back at the lodge, Lily waited to greet us with warm face-clothes and small glasses of something delicious to help warm us from the inside. We gathered around the fire defrosting before dinner. At nThambo, dinner was always three courses and the wine available at the bar to accompany it was lip-smacking good.

The magic-cleaner-fairies

While you’re out on your afternoon game drive, magic-cleaner-fairies swoop in unseen and restore the tented abode to the spick and span form it was in prior to your arrival. They also hang your bed’s mosquito net delicately, place something delicious on your pillow and pop a hot water bottle in your bed for a welcome bedtime surprise.

Off to bed

After a top notch dinner and some fireside banter we headed off to bed, personally escorted by one of the game rangers to ensure our safety.

Belly full and satisfied with the day’s adventure, I felt like King of the Jungle. I hugged my hot water bottle a little tighter and drifted off to sleep to the sound of lions roaring in the distance.