The Rockfig Safari Lodge is located in the “Timbavati Private Nature Reserve” adjacent to the western edge of the massive Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa. The Timbavati is a large nature preserve of some 132,000 acres of ‘bushveld’ which is closed off from the general public with only guests of the various lodges in the preserve having access. Fences between the Kruger Park and the reserve were removed in 1993 to encourage natural species migration.
We saved the Rockfig Lodge for the last days of our holiday as it is one of the finest safari camps in Africa. The common area has indoor and outdoor guest spaces with an open kitchen, a covered lounge area overlooks the pool deck and waterhole, and ‘boma’ (an enclosed fire pit space). There are six guest suites with indoor & outdoor showers, a private veranda, and bath. Very special.
We had Martin, part owner of the lodge, as our guide for the morning game drive as Danie was at a nearby village taking a guide certification test to increase his credentials. After a short pause to admire the sunrise, we headed to the site of last night’s leopard kill. The hunter was still there, hanging out in the tree where she had stashed her impala kill. On the ground were hyenas waiting for scraps to drop.
This was ‘Bush Breakfast’ day. Staff set up tables and a great hot buffet line for our morning meal. Nice!
We hung around the pool for the afternoon, joined by what might have been the same group of ellies. The pool was designed with a ‘drinking trough’ on the outside that is continuously filled with untreated water.
The beasts loved it!
Danie returned from his exam feeling well about his performance. Our afternoon drive was another winner with giraffe, hippo, antelope, and elephant sightings.
Dinner was a traditional South African ‘braal’ – what we might think of as a barbeque but much cooler. Awesome!
