Few places are as good for the soul as the bush. The fresh, earthy air, the sound of lions in the distance or birds calling their mates, and the silence at night. Oh, the silence. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is just over three hours away from Cape Town, but it might as well have been another planet. It’s an absolute piece of heaven. And a remote destination with no cell reception is just what the doctor ordered, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Anita Froneman.
The 58,000ha reserve offers an impressive array of wildlife, including 650 plant and 216 bird species and yes, the whole Big 5. No, you won’t get to feed, touch or take photos with them. It’s called wildlife for a reason. Beware of any facility that does offer human-wildlife encounters. It may sound sweet, but domesticating wild animals in any way is not only unethical, but it’s also dangerous. We’ve seen enough headlines about people getting hurt by animals, with tragic consequences for both the person and the animal. Okay, lecture done.
Instead, hop on a safari vehicle and join your expert guide on an exciting scouting mission to see what animals will make themselves visible today. You might come across a few ellies resting in a dry riverbed, or a herd of gemsbok grazing leisurely in the grass. Cross all your fingers and you might even spot a caracal, a lion or a cheetah!
Other fun activities at the reserve include hiking to ancient rock art sites, impressive stargazing and eating until you’re about ready to roll to your room for a nap. Depending on the lodge you choose, you might go for a dip in a hot tub underneath a thorn tree, a swim in a crystal clear swimming pool, or a luxurious soak in a bubble bath overlooking the dramatic rock formations surrounding the accommodation.
Got a string of youngsters in tow? The Gondwana Family Lodge is loaded with kids activities (couples, head to Dwyka Tented Lodge for peace and quiet instead). Book them in for the interpretive trail that takes kids through the garden of Gondwana to learn about animals on the reserve as well as their tracks, important plants, and more. Alternatively, arrange for childminding services with the very friendly staff while mom and dad head off on a game drive (or… not a game drive).
Aside from the natural beauty, lavish luxury and exciting activities, visiting Sanbona will also mean you directly contribute to wildlife conservation.
Sanbona is owned by the non-profit CALEO Foundation, and the owner (a Swiss philanthropist) decided to register it as an NPC because doing so “significantly enhances the prospects of the reserve being preserved as a wilderness refuge indefinitely,” the Reserve says. In effect, all funds generated by tourism at Sanbona are injected directly into the ongoing protection of wildlife and the environment through various conservation projects.
“Sustainability and responsible utilisation are foundations for our day to day management at our lodges, administrative buildings, staff villages and workshops,” Sanbona says. ” To assist our endeavours to be as effective as possible, we at Sanbona have partnered with the world-renowned and respected Wilderness Foundation and their Green Leaf Environmental Standard (GLES) programme.”
“The aim of Sanbona, using the GLES, is to reduce the effects of consumption on our environment and improve upon environmental management and awareness in an eco-friendly manner, by addressing the direct impact of the Reserve on the environment, reducing our carbon footprint and improving the environmental education of owners and consumers alike, towards realising ways of enjoying the tourism product without compromising quality and experience.”
Well, that sounds like something we can totally get on board with.
For more information or to make a booking, contact +27 (0) 21 010 0028 or visit their website here.
Pictures: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
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