African Sarafi Adventure Delivers More than Just Wild Animals

Days 103-106, 2024 Grand World Voyage

Monday-Thursday, April 15-18, 2024; Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve, South Africa, Part 2.

Hello! Guest blogger Eloise again with another safari report. The last report covered our safari drives into the bush. This one will look at our time in the lodge, Thanda’s Villa iZulu, with more comparisons to last year’s safari.

The safari drives were great, but that was only in the early morning and late afternoon. The question comes up, what did we do with ourselves the rest of the time?

We had more fun, that’s what.

First off, our lodge was over the top – no surprise since Thanda’s Villa iZulu was built as the residence for the owner. With the five suites being in one building, it was easy to hang out together in the living room. Meals rotated between the dining room, the patio and the deck. Every table was beautifully set, and every meal was delicious. Each room was tastefully decorated, featuring Zulu art and handicrafts. The staff was very attentive and brought us snacks and drinks at the drop of a hat. Pity the poor visitor who is trying to diet.

The Zulu influence was everywhere. Thanda is in the midst of Zulu territory. Most of Thanda’s staff are Zulu and happy to answer questions about Zulu traditions, history and lifestyle.

Second, we had options for spending the day. Because of the 5 a.m. wake-up call for the morning excursions, for some the idea of fun was napping. Or heading for the pool or reading in the study.

We all could take advantage of Villa iZulu’s optional enrichment activities. Villa iZulu house manager Promise outlined these the first day: spa treatments, one-on-one visit with an elephant, a local Zulu community visit or a Zulu dance at the villa. I said yes to all.

One highlight was an up-close encounter with elephants at a neighboring game reserve. Elephants Rambo and Rachel were raised by humans and so cannot be released into the wild. Instead, handlers walk with them through the bush each day. For an hour each morning, the elephants interact with visitors. Their corral is open at the back so they can come and go as they please, but they are fine with visitors touching them as long as the supply of feed pellets holds out.

Elaine and I seized this opportunity to get up close and personal with African elephants. We kept up a steady supply of the feed pellets as insurance while we touched their rough, leathery skin with its sparse, wiry hair. The skin behind the ears was much softer.  The trunk was so muscular! 

And I can report that both Rambo and Rachel loved those feed pellets, as they seemed to say “yummy, yummy, more, more, more!” As did the warthogs who showed up to help eat Rachel’s share.

One day we visited a Zulu family homestead and a local high school. The headman and his wife welcomed us and were personable, which is an achievement considering we could only talk through a translator.  They were around 80 years old and bought their homestead in 1982, the same year that an 80-year-old couple in our group bought their house. The coincidence created a bond.

As is common with Zulu homesteads, adult sons and unmarried daughters live in separate small houses in the compound. They share a large garden growing corn and vegetables for the family and to sell in the market.

At the high school we visited the ninth-grade kids. They were cheerful and interested, though shy about answering questions. Classroom resources are limited. The boys play soccer against other schools if transportation is available, and the girls only play locally. Their teacher described the challenges the students face when they graduate. It’s a rural community with small farming as the major local industry, so I wonder about job opportunities for the two-thirds not accepted to college. 

On two nights, locals entertained us with traditional Zulu dances. The Zulu women sang and performed line dances, wearing the red caps of married women and carrying small clubs and shields to symbolize how they defend their families. Several of us were invited to join in. Video evidence exists but is not available to the public. 😊

The Zulu young men also carried clubs and spears, but those were full-sized. They line-danced with energy, then several performed what resembled competitive break-dancing. The men guests were not invited to join, and several commented that it was a good thing since those moves were best done by the young.

With all this, we were able to learn about the Zulus and feel a connection to the culture. This is much more than we can generally accomplish on our short visits to various countries.

As if that wasn’t enough, two spa specialists visited the villa from the nearby safari lodge to supply manicures, pedicures and massages. South Africa is an affordable country, especially with the current exchange rate, so most of us signed up for at least one service. I found the pedicure and foot massage wonderful.

Living in the lap of luxury at Villa iZulu may have ruined me for sensible travel back in the United States.

How can I compare last year’s safari at Shishageni Lodge to this year’s at Thanda Villa iZulu? They are so different. Shishageni leases land from the much larger Kruger National Park so herds are larger, and we didn’t encounter electric fences. With several dozen guests, Shishageni lacked the personal touch. On the other hand, at Thanda Villa iZulu the personal touch was everywhere and the extra enrichment activities put the experience over the top. I’ll just say you won’t regret visiting either lodge next time you’re in South Africa.