Shamwari Game Reserve - Circle of Life

It is raining today. In an area, which has for some time now been stricken with a severe drought, this rain is grace from God. Driving along the N2 between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown late afternoon. I’m watching the rain fall on the ground and I imagine the intense relief washing over the earth and the savannah bushveld, taking in every last drop of moisture. I smile with nature, happy for her, and I’m excited. The girls are asleep in the back of the car and we are almost there.

We take the leisurely drive a few kilometres along the dirt road to the lodge. Before we even come to a stop, we are welcomed at our vehicle with umbrellas and gigantic smiles, assisted with our luggage and escorted into the warm and cosy reception lounge, where a delicious fair for the customary high tea awaits us.

After tea, we are shown to our room, a beautiful colonial style and spacious retreat, with two cots for the girls bearing welcome gifts of complimentary fleecy blankets and a cuddly rhino each to keep them company for sleepy time. From our patio, it’s a few steps over the lawn to the outside dining area and its beautiful rim flow pool. The surrounding bushveld stretches out wide and distant.

I try to be still for a moment, to just take it all in, to listen to the sounds of the bush. I am briskly whisked away from my thoughts. My daughter Hannah had heard about a special place for kids on the reserve and is tugging my arm, “Mommy, can we pleeease go to the kids room now?” So off we go to explore the Lodge.

The supervised playroom is a godsend. My husband Carl and I are eager to embark on our first game drive and have a little time on our own. We are, after all, not merely parents to these budding little explorers of ours. We leave the kids, happily engrossed in their crafty activities, and set off to meet our ranger. His name is Sipho and he has been assigned to our family for the duration of our stay.