Overlooking the seasonal Msuthlu river sits Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp, a luxurious safari lodge comprising only six stylishly decorated suites, ensuring exclusivity in a noteworthy setting.
After a solo stay at the exquisite Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge in 2021, I decided the time was ripe for my daughter to accompany me to the equally magnificent Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp. We arrive in time for lunch, and our table on the veranda has views over the dry riverbed.
Waitress Mumsy and barman Karabo ensure that our drinks remain topped up, while chef Shadrack has cooked the most scrumptious gourmet burgers, onion rings, and fries. The irresistible vanilla ice cream is the ideal dessert choice in this wondrous setting. My eyes are drawn upwards toward the huge wire chandeliers hanging from the high roof beams, framing the picture perfectly.
Our suite is adjacent to the communal area, and the interiors were reimagined in 2016 by the extremely talented designers Derrick Tabbert Interiors and the Design Republic. Creating a masterpiece of comfort and style, each contains African-inspired accommodation with an imminent flow of space between inside and outside. Dollops of color form a wonderful departure from the traditional safe safari hues of beiges and creams, instead, the warm palette ensures a truly homey atmosphere.
The extra-large bathroom has double vanities, a beautiful freestanding bath, a glass-door shower with views of the bushveld, as well as an outdoor shower. On the outside deck, there is a cozy seating area for relaxation alongside your very own jacuzzi.
It’s time for our first game drive with guide Lazarus and tracker Zeb. Driving through the Sabie Game Reserve, I try to decipher what Lazarus and Zeb are saying to each other in Shangaan but cannot make out which animal they are referring to. Lazarus suddenly speeds up the game drive vehicle, and with only two vehicles per high-profile sighting, we are put on standby. All of a sudden, two African Wild Dogs scram past us, giving chase to a scrub hare. Their hunt is unsuccessful as they scamper around the greenery, sniffing about a large tree stump, eventually settling in the shade.
Dinner is in the boma and the chef has once again crafted the most delicious fare. We dine on perfectly prepared rib-eye steak on a bed of mashed potatoes, concluding our meal with the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate fondant & chocolate ice cream.
Following a good night’s sleep in our plush suite, our last game drive is filled with brilliant sightings that include a juvenile Martial eagle perched on a bare tree branch. The undisputed highlight is finding a very large pride of lions close to the boundary of the reserve getting active as the day starts warming up. All too soon, our stay comes to an end and after a hearty breakfast, it’s time to head back home.
Airlink’s direct daily flights between Johannesburg & Cape Town International Airport to Skukuza Airport make the journey seamless, together with the extraordinary service where customers enjoy the comfort and generous legroom, complimentary luggage allowance, and a tasty meal or snack, and a choice of beverages. A veritable game drive commences as soon as we leave Little Bush Camp in the Sabi Sabi game drive vehicle en route to the iconic Skukuza airport, with sightings of impala, giraffe, a Malachite kingfisher, and a Pied kingfisher. After a comfortable 2-hour and 45-minute flight from Skukuza to Cape Town, we land 15 minutes ahead of schedule, just another reason why we choose to fly Airlink and enjoy The Freedom of the African sky, where you too can create extraordinary and memorable experiences.
*** Views expressed are the author’s own.
How To Get There
Airlink is a privately-owned, independent premier regional airline offering the widest route network and connectivity to more than 45 destinations in 13 countries in Southern Africa. Experience More https://www.flyairlink.com/airlink-profile
With more than 50 regional jetliners in the fleet, Airlink has been ranked as South Africa’s most punctual airline, based on its 97% average on-time performance year to date. This is a clear indication of their determination and commitment to remain synonymous with customer centricity, punctuality, service excellence, and reliability.
Travelers can also enjoy the benefit of our intra-continental style business class service on select routes operating the magnificent E-Jets. Discover More https://www.flyairlink.com/airlink-profile/business-class
How to get there: Airlink operates direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Iconic Skukuza Airport in the heart of the Kruger National Park. Explore more https://www.flyairlink.com/en-za/flights-to-skukuza
Book direct on www.flyairlink.com, the FlyAirlink app, or your Travel agent.