The night before we arrived at Gondwana, dad had shown us how Africa and South America used to be connected, and how the shapes fitted together so long ago to form Gondwanaland. Gia and I thought it was such a cool name for a game reserve.
As we drove in on the muddied roads, we saw two giraffes in the distance. We were greeted with hot facecloths, and looked out over the swimming pool and the bee-hive shaped Kwena huts to the mountains in the distance. The huts are inspired by the ancient Khoi San dwellings.
We drove to our family villa and could not believe how big it was – two huge bedrooms, a massive lounge, dining room and kitchen, and a deck with a beautiful view. And our own slippers and gowns!! On each bed was a little black WILDLIFE EXPLORER backpack filled with a rhino piggy bank, an activity book, colouring in book and some sweets.
At 3.30 we went to high tea – scones, biltong and cheese toasted sarmies, caramel filled chocolate cups, iced tea, coffee and for Gia and me a chance to make our own cookies. We met Lizanne, our ranger. It was a bit rainy and cold on the Land Rover, so we wrapped up in a blanket and poncho and tucked our hot water bottles into our shirts!
We stopped at a small water-hole, and we could just see the snout and ears of a hippo. My dad started doing his hippo grunts, and right away a second hippo appeared, and both stared at us and opened their mouths really wide, like the Chomp advert – he fancies himself as a bit of a Hippo Whisperer!
We saw impala, springbok, zebra, giraffe, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and just before sunset, two beautiful rhinos. Lizanne shared with us how endangered these beautiful animals are – it’s really sad how cruel some people can be just for money. Gondwana has eyes on their rhinos 24/7, keeping them safe.
The next morning we woke up crazy early for the morning game drive. We tracked the lions all over, but couldn’t find them – all we found was the horns, skull and legs of a blue wildebeest they had killed. It was exciting following the lion’s spoor. We saw elephant, eland, waterbuck, giraffe and so many other animals.
Breakfast was the best – everything you could ask for, including baby chinos with chocolate sprinkles. Gia and I went fishing with Lizanne and Gia caught a small fish – she was very excited about her first catch. Afterwards, we each made a bow and arrow from bamboo. It was really cool learning about the bush from Lizanne, while mom and dad relaxed in the warm sun on the wooden deck, reading their books.
On the evening game drive, we were so keen to see the lions. Half-way down a steep hill into the valley, we found a male lion. He had a dark mane and roared down the valley like Simba, calling to the female and his cubs. His roar was so loud!
We followed him slowly down the hill, and watched him trying to find the others – eventually we saw the female and the two cubs up on the hill, resting. They looked just like rocks from far off. We stopped for a sundowner across the valley - yummy snacks like biltong, nuts and pop-corn – and cold beer for dad!
On the way back Lizanne explained how Gondwana and “Working for Water” are clearing all the alien black wattle off the land – it was very inspiring to see how they are conserving the land. I shone the powerful torch as we drove back in the dark and spotted a caracal – he has such beautiful pointy ears. Before dinner, we braaied marsh-mellows on the fire – a fun guy from England dipped his in sherry first! Dinner was again an absolute feast, with yummy deserts.
I loved the lions roaring, and tracking and following the lions was such fun. I also loved spending time in the bush with Lizanne, learning new stuff. Seeing the caracal at night was my highlight!
Gia loved fishing and the graceful giraffes with their long black tongues. And watching the lion cubs playing up on the hill.
Dad’s note:
My lasting impression of Gondwana was the passionate conservation ethic that runs through the entire team. Mark and his team are continuously restoring and conserving 11 000 hectares of land, while providing an exceptional safari experience. The Big Five roam free in rolling fynbos-covered hills and beautiful deep valleys, less than 400km from Cape Town. I loved the Kwena huts and the way they settle so softly into the environment. The personal service and attention to detail was exceptional, and as Indi said, “We were treated like Kings and Queens for two full days”.
Click here to book your stay at Gondwana Game Reserve
Click the links below to read more about Indi & Gia''s fun family holiday down the coast of South Africa
Watching whales at Grootbos near Gansbaai in the Overberg