Memoirs from the Cape Royale and Gondwana Game Reserve…

“Oh Wow, they are Massive!”

There’s a scene in one of my favourite movies where the assistant to the high-powered lead actress is given a landslide of impossible tasks and errands. She repeats a very simple mantra in order to convince herself that the hellish to-do list is all worth it in the end; “I love my job. I love my job. I love my job.” This past weekend, I, and some other Rhino Africans, found ourselves repeating the exact same mantra while enjoying the luxury of the Cape Royale and Gondwana Game Reserve. And after a weekend like that, we really do love our jobs… The things we at Rhino Africa have to do to bring you the best in luxury safari travel!

After work on Friday, we headed down, or should I rather say all the way up, to Sky Bar on the roof of the Cape Royale. While some of us were spinning circles to take in the 360-degree view of the city, the stadium and the mountain, others stood at the foot of the stage waiting for South African band Goldfish to take us into the star studded Friday night. And by star studded I mean the guest list, not the evening sky. Rumour has it the Rhino Africans were in the company of Chelsy Davy (Prince Harry’s Ex) and her posse of suave male admirers…

After the beats died down we checked into our suites, took in the view that only the Cape Royale can offer and made our way to the 1800 restaurant for dinner. If you are wondering about the name, a clue is most certainly in the tasting… The name of the restaurant refers to a signature grill – imported from New York and the first of its kind in South Africa – that literally cooks steak at a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. 1800° is no ordinary steakhouse. Meat is their specialty and if the silence during main course was any indication of how good the steak was, mum’s the word.

Bellies filled and glasses empty, the team retired to bed… as wake-up calls were at 5:30. Ok, I’m not a very good liar. Some of the team retired to bed… those who didn’t suffered deservedly on the 4 hour trip to Gondwana, which departed at 7:15 sharp.

Fast forward 4 hours and we were welcomed at Lehele Lodge with Mimosas, Bloody Marys (for the fragile troops) and an impressive lunch spread. The weather was slightly on the overcast side but the good people of Gondwana understand the value of a fireplace.

Lunch was followed by a short Land Rover trip to the Kwena Huts. This was to be home to the Rhino Africans and apparently to a small pride of lions, as some of the more unfortunate, further flung hut dwellers in the team would discover. There are 14 huts, I was staying in lucky number (predator surrounded) 13. And after my caring colleagues, the occupants of huts 11 and 12, decided to move into huts 9 and 10 due to the theory that there is safety in numbers, I was left alone and had to either be escorted to and from my hut or win the Olympic gold.

After some time to unpack and relax, half the team went on a game drive while the other half stayed by the fire and delicious nibblies, in the lounge area. Those that stayed enjoyed many drinks and went head to head playing 30 Seconds and Jenga. While some contenders proved worthy, the performance of others raised serious doubts as to why they were still employed. Those that opted for the game drive were fortunate to see Lion, Zebra and Eland. Once all had returned it was time to sample the best that Head chef, Alessandro De Bortoli had to offer and most of the Rhino Africans came close to overdosing on decadent ostrich sushi, duck liver tempura, a trio of game meat, roasted vegetables, Malva Pudding and banana Mousse. I think dinner could have been a ploy by the lions to make the resident of hut 13 flavourful and plump for their midnight snack. After everyone had been escorted to their huts the silence of the reserve ensured a seven star snooze enhanced by an indulgent bath and a hot cup of cocoa.

Sunday morning presented three different options: fishing, horseback safari or an early morning game drive. While some were enjoying the solitude of casting into the misty morning air or galloping through the fynbos, those that opted for the game drive were again treated to lion sightings as well as a very rare, comedic sighting of the elusive, Lesser Spotted Giant African Rabbit. If you are a little lost, allow me to explain… Our fantastic ranger pointed to a herd of Grey Rhebuck and described how they ‘looked like giant rabbits’ from a distance. The newest member of our team (whose name will not be mentioned) only heard, “Giant Rabbits” upon which he exclaimed, with all the naivety and wonder of a small child seeing something truly awe inspiring for the first time, ‘Oh Wow, they are Massive!”.

When we’d stopped laughing and the early morning activities concluded, a fresh breakfast spread filled our bellies (Operation Bacon and Eggs as our exceptional Ranger, Forget, decided to call it) for the trip back to Cape Town, home of Rhino Africa.

With such a wonder-filled weekend of spoiling and splurging, Rhino Africa would like to say a huge thanks to Francois and his team from the Cape Royale and Mark, Louise and the team from Gondwana for their generous hospitality, kindness and fluffy rhinos!