The wild north west

24 July 2014

Names of travellers Chelsea MacLachlan and fiancé
Destination Tau Game Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province
Dates 16 – 18 May 2014

Your reason for visiting this destination Growing up in South Africa I’ve seen my fair share of the Big Five. I thought self-drives through the Kruger ticked that box quite fine – but I was wrong. My perception that snazzy game experiences were reserved for tourists with big wallets was about to be challenged when my fiancé and I celebrated five years of dating and our new engagement.

Our Little Black Book

The best place for a drink In the bush! At sunset on the afternoon game drive our ranger would pull over to a secluded spot and set up a makeshift drinks station to watch the sun go down. This could only be topped by the fact that we soon realized we were not alone and were being joined by four rhino. Listening to our ranger, we kept still and quiet, and continued to enjoy our beverages as they munched the grass.

The first thing travellers should do upon reaching this destination Chill out! The chalets overlook the waterhole, and when we arrived we sat on our balcony and watched as over forty elephants came to drink – just meters away.

The best way to get around In your ranger’s vehicle. Staying at Tau Game Lodge meant that we were assigned a ranger who took us on two drives daily. You do not see your own car until it is brought to you at the end of your stay. Self-drives are not permitted in the reserve, it makes for a more secluded experience.

If you want to feel like a local you should… ask your ranger lots of questions. Our expert game ranger, Iggy, had such a vast knowledge and understanding of the bush that if we had been left to explore the region ourselves we would have seen no more than a few zebra. Within 12 hours we had not only spotted the entire Big Five, but also spent a considerable amount of time in very close proximity to them. Spending over half-an-hour watching a leopard stalk impala just metres away and drink at the waterhole was a definite highlight.

Don’t leave without… taking an outside shower under the stars. But don’t leave your shampoo out there as monkeys might steal it.

Insider tip All you need is a couple of days to feel totally revitalised and utterly grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Sure, the price tag might make you gulp, but considering the two three-hour personalised game drives a day, all meals inclusive, the exquisite chalet accommodation overlooking the waterhole (often frequented by animals), and the bill if you were doing it yourself, as well as the personal details, like all the staff knowing your name, sundowners in the bush (with rhinos just meters away) and showering under the stars, makes the whole experience worth every penny.