Travelin' Road Show: 05/03/14

Sat May 3rd - Birthday and Safari

Happy Birthday Girl

Janice was woken to a quick off-key round of 'happy birthday' from her sweetie... followed by a total surprise champagne breakfast in the gardens by the pool in the sunshine. much more 'in tune'!!!! What a way to start what would become the most magical day anyone could imagine.

Breakfast with a flair

Londolozi here we come

Our Chariot to Sabi Sands awaits

At Nelspruit airport

The bumpy LONG road to Londolozi

After breakfast we packed quickly and were whisked by the Africa Sky driver to the airport... he helped check us in and after a very short time we were boarding our small Jet for the 50 minute total flight to Nelspruit Airport. We were met by a rep from GAP tours and off we went for the 2 hour drive to Sabi Sands Game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. While the first 1 1/2 hours was smooth and interesting as we passed villages and markets ... taking note of the large number of roadside vendors selling oranges, avocados and macadamias, the last half hour was something I will always remember as a moving mechanical massage!!! a dirt road stretching about 27 km ... and I mean a bumpy, rocky road to paradise. We arrived at the Londolzi Lodge Varty camp... let the adventure begin!!!! Neither words nor photos can adequately describe this place in the middle of the African wilderness. Thatch-roofed accommodations, a massive deck for lounging or sharing a drink, a quiet pool and outdoor dining area. Sounds of lions, and other animals in the air. Our host, Will showed us around and introduced us to the staff and our ranger Don, over a glass of champagne to celebrate my birthday (I could get used to this!!) Will showed us to our room and we were once again blown away. Exquisite room with a huge deck.. a bath with a window looking over the deck and wilderness beyond. The deck has two sitting areas and plunge pool. Sitting on the bed was a wrapped birthday gift from the lodge... a beautiful wrap/scarf.

Almost there!

The Main deck at the lodge

Welcome to Londolozi - champagne

Cheeky monkeys by our room

Happy B'day Janice - at the gate!!

We were instructed to keep a high latch on our doors as the local monkeys knew how to open the sliding doors and take off with clothes, snacks, bedding etc etc... After Will left we walked onto the deck to see a whole bunch of grey monkeys approaching... one making a leap onto the railing ... I ran to close the sliding door and the monkey ran off... whew!!! We cleaned up and headed for 2:30pm lunch and 3:30 Safari drive. I had asked Don during orientation if we might see an elephant. As we walked toward our Landrover... there was Don grinning and pointing toward the road, where a whole family of elephants were feeding and crossing the road in front of us. I was so taken aback... he just said... Happy Birthday Janice!! There were five of us for this drive ... Dave (New York) and his Mum, Anna (LA) and Marie (Paris)... with our guide, Don and tracker Judas... off we went into the bush... hopes high. We were not disappointed. Our 2-3 hour drive, broken up with a cocktail and appetizers by a watering hole, was more than we could ever imagine. Starting with the elephants we managed to track down more elephants, wildebeest, nyala, kudu, hippos and crocodile, impala, steenbok and a pride of 6 lions... not to shabby for a first day on Safari. Sunset was incredible and the clarity of the moon and stars at night is such that one could imagine Vincent Van Gogh in his element!!!

Don and elephant poo!!

Elated and totally in awe, we headed back to camp, seeing a hippo out of the water crossing the road in front of our Land rover. We freshened up and joined our guide and other Safari guests at the Boma area for a dinner, surrounded by fires and candles and the sounds of birdcalls and and animals from the surrounding wilderness.
How can I possibly do justice to this day's experience with words?... Truly magical and awe inspiring.