We packed, checked out, had another really nice talk with our hosts, and were on the road at 9:43am. Bit later than intended. We filled up at Caltizdorp, and kept heading west along Route 62. Absolutely beautiful road. SS decided he needed some sleep and dozed off around Ladismith.
I realised we were running later, and started putting my foot down - the Sombrero was really not happy, but no choice. I was looking out for the sign for the turnoff to Sanbona, which was difficult with a snoozing man beside me, and going at 140km/h. I finally spotted the sign in my rear view mirror, and had to do a u-turn. This woke SS up, and he did his best cat stretches, happy after an hour and a half of sleep. I made it to the main gate of Sanbona at midday on the dot - phew. The guard there had no record of our booking (good thing I always print these things out), but a phone call sorted that out. Then we were directed to the staging post, another 13km along bumpy unsealed roads. Again, the Sombrero was not happy.
We got there, were helped with our bags, and I took the Sombrero round to his parking place for the next few days.
Then we waited for the other passengers to turn up, I took some photos (stunning location), altho' one poor employee has to stay there by himself for 21 days on the trot, just to meet and greet guests until they are transferred. Rather dull job I would think?
Once the other guests arrived we were transferred to Dwyka Lodge (40 minutes away). Along the way we got to see the other lodges in the Sanbona group (Tilney and Gondwana). We definitely chose the correct one!
On arrival at Dwyka we were given hot towels (which was the rule from then on upon arrival), and a cold drink, and then taken down and shown around our tent. These were stunning - fantastic design with two tents joined by a hallway which had twin sinks in it.
The tent on the left had the bed area, and the one on the right the bathroom.
Then there was a large freestanding bath, with a shower backing on to it.
Out the back was a private deck with plunge pool that was not overlooked at all.
We skipped lunch, and just lay outside the back in the sun until our game drive at 4pm. We snacked on the rest of the Niknaks and some more provita with some juice. The complementary drinks here were not as good as Akademie, but then they really had things done perfectly!
At 4pm we helped ourselves to some juice and sliced fruit in the main tent, and then were greeted by our guide - Alwyn, a large sturdy Afrikaner with a genuine love for animals. Guides in South Africa now have to do formal training, and are as a result much better informed. It really makes a difference, particularly when they like their jobs like Alwyn did.
We were joined on the drive by a couple that live in Poole (Trisha and Brody) and a German couple - Beatrice and Andreas. Both very nice people. We were very fortunate heading out on the drive, as we saw zebra
and a large male elephant right by the road straight away.
Driving on we saw springbok, a large white rhino,
eland and then we went into the buffalo enclosure, where we were very lucky to have a small group come right out near the truck.
Usually there is only a long distance sighting of them at best!
Back to the old windmill to have our sundowners - Alwyn makes a mean G&T, and we snacked way too much on boerewors, crisps, pretzels, biltong and dried fruit. Yum.
Beautiful sunset on the way back, altho' it got cold and we needed the lap blankets provided.
Once back at Dwyka, we got changed and were due to meet back for drinks at the main tent. I was determined to wash and dry my hair, and I managed to shower, wash my hair, dry it and dress all in 27 minutes. No one could accuse me of being high maintenance!
We headed up and talked to Alwyn, Trisha and Brody before finally moving through to dinner. All very pleasant.
I did not take any photos of the food at Dwyka - it is not the high point of staying there. It was an a la carte night, and I had masala fishcakes followed by kingklip with tomato sauce. SS had the vegetable soup , followed by eland. Mine was very salty - way too salty, and dry and bland. SS said his was OK but very bland also. It looked like home cooking on a plate, and not in the way that phrase is usually used now.
To end, SS had the cheese, and I went for the fruit platter, after asking for it to have no melon in it. What turned up? Basically a plate of melon... ugh.
So we skipped finishing that, and headed down to our tent for the night. Early morning call for our game drive in the morning... 5:30am - ugh!
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