It’s midnight at the Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in Sabi Sands. Sir Richard Branson’s uber-luxe lodge consists of multiple grand treehouses, perched on the slope of a koppie—a rocky hill typical in the African veld. we’re sleepy, following a long dinner of wildebeest by oil lamp, so we crash hard. But not for long.
I bolt up from the loud thumping on the roof. One, two, three thumps…more followed. Where am I? What the bejesus is happening? Then I see them outside the glass doors—30 or so baboons, their curious eyes reflected in the moonlight. Once breathing returns, I grasp the awesomeness of Africa.
“The biggest draw for travel to South Africa is the safari and wildlife experience we have to offer—it’s a once in a lifetime experience,” says Yolanda Woeke-Jacobs, director of sales/marketing for dmc Dragonfly Africa. “The raw, real African nature experience really touches people.”
For large groups, “We split them in smaller groups using various lodges. We’ve combined the lodges of Sabi Sabi, Singita, Londolozi and Ulusaba for groups up to 300.” The above lodges are located in Kruger National Park, one hour and two bush flights out of Johannesburg.
At Sabi Sabi, there are four upscale camps including the Bush Lodge, with 25 suites and meeting space for 100 theater-style. For teambuilding, they put together an animal spotting competition where each team is given a list with a certain amount of points for each animal spotted. Some get luckier than others. One guide says his group watched a female leopard attack a warthog before a lioness swooped in and stole the live prey. Then a dominant Mapogo male lion storms in and makes short work of the cat fight and the warthog. Everyone knows who’s boss in the veld.
Over at Singita Game Reserves, we’re on safari with our 26 year-old guide, Jared. I ask about his high-powered rifle. He says it’s for the off-chance an animal charges the Land Rover, although bush law requires he can’t shoot until an animal is within 11 yards. Seems a little close. We see impalas, gazelle, zebra, giraffe and some baby elephants, until one of the older elephants goes postal. The giant beast stomps toward us, flapping his ears and bellowing. Jared laughs, saying, “He’s just trying to intimidate us.”
CAPE TOWN RACES Charlotte Smith, senior consultant for Gilt-Edge Travel based in Cape Town, says, “South Africa has a universal appeal to a broad audience, capable of attracting people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures.” She adds the country is a fantastic value, with dinner and a good bottle of wine in a top restaurant running $30 pp. “And Cape Town is one of the most picturesque regions on this planet.”
The most recognizable landmark in this coastal cosmo capital is Table Mountain. It offers a gamut of hiking/biking trails for group outings, with stunning views of the city.
Axel Zander, director of Downhill Adventures, is our kind of people. He helps people step off Table Mountain backwards from 1,000 feet in the air for The Abseil Adventure, where participants use mountain climbing gear to abseil (rappel) 350 feet down the vertical face of a cliff. If that’s too extreme, there’s Shark Cage Diving and Paragliding.
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