South Africa – Settlers Drift Lodge, May 9th and 10th

Tuesday morning, we boarded two boats that took us up the Bushman River to our final destination at Kariega Game Reserve – Settlers Drift Lodge. When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly staff who offered cool lemon scented towels and a delicious beverage. This was standard operating procedure each time we arrived back at our accommodation, whether after a bike ride, a Jeep safari or after any other event.

Unlike River Lodge, located on the Bushman River, Settlers Drift, like Ukhozi Lodge, is perched on a ridge. It and its nine villas overlook the Bushman River and small valley. To get to our villa we had to walk a hundred yards though the trees on an elevated boardwalk (which reminded us of parts of Kiawah Island in South Carolina). I found this particularly relaxing.

As we did when we got to our villa at Ukhozi Lodge, we took out our binoculars and spotted a variety of wildlife below. Warthogs and giraffes seemed especially numerous. We eventually walked next door (40 yards) to the Hoffman’s villa where we spent some quality time on their deck admiring the African landscape and wildlife below.

After another mid-afternoon buffet, we were off on another Jeep safari. We got off our jeeps for a short bush walk, the highlight of which was walking by some giraffes. Seeing the animals while walking is a different experience than when riding.

But the highlight of the day was another sundowner on the top of a mountain. Some would argue that the ride up to the top was the actual highlight. And they have a valid point. The drive up the mountain and along the top of a ridge reminded me of an amusement park ride. And because Elizabeth and I were sitting in the top row, which is always the bounciest, it felt like we were going to pop out of the Jeep into the abyss below. I truly believe that if I had not been hanging on with both hands, I would have flown out of the Jeep and would have tumbled down the mountain. We laughed scared.

As the sun sank over the adjacent mountain, we stopped in a clearing to find chairs lined in a semi-circle around a fire. A bar was set up off to the side with a small food station. The setting for this sundowner could not have been more spectacular. Afterwards, we headed down the mountain in the dark to our lodge, where we enjoyed another wonderful meal together.

The next morning we biked along the Bushman River and through the bush. That afternoon we relaxed by the pool, which overlooked the valley below. We saw a tower of giraffes drinking from the river below. Watching them spread their legs to get low enough to drink was funny. And then as a kaleidoscope, they crossed the river. I found out that when standing still, a herd of giraffes is called a “tower”, and when moving, a “kaleidoscope.”

Later that day, on our final Jeep safari though the bush, we had two separate sightings of Rhinos with babies, with one baby confirmed as Thandi’s granddaughter! Thandi was the Rhino saved after the 2012 poaching. We also saw some hippos hanging out in a small river.

Dinner that evening was an old fashion BBQ, known in South Africa as an braai. With a braai, only hot coals are used. And it is usually a big social event. Everything was wonderful, but the lamb-chops were the best I ever had. Because it was our last night together, speeches were made. One of the guests asked each of us to mention what was the most meaningful thing that occurred during the trip and what surprised us the most. A common theme was how quickly the group bonded. When my turn came up, I was brief responding with two words – community and grace.