Back to nature at Monate Game Lodge

Published Dec 10, 2017

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We often underestimate

the power of a short

getaway from the bustling

city. 

Something as small as

breathing in fresh air, waking

up to the sound of chirping

birds and opening your window

to see a landscape you can

only dream of. 

At Monate Game Lodge,

just over two hours outside of

Joburg, all this is a reality. 

Don’t let the long and winding

gravel road fool you; once

you’ve off-ramped from the

main road, the minute you get

to the lodge, tranquillity sets

in. 

It could be because of the

choice of colour on the walls –

a cool and calming grey, or just

knowing that you are free from

any unnecessary hooting and

enraged drivers on the road. 

TRANQUIL: A view of the lodge from one of the pool decks. Picture: Monate Game Lodge

On our arrival, we quickly

got into holiday mode and

took a dip in

one of the two

pools available

to guests at

the lodge. The

perfect water temperature cooled off our

sun-kissed skins

until it was time to check in

and explore some more. 

The lodge offers 26 modern

double-rooms and two exclusive

luxury lodges that are

just a walkway bridge from

the main lodge. 

The luxury

lodges – Shingwedzi and Skukuza

– are a cut above the rest

with all the comforts of home;

a dining space for days you

don’t feel like going out and

a lounge with the most comfortable

couches guaranteed to

fulfil your napping needs.

Skukuza also comes with a

mini-kitchen, encouraging you

to bring along some friends if

you decide to take a weekend

break with the boys or the girls

or even the family. 

COSY: The luxurious Shingwedzi Lodge. Picture: Monate Game Lodge

Shingwedzi has a touch of

the wild side with the lodge

being part canvas tent. Once

you open up the roller tent canvas,

a deck with a splash pool

and outside boma-fire greets

you (both the lodges have these

exclusive extras). 

It is picturesque…

you will not want to

go home. 

If you aren’t a fan of insects

and bugs, you may want to settle

in one of the main lodges to

avoid bumping into the occasional

frog that sent my roommate

into a frenzy. 

There is a bush spa and

a jacuzzi for those who want

to be pampered while appreciating

nature.

Since our trip was an overnight

stay, we had to get in

as much activity as possible. 

Game drives at the lodge can take place either in the morning to see the sunrise or in the evening to see it at set. Picture: Monate Game Lodge

A sunset game drive around

parts of the 1 839-hectare private

reserve was the perfect

way to start our evening, when

most of the animals can be

spotted as they head to a water

source after a long day. 

There is also an option to do

a morning drive. The rangers

can answer all the questions

you may have

on the animals

– from

the buffalo

to the zebras

and giraffes –

and add some

k n o w l e d g e

about how

some of the animals came to

be named.

One such animal is the

steenbok. It camouflages itself

so well in the bush that it can

be mistaken for a rock, hence

the name. 

The reserve is home to

almost half the bird species

found in the country. On the

game drive, we stopped at

one of the scenic parts of the

reserve to watch the sunset

over some drinks and biltong.

The surrounding landscape

and being so close to nature

relaxes the soul.

Needless to say, most of our

pictures on the trip were taken

at that majestic vantage point. 

VIEWS: The vantage points allows guests to get a clear view of the sunset during a game drive. Picture Mpiletso Motumi

Down below us the hippos were

cooling off from the day, while

the crocodiles were still soaking

up the last bits of sun.

If you have the courage to,

you can swop a game drive

for a game walk to truly enjoy

the natural surroundings and

animals. 

After the game drive, we

were pleasantly surprised with

another must do experience:

dinner in the natural cave.

Some port to start the night

off was followed by a walk

up to the natural cave the

lodge is built around. 

The cave

overlooks a waterhole and the

reserve. 

SPECIAL FEATURE: The pathway to the natural cave at Monate Game Lodge where guests can enjoy a special candlelight dinner. Picture: Monate Game Lodge

Formed about 300 000 years

ago, the cave came to be after

an inland lake drained out.

African tribes used the cave

some 1 000 years ago as a spiritual

site.

The dinner is set up like

the lunch buffet with a choice

of meats, salads and breads,

while the braai entices you to

keep going back for more. The

toughest part of the experience

is heading back down the pathway

without falling over from

a full stomach. 

This Modimolle establishment

is home to three of the

Big Five. 

While we missed the

lions on the sunset game drive,

we got the chance to see one

lazing about in the morning on

our way to the bush breakfast.

One of the many highlights

of the trip was waking up

early to experience an amazing

breakfast buffet in the bush,

with animals roaming nearby. 

The chef makes his own marmalades

and gave us a taste

of his tomato jam and mango/

passion fruit marmalade… divine. 

The scrumptious breakfast

filled us up enough for the

drive back home. 

The lodge

also offers conference facilities

and has excellent Wi-Fi to keep

you connected with your loved

ones back home. 

If your plan is to stay for

a weekend, you may want

to go on a tour of the caves,

bird watching at the Nylsvley

Nature Reserve or do some

stargazing.

Monate Game Lodge lives

up to its name, it’s a good break

from the city

Diary entries:

OUTDOORS: Nokuthula Zwane relaxes at Shingwedzi Lodge. Picture: Mpiletso Motumi

Nokuthula Zwane:

It was all things “monate”, as The Star celebrated its 130th Christmas party in Limpopo. My experience at the Monate Lodge was unforgettable with hundreds of perfect photo opportunities, Wi-Fi connection, luxurious rooms and beautiful views.

As a photo opportunist, I made sure that I kept my followers up to date with my hourly posts on what we experienced at the lodge. Imagine, a day where you can arrive and find yourself jumping into the nearest pool with different types of buck grazing and squirrels darting around as your backdrop.

The animals, the breeze and an amazing view of the sunset was all a girl needed to get away from the big city.

Visitors can be sure that they will be fed throughout their stay, because I left the lodge feeling like I had gained a couple of kilograms. Breakfast in the bush, lunch in an exclusive restaurant and dinner in a cave was quite an experience for me.

WRAPPED UP: Karishma Dipa enjoys breakfast with colleagues. Picture: Mpiletso Motumi

Karishma Dipa:

The week was winding down when we arrived in Limpopo and although we all came to Monate Game Lodge to relax, we couldn’t help but bring Joburg’s stress along. What really helped me unwind was the game drive in the evening.

With the fresh breeze blowing through my hair, I put my feet up, cuddled with a blanket and took the sights of the bush in.

After I watched the animals in their natural habitat, the ultimate highlight of the trip was having sundowners on top of a mountain. My colleagues and I spent quality time bonding and taking pictures together in the scenic venue.

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