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Raise your glass to baths under African skies

Weekends without kids. . .

In a bold move, Gerhard and I went away without kids for the first time ever and all I can say is that we should have done this a very long time ago!

We went to the absolutely and utterly amazing Nkomasi Lodge where your every whim is catered for, the small things matter and you are treated like royalty.  We had an absolutely amazing time and I really hope that we will one day be fortunate enough to go back.

It starts on arrival; you park your car at the entrance and then go to the welcome lounge where a cooler box full of cold drinks, beers, ciders etc. awaits.  When all guests are there, you depart in the game viewers, luggage already en route. 

Upon arrival, the friendly staff is on hand, singing a welcome song and an ice cold face cloth and home brewed ginger beer is served.  You then proceed to the Magilis (the living room tent) where a check in is done and the programme and events for the weekend are described.  From here you proceed to your tent.  Not just any tent!  This is truly amazing, it is like something from Out of Africa.  Old world charm, utterly stunning tents with King sized beds, wooden antique furniture, a sun deck, totally secluded and private, a small plunge pool, outside shower, and best of all, a Victorian style bath on the deck underneath the stars. 

The afternoon game drive takes place after high tea is served in the Magilis.  Cakes, quiches, smoothies, tartlets, coffee.  During this time your ranger will pack a cooler box.  You depart from camp for the game drive at 16:30 and the game ranger tells you some really interesting things that you honestly would not and could not have known.  We saw the most amazing things, lions, cheetah, jackal, klipspringer, water monitor,  elephant, and rhino.  And then as the sun is setting across the African sky, the ranger takes you to a nice spot somewhere to see the sun setting, sets a little table (white linen of course) and sun downers and snacks are packed out, quite the spread.

As you return to camp it gets rather nippy and a blanket is provided, some night game viewing and then upon arrival at camp, a warm face cloth and some amarula or sherry is provided.  Bathing under the stars is followed by pre-dinner drinks at 20:30 followed by a four course dinner, on the first night it was a carrot and curry soup, a phyllo pastry parcel stuffed with feta, tomato and basil, mains was a red wine filled or curry kingklip, veggies and mashed potato and desert was a panna cotta with chocolate sauce.  We had the most divine red wines.

You sleep like an angel in the softest largest bed I have ever slept in, and wake up at 5:30 when the game ranger gives you a wake-up call, off to the Magilis at 6:30, freshly brewed coffee, fruit platters and some croissants and muffins with homemade jam.  Then off for the morning drive – pit stop, coffee and rusks half way, back to camp, cold face cloth and fruit juice.  Brunch is served at 9:30, wow, what a spread.  Cold buffet of muesli and yogurt, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juice, salami, cheese.  Bread jam, then the decisions, to have full camp brekkie, or smoked salmon and scrambled egg, haloumi salad, fish and chips.  Decisions decisions.

Massages overlooking the Komati River, the drone of the rapids in your ears, bliss, some free time, lazing by the pool, afternoon nap, repeat game drive, arrival but then a boma braai under African starts, magical!  White linen clad tables, fine wine, open fire made of sickle bush.  Some star gazing, the very knowledgeable guides show us the jewel box, Orion’s belt, canis major (I think…) and the like. 

Wow! More bathing under the stars, another excellent night of sleep.  What more can a girl ask for.  Then sadly the next day it is home time, back to life, back to reality! 

Ah, to be wined and dined and to have baths under the watchful eye of Orion. 


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