African Safari At Its Best

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Monday October 29, 2007 00:00

An African Safari is a must in everyone's lifetime and to book a safari is not a difficult process, provided your wallet permits. You must just decide to go.

There are a lot of Safari lodges to choose from in South Africa ranging from camping in safari tents to ultimate luxury safari lodges, which rival the finest accommodation in some of the most prestigious hotels.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity of spending a night at Etali Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve, which is built in harmony with nature under the vibrant African sun.

The five-star Etali Game Lodge is an exclusive, intimate haven, where body and soul are rejuvenated in surroundings created by people who understand luxury. Etali, meaning 'a new beginning' respects the privacy of guests, while offering impeccable personal attention.

According to the owner of the lodge, Koos Potgieter they always aim at 80 percent occupancy rate. What makes the lodge different?

'Something intangible and the soul of the lodge come through the staff. We let guests experience the lodge through the staff therefore it is important for us to employ and train the right people,' Potgieter said adding that there is no way one can maintain quality with a lower staff. The lodge boasts 34 workers for 16 beds.

At R4, 200 or about P3, 684.21 per person, per night during the peek season and R3, 400 or about P2, 982.46 during winter, the lodge is frequented by the well to do.

'Most of our guests are foreigners in summer and we get some from Botswana from November to January when the swamps there are closed due to malaria,' he said.

Every day in the untamed African bush brings a new experience in exciting game safaris.

Included in the money paid, you get to go for early morning game viewing of some of the most incredible animals on earth such as lions, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard, which are known as Africa's Big Five as well as Africa's rare wildlife, such as cheetah and wild dog. You will get to live the 'on safari' experience.

After that experience, you will find out that you may leave Africa but Africa will never leave you.