Our Timbavati ‘home from home’ - Rockfig Safari Lodge
A Home from Home Safari
When we arrived at RockFig, we instantly felt at home. We were looking around and thinking how comfortable it all felt – nothing was too far away, it felt cosy, chic, beautifully decorated, just like a gorgeous home. So when we were told that it was originally built to be the personal abode of Bruce, the owner, it all made perfect sense. Bruce’s home however turned out to be so beautiful that he was persuaded to offer it as a lodge instead - sorry for you Bruce, but your loss is definitely our gain!
Beautiful & Contemporary accommodation
Bernice, who was to be our guide, and the lodge staff were waiting as we pulled up to the front of the house. We were warmly welcomed and led through to the garden area – as we walked through, on our left was a lounge, on our right a covered dining area and straight ahead lay the garden, a covered terrace and a very inviting pool – with a view beyond to the waterhole. It wasn’t long before we were tucking into some beautifully fresh salads and grilled meats, washed down by a chilled glass of Savanna Dry cider.
As we looked around we really began to appreciate the finer details and décor – every light fitting was a masterpiece in itself. We were shown to our rooms – beautifully furnished, air-conditioned with high thatch roofs, spacious but not so big that you risk losing the other half. Gorgeous contemporary bathrooms with standalone bathtubs, indoor and outdoor showers, and an outdoor deck where we could happily sit and admire the view while sipping a G&T (this is the kind of lodge that thoughtfully provides lemons for just such an occasion).
Exceptional Wildlife Sightings
But no time for that as afternoon tea was ready and our game drive about to commence. Cake consumed, we boarded our vehicle (new, comfortable, no more than 4 people per vehicle and even a set of binoculars and guide books on birds and mammals for each couple to use during their stay – nice touches, we thought).
Bernice, and our tracker Isaac, certainly knew where to head for exceptional sightings. In one evening drive we saw lions lazing on a dry river bed, a beautiful leopard, plenty of impala, had a divine sundowner in front of a dam and caught up with a pride of lions as they drank from a waterhole in the dark. On our return to the lodge, we spent a very pleasant hour chatting around the campfire before dinner, which was delicious.
Excited about A Big Five Safari?
The following morning, we met early for coffee, muffins and fruit kebabs, then headed out again and were treated to, among other wonderful sightings, a baby giraffe suckling from mum, another leopard (which Isaac headed out on foot to track down for us), buffalo and a rhino mum and calf. Four out of the Big Five in less than 24 hours.
But we know a safari is about more than just ticking off the Big Five and Bernice’s knowledge and enthusiasm meant that we were as excited as she was about everything we saw – even down to the family of dwarf mongoose whose babies entertained us wonderfully. And just as we were driving back to camp (where a beautiful breakfast had been freshly prepared), what did we spot on the hill? Yes, the elephants!! Five out of five, all boxes well and truly ticked!
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