“T -I -N -T -S -W -A -L- O”, that’s how. Less than a 30 minute drive down from Hoedspruit, half that time on a road that has been annexed by the park and is slowly returning to its pre-manmade state. Shortly after entering the Manyaleti Reserve, the ride got really exciting. We were beginning to cross a small bridge over a gulley when a bull elephant emerged from the bush and stood in the middle of the road blocking the far side of the bridge. This is what’s know as a bush sig-alert (for those of you non-Californians, a “sig alert” is a colloquialism for traffic jam). Then, after the elephant, we saw a group of six very young giraffes – I was advised that they were no more that 6 months old and it was unusual to see them in a group with no adults visible.
But enough about the game, since I spoke a bit about it last time.
Tintswalo Safari Lodge is absolutely spectacular in every way and manages to maintain such a comfortable quality about it where I felt right at home. There was a luncheon buffet table set up in the wine cellar. For those of you who have been on safari, the other primary activity besides wildlife viewing is eating – well, I just had to sample a little of this and that, and that, and one of those and…..but everything was low carb ( Oops, I told a lie!). I was in the Richard Burton suite, just a short walk down the elevated walkway from the main building. One entire wall of the suite was glass, opening up on a huge private deck and plunge pool, overlooking a dry riverbed. This is the same riverbed, though which each evening, as if on cue, a leopard saunters along.
Dinner was a small feast served in the boma under a sky ladened with stars and the wine selection was impeccable. Coffee and after dinner drinks were consumed on the main deck and stories freely traded among the guests. Again, for those who have been on safari, there comes a time when the gameviewing can be a bit slow and someone always recounts all the remarkable sightings that they observed. Well, another couple at the lodge was on the gamedrive the previous afternoon and sighted all three big cats in the same drive: lion, leopard and cheetah! Braggarts!
And so the evening drew to a close as I was escorted back to my room. I was travelling by myself, so I was not inclined to languish in the large free standing claw footed bathtub, which was filled with bubbles and strewn with rose petals (And “no”, that’s not me in a blonde wig smoking a cigar).
So, now let’s talk about passion. I love my job, that it involves Africa and that I get to travel there , though if it was up to me, the travel would be much more frequent. I love that I can share my experiences and knowledge with others, particularly when I discover a place like Tintswalo. Every single employee/staff member I encountered, whether directly interacting or merely passing, exuded warmth and a sincere air of caring that my experience with them was the best that it could possibly be. And then there are the owners, Ernest and Gaye Corbett. I was privileged to spend 24 hours in their company and during this time I slowly came to a realization. They exuded the exact same sense of caring and commitment I perceived coming from the entire staff. They are actively involved with the local community and spend a few weeks each year in educational awareness ventures (aids awareness, rights of children) across the African continent.
WOW! That’s a double “feel good” about choosing to support their operation. I could go on, but don’t want to get preachy. There is a private Safari House for family groups and they also have a property in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Richard Haas-Winkelman
richardh@africantravelinc.com
www.africantravelinc.com
