| A bad choice of flight left me very little time to | | | | |
| collect my hired car and race out of Johannesburg | | | | I decided to vary my stay in Madikwe by including |
| city before the afternoon peak traffic congestion. | | | | 2 different lodges to stay at. After breakfast at |
| Slipping out just as the congestion started, I had 3 | | | | Impodimo and a bit of time with the ellies, I then |
| ½ hours easy drive on good tarred road to get | | | | made my way to Mateya Lodge, a 5 star |
| to the western entrance to Madikwe Game | | | | experience like no other! With immaculate |
| Reserve at Wonderboom gate. The friendly | | | | attention to detail, the lodge is intricately designed, |
| security guard at the gate greeted and welcomed | | | | has magnificent arts and crafts from all over |
| me. After signing in, I entered the game reserve | | | | Africa and offers 6 star service! Exquisite! |
| and enjoyed my own little game drive en route | | | | |
| to my lodge where I would stay for a night. Ah! | | | | On arrival I was welcomed with hot hand towels |
| How nice it was to be back in the bush! Peace | | | | and an exotic cocktail, my hired car driven to the |
| and quiet! | | | | car park and my luggage carried to my suite. I |
| | | | | was invited in for lunch on the deck overlooking |
| On arrival at the beautiful Impodimo Game Lodge, | | | | open plains and a water hole where game roamed |
| Steve, the owner, gave me a warm welcome, | | | | freely. |
| offering a cool cocktail to quench my thirst. The | | | | After lunch, I was lead along a raised wooden |
| security guard at Wonderboom Gate | | | | walkway to my private suite. It was more like a |
| communicated my arrival to Impodimo Lodge so | | | | house! It was huge! The spacious, beautifully |
| Steve was at the entrance to lodge waiting for | | | | decorated bedroom opened up to my own |
| me when I arrived. My luggage was transferred | | | | private deck and plunge pool overlooking the open |
| to my luxury suite and Steve gave me a quick | | | | plains where the game roamed. The bathroom, |
| orientation tour of the lodge. | | | | almost the size of the bedroom, complete with all |
| | | | | the luxuries fit for a queen! |
| My late arrival meant I missed the afternoon | | | | |
| game drive and sundowner drinks in the bush. All | | | | After a quick nap in the comfort of my suite and |
| game lodges are booked on an all inclusive basis, | | | | a dip in my private plunge pool, I joined the rest |
| including all meals, 2 game drives per day and | | | | of the guests at the lodge for high tea. Aware of |
| some lodges include drinks. My pre dinner drinks | | | | the 5-course dinner that awaited us in the evening |
| were enjoyed on the balcony overlooking the | | | | and having already enjoyed 2 large meals today, I |
| open plains of woodland and grassland below. A | | | | struggled to taste some of the delicious looking |
| popular waterhole near the lodge kept us | | | | snacks at high tea! The atmosphere was ignited |
| entertained as game strolled in to drink. A delicious | | | | with excited chatter between the game ranger |
| dinner was enjoyed in a traditional boma, our | | | | and the other guests. Being foreigners they had |
| dinner tables placed around a roaring bon fire | | | | not experienced the Africa wildlife before and |
| under the clear African sky. | | | | were enthusiastic about the afternoon game |
| | | | | drive, which would take place after high tea. |
| The unfenced camp meant that I required an | | | | |
| escort to my room by an armed game ranger. | | | | Equipped with binoculars, mammal and bird books |
| What luxury! I felt like a real lady! My luxury suite | | | | and an experienced game ranger we set off in |
| had its own private deck looking onto the open | | | | our open 4x4 safari vehicle for our afternoon |
| game area, a large colourful four-poster double | | | | drive through the reserve. Our spottings were |
| bed draped with mosquito netting, a beautiful | | | | excellent and included sightings of lions, elephants, |
| bathroom and a great outdoor shower. | | | | a leopard on a kill, a small family of bat eared |
| | | | | foxes and hyena. My 300 zoom lens allowed |
| An early morning wake up call had me jumping up | | | | some good close up photos. After the drive we all |
| in excitement. It had been years since I was last | | | | gathered for dinner on the deck and shared our |
| in the bushveld surrounded by game. I was | | | | excitement of our days sightings. The meal was |
| looking forward to the open vehicle game drive. | | | | exquisite and the company was fun, drinks flowed |
| We enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and some | | | | until late in the evening. |
| delicious snacks before heading out on the drive. | | | | |
| Roddy, our chatty game ranger ensured that we | | | | After a good night’s sleep I took some time |
| enjoyed a great gaming experience with spottings | | | | to enjoy the luxuries of my suite. Top quality |
| of lion, elephant, hyena, black rhino, black backed | | | | bath products in a steaming bubble bath had me |
| jackal and numerous very colourful birds species. | | | | lulled to a light sleep. A luxury skin lotion pampered |
| | | | | my body and prepared me for a new day. |
| We returned to the lodge to enjoy a full buffet | | | | Breakfast was yet another magnificent display of |
| breakfast attractively arranged in the bar area at | | | | good food, a huge selection of tasty things to |
| the swimming pool. As we sat down with our first | | | | choice from. |
| serving, a small herd of elephants strolled up to | | | | |
| the swimming pool just a few metres away from | | | | My time in the lap of luxury had come to an end. |
| us and started drinking out of the pool. Wow! | | | | I had a plane to catch to get me back home by |
| What an encounter! Who needs a game drive | | | | the evening. “Farewell until next time” I |
| when you can sit in comfort at the lodge and | | | | said! |
| watch the game come to you? | | | | |