We Rhino Africans are used to early mornings, what with morning shifts when at work and morning game drives when on safari. But even for our hardened bunch the four o clock start to our most recent educational adventure was a bit rough. So by the time we reached the pick-up point for the two Rocktail lodges, after our Cape Town to Durban flight and the road transfer thereafter. We were not quite our usual amicable selves. Yet our friendly drivers for the 30 minute transfer to the lodges soon turned our dispositions around. Any lingering grumpiness vanished at sighting the sea and being greeted with a cooling drink and a smile on arrival.
Our party of fourteen Rhino Africans was split between the stylish luxury of Rocktail Bay and the only slightly less luxurious Rocktail Beach Camp. The recently opened Rocktail Beach Camp with it’s African themed main dining area, chilled out lounge and fully stocked bar, all a few metres from the large pool and with a view of the sea, played host to eight of us. Our accommodation for the night was in safari style tents, raised above the sandy dune soil and hidden amongst the thick coastal bush. Each ensuite tent was well equipped and has a balcony from which you could see the sea, albeit a little far away at 800 metres. I particularly enjoyed a warm shower to wash the travel grime off, with the curtains raised so I could look out over the forest toward the sea. Refreshed we returned to the communal area where supper was served on the covered verandah. Our plated starter of mussels went down well with the seafood lovers in the group and the buffet main was greedily devoured particularly the ostrich steak with cranberry sauce. Our evening continued well into the night, a few bottles of red and some exotic cocktails, including Dorenes ‘suitcase’ and accompanying grimace, soon led to a laugh-out-loud game of 30 Seconds. Ingos; “A card game, opposite of ‘white tom’” (Black Jack) stands out from my, by this stage of the evening, blurry memory. Although I do remember conversation about hair in inappropriate places (HN, can you clarify?) and ‘Max on top’.
At Rocktail Bay the other six members of the group were treated to stylish accommodation in wood and thatch tree houses just 80 metres from the beach and protected from the wind by a line of dunes and dense coastal forest. Each of the en-suite rooms features a large private deck, african themed interior and is raised above the sandy dune soil providing ample sea views. They went for a swim in the warm ocean water and followed a meandering forest walk on their way back. Refreshed and ready to go, they met in the elevated wooden main area for drinks. Later a delicious meal was shared by the local pair of bush babies who sat on the table and ate their own banana supper in the most civilized manner imaginable! Friendly service and a cosy atmosphere led to more drinks, animated conversation as only Rhino Africans can engage in as well as Anton picking up yet another new nickname courtesy of the ever imaginative David.
The next morning refreshed, rejuvenated and reunited at Rocktail Beach we headed over to the adjoining dive centre, which is a fully equipped PADI facility where experienced divers and absolute beginners are all catered for. A short drive down to the beach later, some lighthearted banter about our ‘toite fitting’ wetsuits as well as some awkward boat boarding techniques and we were ready for a snorkeling adventure. The water being a little rough for snorkeling on one of the area’s many reefs we headed into deeper water in search of migrating Humpback and Southern Right Whales. Not only did we get to see both species in close proximity to the boat but were also treated to a display of acrobatics cum syncronized swimming by a large group of Spinner dolphins. Unfortunately, despite some of our teams efforts to feed the whales last nights dinner, when we entered the water ahead of the whales none of them where friendly enough to come closer. They do often investigate swimmers in the water, as if 15 metres from the boat wasn’t close enough! but it is really luck of the draw, like hitting 21 in a game of white tom . Our amazing adventure at Rocktail had to come to end though and we reluctantly returned to the road again, richer for the Rocktail experience. Thank you to our very accommodating hosts for a memorable time!
View Rocktail Beach Camp or Rocktail Bay on our website, or contact a Rhino Africa consultant to organize a Kwa-zulu Natal safari.