Things to do in South Africa

Wildlife watching from your private plunge pool at Tinga Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve

We have had a lot of wildlife activity in front of the lodge including buffalo being chased by lions and wild dogs cooling off in the river…

By Cathrine Vosloo

Camp Manager Tinga Lodge

As soon as a vehicle with guests pulls up, I am filled with the excitement of getting to know different people from all over the world. I am lucky to experience so many different cultures and religions in my job as Camp Manager at Tinga Lodge on the Lion Sands Game Reserve.

My favourite part of the lodge is the view from the lower deck, overlooking the Sabie River. It’s when I breath in the fresh air and realise how privileged we are to live and raise our family in such a beautiful place. For most of our guests, being on safari is on their bucket list and our team get to be a part of an experience that they will hopefully never forget.

Adventure dawns bright and early each morning with a 6.00am wake-up call. Coffee, tea and snacks are served in the main lodge where guests will be met by their guiding team. The game drive departs at 6.30am and returns to the lodge usually three hours later where a butler is waiting to serve breakfast. Guests can have the rest of the morning at leisure next to the pool, go on a walking safari with their guide or book an appointment at the spa in one of our salas overlooking the bush. Some prefer time to enjoy their suite, watching wildlife from their private plunge pool.

Most guests enjoy the view from the main deck whilst they are having their lunch as they sip on a crisp glass of white wine. There are plenty of animals and birds that enjoy the Sabie River and we have had a lot of wildlife activity in front of the lodge including buffalo being chased by lions and wild dogs cooling off in the river. Out of the Big Five, elephants are probably the most seen, not just in the river, sometimes walking on our wooden decks. Fortunately, we have an excellent maintenance team.

Afternoon tea is served at 3.00pm before heading out on the second game drive of the day. On returning to the lodge at about 6.30pm, there’s time to freshen up and enjoy a pre-dinner drink, before dining at 7:00pm. After a long, eventful day in the bush it’s time to fall asleep with perhaps the call of a hyena or the roar of a lion in the distance. It’s the perfect way to end a day in Africa.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Icons of Southern Africa
by Adele Jones

Length13 Days

Price range£5,650 - £5,995pp

Alfred & Cathrine Vosloo

Cathrine grew up in Bloemfontein in South Africa’s Free State. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at the University of Technology and has 12 years’ experience working in lodges and the hospitality industry. Cathrine's passion for the outdoors is shared with her son. He grew up in the bush and she loves to see his appreciation for animals and the nature surrounding him.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.